The most memorable quotes from 'The Godfather'

The Corleones didn't want youngest son Michael (Al Pacino) to be involved in the "family business." But Michael wasn't not going to sit by with the Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) in poor health and their hierarchy among the Five Families in question. So, when Michael offers to shoot Tattaglia Family drug pusher Virgil Sollozzo (Al Lettieri) and corrupt cop Capt. McCluskey (Sterling Hayden), his brother Sonny (James Caan) makes sure he knows how to do the job with this line.

Sollozzo is one heinous character, but he wears it with style. He's also well-spoken and makes the audiences think. Yet, he delivers one of the more underrated lines of the movie. He'll often tell it like it is, as was the case when confronting Corleone family consigliere and unofficially adopted son Tom Hagan (Robert Duvall). Though Sollozzo and Co. didn't whack Tom, it's a reminder that violence is simply a way of life for those for are connected. 

When Sollozzo's conversation with Tom about cooling off Sonny and making peace between the Five Families comes to an end, "The Turk" delivered this parting, and certainly, notable line. Again, passing of Sollozzo as someone who willing to show his diplomatic side. However, a line like this can also come across as a threat. A last resort, or sometimes a means to an end when all else fails. The audience is smart enough to figure that out for themselves.

It's not hard to figure out that The Godfather is a "man's movie." The women in the film, for the most part, are regarded as inferior and weaker when compared to the men in their lives. A sign of the times, but also the business of the times. So it was rather interesting, and somewhat comical, but not surprising when the dim-witted Luca Brasi (Lenny Montana), one of Corleone's more well-known muscle, wishes that the first child of Vito's daughter Connie (Talia Shire) and new husband Carlo (Gianni Russo) "be a masculine child." 

Kay Adams (Diane Keaton) loves Michael Corleone, but she also knows there is much more about him she doesn't know. She suspects it's mostly disturbing, and she's right. Of course, she's struggled to broach the subject. However, near the end of the film, after Michael "settled" all the family business, Kay asks. But Michael offers this company line. Certainly one that's become quotable within the realm of pop culture, and timely in just about any circumstance.

Don Vito Corleone is an intimidating and imposing figure. But he also knows the value of family, and its importance to the overall person. That's a point he insists upon entertainer and his own godson Johnny Fontaine (Al Martino), who comes to Vito looking for help to land a part in Hollywood that could revive his career. As far as memorable scenes within The Godfather universe, this scene just might stand out above the rest. 

Before Vito asks Johnny about his devotion to his family, he goes off on the once-popular crooner for whining, and even crying, about the current state of his entertainment career. The Don becomes irate and annoyed with Johnny, thus turning to mocking him for his seemingly weak disposition when it comes to his job. It's not the most politically correct rant in the film, but it got a chuckle from Tom Hagan and showed Vito's comedic side. 

Subtly is one of the great, consistent strengths of The Godfather. Laid up in bed, struggling to talk with sons Sonny and Fredo (John Cazale), and Tom, Vito, in a raspy voice that took significant effort, asks "Where's Michael?" He knows the answer will not be good. When Tom informs Vito that it was Michael who killed Sollozzo, the Don closes his eyes, shakes his head and waves them off, knowing that this is not what he hoped for his youngest son. Then again, perhaps there's a sense of pride as well.

Sonny Corleone is quite the hot head, and obviously, it ends up costing him in the end. However misguided and reckless his thinking — and actions — might be, Sonny is always looking out for his family and their business. Especially when it comes to the aforementioned Sollozzo, whom Sonny doesn't want to properly deal with — or the entire Tattaglia family for that matter. He's apparently ready to go to "war." Or, to the "mattresses" as Italian mobsters apparently like to say.

After the daughter of Amerigo Bonasera (Salvatore Corsitto) is badly beaten by her boyfriend and nearly sexually assaulted by his friend, the two males are released from police custody. Appalled with the situation, Bonasera, a well-known local undertaker who is a bit hesitant to be "associated" with the Corleone family, visits longtime acquaintance Vito on the wedding day of Don's daughter Connie. He asks him to essentially "take care" of the matter for him. Vito is none to happy with the request, which he denies knowing Bonasera's reluctance of association, thus prompting him to say: "But now you come to me, and you say: 'Don Corleone, give me justice.' But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship," before continuing with his classic line.

As we continue highlighting Vito's conversation with Bonasera, it's important to remember just the amount of power he and the Corleone name hold. On the flip side, there is plenty of envy and hate drawn by those other families, law enforcement, or a regular citizen who sees him and his own clan as criminals — or above the law. So, if Bonasera is to publicly associate himself with Don Corleone, his enemies could become Vito's by said association. Which, in turn, could work in Bonasera's favor. 

OK, we'll take some liberties with this one. For those still unaware, the Francis Ford Coppola film is an adaptation of Mario Puzo's classic novel from 1969. This version of the popular phrase/cliché, "revenge is a dish best served cold," was uttered in the novel by Vito Corleone, when talking to Michael about avenging some recent deaths within his family. This, or the well-known variation, of the line was never said in the 1972 movie.

Perhaps the first time Kay really understood what the Corleone family was capable of came at Connie and Carlo's wedding. Michael told her the story of how Johnny Fontaine got out of his working contract with a big-band leader who was less than willing to oblige from the start. With the help of these words, and, of course, Luca Brasi putting a gun to the band leader's head, he changed his mind, and Johnny was free from his contract.

The wisdom of one Don Vito Corleone should be not be taken for granted. Even in his later days, in questionable health, and with his family's future at somewhat of a crossroads, Vito can still make a presence with his words. He's deep, perhaps philosophical in many ways. As is the case with this quote about the fine line between one's friends and enemies. He commands our attention as viewers, and he leaves a lasting impression in the most subtle of ways.

After Michael took care of the heads of the other four crime families, and Mo Greene, he still had brother-in-law Carlo to deal with. Of course, getting Carlo to admit who he reached out to kill Sonny was wearing on Michael. Then again, Michael had plans for Carlo that had nothing to do the Corleone family business — or anything else for that matter. He just did not want to be lied to, as "it insults my intelligence" is another line that has enjoyed a long shelf within the realm of pop culture.

After Michael is forced to seek refuge in Sicily following the murders of Sollozzo and McCluskey, he meets, and eventually marries, Apollonia Vitelli (Simonetta Stefanelli), local teenager of overprotective parents. While teaching her how to drive, Michael figures it be easier to teach her English in the form of the days of the week. Though, not in the traditional order of sequence. Unfortunately, Apollonia isn't around long enough for audiences to see if her English improved.

If there's one thing to take from The Godfather, it's never go against the family. Michael, subtly but powerfully made that point to Fredo, after he chastised his younger brother for taking on the arrogant and volatile Mo Greene (Alex Rocco), who didn't take kindly to Michael's offer of buying out his Las Vegas casino. From that point on, the relationship between the brothers would be monumentally — and infamously — strained. 

When the Corleones wonder on the whereabouts of the aforementioned Luca Brasi, a package arrives with a fish inside the bulletproof vest of the devoted henchmen. We learn that it's a Sicilian message that Luca Brasi is likely dead in some body of water after being strangled with attending a meeting with Bruno Tattaglia and Sollozzo. Another iconic scene, and line, that still gives viewers chills after all these years.

Corleone captain Peter Clemenza (Richard Castellano) is a gem of a character. He's deadly, but in a comfortable and jovial way. He's old school and a great cook. Clemenza is also responsible for one of the greatest lines in the history of cinema. After it was determined that Vito's chauffeur Paulie Gatto was the tipster in a hit placed on the Don, Clemenza was tasked in seeing to the demise of Paulie, whom Peter groomed to made-man status. Clemenza and rising Corleone soldier Rocco Lampone drive around with Paulie, making a notable stop at a bakery, then eventually to a field in view of the Statue of Liberty. That's where Rocco shoots the traitor three times. Set to leave, Clemenza directs this line to Rocco. The rest is classic film history.

This famous phrase was actually spoken more than once. However, the casual confidence and matter-of-fact attitude in which Vito Corleone delivers these words to Johnny Fontaine (who hears a similar from Michael in Vegas), in regards to dealing with the rigid movie producer, is another example of The Godfather's brilliance. Most notable is the way Marlon Brando brings the legendary bravado of man who knows what exactly is going to happen and will never take no for answer.