Re-upload from last year in preparation for our Sopranos journey! Stay tuned for The Godfather Coda re-upload coming later today! If you missed the first Godfather reaction: ruclips.net/p/PLo3Aa90FDIcgrEthLI5PMKchaJ8oK2Md1
OH MY GOD! You guys are doing The Sopranos??? It's the greatest tv drama ever! (And don't be discouraged by the first season, it's only good but not great). Can't wait to watch you guys watch Sopranos!!!
As you switch between the prequel and the sequel, there's an interesting contrast between Vito and Michael. Vito was warm, loved by everyone, and surrounded by family, where as Michael was the opposite, cold, feared, and at the end, all alone.
I think that people recognize that easily enough. But as this view of the don dichotomy gains currency, it seems to gloss over that Vito is no less a ruthless villain, but much more adept at manipulation than Michael. Casting Vito as warm and cuddly is just naive and reductive.
@@Hexon66 Vito builds connections and helps people. You can claim that that's not _entirely_ good and altruistic, but Michael just... doesn't, which seems to make him straightforwardly a worse person to be around.
"I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!" One of the best scenes in film history, along with one of the most haunting acting performances of all time by Al Pacino. Also, I'll never understand how Al Pacino never received an Oscar for his portrayel of Michael Corleone.
@@donna25871 true. I’m a hockey fan and it’s the same in hockey. Drives me crazy. The best defenseman doesn’t always win. If he’s too young or doesn’t have the same name recognition, he doesn’t have a chance. Will Smith won his Oscar because at the time he was the biggest movie star in the world. Robin Williams’ Oscar was long overdue.
Something that kinda goes under the radar in this movie is the scene where Vito intentionally gives Don Fanucci less money than he asked for. Vito tested Fanucci’s gangster right there. Vito knew that a real gangster wouldn’t accept that but Fanucci let it be. That’s when Vito knew that he was a fraud and that’s why he goes ahead and kills him.
For almost half a century, Vito Corleone had the distinction of being the only character who two different actors won Oscars for. There's since been just two others: the Joker and Anita from West Side Story.
@@moriellymoproblems7842 Yeah, ridiculous. Considering the kind of tripe they award with Oscars nowadays it means very little if anything to me anymore.
I remember my father said he started crying when little Vito started singing in the room by himself. From also coming to the States he felt so bad for Vito being all alone
i cant imagine being a small boy who's whole family was killed one boat ride ago....being locked in a little tiny room for two months in case the "small pox" they suspect you have either goes away. Or kills you.
I don't think Michael actually intimidated Frank into not testifying. We hear Frank speak about his older brother earlier in the movie, he is a made man in Italy, and its obvious Frank looks up to his brother. The mafia at this time had one rule above all others. Omerta. The code of silence. You don't rat on anyone. Michael brought his brother in to remind Frank of that code, and basically say "You want to rat? Do it in front of your hero." If Frank had testified, his brother would've been ashamed of him, and disowned him.
Frank's brother was an old school mafioso, he was the local mafia chieftain of their town, his life was never in danger here but there was more than just shame behind Frank's decision to recant his testimony, Frank's children were under his brother's protection back in Sicily, him breaking one of the highest rules of the mafia would damage his brother's reputation and would put his own children in danger. Other hints to this were seen later when Frank talks to Tom and they speak about what happened in ancient Rome when an assassination plot against the emperor failed, sometimes the conspirators were allowed to take their own lives, that would wash away their crime and their families would be spared and sometimes even allowed to retain their property and status in society; Frank didn't drink poison, jump from somewhere high, hang or shot himself he went away in the roman fashion, his offense against their code paid and his family free of shame and of the threat of retribution.
The way Coppola weaved together a prequel and sequel that shows the rise and collapse and juxtaposing Vito’s warmth and love with Michael cold hearted calculated nature it’s just such an impressive film which is why I feel it’s right on par if not better than the first they are my top 2 films of all time
@@JohnSmith-wh2ob I go back and forth on which is better, they are my top 2 (tie), but I will always believe (considering the era and cinema technology available) that Casablanca is still #1.
In case you don't know: Lee Strasberg, who played Hyman Roth, had never had a screen credit before except for a supporting role in the early fifties, but for decades he had been probably the most legendary acting teacher in the country, and a number of the film industry's biggest stars had studied under him, and film insiders had been urging him to do a movie role again. He was finally persuaded to appear in this one, and then did a small number of other roles in the few remaining years before his death.
Also the changing of his last name actually occurred quite often with Sicilian immigrants in the early 20th century. It's one of the biggest reasons Palermo is such a common last name for American Sicilians - it's the largest city in Sicily.
Ellis Island, where Vito entered the US. Because people were coming from various countries, they were checked for various illnesses and even lice. It was also common for named to be changed by those who checked them in. The names were often more convenient to pronounce and less true to the person's previous identity.
Francis Ford Coppola originally didn't want to return to direct the Godfather sequel. He'd just worked on The Conversation and wanted to move on to other projects, like Apocalypse Now. He suggested that Paramount give the job of directing the sequel to his good friend, Martin Scorsese, but Paramount insisted that Coppola return to direct because they didn't want to gve the job to some unknown director that no one had heard of. lol 😂
Fredo was responsible for leaving the curtains open in Michael's bedroom. At the mother's wake, Michael embraces Fredo but he glances over at Al Neri giving the "go-ahead" to kill Fredo.
The actor who played Johnny Ola plays Junior Soprano, so this is the perfect lead in to that series. The actor who plays Al Nieri shows up in a later episode of the Sopranos as well.
Vito getting revenge on Don Ciccio was quite a highlight, especially given what was done to his family and what Ciccio is implied to have done to others with his unflinching ruthlessness.
So the driving force of this movie in Micheal’s story is that Hyman wants to kill Micheal because Micheal had Moe Green killed. Hyman is loosely based on Meyer Lansky and Moe Green is loosely based on Bugsy Siegel. Siegel and Lansky were close friends and like Moe Green in the Godfather Siegel really was the person who turned Las Vegas into what it is today. He was killed very similarly to how Moe Green is killed in the story. I don’t know if Lansky ever got revenge for Siegal’s murder I believe that the line “This is the business we have chosen” was a quote attributed to Lansky. This whole charade that Micheal and Hyman are playing with each other. Is interesting. When Micheal says “keep your friends close but your enemies closer” Hyman is following that same rule. They are both stalking each other looking for the best time to act. Micheal wants to see if he can find out who betrayed him and Hyman wants to see if he can get his hands on Micheal’s money before he acts. Kind of cool.
Only one small correction: Moe Green is a fictional amalgamation of Bugsy Siegel and Moe Dalitz a lesser known but renown Jewish gangster of the early Las Vegas years.
Moe Greene is obviously based of Bugsy but their deaths weren’t very similar at all. Moe Greene was shot in the eye once with a pistol by a gunman at close range while Bugsy was shot by a rifle through the window of his house while sitting on the couch
@@Buttsley1 well of course Moe Green in the story and Bugsy Seagal in real life did not die exactly the same way. That would have been a little too much realism. They both were killed when their existence became inconvenient. Same as Hymen Roth being loosely based on Meyer Lansky. However there were differences there as well. I believe Meyer Lansky died of natural causes.
I prefer the first Godfather over the second but of course taste is subjective. GF2 is amazing and heavy. It's so dark in tone and done so well. I thought the Alien > Aliens comparison fit well. They're apples and oranges. Both great in different ways.
Besides The Princess Bride and Kill Bill this movie had one of the greatest revenge kill scenes ever I was so happy when young Vito Corleone got his revenge and killed that old Don that had his family murdered
Really love the sharp contrast between the beginning of Part 1 and the end of this movie...THe first movie start with a wedding with a full family and this one end with Micheal alone, everybody either left him, avoid him or they died...kinda of a you reap what you sow situation...
That shot of Micheal sitting in the yard during the fall alone with his guilt and regrets hits me every time. That could be any 50 year old man and it scares the shit out of me because i dont want to be that.
@@mogray90 Yup. And during the fall i shit you not when im outside and the leaves are falling and im sitting in my yard or on the grill by myself that scene comes to mind every single time. Then i have to run inside and call someone to come over 🤣
@@mr.nobody9697What we can't do is act like women, and that's exactly what you do. A man is born, lives and dies alone. All the love we have is bought.
Next you need to watch "Dog Day Afternoon" with Pacino and Cazale. John Cazale, the actor who played Fredo, was one of the most versatile actors there was. You already watched him in the Deer Hunter, a movie he made while dying of lung cancer. He played Stanley.
I know these suggestions are linked by Pacino, but I want to suggest two movies by theme: _ Miller's Crossing by the Cohen Brothers and a great cast _ A Bronx Tale, also excellent movie
Before I saw GF2 I had seen BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY with an even younger DeNiro who plays a dim-witted professional baseball catcher. He is said to have lived in Sicily to learn to speak Sicilian authentically. When the lights came up on GF2, I blurted to my friends: DeNiro is gonna win the Oscar!And he did. Tessio the traitor (Abe Vigoda known for tv sitcom) was the 3rd guy with young Vito. Young Clemenza of the guns and rug (Bruno Kirby) was the other guy. Old Clemenza (Richard Castellano) negotiated his way out of repeating the part. Coppola wrote him out and had Pentangelli note his death when he arrives at the Tahoe party. The man who tried to kill him was Danny Aiello who’s one of the Rosato brothers. Merle was Troy Donahue. Johnny Ola (who Fredo pretends not to know) was Dominic Chianese (Jr Soprano!) The casting of this movie is one of its greatest strengths and that’s a credit to Coppola. Check out the careers of those actors so new to us in the 70s.
Really awesome pre-production note. When the studio gave the green light for the sequel, Coppola said "You should let this new kid have a go at directing, he shows a ton of potential." That kid? Martin Scorsese.
23:49 No, Sonny and Tom used to play in the streets together, when Tom and his biological sister were separated and sent to different foster homes Tom ran away so the social services didn't want to deal with an 'ungrateful' child so they left him alone, he was going blind from a cataract, and Sonny found him homeless and alone so he brought him home. Don Vito paid for his eye operation and put him through school. That's why Tom was always more loyal to Sonny and Vito than he was to Michael.
Loved this reaction! Part 2 is my personal favorite. Excited for you to see Dog Day Afternoon. Pacino & his close friend John Cazale had great chemistry. Cazale made only 5 movies before his tragic death & all were straight up masterpieces. Love you guys!
The scene with the landlord is, I think, the perfect illustration of how the Godfather works. Never raises his voice, never threatens, just calmly sits there until the landlord gives him what he wants
I love the Deniro/Don Corleone flashback parts so much! Those are what make this one better than the first. What Don Fanucci, or "The Black Hand" is extortion, or a protection racket. "You don't give us a portion, we'll destroy your business "
@@jamesalexander5623 I don't there's anything loose about it. It's clearly Lansky, with his connection to Bugsy Siegel, who would have been portrayed as the Moe Green character. Lansky was still alive at the time of the film, but all the real life characterizations were fictionalized anyway.
The look of sheer despair when Fredo gives himself away to Michael was so brutal. Al Pacino seriously killed it in this role. Possibly the greatest acting performance ever.
I think it's more 50/50 on people who think which is better than the other. I'm personally a bigger fan of the original, but Part 2 is definitely great as well.
There is a cut of the 2 movies out there called "The Godfather Saga". I think it was a TNT project. It takes both movies plus deleted scenes and recuts them into chronological order. It is pretty good. The deleted scenes add some interesting context, like it was Vito that gave a young Roth his name.
The sepia tone of the film color in the Young Vito scenes added a historical quality to it. Loved it. Now Michael has to live with the guilt of killing his brother. Amazing film.
In addition to being mesmerizing in every way, the two (and there are only two!) Godfather films provides an education in so many things. You'll understand 2,500 years of Roman/Italian history pretty well just by absorbing these movies. Everything going back to the myth of Romulus and Remus, through the Roman civil wars, through the Papal struggles and the psychotic vendettas of the Renaissance families...it's all just about fathers vs. sons and brother against brother.
Some trivia- 1. There was a TV special and also released on VCR / DVD a "mash up" of theses two films, which told everything in chronological order. So everything followed time-wise from Vito's childhood to Michael in Vegas. 2. Hyman Roth is played by Lee Strasburg, who along with Stella Adler were acting coaches who developed "The Method" and founded the "Actor's Studio" in NYC.
Great reaction, guys. One of the TV networks used to show a combined version of parts I and II, with the scenes presented chronologically, so that was interesting.
One of the things I like the most about your reactions is your breakdown at the end of videos. I watch a lot of reaction channels. in my opinion the two of you have some of best incites into the characters, plot, narrative themes and overall summery. I hope your channel continues to grow and i look forward to your future works.
Fun to relive this experience with you two. What I really liked about these movies was how actual history was tied into it. The Fidel Castro coup, the senate hearings on the mafia ... all true, and of course in Part III, the Vatican and Pope John Paul the First.
The comment from 'gazoontight' is correct. All immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island (New York City) were checked for trachoma, a chronic, contagious eye disease that left 3 out of 4 people blind (antibiotics were not available at the turn of the century). An instrument called a button hook (instrument with a tiny hook at he end) was used to upturn the eyelid to look for the disease. If you have trachoma, you were either sent back to the country you came from or treated with chemicals before entry into the US
Because Brando didn't return for a cameo (he didn't want to, iirc), Coppola did this really artistic thing with the flashback scene at the end that was very symbolic, of Michael's personality, of most everyone else there now being dead. There're so many interesting parallels between Michael fending off his enemies and Vito doing the same, yet the very stark contrast between Vito going from no family to surrounded by family vs. Michael being surrounded by his family but rebuffing them away, and them all stepping away to greet Vito (off screen). Everyone loved Vito, now gone but still loved even in memory, while Michael ends up alive but alone and even disconnected from Connie and Tom.
When me and the wife argue, and I want it to end, I break out Kay's abortion explanation. "It was an abortion, Michael, just like our marriage....". It gets a laugh out of her. But that scene, you can see Michael just getting angrier. That slap looks real, there was no stunt double. How long did Al Pacino had to apologize to Keaton for that slap?
Pacino’s eyes in that scene are incredible he looks ready to kill like she killed their child like as she continues talking everyone watching is like please stop it’s for your own good can’t you see how mad he’s getting at your what he considers betrayal
I remember eagerly waiting for your godfather reactions when they initially released. Things have flew by real quick, imo the objectively best movie you've ever reacted to on your channel.
This is definitely one of my favorite movies. So glad you guys watched it and were able to upload your reactions again. Hope you are both doing well. Cheers!
24:10 Long story short, think of scenario no 3. from this segment of The Simpsons: Homer: "You can't kill me for being Krusty. I'm not Krusty, I'm Homer Simpson." Fat Tony: "The same Homer Simpson who crashed his car through the wall of our club?" Homer: "Uh, actually my name is Barney. Yeah, Barney Gumble." Legs: "The same Barney Gumble who keeps taking picture of my sister?" Homer: "Actually my real name is.....think Krusty think.....Joe Valachi!" Louie: "The same Joe Valachi who squealed to the Senate Committee about organised crime?" Homer: "Benedict Arnold!" Fat Tony: "The same Benedict Arnold who plotted to surrender to the hateful British?"
Clemenza's death of a heart attack between movies is because the actor demanded a higher salary for this film, but Coppola wouldn't budge. He was replaced in the script by the new character Pentangeli, so if he seemed pretty similar to Clemenza, that's why.
@@anrunhe ACTUALLY wanted his girlfriend, Ardell Sheridan, to write Peter Clemenza's dialogue. (Sheridan played Clemenza's wife in Part One; she reminded Clemenza about the cannoli).
Immigrants arriving in the US on Ellis Island were checked for trachoma (basically chlamydia of the eyes) using a buttonhook to examine their eyelids - they often warned each other to 'beware the buttonhook men'. Anyone found to have the disease was sent home or treated before being allowed into the country. Visual impairment and blindness from trachoma is irreversible.
Often times names were changed because immigrants couldn't read, write or effectively communicate their proper names and immigrant officers didn't know how to pronounce them anyways. Names were shortened, misspelled or changed altogether on identification cards and that's what they were known as moving forward.
Beware of anyone who refuses charity out of pride. It means they look down on anyone who would accept their offers. The moment Vito refuses the shopkeeper's gift, it foreshadows his true character, not as kind and generous, but as cold and manipulative.
16:57 The "Cuba" cake is symbolic. American gangsters are dividing it up just as they're planning to do with the actual Cuba. "Make sure everyone gets a slice". Cuba is 90 miles from the US. If it weren't for the rebellion Cuba would make Vegas look like an abandoned carnival.
The thing is the book was the whole story that starts with Vito as a small boy. When the first movie was made they had to shorten the story and start in the middle due to time and money. With the movie being a block buster, they decided to go back to the beginning on the second movie.
Frank Pentangeli suddenly gets amnesia when they bring his brother into court not because he fears for his brothers life. As they exit Tom Hagen says something to Frank Pentangeli's brother in Italian, what he says is "Your Family Honor is Safe". Frank Pentangeli didn't want his brother to go home & tell everyone, there was a rat in the family & the Pentangeli Family Honor was gone. & Frank Pentangeli was the rat! With the brother adding, It's not a rumor, I saw him do it with my own two eyes.👀
During the 80`s, Coppola put together a cut of both films in chronological. It was called The Godfather- The Complete Novel for television. It was a very interesting take on the two films.
There are so many brilliant scenes in this film but I'm always haunted by the flashback to Michael right before he joins the military. I think originally Brando was supposed to make a cameo as Vito, but in the end he didn't go for it, which actually improves the scene IMHO. Vito's a presence in another room, cut off from Michael, who sits brooding in his father's shadow in 1941 just as he ends up doing in 1958. Incredible movie.
John Cazale who played Fredo (who was married to Meryl Streep), was only in 5 films, all of which were nominated at the Oscars for Best Picture. Al Pacino once said: "I learned more about acting from John than anybody". I'd recommend watching the documentary: "I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale", an amazing but tragic story of John Cazale.
Yes, we lost a lot of great work future work from John. I saw that program. It was really good. I don't think John and Meryl were ever legally married but they were partners for a couple of years til his death.
Thanks for the great reaction. Now that you have seen 1 and 2, I think viewing the movies together it is the story of Michael’s transformation from innocence to the pure evil of unbridled power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The second film also contrasts Vito and Michael. Vito was all about family. Spent his time with his family and cared about them. Michael cares about the concept of family as in “never go against the family”, but what he really means is never betray him. He thirsts for power and uses the resources of the family and his ingenuity to consolidate power. The end is chilling because Michael’s thirst for power isolates him. The flash back at the end shows the tragedy of it. He kills Fredo for the betrayal. But the flashback shows that even in their youth Fredo was the one person who cared for Michael and supported him. Some people say Part 3 is mediocre and others say it’s almost unwatchable garbage. I fall in the latter camp. But I think you should watch with tempered expectations and decide for yourselves. One thing is certain the first two movies are masterpieces-top 5 movies of all time. The third one is, well not.
TRIVIA: Connie is played by the real life sister of director Francis Ford Coppola and is none other than Adrian in Rocky. Also, Nicolas Cage is Copolla's real life nephew.
1950’s heartthrob Troy Donahue plays Connie’s boyfriend and as a nod to his longtime friend Coppola uses Donahue’s real name for the character (Merle Johnson).
Thank you for mentioning that his problem with Tom may have been about Kay's abortion. I'm always learning something new about these movies that I've loved and watched so many times. (I read the book when it came out and saw the original in the theater.) Always helps to see things through another set of eyes. 😀
The guy that gets shot when Vito kills Don Ciccio back in Italy is the guy with a cane that Michael stays with when he runs away on the lam in the first movie
At Ellis Island the immigration officers very frequently would change the names of people moving to the United States. Vito DID NOT change his name, Immigration changed his name. Also they were looking for illness, not drugs.
Looking for drugs under a kids eyelid lol. Had me dying Either way imo the second one is a better movie because it's more intricately written. And Deniro made up for Brando being gone. But it us darker. Honestly you can't go wrong with either. Both masterpieces You guys are by far the best reactors I've seen btw. You're gonna blow up Oh and please don't watch the 3rd one.
I like this moive because it's both a sequel, and a prequel, simultaneously. You guys correctly picked up on the overarching themes. Part two shows the decline of Michael, and I think it does this well through the juxtaposition between how he handles things and how his dad did things. Vito is always about family and is surrounded by loved ones, and Michael is losing family left & right.
They run casinos in Vegas, but their home is in Tahoe. That is the lake they are on. While it seems like the home is supposed to be on the Nevada shoreline, the house they used is on the California side just north of Emerald Bay. As I live a short drive from the Lake in Reno, it is a pet peeve of mine when all of the state is assumed to be Vegas. So my apologies for my compulsion to post this.
This is Al Pacino’s greatest performance. Robert Duvall is unreal in this. Maybe there was no Brando but all of these younger actors came into their own in this movie. Hyman Roth and Frank Pantangele are unbelievable characters. Little known fact is the guy who played Hyman Roth was the head of a method acting school and his top student was Marlon Brando
The use of light and dark in this film is masterful! The cinematographer, Gordon Willis, was given a nickname by fellow cinematographer Conrad Hall: "the Prince of Darkness".
Mariana Hill, who played Fredo's wife, was in the Star Trek episode "Dagger Of The Mind" and in High Plains Drifter. Troy Donahue played Merle Johnson, which is Donahue's real name.
When told that DeNiro was going to play a young Brando playing Vito Corleone Brando thought it would be impossible. Amazing performance by DeNiro who got a well deserved Oscar for it.
The moment Vito murders Fanucci. He goes back to love his family and in the process he has destroyed them. Especially Micheal. He's doomed to this life he didn't want. Another theme of the film is loss of culture. When Micheal tells Tom all his men are business men. He means that they can all be bought off. Except Tom, Micheal has kept him out of the real dirty stuff to keep him clean and to prevent him from being corrupted. That's why he is the only one he could trust.
![[RE-UPLOAD] The Godfather Coda: The Death of... (1990) First Time Watching! Movie Reaction!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/f8fnSz0Jcis/mqdefault.jpg)
Re-upload from last year in preparation for our Sopranos journey! Stay tuned for The Godfather Coda re-upload coming later today!
If you missed the first Godfather reaction: ruclips.net/p/PLo3Aa90FDIcgrEthLI5PMKchaJ8oK2Md1
The Sopranos, what a good choice, a great series and something different for a reaction video.
OH MY GOD! You guys are doing The Sopranos??? It's the greatest tv drama ever! (And don't be discouraged by the first season, it's only good but not great). Can't wait to watch you guys watch Sopranos!!!
One thing I think you'll enjoy about the Sopranos are the frequent references back to the Godfather trilogy.
After the Sopranos PLEASE do Twin Peaks
When will you watch _The Offer_ miniseries?
As you switch between the prequel and the sequel, there's an interesting contrast between Vito and Michael. Vito was warm, loved by everyone, and surrounded by family, where as Michael was the opposite, cold, feared, and at the end, all alone.
The collapse of an empire
Exactly! Allot of people how reacts are missing that part and don't get it
@@njongcbooi315
Disadvantages of first time reacting.
I think that people recognize that easily enough. But as this view of the don dichotomy gains currency, it seems to gloss over that Vito is no less a ruthless villain, but much more adept at manipulation than Michael. Casting Vito as warm and cuddly is just naive and reductive.
@@Hexon66 Vito builds connections and helps people. You can claim that that's not _entirely_ good and altruistic, but Michael just... doesn't, which seems to make him straightforwardly a worse person to be around.
"I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!"
One of the best scenes in film history, along with one of the most haunting acting performances of all time by Al Pacino.
Also, I'll never understand how Al Pacino never received an Oscar for his portrayel of Michael Corleone.
Even for the 70s, Art Carney was a weird choice for an Oscar win. It's not like Spencer Tracy, Paul Newman or Dustin Hoffman were nominated.
@@christhornycroft3686 it was one of those ‘let’s reward him for a long Hollywood career’ choices that the Oscars frequently throws up.
@@donna25871 true. I’m a hockey fan and it’s the same in hockey. Drives me crazy. The best defenseman doesn’t always win. If he’s too young or doesn’t have the same name recognition, he doesn’t have a chance. Will Smith won his Oscar because at the time he was the biggest movie star in the world. Robin Williams’ Oscar was long overdue.
Hollywood politics I suspect.
@@isobelswan I think that's exactly why he didn't get the oscar. Something about him boycotting the oscars for his role in The Godfather
Something that kinda goes under the radar in this movie is the scene where Vito intentionally gives Don Fanucci less money than he asked for. Vito tested Fanucci’s gangster right there. Vito knew that a real gangster wouldn’t accept that but Fanucci let it be. That’s when Vito knew that he was a fraud and that’s why he goes ahead and kills him.
For almost half a century, Vito Corleone had the distinction of being the only character who two different actors won Oscars for. There's since been just two others: the Joker and Anita from West Side Story.
That is true. And Rita Moreno who played Anita is one of the few actresses who has the EGOT distinction, making that role even more iconic.
Oscars for The Joker character were undeserved tbh.
@@moriellymoproblems7842 Yeah, ridiculous. Considering the kind of tripe they award with Oscars nowadays it means very little if anything to me anymore.
@@moriellymoproblems7842 Ledger deserved it. Phoenix idk. Ledger was frigging amazing
@@el34glo59 say what you want about the movie but Phoenix's performance was fantastic
I remember my father said he started crying when little Vito started singing in the room by himself. From also coming to the States he felt so bad for Vito being all alone
i cant imagine being a small boy who's whole family was killed one boat ride ago....being locked in a little tiny room for two months in case the "small pox" they suspect you have
either goes away.
Or kills you.
@@slchance8839Great men are not born great, they become great. - Vito Andolini
I don't think Michael actually intimidated Frank into not testifying. We hear Frank speak about his older brother earlier in the movie, he is a made man in Italy, and its obvious Frank looks up to his brother. The mafia at this time had one rule above all others. Omerta. The code of silence. You don't rat on anyone. Michael brought his brother in to remind Frank of that code, and basically say "You want to rat? Do it in front of your hero." If Frank had testified, his brother would've been ashamed of him, and disowned him.
Very good point. I don't think I fully saw it that way, rather than just an implied threat.
Yeah you're right, there is no way Michael would kill Frank's brother. His brother was an old country made man.
@@Yngvarfo Or he was doing BOTH.
Frank's brother was an old school mafioso, he was the local mafia chieftain of their town, his life was never in danger here but there was more than just shame behind Frank's decision to recant his testimony, Frank's children were under his brother's protection back in Sicily, him breaking one of the highest rules of the mafia would damage his brother's reputation and would put his own children in danger. Other hints to this were seen later when Frank talks to Tom and they speak about what happened in ancient Rome when an assassination plot against the emperor failed, sometimes the conspirators were allowed to take their own lives, that would wash away their crime and their families would be spared and sometimes even allowed to retain their property and status in society; Frank didn't drink poison, jump from somewhere high, hang or shot himself he went away in the roman fashion, his offense against their code paid and his family free of shame and of the threat of retribution.
A bit of both imo
Hyman Roth was played by Al Pacino's acting teacher, Lee Strasberg
Lee Strasberg taught nearly everyone in this movie, including Marlon Brando.
And based on the jewish gangster money man Meyer Lansky.
@@clarencewalker3925 With respect, Marlon Brando was taught by Stella Adler,he had very little time for Lee Strasberg.
@@clarencewalker3925 He didn’t teach Brando. You should watch the Marlon Brando documentary.
@@SteveGlennieStella Adler did not get credit she deserved
John Cazale (Fredo) appeared in five films prior to his death from lung cancer. All five films were nominated for Best Picture.
This is often called the greatest American movie of the 20th century and it's hard to argue against that. A masterpiece.
The way Coppola weaved together a prequel and sequel that shows the rise and collapse and juxtaposing Vito’s warmth and love with Michael cold hearted calculated nature it’s just such an impressive film which is why I feel it’s right on par if not better than the first they are my top 2 films of all time
@@JohnSmith-wh2ob I go back and forth on which is better, they are my top 2 (tie), but I will always believe (considering the era and cinema technology available) that Casablanca is still #1.
@@flarrfanThe only film that borders on perfection is The Dark Knight. The rest is talk and bullshit.
Casablanca.....nah
In case you don't know: Lee Strasberg, who played Hyman Roth, had never had a screen credit before except for a supporting role in the early fifties, but for decades he had been probably the most legendary acting teacher in the country, and a number of the film industry's biggest stars had studied under him, and film insiders had been urging him to do a movie role again. He was finally persuaded to appear in this one, and then did a small number of other roles in the few remaining years before his death.
FYI: regarding child Vito at immigration, the checking of the eyes and such, the officers were looking for signs of communicable diseases.
Also the changing of his last name actually occurred quite often with Sicilian immigrants in the early 20th century. It's one of the biggest reasons Palermo is such a common last name for American Sicilians - it's the largest city in Sicily.
Ellis Island, where Vito entered the US. Because people were coming from various countries, they were checked for various illnesses and even lice. It was also common for named to be changed by those who checked them in. The names were often more convenient to pronounce and less true to the person's previous identity.
Francis Ford Coppola originally didn't want to return to direct the Godfather sequel. He'd just worked on The Conversation and wanted to move on to other projects, like Apocalypse Now. He suggested that Paramount give the job of directing the sequel to his good friend, Martin Scorsese, but Paramount insisted that Coppola return to direct because they didn't want to gve the job to some unknown director that no one had heard of. lol 😂
A Scorsese directed sequel would have been pretty different.
Scorsese? Never heard of him. 🤣
@@mr.nobody9697 He directed Goodfellas
The studio thought Scorsese was a nobody
They wanted Scorsese to direct this? Who's that clown? And what does he know about great mobster movies...
Fredo was responsible for leaving the curtains open in Michael's bedroom. At the mother's wake, Michael embraces Fredo but he glances over at Al Neri giving the "go-ahead" to kill Fredo.
But who hit the the hit men?🤔
The actor who played Johnny Ola plays Junior Soprano, so this is the perfect lead in to that series. The actor who plays Al Nieri shows up in a later episode of the Sopranos as well.
Thanks for your comment.
I didn't know that. 😊
Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts) was also in GFII as an extra!
@@izzonj So does Tony Lip (Carmine Lupertazi Sr.) in GF1 as an extra in the wedding, though he's uncredited.
Vito getting revenge on Don Ciccio was quite a highlight, especially given what was done to his family and what Ciccio is implied to have done to others with his unflinching ruthlessness.
In the extended version you see Vito also killing the 2 who killed his family😠
So the driving force of this movie in Micheal’s story is that Hyman wants to kill Micheal because Micheal had Moe Green killed. Hyman is loosely based on Meyer Lansky and Moe Green is loosely based on Bugsy Siegel. Siegel and Lansky were close friends and like Moe Green in the Godfather Siegel really was the person who turned Las Vegas into what it is today. He was killed very similarly to how Moe Green is killed in the story. I don’t know if Lansky ever got revenge for Siegal’s murder I believe that the line “This is the business we have chosen” was a quote attributed to Lansky.
This whole charade that Micheal and Hyman are playing with each other. Is interesting. When Micheal says “keep your friends close but your enemies closer” Hyman is following that same rule. They are both stalking each other looking for the best time to act. Micheal wants to see if he can find out who betrayed him and Hyman wants to see if he can get his hands on Micheal’s money before he acts. Kind of cool.
Very good synopsis. I only wish you'd spell my name right. :)
Only one small correction: Moe Green is a fictional amalgamation of Bugsy Siegel and Moe Dalitz a lesser known but renown Jewish gangster of the early Las Vegas years.
Moe Greene is obviously based of Bugsy but their deaths weren’t very similar at all. Moe Greene was shot in the eye once with a pistol by a gunman at close range while Bugsy was shot by a rifle through the window of his house while sitting on the couch
@@Buttsley1 well of course Moe Green in the story and Bugsy Seagal in real life did not die exactly the same way. That would have been a little too much realism. They both were killed when their existence became inconvenient. Same as Hymen Roth being loosely based on Meyer Lansky. However there were differences there as well. I believe Meyer Lansky died of natural causes.
The "slow witted and hardly speak" was made up by the mom to try and have his life spared. Another great job guys!!!
I prefer the first Godfather over the second but of course taste is subjective. GF2 is amazing and heavy. It's so dark in tone and done so well. I thought the Alien > Aliens comparison fit well. They're apples and oranges. Both great in different ways.
Agreed.
Besides The Princess Bride and Kill Bill this movie had one of the greatest revenge kill scenes ever I was so happy when young Vito Corleone got his revenge and killed that old Don that had his family murdered
I'd put Sicario as well. That one is nuts.
@Kevin McGinn absolutely unforgiven. Best Western ever imo
Really love the sharp contrast between the beginning of Part 1 and the end of this movie...THe first movie start with a wedding with a full family and this one end with Micheal alone, everybody either left him, avoid him or they died...kinda of a you reap what you sow situation...
That shot of Micheal sitting in the yard during the fall alone with his guilt and regrets hits me every time. That could be any 50 year old man and it scares the shit out of me because i dont want to be that.
i feel the same way. you know it's not what Mike wants. You or I dont want this. No one wants that end.
but....
"Want" has nothing to do with it.
exactly. I always feel something in the pit of my stomach when I see the ending dinner table scene & Mike siting outside alone.
@@mogray90 Yup. And during the fall i shit you not when im outside and the leaves are falling and im sitting in my yard or on the grill by myself that scene comes to mind every single time. Then i have to run inside and call someone to come over 🤣
@@mr.nobody9697What we can't do is act like women, and that's exactly what you do. A man is born, lives and dies alone. All the love we have is bought.
@@arthurandrade2585 🤣Lame
Next you need to watch "Dog Day Afternoon" with Pacino and Cazale. John Cazale, the actor who played Fredo, was one of the most versatile actors there was. You already watched him in the Deer Hunter, a movie he made while dying of lung cancer. He played Stanley.
Dog Day great movie !!!!! So is : And Justice For All
I know these suggestions are linked by Pacino, but I want to suggest two movies by theme:
_ Miller's Crossing by the Cohen Brothers and a great cast
_ A Bronx Tale, also excellent movie
Before I saw GF2 I had seen BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY with an even younger DeNiro who plays a dim-witted professional baseball catcher. He is said to have lived in Sicily to learn to speak Sicilian authentically. When the lights came up on GF2, I blurted to my friends: DeNiro is gonna win the Oscar!And he did.
Tessio the traitor (Abe Vigoda known for tv sitcom) was the 3rd guy with young Vito. Young Clemenza of the guns and rug (Bruno Kirby) was the other guy. Old Clemenza (Richard Castellano) negotiated his way out of repeating the part. Coppola wrote him out and had Pentangelli note his death when he arrives at the Tahoe party.
The man who tried to kill him was Danny Aiello who’s one of the Rosato brothers. Merle was Troy Donahue.
Johnny Ola (who Fredo pretends not to know) was Dominic Chianese (Jr Soprano!) The casting of this movie is one of its greatest strengths and that’s a credit to Coppola. Check out the careers of those actors so new to us in the 70s.
Really awesome pre-production note. When the studio gave the green light for the sequel, Coppola said "You should let this new kid have a go at directing, he shows a ton of potential."
That kid? Martin Scorsese.
The "loser" that Connie wanted to marry was named Merle Johnson. He was played by 50s heart-throb Troy Donahue, whose real name was...Merle Johnson.
23:49 No, Sonny and Tom used to play in the streets together, when Tom and his biological sister were separated and sent to different foster homes Tom ran away so the social services didn't want to deal with an 'ungrateful' child so they left him alone, he was going blind from a cataract, and Sonny found him homeless and alone so he brought him home. Don Vito paid for his eye operation and put him through school. That's why Tom was always more loyal to Sonny and Vito than he was to Michael.
Loved this reaction! Part 2 is my personal favorite. Excited for you to see Dog Day Afternoon. Pacino & his close friend John Cazale had great chemistry. Cazale made only 5 movies before his tragic death & all were straight up masterpieces. Love you guys!
The scene with the landlord is, I think, the perfect illustration of how the Godfather works.
Never raises his voice, never threatens, just calmly sits there until the landlord gives him what he wants
I love the 2nd one so much because I love the back story of Vito back in Italy to NYC. Robert just absolutely crushed the role.
I love the Deniro/Don Corleone flashback parts so much! Those are what make this one better than the first. What Don Fanucci, or "The Black Hand" is extortion, or a protection racket. "You don't give us a portion, we'll destroy your business "
16:35 Hyman Roth not even remotely interested in the solid gold telephone always cracks me up. Would love to know the value of that.
Hyman Roth is based loosley on Meyer Lansky.
@@jamesalexander5623 I don't there's anything loose about it. It's clearly Lansky, with his connection to Bugsy Siegel, who would have been portrayed as the Moe Green character. Lansky was still alive at the time of the film, but all the real life characterizations were fictionalized anyway.
It's funny you two obsessed on that cake. Every time I watch this movie I think "man, that cake looks good!"
A Bronx Tale (1993) Robert De Niro's Directorial Debut, also starring Robert De Niro and Chaz Palminteri. This will be up your alley.
The look of sheer despair when Fredo gives himself away to Michael was so brutal. Al Pacino seriously killed it in this role. Possibly the greatest acting performance ever.
I think it's more 50/50 on people who think which is better than the other. I'm personally a bigger fan of the original, but Part 2 is definitely great as well.
It's not unanimous at all. I also think the Original is better. I love Marlon Brando and James Caan.
they are boring as hell . but part 2 is mind boggling boring. time just stops. how anyone enjoys that movie is beyond me
@@DannyCosmos Because they're actually good? Maybe that's why
Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I think Part 1 is marginally better.
@@errwhattheflip art is subjective …. Read a book.
There is a cut of the 2 movies out there called "The Godfather Saga". I think it was a TNT project. It takes both movies plus deleted scenes and recuts them into chronological order. It is pretty good. The deleted scenes add some interesting context, like it was Vito that gave a young Roth his name.
@@nintendianajones64 I knew it was a TV production, I just thought it was a Turner station that did it.
The sepia tone of the film color in the Young Vito scenes added a historical quality to it. Loved it. Now Michael has to live with the guilt of killing his brother. Amazing film.
In addition to being mesmerizing in every way, the two (and there are only two!) Godfather films provides an education in so many things. You'll understand 2,500 years of Roman/Italian history pretty well just by absorbing these movies. Everything going back to the myth of Romulus and Remus, through the Roman civil wars, through the Papal struggles and the psychotic vendettas of the Renaissance families...it's all just about fathers vs. sons and brother against brother.
Some trivia- 1. There was a TV special and also released on VCR / DVD a "mash up" of theses two films, which told everything in chronological order. So everything followed time-wise from Vito's childhood to Michael in Vegas. 2. Hyman Roth is played by Lee Strasburg, who along with Stella Adler were acting coaches who developed "The Method" and founded the "Actor's Studio" in NYC.
11:58 That rug really tied the room together
Great reaction, guys. One of the TV networks used to show a combined version of parts I and II, with the scenes presented chronologically, so that was interesting.
One of the things I like the most about your reactions is your breakdown at the end of videos. I watch a lot of reaction channels. in my opinion the two of you have some of best incites into the characters, plot, narrative themes and overall summery. I hope your channel continues to grow and i look forward to your future works.
Fun to relive this experience with you two. What I really liked about these movies was how actual history was tied into it. The Fidel Castro coup, the senate hearings on the mafia ... all true, and of course in Part III, the Vatican and Pope John Paul the First.
The comment from 'gazoontight' is correct. All immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island (New York City) were checked for trachoma, a chronic, contagious eye disease that left 3 out of 4 people blind (antibiotics were not available at the turn of the century). An instrument called a button hook (instrument with a tiny hook at he end) was used to upturn the eyelid to look for the disease. If you have trachoma, you were either sent back to the country you came from or treated with chemicals before entry into the US
Because Brando didn't return for a cameo (he didn't want to, iirc), Coppola did this really artistic thing with the flashback scene at the end that was very symbolic, of Michael's personality, of most everyone else there now being dead. There're so many interesting parallels between Michael fending off his enemies and Vito doing the same, yet the very stark contrast between Vito going from no family to surrounded by family vs. Michael being surrounded by his family but rebuffing them away, and them all stepping away to greet Vito (off screen). Everyone loved Vito, now gone but still loved even in memory, while Michael ends up alive but alone and even disconnected from Connie and Tom.
When me and the wife argue, and I want it to end, I break out Kay's abortion explanation. "It was an abortion, Michael, just like our marriage....". It gets a laugh out of her.
But that scene, you can see Michael just getting angrier. That slap looks real, there was no stunt double. How long did Al Pacino had to apologize to Keaton for that slap?
Lol
Pacino’s eyes in that scene are incredible he looks ready to kill like she killed their child like as she continues talking everyone watching is like please stop it’s for your own good can’t you see how mad he’s getting at your what he considers betrayal
Why would a male actor of Al Pacino's high caliber apologize for a script, that's for amateurs. Do your job, do what needs to be done.
This was so good! I love how you cut it down under an hour. Very enjoyable reactions.
Samantha saying "they're just gonna talk" had me laughing
I remember eagerly waiting for your godfather reactions when they initially released. Things have flew by real quick, imo the objectively best movie you've ever reacted to on your channel.
I LOVE that DeNiro actually spoke Italian but its almost as if Al Pacino never wanted to. He only has a few one liners in Italian in the 1st movie.
I think the point of the cake was that they were literraly carving up pieces of Cuba.
This is definitely one of my favorite movies. So glad you guys watched it and were able to upload your reactions again. Hope you are both doing well. Cheers!
You need to watch The Offer. It’s the making of The Godfather. The studio did not want Al Pacino to play Michael. Can you even imagine that???
You two are such beautiful people, I hope you have a big family with plenty of children.
24:10 Long story short, think of scenario no 3. from this segment of The Simpsons:
Homer: "You can't kill me for being Krusty. I'm not Krusty, I'm Homer Simpson."
Fat Tony: "The same Homer Simpson who crashed his car through the wall of our club?"
Homer: "Uh, actually my name is Barney. Yeah, Barney Gumble."
Legs: "The same Barney Gumble who keeps taking picture of my sister?"
Homer: "Actually my real name is.....think Krusty think.....Joe Valachi!"
Louie: "The same Joe Valachi who squealed to the Senate Committee about organised crime?"
Homer: "Benedict Arnold!"
Fat Tony: "The same Benedict Arnold who plotted to surrender to the hateful British?"
Clemenza's death of a heart attack between movies is because the actor demanded a higher salary for this film, but Coppola wouldn't budge. He was replaced in the script by the new character Pentangeli, so if he seemed pretty similar to Clemenza, that's why.
It wasn't just money. Apparently, he also wanted to write his own dialogue.
@@anrunhe ACTUALLY wanted his girlfriend, Ardell Sheridan, to write Peter Clemenza's dialogue. (Sheridan played Clemenza's wife in Part One; she reminded Clemenza about the cannoli).
Immigrants arriving in the US on Ellis Island were checked for trachoma (basically chlamydia of the eyes) using a buttonhook to examine their eyelids - they often warned each other to 'beware the buttonhook men'. Anyone found to have the disease was sent home or treated before being allowed into the country. Visual impairment and blindness from trachoma is irreversible.
Often times names were changed because immigrants couldn't read, write or effectively communicate their proper names and immigrant officers didn't know how to pronounce them anyways. Names were shortened, misspelled or changed altogether on identification cards and that's what they were known as moving forward.
Been looking for this comment. Learn something new everyday
Just now noticed that Michael's sister Connie is the same actress who played Adrian Balboa in Rocky.
And Pentangelli’s Bodyguard is the Loan Shark from Rocky 1 and 2
Great reaction 😉 to these movies. FYI: Jonny Ola is also Uncle Jun in the Sopranos. Fantastic actor. Keep Rocking, rayray ✊✌️🤙
I think Vito was proud and started to accept the gifts when they were a sign of respect instead of being out of pity.
Plus he knew they weren't being squeezed by the black hand anymore.
Beware of anyone who refuses charity out of pride. It means they look down on anyone who would accept their offers. The moment Vito refuses the shopkeeper's gift, it foreshadows his true character, not as kind and generous, but as cold and manipulative.
@@Hexon66 nah.
16:57 The "Cuba" cake is symbolic. American gangsters are dividing it up just as they're planning to do with the actual Cuba. "Make sure everyone gets a slice". Cuba is 90 miles from the US. If it weren't for the rebellion Cuba would make Vegas look like an abandoned carnival.
Just as good, if not even better, than part one. Love both of them!
Godfather II is the best movie I've ever seen. Vertigo is a close second.
My heart belongs to the first movie but I understand why people love this one. All things considered I wish for a full young Vito movie
I love this movie! Thank you kids for finally reacting to it. Good job as always.
The thing is the book was the whole story that starts with Vito as a small boy. When the first movie was made they had to shorten the story and start in the middle due to time and money. With the movie being a block buster, they decided to go back to the beginning on the second movie.
Frank Pentangeli suddenly gets amnesia when they bring his brother into court not because he fears for his brothers life. As they exit Tom Hagen says something to Frank Pentangeli's brother in Italian, what he says is "Your Family Honor is Safe".
Frank Pentangeli didn't want his brother to go home & tell everyone, there was a rat in the family & the Pentangeli Family Honor was gone. & Frank Pentangeli was the rat!
With the brother adding, It's not a rumor, I saw him do it with my own two eyes.👀
The emphasis on the cake with a picture of Cuba on it, was to show how they were carving up Cuba amongst themselves.
During the 80`s, Coppola put together a cut of both films in chronological. It was called The Godfather- The Complete Novel for television. It was a very interesting take on the two films.
This is one of the most rewatchable movies I've ever seen
Love you guy's reactions bro
You're killing it
I keep tuning in to your channel
I'm watching your Sopranos journey too, but Chase had to have written his script after seeing The Godfather.
We all know that bro
And Goodfellas
You guys are f'n GREAT to watch movies with!!! You're so smart, you get the subtle things many ppl miss! ❤
There are so many brilliant scenes in this film but I'm always haunted by the flashback to Michael right before he joins the military. I think originally Brando was supposed to make a cameo as Vito, but in the end he didn't go for it, which actually improves the scene IMHO. Vito's a presence in another room, cut off from Michael, who sits brooding in his father's shadow in 1941 just as he ends up doing in 1958. Incredible movie.
John Cazale who played Fredo (who was married to Meryl Streep), was only in 5 films, all of which were nominated at the Oscars for Best Picture. Al Pacino once said: "I learned more about acting from John than anybody". I'd recommend watching the documentary: "I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale", an amazing but tragic story of John Cazale.
Yes, we lost a lot of great work future work from John. I saw that program. It was really good. I don't think John and Meryl were ever legally married but they were partners for a couple of years til his death.
@@MrAitraining The way understand it John Cazale and Meryl Streep were engaged until his passing.
Thanks for the great reaction. Now that you have seen 1 and 2, I think viewing the movies together it is the story of Michael’s transformation from innocence to the pure evil of unbridled power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The second film also contrasts Vito and Michael. Vito was all about family. Spent his time with his family and cared about them. Michael cares about the concept of family as in “never go against the family”, but what he really means is never betray him. He thirsts for power and uses the resources of the family and his ingenuity to consolidate power.
The end is chilling because Michael’s thirst for power isolates him. The flash back at the end shows the tragedy of it. He kills Fredo for the betrayal. But the flashback shows that even in their youth Fredo was the one person who cared for Michael and supported him.
Some people say Part 3 is mediocre and others say it’s almost unwatchable garbage. I fall in the latter camp. But I think you should watch with tempered expectations and decide for yourselves. One thing is certain the first two movies are masterpieces-top 5 movies of all time. The third one is, well not.
Excellent observation about who let Kate go to the doctor when Tom was in charge of the compound. Very nice.
The special edition dvd set is worth owning. Lots of cool extra stuff with deleted scenes and audition tapes
TRIVIA: Connie is played by the real life sister of director Francis Ford Coppola and is none other than Adrian in Rocky. Also, Nicolas Cage is Copolla's real life nephew.
Whether he's Michal from Godfather or Tony from Scarface. Al Pacino plays the ruthless mob boss so well
1950’s heartthrob Troy Donahue plays Connie’s boyfriend and as a nod to his longtime friend Coppola uses Donahue’s real name for the character (Merle Johnson).
The movie that made Robert De Niro an Oscar winner
Thank you for mentioning that his problem with Tom may have been about Kay's abortion. I'm always learning something new about these movies that I've loved and watched so many times. (I read the book when it came out and saw the original in the theater.) Always helps to see things through another set of eyes. 😀
The guy that gets shot when Vito kills Don Ciccio back in Italy is the guy with a cane that Michael stays with when he runs away on the lam in the first movie
The part where Frankie gets strangled is a true story. It happen in Brooklyn to a mobster name Larry Gallo back in the ‘60s
In Cuba, Michael gives Fredo the infamous "Kiss of Death".
Arguably the better of the first two Godfather movies. Regardless, combined, they are the pinnacle of filmmaking.
At Ellis Island the immigration officers very frequently would change the names of people moving to the United States. Vito DID NOT change his name, Immigration changed his name. Also they were looking for illness, not drugs.
Looking for drugs under a kids eyelid lol.
Had me dying
Either way imo the second one is a better movie because it's more intricately written. And Deniro made up for Brando being gone. But it us darker. Honestly you can't go wrong with either. Both masterpieces
You guys are by far the best reactors I've seen btw. You're gonna blow up
Oh and please don't watch the 3rd one.
3rd one is good just not as great, the pt3 being trash narrative is so cringeee
A little FYI: Roth (Lee Strasberg) was one of Al Pacino’s acting teachers.
Great story & I really like learning young Vito's story, he was so innocent singing in his room in NYC, Life can change you...
I like this moive because it's both a sequel, and a prequel, simultaneously. You guys correctly picked up on the overarching themes. Part two shows the decline of Michael, and I think it does this well through the juxtaposition between how he handles things and how his dad did things. Vito is always about family and is surrounded by loved ones, and Michael is losing family left & right.
They run casinos in Vegas, but their home is in Tahoe. That is the lake they are on. While it seems like the home is supposed to be on the Nevada shoreline, the house they used is on the California side just north of Emerald Bay.
As I live a short drive from the Lake in Reno, it is a pet peeve of mine when all of the state is assumed to be Vegas. So my apologies for my compulsion to post this.
This is Al Pacino’s greatest performance. Robert Duvall is unreal in this. Maybe there was no Brando but all of these younger actors came into their own in this movie. Hyman Roth and Frank Pantangele are unbelievable characters. Little known fact is the guy who played Hyman Roth was the head of a method acting school and his top student was Marlon Brando
And Pacino was his student also
And the Oscar goes to...Art Carney????
the first orange was Johnny ola who got killed with the hanger
Johnny Ola actor is Uncle Junior on Sopranos. Almost unrecognizable here cuz he is so much younger. Pretty cool.
The use of light and dark in this film is masterful! The cinematographer, Gordon Willis, was given a nickname by fellow cinematographer Conrad Hall: "the Prince of Darkness".
There's a deleted scene were Don Fanucci gets his neck sliced by a couple thugs that he was trying to steal from there family
Mariana Hill, who played Fredo's wife, was in the Star Trek episode "Dagger Of The Mind" and in High Plains Drifter. Troy Donahue played Merle Johnson, which is Donahue's real name.
I always watch hoping Fredo WON'T speak too loud talking about hanging with Johnny Ola and Michael standing so close.
*slaps forehead* "Dammit Fredo!"
When told that DeNiro was going to play a young Brando playing Vito Corleone Brando thought it would be impossible. Amazing performance by DeNiro who got a well deserved Oscar for it.
The moment Vito murders Fanucci. He goes back to love his family and in the process he has destroyed them. Especially Micheal. He's doomed to this life he didn't want. Another theme of the film is loss of culture. When Micheal tells Tom all his men are business men. He means that they can all be bought off. Except Tom, Micheal has kept him out of the real dirty stuff to keep him clean and to prevent him from being corrupted. That's why he is the only one he could trust.
Vitos mother described him as slow witted to save his life. Irony