So nice that you gave props to John Cazale's portrayal of Fredo. He only made 5 movies, 3 of them with Pacino (they were best friends) including Dog Day Afternoon which is a must-see if you've not seen it yet. They were both brilliant in it. Cazale was engaged to Meryl Streep when he died. Very sad. Enjoyed your reaction very much.
Dog Day Afternoon, damn good movie, holy moly, John Cazale is incredible in that. Pacino too. They did that the following year. Cazale is also in The Conversation, the other movie Coppola directed in 1974, and also a Best Picture nominee. (and featuring possibly Gene Hackman's best performance).
The actor for Fredo did nail the character quite well yes, I got the feeling that he was always not sure about what to do so he'd always make reckless decisions
It was implied that Fredo’s illness as a baby left him developmentally disabled. Remember how totally inept Fredo was when Don Vito was shot multiple times.
Another link between Part I and Part II (and eventually Part III too) is Don Tommasino. If you remember in Part I when Michael was hiding in Sicily he was being protected by Don Tommasino and his men, and Tommasino used walking sticks and a wheelchair. Here in Part II, when Vito returned to Sicily to assassinate Don Ciccio, the man who accompanied him and got blasted in the legs with a shotgun, was Tommasino. That's how he ended up using walking sticks and a wheelchair.
This is one of the best examples of how to do a prequel that explains something from the first film in a way that makes sense, and doesn't appear random, or just thrown in as an easter egg or throwback.
That Fredo is only character to show Michael unconditional love in supporting his decision to enlist, -so soon after the Hail Mary moment on the lake-; it breaks my heart! It breaks my heart.
Michael bell. The rest of them were concerned for Michael' s life. He went to war and killed to save his country which everyone gave him medals for, but no-one seems to honor him or even understand his desperation to protect his family against all enemies, and get out of 'the business'.
You seemed to love the scene with the nervous Landlord Signor Roberto meeting Vito. Coppola had secretly rigged the door so it wouldn't open - unknown to the actor - so he was genuinely struggling with it. He was played by a comedian Leopoldo Trieste and Coppola wanted him to have to improvise until the actor playing Abbandando - who was in on the trick - removed the small nail that allowed the door to open again.
Kaye was a rebound wife and the marriage of convenience for Michael. She was from an upper middle-class family and gave Michael a bit of clout outside the family.
The Senator didn't kill that girl. Tom had the family soldier kill her while the Senator was passed out. They framed him so he would need to turn to them for protection. The festival celebrated in Little Italy New York is the Feast of San Gennaro. Connie Corleone is the youngest child and only daughter of Vito and Carmela Corleone. Now you guys need to finish the Godfather trilogy with Godfather III (not as good as the first two, but still worth watching); then you should watch Goodfellas and then the Sopranos HBO series.
Don't get discouraged by opinions about the third installment. It's not a bad movie, in fact, it's a great movie, but it had a hard time living up to 1 and 2. 3 is essential to understanding the conclusion of the character of Michael and why he did what he did in the previous movies.
Did anyone recognize Danny Aiello in a small role? Also one of the senators at the subcommitte hearings is Roger Corman, the King of the B's who gave Francis Coppola his first job in 1963. Also, also, Hyman Roth was played by Lee Strasberg, an acting teacher who taught Pacino, DeNiro, James Caan, John Cazale and others.
You know it's a great movie when 3.5 hours go by and you awwwww at the fact that it's over. The implication of Fredo's situation was based on that flashback where he's a sick baby. It possibly had some effect on his mental capabilities later on.
Liked your reactions. This saga plays out like a Shakespearean play. A tale of two Godfathers and how they ran their families so differently. Don Vito Corleone was beloved by family and friends and feared by his enemies. Michael is cold and calculating and was feared by everyone including his family. He even knew when he asked his mom if it’s possible to lose your family and “times are changing.” Please finish the trilogy with GF3. It was criticized when released because it didn’t live up to expectations of the first two films. The bar was set too high. But on its own GF3 is a fine film. It’s gained acceptance over time. Plus, it closes out the Corleone saga.
Fun fact, the festival is for Italian-American Heritage month. Which is in October. There are many of these festivals held in different Italian communities around the US. 😊❤ 🇮🇹 🇺🇸
My favorite parts of this sequel are all the flashback scenes with Robert DeNiro as Young Vito. DeNiro won his first Oscar (Best Supporting Actor) for Godfather Part 2. But also that final flashback scene with the family gathering for Vito's birthday dinner is one of my favorites, too. That penultimate scene has a lot of layers in showing the inherent temperaments of all the characters in the room at much younger ages, plus foreshadowing their future personalities and qualities that would lead to their fates: Sonny's hotheadness, Tom's calmness, Fredo's innocence, Michael's defiance, Connie's submissiveness, Carlo's subservience, and Sal's diplomacy. But even knowing what's going to happen, there's something oddly satisfying about this scene seeing the family together in a happy moment before everything went sour.
28:00 in the novel Santino followed Vito and saw him kill Don Fanucci. He confronted him about being witness to the killing and that's how Sonny joined the family business.
“I knew it was you: remembering John cazale” is well worth the watch as are all the movies he’s been in. When Pacino says everything he knows about acting he learned from John you know you’d good
Roth slicing up the birthday cake is a metaphor for how hes slicing up his empire, after hes gone. Roth was going to take the 2 million and bump Michael off. The only one who fought back for the massacre Michael pulls off in Part 1 is Roth, on behalf of Moe Greene. He used the Fredo the weak link, to strike at Michael. Michael had the resentment of Fredo, Connie, even Tom at the beginning of the film, and that doomed him from the start. The fruits of resentment, led to the ending being inevitable. Worst of all, was the resentment of his wife towards him. Michael did not have the clean slate Vito had, and he had no chance to hold it together. Maybe thats what Vito really meant when he told Michael, "I never wanted this for you." Michael had to tread way more treacherous waters than Vito ever had. And the old man feared that Michael's cold hearted calculting nature, would lead to the destruction of the family.
"Fredo did well." LOL! If his wife is good, what's bad? The procession was part of the San Rocco festival. Frank Pentangeli's brother came in to shame his brother for trying to violate the omertà, the code of silence. According to omertà, you tell on no one, not even your worst enemy. You go to prison or even die before you tell on anyone. You saw the look that Michael gave Neri. You know what that means. People will tell you not to watch Part Three, but I say do it. It ties up the story of Michael.
When Fredo is shot and you hear the gunshot echo all over the lake, I always picture Michael saying to Al Neri when he returns to the estate: "Jesus Christ Al, what about using a damn silencer??"
A great actor that often is overlooked and didn't get enough credit for his work is Bruno Kirby (The young Peter Clemenza). He was in so many good movies, he died way to young at age 57, from complications related to leukemia.
You're right -- Fulgencio Batista. The scene with the flight from Cuba takes place December 31, 1959. Castro marched into Havana only a few hours afterward.
Morgana King, who played Mama Corleone, refused to get into the casket for the wake scene so the woman in the casket was Coppola's mother wearing a wig
@17:58 _It was Hyman Roth who tried to have me killed._ Michael *gauged the situation* with both Hyman Roth & Frank Pentangellii by telling each the other was behind the assassination attempt (implying revenge is on the schedule). Hyman *Roth's reaction was indifference* (he said "he's small potatoes) meaning *the assassination was no news to him,* while Frank Pentangelli's *reaction was emotional anger.* Michael concluded rightly thus that *it was not Pentangelli but Roth who tried to kill him.*
@18:52 _Michael Corleone says hello._ That's Hyman Roth muddying the waters after Michael told him (truthfully or not) that he suspects Frank. This way a wedge is driven between Michael & Frank.
@@zeezee9670 For me, that line creates a huge problem in the plot. If Roth ordered the hit on Frank to create a wedge between Frank and Michael, that only works if Frank survives the hit. If we believe that Roth intended Frank to survive, then we have to believe that the cop who interrupted it was in on it, which I don't believe for a second. I think it's a screwup in an otherwise masterpiece
@@clash5j You are definitely right in that a wedge between Frank & Michael working if Frank dies but that rests on the person Frank and not his (family (leutenants).. For Hyman Roth the issue has only one significance and that's to his leutenant Johnny Iola, who wishes Frank's men out of the way.
My absolute best friend and I had a series of conversations trying to explain Michael’s thinking in this story arc. Sadly, for me at least, is his not being here for me to share your succinct analysis.
@@clash5jI agree. They sort of left that part of the plot open to interpretation. If it was a fake botched hit and the cop was in on the performance, I would’ve liked it if the actors purposely did bad acting in that scene so that in first viewing we the audience would think it’s just the actors acting poorly but upon viewing would make sense knowing it was a staged botched hit.
35:22 - As mentioned, they was brothers, the idea behind it was to send a message to the brother in court, that they know where his family is and they would not be safe if he proceeds with being a witness in prosecuting Micheal ;)
@@pliny8308 Yes. Tom Hayden says in Italian to Pentangeli's brother "l'onore della famiglia sta a posto" meaning "The honor of the family remains intact"
Robert de niro and Marlon Brando were the first pair of actors to win a Oscar for the same part. Later heath ledger & Joaquin Phoenix would do it playing joker. Also the guy who played hyman roth was a famous acting teacher named Lee strausberg. Al Pacino & Marlon Brando were his students but he had many students who became famous. He's considered the father of Method acting
The various mobs did start out as a way to protect their people and help each other. There were Italian, Jewish, and Irish mobs, each with their own territory which was basically an ethnic enclave within the city. Then the US government decided to prohibit alcohol and these groups saw an opportunity to make tons of money and use it for more influence and the American Mob was born. They had much more power than similar groups in other countries.
The Godfather and Godfather Part Ii have been the only movies with a sequel to win Best Picture Oscar’s. No movie in over 50 years has been able to duplicate it.
Godfather 1 and Godfather 2 are my two favorite movies......their order changes depending on which i've watched most recently.......really enjoyed your reaction/discussion. keep up the good work! (((btw: Brando was supposed to be in the flashback scene at end of movie, but - as eccentric as he was - they couldn't agree on "compensation")))...........
In the scene where the landlord goes to see Don Corleone a nail was put in the door keeping him from opening it unbeknownst to the actor playing the landlord so his behavior trying to open the door was real.
It helps to know that the Godfather was designed by Puzo and Coppola as a masculine version of Shakespeare's "King Lear". Instead of daughters, Vito plans for the future of his family and kingdom with his sons. Part 2 develops the primary theme of emotional/moral blindness that is usually associated with King Lear. Part 3 uses the King Lear model to create a definitive ending and moral to the story. People who don't understand Shakespeare or King Lear usually misinterpret Part 2 and become very lost during Part 3. For example, the abortion scene in Part 2 is written to demonstrate the emotional and moral blindness of Michael. Many people misinterpret that scene, and all of Part 2, as an anthem for misogyny and toxic masculinity, or some idiotic playbook for gangsters.
Hope you complete the journey and watch Godfather 3...the recent director's cut...Code: the death of Michael Corleone Thanks for all the hard work...so enjoyable.
Yeah, 3's great.........if you want their eyes to start bleeding and their heads to explode when they have to listen to Sophia Coppola's annoying, whiny, raspy, voice for 3 hours. Not to mention all the times they will duck out of the way because they think her schnaz (that has its own zip code) is going to come out of the screen and attack them. No Tom. Andy Garcia's character just appears out of nowhere with no backstory. Michael's entire personality is changed. INCEST???? George Hamilton is god-awful as Michael's attorney. I could go on and on......
The final scene was originally written for Brando to appear but he was paid so little for the first movie he insisted the studio make up the difference and was refused.
I like how it shows us a parallel between Vito and Michael's rise to power with both the similarities and differences they had while getting there. I think the ending of this movie was sad in a way as it really conveyed just how alone Michael ended up after all the loss he endured. He could of taken it a bit easy on Fredo. Biggest different between Vito and Michael is that Vito started with nothing but ended up with everything whilst Michael started with everything but lost it all.
You know it's a good movie when we are disappointed that the movie ends...after 3.5 hours! Great reaction. Godfather III will give more answers but isn't as revered as the first two films.
It isn't revered because it's a piece of crap. (and what "answers"? lol. It was a completely unnceccesary, unasked for sequel. We kept hearing about "Godfather Part 3" all through the 80s....it was going to be done with Stallone, with Travolta, and everyone would say "why would they make a third Godfather?" ). Why anyone would even mention that piece of crap when for years, it was just a no-brainer: you progress to Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation, the movies De Niro made before and after (Mean Streets, Taxi Driver), or hit Apocalypse Now....etc etc. There are so many masterpieces that you could immediately plug in to Godfather Part 2 (and that's how people would do it....for decades, you'd get an instant education in 70s cinema, and have a great time doing it). Instead, mediocrities endorse a 3 hour piece of crap, and always with caveats: "it's not as good but....." "it's not on the same level as the first two, but....." lol. If you have to squint to make it look good, then guess what? IT SUCKS.
GF 3 is not a "piece of crap"...It's a decent movie that provides an end to the saga, but like 99.99% of all movies ever made, it's not as good as the first two. Personally for me, one bad casting decision made it a lot worse on the acting level, but it's still worth watching just to see what happened to Michael so many years later...
@@sexylexy178 As bad as that casting abomination was, there is that one scene which gives Pacino an opportunity for emotion that I thought made the movie worth watching. No, not the ending, or the overdone "they pull me back in" line, but the quiet one in the middle with just two men in the garden of the church.
@@sexylexy178 Which part 3? They have different endings.That's how lousy it is, Coppola actually had to CHANGE his original ending! :D (not that either are particularly good). The audience I saw it with LAUGHED at the ending. And groaned during the horrible 2nd-rate Hitchcock rip-off that takes up, like, 40 minutes of the ending. (very un-Godfather). What a piece crap THAT sequence is, huh? The formula, paint-by-numbers "action" sequence, lol. The mob hits are ridiculously stupid. Helicopters shooting into Manhattan skyscrapers, yeah, that's realistic. Mob hit by eyeglass frame. You fall for that, huh? lol. You fall for the horrible hair and 80s fashion that's supposed to take place in the 70s? lol. Too bad you've never understood what makes the first two Godfathers so good. One of the many things is that they are letter-perfect period pieces, one of the many things that the third piece of crap fails miserably at. Poor Lexy, you really should try watching good movies. Start with the silents and work your way forward (and don't eat your foreign veggies! Some of the best films ever aren't in English!).
Enjoy your reactions. I think the final scene with the family around the dinner table is there to contrast with the scene of Michael sitting alone in Nevada. Vito did everything for his family, nothing mattered more. Michael did everything for himself in the end.
I think the idea of switching back and forth between Michael and the young Vito Corleone, showing the difference of the conditions, the connections of the present and the past, etc. was what made the sequel at least equal to the first part, if not a little better. I mean, Michael's story was great written and portrayed, nevertheless The Godfather II could not have matched its predecessor without the part of the young Vito out of my sight.
Both Godfathers 1 and 2 are filled top to bottom with great, great casting and acting. Each and every part played to perfection. But most of all, I've always been amazed how well Robert DeNiro so masterfully portrayed the younger Vito. The mannerisms, scratchy voice, and even the "aura" Marlon Brando had imbedded into the character were all there. He made it so easy to believe that was indeed the young Vito. A difficult task were it not for truly brilliant acting (and casting).
The guy who got blasted before getting in the car when Vito killed the Don was the guy in the wheelchair who was protecting Michael in Sicily…and told him that Santino was dead.😎
Really hope you'll ignore all the comments saying to ignore part III.. please take the triology as it is and see the last part to get the full experience and closure.
The thing I love about these movies is that I always catch something I never caught before. The only time Fredo was the best and stood above his brothers was the fishing trip. At first, I thought maybe this was an act of compassion. Fredo gets to recreate the best moment of his life before he goes. Then as I thought about it a bit more, I thought that maybe this was Michael's symbolic "Fuck you" to Fredo. He dies being reminded that this was the only time that he was good at something in his whole life. His lifetime of failure is being rubbed in his face. It could be interpreted either way. I swear to God, I have seen this movie dozens of times since the 70s and that this is the first time, I caught this.
Assuming that Fred was shot in the back of his head, Fredo would have died too fast to realize that he was being insulted by Michael. I always see Fredo as representing most people. Most people don't know what their good at and struggle to keep up with the "talented" people. I don't see Fredo as mean spirited. I only see Fredo as socially insecure, like most people. The last images are of Michael buckling into the chair after Fredo is shot and his flashback of Fredo being the only one to support his decision of fighting in WWII. Those last images imply that Michael immediately regrets having Fredo killed.
Very nice review and observations. I enjoyed listening to your commentary at the end. There are some strange parallels and how Vito and Michael were so different but also faces different challenges due to the times. Very good discussion! All the best to you both.
The actor who portrayed Clemenza in the first movie was supposed to be in this film. However, according to Coppola, he came on set with demands that he and his wife have final say over all his dialogue. Coppola said, no way and the part was rewritten for the new character Pentangeli.
With all due respect to Richard Castellanos (who played Clemens, and who was great), Michael V. Gazzo turns in one of my favorite performances ever as Frankie, so I'm happy it worked out that way. But yeah, other than that, the whole part was written for Clemenza, instead of one of Clemens's men. Worked out a whole lot better than having to rewrite the horrible third one when Robert Duvall turned it down since Paramount wanted to play it cheap. But that's another story we hopefully won't have to revisit! lol.
@@toddbonny3708 It is true that Castellano's wife has always disputed Coppola's claim about Castellano wanting dialogue approval. I should have mentioned that. Thanks
I'm glad about it because the thought of Clemenza turning on Micheal even with him thinking he tried to kill him never sits well with me. I like the idea he was loyal to the very end & didn't have to kill himself
Great reaction, and I finally subscribe to your channel. I love this Part 2 more than its predecessor, even though I love it as well. They did a great job telling the story of the Rise of Vito Corleone becoming Don and the fall of Michael Corleone as both a prequel and sequel. Given the fact these are both Best Picture winners loads of film lovers will debate which is better and their both masterpieces.
if you watch part 3 (which is sorely under-rated and has a score on IMDB of 7.6) just make sure you watch the ORIGINAL version which is simply titled: The Godfather Part III. If you watch the other newer modified version titled: Coda "The Death Of Michael Coreleone" you will likely be scratching your head at the ending like so many others. This is because the "Coda" version has a different ending which RUINS the film. Other scenes are different in the "Coda" version as well. I could write a novel about how inferior the "Coda" version is. It's not the original version of the film that was released in theaters in 1990 and has been known to fans of the trilogy for over 30 years. The Godfather Part III. Accept no substitutes, or suffer needlessly through the inferior "Coda" version.
I always Liked the Murder of Don Fanucci, There's a way to do things and there's a way not to, and Vito knew which was which, There's a Cut scene that shows Fanucci being accosted by some other People, Kids Basically, Highlighting the way he just Picks and Chooses his Victims, showing that He's Touchable and how smart Vito actually is, Not book smart, but he knew People, He was Quiet and he listened. For me It was Analogous of how Rome Feared the Vandals, for a Time Don Fanucci was Rome, Then it Became Vito. and it gives credence to how Frankie said "we were like the roman empire",.. Goddfather 1- "Carthage must be Destroyed", 2- the sacking of Rome, 3 is the assassination of Casear.
If Appolonia had lived things would have turned out differently, Kaye never really cared for the family. Notice Fredo is the only one who is happy for Michael that he joined the Marines.
From what I remember from the book, Vito preferred Kay because he was convinced that she did not want their family in the mafia, which is ultimately what Vito wanted and revealed to Michael at the end of Part 1. Vito didn't want Michael to marry a "mafia wife" who would encourage him to stay in the mafia.
This is my favorite Movie! I'm not sure if the cash could have been any better. Watching it with you Made me remember how much I love it Thanks guys great reaction. Please review The Talented Mister Ripley You're very different movie but very good
Remember when Fredo had pneumonia when he was a baby? I took it that left him a little mentally damaged. Everybody in the family, and all of us know he wasn't capable of running the family. As far as Kay is concerned, she decided she was god and could determine who lived, and who died, according to her judgement of their worth. Michael was kind of forced to live a life he didn't want, or agree with, just for the desperation of trying to save all his loved ones, and they all resented him for it. He tried to get away from the life, but was never able to. Somebody was always trying to kill him, or someone in his family. He was just trying to keep everybody alive, and get away into legitimate business.
You are reacting in the beginning to the last 10 minutes of The Godfather Part I. That ending of the movie is close, but not exactly that way in the book. Michael and Tom Hagen hold a meeting in Las Vegas with his brother Fredo, Luci and her fiance ( the doctor not in the movie) , Johnny Fontain and Nico ( again a good friend of Johnny and also godson to the Don, but not in the movie) and Moe Green. There, Michael makes Moe Green an "offer he can not refuse" , which Moe Green turns down. Also, find Fedo is take two girls to bad at a time and had let Moe Green slap him around in public) Two days after there return to New York, Moe Green is shot dead by Albert Neri ((Michael's Luca Brazi) All the killings of the heads of the 5 families and Carlos happen after the baptism of Carlos and Connie's baby's baptism. Kay leaves Mike, but not because of the killings, but because Mike Lied to him. Tom Hagen goes to New England and explain why they all have to be killed, including Carlos...and Kay returns to Michael...as the Family moves to Las Vegas...READ THE BOOK, IT IS REALLY BETTER THAN THE MOVIES!!!!
I definitely recommend part 3, but only if you watch Coppola’s director’s cut, called “Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone.” It’s far better than the theatrical cut. It’s not on the level of the first 2 films, but on its own it’s a good solid drama, and details the later years of the family and how some may have changed. Connie’s journey is particularly notable. It also adds Eli Wallach and Andy Garcia to the already impressive cast. Alas, it also features Sofia Coppola, who was smart to switch to directing from acting after the reviews of her performance. But even with her, it’s a worthwhile film. Just don’t expect the same level of classic as 1 and 2.
It's a piece of crap. Don't listen to people who tell you to watch Godfather Part 3 and DON'T tell you to watch "Dog Day Afternoon", "The Conversation", "Mean Streets" (or "Taxi Driver", which you already saw), "Apocalypse Now", "Goodfellas" (which you already saw) or even "The Freshman", "Donnie Branco" or "Scarface". The Godfather Part 3 is an embarrassing piece of crap for people who are too stupid to see what was great about the first two. EVERY TIME a person recommends that piece of crap to you reactors, they. have to give a caveat "it's not as good". Which means it's a FAILURE. The audience I saw it with LAUGHED at it. Think about that. You can watch absolute masterpieces like the ones I just cited.,....or you can wallow in mediocrity and waste your time watching a forgettable, non-essential piece of garbage. There are ten thousand things hilariously wrong about the embarrassment that is the ridiculous third Godfather.......they all go flying over John Moreland's head here. PS: Eli Wallach sucks in it, is totally wasted. Connie as Godmother is an embarrassment substitute for Paramount not coughing up the money to bring Robert Duvall back as Tom Hagen. The whole third one originally revolved around Tom Hagen. Unbelievable people on the internet (and the internet only) recommend that idiocy that is the third one.
All of the other movies you mention are better films, but outside of one unfortunate casting decision, it's not that bad. It's worth watching for the end of the saga, but like almost every other movie ever made, it's not in the same class as the first two.@@TTM9691
@@sexylexy178 Yeah, it's great.........if you want their eyes to start bleeding and their heads to explode when they have to listen to Sophia Coppola's annoying, whiny, raspy, voice for 3 hours. Not to mention all the times they will duck out of the way because they think her schnaz (that has its own zip code) is going to come out of the screen and attack them. No Tom. Andy Garcia's character just appears out of nowhere with no backstory. Michael's entire personality is changed. INCEST???? George Hamilton is god-awful as Michael's attorney. I could go on and on......
Have you decided whether to do the third Godfather movie? It's variously known as "Godfather 3," or "Godfather: Coda," or "The Death of Michael Corleone"? Many folks ignore it, but there's some fine plot lines that add even more density to the trilogy. It is a convoluted story, pulls The Vatican into the Mafia orbit, and includes Sonny's "illegitimate" son in the Corleone Family business. I enjoy watching it, tho I do agree with the naysayers that it's definitely not up to the cinematic standards as the first two. I'd recommend it to knowledgeable cinephiles such as yourselves, but you have the remote control in your hands! Hope you like it!
i can't remember exactly, maybe in the late 70s, a film was released a version that put parts 1 and 2 in chronological order. it was called "the gofather epic." and it added a lot of scenes that were cut from the original movies. at the end michael kills himself. which was completely negated when they released part 3 in the early 90s. part 3 isn't half bad but its kinda convoluted and forced and no where as good as the first trwo.
When when Kay said 'bring another one of your sons into this world'... I think what she meant by this world was into the Mob world, the mafia world. I don't think she meant into this 'world' in the general sense...?
Again, READ THE BOOK, AS IT IS ALL IN TGERE WHY VIDO had to Flee to America and he took the name Corrini ( not given to him) How he eventually becomes Don and Greco becomes his Capabiliti with Clamenzo and Tesso his Generals and why Sunny had to enter the "Family Business " and how he made his"bones"....
The character of Frank ‘5 Angels’ Pentangeli was created to replace Fat Clemenza. After the success of the first movie, the actor wanted more money and full control of his dialog. Makes me sad because this story would have been cooler if it involved one of Vito’s original partners.😎
if you watch the Godfather Saga you'll see Vito take out the rest of the guys who hunted him and the guy who killed Mike's wife gets blown up in Buffalo
Moe Greene was based on Bugsy Siegel who did actually get shot in the eye but not on a massage table he was in his girlfriend's home in LA when he got whacked Roth is based on Meyer Lansky who lived a long life and died at the age 80 in Miami in 1983
I always found it odd that Vito didn't understand why Don Fenucci extorted other Italians, when he came from Italy and escaped a Don there. Or, that he could have been in N.Y his entire life basically, and not understand until that moment.
Vito did not understand the lack of morality. Vito lives by a higher moral code than any of the gangsters he was competing with. That's why they didn't understand him. He was unpredictable to them and that's why they were scared of him. It's similar to a smart kid not understanding stupid kids who don't want to do their homework.
Ironically, a lot of people did not know how the mafia worked until the Godfather movies were released. The mafia was still a very secret society until the release of the Godfather book and the movies. A big part of the controversy was that the mafia threatened the publishers and Paramount with violence for the release of the book and movies because they did not want any of their secrets revealed. According to FBI interviews, the only reason that the mafia did not follow through with their threats was because they liked the way that Vito was portrayed. FBI agents admitted that their wiretaps revealed several members of the mafia suddenly tried to present themselves as having the same high moral standards as Vito after the book and films were released.
I'm glad you both saw each character for what they were. I will admit, I never felt sorry for Fredo. Stupid and jealously got him where he was in the end. And I definitely did not feel sorry for Kay. What she did and how she went about it was wrong. It's a shame everyone tried to kill and out smart one another. It was kill or be killed mentality. Nothing personal, it's just business". But what they didn't understand is, you can't do business if you kill all of the competition. Great reaction! Happy September! Take care..xx
I really hope you'll watch Part III. you should finish the trilogy and make up your own mind on which film is best. Part 3 is not as good as the first 2, but it wraps things up in a very poetic tight bow... I hope you watch the original release also and not "Coda". Its not that the Coda version is bad, but the original ending of the film was changed and i think it would be best if you experienced the film as it was originally made to be seen. Put it this way, if they remake "Return of the Jedi" and change the ending to be more *Metaphorical/spiritual* doesnt change the fact that the original ending is iconic. That's pretty much "Coda". Its the alternate "spiritual" ending. Its up to you, but original is usually the better way to go in my opinion
I hope you do react to The Godfather Part III. Its not better than the first two but i feel like it ends in the most poetic way. Please watch the original version. The "Coda" version is fine but the ending was altered. I think most fans agree the original ending of part III is the better ending 🙏
Part 3 is more popular these days because Coppola has been gradually revealing over the last 30 years that Part 3 was designed to compare the Corleones to the Coppolas as an answer to the racist stereotypes of Italian Americans needing to be in the mafia to find success in The United States. Coppola shows in Part 3 how the Coppolas became the family that Vito always wanted. Part 3 has the best ending of all three movies and is also the most personal judgement by Coppola on Michael Corleone. Coppola's use of metaphor in Part 3 also makes the third film the most well written of the three because only a few people seemed to understand it when it was first released. Since Coppola has been revealing these secrets about Part 3 over the last 30 years, it has become a game to understand those metaphors that people didn't understand when it was first released. When it was released, a lot of people laughed at those metaphors in Part 3 because they didn't understand that they were being used to compare the Corleones to the Coppolas. When I explained those metaphors to people who laughed, they always stop laughing and eventually realize how clever Part 3 is. You should film and post your reaction to Part 3 right away to see if you can understand those metaphors that a lot of people didn't understand.
3 is a hot mess. It was slapped together just to try and make $$$ off of the name. Terribly written. No Tom. Incest??? Andy Garcia's character just appears out of thin air with no backstory. Michael's entire personality was changed and Pacino overacts the part (as usual the older he got.) In the first 2 movies, Pacino was tolerable because he wasn't a major star yet and his acting was much better because of it. And Metaphors my ass, Coppola just said that because it was complete and utter garbage and he's trying to save face because even he knows it's trash. Sophia Coppola is the worst actress in the history of film. You could train a chimp to do better than her. A chimp would even be more attractive than her with that giant schnaz and whiney, raspy, voice.
You have no idea what you're talking about, and the third is a piece of crap, the ending is TERRIBLE, the audience I saw LAUGHED at the ending, and then he RECUT the ending so NO, the ending SUCKS in the third one. And the third act of the third one is even WORSE. Where it turns into a second-rate Hitchcock movie? And the hilarious lame 90s acting of Al Pacino? Even Pacino throws that piece of crap under the bus! Stop wasting reactors time with such mediocrity when they could be watching actual masterpieces that were always the logical step AFTER watching Godfather Part 2: Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation, Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, Goodfellas or even The Freshman, Donnie Bravo or Scarface are all INFINITELY better movies and, for various reasons, what any person with a brain graduates to after watching the second one. Obviously what's great about the first two goes SAILING OVER YOUR HEAD.
No. People may have softened their views over time. Over the casting, particularly Sofia Coppola, the long 16 year gap between 2 and 3, and maybe most importantly, the unfavorable comparison to Goodfellas which had kind of stolen the mobster thunder a few months earlier. They may admit it's not terrible, but nobody is reasonably going to say it's at the level of 1 and 2. Metaphors or no metaphors.
@@Hexon66 Part 3 reminds of my first calculus class. Those of us who understood calculus could appreciate it and went on to enjoy very rewarding careers in engineering. Those who obviously didn't understand it would try to disrupt the class and accuse the rest of us for being stupid because we understood something that they didn't. They would go on in their rants to try to convince us that engineering wasn't a real profession until they finally flunked out and were required to leave the class. Those who didn't understand probably went on to get jobs as corporate movie executives, because those jobs don't require calculus or artistic skill. Cinematic analysis is not that complicated. It's definitely not as complicated as engineering. But, people who don't understand cinematic analysis are always in denial about how much those who do understand will genuinely enjoy what they have learned.
So nice that you gave props to John Cazale's portrayal of Fredo. He only made 5 movies, 3 of them with Pacino (they were best friends) including Dog Day Afternoon which is a must-see if you've not seen it yet. They were both brilliant in it. Cazale was engaged to Meryl Streep when he died. Very sad.
Enjoyed your reaction very much.
Dog Day Afternoon, damn good movie, holy moly, John Cazale is incredible in that. Pacino too. They did that the following year. Cazale is also in The Conversation, the other movie Coppola directed in 1974, and also a Best Picture nominee. (and featuring possibly Gene Hackman's best performance).
And all 5 of John Cazales films in his career were nominated for Best Picture Oscars.
Dog Day Afternoon is one of the truly great films of the 70's. Pacino and Cazale are electrifying, but the entire cast is great. Phenomenal film.
and long lost love of Meryl Streep
The actor for Fredo did nail the character quite well yes, I got the feeling that he was always not sure about what to do so he'd always make reckless decisions
Winner of 6 Oscars including Best Picture!
Should have been 7 oscars , al pacino was robbed that year.😔💔
It was implied that Fredo’s illness as a baby left him developmentally disabled. Remember how totally inept Fredo was when Don Vito was shot multiple times.
Another link between Part I and Part II (and eventually Part III too) is Don Tommasino. If you remember in Part I when Michael was hiding in Sicily he was being protected by Don Tommasino and his men, and Tommasino used walking sticks and a wheelchair. Here in Part II, when Vito returned to Sicily to assassinate Don Ciccio, the man who accompanied him and got blasted in the legs with a shotgun, was Tommasino. That's how he ended up using walking sticks and a wheelchair.
I never caught that in all these years, thanks, Curraghmore!!!!
Ah thanks! 😊
Yeah it tells us exactly how he ended up like that
This is one of the best examples of how to do a prequel that explains something from the first film in a way that makes sense, and doesn't appear random, or just thrown in as an easter egg or throwback.
@@NelsonStJames bingo
That Fredo is only character to show Michael unconditional love in supporting his decision to enlist, -so soon after the Hail Mary moment on the lake-; it breaks my heart! It breaks my heart.
That’s one of the best acted scenes to be able to provide so much emotional and physical context to what you’ve just seen is incredible
Michael bell. The rest of them were concerned for Michael' s life. He went to war and killed to save his country which everyone gave him medals for, but no-one seems to honor him or even understand his desperation to protect his family against all enemies, and get out of 'the business'.
You seemed to love the scene with the nervous Landlord Signor Roberto meeting Vito. Coppola had secretly rigged the door so it wouldn't open - unknown to the actor - so he was genuinely struggling with it. He was played by a comedian Leopoldo Trieste and Coppola wanted him to have to improvise until the actor playing Abbandando - who was in on the trick - removed the small nail that allowed the door to open again.
"Merle" is played by early 60s heartthrob Troy Donohue whose real name was Merle Johnson. He and Coppola went to military school together as kids
Kaye was a rebound wife and the marriage of convenience for Michael. She was from an upper middle-class family and gave Michael a bit of clout outside the family.
Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro spoke no Italian before being cast. They learned it and DeNiro went to Corleone to learn the exact dialect.
The Senator didn't kill that girl. Tom had the family soldier kill her while the Senator was passed out. They framed him so he would need to turn to them for protection.
The festival celebrated in Little Italy New York is the Feast of San Gennaro.
Connie Corleone is the youngest child and only daughter of Vito and Carmela Corleone.
Now you guys need to finish the Godfather trilogy with Godfather III (not as good as the first two, but still worth watching); then you should watch Goodfellas and then the Sopranos HBO series.
John Cazale (Fredo) was manically magnetic in 'Dog Day Afternoon' with Pacino, but he really hit his stride in 'The Deer Hunter' with DeNiro.
I think "Dog Day" is his best performance, jeez, what a movie. Pacino too, that's one of his best, and definitely one of his most iconic.
Don't get discouraged by opinions about the third installment. It's not a bad movie, in fact, it's a great movie, but it had a hard time living up to 1 and 2.
3 is essential to understanding the conclusion of the character of Michael and why he did what he did in the previous movies.
Did anyone recognize Danny Aiello in a small role? Also one of the senators at the subcommitte hearings is Roger Corman, the King of the B's who gave Francis Coppola his first job in 1963. Also, also, Hyman Roth was played by Lee Strasberg, an acting teacher who taught Pacino, DeNiro, James Caan, John Cazale and others.
You know it's a great movie when 3.5 hours go by and you awwwww at the fact that it's over. The implication of Fredo's situation was based on that flashback where he's a sick baby. It possibly had some effect on his mental capabilities later on.
Liked your reactions. This saga plays out like a Shakespearean play. A tale of two Godfathers and how they ran their families so differently. Don Vito Corleone was beloved by family and friends and feared by his enemies. Michael is cold and calculating and was feared by everyone including his family. He even knew when he asked his mom if it’s possible to lose your family and “times are changing.”
Please finish the trilogy with GF3. It was criticized when released because it didn’t live up to expectations of the first two films. The bar was set too high. But on its own GF3 is a fine film. It’s gained acceptance over time. Plus, it closes out the Corleone saga.
yes, this. see part III.
Fun fact, the festival is for Italian-American Heritage month. Which is in October. There are many of these festivals held in different Italian communities around the US. 😊❤ 🇮🇹 🇺🇸
My favorite parts of this sequel are all the flashback scenes with Robert DeNiro as Young Vito. DeNiro won his first Oscar (Best Supporting Actor) for Godfather Part 2. But also that final flashback scene with the family gathering for Vito's birthday dinner is one of my favorites, too. That penultimate scene has a lot of layers in showing the inherent temperaments of all the characters in the room at much younger ages, plus foreshadowing their future personalities and qualities that would lead to their fates: Sonny's hotheadness, Tom's calmness, Fredo's innocence, Michael's defiance, Connie's submissiveness, Carlo's subservience, and Sal's diplomacy. But even knowing what's going to happen, there's something oddly satisfying about this scene seeing the family together in a happy moment before everything went sour.
This movie was both a sequel and prequel all at once
28:00 in the novel Santino followed Vito and saw him kill Don Fanucci. He confronted him about being witness to the killing and that's how Sonny joined the family business.
“I knew it was you: remembering John cazale” is well worth the watch as are all the movies he’s been in. When Pacino says everything he knows about acting he learned from John you know you’d good
Roth slicing up the birthday cake is a metaphor for how hes slicing up his empire, after hes gone.
Roth was going to take the 2 million and bump Michael off.
The only one who fought back for the massacre Michael pulls off in Part 1 is Roth, on behalf of Moe Greene.
He used the Fredo the weak link, to strike at Michael.
Michael had the resentment of Fredo, Connie, even Tom at the beginning of the film, and that doomed him from the start.
The fruits of resentment, led to the ending being inevitable.
Worst of all, was the resentment of his wife towards him.
Michael did not have the clean slate Vito had, and he had no chance to hold it together.
Maybe thats what Vito really meant when he told Michael,
"I never wanted this for you."
Michael had to tread way more treacherous waters than Vito ever had.
And the old man feared that Michael's cold hearted calculting nature, would lead to the destruction of the family.
Moe Greenes real life counterpart was the gangster Bugsy Siegel who was also shot in the eye
He was portrayed by Alex Rocco, a fine actor. Watch him in a comedy. He's really funny.
"Fredo did well." LOL! If his wife is good, what's bad?
The procession was part of the San Rocco festival. Frank Pentangeli's brother came in to shame his brother for trying to violate the omertà, the code of silence. According to omertà, you tell on no one, not even your worst enemy. You go to prison or even die before you tell on anyone.
You saw the look that Michael gave Neri. You know what that means.
People will tell you not to watch Part Three, but I say do it. It ties up the story of Michael.
vito, clemenza and tessio as youngsters...epic
When Fredo is shot and you hear the gunshot echo all over the lake, I always picture Michael saying to Al Neri when he returns to the estate: "Jesus Christ Al, what about using a damn silencer??"
A great actor that often is overlooked and didn't get enough credit for his work is Bruno Kirby (The young Peter Clemenza). He was in so many good movies, he died way to young at age 57, from complications related to leukemia.
You're right -- Fulgencio Batista. The scene with the flight from Cuba takes place December 31, 1959. Castro marched into Havana only a few hours afterward.
Yes! So the original Cubans that fled to Florida were the Corrupt Elite Fascists! ....
Morgana King, who played Mama Corleone, refused to get into the casket for the wake scene so the woman in the casket was Coppola's mother wearing a wig
@17:58 _It was Hyman Roth who tried to have me killed._
Michael *gauged the situation* with both Hyman Roth & Frank Pentangellii by telling each the other was behind the assassination attempt (implying revenge is on the schedule). Hyman *Roth's reaction was indifference* (he said "he's small potatoes) meaning *the assassination was no news to him,* while Frank Pentangelli's *reaction was emotional anger.* Michael concluded rightly thus that *it was not Pentangelli but Roth who tried to kill him.*
@18:52 _Michael Corleone says hello._
That's Hyman Roth muddying the waters after Michael told him (truthfully or not) that he suspects Frank. This way a wedge is driven between Michael & Frank.
@@zeezee9670 For me, that line creates a huge problem in the plot. If Roth ordered the hit on Frank to create a wedge between Frank and Michael, that only works if Frank survives the hit. If we believe that Roth intended Frank to survive, then we have to believe that the cop who interrupted it was in on it, which I don't believe for a second. I think it's a screwup in an otherwise masterpiece
@@clash5j You are definitely right in that a wedge between Frank & Michael working if Frank dies but that rests on the person Frank and not his (family (leutenants).. For Hyman Roth the issue has only one significance and that's to his leutenant Johnny Iola, who wishes Frank's men out of the way.
My absolute best friend and I had a series of conversations trying to explain Michael’s thinking in this story arc. Sadly, for me at least, is his not being here for me to share your succinct analysis.
@@clash5jI agree. They sort of left that part of the plot open to interpretation. If it was a fake botched hit and the cop was in on the performance, I would’ve liked it if the actors purposely did bad acting in that scene so that in first viewing we the audience would think it’s just the actors acting poorly but upon viewing would make sense knowing it was a staged botched hit.
35:22 - As mentioned, they was brothers, the idea behind it was to send a message to the brother in court, that they know where his family is and they would not be safe if he proceeds with being a witness in prosecuting Micheal ;)
@@pliny8308 Yes. Tom Hayden says in Italian to Pentangeli's brother "l'onore della famiglia sta a posto" meaning "The honor of the family remains intact"
Robert de niro and Marlon Brando were the first pair of actors to win a Oscar for the same part. Later heath ledger & Joaquin Phoenix would do it playing joker. Also the guy who played hyman roth was a famous acting teacher named Lee strausberg. Al Pacino & Marlon Brando were his students but he had many students who became famous. He's considered the father of Method acting
The various mobs did start out as a way to protect their people and help each other. There were Italian, Jewish, and Irish mobs, each with their own territory which was basically an ethnic enclave within the city. Then the US government decided to prohibit alcohol and these groups saw an opportunity to make tons of money and use it for more influence and the American Mob was born. They had much more power than similar groups in other countries.
The Godfather and Godfather Part Ii have been the only movies with a sequel to win Best Picture Oscar’s. No movie in over 50 years has been able to duplicate it.
Pacino's grandparents were from Corleone, Sicily
Godfather 1 and Godfather 2 are my two favorite movies......their order changes depending on which i've watched most recently.......really enjoyed your reaction/discussion. keep up the good work! (((btw: Brando was supposed to be in the flashback scene at end of movie, but - as eccentric as he was - they couldn't agree on "compensation")))...........
In the scene where the landlord goes to see Don Corleone a nail was put in the door keeping him from opening it unbeknownst to the actor playing the landlord so his behavior trying to open the door was real.
Heard a story , Diane Keatons circle of friends, Woody Allen and crew, had an ongoing inside joke where they would always shut the door on her.
It helps to know that the Godfather was designed by Puzo and Coppola as a masculine version of Shakespeare's "King Lear". Instead of daughters, Vito plans for the future of his family and kingdom with his sons. Part 2 develops the primary theme of emotional/moral blindness that is usually associated with King Lear. Part 3 uses the King Lear model to create a definitive ending and moral to the story. People who don't understand Shakespeare or King Lear usually misinterpret Part 2 and become very lost during Part 3. For example, the abortion scene in Part 2 is written to demonstrate the emotional and moral blindness of Michael. Many people misinterpret that scene, and all of Part 2, as an anthem for misogyny and toxic masculinity, or some idiotic playbook for gangsters.
when they are putting up the Genco sign they youngest guy with the cap is Hyman Roth
41;52 The best acting in the movie. Just that look from Pacino was enough for Neri to know.
One main difference between Sonny and Michael. To the other families, Sonny was a monster. Michael became a monster to his own family.
Hope you complete the journey and watch Godfather 3...the recent director's cut...Code: the death of Michael Corleone
Thanks for all the hard work...so enjoyable.
Yeah, 3's great.........if you want their eyes to start bleeding and their heads to explode when they have to listen to Sophia Coppola's annoying, whiny, raspy, voice for 3 hours. Not to mention all the times they will duck out of the way because they think her schnaz (that has its own zip code) is going to come out of the screen and attack them. No Tom. Andy Garcia's character just appears out of nowhere with no backstory. Michael's entire personality is changed. INCEST???? George Hamilton is god-awful as Michael's attorney. I could go on and on......
Lee Strassberg who play Hyman Roth, a master actor and he taught many actors Al Pacino as one… and so many others. Check it out.
The final scene was originally written for Brando to appear but he was paid so little for the first movie he insisted the studio make up the difference and was refused.
In the end Michael is all alone.
I like how it shows us a parallel between Vito and Michael's rise to power with both the similarities and differences they had while getting there. I think the ending of this movie was sad in a way as it really conveyed just how alone Michael ended up after all the loss he endured. He could of taken it a bit easy on Fredo. Biggest different between Vito and Michael is that Vito started with nothing but ended up with everything whilst Michael started with everything but lost it all.
I think these two movies are the rise and fall of Michael. Maybe even the rise and fall of the corleone family
Genco was the guy Deniro froze in Goodfellas
I’ve always wondered if Kay told Michael it was an abortion to end the marriage. To get out. But it wasn’t an abortion.
You know it's a good movie when we are disappointed that the movie ends...after 3.5 hours! Great reaction. Godfather III will give more answers but isn't as revered as the first two films.
It isn't revered because it's a piece of crap. (and what "answers"? lol. It was a completely unnceccesary, unasked for sequel. We kept hearing about "Godfather Part 3" all through the 80s....it was going to be done with Stallone, with Travolta, and everyone would say "why would they make a third Godfather?" ). Why anyone would even mention that piece of crap when for years, it was just a no-brainer: you progress to Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation, the movies De Niro made before and after (Mean Streets, Taxi Driver), or hit Apocalypse Now....etc etc. There are so many masterpieces that you could immediately plug in to Godfather Part 2 (and that's how people would do it....for decades, you'd get an instant education in 70s cinema, and have a great time doing it). Instead, mediocrities endorse a 3 hour piece of crap, and always with caveats: "it's not as good but....." "it's not on the same level as the first two, but....." lol. If you have to squint to make it look good, then guess what? IT SUCKS.
GF 3 is not a "piece of crap"...It's a decent movie that provides an end to the saga, but like 99.99% of all movies ever made, it's not as good as the first two. Personally for me, one bad casting decision made it a lot worse on the acting level, but it's still worth watching just to see what happened to Michael so many years later...
I like part 3, that ending gets me Everytime!
@@sexylexy178 As bad as that casting abomination was, there is that one scene which gives Pacino an opportunity for emotion that I thought made the movie worth watching. No, not the ending, or the overdone "they pull me back in" line, but the quiet one in the middle with just two men in the garden of the church.
@@sexylexy178 Which part 3? They have different endings.That's how lousy it is, Coppola actually had to CHANGE his original ending! :D (not that either are particularly good). The audience I saw it with LAUGHED at the ending. And groaned during the horrible 2nd-rate Hitchcock rip-off that takes up, like, 40 minutes of the ending. (very un-Godfather). What a piece crap THAT sequence is, huh? The formula, paint-by-numbers "action" sequence, lol. The mob hits are ridiculously stupid. Helicopters shooting into Manhattan skyscrapers, yeah, that's realistic. Mob hit by eyeglass frame. You fall for that, huh? lol. You fall for the horrible hair and 80s fashion that's supposed to take place in the 70s? lol. Too bad you've never understood what makes the first two Godfathers so good. One of the many things is that they are letter-perfect period pieces, one of the many things that the third piece of crap fails miserably at. Poor Lexy, you really should try watching good movies. Start with the silents and work your way forward (and don't eat your foreign veggies! Some of the best films ever aren't in English!).
Enjoy your reactions. I think the final scene with the family around the dinner table is there to contrast with the scene of Michael sitting alone in Nevada. Vito did everything for his family, nothing mattered more. Michael did everything for himself in the end.
With al due respect. If you think thats the case,then you don't understand the movie.
I think the idea of switching back and forth between Michael and the young Vito Corleone, showing the difference of the conditions, the connections of the present and the past, etc. was what made the sequel at least equal to the first part, if not a little better. I mean, Michael's story was great written and portrayed, nevertheless The Godfather II could not have matched its predecessor without the part of the young Vito out of my sight.
Both Godfathers 1 and 2 are filled top to bottom with great, great casting and acting. Each and every part played to perfection. But most of all, I've always been amazed how well Robert DeNiro so masterfully portrayed the younger Vito. The mannerisms, scratchy voice, and even the "aura" Marlon Brando had imbedded into the character were all there. He made it so easy to believe that was indeed the young Vito. A difficult task were it not for truly brilliant acting (and casting).
Vito lost his family, built a new one in America, but now Michael has destroyed his own.
The guy who got blasted before getting in the car when Vito killed the Don was the guy in the wheelchair who was protecting Michael in Sicily…and told him that Santino was dead.😎
The original crew were Corleone, Genco, Clemenza and Tessio. Genco was cut from the movie.😎
As Always Love Seeing Your Reactions To All These Great Movie's, Especially The Godfather Movie's
Really hope you'll ignore all the comments saying to ignore part III.. please take the triology as it is and see the last part to get the full experience and closure.
Best Sequel Ever,In My Opinion
The thing I love about these movies is that I always catch something I never caught before.
The only time Fredo was the best and stood above his brothers was the fishing trip.
At first, I thought maybe this was an act of compassion. Fredo gets to recreate the best moment of his life before he goes.
Then as I thought about it a bit more, I thought that maybe this was Michael's symbolic "Fuck you" to Fredo. He dies being reminded that this was the only time that he was good at something in his whole life. His lifetime of failure is being rubbed in his face.
It could be interpreted either way.
I swear to God, I have seen this movie dozens of times since the 70s and that this is the first time, I caught this.
Assuming that Fred was shot in the back of his head, Fredo would have died too fast to realize that he was being insulted by Michael. I always see Fredo as representing most people. Most people don't know what their good at and struggle to keep up with the "talented" people. I don't see Fredo as mean spirited. I only see Fredo as socially insecure, like most people. The last images are of Michael buckling into the chair after Fredo is shot and his flashback of Fredo being the only one to support his decision of fighting in WWII. Those last images imply that Michael immediately regrets having Fredo killed.
Very nice review and observations. I enjoyed listening to your commentary at the end. There are some strange parallels and how Vito and Michael were so different but also faces different challenges due to the times. Very good discussion! All the best to you both.
Fredo is as screwed up as a football bat. The other guy with Vito and Clemenza was Tessio, who betrayed Michael at the end of the first film.
The actor who portrayed Clemenza in the first movie was supposed to be in this film. However, according to Coppola, he came on set with demands that he and his wife have final say over all his dialogue. Coppola said, no way and the part was rewritten for the new character Pentangeli.
With all due respect to Richard Castellanos (who played Clemens, and who was great), Michael V. Gazzo turns in one of my favorite performances ever as Frankie, so I'm happy it worked out that way. But yeah, other than that, the whole part was written for Clemenza, instead of one of Clemens's men. Worked out a whole lot better than having to rewrite the horrible third one when Robert Duvall turned it down since Paramount wanted to play it cheap. But that's another story we hopefully won't have to revisit! lol.
Castellano's wife says he had lost a lot of weight and didn't want to put it back on.
@@toddbonny3708 It is true that Castellano's wife has always disputed Coppola's claim about Castellano wanting dialogue approval. I should have mentioned that. Thanks
I'm glad about it because the thought of Clemenza turning on Micheal even with him thinking he tried to kill him never sits well with me. I like the idea he was loyal to the very end & didn't have to kill himself
Great reaction, and I finally subscribe to your channel. I love this Part 2 more than its predecessor, even though I love it as well. They did a great job telling the story of the Rise of Vito Corleone becoming Don and the fall of Michael Corleone as both a prequel and sequel. Given the fact these are both Best Picture winners loads of film lovers will debate which is better and their both masterpieces.
if you watch part 3 (which is sorely under-rated and has a score on IMDB of 7.6) just make sure you watch the ORIGINAL version which is simply titled: The Godfather Part III. If you watch the other newer modified version titled: Coda "The Death Of Michael Coreleone" you will likely be scratching your head at the ending like so many others. This is because the "Coda" version has a different ending which RUINS the film. Other scenes are different in the "Coda" version as well. I could write a novel about how inferior the "Coda" version is. It's not the original version of the film that was released in theaters in 1990 and has been known to fans of the trilogy for over 30 years.
The Godfather Part III. Accept no substitutes, or suffer needlessly through the inferior "Coda" version.
I always Liked the Murder of Don Fanucci, There's a way to do things and there's a way not to, and Vito knew which was which, There's a Cut scene that shows Fanucci being accosted by some other People, Kids Basically, Highlighting the way he just Picks and Chooses his Victims, showing that He's Touchable and how smart Vito actually is, Not book smart, but he knew People, He was Quiet and he listened. For me It was Analogous of how Rome Feared the Vandals, for a Time Don Fanucci was Rome, Then it Became Vito. and it gives credence to how Frankie said "we were like the roman empire",.. Goddfather 1- "Carthage must be Destroyed", 2- the sacking of Rome, 3 is the assassination of Casear.
If Appolonia had lived things would have turned out differently, Kaye never really cared for the family. Notice Fredo is the only one who is happy for Michael that he joined the Marines.
From what I remember from the book, Vito preferred Kay because he was convinced that she did not want their family in the mafia, which is ultimately what Vito wanted and revealed to Michael at the end of Part 1. Vito didn't want Michael to marry a "mafia wife" who would encourage him to stay in the mafia.
This is my favorite Movie! I'm not sure if the cash could have been any better. Watching it with you Made me remember how much I love it Thanks guys great reaction.
Please review The Talented Mister Ripley You're very different movie but very good
The Talented Mr. Ripley is a terrific film. Wonderful suggestion.
Remember when Fredo had pneumonia when he was a baby? I took it that left him a little mentally damaged. Everybody in the family, and all of us know he wasn't capable of running the family. As far as Kay is concerned, she decided she was god and could determine who lived, and who died, according to her judgement of their worth. Michael was kind of forced to live a life he didn't want, or agree with, just for the desperation of trying to save all his loved ones, and they all resented him for it. He tried to get away from the life, but was never able to. Somebody was always trying to kill him, or someone in his family. He was just trying to keep everybody alive, and get away into legitimate business.
My father was a Marine stationed in Guantanamo in 1958 when Castro overthrew Batista.
You are reacting in the beginning to the last 10 minutes of The Godfather Part I. That ending of the movie is close, but not exactly that way in the book. Michael and Tom Hagen hold a meeting in Las Vegas with his brother Fredo, Luci and her fiance ( the doctor not in the movie) , Johnny Fontain and Nico ( again a good friend of Johnny and also godson to the Don, but not in the movie) and Moe Green. There, Michael makes Moe Green an "offer he can not refuse" , which Moe Green turns down. Also, find Fedo is take two girls to bad at a time and had let Moe Green slap him around in public) Two days after there return to New York, Moe Green is shot dead by Albert Neri ((Michael's Luca Brazi) All the killings of the heads of the 5 families and Carlos happen after the baptism of Carlos and Connie's baby's baptism. Kay leaves Mike, but not because of the killings, but because Mike Lied to him. Tom Hagen goes to New England and explain why they all have to be killed, including Carlos...and Kay returns to Michael...as the Family moves to Las Vegas...READ THE BOOK, IT IS REALLY BETTER THAN THE MOVIES!!!!
Kay was based on Puzo's wife? That's news to me. Keaton did base her performance on Elaborate Coppola.
The only time the killer says anything to the victim in the whole trilogy, the victim lives ... ... And starts a vendetta.
Weird, no?
I definitely recommend part 3, but only if you watch Coppola’s director’s cut, called “Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone.” It’s far better than the theatrical cut. It’s not on the level of the first 2 films, but on its own it’s a good solid drama, and details the later years of the family and how some may have changed. Connie’s journey is particularly notable. It also adds Eli Wallach and Andy Garcia to the already impressive cast. Alas, it also features Sofia Coppola, who was smart to switch to directing from acting after the reviews of her performance. But even with her, it’s a worthwhile film. Just don’t expect the same level of classic as 1 and 2.
It's a piece of crap. Don't listen to people who tell you to watch Godfather Part 3 and DON'T tell you to watch "Dog Day Afternoon", "The Conversation", "Mean Streets" (or "Taxi Driver", which you already saw), "Apocalypse Now", "Goodfellas" (which you already saw) or even "The Freshman", "Donnie Branco" or "Scarface". The Godfather Part 3 is an embarrassing piece of crap for people who are too stupid to see what was great about the first two. EVERY TIME a person recommends that piece of crap to you reactors, they. have to give a caveat "it's not as good". Which means it's a FAILURE. The audience I saw it with LAUGHED at it. Think about that. You can watch absolute masterpieces like the ones I just cited.,....or you can wallow in mediocrity and waste your time watching a forgettable, non-essential piece of garbage. There are ten thousand things hilariously wrong about the embarrassment that is the ridiculous third Godfather.......they all go flying over John Moreland's head here. PS: Eli Wallach sucks in it, is totally wasted. Connie as Godmother is an embarrassment substitute for Paramount not coughing up the money to bring Robert Duvall back as Tom Hagen. The whole third one originally revolved around Tom Hagen. Unbelievable people on the internet (and the internet only) recommend that idiocy that is the third one.
@@TTM9691 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Oookaaaay then.
All of the other movies you mention are better films, but outside of one unfortunate casting decision, it's not that bad. It's worth watching for the end of the saga, but like almost every other movie ever made, it's not in the same class as the first two.@@TTM9691
Watch part 3, it's fine
@@sexylexy178 Yeah, it's great.........if you want their eyes to start bleeding and their heads to explode when they have to listen to Sophia Coppola's annoying, whiny, raspy, voice for 3 hours. Not to mention all the times they will duck out of the way because they think her schnaz (that has its own zip code) is going to come out of the screen and attack them. No Tom. Andy Garcia's character just appears out of nowhere with no backstory. Michael's entire personality is changed. INCEST???? George Hamilton is god-awful as Michael's attorney. I could go on and on......
Have you decided whether to do the third Godfather movie? It's variously known as "Godfather 3," or "Godfather: Coda," or "The Death of Michael Corleone"? Many folks ignore it, but there's some fine plot lines that add even more density to the trilogy. It is a convoluted story, pulls The Vatican into the Mafia orbit, and includes Sonny's "illegitimate" son in the Corleone Family business. I enjoy watching it, tho I do agree with the naysayers that it's definitely not up to the cinematic standards as the first two. I'd recommend it to knowledgeable cinephiles such as yourselves, but you have the remote control in your hands! Hope you like it!
i can't remember exactly, maybe in the late 70s, a film was released a version that put parts 1 and 2 in chronological order. it was called "the gofather epic." and it added a lot of scenes that were cut from the original movies. at the end michael kills himself.
which was completely negated when they released part 3 in the early 90s. part 3 isn't half bad but its kinda convoluted and forced and no where as good as the first trwo.
When when Kay said 'bring another one of your sons into this world'... I think what she meant by this world was into the Mob world, the mafia world.
I don't think she meant into this 'world' in the general sense...?
Once upon a time, pink and blue were reversed -- blue was for girls, pink for boys. For some reason, it switched after WWII.
It was Roth all along Micheal knew it . The other guy thought Mike turned on him because of what the guy said when he strangled him.
For the 6 of you who don't know ... Hyman Roth is Jr.Soprano
Hyman Roth was "Grandpa" in "And Justice For All". Junior Soprano was Johnny Ola, Hyman Roth's henchman. (Minor technical detail, but valid)
Again, READ THE BOOK, AS IT IS ALL IN TGERE WHY VIDO had to Flee to America and he took the name Corrini ( not given to him) How he eventually becomes Don and Greco becomes his Capabiliti with Clamenzo and Tesso his Generals and why Sunny had to enter the "Family Business " and how he made his"bones"....
The character of Frank ‘5 Angels’ Pentangeli was created to replace Fat Clemenza. After the success of the first movie, the actor wanted more money and full control of his dialog. Makes me sad because this story would have been cooler if it involved one of Vito’s original partners.😎
if you watch the Godfather Saga you'll see Vito take out the rest of the guys who hunted him and the guy who killed Mike's wife gets blown up in Buffalo
Great reaction 💯
Moe Greene was based on Bugsy Siegel who did actually get shot in the eye but not on a massage table he was in his girlfriend's home in LA when he got whacked Roth is based on Meyer Lansky who lived a long life and died at the age 80 in Miami in 1983
part 3 is worth watching
In real life it was mob boss Vito Genovese who gave Joseph Valachi The kiss of death while serving time together in prison.
I always found it odd that Vito didn't understand why Don Fenucci extorted other Italians, when he came from Italy and escaped a Don there. Or, that he could have been in N.Y his entire life basically, and not understand until that moment.
Vito did not understand the lack of morality. Vito lives by a higher moral code than any of the gangsters he was competing with. That's why they didn't understand him. He was unpredictable to them and that's why they were scared of him. It's similar to a smart kid not understanding stupid kids who don't want to do their homework.
Ironically, a lot of people did not know how the mafia worked until the Godfather movies were released. The mafia was still a very secret society until the release of the Godfather book and the movies. A big part of the controversy was that the mafia threatened the publishers and Paramount with violence for the release of the book and movies because they did not want any of their secrets revealed. According to FBI interviews, the only reason that the mafia did not follow through with their threats was because they liked the way that Vito was portrayed. FBI agents admitted that their wiretaps revealed several members of the mafia suddenly tried to present themselves as having the same high moral standards as Vito after the book and films were released.
Thanks for the video!! See you later!! Stay safe.😊
When Barack Obama flew over Lake Tahoe for the first time as president in Air Force One be looked out the window and murdered, "Poor Fredo."
I have read the actual book when it first came in 1970 and at least 4 more times since. It id That Good. Way better than the movies....!!!!
The baby was Sophia Coppola
Nothing is better than GF1
I'm glad you both saw each character for what they were. I will admit, I never felt sorry for Fredo. Stupid and jealously got him where he was in the end. And I definitely did not feel sorry for Kay. What she did and how she went about it was wrong. It's a shame everyone tried to kill and out smart one another. It was kill or be killed mentality. Nothing personal, it's just business". But what they didn't understand is, you can't do business if you kill all of the competition. Great reaction! Happy September! Take care..xx
I really hope you'll watch Part III. you should finish the trilogy and make up your own mind on which film is best. Part 3 is not as good as the first 2, but it wraps things up in a very poetic tight bow... I hope you watch the original release also and not "Coda". Its not that the Coda version is bad, but the original ending of the film was changed and i think it would be best if you experienced the film as it was originally made to be seen.
Put it this way, if they remake "Return of the Jedi" and change the ending to be more *Metaphorical/spiritual* doesnt change the fact that the original ending is iconic.
That's pretty much "Coda". Its the alternate "spiritual" ending. Its up to you, but original is usually the better way to go in my opinion
Watch the third one despite all the hate. It’s actually a good movie on its own.😎
Now, part 3.
I hope you do react to The Godfather Part III. Its not better than the first two but i feel like it ends in the most poetic way.
Please watch the original version. The "Coda" version is fine but the ending was altered. I think most fans agree the original ending of part III is the better ending 🙏
Hope you guys do part 3!
Why subject people to that garbage????
@@TeddyKGB12 I could ask the same of your existence
@@highviking5246 go play Russian roulette with an automatic, you're not good enough to be breathing the same air as me.
@@TeddyKGB12 sounds like what your parents would say to you. I bet your mother regrets not swallowing you everyday
You should watch Coppola's other cinema masterpiece: Apocalypse Now.
Part 3 is more popular these days because Coppola has been gradually revealing over the last 30 years that Part 3 was designed to compare the Corleones to the Coppolas as an answer to the racist stereotypes of Italian Americans needing to be in the mafia to find success in The United States. Coppola shows in Part 3 how the Coppolas became the family that Vito always wanted. Part 3 has the best ending of all three movies and is also the most personal judgement by Coppola on Michael Corleone. Coppola's use of metaphor in Part 3 also makes the third film the most well written of the three because only a few people seemed to understand it when it was first released. Since Coppola has been revealing these secrets about Part 3 over the last 30 years, it has become a game to understand those metaphors that people didn't understand when it was first released. When it was released, a lot of people laughed at those metaphors in Part 3 because they didn't understand that they were being used to compare the Corleones to the Coppolas. When I explained those metaphors to people who laughed, they always stop laughing and eventually realize how clever Part 3 is. You should film and post your reaction to Part 3 right away to see if you can understand those metaphors that a lot of people didn't understand.
3 is a hot mess. It was slapped together just to try and make $$$ off of the name. Terribly written. No Tom. Incest??? Andy Garcia's character just appears out of thin air with no backstory. Michael's entire personality was changed and Pacino overacts the part (as usual the older he got.) In the first 2 movies, Pacino was tolerable because he wasn't a major star yet and his acting was much better because of it. And Metaphors my ass, Coppola just said that because it was complete and utter garbage and he's trying to save face because even he knows it's trash. Sophia Coppola is the worst actress in the history of film. You could train a chimp to do better than her. A chimp would even be more attractive than her with that giant schnaz and whiney, raspy, voice.
You have no idea what you're talking about, and the third is a piece of crap, the ending is TERRIBLE, the audience I saw LAUGHED at the ending, and then he RECUT the ending so NO, the ending SUCKS in the third one. And the third act of the third one is even WORSE. Where it turns into a second-rate Hitchcock movie? And the hilarious lame 90s acting of Al Pacino? Even Pacino throws that piece of crap under the bus! Stop wasting reactors time with such mediocrity when they could be watching actual masterpieces that were always the logical step AFTER watching Godfather Part 2: Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation, Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, Goodfellas or even The Freshman, Donnie Bravo or Scarface are all INFINITELY better movies and, for various reasons, what any person with a brain graduates to after watching the second one. Obviously what's great about the first two goes SAILING OVER YOUR HEAD.
No. People may have softened their views over time. Over the casting, particularly Sofia Coppola, the long 16 year gap between 2 and 3, and maybe most importantly, the unfavorable comparison to Goodfellas which had kind of stolen the mobster thunder a few months earlier. They may admit it's not terrible, but nobody is reasonably going to say it's at the level of 1 and 2. Metaphors or no metaphors.
@@Hexon66 Part 3 reminds of my first calculus class. Those of us who understood calculus could appreciate it and went on to enjoy very rewarding careers in engineering. Those who obviously didn't understand it would try to disrupt the class and accuse the rest of us for being stupid because we understood something that they didn't. They would go on in their rants to try to convince us that engineering wasn't a real profession until they finally flunked out and were required to leave the class. Those who didn't understand probably went on to get jobs as corporate movie executives, because those jobs don't require calculus or artistic skill. Cinematic analysis is not that complicated. It's definitely not as complicated as engineering. But, people who don't understand cinematic analysis are always in denial about how much those who do understand will genuinely enjoy what they have learned.