HOW THE MOB MUSCLED IN ON THE GODFATHER

Crime kingpin saved movie from sleeping with the fishes

IF The Godfather’s actors seem like actual mobsters it’s because real Mafia thugs closely advised the Hollywood cast and even had roles in the iconic 1972 flick.

In his gripping book The Life We Chose, author Matt Birkbeck reveals how entwined real racketeers were with the movie — including Marlon Brando getting coached for his role as Don Vito Corleone by Pennsylvania mob boss Russell Bufalino.

“Russell spent a lot of time with Brando,” writes Birkbeck. “Russell showed him the ropes, how to speak, certain mannerisms, his quiet way, which Brando used in the film.

“Whenever Brando had a question, he’d call Russell.”