Godfather Sound Analysis

The scene opens with an establishing shot of the restaurant with the diegetic sound of a train overhead. This sound is subtle at first but then escalates as the scene continues. There is no non-diegetic music in the scene in order to imerse the audience into this world so they can feel the tension in the air between Michael and Sollozzo. There is a long period of silence between them, telling the audience that the two characters are challenging each other which in effect heightens the sense of conflict. The only sound is the diegetic noise of the wine being opened with the popping sound making the audience potentially jump, foreshadowing the gunshot later in the scene. This disrupts the atmosphere and causes Sollozzo to speak moments later. The following conversation is in Italian to conceal the secret world of the Mafia away from the audience. This is intentional as to keep the audience in the dark about what they are talking about, much like the character McCluskey, as what they discuss is clearly a private matter. The details may be irrelevant but by the expression on their faces we know that the conversation is helping Corleone with his decision on whether or not to kill him.

The diegetic sound effects of the footsteps and cutlery emphasise the heightened atmosphere. This expresses how alert Corleone is and how he is on edge. He is paying attention to everything that happens to make sure that he is not caught off guard at any point.

When Corleone is in the bathroom searching for his gun, the scene flicks between the bathroom and main restaurant area. The sound differs between the two places, with the loud rummaging audible with Corleone and silence in the restaurant. This represents how Corleone is filled with anxiety, nervous about what he about to do whereas Sollozzo is not worried at all, believing that he is safe. As he leaves the bathroom, the train noise builds up once again, intensifying to represent his inner conflict. Corleone is facing away from the camera, concealed partially by the door as he makes his final decision. He is obscured as he feels ashamed, trapped between the two doors. Once he returns to the table, the noise of the train overwhelms Sollozzo's voice, showing that no matter what he says now that Corleone has already made up his mind. The sound of the train stops suddenly as Corleone shoots three times. The deafening shots leave the audience in shock which is why the remainder of the scene is in silence, to emphasise the shock of what has just happened. The table crashes to the ground then there are moments of silence before he walks out, reflecting on what he has just done. As he leaves, non-diegetic music begins, a dramatic note to stress that he has gone through with the plan, ending the struggle of internal conflict.