The story begins as "Don" VitoCorleone, the head of a New York Mafia "family",oversees his daughter's wedding with his wifeCarmela. His beloved son Michael has just comehome from the war, but does not intend tobecome part of his father's business. ThroughMichael's life the nature of the family businessbecomes clear. The business of the family is justlike the head of the family, kind and benevolentto those who give respect, but given to ruthlessviolence whenever anything stands against thegood of the family. Don Vito lives his life in theway of the old country, but times are changingand some don't want to follow the old ways andlook out for community and "family". An up andcoming rival of the Corleone family wants to startselling drugs in New York, and needs the Don'sinfluence to further his plan. The clash of theDon's fading old world values and the new wayswill demand a terrible price, especially fromMichael, all for the sake of the family.