The Godfather Part II (Paramount, 1974), Fred Roos' Custom-Bound Second Draft Screenplay with Inlaid Photos. ...

Description

The Godfather Part II (Paramount, 1974), Fred Roos' Custom-Bound Second Draft Screenplay with Inlaid Photos. Widely regarded as one of the greatest sequels in cinematic history and often named among the top five films of all time, The Godfather Part II deepened and expanded the Corleone saga with stunning ambition, telling two parallel stories of power, family, and betrayal. With Francis Ford Coppola, Fred Roos, Gray Frederickson, and Paramount Pictures realizing there was still rich material left untapped from Mario Puzo's original novel, development on a sequel began almost immediately after the success of the first film. The resulting film served as both a prequel and a sequel, chronicling young Vito Andolini's (Robert De Niro's) journey from Sicily to New York and his rise to power, while continuing Michael Corleone's (Al Pacino) increasingly isolated reign as head of the Corleone family. This dual narrative allowed Coppola and Puzo to explore the roots of the American immigrant experience and the corrosive effects of inherited power. It culminated in one of the most iconic scenes in film history: "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart." Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, the film won six, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Art Direction. For Fred Roos, who had worked tirelessly by Coppola's side throughout the production, the Best Picture Oscar was not only a career milestone but a hard-earned reward for his unwavering dedication to their creative partnership. With Coppola granted near-total creative freedom, the production was remarkably smooth and represents one of the high points of his career. Armed with critical and commercial success from both Godfather films, Coppola launched his independent studio, American Zoetrope, and embarked on an ambitious slate of projects, beginning with Apocalypse Now. Fred Roos remained at Coppola's side through it all. As producer, casting advisor, and day-to-day creative partner, Roos helped oversee the production, shape the cast, and carry out the vision of the film at every level. His involvement is well documented in behind-the-scenes photographs, where he is often pictured beside Coppola-a role he continued to fill throughout Coppola's career and later with Eleanor and Sofia Coppola's films. Offered here is Roos' personal custom-bound second draft screenplay of The Godfather Part II, dated September 24, 1973. The script spans 200-pages (as paginated), written by Coppola and Puzo, and is presented in a deluxe 9" x 11" blood-red leather hardcover binding with gold inlaid title and "Fred Roos" on the cover. Bound into the volume are inlaid press materials at the front and a series of original key set photographs tipped to blank pages throughout. Many of the images are marked in India ink on the negatives and feature Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, John Cazale, Francis Ford Coppola, Fred Roos, and other principal cast and crew members. Photocopied scene revisions are interleaved in sequential order to reflect a complete narrative consistent with the final cut. At the back of the volume, Roos included a group of photographs from the team's Best Picture Oscar win, showing Coppola, Roos, and Frederickson holding their Academy Awards, including a striking image of Coppola holding three statuettes at once. This volume is more than a draft script-it is a deeply personal and thoughtfully assembled production artifact from one of the key creative forces behind the film. Taken together with the other Godfather Trilogy materials offered in this auction, this lot offers an extraordinary opportunity to own a rare and historically significant piece of cinematic history, preserved by one of the individuals most responsible for its creation. Exhibits wear, age and fading. The poster is for reference only and is not included with this lot. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions. From the Estate of Fred Roos.

Heritage Auctions provides as much information as possible but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of fact, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted but may be visible in the photos, which are considered part of the condition report. Lots estimated at $1,000 or less are not de-framed for inspection, and we may be unable to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and is not liable for damage to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or artwork that has shifted in the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" under our Terms & Conditions of Auction.