@@brianbaker2884 and was a decorated veteran too lol. I mean...I'd fear retribution from anyone who's family I had harmed but Michael? Too many factors about Michael pointed to: don't f with that one.
Pacino's acting in the first two Godfather films, where he switches effortlessly between a doe-eyed idealist and a formidable crime lord, was simply the finest lead-role performance of the 70s. It will forever be the stuff of legends in movie history not just because the acting was so flawless but because the character of Michael Corleone is a timeless archetype rooted in human struggles--the boy who loses his innocence in the unforgiving world of manhood, the king who builds an empire only to see it crumble, the hero who becomes the monster. Godfather is the closest thing to a Greek tragedy Hollywood has produced.
"Godfather is the closest thing to a Greek tragedy Hollywood has produced." I would say a closer parallel would be the history plays written by William Shakespeare, which revolved around the struggle for the English throne by kings and would-be kings. The fact that the kings in this case are underworld kings doesn't change the nature of the story.
Ive noticed that remaining calm in heating argues somehow makes people more careful how they respond to you, I’ve experienced this personally in situations. And to this day i always try to remain calm and remain unnoticed while i gently guide them towards a mistake and that’s when i make my next move.
My father was that way. The angrier he was the softer his voice was. My father was a career army officer and he never yelled, never raised his voice, never used any profanity, to his men or family, but he was a very scary man. He learned this trick or control when he was a POW in Korea. If he called out my whole name, I knew I was in big trouble. lol.
My father was an Army man 20 years. He never cursed or raised his voice either, but his looks and calm demeanor were scary. Excellent father then and now. Very loving family man.
Pacino's acting in the Carlo scene is incredible...I mean, his performances in both films is incredible but that scene is such a masterclass in less is more
The movie execs wanted Robert Redford for that role so they could cash in on his star power. They hated Marlin Brando too, said he mumbled too much. Finally, they wanted to set the film in 1970 so they wouldn't have to pay for old classic cars. They wanted to turn one of the greatest works of art ever produced in Western culture, into a crappy B movie with the visual appeal of a 1970 episode of Hawaii 5 0. Yes, you describe Pacino's performance well. It was a timeless masterpiece.
I always loved that line: "You have to answer for Santino." I mean, despite Sonny and Mike being very different from each other, they were still brothers no matter what.
"But don't tell me your innocent, it insults my intelligence". Not taking someone's intelligence into account on how to act towards them can be considered suicide. Sonny's son? (Andy Garcia), seemed to be the perfect blend of both Sonny AND Uncle Mike. HE should be more feared than Any Of Them.
+Robby Bobby Sony loved his brothers and the family name HARD. Loved hard (ladies man). Interesting that his son in Godfather 3 was just the opposite. Had qualities more like Don Vito. Sad there was never a Godfather 4 where we could have seen more Connie running the show in the shadows (whats left of Old Corleone) guiding the new Corleone (Andy Garcia) and the new underworld it was evolving into.
You failed to include the important moment when Michael told Carlo that Barzini was dead. Carlos' eyes widened and shock ensued as he realized at that moment he had no future outside the very family he betrayed. He was trapped and fell victim to Michael's coercion to confess. Which he did thereby signing his own death sentence.
@Sandra Stewart In fact Michael breaks the news to Carlos that all the families are dead and only later does he get Carlo to confess that he was the bait for Santino's death.
I hope that everyone who has never read "The Godfather" will read the book. Mario Puzo was a great storyteller, and the book was a HUGE bestseller. It's also more insightful than the movie, so it really adds a lot.
The book is great. Lots and lots of background on Al Neri that we don't get in the movie. The actor who played him, Richard Bright, died from getting hit by a bus.
What I love about this scene is how Michael takes the drink away from Carlo after he admits to having a hand in Sonny's death. No more liquor, no more nothing for Carlo after that.
Exactly, Michael has somewhat of mild compassion for Carlo ( which could have been an act ) because there may have been a shred of doubt in Michael and he did not want to kill an innocent man. But once the cat it out of the bag, Michael's attitude immediately changes.
In the book after they kill Sonny, Tom Hagen immediately calls Carlo and tells him Sonny was dead, and that not to worry, he wouldn't be blamed for Sonny's death. That was a message to Carlo, that him having a part in Sonny's death actually crossed their minds.
I always rememberthe part where Michael reassures Carlo "You think I'd make my sister a widow?"And then tells Carlo that his punishment is to be cut off from the family. Carlo seems to genuinely believe him, as he gets into the front of the car... and never makes it off the driveway.
Michael used the same basic trick when getting a confession from Fredo. He made it sound like providing a little bit of information might fix the situation and assuage the other’s conscience, but was actually both eliciting a fatal confession while gaining valuable intel at the same time. Brilliant, really, if evil.
Fredo made the mistake of saying he was kept in the dark and new little. Michael asked him is there anything else and fredo say the senator is in their pocket. Fredo lied, he knew alot.
On the hundred rewatches of GF2 when they are both enjoying brotherly time alone in Havana with a drink you sorta hope Fredo would've told his brother how he felt betrayed because he was the oldest and was 'smaaaat' enough to do more for the family and was deeply hurt for being passed-over. Perhaps the guilt from hearing his confession could've prevented Michael from having him whacked after learning the truth on his own. Maybe it could've saved Fredo's life. Doubtful, but it was his only chance at that bonding moment.
That scene, where Michael asks Carlo, “who approached you…Barzini or ?” - so beautifully filmed. Excellent lighting - you just see half of Michael’s face.
Sonny made a fatal mistake that his father warned him about later on about not letting people outside the family know what you're thinking when he beat up Carlo. He announced that if he ever touched his sister again he would kill him. When an entire army is waiting at the toll station they obviously knew Sonny would be there and it had to have been prearranged and carefully organized. Sonny didn't go anywhere without bodyguards so the only way to get him alone is to play on his volatile temper.
But there was a risk that Sonny came to Carlo with many poeple and not alone. They were at war and many men are with Corleone family in house. They could have rush faster with Sonny then he would not have been alone. I mean there was no guaranty that Sonny would be alone. Second thing abnormal, Sonny sister and her husband are part of Corleone clan. As the clan is at war, why they dont ask them to come in Corleone house during the war ? She is the sister of Sonny, it is not realistic that they let her outside dowton during a war .
One thing I don’t get is how Carlo had the balls to ever lay a finger on Connie in the first place, before the set up. I know there are traditions and customs they follow but that’s still some brass balls, beating on Don Corleone’s daughter
In the book, they knew from day one due to tracing phone calls. They kept him alive to make the other families think they were stupid. But even in the end, Michael wants a confession. Tom, Rocco, and Clemenza thought this was a sign of weakness on Micheal's part due to all the evidence they had but went along with it.
Ah, tracing calls within the compound makes more sense than what I was thinking. It's been about ten years since I read the novel, but another consideration I had was that in the film, Sandra had answered Connie's call before Sonny spoke with her and stormed out. So if nothing else, Sandra was aware that Connie's call triggered Sonny to take off shortly before he was murdered and could have mentioned that to Tom or someone else, which also could have made Carlo a likely suspect.
Exactly and Puzo set up the scene beautifully. Hagen and the Don figured out the angle but knew to keep it close to the vest, I loved those passages in the book. Crazy how Sonny brought Carlo into the family.
As a Sicilian and growing up in a Sicilian family I can tell you I would bet he didn't know, he only suspected and bluffed him into confession. What you are truly seeing is a linguistic art form. BTW.. Carlo beat down is the most epic ever. poetry in motion.
@@fleetingimprov6171 Great, However we're talking about it in the context of the film not the book. as a viewer of this film unaware of the content of the book, the movie does not "clearly say" and in the film it is clearly left open and to speculation. Hence the reason for this video. Because the film never mentions. What I'm saying is from experience.. Sicilans like to bluff information from people.. it's like a sport. For me it's a cultural projection onto the situation and makes it more interesting than "well the book said so." The movie leaves it open.. so.. I'm choosing the most interesting avenue because it's suave and creates tension. I personally like it, and I'm not interested in "technicalities" for this type of entertainment. It's not like it's a mechanical engineering project. at the risk of lecturing.. I took steps to free myself of over thinking films due to having read the book. the book stands for itself the movie should be alllowed the same courtesy for the simple task of enjoyment and suspended disbelief and we know it's impossible to replicate the book into film no matter how well it's done. Look, nobody questions paying off a toll guard and having multiple gunmen (more mouths ups the chance of one talking) pull off the causeway hit.. that's one of the most absurd mob hits on film.. but nobody goes "well that's just crazy" no.. we accept it because it's part of the story of "sending a message" I choose to enjoy them separately and do them the favor of not demanding one be the other. just look at Kubrick's the shining. a complete and utter failure of an adaptation.. ..but a truly brilliant film and a masterpiece. you're not wrong.. it's about enjoying both.
@@cazbit639makes sense. Even if they had all sorts of clues, they didn’t know for sure who did what exactly. If you know 99% of the story, then just laying out the accusation with a promise of forgiveness will get that other 1% in the form of a confession…and half-hearted apology.
Pacino is the only actor I can think of that could have legitimately won THREE Academy Awards in a row with The Godfather, Serpico and The Godfather Part ll. He won for none of those.
If anyone wonders why exactly Carlo had the balls to be abusive towards Connie, it's an established Italian tradition (at least in the books), that fathers have no right to interfere in their daughter's relationships. That tradition's practically the only thing preventing Carlo from being castrated in broad daylight, since it was also mentioned in the books explicitly that all of the Corleone children and Vito himself was really pissed off at Connie's mistreatment, but they simply can't do anything due to adhering to that unspoken rule. The fact that Connie was perpetually apologetic for him, sadly like most abuse victims do, means they can't exactly do anything without upsetting her as well.
I was always interested how in Part I when the wedding is wrapping up, Tom Hagen asks Vito, "Your new son-in-law. We give him something important?" Like they had never met before, and he didn't know Carlo's name. Vito asks at one point when does she leave with "the bridegroom". Carlo doesn't appear to have had much respect amongst the men in the Corleone family. Maybe it was a cultural thing, but I have wondered if there had been a little more respect or at least acknowledgment of Carlo he might not have fallen into Barzini's grip.
Wow. I didn’t know that this was an old Italian custom that required family to never interfere with domestic abusive situations because of marriage technicalities. That sucks. In the movie however, it’s clearly been changed as we see Sonny angrily getting involved by threatening to beat Carlo for his cruelty and even appearing to be internally regretful because he introduced his sister to him in the first place. Honestly, Carlo is by far one of the most hatable characters of the movie. Glad Michael ended him.
I’m absolutely amazed to this day at the beautiful cinematography of this scene. The way the lighting hits Michael’s face, showing it in half light and half dark, hints at his duplicity. He is lying to Carlo to gain his confession and all the while the lighting of his face tells us everything we need to know about Michael’s true intentions with Carlo.
Appreciated your take-Also how smart to ask him"who approached you" as if he's saying- that's who's really responsible and putting him somewhat at ease.
"half light and half dark, hints at his duplicity"? What's "his duplicity"? Would you mind explaining to me what you mean by that? While I do respect your opinion, I would think that every person is equipped with two sides. You make Mike's out to be something extraordinary (not faulting you for that, or anything). Don't you think we all have light & dark sides? I'll admit that it takes a certain type of person, to do what a Don does. But I certainly don't think it makes him extraordinarily special. While I'm certainly no expert on cinematography, I don't think there anything special about that, either. Just my opinion. You probably know a lot more about it than I do. I was just curious to run those ideas past you. I thought his acting was brilliant. I'm really curious as to why they didn't want him to play the part of Mike. In addition to the part where Mike tells Carlo that the jig is up... I also thought his line, "Don't ever take sides against the family again. Ever." was REALLY powerful. I wish I could whip a look on someone like that.
Without even watching the video, the answer is obvious: He knew Carlo would NEVER have the balls to beat their sister again after the first beating Sonny gave him, with a warning he would kill him if he ever hit her again. Carlo had to KNOW Sonny would be killed B4 he got there.
Yeah -- it's a cold sort of calculation, which is exactly why that's how it would have happened. Michael explicitly hints at it -- "that little farce you played with my sister". Beating Connie was real -- everybody knew it, especially Sonny. Hearing the story (while being taught by his father, no less, who is probably the one who explained it all to him), Michael would have kept in mind that Carlo wasn't dumb. He'd have KNOWN Sonny would have immediately come to kill him -- which is surely what Carlo would have told Barzini. Once Michael figured that out (quite probably because his father showed it all to him, yet didn't TELL him who did it, and how: teaching), he would have been certain Carlo did it. That "who approached you -- Tataglia, or Barzini?" was bogus. Michael knew before he agreed to be godfather to the baby. Carlo's confession was to make sure everybody knew Michael was that good at the job.
I think Michael might be present that question (who approach Carlo) as a trade question, making Carlo think that if he answers and unveil to Miachel wheter if it was Barzini or Tataglia, it would spared his life
I love how you acknowledged the importance of the novel in coming to a logical conclusion that isn't possible without it. Not knowing or just assuming things based solely on the movies is nearsighted guess work at best. Having read exclusively then watching the movies afterwards is I think the only scenario to conclusions made in your UA-cam video and I salute you for that. I've had plenty of prior 'arguments' about the actions of Micheal based on assumptions and patchwork hypothesis and on the innuendo of mafia lore. If people want the true, from the mind of the master, then you've got to have read and then re-read the novel. Bravo sir!
Easily one of the finest films ever produced, standing up five decades after it was made. Absolutely perfect actors cast, adhering as closely to the book as possible, and deliciously intimate in relationships between characters. In the book, Michael is still unsure and almost lets Carlo off the hook, but Carlo's admission, his confession before the all powerful Michael and Tom, seems like the best way to get absolution. It's not. Another thing is the character of Tom Hagan, who is as close to Michael as anyone, even his wife, Fredo, and Connie. Tom's hands are as bloody as Michael's but with a hairline of distance. I was beginning to think your in depth analysis was a heavy waste of time, but in retrospect, I've concluded the book and film merit constant revisiting.
A lot of people don’t know this but it was actually sunny who began the plot to take out all the heads of the opposing families. Michaels success came from amazing mentors and wise leaders
@@NilaktheProphet Yeah, I don't know why they chose to get an actor like James Caan and just use him as a "hothead." He could've done a lot more with Sonny's character.
@@ComedyBros5 should be noted that Sonny does indeed have bright spots in the film. For example, he's canny enough to have his own informants, which means it is HE and not Tom who finds out where Michael's meeting with Sollozzo will take place for example. He also, despite it indeed being a hotheaded action, understands that the attempt on his father is a sign of growing brazenness that threatens his entire family potentially, and thus it cannot be answered passively, which was what Sollozzo figured Sonny to be, a weak willed and easily manipulated fool, he was wrong and rather than cave and negotiate he shot back... hard. He also had a good nose for rats, as he was the one who discovered it was Paulie who betrayed the Family. And yet, for all his rough traits, he was also probably one of the most "noble" Corleones, considering he was a genuinely loving father, husband and brother who always directed his violent impulses towards those who hurt or threatened his family and NEVER anybody else (not something Michael or even Don Vito can boast of). All in all, he's a surprisingly layered character
He knew it was Carlo because Vito knew. In the book when they're deciding Carlo's role in the family after the peace was made, Vito makes the comment "He's a good talker " with the slightest hint of contempt. Vito knew who had betrayed them but needed his plan to be carried out before being rid of Carlo.
@jpssteveshanahan The three sons of Vito Corleone: Michael was all brains and no heart. Sonny was all heart and no brains. Fredo had neither heart nor brains.
Also, Vito had another reason: Vito was extremely traditional. In the novel, Vito was said to have been furious at Carlo's poor treatment of Connie, but as a deathly traditional Italian man, he (the Don himself, the most powerful man in the underworld) felt powerless. Once a woman has married a man, the woman's father is no longer responsible for her and is never to interfere with her husband's treatment of her. When Sonny beat Carlo, he knew he would face VITO'S wrath for interfering in her marriage. While Carlo setting up Sonny made him "part of the game" now and Vito would have been justified in retaliating, even just the implications in him having a hand in his son-in-law's death was something Vito didn't want any part of, no matter how badly Carlo had it coming. Vito's traditional mindset caused more just than the biggest conflict in this story.
@@OptimumTaurus You are right. Even his wife was the same. Mama Corleone told Sonny not to interfere when Carlo told Connie to shut up while they were all eating at the dinner table, when Vito Corleone was still in the hospital. So both parents were of that old mindset.
@@OptimumTaurus And the reason Connie hated Michael for having Carlo killed was a case of battered woman syndrome where she'd been so abused by Carlo she'd convinced himself it was her fault when it was Carlo's because he abused her purely to spite the Corleones after marrying the Don's daughter didn't instantly get him a high position in the family like he thought.
I never go to a movie theater and rarely watch movies on TV, so I’m no expert on movies. But . . The Godfather I and II movies have to be the best movies ever made. When a non-movie guy is so engrossed that I have to watch, watch again, and read every critique and analysis, and still has much to learn, that says something about how great it is.
What should have been included into this expose' was Michael's brilliant move in producing those 1st class plane tickets back to Vegas. This was strategic, further helping to put Carlo's mind at ease, while breaking down his defenses. This is part of what helped Michael confirm that it was, indeed, Carlo who sold out Sonny to the Barzini people. Michael would have made an incredible chess player in some other reality.
That was such a great scene when Michael enters the room. Nothing but darkness, the room is silent except the sound of Carlo dialing on the telephone and the camera pans to a pissed off looking Michael Corleone in a dark fedora and then pans to a very surprised Carlo who knows this is probably his last day on earth. Brilliant scene from Coppola....BRILLIANT!!!
@@GABRIELA-ACEVEDO. I always thought he was about to call Barzini or one his henchman to tell him he’s ready to have Michael whacked. I always thought Carlo intended to kill Michael as well as Tessio
The photography is amazing. As Michael confronts Carlo half of Michael’s face is obscured in shadow which makes the scene more creepy, and Michael seems more dangerous and menacing than ever.
The godfather is a master piece. No matter how many times you watch this film there is always something new about this film. In my opinion this was Marlon Brandos greatest performance. It was his definitive role.
Yep it’s true life … Sinatra punched Mario Puzo and my family’s restaurant in New York for writing about the Johnny Fontaine singer character who got a film with MGM . All scary true . Frank was very naughty ! But we love him . The Oscar in 1953 was for the mob . He walked home alone to his apartment after the Oscar win . Long story invite me for a meal and I will tell you everything. Ciao Giacomo
“Ahhh that farce you played with my sister. Did you think you could fool the Corleone?” One of the coldest lines in movie history! AL PACINO is one of the TOP FIVE GREATEST ACTORS EVER! His work in THE GODFATHER I & II was impeccable!
This movie is magnificent. Imagine how long Michael waited for the moment to get back at carlo for his brother sunny. This movie really shows how much you have to keep your cool and composure in any situation. Not to act on your emotions That is key. not show weakness and show anyone what you are up to in order to succeed. Keep them guessing is important. Get them comfortable in order to conquer. This is an amazing movie full of ups downs.
@@luckydiamonds5 That's debatable. In a book Michael tells Carlo he has to be held responsible for Sonny. ...like in a movie In a final chapter it was explained that he could not be forgiven bc " Man can be forgiven but they never forgive themselves.If he was kept alive Michael would be neglecting duty to Kay kids and entire family "... And that was portrayed in a movie.... After Carlo was killed Michael is walking towards his office, that scene was explained by Coppola in a documentary The Godfather family: a look inside with words " Michael was certain what he did was right thing. Every murder, every robbery in his heart he felt it was the right thing. He did it for his family "
and probably music too . If you think of just about every genre of movies, the 70's the best of them . Best sci-fi STAR WARS, Best martial arts movie... Enter the Dragon. Best horror? The Exorcist and Jaws . Best comedy, Blazing Saddles, Monty Python... Best love story, well Love Story.
Nick Lewandowski-and AL made Dog Day Afternoon too.i knew Jack Warden and in 1978 Jack was going to make And Justice for All with Al ⚖️.i told Jack my admiration for Al's acting and then I got a note from Al.Jack was a sweetheart.Great movies you are right!😉
The 2 most bad ass and terrifying lines from all the Godfather movies are delivered by Marlon Brando ,#1 the opening scene where Don Corleone tells the undertaker " if you had come to me in friendship than the scum who hurt your daughter would be suffering this very day " and he meant that s#!t . The #2 line is from Don Corleone during the commission meeting saying " if anything happens to Michael then im going to blame some of the men in this room " and again he meant every word that he would start dropping mo fo's with a quickness .
''...my other son who had to leave the country because of this Sollozzo business...I'm working to bring him back..but if anything should happen to him...if he should hang himself in his jail cell..or if he should be hit by a bolt of lightning..then I'm going to blame some of the people in this room, and that I do not forgive. But, that aside, I'm willing to let things go back to the way they were before." I think this is a bit more accurate quote of your #2 line than you had, although I'm pretty sure it's not perfect either
Micheal had instinct. He knew his wife was going to die just before it happened. He knew HE was the one who had to take out the bad cop.(Even though Sonny -- who rarely relied on instinct -- laughed because he had never been involved in the family business before). He knew something was wrong at the hospital when his dad was left without security. He just knew stuff instinctively. Would that we all allowed our instincts to reign.
Nicely done, but you forgot one thing: Vito advised Michael to check all incoming and outgoing calls, which he did. When the scene begins, Carlo is making calls (or attempting to). Where he called, on the two dates Sonny rushed out to respond to his beatings of Connie, would have given him away.
I mean anyone could figure out Carlo did it. It didn’t take a genius. They just waited for Vito’s death. I do t know why Vito Corleone didn’t call in the hit himself.
@@faisalmemon285 he loved his children that much. He couldn’t hurt his daughter in such a way. That’s why Michael took all responsibility out of his hands. His father valued family over everything else which was his only weakness
@@icebergslimtv6377 Yeah, that’s what I mean. He loved his family. I mean his real family. Carlo was an outsider who pretty much isn’t really family. Vito says to Sonny himself “Never take sides against the family,” or something like that. Living and seeing Carlo everyday would be too much for him. And besides, the main thing is, this was the mafia. Not getting retribution for his son even if it affects other members of the family, is not mafia-like.
Yes but that advice came after Sonny’s death. When Sonny died Michael was in Sicily and Vito was in the hospital. This advice the Don gives his son takes place several years after Sonny’s assassination. That being said, they probably could’ve concluded it was Carlo just by the timing of Connie’s call and the assassination of Sonny, and the fact that they surely would’ve known by checking the incoming calls that the call that led to Sonny leaving the house came from Connie’s house. Vito’s advice to Micheal about checking the phones has to do with the knowledge that someone within Michael’s circle of trust will inevitably try to betray him by setting up a meeting between Michael and Barzini.
When Michael tells Carlo " don't tell me you are innocent because it insults my intelligence....it makes me very angry" That line is said with such calm menace it chills my blood. The moment Carlo said the word Barzini to Michael is when Clemenza had a job to perform....
One thing I never understood was why Connie took his death so hard. He admitted to having a hand in Sonny’s death and regularly beat the breaks off her
In those days and especially in that culture, it was legal and acceptable for a man to beat his wife, and SA within marriage wasn't even a legal concept. The wives were expected to "behave," and take the abuse. Vito did nothing to put a stop to it because it was considered to be Carlo's right. Sonny, though, was no respecter of convention.
The culture and era (1940's-'50's) wife beating was not condemned by society. Also, Connie was young, sheltered (very naive and unworldly), she blamed herself for the fights, it was sadly normalized. But the movie does show to us viewers what a monster Carlo is. That scene where he beats her while she is pregnant is raw and horrid.
Michael 'WASN'T' absolutely sure Carlo was guilty. To find out he set him up with that comment about making his sister a widow, and insulting his intelligence, and making it seem he just wanted to know who approached him, which would be a confession of guilt. There was no value in finding out who approached him since they were all eliminated. Notice how he pulls the drink away as soon as the guilt is revealed by mentioning Barzini.
You left out that Vito insisted the house phone lines be monitored by their people at the phone company…they would have known any calls Carlo made and who they were to….remember he was trying to call someone when Michael came in….
I thought he was about to call one of Barzini’s henchmen to have Michael whacked, but the more I think about it, he had nothing to do with Tessio. Perhaps he had a plan himself to off Michael that was aside from Tessio or maybe he thought he was secure and part of the family and just calling one of his mistresses. But he actually trusted Michael and went to the mall to await further instruction not realizing it was a trap.
Actually the book tells exactly who he was calling. He was calling one of his girlfriends knowing his wife was on her way to Nevada. He had planned on meeting with Michael to find out why he was kept behind, then slip away for a rendezvous with his girlfriend. That obviously never happened.
A very cool breakdown I could never figure out if Carlo was given marching orders to get close to Connie from the get or if after Carlo had lost position in the family if that's what set him off to help Sonny get waked. Very nicely done.
Being kept at arm's length in the business (at Vito's order) was a reason for resentment. After his marriage he was still stuck in a ratty apartment. The beatdown he took from Sonny--in public--was the last straw. Barzini heard about it and moved in. That was that.
Godfather 1 and 2 Great Movies, the transformation of Michael Corleone from War Hero to Don Corleone is excellent, I've seen these two movies so many times and l can't get enough.
Ok after watching all of these fantastic Godfather videos, going to dust of the dvd's and do a binge watch after the kids go to sleep. I Really need to see Michael to take care of all of the family business tonight. Thank you Culture Mafia. Outstanding work.
If Sonny had survived the ambush he would have figured out who lured him in to it. Sonny was a hothead whose temper sometimes clouded his good judgment, but he still has that good judgment and after calming down he would have figured it all out because he's a Corleone.
Just found your channel. Excellent work! I think it was obvious that Michael and Vito knew Carlo participated in the hit on Sonny. After all in the wedding scene, Vito is telling Tom to give Carlo a “living,” but never to discuss family business in front of him. And yet when Michael has taken over , he’s making Carlo his “right hand man.” It was only a matter of time that Carlo was finished
Your Channel is Electric!!! I enjoy it Being an avid reader of the Art of War and Book of the five rings your channel is a Fantastic companion. Please keep up the Fantastic Content.. ps. If you ever write a companion book to your channel I will be the first to Buy Dig it...
Love how the video was made. You can tell a lot of hard work went into it and it paid off with how the video came out. Informative and entertaining. But fuck me, it bothers me how this can all be summed up with "Tom already suspected Carlo and told Michael when he got back, and basically everybody else knew aswell."
In the book, Tom and Al who are with Michael, are surprised he forces Carlo to admit who approached him. To them it was Michael being unsure of himself, worried that without that last piece of evidence, a confession, he could possibly still be innocent. To them it was already as certain as anything needed to be. To them it demonstrated Michael was not yet his father.
I always thought the same thing. It was as if he didn't really know but only suspected, but tricked Carlo into giving himself away with the questioning.
Nah. I always looked at it like the famous "smiting reliefs" with the pharaohs holding maces over their bent kneeling enemies' heads or Walter White's "Say my name." It isn't enough to just to make the logical move, you have to own them, and THEY have to know you own them. You make them do what they loathe, take all their dignity away before you snuff their candle out. Gangsta 101.
@@JamesRDavenport Nah? My comment wasn’t an opinion, it came directly from Puzo’s words in the book. But, you’re entitled to your opinion no matter how far off base it is. Reading & comprehension 101
He needed that confession so he have no remorse because of her sister. I know he’s supposed to be a mafia boss without conscience, but he had feelings towards his sister and therefore have conscience in this case linked to her….
Gianni Russo, who is not a professional actor and is sort of an all-around crazy guy, actually nails the climactic scene perfectly and deserves a lot of credit for it. That was a very difficult scene to get exactly right. Russo has always said he wasn't sure he could pull it off but that Brando spent hours coaching him through it in terms of facial expression, body language, eyes, etc. It shows for sure.
Gianni Russo has many many real life Mafia connections. He was a Vegas real estate and restaurant guy... the feds were always looking at his business as possible fronts. ALSO he fucking shot some guy in the head and killed him in one of his restaurants.
He was put in the movie by the mobs request. Brando wasnt sold on the idea and told Copala he should rethink the casting. Copala said there snothing he could do. Russo took brando to the side and told him he better not f**k up this oppurtunity for him explaing in not so many words the mob as involved with his casting. From that point forward brando treated him like gold.
Whoever did this had an understanding of many subtleties of the plot and the whole motion picture as well. I'm rather amazed at how all of the assumed was put together in one helluva explanation. Terrific, indeed...
In the book, they suspected Carlo from day one. It took a long time to prove it. Once they had the proof they took action. Michael already knew it was Brazini. Carlo's answer would have made no difference. Micheal just wanted to see what Carlo would say.
@@danielbrown7115 Yes, the timeline is off. Sonny couldn't have been killed three years after Vito was shot. Vito was at home recovering when he learned about it from Tom.
As a side note the actor who played Carlo Rizzo despised James Cann after Cann told him to go say hello to Carmine Persico and his daughter at a restaurant. However Persico was actually on a date with a much younger mistress and after the daughter comment Persico and his goons were about to give the actor an ass kicking but Gambino underboss Tommy Bilotti stopped it from happening.
@@hankjones5652 I didn't mean he was the acting Underboss he didn't become Underboss untill Dellacroce died but most people only know Bilotti as Underboss of the Gambino Family.
As many times as I watched this movie I've always wondered how Micheal knew, but I love that scene Michael was so serious about protecting the "Family Business" and that's why The God Father has endured all these years! Thanks Culture Mafia👍🌟
There's very little in the movie that would lead you believe Michael knew. I've always believed Michael was bluffing, that he didn't know and that Carlo might have survived had he held firm. How Carlo could even imagine Michael would let him live after confessing is beyond me.
@@tonypalombinijr2946 he knew " You're insulting my intelligence ". Michael just connected the dots . Sonny would have never stormed out of the compound without the bodyguards . Why would Carlo beat up Connie again after the beating he took from Sonny ?
There's an error in the chronology: Appolonia was killed AFTER Sonny (remember, she was honking the horn as Michael was processing the news of his brother's demise). Also, it was Michael's insistence that Sonny be avenged and his desire to violate the truce, not Vito's (Michael: "What about Sicily? What about Sonny??"/You gave your word - I didn't give mine"). And a 'great tactician' NEVER leads with emotion and NEVER isolates himself from his protection. That is all. Good video
The chronology is also wrong when it says Michael killed McLusky and Sollozzo in 1946. In part 2 one of the Senators at the Senate inquiry refers to the murders as being committed in 1947.
I don't think Michael knew. He played it like he did. But he needed that confession to be sure. The rage in his eyes when Carlo said, "It was Barzinni," said it all to me.
He didn't know. He suspected that it was Carlo. If he knew, he would have killed Carlo without confronting him about it. Carlo had to admit it before Michael went through with the hit. If Carlo had refused to admit it he might have survived.
I think the explanation of why Michael knew about the betrayal was probably more due to family gossip and word on the street. I can’t believe that it would take Tom to debrief him so that he learned the truth but I can see him picking up the story of the beatings through other family members, contacts on the street and probably his own mother. I remember in the book that Sonny became more upset over the attacks on his sister because his father would not step in. One of Vitos faults was that he believed that a husband could beat his wife behind closed doors and no one should be involved to stop it. It didn’t matter if the woman being beaten was his own daughter.
I really enjoy these episodes.. You do a great job! One thing that I don't care for as much is The Times when you have to read the information on the screen if I'm moving around and I'm listening I would like to at least be able to hear the words . If you could have you or someone else voiced it over that would be great. Just to thought!
Carlo playing a part in Sonny's death was not the hard part to figure out. The challenge was to find out who talked Carlo in helping kill Sonny. Another challenge for Michael was to get Carlo to confess his participation in Sonny's death.
That wire is old school assassination for the Italian mob, ooh, and it's really quiet too. The ice pick at the base of the skull and a .22 cal pistol were also popular. Well, then there was the .38 cal. Saturday Night special, car bombings...ok, that's enough.
@@michaelvronsky2013 Lol. I'm Sicilian and I grew up in NY City. My grandfather came here on a boat in 1906, and my father and his brothers were part of the greatest generation, what we call "old school". In the 60's and 70's these things were common knowledge, so you hear things, that's all. Unfortunately, New York went to crap so anyone I speak to is leaving when they retire or even when they graduate college.
Honestly I knew it was Carlo the moment Sonny was ambushed. It was way too convenient for them to be waiting for Sonny when he unexpectedly leaves the safety of the house and his guards. Carlo smacking Connie around was the one thing Sonny would never stand for and he would never send someone else to deal with. So it was the one thing Carlo knew would flush Sonny out and so told Barzini when he would do it.
@@1986LuisK I think Michael asked if it was Barzini or Tataglia because Michael was not 100% sure that Carlo betrayed Sonny. Michael played Carlo into believing that his life would be spared if he just came clean. I think Michael did this because he wanted to be 100% certain Carlo did betray the family be fore he had his sister's husband killed.
Not only is this channel so good, with amazing insight & thoughtful insight, it's the comments that I enjoy the most...the love, respect & admiration for the source material is heart warming
I really like your channel! despite not being fluent in english, but i'm studying the language and i can understand some parts, anyway... hugs from Brazil 😊
If I was Carlo I would have tried harder to worm my way out of it. "Hey Michael, I remember you at my wedding. You wore a beautiful military uniform with the medal for bravery."
I never saw Michael as having any doubts about Carlo's guilt, just that he wanted to hear Carol admit it. That was one of the major differences between Vito and Michael, Vito would not have bothered with a confession, he just would have taken care of business when it was time to take care of business. IIRC, in the book, it is mentioned that the others in the room with Michael actually thought him kind of weak for wanting a confession when he should have just done what needed to be done.
About the book - Not exactly. They were surprised by his question as everything was clear to them at that point. However, they did not treat it like a sign of weakness, rather like sth redundant.
@@muniekfistaszek6997 true, in the mob there is no such thing as reasonable doubt. Tom and the other knew that they were going to whack Carlos regardless, there is really no point trying to have him confess.
I always took it as Michael indulging in some psychological torture. First Carlo thinks he'd gotten away with it, then realizes he's caught and is going to die, and then, miraculously, given a lifeline, and just as he thinks he's survived, he's killed in a way that gives him time to realize he's being executed.
Vito saw weakness in Carlo that Sonny didn't, that is why he was religated to a minor role, "He makes a living". Sonny should have never introduced Carlo to Connie.
"Give him a living. But never let him know of the family business" I always wondered why Vito said that. Yeah. He must have felt he couldn't trust Carlo.
@@lc1662 Vito never truly approved of Carlo marrying Connie. He just didn't interfere with his daughter's life out of respect for tradition. That's why when he hears about Carlo laying hands on her he does nothing. In the book Connie asks Vito if he ever hit his wife and he responds with "She never gave me a reason to." The irony is if Vito would have had Carlo taken out when he found out that he was beating Connie Sonny would have never gotten set up like that. Vito showed great weakness by not having Carlo killed after he put his hands on Connie.
@@PokemonTrainerVince in that culture in that time beating your wife wasn't a hanging offense. It wasn't even an offense. It would be like killing someone for walking his dog
@@taptapuyo2714 Remember Sonny introduced Carlo to Connie on their dad's birthday. Remember that scene? That's the same scene Michael said he had joined the Marines to fight in WW2?
Just watched it last night. I had the feeling that Michael wasn't 100% sure that Carlo was the traitor but played it out in front of Carlo like he knew and then he got the confession
@@dc6461 yup, and that scene in the car after the 5 families meeting where Vito says, "Tattaglia is a pimp. He coulda never outfought Santino. (But i didnt know until this very day?) that it was Barzini all along" leads me to believe a foreshadowing of who approached Carlo. End of the day, though, the end game was the same for Michael. This was the cherry on top of the whipped cream on the Sundae for him.
@@charlesfaure1189 He agreed to a piece deal, a truce to bring Michael home safely. He didn't wanna break his word. But Vito knew what had to be done so when Michael offered himself to safe the family he accepted it
Michael was told on the sidewalk outside the church where Connie and Carlo’s kid had just been baptized that it was Carlo. They may have suspected but it was only then that they were sure. It makes sense. After they take out Barzini, they probably incorporated a lot of his guys into their organization. In doing so, one of them told the Corleones that it was Carlo. That’s why Michael gives him the look of death on the sidewalk and then tells him that plans have changed and he needs to go back to the house. So even before Michael does the scene, he already is sure Carlo set Sonny up. He wants the confession also since it is his sister’s husband, and he doesn’t want to make her a widow without being totally sure. Remember Paulie who called in sick the day Vito got shot, they assumed he was part of it and killed him, without any real evidence he was part of it. With Carlo, they had to be 100% sure. Not sure how the scene on the sidewalk was not part of the explanation on here.
A hit squad of a dozen killers just happened to be at the toll booth when Sonny just happened to drive up. They really didn't try to hide the fact that Sonny had been set up.
Barzini wanted to send the Don a strooong message. Spite work. Sonny not only was winning the war but crippled the rivals' businesses. But that temper....
Carlo had it coming. Sonny was his good friend, even setting him up with his sister. The one scene with Carlo I like is at the wedding when Johnny Fontaine is singing to Connie. Carlo is standing with Mama Coreleone, his arm around her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. In the novel, Connie assures Kay that her outburst about Michael's involvement with Carlo's death was just a widow's hysteria. She has even found a new lover soon after Carlo's death. That's how the Coreleone family rolls!
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😅 t😅
Never get in a car while Clemenza is sitting behind you
unless you got cannoli
Yeah. When one of Clemenza's soldiers tells you you're going to be his chauffeur, either head for the hills or buy more insurance.
Facts
@@billolsen4360 lol, or buy more insurance. That's the last thing I think of when I see a threat, but damn, you're right!
I got shotgun
Clemenza: hey I'll come along too
Ummm I'll walk.
Driver: it's 30miles away
I'll run!
Imagine beating a mafia don’s sister/daughter, then setting up the oldest son and thinking you are gonna live through it lol
The arrogance-it's comical 😂
He thought Michael was weak.
@@RO-pg9hw never understood that, Michael killed a cop lol
@@brianbaker2884 and was a decorated veteran too lol. I mean...I'd fear retribution from anyone who's family I had harmed but Michael? Too many factors about Michael pointed to: don't f with that one.
@@SometimesAbel - he was quiet and to himself. At first he wanted no part in the family business. They underestimated him.
Pacino's acting in the first two Godfather films, where he switches effortlessly between a doe-eyed idealist and a formidable crime lord, was simply the finest lead-role performance of the 70s. It will forever be the stuff of legends in movie history not just because the acting was so flawless but because the character of Michael Corleone is a timeless archetype rooted in human struggles--the boy who loses his innocence in the unforgiving world of manhood, the king who builds an empire only to see it crumble, the hero who becomes the monster. Godfather is the closest thing to a Greek tragedy Hollywood has produced.
😎😎💪👏👏👏👏👏👏
Well said
Hardly doe-eyed… Michael was a decorated war hero.
"Godfather is the closest thing to a Greek tragedy Hollywood has produced."
I would say a closer parallel would be the history plays written by William Shakespeare, which revolved around the struggle for the English throne by kings and would-be kings. The fact that the kings in this case are underworld kings doesn't change the nature of the story.
But they’re not Greek. They’re Italian.
Get outta here with that! What’s the matta with you?
"It insults my intelligence and makes me very angry."
Run, Carlo, run!
Michael's cold unblinking stare during the scene reminds me of a snake. And Carlo is the snake's prey....
That line was so cold! I loved Tony Montana too but I found Michael way more compelling and ruthless.
Had he been innocent he wouldn't have folded.
I came back today just to see that fragment. To me, it's the highlight. He just mumbles "makes me very angry".
Michael is like the father figure who never raises his voice but terrifies everyone
Ive noticed that remaining calm in heating argues somehow makes people more careful how they respond to you, I’ve experienced this personally in situations.
And to this day i always try to remain calm and remain unnoticed while i gently guide them towards a mistake and that’s when i make my next move.
I love Pietro Clemenza!!!
My father was that way. The angrier he was the softer his voice was. My father was a career army officer and he never yelled, never raised his voice, never used any profanity, to his men or family, but he was a very scary man. He learned this trick or control when he was a POW in Korea. If he called out my whole name, I knew I was in big trouble. lol.
My father was an Army man 20 years. He never cursed or raised his voice either, but his looks and calm demeanor were scary. Excellent father then and now. Very loving family man.
so you have never seen the movie/s
Pacino's acting in the Carlo scene is incredible...I mean, his performances in both films is incredible but that scene is such a masterclass in less is more
I agree his performance is amazing in both films. You can see how cunning he is covering all his bases.
Hey Culture Media, who's the narrator?
The movie execs wanted Robert Redford for that role so they could cash in on his star power. They hated Marlin Brando too, said he mumbled too much. Finally, they wanted to set the film in 1970 so they wouldn't have to pay for old classic cars. They wanted to turn one of the greatest works of art ever produced in Western culture, into a crappy B movie with the visual appeal of a 1970 episode of Hawaii 5 0.
Yes, you describe Pacino's performance well. It was a timeless masterpiece.
Did you see him in the Bovril advert.... amazing 😊
Very true. The ending when he greets his hitmen is magnificent.
I always loved that line: "You have to answer for Santino." I mean, despite Sonny and Mike being very different from each other, they were still brothers no matter what.
“Did you figure that would fool a Corleone?”
which makes what happens to fredo even sadder
@@BigFudge_101 problem with Fredo was he betrayed and failed his family too many times
"But don't tell me your innocent, it insults my intelligence". Not taking someone's intelligence into account on how to act towards them can be considered suicide. Sonny's son? (Andy Garcia), seemed to be the perfect blend of both Sonny AND Uncle Mike. HE should be more feared than Any Of Them.
+Robby Bobby Sony loved his brothers and the family name HARD. Loved hard (ladies man). Interesting that his son in Godfather 3 was just the opposite. Had qualities more like Don Vito. Sad there was never a Godfather 4 where we could have seen more Connie running the show in the shadows (whats left of Old Corleone) guiding the new Corleone (Andy Garcia) and the new underworld it was evolving into.
You failed to include the important moment when Michael told Carlo that Barzini was dead. Carlos' eyes widened and shock ensued as he realized at that moment he had no future outside the very family he betrayed. He was trapped and fell victim to Michael's coercion to confess. Which he did thereby signing his own death sentence.
Please, don't make me go home to, Connie... she's butt ugly. Please, kill me, Michael! -Carlo
YEP BUT MICHAEL WAS SMART ENOUGH NOT TO SAY ANYTHING UNTIL CARLO CONFESSED LOVED THAT YOU DON'T THINK THAT WOULD FOOL A CORLEONE SWEET
@Sandra Stewart In fact Michael breaks the news to Carlos that all the families are dead and only later does he get Carlo to confess that he was the bait for Santino's death.
Yes he should have not confessed to anything.
@@ronniebishop2496He would hv been unalived anyway, as Michael already knew he was guilty; in the book version, they wiretapped Carlo's calls.
0:01 The entrance of Michael while he reveals being serious with half of his face darkened always give me the chills.
🥶
gordon willis is goated!
I hope that everyone who has never read "The Godfather" will read the book. Mario Puzo was a great storyteller, and the book was a HUGE bestseller.
It's also more insightful than the movie, so it really adds a lot.
But skip all that nonsense about Lucy Mancini and the doctor
@@kathleenrose4820Haa the vagina thing right?
The book is great. Lots and lots of background on Al Neri that we don't get in the movie. The actor who played him, Richard Bright, died from getting hit by a bus.
What I love about this scene is how Michael takes the drink away from Carlo after he admits to having a hand in Sonny's death. No more liquor, no more nothing for Carlo after that.
Just His Death!!!!
No more breathing either🤪
@@klasseact6663 No more goomah.
No more gabagool 🥩
Exactly, Michael has somewhat of mild compassion for Carlo ( which could have been an act ) because there may have been a shred of doubt in Michael and he did not want to kill an innocent man. But once the cat it out of the bag, Michael's attitude immediately changes.
In the book after they kill Sonny, Tom Hagen immediately calls Carlo and tells him Sonny was dead, and that not to worry, he wouldn't be blamed for Sonny's death. That was a message to Carlo, that him having a part in Sonny's death actually crossed their minds.
Was that in a deleted scene
Sonny. Not Sunny.
Sonny.
@@freedomisfromtruthno. In the book.
LOL "sunny". He was just a ray of sunshine eh?
I always rememberthe part where Michael reassures Carlo "You think I'd make my sister a widow?"And then tells Carlo that his punishment is to be cut off from the family. Carlo seems to genuinely believe him, as he gets into the front of the car... and never makes it off the driveway.
Right. Even hands him plane tickets that he'd never be able to use
Well he wasn't lying though. Carlo was "cutoff" from the family. Literally.
Wasn’t Clemenza really close to Sonny? I bet he asked to be the one who was allows for take Carlo out…
@@rajat_singla 🤣
@@qbconnect Were the tickets refundable, it would be a waste to buy tickets just for the ruse, photoshop wasnt around.
Michael used the same basic trick when getting a confession from Fredo. He made it sound like providing a little bit of information might fix the situation and assuage the other’s conscience, but was actually both eliciting a fatal confession while gaining valuable intel at the same time. Brilliant, really, if evil.
Fredo made the mistake of saying he was kept in the dark and new little. Michael asked him is there anything else and fredo say the senator is in their pocket. Fredo lied, he knew alot.
On the hundred rewatches of GF2 when they are both enjoying brotherly time alone in Havana with a drink you sorta hope Fredo would've told his brother how he felt betrayed because he was the oldest and was 'smaaaat' enough to do more for the family and was deeply hurt for being passed-over. Perhaps the guilt from hearing his confession could've prevented Michael from having him whacked after learning the truth on his own. Maybe it could've saved Fredo's life. Doubtful, but it was his only chance at that bonding moment.
@@wjatube What confession did his brother Fredo make? Yet another part of the movie, I totally missed.
Now I have to go back and watch it again. I didn't catch that little detail in the movie. So Fredo also betrayed his family?
@@thatguyjoe007It was in the Godfather Part 2
That scene, where Michael asks Carlo, “who approached you…Barzini or ?” - so beautifully filmed. Excellent lighting - you just see half of Michael’s face.
Sonny made a fatal mistake that his father warned him about later on about not letting people outside the family know what you're thinking when he beat up Carlo. He announced that if he ever touched his sister again he would kill him.
When an entire army is waiting at the toll station they obviously knew Sonny would be there and it had to have been prearranged and carefully organized. Sonny didn't go anywhere without bodyguards so the only way to get him alone is to play on his volatile temper.
That’s true !
But there was a risk that Sonny came to Carlo with many poeple and not alone. They were at war and many men are with Corleone family in house. They could have rush faster with Sonny then he would not have been alone. I mean there was no guaranty that Sonny would be alone.
Second thing abnormal, Sonny sister and her husband are part of Corleone clan. As the clan is at war, why they dont ask them to come in Corleone house during the war ? She is the sister of Sonny, it is not realistic that they let her outside dowton during a war .
One thing I don’t get is how Carlo had the balls to ever lay a finger on Connie in the first place, before the set up. I know there are traditions and customs they follow but that’s still some brass balls, beating on Don Corleone’s daughter
yes - a Dons daughter and Rockys wife...
@@nchcroy3877 😂
Gets the balls from Gianni Russo 🤣🤣🤣
When you read the novel, Puzo takes us into his mindset and Sicilian culture.
The male ego knows no bounds… “they wouldn’t dare” Jimmy Hoffa
In the book, they knew from day one due to tracing phone calls. They kept him alive to make the other families think they were stupid. But even in the end, Michael wants a confession. Tom, Rocco, and Clemenza thought this was a sign of weakness on Micheal's part due to all the evidence they had but went along with it.
Was coming to make this comment.
Ah, tracing calls within the compound makes more sense than what I was thinking. It's been about ten years since I read the novel, but another consideration I had was that in the film, Sandra had answered Connie's call before Sonny spoke with her and stormed out. So if nothing else, Sandra was aware that Connie's call triggered Sonny to take off shortly before he was murdered and could have mentioned that to Tom or someone else, which also could have made Carlo a likely suspect.
@@WileECoyoder the mother answered the phone not Sandra.
@@kukoodabagabonez9029 Ah, right you are, thanks.
Exactly and Puzo set up the scene beautifully. Hagen and the Don figured out the angle but knew to keep it close to the vest, I loved those passages in the book. Crazy how Sonny brought Carlo into the family.
As a Sicilian and growing up in a Sicilian family I can tell you I would bet he didn't know, he only suspected and bluffed him into confession. What you are truly seeing is a linguistic art form. BTW.. Carlo beat down is the most epic ever. poetry in motion.
The whole family was blaming Carlo as Connie mentions
The book clearly says they had proof that established his involvement.
@@fleetingimprov6171 Great, However we're talking about it in the context of the film not the book. as a viewer of this film unaware of the content of the book, the movie does not "clearly say" and in the film it is clearly left open and to speculation. Hence the reason for this video. Because the film never mentions.
What I'm saying is from experience.. Sicilans like to bluff information from people.. it's like a sport. For me it's a cultural projection onto the situation and makes it more interesting than "well the book said so." The movie leaves it open.. so.. I'm choosing the most interesting avenue because it's suave and creates tension. I personally like it, and I'm not interested in "technicalities" for this type of entertainment. It's not like it's a mechanical engineering project.
at the risk of lecturing.. I took steps to free myself of over thinking films due to having read the book.
the book stands for itself
the movie should be alllowed the same courtesy for the simple task of enjoyment and suspended disbelief and we know it's impossible to replicate the book into film no matter how well it's done.
Look, nobody questions paying off a toll guard and having multiple gunmen (more mouths ups the chance of one talking) pull off the causeway hit.. that's one of the most absurd mob hits on film.. but nobody goes "well that's just crazy" no.. we accept it because it's part of the story of "sending a message"
I choose to enjoy them separately and do them the favor of not demanding one be the other.
just look at Kubrick's the shining.
a complete and utter failure of an adaptation..
..but a truly brilliant film and a masterpiece.
you're not wrong..
it's about enjoying both.
@@cazbit639makes sense. Even if they had all sorts of clues, they didn’t know for sure who did what exactly. If you know 99% of the story, then just laying out the accusation with a promise of forgiveness will get that other 1% in the form of a confession…and half-hearted apology.
In the book Tom is sure that Carlo was involved but Michael still has some tiny doubt in his mind which is why he wants a confession first.
Pacino is the only actor I can think of that could have legitimately won THREE Academy Awards in a row with The Godfather, Serpico and The Godfather Part ll. He won for none of those.
Hoo haaa...
4. Dog day afternoon right after GFII. 1972 GF, ‘73 serpico, ‘74 GFII, and ‘75 Dog Day Afternoon. And he didn’t win at all. Travesty
@@DarinGentile That is the one I don't think he should have won for because Nicholoson won that year for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.
If anyone wonders why exactly Carlo had the balls to be abusive towards Connie, it's an established Italian tradition (at least in the books), that fathers have no right to interfere in their daughter's relationships. That tradition's practically the only thing preventing Carlo from being castrated in broad daylight, since it was also mentioned in the books explicitly that all of the Corleone children and Vito himself was really pissed off at Connie's mistreatment, but they simply can't do anything due to adhering to that unspoken rule. The fact that Connie was perpetually apologetic for him, sadly like most abuse victims do, means they can't exactly do anything without upsetting her as well.
I was always interested how in Part I when the wedding is wrapping up, Tom Hagen asks Vito, "Your new son-in-law. We give him something important?" Like they had never met before, and he didn't know Carlo's name. Vito asks at one point when does she leave with "the bridegroom". Carlo doesn't appear to have had much respect amongst the men in the Corleone family. Maybe it was a cultural thing, but I have wondered if there had been a little more respect or at least acknowledgment of Carlo he might not have fallen into Barzini's grip.
@@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont They didn't respect him, because he wasn't respectable. They never wanted her to marry him in the first place.
@@Genevieve1023 That I did not know. I never read the book. Thanks!
Exactly
Wow. I didn’t know that this was an old Italian custom that required family to never interfere with domestic abusive situations because of marriage technicalities. That sucks.
In the movie however, it’s clearly been changed as we see Sonny angrily getting involved by threatening to beat Carlo for his cruelty and even appearing to be internally regretful because he introduced his sister to him in the first place.
Honestly, Carlo is by far one of the most hatable characters of the movie. Glad Michael ended him.
I’m absolutely amazed to this day at the beautiful cinematography of this scene. The way the lighting hits Michael’s face, showing it in half light and half dark, hints at his duplicity. He is lying to Carlo to gain his confession and all the while the lighting of his face tells us everything we need to know about Michael’s true intentions with Carlo.
"No, get out of my sight"
I have seen a lot of movie remakes but I cannot imagine any director trying to remake Godfather I & II....The Good the Bad & the Ugly is another one.
Appreciated your take-Also how smart to ask him"who approached you" as if he's saying- that's who's really responsible and putting him somewhat at ease.
"half light and half dark, hints at his duplicity"? What's "his duplicity"? Would you mind explaining to me what you mean by that? While I do respect your opinion, I would think that every person is equipped with two sides. You make Mike's out to be something extraordinary (not faulting you for that, or anything). Don't you think we all have light & dark sides? I'll admit that it takes a certain type of person, to do what a Don does. But I certainly don't think it makes him extraordinarily special. While I'm certainly no expert on cinematography, I don't think there anything special about that, either. Just my opinion. You probably know a lot more about it than I do. I was just curious to run those ideas past you.
I thought his acting was brilliant. I'm really curious as to why they didn't want him to play the part of Mike. In addition to the part where Mike tells Carlo that the jig is up... I also thought his line, "Don't ever take sides against the family again. Ever." was REALLY powerful. I wish I could whip a look on someone like that.
@@Seemsayin Originally, Pacino wasn't that well known of an actor, so nobody wanted him there. At least, that's what I remember.
Without even watching the video, the answer is obvious: He knew Carlo would NEVER have the balls to beat their sister again after the first beating Sonny gave him, with a warning he would kill him if he ever hit her again. Carlo had to KNOW Sonny would be killed B4 he got there.
Yeah -- it's a cold sort of calculation, which is exactly why that's how it would have happened. Michael explicitly hints at it -- "that little farce you played with my sister". Beating Connie was real -- everybody knew it, especially Sonny.
Hearing the story (while being taught by his father, no less, who is probably the one who explained it all to him), Michael would have kept in mind that Carlo wasn't dumb. He'd have KNOWN Sonny would have immediately come to kill him -- which is surely what Carlo would have told Barzini.
Once Michael figured that out (quite probably because his father showed it all to him, yet didn't TELL him who did it, and how: teaching), he would have been certain Carlo did it. That "who approached you -- Tataglia, or Barzini?" was bogus.
Michael knew before he agreed to be godfather to the baby. Carlo's confession was to make sure everybody knew Michael was that good at the job.
@Rocky Sullivan
Excellent point
Carlo beat Connie so that Sonny would fly into a rage and come after him that was his whole plan.
I think Michael might be present that question (who approach Carlo) as a trade question, making Carlo think that if he answers and unveil to Miachel wheter if it was Barzini or Tataglia, it would spared his life
the point is that the viewer has more reason to suspect Carlo than Michael had. Because Michael was in Sicily
@@Therock007dmx And what happened to the rage? Carlo gets to go back to his life for years after beating Connie (again).
I love how you acknowledged the importance of the novel in coming to a logical conclusion that isn't possible without it. Not knowing or just assuming things based solely on the movies is nearsighted guess work at best. Having read exclusively then watching the movies afterwards is I think the only scenario to conclusions made in your UA-cam video and I salute you for that. I've had plenty of prior 'arguments' about the actions of Micheal based on assumptions and patchwork hypothesis and on the innuendo of mafia lore. If people want the true, from the mind of the master, then you've got to have read and then re-read the novel. Bravo sir!
Easily one of the finest films ever produced, standing up five decades after it was made. Absolutely perfect actors cast, adhering as closely to the book as possible, and deliciously intimate in relationships between characters. In the book, Michael is still unsure and almost lets Carlo off the hook, but Carlo's admission, his confession before the all powerful Michael and Tom, seems like the best way to get absolution. It's not. Another thing is the character of Tom Hagan, who is as close to Michael as anyone, even his wife, Fredo, and Connie. Tom's hands are as bloody as Michael's but with a hairline of distance.
I was beginning to think your in depth analysis was a heavy waste of time, but in retrospect, I've concluded the book and film merit constant revisiting.
A lot of people don’t know this but it was actually sunny who began the plot to take out all the heads of the opposing families. Michaels success came from amazing mentors and wise leaders
Very True
Facts!! I read that in the book and was surprised. Sonny in the book comes off way smarter than he does in the movie.
@@NilaktheProphet Yeah, I don't know why they chose to get an actor like James Caan and just use him as a "hothead." He could've done a lot more with Sonny's character.
@@ComedyBros5 should be noted that Sonny does indeed have bright spots in the film.
For example, he's canny enough to have his own informants, which means it is HE and not Tom who finds out where Michael's meeting with Sollozzo will take place for example. He also, despite it indeed being a hotheaded action, understands that the attempt on his father is a sign of growing brazenness that threatens his entire family potentially, and thus it cannot be answered passively, which was what Sollozzo figured Sonny to be, a weak willed and easily manipulated fool, he was wrong and rather than cave and negotiate he shot back... hard.
He also had a good nose for rats, as he was the one who discovered it was Paulie who betrayed the Family.
And yet, for all his rough traits, he was also probably one of the most "noble" Corleones, considering he was a genuinely loving father, husband and brother who always directed his violent impulses towards those who hurt or threatened his family and NEVER anybody else (not something Michael or even Don Vito can boast of). All in all, he's a surprisingly layered character
@@maxi1ification I see that now. Well said. Thank you.
He knew it was Carlo because Vito knew.
In the book when they're deciding Carlo's role in the family after the peace was made, Vito makes the comment "He's a good talker " with the slightest hint of contempt.
Vito knew who had betrayed them but needed his plan to be carried out before being rid of Carlo.
@jpssteveshanahan The three sons of Vito Corleone: Michael was all brains and no heart. Sonny was all heart and no brains. Fredo had neither heart nor brains.
@jpssteveshanahan well said
@jpssteveshanahan9572 Vito was Tom's adopted father, not stepfather. Everything else is 100% correct!
7:53 Yeah Vito didn't want Connie hating him for having Carlo killed. He knew Michael would do it after his death.
How did you do the time stamp at "7:53" can't see how to do it. The whole URL comes up when i try =)
Also, Vito had another reason: Vito was extremely traditional. In the novel, Vito was said to have been furious at Carlo's poor treatment of Connie, but as a deathly traditional Italian man, he (the Don himself, the most powerful man in the underworld) felt powerless. Once a woman has married a man, the woman's father is no longer responsible for her and is never to interfere with her husband's treatment of her. When Sonny beat Carlo, he knew he would face VITO'S wrath for interfering in her marriage.
While Carlo setting up Sonny made him "part of the game" now and Vito would have been justified in retaliating, even just the implications in him having a hand in his son-in-law's death was something Vito didn't want any part of, no matter how badly Carlo had it coming. Vito's traditional mindset caused more just than the biggest conflict in this story.
@@OptimumTaurus You are right. Even his wife was the same. Mama Corleone told Sonny not to interfere when Carlo told Connie to shut up while they were all eating at the dinner table, when Vito Corleone was still in the hospital.
So both parents were of that old mindset.
@@alexguild I think it's pressing the spacebar after you type it in that does it.
@@OptimumTaurus And the reason Connie hated Michael for having Carlo killed was a case of battered woman syndrome where she'd been so abused by Carlo she'd convinced himself it was her fault when it was Carlo's because he abused her purely to spite the Corleones after marrying the Don's daughter didn't instantly get him a high position in the family like he thought.
I never go to a movie theater and rarely watch movies on TV, so I’m no expert on movies. But . . The Godfather I and II movies have to be the best movies ever made. When a non-movie guy is so engrossed that I have to watch, watch again, and read every critique and analysis, and still has much to learn, that says something about how great it is.
What should have been included into this expose' was Michael's brilliant move in producing
those 1st class plane tickets back to Vegas. This was strategic, further helping to put Carlo's
mind at ease, while breaking down his defenses. This is part of what helped Michael confirm
that it was, indeed, Carlo who sold out Sonny to the Barzini people. Michael would have made
an incredible chess player in some other reality.
That was such a great scene when Michael enters the room. Nothing but darkness, the room is silent except the sound of Carlo dialing on the telephone and the camera pans to a pissed off looking Michael Corleone in a dark fedora and then pans to a very surprised Carlo who knows this is probably his last day on earth. Brilliant scene from Coppola....BRILLIANT!!!
In the book he was calling his mistress before Michael arrived. He made plans and everything with her for later that night.
Yeah. Carlo's ass was grass and The Corleone family was the lawnmower.
@@GABRIELA-ACEVEDO. I always thought he was about to call Barzini or one his henchman to tell him he’s ready to have Michael whacked. I always thought Carlo intended to kill Michael as well as Tessio
@@jondstewart I don't think so. Michael was his wife's Brother. He really just wanted to be an integral part of the family.
@@jondstewart he is not enough level for Barzini to contact. To settle Micheal, Barzini find Tessio.
The photography is amazing. As Michael confronts Carlo half of Michael’s face is obscured in shadow which makes the scene more creepy, and Michael seems more dangerous and menacing than ever.
Wow....never noticed that from having these on VHS and watching them a hundred times. Thanks for making an amazing sequence even better!
YES💯
Having's Michaels face half obscured in shadow is such great symbolism for showing his final transformation from good to evil.
@@nicky29031977 yes. Thank you. Very well said.
I noticed that the more evil Michael becomes, the darker his face looks
The godfather is a master piece. No matter how many times you watch this film there is always something new about this film.
In my opinion this was Marlon Brandos greatest performance. It was his definitive role.
Best picture ever made. Even the animals were on cue. This movie was so multilayered that you have to watch it about ten times to get the full impact.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Yep it’s true life … Sinatra punched Mario Puzo and my family’s restaurant in New York for writing about the Johnny Fontaine singer character who got a film with MGM . All scary true .
Frank was very naughty ! But we love him . The Oscar in 1953 was for the mob . He walked home alone to his apartment after the Oscar win . Long story invite me for a meal and I will tell you everything. Ciao Giacomo
I keep on watching old time great movies
Cause today’s movies are just total garbage
_Last Tango in Paris_ the butter scene was great lol
“Ahhh that farce you played with my sister. Did you think you could fool the Corleone?” One of the coldest lines in movie history!
AL PACINO is one of the TOP FIVE GREATEST ACTORS EVER! His work in THE GODFATHER I & II was impeccable!
but he did fool Sonny
This movie is magnificent. Imagine how long Michael waited for the moment to get back at carlo for his brother sunny. This movie really shows how much you have to keep your cool and composure in any situation. Not to act on your emotions That is key. not show weakness and show anyone what you are up to in order to succeed. Keep them guessing is important. Get them comfortable in order to conquer. This is an amazing movie full of ups downs.
Although in a movie it's also stated that Carlo wasn't murdered just bc of Sonny but security of his family.
@DC ok but that's the main reason carlo was murdered to avenge sunny 🙄
@@luckydiamonds5 That's debatable.
In a book Michael tells Carlo he has to be held responsible for Sonny. ...like in a movie
In a final chapter it was explained that he could not be forgiven bc " Man can be forgiven but they never forgive themselves.If he was kept alive Michael would be neglecting duty to Kay kids and entire family "...
And that was portrayed in a movie....
After Carlo was killed Michael is walking towards his office, that scene was explained by Coppola in a documentary The Godfather family: a look inside with words " Michael was certain what he did was right thing. Every murder, every robbery in his heart he felt it was the right thing. He did it for his family "
The 1970's will always be the greatest decade of film. The cast in this is just incredible and undeniable talent throughout.
and probably music too . If you think of just about every genre of movies, the 70's the best of them . Best sci-fi STAR WARS, Best martial arts movie... Enter the Dragon. Best horror? The Exorcist and Jaws . Best comedy, Blazing Saddles, Monty Python... Best love story, well Love Story.
@Joe Cue Damn ever the porn are amazing too, really Nice Scripts
Nick Lewandowski-and AL made Dog Day Afternoon too.i knew Jack Warden and in 1978 Jack was going to make And Justice for All with Al ⚖️.i told Jack my admiration for Al's acting and then I got a note from Al.Jack was a sweetheart.Great movies you are right!😉
Absolutely
The 2 most bad ass and terrifying lines from all the Godfather movies are delivered by Marlon Brando ,#1 the opening scene where Don Corleone tells the undertaker " if you had come to me in friendship than the scum who hurt your daughter would be suffering this very day " and he meant that s#!t .
The #2 line is from Don Corleone during the commission meeting saying " if anything happens to Michael then im going to blame some of the men in this room " and again he meant every word that he would start dropping mo fo's with a quickness .
Like all undertakers, Bonasera turned out to be the last guy to let the family down.
Start dropping mofos with a quickness lol. Love that
''...my other son who had to leave the country because of this Sollozzo business...I'm working to bring him back..but if anything should happen to him...if he should hang himself in his jail cell..or if he should be hit by a bolt of lightning..then I'm going to blame some of the people in this room, and that I do not forgive. But, that aside, I'm willing to let things go back to the way they were before."
I think this is a bit more accurate quote of your #2 line than you had, although I'm pretty sure it's not perfect either
"And Than they would Fear You"
*then the scum
The death of Carlo was very satisfying. He had it coming.
Love the scene where he belts Connie calling her a guinea brat . Remember the beatings I got when young
@@vivekrbs lol wtf
@@vivekrbs Like he wasn't Italian
I'd have volunteered to take that bastard out. Be an honor.
But then Connie ruined it...
Thanks!
The fact that she was in there going off about Carlo AFTER knowing he had her brother killed just boggled my mind
Micheal had instinct. He knew his wife was going to die just before it happened. He knew HE was the one who had to take out the bad cop.(Even though Sonny -- who rarely relied on instinct -- laughed because he had never been involved in the family business before). He knew something was wrong at the hospital when his dad was left without security. He just knew stuff instinctively.
Would that we all allowed our instincts to reign.
Nicely done, but you forgot one thing: Vito advised Michael to check all incoming and outgoing calls, which he did. When the scene begins, Carlo is making calls (or attempting to). Where he called, on the two dates Sonny rushed out to respond to his beatings of Connie, would have given him away.
Carlo is calling his cumaaa according to the book
I mean anyone could figure out Carlo did it. It didn’t take a genius. They just waited for Vito’s death. I do t know why Vito Corleone didn’t call in the hit himself.
@@faisalmemon285 he loved his children that much. He couldn’t hurt his daughter in such a way. That’s why Michael took all responsibility out of his hands. His father valued family over everything else which was his only weakness
@@icebergslimtv6377 Yeah, that’s what I mean. He loved his family. I mean his real family. Carlo was an outsider who pretty much isn’t really family. Vito says to Sonny himself “Never take sides against the family,” or something like that. Living and seeing Carlo everyday would be too much for him. And besides, the main thing is, this was the mafia. Not getting retribution for his son even if it affects other members of the family, is not mafia-like.
Yes but that advice came after Sonny’s death. When Sonny died Michael was in Sicily and Vito was in the hospital. This advice the Don gives his son takes place several years after Sonny’s assassination. That being said, they probably could’ve concluded it was Carlo just by the timing of Connie’s call and the assassination of Sonny, and the fact that they surely would’ve known by checking the incoming calls that the call that led to Sonny leaving the house came from Connie’s house. Vito’s advice to Micheal about checking the phones has to do with the knowledge that someone within Michael’s circle of trust will inevitably try to betray him by setting up a meeting between Michael and Barzini.
When Michael tells Carlo " don't tell me you are innocent because it insults my intelligence....it makes me very angry" That line is said with such calm menace it chills my blood. The moment Carlo said the word Barzini to Michael is when Clemenza had a job to perform....
>9⁹99 p⁵
One thing I never understood was why Connie took his death so hard. He admitted to having a hand in Sonny’s death and regularly beat the breaks off her
Battered wife syndrome.
In those days and especially in that culture, it was legal and acceptable for a man to beat his wife, and SA within marriage wasn't even a legal concept. The wives were expected to "behave," and take the abuse. Vito did nothing to put a stop to it because it was considered to be Carlo's right. Sonny, though, was no respecter of convention.
The culture and era (1940's-'50's) wife beating was not condemned by society. Also, Connie was young, sheltered (very naive and unworldly), she blamed herself for the fights, it was sadly normalized. But the movie does show to us viewers what a monster Carlo is. That scene where he beats her while she is pregnant is raw and horrid.
@@blu48thank goodness the 60s began to combat this
@@charlesfaure1189that sadly proved to be fatal. If he had stepped in Sonny would've survived. Sonny's love for Connie was ahead of it's time.
Michael 'WASN'T' absolutely sure Carlo was guilty. To find out he set him up with that comment about making his sister a widow, and insulting his intelligence, and making it seem he just wanted to know who approached him, which would be a confession of guilt. There was no value in finding out who approached him since they were all eliminated. Notice how he pulls the drink away as soon as the guilt is revealed by mentioning Barzini.
You left out that Vito insisted the house phone lines be monitored by their people at the phone company…they would have known any calls Carlo made and who they were to….remember he was trying to call someone when Michael came in….
I thought he was about to call one of Barzini’s henchmen to have Michael whacked, but the more I think about it, he had nothing to do with Tessio. Perhaps he had a plan himself to off Michael that was aside from Tessio or maybe he thought he was secure and part of the family and just calling one of his mistresses. But he actually trusted Michael and went to the mall to await further instruction not realizing it was a trap.
Actually the book tells exactly who he was calling. He was calling one of his girlfriends knowing his wife was on her way to Nevada. He had planned on meeting with Michael to find out why he was kept behind, then slip away for a rendezvous with his girlfriend. That obviously never happened.
There is a mistake in the timeline.
Santino died before apollonia
TRUTH!!
I noticed
That was one of the best one of these I've seen. Opened my eyes on a few fronts.
A very cool breakdown I could never figure out if Carlo was given marching orders to get close to Connie from the get or if after Carlo had lost position in the family if that's what set him off to help Sonny get waked. Very nicely done.
Being kept at arm's length in the business (at Vito's order) was a reason for resentment. After his marriage he was still stuck in a ratty apartment. The beatdown he took from Sonny--in public--was the last straw. Barzini heard about it and moved in. That was that.
Godfather 1 and 2 Great Movies, the transformation of Michael Corleone from War Hero to Don Corleone is excellent, I've seen these two movies so many times and l can't get enough.
Ok after watching all of these fantastic Godfather videos, going to dust of the dvd's and do a binge watch after the kids go to sleep. I Really need to see Michael to take care of all of the family business tonight. Thank you Culture Mafia. Outstanding work.
Michael - " ahh you think that little farce you pulled with my sister, you think that could fool a Corleone ?"
Carlo - " uh , yeah...it fooled Sonny "
But they finaly kill him
Badum-tss
And we all know it would have fooled Fredo
If Sonny had survived the ambush he would have figured out who lured him in to it. Sonny was a hothead whose temper sometimes clouded his good judgment, but he still has that good judgment and after calming down he would have figured it all out because he's a Corleone.
Michael would've had Neri or Rocco blow Carlo's head right off if he'd said that 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂
Just found your channel. Excellent work! I think it was obvious that Michael and Vito knew Carlo participated in the hit on Sonny. After all in the wedding scene, Vito is telling Tom to give Carlo a “living,” but never to discuss family business in front of him. And yet when Michael has taken over , he’s making Carlo his “right hand man.” It was only a matter of time that Carlo was finished
Your Channel is Electric!!! I enjoy it Being an avid reader of the Art of War and Book of the five rings your channel is a Fantastic companion. Please keep up the Fantastic Content.. ps. If you ever write a companion book to your channel I will be the first to Buy Dig it...
Love how the video was made. You can tell a lot of hard work went into it and it paid off with how the video came out. Informative and entertaining.
But fuck me, it bothers me how this can all be summed up with "Tom already suspected Carlo and told Michael when he got back, and basically everybody else knew aswell."
In the book, Tom and Al who are with Michael, are surprised he forces Carlo to admit who approached him. To them it was Michael being unsure of himself, worried that without that last piece of evidence, a confession, he could possibly still be innocent. To them it was already as certain as anything needed to be. To them it demonstrated Michael was not yet his father.
I always thought the same thing. It was as if he didn't really know but only suspected, but tricked Carlo into giving himself away with the questioning.
Nah. I always looked at it like the famous "smiting reliefs" with the pharaohs holding maces over their bent kneeling enemies' heads or Walter White's "Say my name." It isn't enough to just to make the logical move, you have to own them, and THEY have to know you own them. You make them do what they loathe, take all their dignity away before you snuff their candle out. Gangsta 101.
@@JamesRDavenport Nah?
My comment wasn’t an opinion, it came directly from Puzo’s words in the book. But, you’re entitled to your opinion no matter how far off base it is. Reading & comprehension 101
@@lehampton1 It's an opinion on interpretation man, not a personal attack. Relax.
He needed that confession so he have no remorse because of her sister. I know he’s supposed to be a mafia boss without conscience, but he had feelings towards his sister and therefore have conscience in this case linked to her….
Gianni Russo, who is not a professional actor and is sort of an all-around crazy guy, actually nails the climactic scene perfectly and deserves a lot of credit for it. That was a very difficult scene to get exactly right. Russo has always said he wasn't sure he could pull it off but that Brando spent hours coaching him through it in terms of facial expression, body language, eyes, etc. It shows for sure.
What was so difficult about it? Good actors are just good actors.
Gianni Russo has many many real life Mafia connections. He was a Vegas real estate and restaurant guy... the feds were always looking at his business as possible fronts.
ALSO he fucking shot some guy in the head and killed him in one of his restaurants.
I just watched the offer and man did they really portray gianni as an idiot , creep and really disliked by the other actors
He was put in the movie by the mobs request. Brando wasnt sold on the idea and told Copala he should rethink the casting. Copala said there snothing he could do. Russo took brando to the side and told him he better not f**k up this oppurtunity for him explaing in not so many words the mob as involved with his casting. From that point forward brando treated him like gold.
The whole movie begins with Carlos wedding. How tragic it ends in betrayal and Revenge
I think the people at Connie's wedding were there for her and Jonnie Fontane?
Love how deleted scenes are included in this narrative. If Sonny had listened to his parents, he would not have been such an easy target.
Whoever did this had an understanding of many subtleties of the plot and the whole motion picture as well. I'm rather amazed at how all of the assumed was put together in one helluva explanation. Terrific, indeed...
In the book, they suspected Carlo from day one. It took a long time to prove it. Once they had the proof they took action. Michael already knew it was Brazini. Carlo's answer would have made no difference. Micheal just wanted to see what Carlo would say.
Yep. Carlo was gonna die that day, one way or the other. The plan was set. But Michael wanted to hear it from Carlo.
Wasn't Sonny killed before Apolonia? She was in the car "Monday..Tuesday....Wednesday" when Michael was told about Sonny.
She definitely was alive when Micheal was informed in Sicily...Thats why they were moving on/leaving when she decided to drive/the car exploded...
@@DeeDerry Yeah this timeline was not right. Also there was no indication that Sonny was a good boss.
@@danielbrown7115 Yes, the timeline is off. Sonny couldn't have been killed three years after Vito was shot. Vito was at home recovering when he learned about it from Tom.
@@dirklerxstpratt2112 Yup. Bit of a downgrade for this channel. Sloppy :)
Yes
When sonny bit his fist I was like “awwww, someone is dead”
"Where is He...?"💀
Who's the narrator, Culture Media? Give the man credit
I think I'll bite my fist more. Maybe it'll make my employees fear me.
When Sonny, had that woman, up against the Bathroom door, I though, "awwwww, someone, gonna drop a Bambeano"!
As a side note the actor who played Carlo Rizzo despised James Cann after Cann told him to go say hello to Carmine Persico and his daughter at a restaurant. However Persico was actually on a date with a much younger mistress and after the daughter comment Persico and his goons were about to give the actor an ass kicking but Gambino underboss Tommy Bilotti stopped it from happening.
Gianni Russo talks more shit than Richard Kuklinski. If he told me it was daylight I'd still check.
Bilotti was nowhere close to being underboss at that time.
@@hankjones5652 I didn't mean he was the acting Underboss he didn't become Underboss untill Dellacroce died but most people only know Bilotti as Underboss of the Gambino Family.
@@eddiemcgrath8536 lol
What movie is that drive by shooting scene from with two guys firing the Tommy guns @4:07 because that's definitely not in the godfather films!!!!!
He beat up Connie knowing he would call hothead sonny.
As many times as I watched this movie I've always wondered how Micheal knew, but I love that scene Michael was so serious about protecting the "Family Business" and that's why The God Father has endured all these years! Thanks Culture Mafia👍🌟
There's very little in the movie that would lead you believe Michael knew. I've always believed Michael was bluffing, that he didn't know and that Carlo might have survived had he held firm. How Carlo could even imagine Michael would let him live after confessing is beyond me.
@@tonypalombinijr2946 he knew " You're insulting my intelligence ". Michael just connected the dots . Sonny would have never stormed out of the compound without the bodyguards . Why would Carlo beat up Connie again after the beating he took from Sonny ?
There's an error in the chronology: Appolonia was killed AFTER Sonny (remember, she was honking the horn as Michael was processing the news of his brother's demise). Also, it was Michael's insistence that Sonny be avenged and his desire to violate the truce, not Vito's (Michael: "What about Sicily? What about Sonny??"/You gave your word - I didn't give mine"). And a 'great tactician' NEVER leads with emotion and NEVER isolates himself from his protection. That is all.
Good video
'Cause FOOLS rush in, where an angel fears to tread . . .
The chronology is also wrong when it says Michael killed McLusky and Sollozzo in 1946. In part 2 one of the Senators at the Senate inquiry refers to the murders as being committed in 1947.
Thank you so much for your reference and comments. Really wonderful voice with storytelling methods.
I don't think Michael knew. He played it like he did. But he needed that confession to be sure. The rage in his eyes when Carlo said, "It was Barzinni," said it all to me.
In a movie called Ronin, the character played by Robert De Niro said: "When there is doubt, there is no doubt."
Mama mo ronin. Mama mo doubt.
@@FireTiger8866 stop. Just stop.
And what do you think he meant by that.
The name of the movie is Ronald.
“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”
He didn't know. He suspected that it was Carlo. If he knew, he would have killed Carlo without confronting him about it. Carlo had to admit it before Michael went through with the hit. If Carlo had refused to admit it he might have survived.
No he would've been killed because of the suspicion anyway. Michael just wanted peace of mind before he did it. Plus, nobody liked him anyway.
@@myguychris7739 Yup yup. He was dead anyway.
Vito had the phones in the compound tapped they already knew it was carlo.
Yeah, he put him at ease with the ticket and not making his sister a widow. He needed to know 100 percent. Carlo fell for it.
he killed him after becoming a godfather to his kid . That makes him the defacto father to the orphaned kid
I think the explanation of why Michael knew about the betrayal was probably more due to family gossip and word on the street. I can’t believe that it would take Tom to debrief him so that he learned the truth but I can see him picking up the story of the beatings through other family members, contacts on the street and probably his own mother.
I remember in the book that Sonny became more upset over the attacks on his sister because his father would not step in. One of Vitos faults was that he believed that a husband could beat his wife behind closed doors and no one should be involved to stop it. It didn’t matter if the woman being beaten was his own daughter.
That's messed up 💢
“You have to answer for Santino, Carlo.”
I really enjoy these episodes.. You do a great job! One thing that I don't care for as much is The Times when you have to read the information on the screen if I'm moving around and I'm listening I would like to at least be able to hear the words . If you could have you or someone else voiced it over that would be great. Just to thought!
Noted, appreciate Your feedback 💯
@@TheCultureMafia Wow! Thanks!
"I know Barzini got to you, Carlo...."
From the book?
Carlo playing a part in Sonny's death was not the hard part to figure out. The challenge was to find out who talked Carlo in helping kill Sonny. Another challenge for Michael was to get Carlo to confess his participation in Sonny's death.
“Go on, get out of my sight!” The whole scene is one of my favorites too. I just think he should have been killed the same way Sonny was killed. 💁🏽♀️
That wire is old school assassination for the Italian mob, ooh, and it's really quiet too. The ice pick at the base of the skull and a .22 cal pistol were also popular. Well, then there was the .38 cal. Saturday Night special, car bombings...ok, that's enough.
@@Pbadome1 Damn! You sound like you have some experience in this kind of work.
@@michaelvronsky2013
Lol. I'm Sicilian and I grew up in NY City. My grandfather came here on a boat in 1906, and my father and his brothers were part of the greatest generation, what we call "old school".
In the 60's and 70's these things were common knowledge, so you hear things, that's all.
Unfortunately, New York went to crap so anyone I speak to is leaving when they retire or even when they graduate college.
And they put his jacket on ,, gives him a pat on the back … in a Italian mob movie that’s how you know your about too die
@@mach183 "Hello Carlo"...last thing he heard.
Honestly I knew it was Carlo the moment Sonny was ambushed. It was way too convenient for them to be waiting for Sonny when he unexpectedly leaves the safety of the house and his guards. Carlo smacking Connie around was the one thing Sonny would never stand for and he would never send someone else to deal with. So it was the one thing Carlo knew would flush Sonny out and so told Barzini when he would do it.
Not gonna lie but this video was well made and well explained. Loved it!. You have yourself a new subscriber my guy🤙🏼
"Ahh, that little farce you played with my sister. You think that could fool a Corleone?"
I❤ That Scene!!!!
Carlo: "Well, Mike- you have to admit none of your siblings are very smart."
Clemenza: “And you cannoli imagine how smart you are!”
" it fooled the fk out of Sonny , so yeah"
It was the sound as he walked across the stones after Carlo’s killing for me. The Don.
What I love is how Michael asks if it was Tattaglia or Barzini when both were already dead. He just had to know
Ahahahahaha exactly
Yeah he was dead even if he lied and said it was Tattaglia.
@@1986LuisK I think Michael asked if it was Barzini or Tataglia because Michael was not 100% sure that Carlo betrayed Sonny.
Michael played Carlo into believing that his life would be spared if he just came clean.
I think Michael did this because he wanted to be 100% certain Carlo did betray the family be fore he had his sister's husband killed.
@@Russ_Hoops That's correct. Not sure what the other guys that commented were thinking. Seemed pretty obvious to me😕
It is good, si.
Not only is this channel so good, with amazing insight & thoughtful insight, it's the comments that I enjoy the most...the love, respect & admiration for the source material is heart warming
Thank You for being Part of it 💯
I really like your channel! despite not being fluent in english, but i'm studying the language and i can understand some parts, anyway... hugs from Brazil 😊
I like how you made everything in this video up and then presented it like you know what you're talking about.
Remember when Vito & Michael sat down together, Vito told Michael to have the phones tapped! Bingo!!!!
So, Carlo & Connie had moved out of their apartment and took a house on the Corleone mall?
Phones back then could have two ways to go...."pen register", records all numbers going out. A'' phone trap" records info on all calls coming in.
Great call. I love how mike took carlo's drink as soon as he confessed, & Tom gave Clemenza the signal😂😂
If I was Carlo I would have tried harder to worm my way out of it. "Hey Michael, I remember you at my wedding. You wore a beautiful military uniform with the medal for bravery."
Michael stares back at Carlo, cold as ice. Carlo realizes flattery will get him nowhere.
Just don't get in a car with Clemenza even if he offers you a cannoli😂
Thank god for this channel!!
I never saw Michael as having any doubts about Carlo's guilt, just that he wanted to hear Carol admit it. That was one of the major differences between Vito and Michael, Vito would not have bothered with a confession, he just would have taken care of business when it was time to take care of business.
IIRC, in the book, it is mentioned that the others in the room with Michael actually thought him kind of weak for wanting a confession when he should have just done what needed to be done.
The difference is that in this case, its the husband of his sister, so he wants to be sure he is doing the right thing, so he have no remorse
About the book - Not exactly. They were surprised by his question as everything was clear to them at that point. However, they did not treat it like a sign of weakness, rather like sth redundant.
@@muniekfistaszek6997 true, in the mob there is no such thing as reasonable doubt. Tom and the other knew that they were going to whack Carlos regardless, there is really no point trying to have him confess.
I always took it as Michael indulging in some psychological torture. First Carlo thinks he'd gotten away with it, then realizes he's caught and is going to die, and then, miraculously, given a lifeline, and just as he thinks he's survived, he's killed in a way that gives him time to realize he's being executed.
Vito saw weakness in Carlo that Sonny didn't, that is why he was religated to a minor role, "He makes a living". Sonny should have never introduced Carlo to Connie.
Probably suspected that Carlo was marrying his daughter for ulterior motives, but knew she was in love with him.
@@zachb.6606 yeah...but he introduced them at the dinner table...shown at the end of Godfather 2. They met through Sonny. A fatal mistake for Sonny.
"Give him a living. But never let him know of the family business"
I always wondered why Vito said that. Yeah. He must have felt he couldn't trust Carlo.
@@lc1662 Vito never truly approved of Carlo marrying Connie. He just didn't interfere with his daughter's life out of respect for tradition. That's why when he hears about Carlo laying hands on her he does nothing. In the book Connie asks Vito if he ever hit his wife and he responds with "She never gave me a reason to." The irony is if Vito would have had Carlo taken out when he found out that he was beating Connie Sonny would have never gotten set up like that. Vito showed great weakness by not having Carlo killed after he put his hands on Connie.
@@PokemonTrainerVince in that culture in that time beating your wife wasn't a hanging offense. It wasn't even an offense. It would be like killing someone for walking his dog
If Carlo was more like Enzo, the whole storyboard would have been different. All Carlo had to do is to be a little more patient and a better husband.
Because he was stupid and selfish. I doubt if he even loved Connie at all.
@@taptapuyo2714 Remember Sonny introduced Carlo to Connie on their dad's birthday. Remember that scene? That's the same scene Michael said he had joined the Marines to fight in WW2?
But how did Michael know it was Carlos?
Just watched it last night. I had the feeling that Michael wasn't 100% sure that Carlo was the traitor but played it out in front of Carlo like he knew and then he got the confession
He knew He just got confirmation
@@dc6461 yup, and that scene in the car after the 5 families meeting where Vito says, "Tattaglia is a pimp. He coulda never outfought Santino. (But i didnt know until this very day?) that it was Barzini all along" leads me to believe a foreshadowing of who approached Carlo. End of the day, though, the end game was the same for Michael. This was the cherry on top of the whipped cream on the Sundae for him.
@@clank4001
Yes, but remember..... who did Vito make peace deal with ?
@@dc6461 He did that to save Michael.
@@charlesfaure1189
He agreed to a piece deal, a truce to bring Michael home safely.
He didn't wanna break his word.
But Vito knew what had to be done so when Michael offered himself to safe the family he accepted it
Michael was told on the sidewalk outside the church where Connie and Carlo’s kid had just been baptized that it was Carlo. They may have suspected but it was only then that they were sure. It makes sense. After they take out Barzini, they probably incorporated a lot of his guys into their organization. In doing so, one of them told the Corleones that it was Carlo. That’s why Michael gives him the look of death on the sidewalk and then tells him that plans have changed and he needs to go back to the house. So even before Michael does the scene, he already is sure Carlo set Sonny up. He wants the confession also since it is his sister’s husband, and he doesn’t want to make her a widow without being totally sure. Remember Paulie who called in sick the day Vito got shot, they assumed he was part of it and killed him, without any real evidence he was part of it. With Carlo, they had to be 100% sure. Not sure how the scene on the sidewalk was not part of the explanation on here.
Fan since day1, love your page
A hit squad of a dozen killers just happened to be at the toll booth when Sonny just happened to drive up. They really didn't try to hide the fact that Sonny had been set up.
Barzini wanted to send the Don a strooong message. Spite work. Sonny not only was winning the war but crippled the rivals' businesses. But that temper....
Carlo had it coming. Sonny was his good friend, even setting him up with his sister.
The one scene with Carlo I like is at the wedding when Johnny Fontaine is singing to Connie. Carlo is standing with Mama Coreleone, his arm around her, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
In the novel, Connie assures Kay that her outburst about Michael's involvement with Carlo's death was just a widow's hysteria. She has even found a new lover soon after Carlo's death. That's how the Coreleone family rolls!
“You have to answer for Santino, Carlo” the best line of the hole movie,