The Godfather

:This article is about the film. For the novel, see The Godfather (novel). For other uses, see Godfather.

Trivia

One of the movie's most shocking moments comes early in the film, involving the decapitated head of a horse. Animal rights groups protested the inclusion of the scene, but Coppola stated that the horse's head was delivered to him from a dog food company; a horse had not been killed especially for the movie.

Related Topics:
Animal rights - Dog food

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Film scholars and fans of the Godfather movies note what they believe is the significance of oranges in the films. The fruit plays a symbolic role, fans suggest, as the appearance of an orange in the film indicates an important "death scene" will take place. In the first film, Don Vito Corleone is buying oranges from a fruit seller when he is attacked; oranges are placed on the table at the meeting of the Mafia bosses (and specifically in front of the ones who will be assassinated at the film's climax); and Don Corleone dies while eating an orange, as he plays with his young grandson. In The Godfather Part II, Michael Corleone receives an orange from an associate of a group behind an attempt on his life, and later in the movie, is seen eating an orange as he orders the "hit" against his enemies, in preparation for the climax of the film. Michael also dies while eating an orange in Sicily at the end of the third film.

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The word "Mafia" is never used in the film.

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The Godfather is reported to be the favorite movie of deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

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