Sicilian undertaker Amerigo Bonasera watches as the two young men who assaulted and attempted to rape his daughter go free because they belong to politically powerful families. Bonasera decides to go to Don Corleone for justice. In Las Vegas, singer Johnny Fontane’s wife is cheating on him, and he decides to return to New York to visit his godfather, Corleone. Nazorine the baker decides to go to Don Corleone to secure citizenship for his daughter’s fiancée. They are all invited to Don Corleone’s daughter’s wedding, where they plan to plead their cases.

On the last Saturday of August 1945, Connie Corleone, daughter of Don Vito Corleone, is getting married at his home in Long Beach, Long Island, New York. His three sons are there as well: Santino, or Sonny, Frederico, or Fredo, and Michael. Michael is not with his family but sits far apart at a table with his fiancée, Kay Adams. After volunteering as a Marine in World War II, Michael now attends Dartmouth College, returning only for his sister’s wedding. While they are greeting guests, the FBI arrives outside the gates and notes the license plate numbers of all the cars. Sonny loses his temper, but Don Corleone is not angry.