The Godfather Wedding Scene

FADE FROM BLACK: Int. of Don Corleone's home office -day

BONASERA (seated in front of the Don's desk, facing the camera)

I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. I gave her freedom, but -- I taught her never to dishonor her family. She found a boyfriend; not an Italian. She went to the movies with him; she stayed out late. I
didn't protest. Two months ago, he took her for a drive, with another boyfriend. They made her drink whiskey. And then they tried to take advantage of her. She resisted. She kept her honor. So they beat her, like an animal. When I went to the hospital, her nose was a'broken. Her jaw was a'shattered, held together by wire. She couldn't even weep because of the pain. But I wept. Why did I weep? She was the light of my life -- beautiful girl. Now she will never be beautiful again.

[Bonasera breaks down. The Don gestures to Sonny to give Bonasera a drink]

Sorry...

[Bonasera, taking the drink, sips from the shot glass]

I -- I went to the police, like a good American. These two boys were brought to trial. The judge sentenced them to three years in prison -- suspended sentence. Suspended sentence! They went free that very day! I stood in the courtroom like a fool. And those two bastard, they smiled at me. Then I said to my wife, "for justice, we must go to Don Corleone."

VITO CORLEONE (sitting behind his desk, petting a cat)

Why did you go to the police? Why didn't you come to me first?

BONASERA: What do you want of me? Tell me anything. But do what I beg you to do.

VITO CORLEONE: What is that?

[Bonasera gets up to whisper his request into Don Corleone's ear]

That I cannot do.

BONASERA: I'll give you anything you ask.

VITO CORLEONE: We've known each other many years, but this is the first time you came to me for counsel, for help. I can't remember the last time that you invited me to your house for a cup of coffee, even though my wife is godmother to your only child. But let's be frank here: you never wanted my friendship. And uh, you were afraid to be in my debt.

BONASERA: I didn't want to get into trouble.

VITO CORLEONE: I understand. You found paradise in America, had a good trade, made a good living. The police protected you; and there were courts of law. And you didn't need a friend of me. But uh, now you come to me and you say -- "Don Corleone give me justice." -- But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me Godfather. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you uh ask me to do murder, for money.

BONASERA: I ask you for justice.

VITO CORLEONE: That is not justice; your daughter is still alive.

BONASERA: Then they can suffer then, as she suffers.

(then)

How much shall I pay you?

VITO CORLEONE (stands, turning his back toward Bonasera)

Bonasera... Bonasera... What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? Had you come to me in friendship, then this scum that ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. And that by chance if an honest man such as yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they would fear you.

BONASERA: Be my friend --

(then, after bowing and the Don shrugs)

-- Godfather?

VITO CORLEONE (after Bonasera kisses his hand)

Good.

(then)

Some day, and that day may never come, I'll call upon you to do a service for me. But uh, until that day -- accept this justice as a gift on my daughter's wedding day.

BONASERA (as he leaves the room)

Grazie, Godfather.

VITO CORLEONE: Prego.
(then, to Tom Hagen, after Bonasera leaves the room)

Ah, give this to ah, Clemenza. I want reliable people; people that aren't gonna be carried away. I'm mean, we're not murderers, despite of what this undertaker says.

CUT TO: Connie's Wedding reception. We hear the music "Connie's Wedding (The Godfather Tarantella)" -day

CUT TO: Connie and Carlo at the head table

CUT TO: The family gathers for a family portrait

VITO CORLEONE (to Sonny)

Where's Michael?

SONNY CORLEONE: Don't worry; it's early.

VITO CORLEONE: We're not taking the picture without Michael.

(then, he tells the photographer, in Italian)

TOM HAGEN: What's the matter, Sonny?

SONNY CORLEONE: It's Michael

CUT TO: The Don meeting some guests outside

CUT TO: Mama dancing with Sonny's twin girls

CUT TO: Connie and Carlo laughing with guests at head table

CUT TO: Long shot of guests dancing

CUT TO: FBI arrive at entrance

CUT TO: Clemenza dancing with his wife

CUT TO: FBI take license plate numbers

CUT TO: Tessio sitting at a table with Carmella & twins, tossing himself an orange

CUT TO: FBI continuing to take license plate numbers

CUT TO: Don Barzini arrives

VITO CORLEONE: Eh, Don Barzini.

(then, Vito introduces Barzini to someone, in Italian)

CUT TO: Clemenza is dancing, gets tired, and spins off the dancefloor, laughing.

CLEMENZA (after dancing)

Hey, Paulie! Let me have some wine. Paulie! More wine...

PAULIE (OS to someone)

Scusi, please

(then, in view, to Clemenza, handing him a pitcher quarter-full of wine)

Ah, you look teriff' on the dance floor

CLEMENZA: Hey, what are you a dance judge or something? Fatt' i cazzi tuoi ["Mind your own damn business"]

Go take a walk around the neighborhood -- do your job.

CUT TO: Sonny pinches Lucy Mancini's cheek as he walks towards his wife, Sandra

SONNY: Hey Sandra, do me a favor, huh; watch the kids -- don't let'em run wild, all right?

SANDRA: Well, you watch yourself, all right?

CUT TO: Reception continues with Part 2 of Connie's Wedding Song (The Godfather Mazurka). We first see Tessio dancing with a young girl standing on his feet.

OS: Eh Tessio, cosa fai? ["What are you doing?"]

CUT TO: Don Corleone dancing with his wife, Carmella (Mama)

CUT TO: Connie collecting gifts for her bridal purse. Paulie is watching.

PAULIE: Twenty- Thirty-grand. In small bills, cash. In that little silk purse. Madon', if this was someone else's wedding, sfortunato ["Oh, how unlucky I am!"]!

BUTTONMAN (from afar, tossing him sandwiches)

Hey, Paulie! I got two gobbagool... gabagol [cappicola] an' a prosciutto!

PAULIE: Eh, you stupid jerk!

CUT TO: A photographer takes Barzini's picture. Barzini motions to his men to get the camera

PHOTOGRAPHER: Eh, what's the matter?

[The men bring the film to Barzini, who exposes and crumples it]

CUT TO: Tom going up to his wife, Theresa, who's sitting at a table at the reception

TOM: I have to go back to work

THERESA: Oh, Tom

TOM (after he kisses his wife)

It's part of the wedding: No Sicilian can refuse any request on his daughter's wedding day.

LUCA (rehearsing his lines as Tom passes him)

Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home...

CUT TO: Sonny goes out into the driveway to see the FBI guys. The Mazurka ends.

SONNY: Eh -- what's this -- Get outta here; it's a private party, go on!

(then, to FBI man in car)

What's is it? Hey, it's my sister's wedding

(then, he spits after being shown a badge. He turns and walks away)

Goddamn FBI don't respect nothing [jazz music begins to play from party]

(then, to photographer)

Eh, come here; come here; come here; come here, come here; come here; come here...

(then smashes camera, which Paulie kicks, and flips cash to him) [music ends]

CUT TO: Nazorine and Enzo in Don Corleone's office -day

NAZORINE (seated in front of the Don't desk)

But towards the end, he was uh paroled to help with the American uh war effort. So for the last six months he's been working in my pastry shop.

VITO CORLEONE (seated)

Nazorine, my friend, what can I do for you?

NAZORINE: Well now that the war is over, this boy, Enzo -- they want to repatriate him back to Italy. Godfather, I have a daughter. You see, she and Enzo...

VITO CORLEONE: You want Enzo to stay in this country, and you want your daughter to be married.

NAZORINE (stands)

You understand everything.

[they shake hands, Nazorine turns to leave]

VITO CORLEONE: Bene.

NAZORINE (now by the door with Tom Hagen)

Mr. Hagen, thank you.

(then, turning to Don Corleone)

An' wait til you see the beautiful wedding cake I made for your daughter! Ooof! [gestures] Like this! The bride and the groom and the angel...

TOM (after Nazorine exits)

Who should I give this job to?

VITO CORLEONE: Not to our paisan. Give it to a Jew congressman, in another district. Who else is on the list?

CUT TO: Michael and Kay arrive, make some introductions. Kay says hello to one of the guests, and someone says Michael's name. They dance to "Ev'rytime I Look In Your Eyes" as the Don watches from his window -day

CUT TO: The Don's office -day

TOM: He's not on the list, but Luca Brasi wants to see you

VITO CORLEONE: Is this -- Is this necessary?

TOM: He didn't expect to be invited to the wedding, so he wanted to thank you.

VITO CORLEONE: All right.

CUT TO: Outside of the Corleone residence, Luca sits, rehearsing his lines -day

LUCA BRASI (rehearsing his lines aloud)

Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding day of your daughter. And may their first child be a masculine child. (then, starting over, which continues throughout the following dialogue)

Don -- Don Corleone...

KAY: Michael, that man over there is talking to himself. See that scary guy over there?

LUCA'S VOICE

...on the wedding day of your daughter...

MICHAEL (after glancing over at Luca)

He's a very scary guy.

KAY: Well, who is he? What's his name?

MICHAEL: His name is Luca Brasi -- an' he helps my father out sometimes.

[Luca stands up, facing Mike and Kay, seemingly coming toward them]

KAY: Oh, Michael, wait a minute; he's coming over here...

TOM (appearing in view)

Mike!

MICHAEL: Oh!

TOM (embracing Michael)

Heh...! You look terrific!

MICHAEL: My brother, Tom Hagen -- this is Kay Adams.

TOM: How do you do.

KAY: How do you do, Tom

TOM (into Michael's ear)

Your father's been asking for you

(then, to Kay, before he leaves)

Very nice to meet you

KAY: Nice to meet you

(then, after Tom exits to bring Luca into the Don's office)

If he's your brother, why does he have a different name?

MICHAEL: Oh, ah, that -- when my brother Sonny was a kid, he found Tom Hagen in the street. And he had no home -- and so my father took him in -- and he's been with us ever since. He's a good lawyer. Not a Sicilian, but -- I think he's gonna be consigliere.

KAY: What's that?

MICHAEL: That's um, like a counselor -- an advisor -- very important to the family.

(then)

You like your lasagna?

CUT TO: Luca Brasi in Don Corleone's office -day

LUCA BRASI (after kissing the Don's left cheek)

Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your daugh-- ter's wedding... (then, after realizing he messed up his rehearsed lines, he fails to recover) ...on the day of your daughter's wedding. And I hope that their first child be a masculine child. I pledge my ever-ending loyalty. --

[Playing kids run into the room and then are escorted out by Tom]

(then, as Luca hands Don Corleone a cash-filled envelope)

For your daughter's bridal purse.

VITO CORLEONE: Thank you, Luca, my most valued friend.

LUCA BRASI: Don Corleone, I'm gonna leave you now, because I know you are busy.

VITO CORLEONE: Thank you.

[Tom escorts Luca out]

CUT TO: Bride & groom dance to "The Godfather Fox Trot"

CUT TO: Sonny moves closer to Lucy to whisper into her ear

CUT TO: Sandra gestures to other women about the size of Sonny's manhood; they laugh;

Sandra turns to see Lucy get up to meet Sonny

CUT TO: Singing and dancing on stage

VOICE (urging Mama Corleone to come onto the stage to sing)

Signora Corleone! -- [more]

MAMA (laughingly)

No -- no -- no! [more]

(then, once on stage)

La stessa storia? ["the same story?"] La stessa storia!

(then sings the first verse to "Luna Mezz'a Mare")

(then, Mama calls Nazorine to the stage)

CUT TO: Sonny goes upstairs

CUT TO: An old man continues "Luna Mezz'a Mare" while Nazorine dances and laughs on stage

CUT TO: Lucy Mancini goes upstairs

CUT TO: The old man who was singing is now dancing

CUT TO: Don's office.

TOM: Senator Cauly apologized for not coming personally -- he said you'd understand. Also, some of the judges. They've all sent gifts. (then, toasting to the Don)
Salute!

[OS: Screaming of joy from the party outside]

VITO CORLEONE: What is that outside?

CUT TO: Outside, Johnny Fontane enters the party, signing autographs

CONNIE (while running up to Johnny, then hugging him)

Johnny! Johnny! Johnny! I love you!

CUT TO: Don's office. The Don is looking out the window

VITO: He came all the way from California to come to the wedding; I told you he was going to come.

TOM: It's been two years; he's probably in trouble again.

VITO: He's a good godson.

CUT TO: Bandstand area -day

MAMA CORLEONE: Johnny, Johnny! [In Italian: "Sing a song"]

(then, in English)

Sing a song.

[the crowd encourages Johnny, and he gives in]

CUT TO: Michael and Kay's table -day

KAY: Mike, you never told me you knew Johnny Fontane!

MICHAEL: Sure... You wanna meet him?

KAY: Huh? Oh, well, sure!

MICHAEL: My father helped him with his career.

JOHNNY (OS)

For my Connie...

KAY: He did? How?

JOHNNY (OS, singing "I Have But One Heart")

"I have but one heart..."

MICHAEL: Let's listen to the song...

KAY: Oh, Michael...

CUT TO: Johnny singing to Connie, who's seated. Then PAN the crowd cheering and screaming as Johnny sings

JOHNNY (singing, continues)

"...this heart I bring you / I have but one heart / To share with you / I have but one dream / That I can cling to / You are the one dream/I pray comes true..."

KAY: Please, Michael, tell me.

JOHNNY (OS, continues the song)

"My darling, until I saw you..."

MICHAEL: Well, when Johnny was first starting out, he was signed to this personal service contract; with a big band leader. And as his career got better and better, he wanted to get out of it. Now, Johnny is my father's godson. And my father went to see this band leader, and he offered him $10,000 to let Johnny go. But the band leader said no. So the next day, my father went to see him; only this time with Luca Brasi. And within an hour, he signed a release, for a certified check for $1,000.

KAY: How'd he do that?

MICHAEL: My father made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

KAY: What was that?

MICHAEL: Luca Brasi held a gun to his head, and my father assured him that either his brains -- or his signature -- would be on the contract.

(then)

That's a true story.

(then, after we see Johnny ending the song)

That's my family, Kay. It's not me.

CUT TO: Bandstand area -day

MAMA (OS)

Bene! Bene!

[The song is finished, and we hear applause. The Don goes out to meet and hug Johnny, and they, and other guests, toast. The Mazurka music and dancing continue]

VITO (to the surrounding guests)

My godson comes all the way from California...give him a glass of wine

VOICE (OS)

Salute!

JOHNNY (whispers into the Don's ear that he wants to talk to him)

VITO CORLEONE: I'll take care of it.

(then, to Tom)

Tom, I want you to find Santino. Tell him to come to the office.

[Tom looks up, as if knowing what Sonny's up to]

CUT TO: Michael and Kay's table at the reception

MICHAEL (with Kay, gets tapped in the head by Fredo)

Oh!

(then, noticing Fredo)

How are you, Fredo?

(then)

Fredo -- my brother Fredo -- this is Kay Adams

KAY: Oh, hi

FREDO (apparently drunk)

How'ya doing?

(then, after Fredo kisses Kay on the cheek)

This is my brother, Mike.

MICHAEL: Are you having a good time?

FREDO: Huh? yeah...

(then)

This your friend, huh?

CUT TO: Johnny Fontane in the Don's office. -day

JOHNNY: I don't know what to do. My voice is -- is weak. It's weak. Anyway, uh, if I had this part in the picture, ya'know, it puts me right back up on top again. But this, uh -- this man out there, he won't give it to me; the head of the studio.

VITO CORLEONE: What's his name?

JOHNNY: Woltz -- Woltz. He -- He won't give it to me -- and ah, he says there's no chance. No chance.

CUT TO: Tom looking for Sonny inside the house

TOM (at the bottom of the stairs)

Sonny? Sonny?

[Sonny and Lucy are going at it, standing against a door in an upstairs bedroom. Tom goes upstairs, then knocks on the bedroom door]

TOM: Sonny? Sonny you in there?

SONNY (stopping the action)

What?

TOM: Your old man wants to see you.

SONNY: Yeah, one minute.

[Tom smiles, and walks away, as Sonny and Lucy continue]

LUCY: Oh, Sonny!

CUT TO: A woman singing Italian song, opera-like, on the stage -day

CUT TO: The Don's office

JOHNNY (as Tom quietly enters the Don's office)

A month ago he bought the movie rights to this book. A bestseller -- and the main character, it's a guy just like me. I uh -- I wouldn't even have to act -- just be myself. Oh, Godfather, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do.

VITO CORLEONE: You can act like a man!

(then, after slapping Johnny on the face)

What's the matter with you? Is this how you turned out? A Hollywood finocchio that ah cries like a woman?

(then imitating Johnny, as Tom giggles)

What can I do?! What can I do?!

(then)

What is that nonsense? Ridiculous.

[Sonny enters the room]

VITO CORLEONE (to Johnny, after glancing to see Sonny enter)

You spend time with your family?

JOHNNY: Sure I do.

VITO CORLEONE (to Johnny, but toward and about Sonny)

Good. 'Cause a man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man.

(then, to Johnny)

Come're.

(then)

You look terrible. I want you to eat. I want you to rest a while. And in a month from now, this -- Hollywood bigshot's gonna give you what you want.

JOHNNY: It's too late, they start shooting in a week

VITO CORLEONE: I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.

(then)

Now you just go outside and enjoy yourself, and ah, forget about all this nonsense. I want you to leave it all to me.

JOHNNY (exiting)

All right

VITO CORLEONE (after Johnny exits)

Well...

CUT TO: The cake comes out. Nazorine, the baker, takes a proud bow. The Tarantella plays again.

CUT TO: The Don's office

VITO CORLEONE: What time does my daughter leave with the bridegroom?

TOM: In a few minutes, right after they cut the cake.

(then, as we hear clinking glasses coming from outside, which continues)

Now your new son-in-law; give him something important?

VITO CORLEONE: Never. Give him a living, but never discuss the Family business with him. What else?

TOM: Virgil Sollozzo called. Now we're gonna have to give him a day sometime next week.

VITO CORLEONE: We'll discuss it when you come back from California.

TOM (laughing)

When am I going to California?

VITO CORLEONE: I want you to go tonight; I want you to talk to this -- movie bigshot, and settle this business for Johnny. Now, if there's nothing else, I'd like to go to my daughter's wedding.

CUT TO: Family portrait scene in the yard [the clinking glasses have stopped] -day

MAMA (seeing Carlo and Connie kissing)

Carlo, we're gonna take the picture...

MICHAEL (as he goes to get Kay for the photo)

Wait a minute...

KAY: No, Michael, not me.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Okay, that's it. Just like that; now, hold it.

CUT TO: Connie and the Don dance to "The Godfather Waltz (Come Live Your Life With Me)"