The Godfather, released in 1972, and its 1974 sequel, The Godfather Part II, both prominently feature the character Don Vito Corleone, portrayed by Marlon Brando as the aging head of the Corleone crime family in the original film, with Robert De Niro playing a younger Vito in the sequel. The second film traces Vito’s journey from his Sicilian roots to building his criminal empire in New York City. This narrative blend highlights the evolution of the crime family across generations. The Robert De Niro Godfather performance as young Vito in the sequel perfectly complements Brando’s portrayal, reinforcing the character’s complexity over time.
While The Godfather is widely celebrated as one of the greatest films ever made, many viewers and critics consider The Godfather Part II superior for its intricate storytelling. The sequel juxtaposes the rise of Vito Corleone with Michael Corleone’s tragic descent, providing a layered look at family, power, and transformation. This dual storyline enriches the film’s depth, showing Michael’s shift from an idealistic war hero to a ruthless mafia leader. The performances of both Brando and De Niro form the emotional core of this complex narrative.
Significantly, The Godfather Part II was the first sequel ever to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, and this milestone was mirrored by the unique achievement of two actors earning Oscars for playing the same character. Marlon Brando received Best Actor for his role in 1973, while Robert De Niro was awarded Best Supporting Actor in 1975. This rare feat underscores the enduring impact that both performances have had on cinematic history and the portrayal of mafia characters on screen.
Marlon Brando’s Career Resurgence Through a Legendary Role
Throughout the 1950s, Marlon Brando was widely regarded as one of the most influential actors of his era, pioneering method acting with powerful performances in films like On the Waterfront, which earned him his first Oscar, and A Streetcar Named Desire. However, by the 1960s, Brando’s career had severely declined amid a series of critical and commercial disappointments. Despite his strong but overlooked work in the 1967 film Reflections in a Golden Eye, his star power was waning, and many doubted his ability to revive his cinematic relevance.
The casting of Brando as Vito Corleone marked a turning point, revitalizing his career and showcasing his abilities in a deeply transformative role. To prepare for this part, Brando employed unique methods such as placing wax in his ears to sharpen his focus, using cue cards for line delivery, and wearing a dental appliance to alter his jawline to resemble a bulldog. These eccentricities contributed to an indelible performance that balanced the contradictions of Vito Corleone: a devoted family man with a ruthless streak, who commands a violent criminal organization.
Robert De Niro’s Rise as a Formidable Talent in The Godfather Part II
Building on his earlier success in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets, Robert De Niro’s portrayal of a young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II firmly established him as a leading actor of his generation. The film opens in 1901 Sicily, where Vito suffers a brutal loss at the hands of a mafia leader, prompting his immigration to the United States. The story then follows Vito’s arduous path back to Sicily in the 1920s to exact revenge and ultimately transform his small-scale criminal activities into the nationwide power of the Corleone crime family.
De Niro’s role provides a vital counterbalance to Brando’s older Vito by exploring the character’s origins and ambitions. His performance also resonates deeply with the broader narrative, especially in relation to Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino. Michael’s moral unraveling and eventual ascendance as head of the family form the tragic centerpiece of the trilogy. De Niro captures the hope and resolve of a young Vito, who paradoxically wishes to shield his favorite son from the violent legacy he himself created.
This layered portrayal highlights the emotional and thematic connections between generations of the Corleone family, emphasizing the consequences of power, loyalty, and betrayal. It is this delicate interplay that contributes to the critical acclaim of both actors’ interpretations and their indelible place in film history.
Brando and De Niro’s Only On-Screen Collaboration Outside Godfather
Despite their iconic links through The Godfather series, Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro shared the screen only once, in the 2001 heist thriller The Score. In that film, De Niro plays Nick Wells, a veteran thief and nightclub owner, whose plans for retirement are disrupted by Brando’s character Max, a criminal fence and long-time friend. Rather than being a symbolic passing of the torch, this collaboration served as a final bow for Brando, marking his last appearance before his death in 2004 at age 80.
The interactions between the two actors in The Score offer viewers a glimpse of what might have been had their careers intersected in more substantial ways earlier. Their chemistry in this film, though brief, reminds audiences of the unique confluence of talent that defined their separate portrayals of Vito Corleone and emphasizes the legacy they leave behind as two of the greatest actors to bring this complex character to life.
Their shared achievement—winning Oscars for the same role across two generations of the character—remains a remarkable milestone in Hollywood history, symbolizing not only their individual excellence but also the enduring legacy of The Godfather saga under Francis Ford Coppola’s visionary direction.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Robert De Niro Italian or Albanian?
A. Robert De Niro’s grandfather on his father’s side was Italian, while his other family roots include Irish, English, Dutch, German, and French. He studied acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory and the American Workshop.
Q. Why did Jennifer Lawrence ask Robert De Niro to leave her wedding?
A. Jennifer Lawrence didn’t find her wedding rehearsal dinner enjoyable. Because of this, she asked Robert De Niro to leave. In a January 7 interview with E! News, Lawrence explained that being a bride was extremely stressful.
