Hey Everyone! We're going to be throwing up some re-edit / re-uploaded videos over the next few months to try to get some of the older videos that were taken down due to copyright, back up on the channel! First up, The Godfather trilogy! This is in anticipation of us starting The Sopranos as one of our next shows once our current shows end! As always, thanks for the support, it means the world to us! RIP James Caan -Daniel & Sam
Are you guys considering reacting to _The Offer_ on Parmount+, which dramatizes the BTS of _The Godfather_ from producer Albert S. Ruddy's perspective?
One of the most heartbreaking moments in cinema is Vito's reaction when Tom tells him that Michael killed Sollozzo and McCluskey. The disappointment, the sadness, Brando really displayed genuine fatherly anguish over his youngest, most innocent son's path to a world he never wanted him to enter.
I always saw Vito wanting a different path for Michael as him trying to re-write his own story to a certain extent. Michael was the most like Vito of all his kids, and Vito probably looks back at his past and wonders what he could've done if his circumstances were different.
@@dakingltroyproductofdade3579 I mean I'd hope so. One is your son being brutally gunned down dead, the other is your son joining the family business lol
It was Brando who brought a warmth to the character. It would not have been there had they case anybody else. He really was the best movie actor of all time. He was only 47 or 48 when he did this - he was also in great shape. They had to pad him to look heavier and use a lot of aging makeup.
The baptism scene intertwined with the hit montage is one of my favorite scenes in cinema. It plays out just so perfectly and it gives me chills every time I watch it. There's so many scenes in this movie that are amazing, but that one in particular is just so genius.
I completely agree. The only odd piece of comedy in that whole sequence is that Coppola's newborn daughter Sofia was officially baptized as a boy. I'm sure she had to be baptized again after the movie at some point. Also, if anyone is wondering who composed the chillingly haunting organ piece was Bach.
@@Batsie43 It also shows the contrast between him and his father. His father was able to properly balance out his family life with the mafia life, Michael can't
The man who played Luca Brasi, the man who was practicing thanking the Don for inviting him to his daughter's wedding, was an actual enforcer from the Columbo family who was cast as a favor. He couldn't memorize the lines, so it was suggested that they just incorporated that into the film. Yep, a mobster was in The Godfather.
@@johndrews206 Maybe not. "Castellano died from a heart attack at his home in North Bergen, New Jersey, in 1988 at age 55.[3][10] After his death, Castellano's widow Ardell Sheridan claimed that he was the nephew of Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano,[6] however this claim was dismissed by Richard's sister as false: "We're no relation".[7]"
As I understand it the guy playing Luca Brazi was a consultant. The Colombo family didnt want Italians to be disrespected in the film so they had some of their people on set to make sure. He was seen by the director and given the role.
Man I swear, in a world with film remakes constantly being made, I feel like The Godfather is absolutely untouchable in that respect. It’s a damn near perfect film.
This movie launched the career of 4 stars James Caan (Sonny), Al Pacino (Michael) Robert Duvall (Tom Hagen) and Talia Shire (Connie the sister who played Adrienne in the Rockys). Marlon Brando's character was loosely based on Carlo Gambino. Johnny Fontaine is a parody of Frank Sinatra.
There is actually a whole subplot in the book about the fallout of Michael being punched by the cop. The damage was severe, impacting his sinuses and nose. It eventually leads him to a plastic surgeon in Vegas, which triggers the whole casino move. Definitely worth a read. Love your channel!
@@USCFlash lol it is! I watched the film before I read the book and I read it about 20 years ago and I could think was why is this included? I had forgotten that till I read your comment now it’s on my mind again. Hope you have a good night
The pacing of this movie is incredible. Many of the mafia movies from that time had some... looong streaches without much happening. Godfather is a long ass movie that doesn't feel long at all. Acting, dialogue, story, characters - It's all freakin amazing! Sequel is a masterpiece as well!
Although honestly, I'm a bit surprised that they were so impressed by the pace of this movie after apparently having just recently seen Goodfellas. Even Francis Ford Coppola in his commentary track to Godfather III mentioned how he felt (rightly or wrongly) that after more "modern day" gangster movies like Goodfellas & the like, the pacing of the first two Godfather films seemed old-fashioned and wouldn't cut it with modern audiences.
17:40: Behind the scenes, the director Francis Ford Coppola purposely hid the gun in a hard to find place so that Al Pacino's terror of potentially not finding the gun came off as more authentic.
@08:16 Santino talking here (out of order) gets his father shot. Santion Corleone expressed interest to the drug business so the plan became to kill Vito so his son Sonny becomes the Don. That's why Vito berates him just after the meating: *Don't tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking again.*
what a masterpiece....my favorite part is when they were doing the baptism of the baby and as soon as the priest ask micheal "do you renounce satan?" the bell rings and then the murders begin
Yes, that was brilliantly done! - the way that they juxtapose the sacred, holy tradition where Michael is promising to live and impart the values of the church, while all over town, his enemies are being assassinated on his orders. Truly chilling and powerful. Al Pacino killed this role.
i recently saw this replaying at an amc theater for the 50th anniversary. the whole baptism scene in theaters is mind blowing. the organ is so loud, the gunshots are so loud, if you ever get a chance to see this in theaters do it.
10:18 In New York City in the 40s they still had "evening editions" of many major newspapers. They didn't call Michael when Vito was shot because Michael was out with Kaye and this was the same day as the shooting. That's why he learned about it in the newspaper. Presumably if he had gone home, he'd also have learned about it quickly.
The thing that blows me away the older I get is the weight of emotions amongst the men in this film. You rarely see movies that show men feeling grief, sadness and regret pretty openly. Vito really does have a great relationship with his kids, despite the family business...
When Sonny acts too eager in the initial negotiations with Sollozzo, it gives Sollozzo the idea that he could cut a deal with Sonny if Vito were out of the way. Vito was right to admonish Sonny never to let anyone outside the family know what he was thinking, but it was too late. That's what lit the fuse for the whole story. 10:20 - "They don't call him?" - This comes up in a lot of reactions to this movie. It was the 1940s. There were no cell phones. There weren't even any answering machines. Michael and Kay were at the movies. There was no way for anyone to phone him until he was home. At 20:28 Apollonia trips accidentally on purpose so Michael could catch her. That's the only way they could have any physical contact with everyone watching.
22:15 Fredo played by John Cazale. He played Fredo, to be forgotten, to be the brother that gets “stepped over.” His greatness is in committing to being the weaker character. He’s a true actor’s actor. “John taught me more about acting than anyone.” - Al Pacino. John Cazale’s filmography is 5 movies, all of them nominated for Best Picture. There’s a great documentary about him on UA-cam called “John Cazale I knew it was you” about his life.
Don Corleone doesn’t kill the men that beat the girl. He just has them beat like they beat her. Vito has a moral code. Most of us might not completely agree with it but he has lines he won’t cross.
There's also the fact that killing them would have attracted a lot more attention from the authorities particularly due (as mentioned in the novel) their families having high level political connections. And Bonasera (an outsider) would have direct knowledge of two murders committed by the Corleones which could lead to trouble in the future.
In the case of Paulie's execution, there's a deleted scene where, through their contacts at the phone company, thru confirm Paulie had been talking with the other side. It was cut out to make Santino (Sonny) look more reckless and have him flying off the handle. It makes his assassination later make more sense.
@@arrow1414 Yeah. I felt so bad about Liotta. One of the most underrated actors ever and he died right after I lost my father unexpectedly to vividly this year. Really hit home. Idk. I guess it gets easier but hasn't yet
Thank you! Idk why reactors never include the line "it's not personal, Sonny... It's strictly business." Rewatching again, I finally answered a question that has bugged me for years about this film....I wondered whether Vito had any part or knowledge of the planned killing of Connie's husband at the end of the film... He did. He planned it with Michael before he died, evidenced as to how he had stated that he'd not allow Carlo into the family business or give him any power; yet, he just stood by when Michael suddenly announced that Carlo was getting a bump up in "the move to Nevada," he smiled and congratulated him... He then hints to Tom, "there are reasons why you can have no part in what's about to happen," which finally answered it for me. At that point in the movie, Vito had already figured out who did what, which was the central plotline: Barzini was obviously a rival to Vito, and in order to make crazy amounts of money selling dope, had orchestrated a coup for most powerful don by trying to kill Vito in order to force his or his son's hand in giving political and legal protection for this venture... With Vito dead, they thought they could wear Sonny down or kill him and deal with the next don...because after Vito refused Sollozzo's overtures, they knew he was not going to willingly do so. The aim of the war was to make Vito give protection through his contacts, which would simultaneously cripple the Corleone family's power and influence while bolstering Barzini and whoever was with him, like the Tatagglia family.... Whew.... Sorry
Tom had to be out because Vito said he would not be the one to break the peace they made at the meeting. Remember Vito was dead before the 5 hits were planned. The book does a great job of getting into the reasons for things playing out as they did.
21:40 The pathetic thing about Carlo is that he only became friends with Sonny and married Connie hoping to get a high position in the Corleone family. But Vito disapproved of him both because he was a petty thug and also because he was northern Italian and not Sicilian. So Carlo abuses Connie to take his anger out on her family for not giving him the power he wants.
This isn't necessarily my favorite movie and certainly not one I'd want to watch too often, but it is undeniably an absolute masterclass in film making. Everything is just so perfect. The story, the pacing, the acting, the music, the cinematography. Many consider Part II to be even better, and while for some part I can understand that, it just doesn't give me the same feeling of absolute perfection.
The pacing of this film is just so perfect for me . And as they said in the reaction when you think back on what you have seen so much happened but never felt rushed at all , it even managed to feel like it was taking its time .
Fun Fact: Joseph Colombo, leader of the Colombo crime family - which was one of the Five Families of the American Mafia in New York City - created the Italian-American Civil Rights League in 1970 to address defamation and harassment of Italian-Americans. Colombo took great offense to The Godfather novel due to its negative portrayal of Italian Americans in the Mafia and tried to prevent the movie from being made. The Godfather producer Albert Ruddy invited Colombo to meet with him and agreed to keep the words "Mafia" and "Cosa Nostra" from the film.
Joe Colombo was also a criminal profiting off the death of other criminals, namely Profaci. At the end of the day, he was still a murderous psycho trying to use the Italian American Civil Rights league to paint himself in a positive light while simultaneously doing what Italian Americans were being stereotyped as doing. "Narrow, unenlightened self interest doesn't impress me. "
@@mo2k638 By that point The Godfather had become a huge hit and was very popular with the Mafia, and even had mobsters quoting lines of dialogue from the movie, so the Mafia had no problem with their name being mentioned in the sequel.
Fun fact: Clemenza's recipe for Spaghetti sauce that he shows Michael in the kitchen I legit and damn good. I've sworn by it for years. Try it sometime. You can pair it with meatballs or Italian Sausage, or both if you want to get crazy.
Every time I watch this movie I think I'm looking back at it with rose coloured glasses and it can't possibility as incredible as I remember it.... then it always is. This is one of the greatest movies in cinematic history. I'll argue this till I'm dead.
Also, an interesting thing from the book that the movie doesn’t really make 100% clear. Luca Brasi was a terrifying individual. When all else failed, you called Luca. He was considered to be a killing machine. Even the Godfather was afraid of him. Luckily, it so happened that Vito was the one person that Luca was afraid of. Vito could never figure it out, but he knew he was lucky Luca was on his side. And this is why it’s such a shock to everyone when he’s killed by Sollozo and the Tattaglias. But I figure that’s why Barzini had to make sure that Luca was out of the picture.
After Vito Corleone bailed him out of prison and covered up his crime, Luca became fanatically devoted to the Godfather, in large part because, even after his monstrous crimes, Vito was the only person left who still treated Luca as a human being worthy of respect, dignity, and value, when everyone else viewed him like a devil or a rabid animal that should be put down (Luca's own mother had taken her own life out of shame when she had heard of the infanticide). Rather than act disgusted at Luca's murder of his own father (and later neighbor) like anyone else, Vito instead praised Luca's bravery in defending his pregnant mother and avenging the cuckolding of his father that led to it. In Brasi's mind, maintaining Vito's high opinion of him was the only thing keeping him going, the only thing he could still aspire to; the thought of Vito deciding to kill him was the only thing Brasi ever feared, as it would imply that he had lost the only thing he still valued: Vito's respect for him as a human being from what the wiki says
@@peelpoteer6477 All that too! I should also mention that he almost singlehandedly stopped the Capone Mob from taking over Corleone territory, and he did it through sheer viciousness.
@@jkhristian9603 I loved that bit in the book where the Corleones and most if not all of the other NYC mobs basically told Capone to keep his fat Neapolitan butt out of their Sicilian business. 😅
"A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man." -Vito Corleone My all time favorite film! Also, I can't wait for you guys to react to… "The Godfather: Part II" (1974), which is the greatest sequel ever made! 🎥🤵♂️
I love your reaction! I'm glad you had no problem following it. Some people find it confusing and are confused about who is who etc. But you guys were very observant and was able to go through each scene and a follow eveything
It really is amazing watching the film through first eyes. The insights, even unintentional, like noticing Michael's deformed jaw resembling his father as he plots killing McCluskey, and Michael needing a new wife after his return from Sicily. That is entirely his motivation, a family with, importantly, male children. But also the seduction of actively rooting for the family, despite knowing it is inherently evil.
7:33 Fun fact: the proof that this horse head did not involve (extra) animal cruelty, also doubles as a goof - the horse’s head had cataracts because it was a real horse head rented from a horseflesh dog food factory. They got an authentic horse head for the scene without having to kill any extra horse, although they might should have covered up the Cataracts if they wanted to make sure everyone believed it was the $600,000 stallion. 😂
Imo it's better. Godfather 1 is an easier rewatch maybe , and absolutely brilliant. And obviously has Brando being masterful. But part II is just a masterpiece of writing. Much deeper. And Deniro was so dam good it was insane. Imagine an actor his age trying to play that part today. They don't make them like they used to
beside being a great movie this film has a special personal connection for me. they showed the godfather movies usually every easter or xmas late at night. and those were the times when i visited my mom and we often watched those movies late in the night with some wine and italian antipasti. since we both had seen the movies many times we didnt have to pay much attention but it was time well spend together... i miss those times... and anytime i see the godfather now i remember it fondly
19:58 It's not a matter of forgetting. He assuming he's going to have to stay abroad for years, and he can't involve her in his life now that he's a marked man. He's moving on with his life.
I started the book recently and then decided to watch the movie to make sure I pronounced the names correctly. I feel in love with this movie! It was a rollercoaster and I was shocked when things happened. I finished the book and I will say that they kept the movie very close to the book, but the book gives a lot of explanation of some of the things that may have not made sense. For example, Michael's face, basically in the book the facial bone was so broken and it healed wrong that Michael developed a continuous running nose (which you see when he meets Apolonia's father), he refused surgery on it and eventually got it fixed at the ask of Kay. Honestly I'm glad I watched the movies and read the book. It's an amazing series, Part 2 is really good and has a young Robert De Niro and Part 3 is ok. Great reaction!!
I regard this as (at least one of) the best films ever made. And the second one is no slouch either. Every single detail is top notch. Plot, characters, acting, cinematography, score, production design, sound design, even lighting - especially lighting, as we see Michael's face darken as he gets deeper into the realms of evil. The second part very much continues to explore the nature of power, family, politics and evil. But once you've seen them all, the sheer depth of backstory (to the plot, some real events/references, and the actual making of the movie) is an industry in itself!
According to the book, Sonny is the most feared (mafia) city-fighter in New York. It's his second major war. In the first one, the Don went to war ("these t'ings gotta happen every 10 years or so."), got incapacitated (again) and 19-year old Sonny took over and went to war. By himself (and with help of Luca Brasi....who's the most feared SOLDIER in New York), Sonny WON the war by sheer brutality, violence, and attrition by the time his father recovered and resumed control. As a result, the other families respect and fear the Corleones because of the Don's fear-reaching wisdom, strategy, and connections and they fear FOUR other things (1)Sonny's violent temper and experience as a field general (2)Luca Brasi's ferocity (he walked into the Lion's den by himself and it took FOUR MEN to kill him (3) Tessio's platoon (tall thin traitor)and (4) Clemenza's platoon (fat guy who gave Mike the Gun). More importantly, the Don is very reasonable and diplomatic, so he makes sure that the other four families always get their cut. Because of this good will and fear and respect, almost nobody wants to cross him. About Sonny's death. According to the book, the assassination (orchestrated once they realized they could draw Sonny's TEMPER out in the open if Carlo beats his wife) was a hail mary desperate move, because at this point Sonny was WINNING THE WAR. But, he was winning the war by killing anything that moves. The other four families knew that if Sonny wasnt stopped, AND STOPPED NOW, there will be no one alive to make the peace once the Don recovers from his wounds. In the end, the famous temper that made Sonny feared and respected is also what got him killed. Also, I love your observation about how you cant see Micheal's eyes in the last scene. It's a terrific camera/lighting thing they did that you could see less and less of his eyes as more and more of his soul rotted away.
@MrFau ikr! That woulda be a terrific fourth movie. The book only alluded to Sonny's relentless violence....and always at the cost of business. The book and movie paint Sonny as an ANIMAL in every scene. Look for yourself. (1)His dinner: rare steak and straight bourbon. His back, chest, arms and shoulders are covered in hair. (2)He manhandles everyone: grabbing mike by the face, slapping tom on the ass, pushing fat clemenza against the wall, roaring at everyone, even BITING Carlo on the fingers as he's punching, kicking, and throwing garbage cans at him. (3)He barely wears clothes: he's the only man in the room in a wifebeater (4)He has the temper of a man who doesnt fear consequences: spitting on FBI badges, taking a strangers camera away and smashing it on the ground, beating grown men in public (5)He even dies like an animal: standing up, facing ALL the machine guns instead of leaving his car ON THE DRIVER'S side, which would have offered more protection Interestingly, the other families ALWAYS profited when Don Corleone was in charge. He was generous and charitable to EVERY family, even before needed (currying favors). He also did this with local, state, and national politicians: always being the FIRST one to give a favor. And when they returned the favor, the Don made sure they PROFITED from returning said favor. Of course, he also made sure that his family always ended up with the MOST power, money, and influence. There is a single back story about how Luca threw HIS OWN newborn baby (like 1 hour old) INTO A FURNACE (!) The midwife who delivered the baby and told this story (to Michael in Sicily), spit on the ground after the story and again after finding out Luca was dead. Last two sentences of the chapter: "Some story. Some Luca."
Congratulations on watching one of the great American films. I look forward to seeing your reaction to Part 2, one of the rare sequels that surpasses the original-- you should check it out as soon as possible while the first is still fresh in your memories.
Getting here late, so you may never see this comment, but anyway...the main difference between Sonny and Michael is, Sonny is a nuclear bomb, while Michael is more of a heat-seeking missile. Sonny will spare no one, and lay waste to an entire city to even the score, whereas Michael will more methodically go after the ones he wants, with more precision, and leave the city intact. Sonny is the most pivotal character in the film and book. His actions, right or wrong, drive the entire story. His goof up at the Sollozzo meeting by showing interest in his drug deal led Sollozzo and the other families to try and get Vito out of the way so as to deal directly with Sonny. Sonny giving Carlo a much-deserved beating gave the other families the in they were looking for, to betray the Corleones and pay off Carlo to beat his wife, in order to draw Sonny out in the open (given his violent, uncontrollable and predictable temper). Their gamble paid off. And though it's not mentioned in this film, it was Sonny who fixed his sister up with Carlo in the first place, something which he regretted and is gone into in more detail in the book. And ultimately, it was his own demise which he brought on himself which is the reason Michael had to step up to head the family. The entire story is Michael basically reacting to and dealing with the fallout from Sonny's rage. Great reaction you guys, your insights were excellent. FUN FACT: The murder of the heads of the 5 families that Michael pulls off at the end of this film was actually Sonny's master plan in the book, but he couldn't pull it off because they were in the middle of a gang war and all the heads basically were in hiding.
Some copyright holders get more uptight about reviews and reactions than others. Failing to see that reviews and reactions will get more people to buy the movies.
In the beginning of the movie, notice the light coming through the out of focus blinds behind the don. George Lucas was/is a buddy of Coppola's at the time (and even assisted/helped shoot a scene or two) noticed the way the light looked (rounded edged tubes) and would go on to incorporate them in the Empire's architecture along their halls and whatnot, a motif used to this day. Once you see it you can't unsee it ;)
FUN FACT: The character of Johnny Fontaine is based on Frank Sinatra and the film involved is "From Here to Eternity," which did turn Sinatra into a huge star. In fact, he received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the film in 1954. It's a fact in the Library of Congress!
This is my favorite movie. I saw this 21 times in the theater. It was well cast and the cinematography is so beautiful. Every aspect of this movie is what filmmakers should study. The Godfather II was the best sequel ever made. Many people like Godfather II better than The Godfather.
If not for Robert Deniro the sequel pales in comparison to the first. I don't think there's a legitimate argument anyone can make about the sequel being better. The Godfather is a masterclass of filmmaking. There's a reason it is studied in every arts class. This and 12 angry men are stalwarts in film study classes.
I really love watching the two of you watch this for the first time. You are helping me to experience what it is like because when it came out we'd all read the book so there were really no surprises. One of the greatest films of all time. ❤
It's amazing that the script for this film was written by the author of the novel. Writing books and writing scripts are very different, despite similarities. To be able write in both fields is impressive.
Michael was in Sicily for two years. The reason he doesn’t look like he’s healing is because his face didn’t heal right. In the books it’s revealed that the punch shattered that part of his skull into small bits which then healed incorrectly, he refused to get surgery in Sicily but got it when he came back to America. One of the things that happened was that his nose would keep dripping snot because of the broken nasal bones, so he had to carry a handkerchief around to constantly blow his nose. They show him do that in the movie too
Perfect analysis at the end by you two. For the reasons you mentioned, godfather part 1 is amazing and is better than part 2. Much stronger story, better pacing and exposition.
wasnt sure if this was ever cleared up but I remember from the video that there was a question on Solozzo and if he was an older son of one of the five families but he was not. He was an independent Italian drug dealer called "The Turk" because he imported Heroin from Turkey - he was backed by the Tattaglia family and most especially, the Barzini family (the head of the Barzini family was the guy that crushed up the photo of him at the beginning of the movie at the Godfather's daughter's wedding)
The Godfather of all movies! Best Line: "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse". Best Scene: When Michael devises the plan to take out the crooked cop and Tattaglia, the camera pans in slowly as Micheal reveals his plan and Micheal truly becomes the Godfather at that moment! Godfather 2 is off the charts!
The Godfather and The Godfather part II are the 2 best movies of all time in my opinion. I prefer the original to the sequel due to Marlon Brando and James Caan but many feel Part II is the better film and best sequel ever
@@Kickinthescience Bro stop. The Godfather 2 destroys them. It's honestly not close. It's the standard for sequels. And always will be. And I love all those movies you mentioned. Besides Spiderman. Spiderman 2 vs The Godfather 2? Lol cmon
@@el34glo59 I think more ppl would argue the original Godfather is better and more cohesive than ppl would argue the original Star Wars and Terminator being better than their sequels
One of the best parts about the hopsital scene is the comparison of Michael raised in violence, and war hero verse a normal guy. The Baker, and how scared he was.
Awesome video!! It's amazing to see how Al Pacino absolutely killed his role as Michael Corleone. Especially after his character in Scarface (1983) as Tony Montana. You guys should react to it!
Glad to see you react to an all time classic. Without giving anything away, part two is two different stories in one movie. The movie keeps flipping back and forth with Vito’s early life and Michael’s progression as Godfather. Most people get confused by this but once you know what’s going on the film is more enjoyable
Opening scene: The undertaker is crying about his daughter in front of The Godfather. Morgue scene: The Godfather is crying about his son in front of the undertaker. Brilliant.
The climax scene where the baptism is juxtaposed with the murders of the head of the five families was not originally edited together. Paramount was pressuring Coppola to cut the film down so one of his solutions was to blend them all together. Now it's one of the most iconic montages of film history that's been copied countless times since.
No matter how many times you hear it, it still hits home. "Leave the Gun, take the cannolis". Classic business. EVen at the scene of a murder, the wife still has utmost power. the statement says it all.
completely agree Maurice: Maurice Lee 4 months ago One of the most heartbreaking moments in cinema is Vito's reaction when Tom tells him that Michael killed Sollozzo and McCluskey. The disappointment, the sadness, Brando really displayed genuine fatherly anguish over his youngest, most innocent son's path to a world he never wanted him to enter.
Michael is "Scarface". Sonny is the guy in "Misery". The sister is "Rocky"'s Adrian. The lawyer's the guy in "Apocalypse Now". So's the dad Godfather, for that matter. On and on. So much greatness here, and into the future.
Vito is such a master negotiator. When Sonny gets killed he calls for the beef to be squashed so that business can resume. Sets the meeting with the 5 families so he can get a read on all the positions in the network. There he finds out because of his forwardness that Barzini was the power behind the hit on Sonny. Also when Vito meets with Sollozzo to discuss entering the drug trade. He keeps his motives close to his vest. This is why when Sonny expresses interest in the move Solozo knows he would have better luck with the offer if Sonny was in charge. As the Saying goes, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer".
Many people fail to see the most beautiful moment in the movie, is when the Don dies. Think about it, despite te multiple attempts on his life , he died in the most beautiful way… an old man playing with his grandchild. It’s poetic and bittersweet.
The Bad Cop Chief who Michael shot in the throat was played by Sterling Hayden, who also played the insane General Ripper (purity of bodily fluids!) in Dr. Strangelove.
When Luca agrees to accept Bruno Tattaglia's offer to join his family, Bruno extends a match at the bar to light Luca's celebratory smoke. As he does, his eyes shift focus, almost imperceptibly, to something in the darkened room behind Luca, just as the garret is about to come down and strangle the life from him. It's very subtle but ominous.The scene is heavy with with suspense and tension throughout. Great filmmaking.
I'm guessing you did part 2 by now, but if not, get on it. The best sequel in history. Hands down. End of discussion. It's the standard. Deniro as a young Vito is absolutely brilliant. And as usual, so is everyone else. The writing is deeper than the first one. Just amazing writing. But both are masterpieces. Brando is hard to beat. "Look how they massacred my boy" Just amazing. But 2 is right there with the acting And yes Carlo was in on it beating his sister. He knew Sonny would lose his temper and run out the house. He'd also an idiot for admitting it. Michael "knew", but wasn't 1000 percent on it P.S. Please skip part III. It's trash. Godfather ended at part 2
1. Mob Fact~The actor who played Luca Brasi was also a pro wrestler and did have real mob ties... 2. Mob Fact~The actor who played Pete Clemenza was nephew to former Gambino crime family Godfather Paul Castellano... 3. Mob Fact~The late actor James Caan won two awards for being the best Italian. Even though James Caan wasn't even Italian...
Dirty cop is General Ripper from Dr Strangelove! One of several old-school movie stars playing character roles here, like Richard Conte as rival mob boss.
![[RE-UPLOAD] The Godfather Part II (1974) First Time Watching! Movie Reaction!!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LQvfZERBa2k/mqdefault.jpg)
![[RE-UPLOAD] The Godfather Part II (1974) First Time Watching! Movie Reaction!!](/img/tr.png)
Hey Everyone! We're going to be throwing up some re-edit / re-uploaded videos over the next few months to try to get some of the older videos that were taken down due to copyright, back up on the channel!
First up, The Godfather trilogy! This is in anticipation of us starting The Sopranos as one of our next shows once our current shows end!
As always, thanks for the support, it means the world to us!
RIP James Caan
-Daniel & Sam
Are you guys considering reacting to _The Offer_ on Parmount+, which dramatizes the BTS of _The Godfather_ from producer Albert S. Ruddy's perspective?
When was this post originally 'aired'?
@@Wired4Life2 we wanted to watch it, but were thinking maybe on our own time, would it be good for a reaction?
@@chefskiss6179 July 7th, 2021!
how long ago did you film this upload?? enjoy all your reactions.. loved primal fear
The last shot of Al closing the door on Kay gives me chills every time I watch this movie. My favorite film of all time.
She’s out.
Says so much without saying a word..
Or the MAD Magazine parody of that scene where Michael physically changes into Vito/Brando...
the smirk on the guys face when he shuts the door
Pacino is terrifying in Godfather 1 and 2
Bro gets intense in a hurry
One of the most heartbreaking moments in cinema is Vito's reaction when Tom tells him that Michael killed Sollozzo and McCluskey. The disappointment, the sadness, Brando really displayed genuine fatherly anguish over his youngest, most innocent son's path to a world he never wanted him to enter.
I always saw Vito wanting a different path for Michael as him trying to re-write his own story to a certain extent. Michael was the most like Vito of all his kids, and Vito probably looks back at his past and wonders what he could've done if his circumstances were different.
I think it was Duvall's best scene. Brando was great in every scene, but my favorite one was the opening office meeting with the funeral director.
He was most def more hurt when sonny news hit him Micheal that hurt him in disappointment more so
@@dakingltroyproductofdade3579 I mean I'd hope so. One is your son being brutally gunned down dead, the other is your son joining the family business lol
It was Brando who brought a warmth to the character. It would not have been there had they case anybody else. He really was the best movie actor of all time. He was only 47 or 48 when he did this - he was also in great shape. They had to pad him to look heavier and use a lot of aging makeup.
The baptism scene intertwined with the hit montage is one of my favorite scenes in cinema. It plays out just so perfectly and it gives me chills every time I watch it. There's so many scenes in this movie that are amazing, but that one in particular is just so genius.
A good editor is worth his/her weight in gold. A good editor is just as important or more important than the director
I completely agree. The only odd piece of comedy in that whole sequence is that Coppola's newborn daughter Sofia was officially baptized as a boy. I'm sure she had to be baptized again after the movie at some point. Also, if anyone is wondering who composed the chillingly haunting organ piece was Bach.
It was so good, Coppola used it again decades later in Dracula, intercutting Lucy's murder with Jonathan and Mina's wedding.
It also symbolises Michael becoming godfather of his sisters son and becoming the Godfather
@@Batsie43 It also shows the contrast between him and his father. His father was able to properly balance out his family life with the mafia life, Michael can't
The man who played Luca Brasi, the man who was practicing thanking the Don for inviting him to his daughter's wedding, was an actual enforcer from the Columbo family who was cast as a favor. He couldn't memorize the lines, so it was suggested that they just incorporated that into the film. Yep, a mobster was in The Godfather.
So was clemenza. He was a castellano. His uncle Paul was the head of the Gambinos until Gotti clipped him in 85.
They used Lenny Montana's nervousness around Marlon Brando to reflect Luca's awe of Vito.
@@johndrews206 Maybe not. "Castellano died from a heart attack at his home in North Bergen, New Jersey, in 1988 at age 55.[3][10] After his death, Castellano's widow Ardell Sheridan claimed that he was the nephew of Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano,[6] however this claim was dismissed by Richard's sister as false: "We're no relation".[7]"
@@cameron120587 clemenza did. Not Paul castellano who i was referring to. ua-cam.com/video/1I_RGIyNcWE/v-deo.html
As I understand it the guy playing Luca Brazi was a consultant. The Colombo family didnt want Italians to be disrespected in the film so they had some of their people on set to make sure.
He was seen by the director and given the role.
Man I swear, in a world with film remakes constantly being made, I feel like The Godfather is absolutely untouchable in that respect. It’s a damn near perfect film.
Let’s hope no one is ever insane enough to approve a project to remake this.
No studio would be crazy or stupid enough to attempt that, it's simply bad business to remake a movie like this.
Don't jinx it.
@@1stCainite people really underestimate the power of greed huh...
Superb
This movie launched the career of 4 stars James Caan (Sonny), Al Pacino (Michael) Robert Duvall (Tom Hagen) and Talia Shire (Connie the sister who played Adrienne in the Rockys). Marlon Brando's character was loosely based on Carlo Gambino. Johnny Fontaine is a parody of Frank Sinatra.
ΤΗΝ ΤΑΙΝΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΑΟΓΕΙΩΣΕ Ο ΜΑΡΛΟΝ ΜΠΡΑΝΤΟ ΞΕΚΑΘΑΡΑ
Oh boy!! 2 great drops in the past 24 hours!! RIP James Caan, Ray Liotta, Paul Sorvino and Tony Sirico 🙏🙏😭
We lost a Corleone, a Soprano and two Goodfellas...☹️
@@Madbandit77 I know it’s sad man! 😭
@@Madbandit77
Fun fact about Mr. Sirico: He was a Goodfella. Both IRL and as an extra in the movie Goodfellas.
END MARLON BRANDO THE BEST ACTOR
There is actually a whole subplot in the book about the fallout of Michael being punched by the cop. The damage was severe, impacting his sinuses and nose. It eventually leads him to a plastic surgeon in Vegas, which triggers the whole casino move. Definitely worth a read. Love your channel!
& let's not forget Lucy Mancini's giant.....tunnel of love. 🤭🤭🤭🤭
@@USCFlash for some reason that is always what i remember when i think back upon the book lol
The doctor who fixes Michael's face and Lucy get together at the end
@@paulmedley596
I know, it is such a bizarre sideplot in the book.
@@USCFlash lol it is! I watched the film before I read the book and I read it about 20 years ago and I could think was why is this included? I had forgotten that till I read your comment now it’s on my mind again. Hope you have a good night
The pacing of this movie is incredible. Many of the mafia movies from that time had some... looong streaches without much happening. Godfather is a long ass movie that doesn't feel long at all. Acting, dialogue, story, characters - It's all freakin amazing!
Sequel is a masterpiece as well!
Although honestly, I'm a bit surprised that they were so impressed by the pace of this movie after apparently having just recently seen Goodfellas. Even Francis Ford Coppola in his commentary track to Godfather III mentioned how he felt (rightly or wrongly) that after more "modern day" gangster movies like Goodfellas & the like, the pacing of the first two Godfather films seemed old-fashioned and wouldn't cut it with modern audiences.
17:40: Behind the scenes, the director Francis Ford Coppola purposely hid the gun in a hard to find place so that Al Pacino's terror of potentially not finding the gun came off as more authentic.
Movies like this 50 years later, still good. Love all the great directors. Wait, I'm old!
@08:16 Santino talking here (out of order) gets his father shot. Santion Corleone expressed interest to the drug business so the plan became to kill Vito so his son Sonny becomes the Don. That's why Vito berates him just after the meating: *Don't tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking again.*
In a way, everything that happens in the two Godfather films is all Sonny's fault. Because he just couldn't keep his mouth shut.
what a masterpiece....my favorite part is when they were doing the baptism of the baby and as soon as the priest ask micheal "do you renounce satan?" the bell rings and then the murders begin
Yes, that was brilliantly done! - the way that they juxtapose the sacred, holy tradition where Michael is promising to live and impart the values of the church, while all over town, his enemies are being assassinated on his orders. Truly chilling and powerful. Al Pacino killed this role.
BTW, the baby boy being baptized in the scene is, in fact, Sofia Coppola, the director’s daughter.
i recently saw this replaying at an amc theater for the 50th anniversary. the whole baptism scene in theaters is mind blowing. the organ is so loud, the gunshots are so loud, if you ever get a chance to see this in theaters do it.
You guys have one of the best movie reactions in all of UA-cam. You guys are so underrated, I wish your channel grows even more.
10:18 In New York City in the 40s they still had "evening editions" of many major newspapers. They didn't call Michael when Vito was shot because Michael was out with Kaye and this was the same day as the shooting. That's why he learned about it in the newspaper. Presumably if he had gone home, he'd also have learned about it quickly.
they still had "evening editions" in the 60's (E.g. NY Daily News "Night Owl" edition) - i lost track after that.
@@joeblow9374 The Daily Mirror was another New York paper with morning and evening editions.
Newspapers were the social media of the time...
The thing that blows me away the older I get is the weight of emotions amongst the men in this film. You rarely see movies that show men feeling grief, sadness and regret pretty openly. Vito really does have a great relationship with his kids, despite the family business...
When Sonny acts too eager in the initial negotiations with Sollozzo, it gives Sollozzo the idea that he could cut a deal with Sonny if Vito were out of the way. Vito was right to admonish Sonny never to let anyone outside the family know what he was thinking, but it was too late. That's what lit the fuse for the whole story.
10:20 - "They don't call him?" - This comes up in a lot of reactions to this movie. It was the 1940s. There were no cell phones. There weren't even any answering machines. Michael and Kay were at the movies. There was no way for anyone to phone him until he was home.
At 20:28 Apollonia trips accidentally on purpose so Michael could catch her. That's the only way they could have any physical contact with everyone watching.
The Godfather is how the mob wants to be seen. Goodfellas is how they really are.
The Godfather is how the old Mob used to be; Goodfellas is how it evolved into a modern Mob.
@@FART-REPELLENT Read Five Families by Selwyn Raab. They started breaking their own rules as soon as they made them.
@@lizd2943 Yeah I agree, as there is lots of hypocrisy within the Mob. Thank you for the recommendation
@@FART-REPELLENT It's a weighty tome but it's great reading.
True that. Ironically the Godfather 1+2 and Goodfellas are the best mob movies ever made.
22:15 Fredo played by John Cazale. He played Fredo, to be forgotten, to be the brother that gets “stepped over.” His greatness is in committing to being the weaker character. He’s a true actor’s actor.
“John taught me more about acting than anyone.” - Al Pacino.
John Cazale’s filmography is 5 movies, all of them nominated for Best Picture. There’s a great documentary about him on UA-cam called “John Cazale I knew it was you” about his life.
Don Corleone doesn’t kill the men that beat the girl. He just has them beat like they beat her. Vito has a moral code. Most of us might not completely agree with it but he has lines he won’t cross.
There's also the fact that killing them would have attracted a lot more attention from the authorities particularly due (as mentioned in the novel) their families having high level political connections. And Bonasera (an outsider) would have direct knowledge of two murders committed by the Corleones which could lead to trouble in the future.
is the biggest jump scare
You guys do some of the very best editing of UA-cam cuts of any reactors out there. Well done.
In the case of Paulie's execution, there's a deleted scene where, through their contacts at the phone company, thru confirm Paulie had been talking with the other side. It was cut out to make Santino (Sonny) look more reckless and have him flying off the handle. It makes his assassination later make more sense.
RIP, James Caan. 1940-2022.
And Paul Sorvino Paulie From Goodfellas, 1938-2022.
And Ray Liotta is a still fresh loss.😔
Tony Sirico, Paulie Gaultieri from The Sopranos passed recently too.
@@arrow1414 Yeah. I felt so bad about Liotta. One of the most underrated actors ever and he died right after I lost my father unexpectedly to vividly this year. Really hit home. Idk. I guess it gets easier but hasn't yet
Thank you! Idk why reactors never include the line "it's not personal, Sonny... It's strictly business."
Rewatching again, I finally answered a question that has bugged me for years about this film....I wondered whether Vito had any part or knowledge of the planned killing of Connie's husband at the end of the film... He did. He planned it with Michael before he died, evidenced as to how he had stated that he'd not allow Carlo into the family business or give him any power; yet, he just stood by when Michael suddenly announced that Carlo was getting a bump up in "the move to Nevada," he smiled and congratulated him... He then hints to Tom, "there are reasons why you can have no part in what's about to happen," which finally answered it for me. At that point in the movie, Vito had already figured out who did what, which was the central plotline: Barzini was obviously a rival to Vito, and in order to make crazy amounts of money selling dope, had orchestrated a coup for most powerful don by trying to kill Vito in order to force his or his son's hand in giving political and legal protection for this venture... With Vito dead, they thought they could wear Sonny down or kill him and deal with the next don...because after Vito refused Sollozzo's overtures, they knew he was not going to willingly do so. The aim of the war was to make Vito give protection through his contacts, which would simultaneously cripple the Corleone family's power and influence while bolstering Barzini and whoever was with him, like the Tatagglia family.... Whew.... Sorry
Tom had to be out because Vito said he would not be the one to break the peace they made at the meeting. Remember Vito was dead before the 5 hits were planned. The book does a great job of getting into the reasons for things playing out as they did.
21:40 The pathetic thing about Carlo is that he only became friends with Sonny and married Connie hoping to get a high position in the Corleone family. But Vito disapproved of him both because he was a petty thug and also because he was northern Italian and not Sicilian. So Carlo abuses Connie to take his anger out on her family for not giving him the power he wants.
@MrFau Top Ten Anime Betrayals. 😢
It also makes Sonny's anger towards Carlo much sadder. He must've felt incredibly guilty for putting Connie together with him.
This isn't necessarily my favorite movie and certainly not one I'd want to watch too often, but it is undeniably an absolute masterclass in film making. Everything is just so perfect. The story, the pacing, the acting, the music, the cinematography. Many consider Part II to be even better, and while for some part I can understand that, it just doesn't give me the same feeling of absolute perfection.
The pacing of this film is just so perfect for me . And as they said in the reaction when you think back on what you have seen so much happened but never felt rushed at all , it even managed to feel like it was taking its time .
Connie, the Godfather's daughter was played by Talia Shire...who was also in ROCKY as Adrian.
I'm so glad you guys are re-editing/re-uploading these videos because I didn't get the chance to watch them before they were removed.
Fun Fact: Joseph Colombo, leader of the Colombo crime family - which was one of the Five Families of the American Mafia in New York City - created the Italian-American Civil Rights League in 1970 to address defamation and harassment of Italian-Americans. Colombo took great offense to The Godfather novel due to its negative portrayal of Italian Americans in the Mafia and tried to prevent the movie from being made. The Godfather producer Albert Ruddy invited Colombo to meet with him and agreed to keep the words "Mafia" and "Cosa Nostra" from the film.
Joe Colombo was also a criminal profiting off the death of other criminals, namely Profaci. At the end of the day, he was still a murderous psycho trying to use the Italian American Civil Rights league to paint himself in a positive light while simultaneously doing what Italian Americans were being stereotyped as doing. "Narrow, unenlightened self interest doesn't impress me. "
But the word mafia and cosa nostra was used in Godfather part 2
@@mo2k638 By that point The Godfather had become a huge hit and was very popular with the Mafia, and even had mobsters quoting lines of dialogue from the movie, so the Mafia had no problem with their name being mentioned in the sequel.
@@44excalibur makes a lot of sense appreciate the info
@@mo2k638 No problem!
Fun fact: Clemenza's recipe for Spaghetti sauce that he shows Michael in the kitchen I legit and damn good. I've sworn by it for years. Try it sometime. You can pair it with meatballs or Italian Sausage, or both if you want to get crazy.
So happy you reloaded this, love your work and always annoyed me they blocked this before I found you guys.
Every time I watch this movie I think I'm looking back at it with rose coloured glasses and it can't possibility as incredible as I remember it.... then it always is. This is one of the greatest movies in cinematic history. I'll argue this till I'm dead.
Also, an interesting thing from the book that the movie doesn’t really make 100% clear. Luca Brasi was a terrifying individual. When all else failed, you called Luca. He was considered to be a killing machine. Even the Godfather was afraid of him. Luckily, it so happened that Vito was the one person that Luca was afraid of. Vito could never figure it out, but he knew he was lucky Luca was on his side. And this is why it’s such a shock to everyone when he’s killed by Sollozo and the Tattaglias. But I figure that’s why Barzini had to make sure that Luca was out of the picture.
After Vito Corleone bailed him out of prison and covered up his crime, Luca became fanatically devoted to the Godfather, in large part because, even after his monstrous crimes, Vito was the only person left who still treated Luca as a human being worthy of respect, dignity, and value, when everyone else viewed him like a devil or a rabid animal that should be put down (Luca's own mother had taken her own life out of shame when she had heard of the infanticide). Rather than act disgusted at Luca's murder of his own father (and later neighbor) like anyone else, Vito instead praised Luca's bravery in defending his pregnant mother and avenging the cuckolding of his father that led to it. In Brasi's mind, maintaining Vito's high opinion of him was the only thing keeping him going, the only thing he could still aspire to; the thought of Vito deciding to kill him was the only thing Brasi ever feared, as it would imply that he had lost the only thing he still valued: Vito's respect for him as a human being from what the wiki says
@@peelpoteer6477 All that too! I should also mention that he almost singlehandedly stopped the Capone Mob from taking over Corleone territory, and he did it through sheer viciousness.
@@jkhristian9603 I loved that bit in the book where the Corleones and most if not all of the other NYC mobs basically told Capone to keep his fat Neapolitan butt out of their Sicilian business. 😅
Nice reaction. Saw this in the theatre recently. Baptism sequence was electrifying, heart was beating out my chest. That's cinema baybeeee
Part II is one of those rare sequels that's even better than the original. Can't wait to see your reactions!
Francis Ford Coppola only had two actors in mind for Don Vito Corleone - Laurence Olivier and Marlon Brando.
"A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man." -Vito Corleone
My all time favorite film! Also, I can't wait for you guys to react to…
"The Godfather: Part II" (1974), which is the greatest sequel ever made!
🎥🤵♂️
they already did.
There are tons of great quotes from this movie.
Can hardly wait for the Part II repost. It’s so damn good. Deniro and Pacino…. insane. Fredo’s arc. the script. Wow
12:26 The "take the cannoli" part of the line. Total improv by Castelleno.
RIP James Caan, who played our favorite hothead, Sonny, who paid the price because he loved his sister.
Of all the main Godfather actors in the first 2 movies we just got Pacino, DeNiro, Duvall, Keaton and Shire left. RIP Cazale, Caan and Brando.
Tome for people to dig into Mr Caan’s films. everyone knows Elf,Misery, and Rollerball….. my top recommendation is THIEF. Brilliant film
@@drg3712 Also, Freebie And The Bean, The Killer Elite, Alien Nation, The Way Of The Gun, Brian's Song, Gardens Of Stone.
I love your reaction! I'm glad you had no problem following it. Some people find it confusing and are confused about who is who etc. But you guys were very observant and was able to go through each scene and a follow eveything
It really is amazing watching the film through first eyes. The insights, even unintentional, like noticing Michael's deformed jaw resembling his father as he plots killing McCluskey, and Michael needing a new wife after his return from Sicily. That is entirely his motivation, a family with, importantly, male children. But also the seduction of actively rooting for the family, despite knowing it is inherently evil.
The first upload sleeps with the fishes.
Fun Fact: Often when someone dies in the Godfather Movies, someone buys or eats some Oranges first. Or the Oranges are just lying around.
7:33 Fun fact: the proof that this horse head did not involve (extra) animal cruelty, also doubles as a goof - the horse’s head had cataracts because it was a real horse head rented from a horseflesh dog food factory. They got an authentic horse head for the scene without having to kill any extra horse, although they might should have covered up the Cataracts if they wanted to make sure everyone believed it was the $600,000 stallion. 😂
I think most people miss the fact that "The Godfather" of the book is Michael, the story actually revolves around him more or less.
"He's really removed from the family business." 😂😂😂😂 I love it.
part 2 is an absolutely fantastic sequel....with Robert de Niro as a young Vito corleone.....can't wait for your reaction to it.
Imo it's better. Godfather 1 is an easier rewatch maybe , and absolutely brilliant. And obviously has Brando being masterful. But part II is just a masterpiece of writing. Much deeper. And Deniro was so dam good it was insane. Imagine an actor his age trying to play that part today. They don't make them like they used to
beside being a great movie this film has a special personal connection for me. they showed the godfather movies usually every easter or xmas late at night. and those were the times when i visited my mom and we often watched those movies late in the night with some wine and italian antipasti. since we both had seen the movies many times we didnt have to pay much attention but it was time well spend together... i miss those times... and anytime i see the godfather now i remember it fondly
real ones know this is a reupload
You come to me today on the day of me daughter's BBQ was the comment I made the first video
How long ago, I’m debating if I’ve seen this already…
Fake ones know this is a reupload.
What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully?
@@dontworry5696 Ha! Same here. But scew it. My memory sucks and even if it was last month I won't remember.
19:58 It's not a matter of forgetting. He assuming he's going to have to stay abroad for years, and he can't involve her in his life now that he's a marked man. He's moving on with his life.
"Hes back, and he needs a wife" 😂 Love the movie and the reaction!
I started the book recently and then decided to watch the movie to make sure I pronounced the names correctly. I feel in love with this movie! It was a rollercoaster and I was shocked when things happened. I finished the book and I will say that they kept the movie very close to the book, but the book gives a lot of explanation of some of the things that may have not made sense. For example, Michael's face, basically in the book the facial bone was so broken and it healed wrong that Michael developed a continuous running nose (which you see when he meets Apolonia's father), he refused surgery on it and eventually got it fixed at the ask of Kay. Honestly I'm glad I watched the movies and read the book. It's an amazing series, Part 2 is really good and has a young Robert De Niro and Part 3 is ok. Great reaction!!
Confused I am 🤔😂
LOL sorry!
I regard this as (at least one of) the best films ever made. And the second one is no slouch either.
Every single detail is top notch. Plot, characters, acting, cinematography, score, production design, sound design, even lighting - especially lighting, as we see Michael's face darken as he gets deeper into the realms of evil.
The second part very much continues to explore the nature of power, family, politics and evil. But once you've seen them all, the sheer depth of backstory (to the plot, some real events/references, and the actual making of the movie) is an industry in itself!
According to the book, Sonny is the most feared (mafia) city-fighter in New York. It's his second major war. In the first one, the Don went to war ("these t'ings gotta happen every 10 years or so."), got incapacitated (again) and 19-year old Sonny took over and went to war.
By himself (and with help of Luca Brasi....who's the most feared SOLDIER in New York), Sonny WON the war by sheer brutality, violence, and attrition by the time his father recovered and resumed control.
As a result, the other families respect and fear the Corleones because of the Don's fear-reaching wisdom, strategy, and connections and they fear FOUR other things (1)Sonny's violent temper and experience as a field general (2)Luca Brasi's ferocity (he walked into the Lion's den by himself and it took FOUR MEN to kill him (3) Tessio's platoon (tall thin traitor)and (4) Clemenza's platoon (fat guy who gave Mike the Gun). More importantly, the Don is very reasonable and diplomatic, so he makes sure that the other four families always get their cut. Because of this good will and fear and respect, almost nobody wants to cross him.
About Sonny's death. According to the book, the assassination (orchestrated once they realized they could draw Sonny's TEMPER out in the open if Carlo beats his wife) was a hail mary desperate move, because at this point Sonny was WINNING THE WAR.
But, he was winning the war by killing anything that moves. The other four families knew that if Sonny wasnt stopped, AND STOPPED NOW, there will be no one alive to make the peace once the Don recovers from his wounds. In the end, the famous temper that made Sonny feared and respected is also what got him killed.
Also, I love your observation about how you cant see Micheal's eyes in the last scene. It's a terrific camera/lighting thing they did that you could see less and less of his eyes as more and more of his soul rotted away.
@MrFau ikr! That woulda be a terrific fourth movie. The book only alluded to Sonny's relentless violence....and always at the cost of business.
The book and movie paint Sonny as an ANIMAL in every scene.
Look for yourself.
(1)His dinner: rare steak and straight bourbon. His back, chest, arms and shoulders are covered in hair.
(2)He manhandles everyone: grabbing mike by the face, slapping tom on the ass, pushing fat clemenza against the wall, roaring at everyone, even BITING Carlo on the fingers as he's punching, kicking, and throwing garbage cans at him.
(3)He barely wears clothes: he's the only man in the room in a wifebeater
(4)He has the temper of a man who doesnt fear consequences: spitting on FBI badges, taking a strangers camera away and smashing it on the ground, beating grown men in public
(5)He even dies like an animal: standing up, facing ALL the machine guns instead of leaving his car ON THE DRIVER'S side, which would have offered more protection
Interestingly, the other families ALWAYS profited when Don Corleone was in charge. He was generous and charitable to EVERY family, even before needed (currying favors). He also did this with local, state, and national politicians: always being the FIRST one to give a favor. And when they returned the favor, the Don made sure they PROFITED from returning said favor. Of course, he also made sure that his family always ended up with the MOST power, money, and influence.
There is a single back story about how Luca threw HIS OWN newborn baby (like 1 hour old) INTO A FURNACE (!) The midwife who delivered the baby and told this story (to Michael in Sicily), spit on the ground after the story and again after finding out Luca was dead.
Last two sentences of the chapter:
"Some story.
Some Luca."
I am so excited for you guys to start the Sopranos! I have watched some many times I love seeing people watch it for the first time!
Congratulations on watching one of the great American films. I look forward to seeing your reaction to Part 2, one of the rare sequels that surpasses the original-- you should check it out as soon as possible while the first is still fresh in your memories.
So sad that the old videos were taken down by Paramount. Love to see your reaction to the two masterpiece: The Godfather and The Godfather II
I’d love to see you guys check out The Sopranos!
Getting here late, so you may never see this comment, but anyway...the main difference between Sonny and Michael is, Sonny is a nuclear bomb, while Michael is more of a heat-seeking missile. Sonny will spare no one, and lay waste to an entire city to even the score, whereas Michael will more methodically go after the ones he wants, with more precision, and leave the city intact. Sonny is the most pivotal character in the film and book. His actions, right or wrong, drive the entire story. His goof up at the Sollozzo meeting by showing interest in his drug deal led Sollozzo and the other families to try and get Vito out of the way so as to deal directly with Sonny. Sonny giving Carlo a much-deserved beating gave the other families the in they were looking for, to betray the Corleones and pay off Carlo to beat his wife, in order to draw Sonny out in the open (given his violent, uncontrollable and predictable temper). Their gamble paid off. And though it's not mentioned in this film, it was Sonny who fixed his sister up with Carlo in the first place, something which he regretted and is gone into in more detail in the book. And ultimately, it was his own demise which he brought on himself which is the reason Michael had to step up to head the family. The entire story is Michael basically reacting to and dealing with the fallout from Sonny's rage. Great reaction you guys, your insights were excellent. FUN FACT: The murder of the heads of the 5 families that Michael pulls off at the end of this film was actually Sonny's master plan in the book, but he couldn't pull it off because they were in the middle of a gang war and all the heads basically were in hiding.
So glad you guys got it back online again couldn't understand why UA-cam took it down.
Some copyright holders get more uptight about reviews and reactions than others. Failing to see that reviews and reactions will get more people to buy the movies.
I love part 2 because you get to see young beetle in the beginning of this sad little story
In the beginning of the movie, notice the light coming through the out of focus blinds behind the don. George Lucas was/is a buddy of Coppola's at the time (and even assisted/helped shoot a scene or two) noticed the way the light looked (rounded edged tubes) and would go on to incorporate them in the Empire's architecture along their halls and whatnot, a motif used to this day. Once you see it you can't unsee it ;)
George Lucas was coppola's business partner
@@johndrews206 Yup. They were friends in film school, then later they formed their own film company, American Zoetrope.
@@chefskiss6179 I believe this is on the DVD extra's. George told Francis to take the Godfather job because they needed the money.
FUN FACT: The character of Johnny Fontaine is based on Frank Sinatra and the film involved is "From Here to Eternity," which did turn Sinatra into a huge star. In fact, he received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the film in 1954. It's a fact in the Library of Congress!
This is my favorite movie. I saw this 21 times in the theater. It was well cast and the cinematography is so beautiful. Every aspect of this movie is what filmmakers should study. The Godfather II was the best sequel ever made. Many people like Godfather II better than The Godfather.
If not for Robert Deniro the sequel pales in comparison to the first. I don't think there's a legitimate argument anyone can make about the sequel being better. The Godfather is a masterclass of filmmaking. There's a reason it is studied in every arts class. This and 12 angry men are stalwarts in film study classes.
Yaaaay!! Finally! This is a favorite! Glad you both enjoyed it!
I really love watching the two of you watch this for the first time. You are helping me to experience what it is like because when it came out we'd all read the book so there were really no surprises. One of the greatest films of all time. ❤
It's amazing that the script for this film was written by the author of the novel. Writing books and writing scripts are very different, despite similarities. To be able write in both fields is impressive.
Michael was in Sicily for two years. The reason he doesn’t look like he’s healing is because his face didn’t heal right. In the books it’s revealed that the punch shattered that part of his skull into small bits which then healed incorrectly, he refused to get surgery in Sicily but got it when he came back to America. One of the things that happened was that his nose would keep dripping snot because of the broken nasal bones, so he had to carry a handkerchief around to constantly blow his nose. They show him do that in the movie too
Julian, thanks for this. That always bugged me
I've never seen The Sopranos. Maybe I'll watch it along with you guys!
Sweet, I'm super happy you two truly enjoyed this cinema masterpiece and I can say I LOVED "THE GODFATHER"!
Perfect analysis at the end by you two. For the reasons you mentioned, godfather part 1 is amazing and is better than part 2. Much stronger story, better pacing and exposition.
Masterpiece. Even to this day.
wasnt sure if this was ever cleared up but I remember from the video that there was a question on Solozzo and if he was an older son of one of the five families but he was not. He was an independent Italian drug dealer called "The Turk" because he imported Heroin from Turkey - he was backed by the Tattaglia family and most especially, the Barzini family (the head of the Barzini family was the guy that crushed up the photo of him at the beginning of the movie at the Godfather's daughter's wedding)
The Godfather of all movies! Best Line: "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse". Best Scene: When Michael devises the plan to take out the crooked cop and Tattaglia, the camera pans in slowly as Micheal reveals his plan and Micheal truly becomes the Godfather at that moment! Godfather 2 is off the charts!
Ron, Yes! just mentioned a few posts ago in a reply… as soon as you see that classic legs-crossed arm chair pose! Michael in control.
13:28 I'm glad I'm not the only one who nearly jumped out of his skin my first viewing, when the nurse appeared out of nowhere. Lol
The Godfather and The Godfather part II are the 2 best movies of all time in my opinion. I prefer the original to the sequel due to Marlon Brando and James Caan but many feel Part II is the better film and best sequel ever
Terminator 2,Star Wars Empire Strikes Back,The Dark Knight,Spiderman 2 are in the running for best sequels ever
I actually think part 2 is a better movie, but 1 is an easier rewatch if that makes aby sense.
@@Kickinthescience Bro stop. The Godfather 2 destroys them. It's honestly not close. It's the standard for sequels. And always will be. And I love all those movies you mentioned. Besides Spiderman. Spiderman 2 vs The Godfather 2? Lol cmon
@@el34glo59 I think more ppl would argue the original Godfather is better and more cohesive than ppl would argue the original Star Wars and Terminator being better than their sequels
One of the best parts about the hopsital scene is the comparison of Michael raised in violence, and war hero verse a normal guy. The Baker, and how scared he was.
Awesome video!! It's amazing to see how Al Pacino absolutely killed his role as Michael Corleone. Especially after his character in Scarface (1983) as Tony Montana. You guys should react to it!
Glad to see you react to an all time classic. Without giving anything away, part two is two different stories in one movie. The movie keeps flipping back and forth with Vito’s early life and Michael’s progression as Godfather. Most people get confused by this but once you know what’s going on the film is more enjoyable
Opening scene: The undertaker is crying about his daughter in front of The Godfather.
Morgue scene: The Godfather is crying about his son in front of the undertaker.
Brilliant.
The climax scene where the baptism is juxtaposed with the murders of the head of the five families was not originally edited together. Paramount was pressuring Coppola to cut the film down so one of his solutions was to blend them all together. Now it's one of the most iconic montages of film history that's been copied countless times since.
No matter how many times you hear it, it still hits home. "Leave the Gun, take the cannolis". Classic business.
EVen at the scene of a murder, the wife still has utmost power. the statement says it all.
I've lived my life by that philosophy
And I think it was ad-libbed.
you never waste good food. Clemenza and all the secondary characters innthr movie were all so good.
@@drg3712 never waste good food. word to live by for sure.
completely agree Maurice:
Maurice Lee
4 months ago
One of the most heartbreaking moments in cinema is Vito's reaction when Tom tells him that Michael killed Sollozzo and McCluskey. The disappointment, the sadness, Brando really displayed genuine fatherly anguish over his youngest, most innocent son's path to a world he never wanted him to enter.
Yes! Finally watching the greatest film ever made!
This is a reupload.
This movie is a masterpiece, but IMO Godfather 2 was better.
@@fsociety7494 SO true.
@@fsociety7494 Agreed!
@@shainewhite2781 From when? I never saw this one.
A timeless classic, I hope you both enjoyed it
Michael is "Scarface". Sonny is the guy in "Misery". The sister is "Rocky"'s Adrian. The lawyer's the guy in "Apocalypse Now". So's the dad Godfather, for that matter. On and on. So much greatness here, and into the future.
One of the greatest movies of all time.
Vito is such a master negotiator. When Sonny gets killed he calls for the beef to be squashed so that business can resume. Sets the meeting with the 5 families so he can get a read on all the positions in the network. There he finds out because of his forwardness that Barzini was the power behind the hit on Sonny. Also when Vito meets with Sollozzo to discuss entering the drug trade. He keeps his motives close to his vest. This is why when Sonny expresses interest in the move Solozo knows he would have better luck with the offer if Sonny was in charge. As the Saying goes, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer".
@@matthewjamison Loose lips sink ships
Many people fail to see the most beautiful moment in the movie, is when the Don dies.
Think about it, despite te multiple attempts on his life , he died in the most beautiful way… an old man playing with his grandchild. It’s poetic and bittersweet.
The Bad Cop Chief who Michael shot in the throat was played by Sterling Hayden, who also played the insane General Ripper (purity of bodily fluids!) in Dr. Strangelove.
When Luca agrees to accept Bruno Tattaglia's offer to join his family, Bruno extends a match at the bar to light Luca's celebratory smoke. As he does, his eyes shift focus, almost imperceptibly, to something in the darkened room behind Luca, just as the garret is about to come down and strangle the life from him. It's very subtle but ominous.The scene is heavy with with suspense and tension throughout. Great filmmaking.
I'm guessing you did part 2 by now, but if not, get on it. The best sequel in history. Hands down. End of discussion. It's the standard. Deniro as a young Vito is absolutely brilliant. And as usual, so is everyone else. The writing is deeper than the first one. Just amazing writing. But both are masterpieces.
Brando is hard to beat. "Look how they massacred my boy" Just amazing. But 2 is right there with the acting
And yes Carlo was in on it beating his sister. He knew Sonny would lose his temper and run out the house. He'd also an idiot for admitting it. Michael "knew", but wasn't 1000 percent on it
P.S. Please skip part III. It's trash. Godfather ended at part 2
Part 3 is better tho
I thought it was "Look how they messed with my boy". Now I'll have to watch it again and listen more closely.
1. Mob Fact~The actor who played Luca Brasi was also a pro wrestler and did have real mob ties...
2. Mob Fact~The actor who played Pete Clemenza was nephew to former Gambino crime family Godfather Paul Castellano...
3. Mob Fact~The late actor James Caan won two awards for being the best Italian. Even though James Caan wasn't even Italian...
I'm ecstatic that you were able to re-upload this! Looking forward to your journey on The Sopranos!
Dirty cop is General Ripper from Dr Strangelove! One of several old-school movie stars playing character roles here, like Richard Conte as rival mob boss.
i swear i saw you guys watch this, this must be a re-upload
The restaurant scene with him waitin after gettin the gun. He was waitin for the train to cover the sound of his shots