In the Godfather trilogy, what do oranges signify

A.� In every film, eating oranges is a sign a character is about to die. The scene in The Godfather where Vito buys oranges from a street vendor before being shot starts a link between citrus fruit and violence that continues throughout the trilogy.

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Q.� Why has the trilogy been so successful

A.� Partly because the world thinks what it knows about the Mafia comes from The Godfather. The films crackle with realism, from the smallest details to the natural acting. The horse's head looks real because it is, and the beating Sonny puts down on Carlo looks so savage because James Caan actually broke several of Gianni Russo's ribs.

Lenny Montana, the actor playing Luca Brasi, was so nervous about working with a legend like Marlon Brando that he stuttered and stumbled through his lines. Although he did them perfectly the second time, Coppola liked the first take and that's the one we see in the film.

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Q.� Robert De Niro is magnificent - how did he prepare for the role of Paulie Gatto

A.� In order to study the nuances and language of Sicilian behaviour, De Niro prepared for his role by living in Sicily prior to the movie. Despite nearly all his dialogue being in Italian, the Academy gave him an Oscar for best Supporting Actor. He went on to win his second, this time for Best Actor in Martin Scorcese's Raging Bull.

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Q.� How did Coppola choose such a great cast

A.� He wrote the movies with Mario Enzo. During casting, De Niro read for the parts of Sonny and Michael Corleone. Coppola eventually decided that a more physically menacing actor should play the thuggish Sonny and cast James Caan. He had already set his sights on Al Pacino to play Michael. Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson and Dustin Hoffman were all offered the part of Michael Corleone but refused. Robert Redford and Ryan O'Neal were also considered.

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Q.� Can you get the trilogy on DVD now

A.� The three movies have, this month, became available for the first time on DVD (�59.99). The discs contain three hours of original material including Coppola's notebook charting how he brought the trilogy to screen.

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By Katharine MacColl