Mario Puzo was pretty proud of the novel “The Godfather”. There’s one line, in particular, he specifically requested it to make it into the film. While Coppola was on board, the person who spoke the line wasn’t. The line is “A lawyer with a briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns,” and it’s none other than Vito Corleone who utters it.
Marlon Brando is never one to keep his opinion to himself, and he refused to say the line since he thought it was far too preachy. Puzo and Coppola might have liked the line, but when Brando says no, it’s no.
Real-Life Extras
It's pretty commonly known that Coppola took out the terms “Mafia” and “Cosa Nostra” taken out of the movie. However, there was some pressure on set, thanks to the movie extras who were, it turns out, actually part of the Mafia. This is due mostly to the influence of The Italian-American Civil Rights League, which was actually run by mob boss Joe Colombo.
While none of these extras had much of a role, appearing as little more than muscle, background characters, or maybe conversation partners that other characters interact with. Coppola was probably happy with the authenticity but might not have liked the implicit threats.
One of the Healthiest Fruits
It's been said that every time an orange appears on-screen, it foreshadows impending, or even imminent, death. This is upheld for the most part, especially when Don Corleone has a serious heart attack in an orange grove.
However, art directors simply included oranges a lot because they showed up well against the film's sepia tone, so they're present in lots of scenes. However, Coppola ran with this idea, making it true in both "The Godfather Part II" and part III.
The Shaking is Real
When Vito Corleone is recovering in the hospital, mob enforcer Enzo pays him a visit. Actor Gabriele Torrei had never acted with Marlon Brando, and this scene in the hospital room was his very first.
His shaking and nervousness were evident even on camera, and though he got through his scene well, yet again the effect that Brando has on people made for a good way to build up the Don. Just like with Lenny Montana, they went back and filmed a short scene of Enzo entering the hospital, muttering to himself and steeling himself for his meeting.
The Bulldog
Vito Corleone's accent and face both became classic pieces of film history. Sometimes you can barely understand this powerful mob boss, but the strength of his delivery and powerful persona meant no one dares misunderstand him. Coppola specifically wanted an “old bulldog” look and had a special mouthpiece developed to puff out his cheeks.
The mouthpiece added the muffled voice and the was somewhat uncomfortable so Brando rehearsed with cotton balls. The mouthpiece is now on display at the American Museum of Moving Image in New York.