So the film begins in 1901 with Vito looking to be around the ages of 8 to 10. If this is so that would make him still in his early 50's by the time of the first Godfather which begins in 1945. Clearly, he was intended to be much older than this in the oringinal film - at least in his early 60's.
Has anyone else ever noticed this discrepancy?
I think Godfather 1 starts not long after the end of WW2, so say 1946. Vito was probably born around 1891 at the earliest.
That'd make him 55.
I think you're on to something. Coppola said Vito was in his sixties.
I did a quick google and found this. http://www.themovietimeline.com/film544 I have no idea how official it is, but it gives the timeline of the first movie. Here are a few dates worth mentioning:
1892
29th April: Vito Andolini (to become Don Corleone) born, according to his tombstone. (corleone sicily)
1945
Don Corleone shot while shopping for oranges; Connie Corleone marries Carlo Rizzi; Santino Corleone Jr born to Sonny.
1948
Sonny Corleone assassinated in his car; his son Vincent Mancini born to his mistress after his death.
1952
Michael Corleone assumes control of family business interests.
1954
Don Vito Corleone dies while playing with his granddaughter; Carlo Rizzi dies and his son Michael Francis Rizzi is born.
He would've been 62 when he died. He was 53 around the start of the movie. I suspect he looks much older than that due to the hard life he lived. Keep in mind, Brando was 48 when this movie was released, only a few years younger than his character would have been in the opening scenes.
In the beginning of the oringinal novel (1945) Vito is described as a man in his sixties. Pretty certain Copppla also regarded that as his age in the film.
shareActually my apologies I must have misremembered. In the novel he was born in 1887 leaving him 58 in 1945. Although I'm still sure he was intended to be older than 54 at the start of the film adaptation. I guess this could be due to the make up department going for an older look before the sequel was even thought of.
share