Violence in the film "The Godfather" is almost always preceded by the appearance of fruit. What kind of fruit is used?

The Godfather (1972) is a nearly flawless film that excels in almost every aspect imaginable. And the idea of using fruit in the film may have helped this movie to be successful. What is done in The Godfather is for fruit to almost always precede the appearance of violence. The use of this fruit (oranges) put viewers on notice that something significant, painful, or catastrophic is about to take place on the movie screen.

A few movie critics interpreted the presence of oranges in various scenes as a harbinger of death to come. Oranges roll across the street as Don Corleone gets shot and is killed. They are also seen in producer Jack Woltz’s dining room; and, they are present at the meeting of the dons. Plus oranges exist in Don Corleone’s garden. In this last instance, there is likely a more practical reason for their presence.

In his book on the making of the film, The Godfather Legacy, Harlen Lebo writes, “For [production designer] Dean Tavoularis, oranges were simply another carefully chosen compliment to otherwise somberly dressed sets. ‘We knew this film wasn’t going to be about bright colors, and oranges make a nice contrast,’ said Tavoularis. ‘I don’t remember anybody saying, Hey, I like oranges as a real symbolic message.’ “ Nonetheless, an unconscientious message seems to occur in the film when oranges make an appearance.