‘Love Theme’ - The Godfather OST, 1972

This is a music blog, and The Godfather is the best film ever, and one of the best things about it is the music. The ‘Love Theme From The Godfather’ is a recurring motif in the trilogy. My favourite of the three is Godfather Part II - indeed, it is my favourite film, full stop. Al Pacino’s performance as the doomed Michael Corleone is something to behold, up there with Olivier, Brando and whomever else you care to mention.

The opening chords (every note seemingly on a minor chord, played on Dm) instantly evoke Sicilian assassinations, intrigue on Lake Tahoe, Michael shouting “Appolonia! No!” in vain, De Niro disposing of the weapon after the murder of Fanucci, Frankie’s defiant last stand in the packed courtroom, Sonny’s grim end out on the Causeway, etc.

Probably my favourite scene in the trilogy is in part II. Vito (De Niro) has just ‘made his bones’ by murdering local enforcer Fanucci, and broken up and dispatched of the murder weapon in the chimneystacks over Mulberry Street. The deed done, he walks back down the street, and sits down on a step where his wife and children sit. The future Padrone picks up his youngers and says, in subtitled Italian:

“Michael, your father loves you very much…very much.”
“Michael, tu padre voglio bene sai…bene sai.”

If you have never seen The Godfather or Part II, shame on you, beg, borrow or steal a copy now. That aside, listen here on YouTube to ‘The Love Theme of Godfather’. This looks like it’s filmed in Palermo.

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