The Godfather Part II (1974) - Don Michael Corleone

The Godfather Part II is both a sequel and a prequel to The Godfather (1972) by presents two parallel storylines: the first storyline chronicling the story of the Corleone family under their new chief Don Michael Corleone in their new home in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and the second storyline a flashback depicting the rise to power of Vito Corleone, from his childhood in Sicily to his founding of the powerful Corleone family in New York City.

The Godfather Part II stars Al Pacino as Don Michael Corleone, Robert Duvall as the family consiglieri Tom Hagen, Diane Keaton as Kay Adams, Robert De Niro as Young Vito Corleone, John Cazale as Fredo Corleone, Talia Shire as Connie Corleone, Michael V. Gazzo as Frank "the five angels" Pentangeli, and Lee Strasberg as jewish gangster Hyman Roth.

The Godfather Part II was filmed in 104 days, shot between October 1, 1973 and June 19, 1974. This was the first major motion picture sequel to use "Part II" in the title, and the first American film to use the roman numeral "II" to indicate a sequel. The film widely credited as the film that began the Hollywood tradition of numbered sequels for film franchises. It was also the last major American motion picture to be filmed in Technicolor.

Like the first film, The Godfather Part II is widely considered as one of the greatest films of all time. It ranks among the most critically and artistically successful film sequels in movie history, praised as equal, or even superior, to its predecessor. The Godfather Part II was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won six, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Robert De Niro for his performance as young Vito.

This was the first film sequel to receive five Academy Award Nominations for acting: Al Pacino (Best Actor), Talia Shire (Best Actress In A Suporting Role), Lee Strasberg (Best Actor In A Supporting Role), Michael V. Gazzo (Best Actor In A Supporting Role), and Robert De Niro (Best Actor In A Supporting Role).

Al Pacino's performance as Michael have praised and considered as one of the best performances of all time by any actor. His performance has become legendary. The Academy Awards criticized by many movie critics for not awarding Pacino the Academy Award for Best Actor (instead, the Oscar finally goes to Art Carney for his performance in Harry and Tonto).

The Godfather Part II has been selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry.