The Godfather tells the story of the Corleone family, an Italian-American Mafia family, and their rise to power. The film revolves around Don Vito Corleone (played by Marlon Brando), the powerful head of the family, who is determined to maintain peace and stability within the organization. As the story unfolds, the audience is introduced to a cast of complex characters, including Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino), the youngest son of Don Vito, who reluctantly becomes embroiled in the family's business.