THE GODFATHER_____________ScreenplaybyMARIO PUZOandFRANCIS FORD COPPOLATHIRD DRAFT PARAMOUNT PICTURES1 Gulf and WesternPlazaMarch 29, 1971 New York, New York 10019INT DAY: DON'S OFFICE (SUMMER 1945)The PARAMOUNT Logo is presented austerely over a blackbackground. There is a moment's hesitation, and then thesimple words in white lettering:THE GODFATHERWhile this remains, we hear: "I believe in America."Suddenly we are watching in CLOSE VIEW, AMERIGO BONASERA, aman of sixty, dressed in a black suit, on the verge of greatemotion.BONASERAAmerica has made my fortune.As he speaks, THE VIEW imperceptibly begins to loosen.

BONASERAI raised my daughter in the Americanfashion; I gave her freedom, buttaught her never to dishonor herfamily. She found a boy friend,not an Italian. She went to themovies with him, stayed out late.Two months ago he took her for adrive, with another boy friend.They made her drink whiskey andthen they tried to take advantageof her. She resisted; she kept herhonor. So they beat her like ananimal. When I went to the hospitalher nose was broken, her jaw wasshattered and held together bywire, and she could not even weepbecause of the pain.He can barely speak; he is weeping now.BONASERAI went to the Police like a goodAmerican. These two boys werearrested and brought to trial. Thejudge sentenced them to three yearsin prison, and suspended thesentence. Suspended sentence!They went free that very day. Istood in the courtroom like a fool,and those bastards, they smiled atme. Then I said to my wife, forJustice, we must go to The Godfather.By now, THE VIEW is full, and we see Don Corleone's officein his home.The blinds are closed, and so the room is dark, and withpatterned shadows. We are watching BONASERA over theshoulder of DON CORLEONE. TOM HAGEN sits near a smalltable, examining some paperwork, and SONNY CORLEONE standsimpatiently by the window nearest his father, sipping from aglass of wine. We can HEAR music, and the laughter andvoices of many people outside.DON CORLEONEBonasera, we know each other foryears, but this is the first timeyou come to me for help. I don'tremember the last time you invitedme to your house for coffee...eventhough our wives are friends.BONASERAWhat do you want of me? I'll giveyou anything you want, but do whatI ask!

DON CORLEONEAnd what is that Bonasera?BONASERA whispers into the DON's ear.DON CORLEONENo. You ask for too much.BONASERAI ask for Justice.DON CORLEONEThe Court gave you justice.BONASERAAn eye for an eye!DON CORLEONEBut your daughter is still alive.BONASERAThen make them suffer as shesuffers. How much shall I pay you.Both HAGEN and SONNY react.DON CORLEONEYou never think to protect yourselfwith real friends. You think it'senough to be an American. Allright, the Police protects you,there are Courts of Law, so youdon't need a friend like me.But now you come to me and say DonCorleone, you must give me justice.And you don't ask in respect orfriendship. And you don't think tocall me Godfather; instead you cometo my house on the day my daughteris to be married and you ask me todo murder...for money.BONASERAAmerica has been good to me...DON CORLEONEThen take the justice from thejudge, the bitter with the sweet,Bonasera. But if you come to mewith your friendship, your loyalty,then your enemies become my enemies,and then, believe me, they wouldfear you...Slowly, Bonasera bows his head and murmurs.BONASERABe my friend.