The novel delves deeper into the characters’ internal struggles and motivations, particularly Michael Corleone’s transformation. The film excels in its visual storytelling, portraying the opulent world of the Mafia and the brutality of their actions with iconic scenes like the horse’s head and the restaurant shooting.

The book follows the Corleones over a longer period, including Sonny’s rise and fall, Kay’s deeper involvement, and Tom Hagen’s loyalty struggles. The film condenses the timeline, focusing primarily on Michael’s journey, streamlining the narrative for cinematic impact.

The novel presents a more nuanced portrayal of the characters, blurring the lines between good and evil. The film simplifies some characters, making the Corleones appear more sympathetic and the enemies more villainous. This shift emphasizes the film’s moral conflict but sacrifices some of the novel’s ambiguity.

Purists seeking complete immersion might miss deeper character explorations and storylines from the book, like Sonny’s full arc, Tom Hagen’s internal conflicts, and Kay’s initial denial of the Corleones’ true nature. Conversely, the film offers iconic scenes absent from the book, like the baptism montage and Michael’s chilling line, “It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.”