Top Ten Godfather Trilogy Scenes

The Godfather is considered one of the greatest masterpieces to ever come out of film, with many great, memorable scenes. What's your favourite Godfather scene?

If you somehow haven't watched this before and plan to, do not read on.
The Top Ten
1 Baptism murder montage (Godfather)

Largely recognized as one of the greatest montages in history, paralleling Michael's baptism with the murders he had orchestrated.

2 Michael shoots Sollozzo and McCluskey (Godfather)

One of the huge changing points for Michael and very memorable.

3 Vito and Michael talk alone for the final time (Godfather)

This scene feels so real. These two great cinema titans talk so naturally and it actually feels like a father who knows he is near the end of his life and is trying to impart every bit of the (quite considerable) wisdom he has to his youngest son.

And Brando really plays to a T the anguish and regret that Vito must be feeling due to not only his integrity and morality, but to his clearly personal lifelong desire to give his children a clean, legitimate life and his regret that Michael, whom he molded from childhood to be the one to be honest and 'pull the strings', is suddenly quite engrossed in the darker, more disparate familial ways. Brilliant on all parties involved.

4 Kay tells Michael about the abortion (Godfather II)

There is no scene in any movie that sends chills down your spine like when you look at Michael's quivering lip as he grasps just what has happened. That scene alone deserved an Oscar. I wish they had Oscars for specific scenes in any movie because there are some mediocre movies that have scenes in them that are worthy of an Oscar.

The true magnificence of this scene comes from Pacino's method acting and the raw anger seething through Michael.

The biggest turning point of the series. Iconic.

5 Opening scene with Vito Corleone (Godfather)

Just as famous as the scene above, with Vito dealing for family matters and Brando speaking the famous Godfather quote.

6 Michael convinces Sonny to let him kill Sollozzo and McCluskey (Godfather)

Another huge changing point, where we first see Michael take control of the situation.

7 Michael talks with Moe Greene (and warns Fredo) (Godfather)

We see Michael acting as Don and the memorable talk with Fredo.

8 The Godfather II final scene (flashback) (Godfather II)

Seeing the contrast of how things were and how they are now, how Michael taking care of the family lead to the end of the family and how he has changed over time.

9 Michael recognizes threat and protects Vito at the hospital (Godfather)

I watched this film with a friend of mine and her mother. The mother told me this: "When Michael lights the cigarette for Enzo (son-in-law of Nazorine the Baker), he realizes that he could live with this life of being a mobster/murderer. Eventually, he does become Don Corleone, even if at first he rejected this life." Enzo was shaking the entire time, but Michael was calm and was able to pull a 'poker face', pretending to have a gun on him. Michael's character development in this book/movie is INCREDIBLE! I know it's cliché to say, but they really don't make movies like this anymore!

10 Michael becomes Don Corleone (Godfather)

Huge scene that many will have seen shots of even without watching the film, as it shows Michael's transition from the good soldier he once was to a ruthless Don.

The Contenders
11 Frank Pentangeli offs himself in the bathtub and Fredo is whacked montage sequence (Godfather II)
12 The door closes on Kate (Godfather)
13 The congressional hearing where the witness is convinced not to tell the truth when his brother is brought the proceedings (Godfather II)
14 Young Vito Corleone kills Don Fanucci (Godfather II)

Awesome visuals with the gun hidden in the towel then catching on fire.

15 Michael 'forgives' Fredo (Godfather II)

What we think to be an emotional scene until the final shot of Michael gesturing.

16 The Horse's head in the bed (Godfather)
17 Hyman Roth reminds Michael of the Moe Greene incident
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