|
|
FADE FROM BLACK TO: MICHAEL, in profile looking downward. He holds out his hand and ROCCO kissing it.
DISSOLVE TO: A remote mountainside area of Sicily. We hear a marching band playing in the background. The introduction is overlaid:
THE GODFATHER WAS BORN VITO ANDOLINI IN THE TOWN OF CORLEONE IN SICILY. IN 1901 HIS FATHER WAS MURDERED FOR AN INSULT TO THE LOCAL MAFIA CHIEFTAIN. HIS OLDER BROTHER PAOLO SWORE REVENGE AND DISAPPEARED INTO THE HILLS, LEAVING VITO, THE ONLY MALE HEIR, TO STAND WITH HIS MOTHER AT THE FUNERAL. HE WAS NINE YEARS OLD.
[The marching band is followed by a procession of mourners including VITO and his MOTHER. There is a casket, apparently containing the body of VITO's father. Two gunshots ring out; all run for cover. People are screaming.]
WOMAN (in Sicilian)
They've killed the boy! They've killed young PAOLO - they have killed
your son PAOLO! Murders! Murders!
[Young VITO and his mother run over to PAOLO's body, in a prone position on the rocky ground]
VITO's MOTHER CICCIO (in Sicilian)
My son -- My son [more]
[She begins to cry. GAFFE: The actor who plays "dead" PAOLO moves his hand as he's hugged]
CUT TO: Young VITO and his mother approach the gate to DON CICCIO's
villa and it is opened for them.
CUT TO: VITO and his MOTHER walking down a path.
CUT TO: DON CICCIO sitting drinking wine.
CUT TO: VITO and his mother walk down the path some more.
CUT TO: DON CICCIO puts down his glass and looks at VITO and his MOTHER.
CUT TO: VITO's mother kisses DON CICCIO's hand
VITO's MOTHER (in Sicilian)
