The Godfather was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The setting takes place during the 1940’s, in New York City. Vito Corleone is head of the Corleone Mafia family, but after a series of unfortunate events Michael Corleone becomes “Godfather”. Coppola uses sound, editing, mise-en-scene, and cinematography in the baptism scene from The Godfather.
The score of the baptism scene is religious music since it is a baptism. The sound of the religious score is low while the baptism images are shown ,but during the murders the sound of the score increases. The religious score plays as the mafia heads are murdered, upon Michael’s orders. The director uses voiceover during the baptism scene through the priest. The voice over is significant because it allows the audience to see Michael’s orders in effect as the priest is baptizing the baby boy. The scene demonstrates Michael’s transformation from an honest man to the head of the Corleone family, which deals with organized crime.
The baptism scene at the end of The Godfather has an ample amount of editing techniques. The rapid succession of images that links different scenes is called a montage. As the son of Carlo and Connie’s son is baptized, the film cuts to images depicting the murders of the heads of the Mafia families. The parallel editing technique, montage, implies that both the baptism and murders happen at the same time. The juxtaposition of the baptism and killings solidify Michael’s title as “The Godfather”.
The lighting in the baptism scene is very dark. However, the light focuses only on the altar where the priest, Michael, his wife, and the baby boy are all together. The source of the light that focuses on the altar comes from the sun, it is natural lighting. The light focuses on the altar but not on the statue of Jesus Christ on the side of the altar. The statue is in the darkness looking towards the altar where Michael is standing. The statue of Jesus in the dark and Michael in the light can signify their differences.
The director uses all the four elements in the famous baptism scene.
Aboutthemovie's Blog 
David,
This post is quite good–your best to date. It contains a clear thesis, and you do a nice job of elaborating that thesis throughout the post. I also like that you focus your analysis on one scene, which allows you the space to discuss the images and sound in detail.
You make a number of sharp observations, but especially like your comments towards the end about the lighting (i.e. the light falling on Michael instead of the statue of Jesus). This seems very symbolic, especially since Michael renounces Satan in word while carrying out “evil” acts in deed.
We’ll definitely discuss this scene in class, so do be sure to share your thoughts.
Nice job,
MT