Filmmaker reacts to The Godfather Part II (1974) for the FIRST TIME!
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- Hope you enjoy my filmmaker reaction to The Godfather Part II. :D
Full length reactions & Patreon only polls: / jamesvscinema
Original Movie: The Godfather Part II (1974)
Ending Song: / charleycoin
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*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.
"I know it was you, Fredo." Has got to be amongsts Hollywoods top 10 spoken lines of all time
The Godfather movies have a bunch of lines that qualify for such lists.
And It was an abortion!! My favorite scene
@@crookedcarpetBrutal scene from two actors at the top of their craft.
“….you broke my heart”
What did he? Did Fredo stole a ring or something like that? 🤪
Four things:
-1974: that was fifty years ago ! Robert De Niro spent months in Italy to learn how to speak Sicilian in order to play young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II. He won his first Oscar (supporting role) for the role. That Al Pacino (nominated for best actor) did not get his own Oscar was one of the biggest snubs in Hollywood history. So many members of the Academy felt that way that Pacino's Oscar for "Scent of a Woman" in 1992 was basically a rectification.
-The Godfather Part II was not the first sequel in Hollywood history, but it was the first to be titled "Part II", and the first sequel to win the Oscar for best picture.
-At the end of this movie, right at the moment we see the magnificient closing shot on Al Pacino's face, Michael Corleone is at the apex of his power. All his enemies are gone. However, he's never been lonelier, and he's now rotten to the very core. This film embodies the proverb: "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely".
-Love your channel, James, keep up the good work !
Great comment and thanks for the info!! Genuinely appreciate it! Cheers!
Lmao we’re still getting apology awards today… bob Odenkirk just got his first nomination not for Saul Goodman but for uncle Lee Layne in one episode of the bear 😂
The Academy simply does respect the character of Michael Corleone.
Yes I agree. the movie is very Shakespeareian with the way it plays out.
Great reaction and analysis. You missed it at Mama’s funeral when Michael is hugging Fredo, forgiving him, Michael looks are Neary…the nod
When young Vito came back for Don Ciccio, one of their friends (the one who introduce him) was Tomassino. Tomassino, much older obviously, helped Michael in Italy when he killed the police officer and Sollozo. If you remember, Tomassino walked always with a cane due to a limp. That limp was produced because of the shot on the knee when he was young, in that moment when Vito took revenge on Don Ciccio.
It's all about the details! Such great storytelling all around. Cheers!
Yeah, Tomassino will appear again in the next movie, very important character.
Ah, I did not know that. Terrific.
The end flashback always breaks my heart a little. When Michael says he is joining the military, Fredo is the only one to congratulate Michael. Fredo really cared for Michael. That's one of the things Michael with have to live with for the rest of his life.
The HBO supercut that puts the trilogy in chronological order is amazing. I wouldn't do it for a first viewing, but it's a great way to spend a Saturday.
And also uses so many great deleted scenes.
The death stare Michael has as he slowly comes up to Kay, looks at her, and then slowly but definitively closes the door on her is such a powerful scene.
To answer a couple of questions you asked. The Man in Black is Michaels version of Luca Brazzi. His name is Busseta. The guy with the puffy face that holds the gun up at the door with the cop looking through is Peter Clemenza. He is one of the underbosses in the first film. He made the special gun for Michael and taught Michael how to make spaghetti sauce.
And said, "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." 😀
Tessio was the other guy with Vito and Clemenza. Vito became the Don and the other 2 his capos there at the dinner table when he told them just give $50 and he would settle up with Fanucci.
I may be wrong, but my memory from the novel that in regards to Al Neri it said Michael had found his "Luca Brasi" That was way over 50 years ago so I could easily be mistaken. 🙂
He also said hello to Carlo.
Spaghetti sauce?
Great to see someone who actually recognizes the quality of the editing and storytelling react to this masterpiece!
What’s so interesting to me is that Vito rises but he is loved and respected by his people and his family sure there’s fear there but it’s not excessive people are loyal to him because he is loyal to them. In spite of his profession he tries to be kind and grateful always. Michael achieves strides in business that no one ever has but no one loves him, they fear him and in the end he has everything but he’s alone
James you got too excited to realise, during the hug between Fredo and Michael at the funeral, you missed the look he gave to Fredos guard sealing Fredo's fate , Michael promised nothing would happen to his brother while their mother was alive... also the scene between Hagen and Pantageli in the prison, talking about the Romans, he was saying he would take took his own life as long as his family were taken care of as was the Roman tradition...if a senator was disgraced to secure his family he would take his own life, usually in hot bath with a sharp knife to the femoral artery.
Just seems like he talks a lot thru the reactions and misses important scenes or little details that add depth to the movie, felt like this watching his reaction to the first godfather
James notices the film making style/aspects first; plot second. I'm sure when he edits, or watches it again on his own, the plot and the nuances will become clear. @@mo2k638
@@mo2k638This is a reaction and is to be expected. If he watched without saying much or anything, his channel would be removed. And since he's never seen this movie before, there's no way to know which scenes require more attention.
I'm sure you knew this.
It's for others who feel the same way and either forgot the rules of reacting or don't know them
That moment where Michael embraces Fredo at their mom’s funeral - watch it again. After he embraces him, he looks up and you can see him order the hit on Fredo. It’s crazy once you see it.
I was 🤔 how did he miss that
The order was already likely out but to avoid any confusion when Michael hugged Fredo he gave dude the nod to say ya man it's still on.
@@ronweber1402 - good point! Overall, it’s such a masterstroke to tell the audience that way.
The hit was already ordered. When Michael got back from Cuba, he told Al Neri “Not while my mother’s alive.” At the funeral Neri glances over to Michael to confirm if he still wants to go through with it.
“I’m your older brother, Mike, and I was passed over”. Love that scene the dialog is epic only overshadowed by Tom outside the prison. So happy you’ve enjoyed these two films so much.
The look of boiling rage Michael has in his eyes before hitting Kay is honest to God some of Pacino's finest acting.
Also, I love how her insulting his Sicilian heritage is what ultimately makes him lose it.
Yeah, I swore he became a fuming kettle during that scene. Volcanic as hell.
Never loved her. He just needed a "family" for appearances and because his father pratlled on about family all the time.
@@playedout148Exactly!!! Appolonia was his true love.
All these years later I still wonder if Al Pacino slapped Diane Keaton in the scene. It looks so real.
@@cflournoy1529
It’s easy to love someone you barely know. I don’t think he truly loved anyone, but she was someone who died before the honeymoon phase was over. She could be whatever he wanted in his nostalgia.
The scene between Tom & Frankie at the army base: They make a tacit deal that if Frankie kills himself for his betrayal, his family will be taken care of financially.
you notice the guy playing Johnny Ola, later on that actor Dominic Chianese would play Uncle Junior in "The Sopranos"
Uncle Jun's in the muff
@@attackhelicopterjr4481south of da borda
It has already been mentioned, but the guy you thought was Al Capone is actually Clemenza. The other guy with Vito is a young Tessio. All three are eating together in that one scene.
Clemenza the one who says ‘leave the gun take the cannoli’ and Tessio is the one who betrays Michael
When they are raising the olive oil sign in the old days, the 2 guys with Vito are Clemenza and Tessio, Vito's Captains from part 1.
If you weren't already aware, Hyman Roth is played by Lee Strasberg, who was Al Pacino's acting teacher
Based loosely on meyer lansky.
Something I learned recently is that Al Pacino's family is from Corleone Italy. I don't remember if it is a Grandparent or which generation.
And founder of The Actor's Studio in NY.
@@jameskirschling7887 Pacino's maternal grandparents were from Corleone.
His scenes as a youngster, Genco emerging as consiglione (Hagen's predecessor gets mentioned when Sonny argues with him in part 1) along with Don Fanucci's backstory (and scar) are all cut from part 2. Wisely, I think, as it would be bloated with those extras.
But interesting that Genco's dad took young Vito into his family, and became consiglione, whereas Vito takes in Hagen, and same becomes of him.
Folks who want an uplifting Italian movie about movies; "Cinema Paradiso" could be the ticket.
Omg Patrick. My fiancé introduced me to this film only a week ago. Watched it 3 times already. What a brilliant amazing film. I’m so glad someone mentioned this. So many thanks lv xxx
@@jessrosefawkes2721Groovie stay safe everyone because I'm thinking that things are going to get a lot wilder before they get any better.
Seconded. And not the director's cut (ironically). I've been suggesting it since the pandemic hit and all the movie reaction channels started happening. Four years later and it has still/yet to be covered(!). Which kills me, for as long as people go on about loving films and they have yet to watch the biggest love letter to the medium ever, ugh, lol. Actually one channel did listen to me and watch it but they're not outputting as much or at all nowadays.
@@stanleydavidlepretre4241 absolutely I couldent agree more. U stay safe 2 lv take care xxx
Abso-f***ing-lutely! 👌🏽
Being from Philly, I thought you might have recognized the ship on which Vito emigrated. It's the Moshulu! The very same that is docked on the Delaware at Penn's Landing as a restaurant!
Funny enough, it was on its way to Philly when Coppola was filming this movie, so he took the opportunity to portray it as Vito's ship!
Yoooo!!! You are correct, I wish I caught it during my screening but after you mentioned this, that’s the one. That’s awesome!
@@JamesVSCinema yep! I never picked it up until I got the DVDs! I was just there for a wedding, and it's funny that they never bothered advertising the connection.
@@richarddefortuna2252 I wonder what the connection might be to Moshulu Pkwy. in the Bronx.
Also from Philly and I was 15 when I first saw the movie and screamed at our fat-ass '80s TV when the boat's name came into view.
@@encrypter46 I'm not sure, but I do know that it was docked in New York for some time prior to moving to Philly.
James, the guy you thought was Capone was the younger version of Clemenza, the fat capo from the first movie who shotgunned the guys in the elevator.
‘When a man is climbing, trying to persuade others to give him power, concealment is necessary. ... But as a man obtains more power, camouflage becomes less necessary.” Robert Caro, The Passage of Power.
Power reveals. With Vito Corleone, it revealed protective justice. With Michael Corleone, it revealed a thirst for vengeance and a corruption of his core values leading to the destruction of his family. The juxtaposition of the dual stories has always been the most fascinating part of the story. How does power reveal? How does power stand the rest of time?
Great reaction, James and cannot wait to see part 3! FYI, all of the Cuba scenes were filmed in my native Dominican Republic. Ironically, we’re half Cuban and the scenes of Michael arriving were filmed a few blocks away from where my exiled relatives lived in Sanyo Domingo. The fled Cuba on the very night depicted in this film, when Batista resigned.❤
Frodo carrying the Ring to Mordor, the ring that makes him invisible and slowly corrupts him.
The first two Godfather’s are really good lessons in storytelling. The development, cinematography, and the characterization are all top notch
As a writer, I watch this and the first film constantly, just to see the masterful storytelling. And for movies that are several hours long, it like you transcend time. So glad you're getting to experience this for the first time. (How Pacino didn't win an Oscar for this, I'll never understand... the man says more with his eyes than half the great monologues in cinema. The scene where he's hugging Fredo at the funeral and he looks over at his captain... without a word, your heart snaps, 'cause you can see what's coming. So damned cold).
So if you didn’t know the guy who plays Hyman Roth (who is really just an alternate-universe version of Meyer Lansky) is the great Lee Strasberg, who is actually more well-known as a teacher of great actors - he’s the guy who created The Actor’s Studio in NYC. He’s famously known as “The father of method acting” because he pretty much created the whole approach known as “method acting”. This is probably his most famous film role, actually, and it’s a pretty incredible showcase for his talents.
Also just to add Al Pacino was one of his students, so it was also very shrewd casting by Coppola to have him in the movie to tap into their real life mentor/student dynamic.
yes it's vito's family, michael is the baby, Fredo is in blue, Sonny is the oldest child.
Can’t wait for this reaction. Couldn’t hit the watch button fast enough!
Frankie pentagali was talking to tom about how the romans used to allow "traitors" families to keep the fortunes as long as the traitor killed himself. Which is why frankie killed himself. Basically he was promised his family would be okay and taken care of
Final scene is just a pure masterpiece, I love this film. One of the best sequels made imo
I love how you analyze from a filmmaker’s perspective. You make me think of the director’s intent and the importance of camera movement, scene layout and even sound…beyond superior acting. Thanks.
The 2 guys with Vito eating dinner were Clemenza and Tessio, who became capos in Corleone's family (from the first film). There's a deleted scene showing young Vito meet Hyman Roth and start doing business with him. Amazing back story.
Happy to hear you're continuing on to part 3. Excited for your reaction to it!
I’m not the most religious guy in the world but what came to mind in the final shot of Michael sitting alone was the verse “What profits a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?”
Luke 9:25.
The "I know it was you" still haunts me after all those years (there is a reference to that moment in Better Call Saul when Mike said that to Hofmann and Fensky)
One aspect I really like about the 'it was not a miscarriage' scene is that the entire time Michael is only viewing things as if he's in total control. He even tells her "I would use all my power" thereby reminding her that he has the power and she does not. Then she drops that bomb on him proving that for all his power, she could easily hurt him in a way that his enemies couldn't accomplish on their best day. It reminds him that the one thing he has convinced himself that he has prioritized, his family, is where he has failed. Fredo and Kay forced him to wonder what it was all for.
I love the golden cast and beautiful grainy feel of the film stock they used to use. Digital is cold and unforgiving. Film is more like a DaVinci painting.
Fabulous movies. All 3. I love the way you break them down brother. Keep on keeping on
Good for you for calling people out about telling you which videos to watch. Everyone should judge for themselves. I literally hated Alien 3 when it came out, but watched a RUclipsr recently dissect it from a moviemaking standpoint and I actually came to appreciate it more than I ever did.
Most of the scenes were theyre supposed to be in 'Cuba', they actually filmed it here in Dominican Republic. Filmed in 'La Zona Colonial' or the colonial district, where most of the infrastructure has been kept (mostly) the same since colonial times.
Hi James. Love your channel.
The way you break down and analyse all the aspects of filmmaking is amazing. My mind echoes nearly everything you say.. only I have never been able to put my thoughts into words the way that you do. You have been blessed with a great gift sir.
Anyway.. if you like the filmmaking in this film then I would highly recommend Once Upon a Time in America - nearly four hours of pure gold! Very similar filmmaking that just also happens to be a gangster drama starring Robert De Niro and directed by Sergio Leone. He also directed the Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Western trilogy to give you an idea of what you’re going into. In my opinion it’s an absolute masterpiece and surpasses even The Godfather.
P.S - Your Sunny reactions 😂
Love from Cornwall
The shot of the boat floating in the lake after Fredo’s death is haunting, especially with the music in the background.
It’s Clemenza when he was young, not Capone
Michael's embrace of Fredo at the wake is one of the most powerful scenes in film, to me, and it's done with no dialogue. When Michael faces an emotional Fredo and embraces him, getting you to hope for reconciliation, Michael's cold, unforgiving eyes stare at his "button man", Al Neri, silently telling him that the time of "I don't want anything to happen to him while my mother is alive" is done and that poor Fredo is a dead man. I've never felt hope and dread within seconds of each other like that. Al Pacino's acting there is so scary good.
25:46 The story of his scar is told in a deleted scene. You can find it on RUclips.
I'm surprised it was deleted, because it was a real peer behind the curtain for Vito, one that factored into his decision to make his move.
I think when people say don't watch it they don't mean it in a literal way, but it's just a rather extreme way for letting you know they don't think it compares to the first two films. But maybe you're right because the fact that it predisposes you in a negative way. Great reaction as always, the kiss scene sends me goosebumps.
Yeah The Godfather is alright but we all know The Gang Gets Whacked is the true mafia masterpiece.
And a good day… to YOUSE..
lol
He does have gorgeous hands, though.
It's Friday!
22:58 In that scene one reactioner once exclaimed "Oh no, they killed Leonard Cohen!"
I had to laugh so hard!
Especially because of the irony. I have seen a picture of Leonard Cohen as a young man and he looked exactly like Al Pacino in this movie!
The opening scene shot where young Vito is in quarantine when we see him in the window with the Statue of Liberty thru his window reflection is what I consider one of the most beautiful shots on film. We see the American flag while he begins to sing, & his view, it’s so patriotic, & such a good way to depict how immigrants came to America, & the process. It’s stunning, touching, & gives me butterflies every time I see it! Maybe because I am adopted, & had to become a citizen, it holds a lot of weight for me as an American.
A 49 minute reaction and still so many iconic scenes that don’t make the cut, that’s how much this film absolutely snaps in every frame.
Fun fact: The Cuba scenes were shot in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic doubling for Havana.
Pacino should have won his first Oscar for this performance. Just impeccable acting throughout. No one else could have portrayed Michael anywhere near as well as Pacino did here.
I love how you are as impressed as you should be.
Been waiting ages for you to appreciate these movies. Best first take I've seen. As you noted, this has everything - I particularly like the role lighting plays throughout, for example.
One aspect you missed (and there are many that we pick up on subsequent rewatches) is the brilliance of De Niro and others portraying Vito, Clemenza, Tessio and Carmela Corleone as younger versions of characters that were so rich in the first part. From Clemenza always eating, to Tessio being more thoughtful, to De Niro gradually developing those ticks and habits that Brando had brought to the old man.
Also, you did spot some of the "parallel" scenes. Almost all key scenes have parallels to similar points in part 1. It's ridiculous how a downfall (in terms of the comparative character arcs) can be told in almost the same way as a rise. Even things like Clemenza supplying both Vito (part 2) and Michael (part 1) with the gun used in their first murders, and father and son having a bedside conversation about following in their footsteps.
Also, did you spot that Vito's Sicilian accomplice Tommasino getting shot in the leg explains his need for a walking stick in part 1 (by which time he's become Don Tommasino)? And of course both young and older Sonny showing his love of boxing as play fighting.
There's so much more.
Btw although many characters and events are based on real life mafiosi (some of which are composites), Clemenza is not Capone - the actual Capone (who was Chicago based) appears in one of the offshoot books, of which some are pretty decent (albeit not quite Puzo's level).
Keep going. Part 3 is viewed more as an addendum (the recent re-edit and rename to "Coda" adds nothing much btw) and has some issues, it does complete the overall portrait.
Terrific reaction.....as always, it kills me that the only one to congratulate Michael on joining the Marines is Fredo.
Once Upon A Time In America is a must after The Godfather Trilogy.
When they're talking about the fall of the Roman Empire, it's not just connected with the family but also the Italian culture. There is this pride in the grandeur of the empire and how far they've fallen from being the senators to having senators look down on their people.
Similarly, there is this interplay within the family generationally. Vito is self made and builds strength through community. And Michael grows up and decides to be self made like his father, his life is easier but he goes to war, fights for his country. But like the fallen empire, Michael can't trust community like his father, there's so many people trying to take him down. So Michael finds strength through being alone, even if it means killing his brother.
Other mob movies and shows have similar themes, things getting harder generationally.
This is an amazing film and is a great continuation as well as prequel to The Godfather. This film deserved every Oscar it won and Al Pacino should have won Best Actor for this. Great to see you watch this James, hope you’re doing well. Have a great day and weekend, take care!
Couldn't agree more! Thanks for the love and you do the same!!
You got to watch once upon a time in america. The directors cut is 4 hrs 29 minutes but its worth it, trust me.
Yes, I would wholeheartedly agree, it's a masterpiece and I think even greater than Once Upon a Time in the West, Leone's other masterpiece. Ostensibly the film is another gangster film, but Leone's intentions went much deeper than that and to achieve that he played with sequencing in the film. The American distributors wanted an ordinary gangster movie and butchered it removing some of the jumps in time that were so necessary to Leone's intentions and cutting the film down to what they considered a financially viable length. It was an unforgivable act of vandalism.
That guy with the puffy face is Clemenza, the guy who drank a jug of wine at the beginning of The Godfather.
Vito's level of respect is unmatched
Capone was Chicago, the corleone family is based in New York...
mr robot, better call saul and always sunny bookended with godfather reactions, ... youre KILLING it this week, james.
Listen, I never clicked on anything so fast in my whole life until now. I really enjoyed your reaction! The Godfather Part 2 is the Greatest sequel of all time and sets the standard for how sequels should be made today! The Godfather Part 2 is a Masterpiece on another level!
If you ever get the chance to visit wine country in northern California, Coppolla's winery is home to not only a great restaurant, but SO MANY artifacts from his movies like the Godfather's desk, the suits/costumes from Dracula, etc. It's an absolutely stunning collection of movie memorabilia.
Thank you, James. Godfather 3 is an excellent quality film. A film worth watching with great characters and wonderful storytelling.
I love the look Micheal gives his bodyguard Al when he's hugging Fredo at the funeral
You knew Fredo was done in that moment
37:55 Tom was telling Frank to take his own life and Frank said he would do it if they looked after his family afterwards.
Glad you got to see this work of art!
"Brandon Like Movies" got me into reaction videos... Wish he'd come back. But because of him, I found James, Asia and BJ, Mr Valentine, Vicky, EOM, Cinebinge, Primate, Mr Video and many more... Thanks for what you guys do... You give us the opportunity to view something for the first time again, through your eyes.... Y'all keep me on YT like an addict. Thanks for everything. These reactions make my day.
My friend it is so exhilerating to hear and see someone else who loves the art of film. Great show.
The Godfather Part III "Coda Final Cut" Is the version you should watch. Coppola went back and fixed some of the issues with the original. I love the original and that too is worth watching, But Coda is definitely a better film all around.
Still can't believe this is a first watch for you. Truly a masterpiece of Cinema
LOVED your rant about people telling you not to watch it.
25:50 The story of the Don's neck scar is fully explained is a very dramatic scene which Paramount Pictures was too lazy to scan for the Blu Ray release which is actually just the same scan used for the DVD release. 'The Complete Godfather Saga' is only on VHS and Laser Disc but the scenes can also be found online.
Copolla didn't want to make a sequel. BUT... the studio made him an offer he couldn't refuse: TOTAL creative control.
Vito's ascent to power and Michael's descent into darkness are brilliantly juxtaposed. Vito was a criminal boss, but he built his empire on loyalty, honor, and family. Michael destroyed all of it with his ruthlessness ultimately killing his own brother. Watching Michael turn into a vengeful zombie is some of the best acting I've ever seen. Also the two men with Young Vito at the table eating were Clemenza and Tessio. Godfather 3 doesn't hold a candle to the other two movies.
when the shot of fireworks behind Vito walking from murder came up and you noticed it, I immediately thought of Killing Them Softly, which has a similar shot (I think, in fact, an hommage to Godfather 2) and man oh man, this is the movie you're gonna loooove watching and dissecting
Little note: When the room gets shot into towards the beginning of the film, Michael elbow-crawls across the floor, which is what infantrymen are trained to do. Showing his war experience.
The last hour or so of Godfather II is, no joke, some of my favorite cinema, period. No spoilers, but the crucial scene between Michael and Kay in that hour is my favorite scene in the whole trilogy. One of the few times a woman in this universe successfully exercises power over the man, who has zero control and can’t change anything.
I think you’ll enjoy what I have to say about that scene then!
@@JamesVSCinemaAlso, fun trivia…the first two Godfather movies represent one of only two times in Oscar history that two different actors won for playing the same character.
I believe part 2 is even greater than the first the dual narratives showcasing both the rises of Vito in the past and the rise of Michael in the present day is just brilliant
You mention criticism of the portrayal of Italians by external cinema. Two things. First, these are Sicilians, and for most of the island's history, they have not been part of Italy and were not considered Italian. I can say from personal experience that these films have extremely, almost unbelievably, accurate portrayals of Sicilian culture and family.
The second point is that while the films are American, they were written by Mario Puzo, who also wrote the novel (which I've read most of); and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who was also the producer of parts II and III and executive producer of Part II.
Moreover, Puzo grew up and lived within the culture he portrayed in the book, and from my personal experience, that portrayal is as accurate as any that's ever been set in print, and is represented faithfully in the films. In fact, this is exactly what makes the story and the films so great and so greatly respected.
The scene at the jail, they talk about how traitors were allowed to off themselves, and their families would be taken care of. He was basically telling him that he was a traitor for going to the FBI but if he doesn't go through, his family will be looked after.
Some people think this surpasses the Original.
That should speak volumes about thier quality
IMO it doesn’t but pt 2 is almost as good
The heavy set was young Clemenza
The last flashback scene saves the ending of the movie. It's such a downer and sad ending but it does not hit till that flashback scene where you see the origin of Michael's descent and how he lost everyone he ever loved and trusted. He survived and won every battle he fought but he feels alone and empty inside. He's lost everything.
Vito killing the black hand: “head shot for the year you better walk around like daft punk”
Young Vito's two friends are Clemenza (stocky) and Tessio (eyebrows), his future underbosses. In the first film Tessio is the traitor and Clemenza the guy who teaches Mike to cook (and shoots the rival Boss in the elevator).
The two guys with young Vito are his men from Part 1. The guy who you thought looked like Capone is Clemenza from part 1 (Leave the gun, take the cannoli). The other guy is Tessio, the one who was the traitor at the funeral and asked Tom if he could get him off for old times sake.
"He is not his father. He is NOT his father."
Yeah, I've always thought this movie very fascinatingly compared Michael to Vito. Their similarities, in their intelligence, their *cunning* and the parallels are symbolically represented all throughout the structure of the film itself, in jumping back and forth between Vito's and Michael's lives as we see the former's rise and the latter's peak (and insinuation of.. what's to come). Yet there's an extremely SHARP difference we see in how the final flashback contrasts with the opening. Vito starts his life having lost his entire family, and spends his life building a new one, and we see him end surrounded by love. The end flashback shows Michael starting out surrounded by his family but, at least symbolically, rejecting them and typically wanting little to do with them. While he still has custody of his own kids, by pushing Kay out somehow, the final shot of the film lingers on his solitude, which is self-made.
Remember Clemenza? From the first movie? The one who drank the big jug of wine and tried to teach michael how to cook etc...thats the mobster who befriended vito when he was younger...clemenza is the one who pointed the gun at the cop and got that rug. And remember Tessio? The traitor from the first movie? He was with vito and Clemenza at dinner here as a younger man as well when Vito offered to take care of everything
"First of all, you can't tell me what to do" -> Why I like James
I love that you love Amadeus so dang much. I'm a little biased as a classically trained pianist & composer. But I wholeheartedly agree with you it is as top shelf as you can get, totally deserving of all its awards. F. Murry Abraham's performance of Salieri is one of my favorite overall role depictions of all time.
I appreciate your insights, which are often interesting, always well elucidated, and sometimes surprisingly new even to someone who knows and loves these films and has seen them many times. Learning is cool!
You often pick up themes or scenes or characters or other traits of these reacted movies and note their similarity to much more recent movies and tv shows; it would be perhaps more accurate to note that later tv shows and movies are flattering by imitation the best parts of these early movies. For example, it could be argued that The Spranos was the grandson of the Godfather movies and the son (some say too close a copy) of Goodfellas.
On with more Godfather activities...THE DON.
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Have a great day!
Hey James, I’ve been trying to reach you for the longest time to set up an interview and I’m really not sure what the best way to contact you is. Is there a better way to contact you?
So I read the source novel of The Godfather. The backstory of Vito Corleone was actually a secondary plot in the novel itself.
Not that I recommend reading the novel, necessarily. The first two films are significantly better than their source novel.
(Edit: As far as representation is concerned, I don't think The Godfather the film franchise is a negative portrayal of Italian American culture. Among other things, it is critical of the Mafia specifically, and it is made by an Italian American who is not a member of the organization. It should also be noted that the IA Anti-Defamation League that censured The Godfather was started and then-run by one of the five New York families. So there's a bad conscience in that use of political correction. I will say though that the novel is problematic, only because it is more positive in its portrayal of Italian American organized crime, and is misleading as to how the mafia actually works. It's a pro-mafia propaganda piece, which is one of my problems with the source novel.)
Would be interested in seeing you watch more movies from around this time. 74'-75' had some films that changed cinema forever (IMO). The Godfather 2, Chinatown, The Towering Inferno, Jaws, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, The Conversation, and even Young Frankenstein. It was a year of transgression and the birth of the modern blockbuster. Think you could really bring some interesting insight and commentary.
Now you can watch The Freshman. I can't explain why.
I am not saying that Part 3 fits this category, but there are films so bad, that is time you will never get back. It's not about telling you what to do or how to think. If I see you about to pet a seemingly happy dog that I know is psychotic and will attempt to murder you, I will warn you not to. If you continue and the dog becomes the rabbit from The Holy Grail, that's on you. I will call the ambulance while feeling a little better that I at least tried to warn you.
Troll 2 does fir that bill. The worst movie I ever saw with absolutely no redeeming filmmaking value. Your time would be better spent getting a colonoscopy.
What is the name of the outro song? 48:40
Gordon Willis's photography work on these films as DP is amazing. Really helps to set the mood of each scene, along with the dialog and music. Really a brilliant craftsman in presenting Coppola's vision in film.
I got to re-watch this on the big screen some months back for its 50th anniversary. 😊😊😊
That last family scene there shows that Michael was the real outsider of the family.
I feel so bad for Fredo in this movie especially. Of all the brothers, he was the least suited for the mafia lifestyle even though he might have been the one who most enjoyed and sought the glitzy trappings and power it provided. Had he been born into a family in the business of running a restaurant or something fairly innocuous like that he would have just remained the bumbling uncle who was given low authority positions and never really got into trouble. Instead because his family's business is Family business, he endangers the lives of Michael and Kay, betrays the memory of his father horribly, and is eventually murdered on the orders of his own brother. It just really speaks to how toxic the life is, it'll get you and your loved ones killed every time.
After Francis Ford Coppola saw Mean Streets, he wanted Robert De Niro to play the young Godfather.
That’s awesome, legendary casting here!
Mean streets great movie
@@clarkness77 I agree
There's a story -- it may be apocryphal -- about Mario Puzo deciding that, since he was going to be writing so many screenplays he may as well actually teach himself how to do it. Instead of just winging it, like he'd done with The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. So, he bought a book about how to write screenplays, and chapter 1 was "Pacing." The first paragraph was, "If you want to learn about pacing, watch The Godfather Part II." (Apologies if someone eles has already shared this.)
I’m Italian and these movies never insulted me or any Italian that I’ve ever known. If someone’s little feelers get hurt by watching this, they certainly cannot be Italian. ☺️
@@grazanita yeah, most mob guys loved these movies. I watched a documentary, about cosa nostra, and an FBI agent, said that often times, when they raided mob guys homes, the godfather, would be playing on their t.v.'s.
@@aryanbrossman604That’s so funny! They don’t make them like they used to, do they?
@@grazanita they sure don't. If you haven't seen it yet, you should watch the series, "the offer", it's about the making of the Godfather. Very interesting and entertaining. By the way, I first got interested in all this mob stuff, when I lived with Italian families, in the Midwest, after I left the military. They were great people, who took me into their homes, and treated me like I was part of the family. I have loved and respected Italian people ever since.
@@aryanbrossman604 Yes, I’ve seen ‘The Offer’ and loved it. Have you mentioned it to James? I bet he’d like it. That’s so nice that you got to experience Italian home life. There’s nothing more fun than being around Italians when they’re celebrating, if you know what I mean. Good times. 🍷🥃🥃🍷
@@grazanita good idea, I think I will mention it to him. I do know what you mean, and yes it was good times. You should mention the offer to him as well.