'The Godfather, Part II,' produced by OKC native Gray Frederickson, returning to theaters for 45th anniversary

The classic film "The Godfather, Part II" is returning to theaters in November to mark the 45th anniversary of its release.

A quintessentially American tale of power, ambition and family, the film electrified audiences and critics when it opened in 1974. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola from a screenplay by Coppola and Mario Puzo, the brilliant sequel continues the story of "The Godfather," while also becoming a classic of modern filmmaking in its own right. 

The film tells two interconnected stories: the rise of a young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro), who is sent to America to fend for himself, and the haunting, troubled ascension of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as the new Don. "The Godfather, Part II" remains the only sequel of a Best Picture Academy Award winner to take home the top prize itself.

The film also has Oklahoma ties: Oklahoma City native Gray Frederickson won the 1975 Best Picture Oscar alongside Coppola and Fred Roos for producing “The Godfather: Part II.”

To mark the 45^th anniversary of "The Godfather, Part II," Fathom Events' TCM Big Screen Classics series offers a rare opportunity to see the six-time Oscar-winning epic on the big screen, accompanied by illuminating insights from TCM Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz both before and after the feature presentation. A meticulously restored version of the film will be digitally projected with its original mid-film intermission, according to a news release. 

"The Godfather, Part II" will be screened at 3 and 7 p.m. local time Nov. 10 and 7 p.m. local time Nov. 12 and 13. Local theaters that will be showing the film include Tinseltown USA and AMC Quail Springs 24 in Oklahoma City and Regal Spotlight Stadium 14 in Norman. 

Tickets for "The Godfather, Part II" can be purchased at www.FathomEvents.com or participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 600 movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. 

As previously reported, Frederickson will be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Nov. 21 at the Cox Convention Center in honor of his achievements in film in Oklahoma, Hollywood and beyond. For more information, click here. 

-BAM