FAQ for
The Godfather: Part III (1990) More at IMDbPro »

The following FAQ entries may contain spoilers. Only the biggest ones (if any) will be covered with spoiler tags. Spoiler tags are used sparingly in order to make the page more readable.

For detailed information about the amounts and types of (a) sex and nudity, (b) violence and gore, (c) profanity, (d) alcohol, drugs, and smoking, and (e) frightening and intense scenes in this movie, consult the IMDb Parents Guide for this movie. The Parents Guide for The Godfather: Part III can be found here.

Not directly. The Godfather (1969), a novel written by Italian-American author Mario Puzo [1920-1999], was the source for the first and second Godfather movies -- The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather: Part II (1974). However, the screenplay for The Godfather: Part III was written by Puzo and director Francis Ford Coppola.

Sonny and his wife, Sandra, have four children--twin girls Kathryn and Francesca, and sons Santino Jr. and Frank. The whereabouts of Sonny's widow and children are never discussed in the films, but in the book, Sandra moves away with the children after Sonny's death. They appear in Parts II and III in the family photos, but they were not raised on the Corleone family compounds, Sonny's twin daughters are seen in a deleted scene in the Godfather 2, when Francesca asks for Michael Corleone's blessing for her wish to get married and Michael accepts and gives his blessing. It is never explained why Santino Jr. and Frank never join the Family Business. However, Sandra's moving away from the family compound indicates a desire to remove herself from the Corleone Family and the mafia life. One can only assume it was not a life she wanted for her sons, and since they were not brought up on the compound and exposed to "Family" life, they were not prepared, nor were they expected to take part in The Business.

Winona Ryder was originally cast in the role but ended up dropping out due to "exhaustion." Coppola didn't have time to go through the process of finding another actress who'd be available on such short notice. He had all confidence his daughter would be up to the challenge.