Sollozzo Quotes in The Godfather (1972)

Sollozzo: Bene, Don Corleone. I need a man who has powerful friends. I need a million dollars in cash. I need, Don Corleone, all of those politicians that you carry around in your pocket, like so many nickels and dimes.

Don Corleone: What is the interest for my family?

Sollozzo: Thirty percent. In the first year your end should be three, four million dollars. And then it would go up.

Don Corleone: And what is the interest for the Tattalgia family?

Sollozzo: [smiles at Tom] My compliments.

[Hagen gives a formal nod]

Sollozzo: I'll take care of the Tattaglias, out of my share.

Don Corleone: So, I am to receive thirty percent for finance, for legal protection and political influence. Is that what you're telling me?

Sollozzo: That's right.

Don Corleone: Why come to me? What have I done to deserve such generosity?

Sollozzo: If you consider a million dollars in cash merely finance...

[raises his glass]

Sollozzo: Te salut, Don Corleone.

[the Don gets up to take a drink and sits closer to Sollozzo]

Don Corleone: I said that I would see you because I had heard that you were a serious man, to be treated with respect. But I must say no to you and let me give you my reasons. It's true I have a lot of friends in politics, but they wouldn't be so friendly if they knew my business was drugs instead of gambling which they consider a harmless vice. But drugs, that's a dirty business.

Sollozzo: No, Don Corleone...

Don Corleone: It makes no difference, it don't make any difference to me what a man does for a living, you understand. But your business is a little dangerous.

Sollozzo: If you're worried about security for your million, the Tattaglias will guarantee it.

Sonny: Whoa, now, you're telling me that the Tattaglias guarantee our investment without...?

Don Corleone: Wait a minute.

[the Don gives his son a cold stare, freezing Santino into silence. The others fidget with embarrassment at this outbreak, but Sollozzo looks slyly satisfied... ]

Don Corleone: [dismissive] I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen. Anyway, Signor Sollozzo, my no to you is final. I want to congratulate you on your new business and I'm sure you'll do very well and good luck to you. Especially since your interests don't conflict with mine. Thank you.

[Sollozzo leaves]

Don Corleone: Santino, come here.

Don Corleone: What's the matter with you? I think your brain is going soft with all that comedy you are playing with that young girl. Never tell anyone outside the Family what you are thinking again. Go on.

Sollozzo: I don't like violence, Tom. I'm a businessman; blood is a big expense.

Sollozzo: [to Michael, in Sicilian] I am sorry. What happened to your father was business. I have much respect for your father. But your father, his thinking is old-fashioned. You must understand why I had to do that. Now let's work through where we go from here.

[Michael tries speaking in Sicilian, but can't express himself properly, so with a quick look at McCluskey they both switch to English]

Michael: What I want... what's most important to me is that I have a guarantee: no more attempts on my father's life.

Sollozzo: What guarantees could I give you, Mike? I'm the hunted one. I've missed my chance. You think too much of me, kid. I am not that clever. All I want is a truce.

Michael: I have to go to the bathroom. Is that all right?

Capt. McCluskey: You gotta go, you gotta go.

[Michael gets up, but a suspicious Sollozzo probes Michael's crotch, to Michael's offense]

Capt. McCluskey: I frisked him. He's clean.

Sollozzo: Don't take too long...

[Michael heads to the bathroom]

Capt. McCluskey: [to Sollozzo] I frisked a thousand young punks.

[Tom Hagen goes Christmas shopping, and meets Sollozzo]

Sollozzo: I want to talk to you.

Tom Hagen: [stepping aside] I haven't got time...

Sollozzo: Make time, Consigliore!

[Hagen finds himself trapped between Sollozzo and a hood]

Sollozzo: What are you worried about? If I wanted to kill you you'd be dead already. Get in.

[a car drives up]

Michael: [the car that Michael, Sollozzo, and McClusky are riding in takes an unexpected detour] New Jersey... we're going to New Jersey?

Sollozzo: [sinister] Maybe.

Capt. McCluskey: How's the Italian food in this restaurant?

Sollozzo: Good. Try the veal, it's the best in the city.

Capt. McCluskey: I'll have it.

Sollozzo: I'm glad you came, Mike. I hope we can straighten everything out. I mean, this is terrible... it's not the way I wanted things to go at all. It should've never happened.

Michael: We'll straighten everything out tonight. I don't want my father bothered anymore.

Sollozzo: He won't be, Mike. I swear on my children he won't be. But you gotta keep an open mind when we talk. I mean, I hope you're not a hothead like your brother Sonny. You can't talk business with him.

Capt. McCluskey: Ahh, he's a good kid. I'm sorry about the other night, Mike.

[Shakes Michael's hand]

Capt. McCluskey: I gotta frisk you, so turn around, on your knees facing me.

[Michael turns around, McCluskey frisks him]

Capt. McCluskey: I guess I'm getting too old for my job. Too grouchy... can't stand the aggravation. You know how it is.

[to Sollozzo]

Capt. McCluskey: He's clean.