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"THE GODFATHER"ScreenplaybyMario PuzoandFrancis Ford CoppolaThird DraftMarch 29, 1971 INT. 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." Suddenlywe are watching in CLOSE VIEW, AMERIGO BONASERA, a man ofsixty, dressed in a black suit, on the verge of great emotion.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, notan Italian. She went to the movieswith him, stayed out late. Two monthsago he took her for a drive, withanother boy friend. They made herdrink whiskey and then they tried totake advantage of her. She resisted;she kept her honor. So they beat herlike an animal. When I went to thehospital her nose was broken, herjaw was shattered and held togetherby wire, 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 were arrested

and brought to trial. The judgesentenced them to three years inprison, and suspended the sentence.Suspended sentence! They went freethat very day. I stood in thecourtroom like a fool, and thosebastards, they smiled at me. Then Isaid to my wife, for Justice, wemust 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 the shoulderof DON CORLEONE. TOM HAGEN sits near a small table, examiningsome paperwork, and SONNY CORLEONE stands impatiently by thewindow nearest his father, sipping from a glass of wine. Wecan HEAR music, and the laughter and voices of many peopleoutside.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 what Iask!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 she suffers.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. All right,the Police protects you, there areCourts of Law, so you don't need afriend like me. But now you come tome and say Don Corleone, you mustgive me justice. And you don't askin respect or friendship. And youdon't think to call me Godfather;instead you come to my house on theday my daughter is to be married andyou ask me to do murder... for money.BONASERAAmerica has been good to me...DON CORLEONEThen take the justice from the judge,the bitter with the sweet, Bonasera.But if you come to me with yourfriendship, your loyalty, then yourenemies become my enemies, and then,believe me, they would fear you...Slowly, Bonasera bows his head and murmurs.BONASERABe my friend.DON CORLEONEGood. From me you'll get Justice.BONASERAGodfather.DON CORLEONESome day, and that day may nevercome, I would like to call upon youto do me a service in return.EXT. DAY: MALL (SUMMER 1945)A HIGH ANGLE of the CORLEONE MALL in bright daylight. Thereare at least five hundred guests filling the main courtyardand gardens. There is music and laughing and dancing andcountless tables covered with food and wine.DON CORLEONE stands at the Gate, flanked on either side by ason: FREDO and SONNY, all dressed in the formal attire ofthe wedding party. He warmly shakes the hands, squeezes thehands of the friends and guests, pinches the cheeks of thechildren, and makes them all welcome. They in turn carrywith them gallons of homemade wine, cartons of freshly bakedbread and pastries, and enormous trays of Italian delicacies.