After ditching his job at the Rand Corporation for a shot in Hollywood, Al Ruddy wins the job to produce Mario Puzo’s bestselling novel, “The Godfather” for Paramount Pictures. Joe Colombo, a rising crime boss in the New York City Mafia, has a darker fate in mind for the picture.

With Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo penning the script, Al Ruddy and Bettye McCartt confront an ever-growing list of opposition to “The Godfather” including Frank Sinatra, LA Gangster Mickey Cohen, and the Colombo led Italian-American Civil Rights League. Meanwhile, Robert Evans and Gulf & Western’s Barry Lapidus lock horns over the creative direction of Paramount Pictures.

With Marlon Brando and Al Pacino in contention for leading roles in “The Godfather,” Ruddy is caught in the line of fire between Evans and Coppola and must pick a side. After gaining Joe Colombo’s support, Ruddy gets an uncomfortable glimpse of his new friend’s loyalty. The rising stakes surrounding “The Godfather” continues to strain Ruddy’s relationship with Francoise.

Ruddy deals with the fallout from the disastrous press conference while Evans creates a plan to save Paramount. Bettye takes action as the first day of filming is compromised due to collisions with Gulf & Western, Paramount, and the Mafia.