The actor who played Luca Brasi was an actual mob enforcer on set who was asked to take the role. Reason he studdered so much was because he was very nervous sharing a scene with The legendary Marlon Brando.
@@soloplayer2067 i respectfully disagree, must watch III to complete it, it is still good in its own way, reactors need to give thier opinion it they liked it or not its not up to someone else to say just becase they didnt like it.
What is funny about the cat is it was just a stray that happened to wander on set. Marlon Brando picked up the cat and told director Francis Ford Coppola it would add to his character. And it became iconic.
@@jnagarya519 Think it's more that there's a true story at the heart of it and it's just been told many times over many years and has acquired many variations. The story originated from Coppola in an interview.
When "The Godfather" first opened in the U.S. -- it created a sensation! There were Lines of people at every theater, extra showtimes added at the theaters, and everyone talking about it! I remember seeing it at 10:00pm - and being riveted from the second the movie began - and at the end -- applause from the audience! It remains one of the most riveting films ever made -- the story, acting, music, drama - a cinematic masterpiece!
FYI - Johnny Fontaine is based on Frank Sinatra who hated the movie and actually got into a fist fight with author Puzo at one point. "...It's believed this is based on how Frank Sinatra got the part of Private Angelo Maggio in 1953's From Here To Eternity, which won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Sinatra took grave offense to Fontaine's character in The Godfather." The story about how Sinatra got out of an early contract is also a Mafia legend. Sinatra tried to block casting of actors for Fontaines part but ultimately failed.
@@reactswithjax Sinatra was connected but he was also fiercely loyal to his friends and would boycott hotels and clubs if they didn't let his friend Sammy Davis Jr., among others, stay or play there. He quietly helped and phoned a number of widows and other old, lonely people. He was a complicated and complex guy for sure.
@@reactswithjaxIt's even more blatant in the original novel, which includes more significant appearances of Johnny and his "cousin," a thinly veiled stand-in for Dean Martin. People forget Sinatra was on the verge of being chased out of Hollywood and that it was From Here to Eternity that saved his career. He held a bitter, life-ling enmity towards Mario Puzo because of The Godfather.
@@reactswithjaxParamount has a series called "THE OFFER" I believe it's either 8 or 10 episodes, which was made under the supervision of the actual producer of The Godfather film!! It really gives you a pretty good idea of the struggles that they went through to try to get this movie made and released!!! One of the struggles was indeed that Frank Sinatra was adamant that it would not happen because he did realize that it came a little bit too close to home with the character of Johnny Fontaine and himself! Remember Sinatra had friendships with mob bosses from Chicago and New York!! Also the reason that Lenny Montana (Luca Brasi) was on set was because the mob boss, Colombo, wanted to keep a close eye on the production!!! When Columbo found out that Coppola was not happy with the prop horse head that was being used in the infamous scene, he got an actual horse's head from the meatpacking district in New York, which his family controlled!! Horse meat was used for dog food back in the day, at that time especially, and is actually still being used in some places!! So they did not kill a horse just to get a head, the head was gotten for them by the mob!! All these things are uncovered in the series which I would highly recommend you watch if you're a fan of this movie!! Great reaction!!!
Yes, I've watched I don't know how many reactions to this and I don't think I've seen anyone else pick up on that. I probably missed it the first few times I saw it.
Great reaction. Fun facts - 1) The baby being christened at the end was Sofia Coppola - Francis Coppola's daughter. 2) The person playing Luca Brasi was a real life mobster 3) The final line in the book when the door was being closed is "She said a prayer for the soul of Michael Corleone"
Coppola filmed the last scene of the book, with her going to church and lighting the candle and praying; but he didn't have final cut and Robert Evans ended the film with the door closing.
When Michael helps Enzo (the baker) at the hospital light his cigarette he notices Enzo’s hands shaking (and rightfully so) and as he looks at his hands he realizes he was made for this business. Ice water in his veins
What also makes this interesting is that Enzo was an Italian soldier turned POW who helped with local American businesses as part of a program to build up the American economy while in captivity, and that’s how he and the baker’s daughter hooked up. So in terms of experience with violence he likely saw his fair share of it just like Michael. But Michael seemed to have more of a knack for this life and was made of sterner stuff.
Yup. Very few people notice that, even though the director makes it pretty obvious with the takes of the lighter and Michael looking at his steady hands, almost surprised himself.
Many viewers (including the Corleone family) don't understand that Michael had been a Marine Corps captain who fought in the Pacific and received the Navy Cross for bravery. He clearly would have had a lot of bloody combat experience and had his leadership tested leading Marines in the battles on Pacific islands. He was tested under fire. It becomes even more apparent in GFII.
John Cazale (Fredo) was in five films over seven years: The Godfather (1972), The Conversation (1974), The Godfather Part II (1974), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), and The Deer Hunter (1978), all of them nominated for Best Picture. RIP
The first and second Godfather are even par with each other. Really the first and the second feel like one movie when put together. In my humble opinion.
They pretty much were one movie with an extended break in filming. They'd have been one movie for real except it would have been too long and WAY over budget. There was just too much of the story to fit into a single movie. As a general rule, I don't like sequels. A lot of people think Part II is actually *_better_* than the first movie. I don't agree, but I do think it's still *_very_* good and almost as good as this one.
What the what? This movie is known for its music and I think it also won the Oscar for it. I think you misheard what the best description of this movie is.
@@undergroundwarrior70, to my mind, The Godfather, Parts I and II are together the greatest tragedy in American cinema. Together, they are the greatest movie ever made.
@@georgezee5173 Agreed. People don't have historical perspective. Consider the time period this movie reflects, post WW2 America, one of the most optimistic periods in history, where the average person couldn't even remotely imagine things we know (or pretend to know) today. Every generation has it's own set of blinders on and our time is no different, perhaps even more blind in the face of being drowned in information. 20 years from now movie reviewers will be looking back on movies made now and make similar comments about how appallingly absurd people in 2024 were.
A lot of people get it backwards calling this movie cliché, when the reality is this movie was so impactful amd influential all movies after have taken elements of it. Even the use of light and shadow at the time was completely original, not only is every shot so much more dynamic but the sets were known to be so carefully lit that if the actor stepped half an inch off their mark they would ruin the shot by being completely engulfed in shadow. The way it tells you about the characters, Vito's face being half shrouded by shadow half covered in light, showing that while he has to do evil acts he has a strong moral fibre. Michael going from well lit to half lit to completely shadowed to show Michael has gone from a good man to more evil than his father, and a stranger to his own wife, completely an original concept at the time. Shots like the one that jumpscared you was the basis for so much horror that came later. The second is a must-watch as well.
Is the lighting really an original concept? It seems to me that they did that in Film Noir movies of the 1940s & 1950s to indicate the character's intentions or whether or not they r good/bad. Maybe such an extensive use of dramatic lighting was 1st used by Coppola.
Saw this movie as a teenager on it's first release. I thought all the gangsters with the machine guns & big black limousines were gone after the 1930's. It was a real eye-opener.
4:04 the guy practicing was actually a member of the mob who was on set to make sure the mafia was well portrayed. He was so nervous acting in front of Brando and was practicing his lines and Coppola filmed it. That's what you're seeing.
Enzo was referenced in the wedding, when the baker of the wedding cake asked the Don to intercede in the immigration proceedings so Enzo could remain in the U.S. (and marry the baker's daughter). Great how the favors are owed and paid back, like the undertaker taking care of Sonny's corpse later in the film.
Lenny Montana (Luca Brasi) was so nervous about working with Marlon Brando that in the first take of their scene together, he flubbed some lines. Director Francis Ford Coppola liked the genuine nervousness and used it in the final cut. The scenes of Luca practicing his speech were added later.
@@robmarconi6758 Yes he was there to make sure the director didn't get out of line with what they filmed. But they put him in a role there. I guess becuase he looks scary
5:28 The actor for Luca Brasi, 6' 6" Lenny Montana, was a former wrestler (as Lenny Passaforo) and rumored mob muscle. He was so nervous meeting Marlon Brando he was seen rehearsing his lines out loud. Coppola saw this and incorporated it into the film and kept the first take between him and Brando. That's what makes this scene so special to me.
@@reactswithjax People will tell you Part 3 is a bad movie and don't watch. They are wrong! 3 is a decent movie that even got nominated for Best Picture. Of course, when you follow two of the greatest movies ever, you're not gonna be as good. And yes, the last-minute casting decision hurts as well, but it's a good movie with a great Pacino scene (better than anything he did in the first two IMO) and offers some closure that is needed after the ending of Part 2.
3:31 "Gabagool". I saw this first run at the theater at 21 years old. My people are from Sicily and Naples. As soon as Clemenza said "Gabagool" (which is what we call the cold cut "Capicola") I knew I was in for a major treat! Yes, Jax, this movie has been reviewed by "everyone". But you reaction has eclipsed every one I have seen. You figured out or intuited pretty much everything., even the subtleties that make my Southern Italian genes jump for joy! I really hop-e you react to Godfather 2!!! PS at 21:24 you ask what does "amanooch" mean (Sonny to Michael after being hit by the police chief.) It is a slang expression loosely translated to "you little jerk" but meant with affection. PPS "Sheep!" LOL
Something to consider about Michael: yes, initially in the film he's a "civilian", an outsider to the family business. But he was a WW2 Marine Corp war hero, which meant that he served in the Pacific, the scene of some of the most brutal and savage battles in history. And because he was a decorated war hero, it stands to reason he possessed great courage and the resolve to be cool and mentally focused in terrifying situations. So maybe in his mind the dangers he faced as the head of the Corleone family paled in comparison to what he had already experienced in combat. His capacity for foresight, planning, and ruthlessness didn't just come out of nowhere.
The issues you raised: why did the mob develop, why didn't people just go to the police, etc., are addressed in Godfather 2. It is not a sequel so much as the beginning and, at the same time, the continuation of this masterpiece.
Moe Green is a jewish gangster based on Bugsy Siegel who is the guy the guy who first brought gambling Las Vegas. The actor that played Johnny Fontane got the role in the godfather the same way his character did in the movie. He in real life went to a local godfather and said that he wanted stare in the movie and the godfather hooked him up. Quite sure it didn't involve any horses though.
The sleeping on the mattress bit in the interlude is a reference to "going to the matresses", slang for a gang war from the book. Basically in a gang war you don't want your men operating from their home addresses because the other gangsters and police will know where that is, so you rent out some cheap apartment, cram a few mattresses in there and use it as a secret hideout. The same idea actually comes up earlier in the movie, when Clemenza needs to lure Paulie out to kill him without raising his suspicions he tells Paulie that "Sonnie wants to go to the mattresses" and so they need to go scope out some potential hideouts (and obviously pick up some cannoli while they're on).
Enjoyed your reaction and analysis - you're very observant. Speaking of which, regarding Brando's delivery and mannerisms: he famously didn't like to learn lines, so when the camera was focused on him, other actors and props were draped with cue-cards. It's (ironically) one of the reasons why his delivery seems so natural and honest...if, as he spoke, he was looking away up at the ceiling or at a bookshelf (as one would), it's probably because he was looking for his lines.
Great reaction and post-film commentary! Your channel has been in my top three for some time now. The Godfather is definitely one of the best movies ever made. It holds the number one spot for me, but I also know film appreciation is subjective. That said, should certainly be in everyone's top five. Keep up the great work, Jax...and Lamby! :)
Oranges have been the subject of GODFATHER lore. Many believed them to be put in scenes as a precursor to violence but the set designer said he put oranges in scenes to contrast the dark lighting.
GREAT reaction! The following are NOT spoilers for Godfather 2 and 3, just some deep backstory about Tom Hagen, taken from the books and unpublished writings and film treatments. At no point does the backstory get revealed in the films, nor does knowing this affect any action or plot developments. They DO however provide much greater depth than the movie, which is that kindly old Vito adopted a kid from the street. While that is EXACTLY what everyone in the family believes happened, the truth was much darker and tragic. Tom's father was a horrible person and father and husband. He drank, cheated, beat and abused wife and Tom, but his worst vice was that he gambled. He used a bookie that worked under Corleone protection. In exchange for a reasonable percentage of the bookie profits, any one who failed to pay up to the bookie would get a visit from a low level Corleone soldier, who'd inflict a bit of pain and set a date to pay off the debt PLUS interest for not paying on time. On the due date the soldier the next level up would show up to collect and if the full amount was not paid, the muscle had some discretion what happened next, depending on the amount, and other factors. Tom's father made some very bad bets and owed a lot to the bookie, who then owed the Corleones. Debt collection became such a chronic problem with Tom's father that his two top soldiers felt that they HAD to kill him, and gruesomely, to send a clear message to everyone who used that bookie, or the street would stop fearing them, and the other families could start operating bookies in Corleone turf. Vito disagreed, and felt that it was reasonable to let him live, have one last chance, and try to pay off the debt. Vito knew and liked little Tom and did NOT want to make him an orphan. However, after his top soldiers stood their ground and insisted he had to die, Vito read their faces and saw that if he did not kill Tom's father, not only would the street stop fearing the Corleone family, but that his own soldiers would lose respect for him. He saw it as an inflection point in building his empire - kill him and keep respect and fear, or let him live but lose both - and he chose the path that made business sense, even if it pained him. He and the others killed Tom's father, then disposed of the body so it would never be found (as a compromise with his men from leaving it in public as a lesson). Vito then spread the rumor that Tom's father had skipped town forever to avoid paying his gambling debts, and adopted Tom (who was homeless by now) and raised him as his own son thereafter, to balance out a guilt over a wrong that never went away. So no, Vito did not just pick him up off the street. Vito killed his father and then kept it a secret to the grave.
The little fur puff is called a muff. One of the leaders of the 5 families combed his hard at the table because hey all wore hats back then. You don't want to negotiate with hat hair. I think I've binged watched almost all of your videos and didn't know you are an actress too. Very talented.
Hollywood capitalized on the crime explosion in the 1920s and 1930s with a ton of films focusing on that theme, well before The Godfather. I highly recommend "Little Caesar" with Edward G. Robinson.
29:29 "that is not easy walking, That's rough terrain" So Im not a history major, but I've read somewhere that the whole town on a hilltop image provides a little historical context to the ancient origins of the Sicilian mafia. Back then, the island of Sicily was often left to fend for itself during moorish invasions and whatnot, even though they still had to pay taxes to mainland Italy. This created a lot of resentment toward govt. They built towns on hilltops which were easier to defend; often the guy organizing and subsidizing the defense was the wealthiest landowner. A landowner is called Don in Italian. Interesting how different cultures reacted to taxation without representation from across the sea......
No, it wasn't "some guy known as a Don"---there were actual noblemen and appointees under Royal responsibility who did that, dating back well before Ancient Athens. Hilltops were naturally fortified and there are some very steep hills in Sicily. Sicily had been invaded a thousand times by as many successive Empires--Greek, Carthaginian, Roman, Iberian, Norman, Arabic,---the list goes on and on --and having towns built on precipices was the best option for survival. My family were titled Sicilian nobility and the town they lived in is just a few miles away from Corleone. It's a hill town just like that.
Moe Green (Alex Rocco) was a real life Italian Boston mobster who once ran with the Whitey Bulgur's Winter Hill gang before heading off to Hollywood to give acting a run...Excellent movie and reaction!
During rehearsals, a false horse's head was used for the bedroom scene. For the filmed shot, a real horse's head was used, acquired from a dog food factory. According to John Marley, his scream of horror was real, as he was not informed that a real head was going to be used.
The orange peel in the mouth and the cat on the desk were both Brando’s ideas. The line with the cannoli was improvised. So many classic moments in this film that weren’t planned.
Moe Green was supposed to be the real Bugsy Siegel, who started Las Vegas. Hyman Roth was the real Meyer Lansky (Godfather part 2) and was played by Lee Strasburg, the famous director of the Actors Studio.
The book makes it more clear that tranquilizers were a factor in the horse's head 'message;' Woltz was apparently in the habit of using them at night, and the horse was injected with tranqs before the decapitation. The actual horse's head used for the filming was acquired from a dog food factory. Carlo was mad because the Don refused to advance him into the Family's higher ranks, which led directly to him taking it out on Connie and setting up Sonny.
No spoilers, just in case you watch The Offer, but Luba Brasi was NOT an actor! He was a real mobster. To film in New York, the Mafia demanded that some of their people be part of the production. When Luca is practicing his speech, that is real! He did that when they were setting up the scene. Francis Ford Coppola liked it so much that he placed a mic close to him to record him. And add an extra scene that you see with Kate and Micheal.
Luca Brasi, the scary, adorable guy, was played by former mobster Lenny Montana. Marlon Brando played Jor-El, Superman's dad, in the 1978 Superman movie.
Is it possible for a movie reactor to actually amplify a film like this?? Jax you not only get ALL the nuance but your reactions are so understated yet spot on. I'm such a huge fan of this profound piece of cinematic art but I think I actually love it even more seeing it through your eyes. You gave me context along the way that was so insightful. And the Fredo/Frodo caption... Lol!! Newest subscribed fan here!!
I would say this is one of the first films that humanized the Mafia. This film is really centered more around family, and actually the mob element could easily be interchangeable with any family of power, like a royal family or political dynasty
correct Theres a silly rumor that THE mob tried to stop the Producers from finishing it, but one of them still insists ( an d proven by others) that the mob was shown an early cut and then said it was ok and didnt do anything further
We are introduced to the characters as real humans but over the course of the first two films, they slowly lose their humanity. The nature of the business requires ruthlessness that hollows out people's moral center. All that's left is the shell of a family group that eventually becomes dysfunctional in all its aspects.
You are about the only reaction video that picked up that Sonny's little indiscretion at the meeting with Sollozzo revealed a weakness that led to all the main events driving the story.
Yes. I've said this elsewhere. Sonny seems to be a sadly underappreciated character in this film, and yet he is THE pivotal character driving the entire story. Michael is merely reacting to and dealing with the fallout from Sonny's temporary leadership. And it was Sonny who brought eventual traitor Carlo into the family. Take his character out of the equation and you have no story.
The Johnny Fontaine character is based off of Frank Sinatra, though the writer of the book denied it. But Frank Sinatra also was once under contract to a big band leader but got out of his contract due to his mob connections. Frank Sinatra was furious when the movie came out.
Don Vito was smart, he knew if he let them shoot him in the back he was more likely to survive, not a sure thing, but better odds. Vito also knew that he couldn't count on Fredo, sadly.
A lot of people have no clue that the Godfather films were designed by Coppola and Puzo around the theme of moral blindness, in the Shakespearean tradition of King Lear. Moral blindness is still an important theme today because we still see it in real life with just about every single person who holds power over other people. A lot of people who watch the Godfather movies have absolutely no clue that this is the theme of those films. A lot of people think the Godfather films are idiotic anthems for wife beating and toxic masculinity. That's why those people don't understand Part 3.
If Winona Ryder chose to do godfather 3 instead of Edward Scissorhands part 3 would’ve been just as good S the first 2. Sofia Coppola’s performance brought the whole movie down for me
@@manuelestevez3982 Sofia Coppola was playing herself based upon conversations she had with her father while those films were being made. Sofia Coppola served the artistic purpose of comparing the Corleones to the Coppolas. It's idiotic to say that Winona Ryder would have done a better job of playing Sofia Coppola than Coppola only because you like Winona Ryder's tits more than Sofia Coppolas. Winona Ryder has never been a great actor. She was only popular for her looks, not her acting.
@@manuelestevez3982 Sofia Coppola is a better director than actress that is for sure. I wouldn't put all the blame on her tho. The 3rd movie just had a different feel from the other 2.
Uh, yeah, about the cat, it wasn't part of the script just a stray wandering around the set until Brando picked it up and made it a star. BTW an Italian wedding usually includes a small mountain of food. Funny thing about Italian food, after you pig out, in only four or five days you're hungry again. Also, the fuzzy little uni-glove fashion statement was called a muff, such a common ladies accessory in the late 1800's up through the 1950's several firearms makers produced pistols in a convenient size to be carried there, though today you get weird looks if you tell folks you collect "muff pistols".
Loved your analysis of the movie and the characters at the end. I think another way to describe this movie is to see it as a Greek tragedy. There is a dramatized miniseries called "The Offer" about the making of this film that is very good and has revelations of real life underworld involvement during the movie's actual production, also how Francis Ford Coppola had an uphill battle to have Al Pacino star in it. I think it's still on Amazon Prime.
The character of Moe Green is based on Bugsy Seigel. He was not Italian, he was Jewish. When Bugsy was killed it was from someone putting a round through his eye.
Reaction videos are almost always first time viewing. For Godfather, I think it would be cool if some of you all come back a year or two later and watch the HBO supercut that puts them all together. It's not first viewing material, but puts the whole story together in a great way.
Excellent reaction! Not only did you get all the underlying themes, but you anticipated what was about to happen many times. "You are the most horrifying nurse!" - Watch "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and then let us know what you think. The line, "Leave the gun, Take the cannoli" was unscripted. Actor Richard Castellano improvised it on the spot. The scene with Vito and his grandson in the garden was largely improvised. The child actor wasn't expecting Brando to do the bit with the orange in his mouth, and his reaction was genuine. Coppola also didn't tell the child that Vito was supposed to be dead. You're right that most of the women are in the background. There are only three women of any significance: Kay, Apollonia, and Connie, none of whom had any real power or control. The world of The Godfather is very much a male domain. When Michael became the head of the family, he told Tom it was because he wasn't a wartime consiglieri. I think there was another reason. Vito knew that someone was likely to try to get to Michael through someone close to him. He and Michael wanted Tom out of the way, so their enemies would approach someone else. It happened to be Tessio. More Marlon Brando movies: A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) On the Waterfront (1954) Apocalypse Now (1979)
One of the classics that is _exactly_ as good as people say and deserves all the accolades it got. It's a shame some people find these classics to be inaccessible when if they give it a chance it'll immediately captivate you. I mean "I believe in America", one of the greatest opening lines and speeches of all time.
Jax, I just started the video, BUT, if you liked this, I'd strongly recommend a 10 part series called The Offer. It's about...everything that went into getting this made. It's absolutely fantastic!
Vito Corleone was very smart. When he was told Sonny was killed, he immediately realized the implications. He only had two sons who might lead the family, Fredo and Michael. He knew the family's future couldn't be placed in Fredo's hands. That meant that getting Michael back home safely was of the highest importance. To do that, he needed to make peace. That's why he called for that big meeting. That's also why he said "I will not be the one to break the peace". He wasn't foregoing revenge, he just knew that Michael would be the one to get revenge.
Notice what Connie is destroying when Carlo is beating her the second time: Dishes, china, crystal, candlesticks, table linens, vases, serving ware -- a whole shelf of beautiful items they no doubt received as wedding gifts at the beginning of the movie. Connie's bridal trousseau. And, a tray full of poker chips from Carlo's green gambling table -- thrown AT HIM, right into his crotch. His selfish, irresponsible hobby, what's obviously valuable to him. This, running to escape his further beating of her pregnant belly. Very poignant and a brilliant choice by the director. Just brilliant. Their marriage is destroyed, and Connie is illustrating this for Carlo in a tangible way. Also note that Carlo knows dinner is on the table (he demanded it), but he's getting ready to leave the house -- putting on his tie in front a mirror -- and *then* he learns his girlfriend can't make it. Would he have been putting on a tie if he knew he'd be eating at home?
Fun fact. The horse head scene they used a real horse head from a slaughter house, and the guy playing the producer didnt know it was gonna be real so his reaction is partially genuine
8:11 If you notice he is telling that to Santino, Sonny... He gives Sonny a look, like he knows what Sonny was doing. 19:32 Enzo the baker. He is the one at the wedding, where the father of his fiance asks Don Corleone for a favor for Enzo to stay in the US and marry his daughter. You can actually see Enzo in the back of the room in the wedding scene. That little fur thing is called a MUFF... lol. Im not kidding, that is what its called... a MUFF...
The Johnny Fontaine character was based on Frank Sinatra. Marlon Brando’s most significant role was in Tennessee William’s “Streetcar Named Desire” which made him a superstar on Broadway before he played the role in the film. The early movie which made Brando a star was “The Wild One.”
I've often said that Vito is like a God in his own universe. He: Defines Justice Establishes standards of right conduct and good behaviour Determines gender roles ("a man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man;" "women and children can be careless, but not men") Receives sacrifices Sets guidelines for how to enter into relationship Hears the cases of petitioners Is part of a trinity (Father: Vito, Son: Sonny, Counsellor: Tom) Claims authority above civil authorities ("Why did you go to the police; why didn't you come to me first?") Doles out blessings and curses
The reason Clemenza is sleeping in a little mattress is because they went to war which in the mob it's called "hitting the mattress". When they took out Pauly they were looking for places to "hit the mattress". When you're at war the whole crew eats and sleeps together or hits the mattress together, you can see it in the movie
Fwiw, this movie really wasn’t American audience’s introduction to films about the mafia. Hollywood has been making mob movies basically since the dawn of film. The oldest known surviving gangster movie is The Black Hand (1906)! Check out some James Cagney or Edward G Robinson movies from the 30s. I personally recommend The Public Enemy (1931)!
Good call. I always let the computer search the comments before I comment on something that I thought was common knowledge. 'The Public Enemy' (1931) starring James Cagney and 'Little Caesar' (1931) starring Edward G. Robinson were both big hits and gangsters in movies to this day seem to be imitating those two guys.
My favorite Brando performance is as Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront (1954). He won the Oscar for Best Actor and the film won 8 Oscars in total; including Best Picture. Highly recommended.
Would love to see you do good will hunting, Shawshank redemptions, gladiator, rain man, field of dreams, tropic thunder, silence of the lambs, Forrest Gump
I’ve never seen your reactions before, first time seeing this channel. You did such an excellent job. Besides your genuine facial reactions, your intelligence in reacting to the strategy by these mobsters were so spot on. Believe it or not, I first saw this movie as a 9 year old kid when it first came out in 1972. We waited on a huge line in NYC. It is STILL my favorite movie of all times me, even at age 62. Movie was based in NY btw. There is so much lore to this movie. The studio wanted so many different people they wanted, they wanted Robert Redford as Michael, since Al Pacino was a relative unknown at the time. But once the studio saw the scene where Michael kills Sollozzo and the cop, they let him finish the movie, they were amazed by the scene. Robert Deniro read for Sonny, but didn’t get the role. But he was so good, they had him play Don Corleone as a young adult.
I've watched several people react to this movie, and especially the women, they are shocked and disgusted by the violence, yet they start rooting for Michael to kill all his enemies. It cracks me up
Moe Green is not Italian, he's a Jew based on Bugsy Siegel, the mobster that basically created Las Vegas. Frodo is NOT the oldest brother, he's Michael's older brother. He says "you're my older brother and I love you...." Sonny is the oldest brother, or was.
Jax, I'm so happy you're doing this one. Watching this totally made my Friday. You are so good at watching movies, very insightful and pick up on small nuances. It always makes me happy when people enjoy and appreciate one of my favorite movies as much as I do. Definitely go right into part 2 as soon as you have a chance.
“Vafangool” is the Italian-American mispronunciation of the Italian word ‘vaffanculo’ (i.e. ‘fuck you’). The film makes much use of these terms that were (and probably still are) in use among Italian Americans (especially those of Sicilian descent. Clemenza asks for a sandwich with “Gabogool” aka capocollo salume (Boston butt). You can also hear how Woltz calls them “Goombah,” the mispronunciation of “compare” (translatable as “fellow”) a term widely used among Sicilians and still used today. The second chapter of Godfather will make even more use of dialogue in the original language, in Sicilian dialect. You'll love it
The actor who played Luca Brasi was an actual mob enforcer on set who was asked to take the role. Reason he studdered so much was because he was very nervous sharing a scene with The legendary Marlon Brando.
Wow! 😮
Also a pro wrestler.
@@reactswithjaxand the director saw him doing his little rehearsals, he recorded it and included it in the movie! How epic is that?
Please watch The Godfather II. It's a prequel/sequel. DO NOT watch III.
@@soloplayer2067 i respectfully disagree, must watch III to complete it, it is still good in its own way, reactors need to give thier opinion it they liked it or not its not up to someone else to say just becase they didnt like it.
What is funny about the cat is it was just a stray that happened to wander on set. Marlon Brando picked up the cat and told director Francis Ford Coppola it would add to his character. And it became iconic.
I've heard that story so many different ways that it has to be apocryphal.
God Father II gives you more insight into Vito Corleone, while Michael cements his place as Don. It’s so very good! 🎉❤
@@jnagarya519 Think it's more that there's a true story at the heart of it and it's just been told many times over many years and has acquired many variations. The story originated from Coppola in an interview.
He made the cat into a star
Brilliant move on Brando's part. The cat added so much to the scene.
The wedding cake was made by Alfonso's Bakery in Staten Island; it's still there.
That's awesome!!
...the bakery, not the cake. 😄
It was so big, there might still be some pieces left. 🙃
@@daryllyew62 Fair point!
@@LeChaunceI laughed so hard because I was actually just thinking “That cake has to be nasty by now.” 😂
When "The Godfather" first opened in the U.S. -- it created a sensation! There were Lines of people at every theater, extra showtimes added at the theaters, and everyone talking about it! I remember seeing it at 10:00pm - and being riveted from the second the movie began - and at the end -- applause from the audience! It remains one of the most riveting films ever made -- the story, acting, music, drama - a cinematic masterpiece!
FYI - Johnny Fontaine is based on Frank Sinatra who hated the movie and actually got into a fist fight with author Puzo at one point. "...It's believed this is based on how Frank Sinatra got the part of Private Angelo Maggio in 1953's From Here To Eternity, which won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Sinatra took grave offense to Fontaine's character in The Godfather." The story about how Sinatra got out of an early contract is also a Mafia legend. Sinatra tried to block casting of actors for Fontaines part but ultimately failed.
Yikes! I'd head rumors that Sinatra was connected. I didn't know he was the inspiration for this character or that he hated it.
@@reactswithjax Sinatra was connected but he was also fiercely loyal to his friends and would boycott hotels and clubs if they didn't let his friend Sammy Davis Jr., among others, stay or play there. He quietly helped and phoned a number of widows and other old, lonely people. He was a complicated and complex guy for sure.
@@reactswithjaxIt's even more blatant in the original novel, which includes more significant appearances of Johnny and his "cousin," a thinly veiled stand-in for Dean Martin. People forget Sinatra was on the verge of being chased out of Hollywood and that it was From Here to Eternity that saved his career. He held a bitter, life-ling enmity towards Mario Puzo because of The Godfather.
@@reactswithjaxParamount has a series called "THE OFFER" I believe it's either 8 or 10 episodes, which was made under the supervision of the actual producer of The Godfather film!!
It really gives you a pretty good idea of the struggles that they went through to try to get this movie made and released!!! One of the struggles was indeed that Frank Sinatra was adamant that it would not happen because he did realize that it came a little bit too close to home with the character of Johnny Fontaine and himself! Remember Sinatra had friendships with mob bosses from Chicago and New York!!
Also the reason that Lenny Montana (Luca Brasi) was on set was because the mob boss, Colombo, wanted to keep a close eye on the production!!!
When Columbo found out that Coppola was not happy with the prop horse head that was being used in the infamous scene, he got an actual horse's head from the meatpacking district in New York, which his family controlled!! Horse meat was used for dog food back in the day, at that time especially, and is actually still being used in some places!! So they did not kill a horse just to get a head, the head was gotten for them by the mob!!
All these things are uncovered in the series which I would highly recommend you watch if you're a fan of this movie!!
Great reaction!!!
@@genghispecan Cranky Franky held a lot of grudges, they say.
"Oh, my God, Frodo!" This made my entire day.
Jax and her little "outbursts" are often endearing af, lol!
I'm smart, I can carry the ring to Mordor, not like everybody else says.
@@TheBrusseleer "That's the way Gandalf wanted it"
@@estebandominguez7065the Gand-father
All of these 😂😂😂😂
You caught the reason why Solozzo went after the Corleones. That was a very nice catch.
It was such a great detail!
@@reactswithjax not many reactors get that. I love how much you enjoyed part 1. Part 2 is probably in top 3 of the best movies ever made.
It's almost like she's seen this movie before.
Yes, I've watched I don't know how many reactions to this and I don't think I've seen anyone else pick up on that. I probably missed it the first few times I saw it.
It was pretty obvious honestly.
Great reaction. Fun facts -
1) The baby being christened at the end was Sofia Coppola - Francis Coppola's daughter.
2) The person playing Luca Brasi was a real life mobster
3) The final line in the book when the door was being closed is "She said a prayer for the soul of Michael Corleone"
Coppola filmed the last scene of the book, with her going to church and lighting the candle and praying; but he didn't have final cut and Robert Evans ended the film with the door closing.
@@glawnow1959 Also the actor playing Luca Brasi was actually rehearsing the lines and they kept rolling.
And she returns in Godfather Part 3, as Mary Corleone, daughter of Michael and Kay.
@@jeffburnham6611 And she did unspeakable things with Sonny's Son .😅
@@glawnow1959 But it did play on AMC when it showed The Godfather Saga for several nights
"Report him to HR" is such a 21st Century line 😂 Loved this reaction.
When Michael helps Enzo (the baker) at the hospital light his cigarette he notices Enzo’s hands shaking (and rightfully so) and as he looks at his hands he realizes he was made for this business. Ice water in his veins
Ooo.. I like that observation, I never noticed that. Damn that's badass. 😎👍
What also makes this interesting is that Enzo was an Italian soldier turned POW who helped with local American businesses as part of a program to build up the American economy while in captivity, and that’s how he and the baker’s daughter hooked up. So in terms of experience with violence he likely saw his fair share of it just like Michael. But Michael seemed to have more of a knack for this life and was made of sterner stuff.
@@jw1731 Ok, now your just showing off. 😏👍
Yup. Very few people notice that, even though the director makes it pretty obvious with the takes of the lighter and Michael looking at his steady hands, almost surprised himself.
Many viewers (including the Corleone family) don't understand that Michael had been a Marine Corps captain who fought in the Pacific and received the Navy Cross for bravery. He clearly would have had a lot of bloody combat experience and had his leadership tested leading Marines in the battles on Pacific islands. He was tested under fire. It becomes even more apparent in GFII.
The little white fur thing is called a "Muff" Girls used them to keep their hands warm and were ususally worn with upscale outfits.
Of course in 2024 that word means something else too 😂
Looks nice, wonder why they stop wearing it
Thank you!!! It was really cute!
@@PhysicalMediaPreventsWea-bx1zm - But you still put your hands in it...
It's short for Muffler... Boys 😂
John Cazale (Fredo) was in five films over seven years: The Godfather (1972), The Conversation (1974), The Godfather Part II (1974), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), and The Deer Hunter (1978), all of them nominated for Best Picture.
RIP
Technically, he was in 6. He was in Godfather 3 in archive footage, which was also nominated for best picture.
And were partners with Meryl Streep.
The first and second Godfather are even par with each other. Really the first and the second feel like one movie when put together. In my humble opinion.
technically, they are both from the original book. And I agree, both great!
Part II is one of the few necessary sequels. The first one really does feel incomplete once you see the second.
@@TheNeonRabbit I agree.
They pretty much were one movie with an extended break in filming. They'd have been one movie for real except it would have been too long and WAY over budget. There was just too much of the story to fit into a single movie. As a general rule, I don't like sequels. A lot of people think Part II is actually *_better_* than the first movie. I don't agree, but I do think it's still *_very_* good and almost as good as this one.
If that’s true. Weird that part 2 reaction doesn’t even have half the views of this one though.
The best description I have heard of The Godfather is it is an American opera without the music. It truly is art.
That's a great description of this film.
But it has the music. Just without lyrics.
What the what? This movie is known for its music and I think it also won the Oscar for it. I think you misheard what the best description of this movie is.
@@reactswithjax Many have said it is like a Shakespearean play like a tragic family story.
@@undergroundwarrior70, to my mind, The Godfather, Parts I and II are together the greatest tragedy in American cinema. Together, they are the greatest movie ever made.
When Kay said "Senators and Presidents don't have men killed" and Jax burst into laughter. Yeah that's the most absurd line in the movie. 🤣🤣🤣
It's not absurd, just very naive.
I loved that line! It said a lot about Kay's character and why she would believe Michael.
@@reactswithjax Oh yes 100%.
@@georgezee5173 Agreed. People don't have historical perspective. Consider the time period this movie reflects, post WW2 America, one of the most optimistic periods in history, where the average person couldn't even remotely imagine things we know (or pretend to know) today. Every generation has it's own set of blinders on and our time is no different, perhaps even more blind in the face of being drowned in information. 20 years from now movie reviewers will be looking back on movies made now and make similar comments about how appallingly absurd people in 2024 were.
until the great awakening in the late 60's, most americans trusted their govt
some saps still do today
A lot of people get it backwards calling this movie cliché, when the reality is this movie was so impactful amd influential all movies after have taken elements of it. Even the use of light and shadow at the time was completely original, not only is every shot so much more dynamic but the sets were known to be so carefully lit that if the actor stepped half an inch off their mark they would ruin the shot by being completely engulfed in shadow.
The way it tells you about the characters, Vito's face being half shrouded by shadow half covered in light, showing that while he has to do evil acts he has a strong moral fibre. Michael going from well lit to half lit to completely shadowed to show Michael has gone from a good man to more evil than his father, and a stranger to his own wife, completely an original concept at the time. Shots like the one that jumpscared you was the basis for so much horror that came later.
The second is a must-watch as well.
Is the lighting really an original concept? It seems to me that they did that in Film Noir movies of the 1940s & 1950s to indicate the character's intentions or whether or not they r good/bad. Maybe such an extensive use of dramatic lighting was 1st used by Coppola.
I've never heard a respected reviewer call anything about the movie cliché.
Saw this movie as a teenager on it's first release. I thought all the gangsters with the machine guns & big black limousines were gone after the 1930's. It was a real eye-opener.
The Oscar next to Waltz's bed was genuine. Coppola had won it for having co-written PATTON and it was sent to him while he was shooting the movie.
4:04 the guy practicing was actually a member of the mob who was on set to make sure the mafia was well portrayed. He was so nervous acting in front of Brando and was practicing his lines and Coppola filmed it. That's what you're seeing.
Enzo was referenced in the wedding, when the baker of the wedding cake asked the Don to intercede in the immigration proceedings so Enzo could remain in the U.S. (and marry the baker's daughter). Great how the favors are owed and paid back, like the undertaker taking care of Sonny's corpse later in the film.
Lenny Montana (Luca Brasi) was so nervous about working with Marlon Brando that in the first take of their scene together, he flubbed some lines. Director Francis Ford Coppola liked the genuine nervousness and used it in the final cut. The scenes of Luca practicing his speech were added later.
Wasn't he an actual mobster?
That's awesome!
@@robmarconi6758 Yes he was there to make sure the director didn't get out of line with what they filmed. But they put him in a role there. I guess becuase he looks scary
5:28 The actor for Luca Brasi, 6' 6" Lenny Montana, was a former wrestler (as Lenny Passaforo) and rumored mob muscle. He was so nervous meeting Marlon Brando he was seen rehearsing his lines out loud. Coppola saw this and incorporated it into the film and kept the first take between him and Brando. That's what makes this scene so special to me.
We made you a reaction offer you couldn't refuse.
Hahaha!
Sign this contract for more reactions or else.
@@reactswithjax Fyi Moe Green is jewish
Part 2 is worth it. Gotta also do goodfellas and a Bronx tale
Part 2 is coming soon!
It is more than worth it!
And "once upon a time in america"
@@reactswithjax People will tell you Part 3 is a bad movie and don't watch. They are wrong! 3 is a decent movie that even got nominated for Best Picture. Of course, when you follow two of the greatest movies ever, you're not gonna be as good. And yes, the last-minute casting decision hurts as well, but it's a good movie with a great Pacino scene (better than anything he did in the first two IMO) and offers some closure that is needed after the ending of Part 2.
@@flarrfanagree
3:31 "Gabagool". I saw this first run at the theater at 21 years old. My people are from Sicily and Naples. As soon as Clemenza said "Gabagool" (which is what we call the cold cut "Capicola") I knew I was in for a major treat!
Yes, Jax, this movie has been reviewed by "everyone". But you reaction has eclipsed every one I have seen. You figured out or intuited pretty much everything., even the subtleties that make my Southern Italian genes jump for joy! I really hop-e you react to Godfather 2!!!
PS at 21:24 you ask what does "amanooch" mean (Sonny to Michael after being hit by the police chief.) It is a slang expression loosely translated to "you little jerk" but meant with affection.
PPS "Sheep!" LOL
Something to consider about Michael: yes, initially in the film he's a "civilian", an outsider to the family business. But he was a WW2 Marine Corp war hero, which meant that he served in the Pacific, the scene of some of the most brutal and savage battles in history. And because he was a decorated war hero, it stands to reason he possessed great courage and the resolve to be cool and mentally focused in terrifying situations. So maybe in his mind the dangers he faced as the head of the Corleone family paled in comparison to what he had already experienced in combat. His capacity for foresight, planning, and ruthlessness didn't just come out of nowhere.
The issues you raised: why did the mob develop, why didn't people just go to the police, etc., are addressed in Godfather 2. It is not a sequel so much as the beginning and, at the same time, the continuation of this masterpiece.
Leave the like, take the cannolli
Moe Green is a jewish gangster based on Bugsy Siegel who is the guy the guy who first brought gambling Las Vegas.
The actor that played Johnny Fontane got the role in the godfather the same way his character did in the movie. He in real life went to a local godfather and said that he wanted stare in the movie and the godfather hooked him up. Quite sure it didn't involve any horses though.
I thought I knew everything about "The Godfather", but that's a new one for me. Thanks for the info.
The sleeping on the mattress bit in the interlude is a reference to "going to the matresses", slang for a gang war from the book. Basically in a gang war you don't want your men operating from their home addresses because the other gangsters and police will know where that is, so you rent out some cheap apartment, cram a few mattresses in there and use it as a secret hideout. The same idea actually comes up earlier in the movie, when Clemenza needs to lure Paulie out to kill him without raising his suspicions he tells Paulie that "Sonnie wants to go to the mattresses" and so they need to go scope out some potential hideouts (and obviously pick up some cannoli while they're on).
Enjoyed your reaction and analysis - you're very observant. Speaking of which, regarding Brando's delivery and mannerisms: he famously didn't like to learn lines, so when the camera was focused on him, other actors and props were draped with cue-cards. It's (ironically) one of the reasons why his delivery seems so natural and honest...if, as he spoke, he was looking away up at the ceiling or at a bookshelf (as one would), it's probably because he was looking for his lines.
Great reaction and post-film commentary! Your channel has been in my top three for some time now. The Godfather is definitely one of the best movies ever made. It holds the number one spot for me, but I also know film appreciation is subjective. That said, should certainly be in everyone's top five. Keep up the great work, Jax...and Lamby! :)
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the commentary at the end! ❤🐑
Oranges have been the subject of GODFATHER lore. Many believed them to be put in scenes as a precursor to violence but the set designer said he put oranges in scenes to contrast the dark lighting.
Basically the orange and lemon orchards of Sicily was the cause and location for the birth of the Mafia...so it's a wonderful addition
GREAT reaction! The following are NOT spoilers for Godfather 2 and 3, just some deep backstory about Tom Hagen, taken from the books and unpublished writings and film treatments. At no point does the backstory get revealed in the films, nor does knowing this affect any action or plot developments. They DO however provide much greater depth than the movie, which is that kindly old Vito adopted a kid from the street. While that is EXACTLY what everyone in the family believes happened, the truth was much darker and tragic. Tom's father was a horrible person and father and husband. He drank, cheated, beat and abused wife and Tom, but his worst vice was that he gambled. He used a bookie that worked under Corleone protection. In exchange for a reasonable percentage of the bookie profits, any one who failed to pay up to the bookie would get a visit from a low level Corleone soldier, who'd inflict a bit of pain and set a date to pay off the debt PLUS interest for not paying on time. On the due date the soldier the next level up would show up to collect and if the full amount was not paid, the muscle had some discretion what happened next, depending on the amount, and other factors. Tom's father made some very bad bets and owed a lot to the bookie, who then owed the Corleones. Debt collection became such a chronic problem with Tom's father that his two top soldiers felt that they HAD to kill him, and gruesomely, to send a clear message to everyone who used that bookie, or the street would stop fearing them, and the other families could start operating bookies in Corleone turf. Vito disagreed, and felt that it was reasonable to let him live, have one last chance, and try to pay off the debt. Vito knew and liked little Tom and did NOT want to make him an orphan. However, after his top soldiers stood their ground and insisted he had to die, Vito read their faces and saw that if he did not kill Tom's father, not only would the street stop fearing the Corleone family, but that his own soldiers would lose respect for him. He saw it as an inflection point in building his empire - kill him and keep respect and fear, or let him live but lose both - and he chose the path that made business sense, even if it pained him. He and the others killed Tom's father, then disposed of the body so it would never be found (as a compromise with his men from leaving it in public as a lesson). Vito then spread the rumor that Tom's father had skipped town forever to avoid paying his gambling debts, and adopted Tom (who was homeless by now) and raised him as his own son thereafter, to balance out a guilt over a wrong that never went away. So no, Vito did not just pick him up off the street. Vito killed his father and then kept it a secret to the grave.
The little fur puff is called a muff. One of the leaders of the 5 families combed his hard at the table because hey all wore hats back then. You don't want to negotiate with hat hair. I think I've binged watched almost all of your videos and didn't know you are an actress too. Very talented.
Thank you so much! Makes sense about the hat hair.
Johnny Fontain, singer, is supposed to be Frank Sinatra. Almost same back story.
I knew it!
Hollywood capitalized on the crime explosion in the 1920s and 1930s with a ton of films focusing on that theme, well before The Godfather. I highly recommend "Little Caesar" with Edward G. Robinson.
29:29 "that is not easy walking, That's rough terrain"
So Im not a history major, but I've read somewhere that the whole town on a hilltop image provides a little historical context to the ancient origins of the Sicilian mafia.
Back then, the island of Sicily was often left to fend for itself during moorish invasions and whatnot, even though they still had to pay taxes to mainland Italy. This created a lot of resentment toward govt. They built towns on hilltops which were easier to defend; often the guy organizing and subsidizing the defense was the wealthiest landowner. A landowner is called Don in Italian.
Interesting how different cultures reacted to taxation without representation from across the sea......
No, it wasn't "some guy known as a Don"---there were actual noblemen and appointees under Royal responsibility who did that, dating back well before Ancient Athens. Hilltops were naturally fortified and there are some very steep hills in Sicily. Sicily had been invaded a thousand times by as many successive Empires--Greek, Carthaginian, Roman, Iberian, Norman, Arabic,---the list goes on and on --and having towns built on precipices was the best option for survival. My family were titled Sicilian nobility and the town they lived in is just a few miles away from Corleone. It's a hill town just like that.
Don is actually a Spanish word. They conquered Italy in the 1500s.
Moe Green (Alex Rocco) was a real life Italian Boston mobster who once ran with the Whitey Bulgur's Winter Hill gang before heading off to Hollywood to give acting a run...Excellent movie and reaction!
During rehearsals, a false horse's head was used for the bedroom scene. For the filmed shot, a real horse's head was used, acquired from a dog food factory. According to John Marley, his scream of horror was real, as he was not informed that a real head was going to be used.
That must have been quite the shock 😅
The orange peel in the mouth and the cat on the desk were both Brando’s ideas. The line with the cannoli was improvised. So many classic moments in this film that weren’t planned.
Jax, you watching The Godfather is an offer I can't refuse! I'll watch with you for old times sake. Great reaction to a classic movie! Thanks Jax ❤️💛
Thank you so much!!! ❤🐑
It was a good idea to cover Lamby's eyes for the scene with the... horse situation.
No sheep should have to see such a thing!
Moe Green was supposed to be the real Bugsy Siegel, who started Las Vegas. Hyman Roth was the real Meyer Lansky (Godfather part 2) and was played by Lee Strasburg, the famous director of the Actors Studio.
The book makes it more clear that tranquilizers were a factor in the horse's head 'message;' Woltz was apparently in the habit of using them at night, and the horse was injected with tranqs before the decapitation. The actual horse's head used for the filming was acquired from a dog food factory.
Carlo was mad because the Don refused to advance him into the Family's higher ranks, which led directly to him taking it out on Connie and setting up Sonny.
One of the best films ever made.
Facts
This one and Drop Dead Fred. Masterpieces.
I can't believe that Jax is doing reaction of Godfather.
Let's hope that she does more reactions of classic movies.
No spoilers, just in case you watch The Offer, but Luba Brasi was NOT an actor! He was a real mobster. To film in New York, the Mafia demanded that some of their people be part of the production. When Luca is practicing his speech, that is real! He did that when they were setting up the scene. Francis Ford Coppola liked it so much that he placed a mic close to him to record him. And add an extra scene that you see with Kate and Micheal.
Luca Brasi, the scary, adorable guy, was played by former mobster Lenny Montana.
Marlon Brando played Jor-El, Superman's dad, in the 1978 Superman movie.
Johnny Fontaine is played by real life singer Al Martino. He is suppose to the equivalent of Frank Sinatra.
Is it possible for a movie reactor to actually amplify a film like this?? Jax you not only get ALL the nuance but your reactions are so understated yet spot on. I'm such a huge fan of this profound piece of cinematic art but I think I actually love it even more seeing it through your eyes. You gave me context along the way that was so insightful. And the Fredo/Frodo caption... Lol!! Newest subscribed fan here!!
I would say this is one of the first films that humanized the Mafia. This film is really centered more around family, and actually the mob element could easily be interchangeable with any family of power, like a royal family or political dynasty
correct Theres a silly rumor that THE mob tried to stop the Producers from finishing it, but one of them still insists ( an d proven by others) that the mob was shown an early cut and then said it was ok and didnt do anything further
We are introduced to the characters as real humans but over the course of the first two films, they slowly lose their humanity. The nature of the business requires ruthlessness that hollows out people's moral center. All that's left is the shell of a family group that eventually becomes dysfunctional in all its aspects.
You really can't beat these older classics. There are so many more to see. Thank you for your impressive reaction.
You are about the only reaction video that picked up that Sonny's little indiscretion at the meeting with Sollozzo revealed a weakness that led to all the main events driving the story.
Yes. I've said this elsewhere. Sonny seems to be a sadly underappreciated character in this film, and yet he is THE pivotal character driving the entire story. Michael is merely reacting to and dealing with the fallout from Sonny's temporary leadership. And it was Sonny who brought eventual traitor Carlo into the family. Take his character out of the equation and you have no story.
The Johnny Fontaine character is based off of Frank Sinatra, though the writer of the book denied it. But Frank Sinatra also was once under contract to a big band leader but got out of his contract due to his mob connections. Frank Sinatra was furious when the movie came out.
Don Vito was smart, he knew if he let them shoot him in the back he was more likely to survive, not a sure thing, but better odds. Vito also knew that he couldn't count on Fredo, sadly.
Fredo really struggled in that moment. Glad Vito was able to make it through. He added so much to the film!
A lot of people have no clue that the Godfather films were designed by Coppola and Puzo around the theme of moral blindness, in the Shakespearean tradition of King Lear. Moral blindness is still an important theme today because we still see it in real life with just about every single person who holds power over other people. A lot of people who watch the Godfather movies have absolutely no clue that this is the theme of those films. A lot of people think the Godfather films are idiotic anthems for wife beating and toxic masculinity. That's why those people don't understand Part 3.
Could have said it better myself....
What, people actually think that?🙄
If Winona Ryder chose to do godfather 3 instead of Edward Scissorhands part 3 would’ve been just as good S the first 2. Sofia Coppola’s performance brought the whole movie down for me
@@manuelestevez3982 Sofia Coppola was playing herself based upon conversations she had with her father while those films were being made. Sofia Coppola served the artistic purpose of comparing the Corleones to the Coppolas. It's idiotic to say that Winona Ryder would have done a better job of playing Sofia Coppola than Coppola only because you like Winona Ryder's tits more than Sofia Coppolas. Winona Ryder has never been a great actor. She was only popular for her looks, not her acting.
@@manuelestevez3982 Sofia Coppola is a better director than actress that is for sure. I wouldn't put all the blame on her tho. The 3rd movie just had a different feel from the other 2.
Great choice 👍🏼
The level of movies is rising. 💯🔥
The fur thing the little girl has her hands in was called a “muff” it was used to keep your hands warm instead of gloves
Whatever you do, whatever you want, whatever you strive for... do it with respect.
Uh, yeah, about the cat, it wasn't part of the script just a stray wandering around the set until Brando picked it up and made it a star. BTW an Italian wedding usually includes a small mountain of food. Funny thing about Italian food, after you pig out, in only four or five days you're hungry again. Also, the fuzzy little uni-glove fashion statement was called a muff, such a common ladies accessory in the late 1800's up through the 1950's several firearms makers produced pistols in a convenient size to be carried there, though today you get weird looks if you tell folks you collect "muff pistols".
38:09 It's a muff. Be *very* careful when you google it...
Uncle Jun's in the muff.
Loved your analysis of the movie and the characters at the end. I think another way to describe this movie is to see it as a Greek tragedy. There is a dramatized miniseries called "The Offer" about the making of this film that is very good and has revelations of real life underworld involvement during the movie's actual production, also how Francis Ford Coppola had an uphill battle to have Al Pacino star in it. I think it's still on Amazon Prime.
"I hate what they do but it's necessary. There's no justice in this world." Jax Corleone
The character of Moe Green is based on Bugsy Seigel. He was not Italian, he was Jewish. When Bugsy was killed it was from someone putting a round through his eye.
You made a movie reaction I couldn’t refuse. 🙏🏻
This one *is* a masterpiece.
And then you watch The Godfather 2...
My #1 movie of all time. Every scene is my favorite scene
It's a great film!
Reaction videos are almost always first time viewing. For Godfather, I think it would be cool if some of you all come back a year or two later and watch the HBO supercut that puts them all together. It's not first viewing material, but puts the whole story together in a great way.
Is the supercut even available to watch? Most reactors aren't going to hunt down a bootleg.....
Excellent reaction! Not only did you get all the underlying themes, but you anticipated what was about to happen many times.
"You are the most horrifying nurse!" - Watch "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and then let us know what you think.
The line, "Leave the gun, Take the cannoli" was unscripted. Actor Richard Castellano improvised it on the spot.
The scene with Vito and his grandson in the garden was largely improvised. The child actor wasn't expecting Brando to do the bit with the orange in his mouth, and his reaction was genuine. Coppola also didn't tell the child that Vito was supposed to be dead.
You're right that most of the women are in the background. There are only three women of any significance: Kay, Apollonia, and Connie, none of whom had any real power or control. The world of The Godfather is very much a male domain.
When Michael became the head of the family, he told Tom it was because he wasn't a wartime consiglieri. I think there was another reason. Vito knew that someone was likely to try to get to Michael through someone close to him. He and Michael wanted Tom out of the way, so their enemies would approach someone else. It happened to be Tessio.
More Marlon Brando movies:
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
On the Waterfront (1954)
Apocalypse Now (1979)
One of the classics that is _exactly_ as good as people say and deserves all the accolades it got. It's a shame some people find these classics to be inaccessible when if they give it a chance it'll immediately captivate you. I mean "I believe in America", one of the greatest opening lines and speeches of all time.
It's hard to oversell this movie because it's so fantastic. I think both the opening and ending lines are pretty epic!
Plus, in addition to the acting and the screen play, the lighting, sets and the cinematography in general is very top tier.
That whole scene, with the slow zoom out to the Brando intro, is IMO the best opening shot in cinema history.
The screaming baby in the church scene was baby Sofia Coppola
Jax, I just started the video, BUT, if you liked this, I'd strongly recommend a 10 part series called The Offer. It's about...everything that went into getting this made. It's absolutely fantastic!
That sounds like a great series!
Vito Corleone was very smart. When he was told Sonny was killed, he immediately realized the implications. He only had two sons who might lead the family, Fredo and Michael. He knew the family's future couldn't be placed in Fredo's hands. That meant that getting Michael back home safely was of the highest importance. To do that, he needed to make peace. That's why he called for that big meeting. That's also why he said "I will not be the one to break the peace". He wasn't foregoing revenge, he just knew that Michael would be the one to get revenge.
Notice what Connie is destroying when Carlo is beating her the second time: Dishes, china, crystal, candlesticks, table linens, vases, serving ware -- a whole shelf of beautiful items they no doubt received as wedding gifts at the beginning of the movie. Connie's bridal trousseau. And, a tray full of poker chips from Carlo's green gambling table -- thrown AT HIM, right into his crotch. His selfish, irresponsible hobby, what's obviously valuable to him. This, running to escape his further beating of her pregnant belly. Very poignant and a brilliant choice by the director. Just brilliant. Their marriage is destroyed, and Connie is illustrating this for Carlo in a tangible way.
Also note that Carlo knows dinner is on the table (he demanded it), but he's getting ready to leave the house -- putting on his tie in front a mirror -- and *then* he learns his girlfriend can't make it. Would he have been putting on a tie if he knew he'd be eating at home?
never noticed that. well played, sir. I'll look more closely next time i see it.
@@slchance8839 Thank you.
Fun fact. The horse head scene they used a real horse head from a slaughter house, and the guy playing the producer didnt know it was gonna be real so his reaction is partially genuine
9;19 "I am too" Nice reaction my kraut mick friend 😅😅😅
My dad is from Prince Edward Island in Canada and oranges were a treat at Christmas so you were half right
8:11 If you notice he is telling that to Santino, Sonny... He gives Sonny a look, like he knows what Sonny was doing.
19:32 Enzo the baker. He is the one at the wedding, where the father of his fiance asks Don Corleone for a favor for Enzo to stay in the US and marry his daughter. You can actually see Enzo in the back of the room in the wedding scene.
That little fur thing is called a MUFF... lol. Im not kidding, that is what its called... a MUFF...
The Johnny Fontaine character was based on Frank Sinatra. Marlon Brando’s most significant role was in Tennessee William’s “Streetcar Named Desire” which made him a superstar on Broadway before he played the role in the film. The early movie which made Brando a star was “The Wild One.”
I've often said that Vito is like a God in his own universe. He:
Defines Justice
Establishes standards of right conduct and good behaviour
Determines gender roles ("a man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man;" "women and children can be careless, but not men")
Receives sacrifices
Sets guidelines for how to enter into relationship
Hears the cases of petitioners
Is part of a trinity (Father: Vito, Son: Sonny, Counsellor: Tom)
Claims authority above civil authorities ("Why did you go to the police; why didn't you come to me first?")
Doles out blessings and curses
Oh it is said, is it?
The reason Clemenza is sleeping in a little mattress is because they went to war which in the mob it's called "hitting the mattress". When they took out Pauly they were looking for places to "hit the mattress". When you're at war the whole crew eats and sleeps together or hits the mattress together, you can see it in the movie
Fwiw, this movie really wasn’t American audience’s introduction to films about the mafia. Hollywood has been making mob movies basically since the dawn of film. The oldest known surviving gangster movie is The Black Hand (1906)! Check out some James Cagney or Edward G Robinson movies from the 30s. I personally recommend The Public Enemy (1931)!
Good call. I always let the computer search the comments before I comment on something that I thought was common knowledge. 'The Public Enemy' (1931) starring James Cagney and 'Little Caesar' (1931) starring Edward G. Robinson were both big hits and gangsters in movies to this day seem to be imitating those two guys.
I'm old as dirt. Growing up the only time we got oranges was in the treat bag at the church Christmas program
John Wick uses the Mozambique Drill. Two shots to the chest,; one to the head.
My favorite Brando performance is as Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront (1954). He won the Oscar for Best Actor and the film won 8 Oscars in total; including Best Picture. Highly recommended.
Anyone else notice a resemblance to Elizabeth Montgomery?
Resemblance to who?
@@zq9m3xh8She played Samantha Stevens on "Bewitched," as a witch who married a mortal and had a family with him.
Yes, the Don and Tom are such great cinematic characters.
Would love to see you do good will hunting, Shawshank redemptions, gladiator, rain man, field of dreams, tropic thunder, silence of the lambs, Forrest Gump
"bafangool" is Italian-American pidgin Italian for "go f*** yourself"
in part 2 "bafanapoli" means "go back to Naples [Napoli, Italy]"
Oh wow, we really doing The Godfather?! Your top 5 movies about to get rearranged 😂
I’ve never seen your reactions before, first time seeing this channel. You did such an excellent job. Besides your genuine facial reactions, your intelligence in reacting to the strategy by these mobsters were so spot on.
Believe it or not, I first saw this movie as a 9 year old kid when it first came out in 1972. We waited on a huge line in NYC. It is STILL my favorite movie of all times me, even at age 62. Movie was based in NY btw.
There is so much lore to this movie. The studio wanted so many different people they wanted, they wanted Robert Redford as Michael, since Al Pacino was a relative unknown at the time. But once the studio saw the scene where Michael kills Sollozzo and the cop, they let him finish the movie, they were amazed by the scene.
Robert Deniro read for Sonny, but didn’t get the role. But he was so good, they had him play Don Corleone as a young adult.
2:00 apparently that cat was a stray cat that Marlon Brando thought would be good for the scene. So, he insisted to have it in the first scene.
I've watched several people react to this movie, and especially the women, they are shocked and disgusted by the violence, yet they start rooting for Michael to kill all his enemies. It cracks me up
Moe Green is not Italian, he's a Jew based on Bugsy Siegel, the mobster that basically created Las Vegas.
Frodo is NOT the oldest brother, he's Michael's older brother. He says "you're my older brother and I love you...." Sonny is the oldest brother, or was.
Jax, I'm so happy you're doing this one. Watching this totally made my Friday. You are so good at watching movies, very insightful and pick up on small nuances. It always makes me happy when people enjoy and appreciate one of my favorite movies as much as I do. Definitely go right into part 2 as soon as you have a chance.
“Vafangool” is the Italian-American mispronunciation of the Italian word ‘vaffanculo’ (i.e. ‘fuck you’). The film makes much use of these terms that were (and probably still are) in use among Italian Americans (especially those of Sicilian descent. Clemenza asks for a sandwich with “Gabogool” aka capocollo salume (Boston butt). You can also hear how Woltz calls them “Goombah,” the mispronunciation of “compare” (translatable as “fellow”) a term widely used among Sicilians and still used today. The second chapter of Godfather will make even more use of dialogue in the original language, in Sicilian dialect. You'll love it
Apocalypse Now is another Great Coppola Brando film if you haven't seen it. Superb acting in great cinemastography.
13:30 Well now I want a Godfather Lord of the Rings parody with Frodo. 😄
Marlon putting the orange peel in his mouth & scaring the little boy was adlibbed. He did that with his own kids.
Watching along with Jax always feels so wholesome.