Its six Oscar wins also included for Coppola, for De Niro and for Coppola and Puzo.
But when the movie arrived in theaters at the end of 1974, it was met with a critical reception that, compared with today's exuberant embrace, felt more like a slap in the face.
Michael orders another capo, Rocco Lampone, to assassinate Roth; Lampone guns down Roth at before being killed by return fire from federal agents.
As Michael continues to walk, it is increasingly apparent that he has become one with Sicily.