FOUR FILM LOCATIONS FEATURED IN THE GODFATHER

In 1972, Paramount Pictures released a magnificent gangster film called 'The Godfather', which revolves around a Mafia family trying to adapt to an ever-changing climate. It was directed by the legendary filmmaker, Francis Ford Coppola, and stars Marlon Brando (as the head of the household), Al Pacino (who played his reluctant successor), as well as a number of other notable actors cast in very memorable roles. Today, we're going to take a look at some of the locations featured in the aforementioned film, which includes an interactive map for each one. Please enjoy.


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110 Longfellow Avenue, Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA
(The Corleone Mansion)

Don Vito Corleone's mansion is predominantly featured throughout 'The Godfather' as it's where the titular character conducts most of 'his business' and it's where his daughter has her wedding. In reality, though, Vito's mansion is situated in two different locations, with all of the internal scenes filmed in the now-defunct Filmways Studios (once located at 246 East 127th Street, East Harlem), while all of the external scenes were filmed at the 6,248-square-foot home (address displayed above) that's still situated in the affluent neighborhood of Emerson Hill, Staten Island.

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Louie's Restaurant, 3531 White Plains Road, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
(Italian Restaurant)

During pre-production, the director, Francis Ford Coppola, was hoping that he could shoot the death of Captain McCluskey and Virgil Sollozzo (played by Sterling Hayden and Al Lettieri respectively) in the same place it's depicted in the original novel the film's based on, namely, inside Mario's Restaurant, located on Arthur Avenue, the Bronx. But when the owner of the restaurant declined Francis's request, Francis then chose another restaurant, Louie's Restaurant, which is situated on White Plains Road, also in the Bronx.

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Castello degli Schiavi, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Catania, Sicily, Italy
(Don Tommasino's Villa)

In real life, Castello degli Schiavi (also known as Castle of the Slaves) is a Sicilian castle that was built during the Baroque period. In 'The Godfather', however, it's the home of a Sicilian Mafia Don that's been included in all three films in the trilogy. In 'Part One', it's where Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino) arranges to meet Apollonia (played by Simonetta Stefanelli), and then afterwards, where she tragically gets blown up by a car bomb. In 'Part Two', we see a young Vito Corleone (played by Robert De Niro) and his family staying here while they're visiting Sicily. And in 'Part Three', it's the place where an older Michael Corleone (Pacino again) finds some shelter.

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Old Saint Patrick's Cathedral, 264 Mulberry Street, Little Italy, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
(Baptism Scene)

At the end of the film, there's a rather dramatic scene set both inside and outside a church featuring the baptism of Michael Francis Rizzi (played by a baby Sofia Coppola, who also starred in the third film in the trilogy). But just like all of the scenes set in and around Don Vito Corleone's mansion, in reality, this church is in fact two different churches, with the scenes inside the church filmed in the Old Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Mulberry Street, Manhattan, and the scenes outside the church filmed at the Church of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, Staten Island, New York City.

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So, there you have it, folks, four film locations featured in the 1972 crime classic, 'The Godfather'. More articles featuring famous film locations will be coming soon, but before then, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.