The Godfather theme song is just as memorable as the
movie. Once you’ve seen this movie, within three seconds of hearing the song
you can identify the movie and the feelings you felt when you watched it. When
I hear the song, it reminds me of how much I love this movie. This movie is
amazing. Not only does the American Film Institute list it as the #2 greatest
movie of all time, but also the music is just as amazing. Nino Rota, the
composer, won several Oscars for the music in this film as well as The Godfather Part II. The song and its
variation of instruments convey specific emotions that Nino Rota wanted you to
feel. This song can make you feel sympathetic for the Don or thrilled by his
revenge. This soundtrack easily earns three out of three tickets.
The scene where Michael Corleone goes to visit is father at the hospital
is the turning point of the movie. Though the scene seems nonessential to the
plot of the movie at the time, the music sets the tone for how important this
scene really is. Majority of The Godfather is strictly dialogue and through the
movie several minutes can pass before any music is played. There are defined
musical themes for the characters. The song most associated with Don Corleone
is The Godfather theme song. The song sounds like an Italian folk melody but is
unique to The Godfather trilogy; it also alludes to the fact that this is a
Sicilian family. What is unique about this particular theme song is the fact
that is played differently throughout the movie. In times of happiness it is
played by trumpets, making it to sound like an elegant waltz. But, in moments
of horror like when the movie producer wakes up with a horse head in his bed,
the song sounds like a distorted carousel tune. This famous tune is so
versatile in this movie but always represents the association of Don Corleone. In
Understanding Movies, Giannetti explains the goal of this: “Characterization
can be suggested through musical motifs” (Giannetti 216). By giving the Don and Michael their own
musical motifs, it helps define their characters.
At the beginning of the movie, it is known that Michael Corleone, the son
of Don Vito Corleone, wants no part of the family business. After an
assassination attempt on his father, Michael goes to visit him in the hospital.
When he enters the hospital he sees his father was left unattended. The
orchestra and piano play a tension-building tune that puts viewers on edge.
With the music and Michael’s concerned conversation with the nurse, it seems
that another assassination attempt is imminent. As Michael rushes to move his father
to a hidden room, his theme music is playing as well as the tension building
music. The music affects the pathos in this film and immediately connects
Michael Corleone’s emotions to the audience’s. There is a point of time where
no music is played while Michael talks with his father. He simply tells him
that he “is with him.” After Michael speaks, The Godfather theme music is
played. The timing of this song indicates that Michael has decided to join the
family business. Had The Godfather theme song not been played, this
conversation would seem like a normal conversation between father and son. The
timing also foreshadows that this theme song will eventually be used to
represent Michael, the new Don. The importance of this conversation is
highlighted by the meaningful Godfather theme song. In Everything’s an Argument, Lunsford correctly states, “You may
sometimes want to use emotions to connect with readers to assure them that you
understand their experiences. Such a bridge is especially important when you’re
writing about matters that readers regard as sensitive” (Lunsford 33). In this
scene, the music is a bridge connecting the actors’ emotions to the audience’s
emotions.
Another scene where the music perfectly fits Michael Corleone’s emotions
is the scene where his godson is baptized. This is the most gripping scene of
the entire movie. There is this great juxtaposition between a beautiful scene
at the church with Bach organ music playing and the systematic assassinations
of Michael’s enemies and rivals. If you’re not a fan of violence, you should
probably avoid the linked clip. Technically, Michael is the bad guy. He made
plans to kill several people while he was in church. But, the music tells us
that we should be rooting for him. The organ music plays each time someone is
killed, making it feel like an accomplishment yet it is still horrifying.
Because of the strong pathos in this film as well as its music, viewers find
themselves rooting for the bad guys. The music and both mentioned scenes set
the tone for the ending of the movie and The
Godfather Part II.
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