The Godfather: Part II

The Godfather: Part II

Year: 1974

Runtime: 200 min

Language: English

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Budget: $13M

DramaThrillerCrime

Michael Corleone struggles to maintain power and legitimacy for his family in 1958, facing challenges from rivals and internal conflicts. The film also explores his father Vito's journey as a young immigrant in New York City, depicting his rise from poverty to prominence in the criminal underworld during 1917. These interwoven narratives reveal the origins of the Corleone empire and the sacrifices made to secure its future, examining themes of family, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Godfather: Part II yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Godfather: Part II (1974)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Godfather: Part II (1974). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1901, 1917, 1922, 1958

Spanning several decades, the narrative unfolds in pivotal moments of the early 20th century. It begins in 1901 with the rise of organized crime, transitions through the 1910s as Italian immigrants like Vito Corleone carve out their lives in America, and culminates in the complex socio-political landscape of the 1950s, marked by challenges within the family and threats to power.

Location

Corleone, New York City, Little Italy, Cuba

The movie travels from the scenic yet tragic Sicilian town of Corleone, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich history, to the bustling streets of New York City, particularly the close-knit community of Little Italy where Italian immigrants established their roots. It also explores the contrasting backdrop of Cuba, showcasing a glamorous yet tumultuous setting during the height of civil unrest.

🏙️ City 🌍 Location 🏞️ Scenic

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:22

Main Characters – The Godfather: Part II (1974)

Meet the key characters of The Godfather: Part II (1974), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Vito Corleone

Vito Corleone, portrayed by Robert De Niro, is a formidable and resourceful figure who transitions from a young immigrant to a powerful mafia boss. His charisma and strategic mind are pivotal in navigating the treacherous waters of organized crime, yet his heart bears the weight of familial loyalty and loss. Vito embodies the complexities of power and the sacrifices it entails.

👨‍💼 Leader 🚀 Ambitious 💔 Loyal

Michael Corleone

Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, is the embodiment of transformation as he evolves from a reluctant heir to a decisive leader of the Corleone family. His journey is marked by internal conflicts as he grapples with the demands of power and the implications for his loved ones. Michael's cold pragmatism often leads him to dark choices, highlighting the duality of his character.

🥷 Strategist ⚔️ Ruthless 🔥 Complex

Tom Hagen

Tom Hagen, portrayed by Robert Duvall, serves as the family's consigliere, navigating the intricate political landscape on behalf of the Corleones. His loyalty and counsel are tested as Michael's decisions create distances between them, leading to a struggle for power and influence within the family affairs.

🕵️‍♂️ Advisor 🔑 Strategic 💔 Loyal

Carmela Corleone

Carmela Corleone, played by Diane Keaton, is a devoted wife who embodies the struggles of being married to a man immersed in crime. Her character reflects the often overlooked emotional toll that mafia life takes on families, as she grapples with love for her husband and the repercussions of his choices on their lives and children.

💖 Supportive 🏠 Nurturing 😔 Suffering

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:22

Major Themes – The Godfather: Part II (1974)

Explore the central themes of The Godfather: Part II (1974), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Power & Betrayal

The film intricately examines the themes of power and betrayal within the crime world. Michael Corleone's rise to leadership highlights the moral conflicts when ambition clashes with familial loyalty. The ruthless decisions taken by characters demonstrate how the pursuit of power can lead to devastating consequences for family bonds.

🗡️ Revenge

Revenge is a driving theme, especially as Vito Corleone confronts his tragic past and avenges his family's wrongs against Don Ciccio. This cycle of retribution underscores the lengths characters will go to reclaim their honor, illustrating how personal vendettas can have far-reaching impacts.

💔 Family Dynamics

The complex dynamics of the Corleone family are portrayed through the shifting relationships and conflicts between Michael, Fredo, and Kay. Their interactions reveal deep-seated issues of trust, loyalty, and the emotional toll that a life of crime exacts on family bonds.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:22

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about the rise and fall of crime empires like The Godfather: Part II

Epic tales charting the ascent and moral decay of organized crime dynasties.If you admired the intricate portrayal of a crime family's legacy in The Godfather: Part II, explore other epic sagas that delve into the building and eventual crumbling of criminal empires. These films share a focus on power, loyalty, and the heavy toll of a life of crime, offering similar grand narratives and complex character studies.

epicgrimsolemntragicsuspensefulpessimisticbrooding

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically span long periods, detailing the strategic acquisition of power, internal rivalries, and the inevitable conflicts that threaten the empire's stability. They often contrast the founding generation's brutal pragmatism with the successor's psychological isolation, creating a tragic arc of achievement built on loss.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared epic scale, focus on organized crime structures, and thematic depth exploring power, legacy, and betrayal. They deliver a similarly heavy, contemplative experience through complex storytelling and a dark, pessimistic tone.

Movies about the corrosive cost of power like The Godfather: Part II

Stories where the pursuit of power leads to moral collapse and isolation.Fans of The Godfather: Part II's exploration of Michael Corleone's isolation will find similar themes in these films about ambition's dark side. Discover stories where characters gain influence but lose their soul, featuring heavy emotional weight, complex protagonists, and bleak or bittersweet conclusions about the price of power.

psychologicalbleaktragicsolemnmorally complexisolatedbrooding

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a protagonist making increasingly difficult moral choices to achieve a goal, often leading to betrayal and alienation from those they love. The story arc is typically a downward spiral into loneliness, where external success is matched by internal ruin.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their profound exploration of a central theme: how ambition and power corrupt an individual. They share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a compelling, often tragic, character study that leaves a lasting, melancholic impression.

Unlock the Full Story of The Godfather: Part II

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Godfather: Part II in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Godfather: Part II is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Godfather: Part II Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Godfather: Part II, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Godfather: Part II Summary

The Godfather: Part II Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Godfather: Part II with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Godfather: Part II Timeline

The Godfather: Part II Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Godfather: Part II that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Godfather: Part II Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Godfather: Part II

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Godfather: Part II: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Godfather: Part II

Similar Movies to The Godfather: Part II

Discover movies like The Godfather: Part II that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.