The Godfather Trilogy 1901-1980 ((top)) Here

Behind him: a stray dog. Above him: a string of withered tomatoes.

Vito builds an olive oil empire, a legal front for gambling and protection. He returns to Sicily, finds Don Ciccio old and blind, and slits his belly open on the anniversary of his mother’s death. He adopts the orphaned Tom Hagen. His youngest son, Michael, watches all this but says nothing. Michael goes to college, enlists in the Marines, and returns a war hero in 1945. the godfather trilogy 1901-1980

Vito boards a ship to New York. The immigration officer, indifferent, writes down his destination: not “Andolini,” but the town of his origin: . Behind him: a stray dog

Kay miscarries. She leaves him, taking the children. 1960s–70s. Michael tries to legitimize the Corleone empire. He buys into a Vatican-controlled real estate conglomerate, Immobiliare. He donates $100 million to the Church. The Pope, a frail reformer, is persuaded—but the Archbishop Gilday is corrupt, and a banker named Keinszig is a thief. Michael’s old enemy, Don Altobello, smiles and plots. He returns to Sicily, finds Don Ciccio old

Michael lies to his dying sister’s husband, Carlo, about forgiveness—then has him strangled. He disowns his brother Fredo for betraying him to a rival (a sin he will not forget). He moves the family to Nevada, to casinos. He testifies before Congress, producing a murdered traitor’s forged testimony. He marries Kay Adams, who now understands: her husband is not a senator. He is a criminal.