Marlon Brando was awarded the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in the Godfather but turned it down to protest Hollywood's treatment of Native Americans

The words "mafia" and "mob" never appear in The Godfather. Coppola agreed to omit these words after meeting with the Italian-American Civil Rights League

Francis Ford Coppola was nearly fired during the filming of the Godfather because it was more dramatic and less violent than previous gangster movies. His job was reportedly saved when studio execs saw the scene in which Michael kills Sollozzo

The famous line "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli" was improvised by actor Richard Castellano

Marlon Brando was awarded the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in the Godfather but turned it down to protest Hollywood's treatment of Native Americans

The words "mafia" and "mob" never appear in The Godfather. Coppola agreed to omit these words after meeting with the Italian-American Civil Rights League