The Godfather Part II

The film interweaves timelines from two different generations of the Corleone family saga. In the first timeline, in 1901, nine-year old Vito Andolini flees Corleone, Sicily, after mafia Don Ciccio kills his family. Surviving relatives help Vito escape to the US, where he becomes known as Vito Corleone. Vito grows up in Little Italy, works at a grocery store, and later marries Carmela. They have three sons, Santino "Sonny", Fredo, Michael, and daughter, Connie.

In 1917 the neighborhood crime boss, Don Fanucci, causes Vito to lose his job. Unable to provide for his family, Vito begins a life of petty crime, after being introduced to it by his neighbor, Peter Clemenza. Together, they sell stolen dresses door-to-door, and are joined by Sal Tessio. When Fanucci finds out, he demands a cut of the profits. Vito uses the opportunity to seize control. During a busy neighborhood parade, he shoots Don Fanucci in his apartment, then disposes of the evidence. Vito's reputation spreads, and Vito and his associates take over Fanucci's rackets. They open an olive oil business as a front for their illegal protection activities and other criminal enterprises. Vito visits Sicily, where he avenges his family's murder by slicing an elderly Don Ciccio through his stomach.

In the present timeline, in 1958, Michael has moved the Corleone family to Nevada, where he strives to legitimize their operations. After refusing to support New York capo, Frank Pentangeli, against the Rosato brothers, Michael and Kay are victims of an assassination attempt at their Lake Tahoe residence. Michael suspects a traitor, and makes consigliere Tom Hagen the acting boss. In New York, Pentangeli survives a hit on his life by the Rosatos, after a police officer unsuspectingly intervenes. Pentangeli is arrested and placed in FBI custody. Meanwhile, Jewish mobster, Hyman Roth, invites Michael to Havana to invest in his activities.

Michael suspects Roth planned the hit on him, and enquires who ordered the Rosatos to kill Pentangeli. Roth is frustrated, reminding Michael he did not question his order to kill his friend, Moe Greene, in the first film's 'baptism shootings'. At a New Year's Eve party, Fredo lets slip that he knows a Roth accomplice. Michael realizes that Fredo was the traitor, and gives him the kiss of death. His assassin fails to kill Roth, and they are all forced to escape Havana after the Cuban Revolution topples the government. Back home, Pentangeli is the star witness of a Senate committee hearing, convened to expose Michael's underworld connections. Michael lies to the Senate about his operations, and dissuades Pentangeli from testifying by showing up to the trial with his brother, Vincenzo. Pentangeli reverses course and the hearing dissolves in an uproar.

Soon afterwards, Kay announces her decision to leave Michael. Michael retains custody of their children, but banishes Kay from their life. Carmela passes away, reuniting Michael with Fredo, now living at the Lake Tahoe compound. Fredo bonds with Michael's son, Anthony, over fishing. After being denied entry to Israel, Roth returns to the US, but is assassinated at the airport by Michael's capo Rocco Lampone. Michael also sends Hagen to meet Pentangeli at the army barracks, where they talk about the Roman practice of conspirators killing themselves to protect their families from the emperor's wrath. Soon after, Pentangeli is found with slit wrists in his bathtub. At the Corleone compound, enforcer Al Neri takes Fredo fishing without Anthony. As Michael watches from his window, Neri executes Fredo on the boat.

Sitting by the lake, Michael remembers Vito's birthday in 1941, on the eve of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Michael announces he has enlisted in the Marines, surprising Tom and angering Sonny. In his reaction, Sonny dismisses Connie and Carlo from the room. Only Fredo congratulates Michael. As Vito arrives for his party, everyone rushes to greet him and Michael is left alone at the table. Back in the present Michael is siting alone at the compound as the screen blacks out.