The Functions of Sound

The Godfather (1972)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Starring Al Pacino and Marlon Brando

Music by Nino Rota

The three basic types of sound in a film are categorized as dialogue, music and sound effects. I have chosen to analyze a clip from The Godfather (1972) where Michael Corleone kills Sollozzo and McCluskey. Dialogue is basically the script or conversations that characters have or say. Music may be from the characters playing instruments within the film or simply music being played while a certain scene is being played. Sound effects may be found to match the actions of a character or simply added to the background for the audience to hear while the film goes on. The two elements of sound are described as diegetic or non-diegetic. Music heard by the audience but not by the characters within the film is an example of non-diegetic. Music that is played by a character within the movie is an example of diegetic.

We are going to focus on the sounds that were heard as the short clip was played. As the clip begins, we hear the dialogue of the conversation with a serious voice and the sound effects of Michael being patted down. The we are able to hear his footsteps as he is heading to the bathroom and the sound of a train passing by in the distinct background. The clip then plays sound effects of Michael grabbing the gun hidden in the bathroom stall and the silence outside in the restaurant as it goes back and forth from the characters. The clip is very quiet and the sound effects of his footsteps, the doors opening and his chair squeaking all add to the mood. The clip becomes more intense as Michael listens to Sollozzo speak about his father in Italian and the train is coming to stop in the background louder and louder. Then Michael rises and fires his gun at both Sollozzo and McCluskey. The table is tipped over as McCluskey falls over the side of it and the dishes all come crashing down.

I believe the sound of the gunshots would compliment to the genre of crime and the silence would also contribute to the genre of drama. The silence throughout the clip makes the scene become more dramatic as Michael begins to feel flustered before he kills two men. The mood here is set to be quite intense yet nervous for Michael and his emotions. I also believe the expected and realistic sounds of the gun shots from Michael really intensified to define his breakthrough moment to the life of crime. Michael would go through a complete different set of emotions if the scene was changed to a more loud and public location. He would not be as nervous as he was being alone and the clip would not be as intense with too much background noise.

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. This text is a Constellation™ course digital materials (CDM) title.