ScorebearThe Godfather

Story chronology

Timeline

Key beats for The Godfather in story order, linked back to chapters.

  • 5 milestone events

  1. 1945

    Connie's wedding

    inciting

    Don Vito Corleone hosts his daughter's wedding and conducts family business in the study.

    S1S01E01

  2. 1945

    Vito is shot

    escalation

    Sollozzo's men attack Don Vito at the fruit stand. Michael takes charge of the hospital guard.

    S1S01E02

  3. 1945–46

    Michael kills Sollozzo

    point of no return

    Michael murders Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey at Louis Restaurant, then flees to Sicily.

    S1S01E02

  4. 1946–47

    Sicily and Sonny's death

    tragedy

    Michael marries Apollonia; Sonny is killed at the toll plaza; Apollonia dies in a car bomb.

    S1S01E03

  5. 1955

    The baptism hits

    finale

    Michael stands as godfather in church while the heads of the rival families are assassinated.

    S1S01E04