Some of these sequels attempt to rekindle the magic. The Godfather Part II constructs a goddamned empire on it. Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 sequel to The Godfather surpassed the original—some would argue it was even better. This time around, the film divides its attention between two Corleones: the young upstart Vito (perfectly embodied by Robert De Niro) and his son Michael (Al Pacino), now firmly ensconced in the role of family patriarch. It’s also darker, colder, more tragic. And, once again, it’s crammed full of quotes that hurt — that have been rent-free in the heads of fans, detractors and mob-movie completists ever since. It can also be watched on streaming platforms like 123 movies.
If you’re after some of the Godfather Part II quotes you can’t forget, the ones that really hit on betrayal, power, loyalty and quiet heartbreak, then these are the lines that say it all.
- Michael Corleone: Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
- Frank Pentangeli: Your father did business with Hyman Roth, your father respected Hyman Roth… but your father never trusted Hyman Roth!
- Michael Corleone: If anything in this life is certain, if history has taught us anything, it is that you can kill anyone.
- Hyman Roth: This is the business we’ve chosen.
- Young Vito Corleone: I make him an offer he don’t refuse.
- Michael Corleone: I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart.
- Tom Hagen: Mike, why am I out?
- Michael Corleone: You’re not a wartime consigliere, Tom. Things may get rough with the move we’re trying.
- Michael Corleone: I don’t feel I have to wipe everybody out, Tom. Just my enemies.
- Senator Geary: I despise your masquerade, the dishonest way you pose yourself.
- Fredo Corleone: I’m your older brother, Mike, and I was stepped over!
- Michael Corleone: You’re nothing to me now. You’re not a brother, you’re not a friend.
- Young Vito Corleone: There was no other way, son.
- Michael Corleone: All my life I kept trying to go up in society — where it’s legal — and I did it for my family.
- Tom Hagen: When a plot against the Emperor failed… the plotters were always given a chance to let their families keep their fortunes.
- Michael Corleone: I don’t apologize — to take care of my family — and I refused to be a fool dancing on the strings held by all those big shots.
