The Godfather | Psychology - Understanding Michael and Vito
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
- My analysis of The Godfather Part one. A video essay considering the deeper meaning of the film and the psychology of Michael (Al Pacino) principally, but also touching on Vito (Marlon Brando) before him and how their roles as Don Corleone differed. This film is a masterpiece worthy of so much more analysis than I could comfortably fit into his videoessay. I was tempted to try indepth scene breakdowns, for the opening scene or the killing of Sollozzo and McCluskey, however maybe I'll leave that for another time.
My Little Thought Tree is my channel for drawing out the deeper meaning and emotion in film, TV, and the world at large through relaxed, analytical video essays. I am a professional counsellor and often draw on my psychology and therapy background to better understand characters, themes, and emotion in fiction. I upload every Saturday and occasionally on Tuesdays, if I'm feeling productive.
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Music:
Howard Harper-Barnes - The Melancholy Waltz
Bireli Snow - Waltz For Little Italy
Trabant 33 - In The Ruins Of Etna
Trabant 33 - Palermo Moonlight
Rune Dale - Tell You Something
Derek Fiechter & Brandon Fiechter - The Town Of Italy
Trabant 33 - Palermo
Medité - Godfather
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:28 War Hero At Home
12:14 Thrill Of Power
14:42 Tradition
17:40 Securing Safety
20:10 Vito's Heart
24:08 Conclusion
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Total number of comments pointing out I said "army" instead of "marines" = 39. I'm sorry guys! It's clearly not my expertise and, in my slight defence, Sonny does use the phrase "army" when talking to Michael
Meh. We knew what you meant 🖤
Both were highly intelligent and skilled in their roles. The huge difference is Michael was feared while Vito was loved and/or respected.
Vito is warm, Sonny is hot, but Michael is cold. It makes him a successful gang leader, but not a trusted one.
Well said
Loved by his family...respected by his friends and enemies.
@@Serai3 I respectfully disagree, maybe untrustworthy to a few, but I would substitute the word "untrustworthy" with "beloved" for most, and by most.
Uh, Vito was loved and feared.
The fact that we're even talking about these characters 40+ years on really speaks to just how much this movie series is a masterpiece.
Bro to be correct i think its 50 yrs already by the time you posted this. I think it was in 1972.
@@siddddi2- 50 would qualify as 40+
Right On!
@@TheBerkeleyBeauty No. 40+ explicitly means "no less than 40" as in at least 40 and probably a few more, but certainly not 50 or over. In common parlance, 40+ is usually used up to a quantity of 47 max, but can technically be stretched to 49. It cannot, however, imply a full 50 or above.
25 years ago, I used to see my father watch this movie over and over again. I never understood why.
My father passed away, I grew up and made a family of my own. My daughter sees me watch this movie over and over again, she doesn't understand why. But now I do.
When I watch this movie it's not only great cinema that pulls me in. But it's the reminder that the honor of living a life of loving, gaurding and sacrificing for one's responsibility towards their family is an honor worth living and dying for.
I think maybe you missed something in this film. It's not only about virtue - it's about embracing evil.
Yeah, have you tried the Fast and Furious franchise?
@@deweydecimal27 Family
Vito and his sons believed that ruthlessly obtaining wealth and power and eliminating enemies are the only ways to keep the family safe.
The Andolini family died because, one by one, Vito's father, brother, and mother tried to stand up to Don Ciccio, but were killed because he had power and they didn't. Vito had to flee because he was a powerless child
It was only after the powerful Corleone family grew from the ashes of the powerless Andolini family, that Vito could avenge the family he lost and protect the family he made. Or so, he thought, as did Sonny and Michael.
However, as the ensuing decades played out, all they really did was perpetuate a cycle of violence that eventually shattered the family.
@Chandler White his comment was for likes only, one can see it from far away.
Notice Kay's change in fashion before and after Michael's exile. Red/orange at the wedding. Red dress under a coat at their movie date. Red dress at their date at theit apartment. After Mike comes back from Sicily, she wears dull brown and dull gray.
What do you think that means?
@@user-wk8mw6to2g I know what it means. Because you can read it on the internet.
12:34 Everything the crime families do is personal. "It's just business" is their excuse for it. In the original Mario Puzo Godfather novel Michael even acknowledges that saying "It's all personal. Every bit of business."
Exactly
In fact I’d go on to say the remark “it’s only business” means it’s as personal as it gets
He's also an officer in the Marines.... a Captain, which means he's educated and has definitely commanded men in combat (Sonny refers to him as a war hero) before he ever took over the family. It's actually ironic that nobody takes him seriously and the pistol teaching scene is a bit odd to me also because he's had weapons training already.
The actual killing part might be easier for people who've pulled a trigger before, but it's coping with the fallout that can be the downfall.
The major difference is that killing the opposing military on a battlefield doesn't get you in trouble in the same way as shooting someone in peacetime. Take out a Japanese Sgt and you might get a medal. Shoot a New York police captain, even a corrupt one and you better be able to flee the scene without someone making a definite identification of you as the shooter.
That's an experience that Clemenza has, that Michael doesn't.
Clemenza isn't teaching him how to pull a trigger , but how to avoid capture in a civilian environment, without any back up, radio or any of the other things he would have relied upon in combat.
The decision to shoot Sollozo and McCluskey was a serious change in Michael's life that put him outside the protection of the law.
Not just training. Michael was qualified in “two-way” gunnery. The Silver Star on his uniform indicates that he excelled at it. Michael was clearly technically and tactically proficient and able to function at a high level in tight spots. Mafia button men got nothing on Japanese infantry dug in on a tropical island somewhere in the Pacific. I suggest the Mafia war was child’s play after that kind of combat experience.
@@jimbobeire I have a sneaking suspicion that you overstate the helpfulness of all the “help” on tap to the marines in combat. I should’ve remembered to bring my radio to that firefight - I could’ve called for some more of that “help.”
It goes back to what Sonny said. There is a difference between a 'street killing' in close quarters and taking enemies out mostly at range in a war scenario. Plus lets not forget Michael was a complete novice when it came to the family business and making his bones. Still needed to be guided despite his status as a celebrated war vet.
@@ziahamm1603 Sonny was an idiot. That’s how he got dead. Compared to war in the Pacific, the ‘mean streets’ of New York must’ve been child’s play. It’s so cute reading safe little kiddies trying to compare the two like they’ve been to the show. Like my kid talking about COD. Precious!
The opening shot with Bonasera, a man seeking revenge, and trying to protect his family leads us to believe that this is Michaels motivation later in the film. But each of Vito Corleone’s sons has a tragic flaw. Sonny is strong, but has a temper, which gets him killed. Fredo has a “good heart” but is weak and stupid according to Michael. His other flaw is that he can’t accept being passed over. Finally Michael, who is intelligent, can’t forgive anyone for anything and needs to feel that he is in control in any situation. The scene with Moe Green shows Michael completely in control and working the situation towards his desired end. He wanted to test Green’s loyalty and when Green tells Michael that he has been talking to his enemies his fate is sealed.
The opening scene with Amerigo Bonasera is very underrated/underappreciated with respect to the rest of the movie.... buona sera, as a greeting in Italian; Amerigo, as a different way of saying America... These things are not coincidences...
The most dangerous men are always in scenes where the light is cast in such a way that their faces appear to be skulls. Michael is shown as a human, in full light until he begins to change and give in to his deadly side at which time his face becomes thin, sunken, and the film highlights only his bone structure as though his moral soul has died.
Agree. The scene in the end where he confronts Carlo. We only see his face for a brief while, most of the time his face was half-hidden in the shadows. The following scenes when he deceives Carlo and lies to Kay shows his now two-faced nature.
The interesting thing to me is that in the novel Kay pursues Michael after she learns he has returned. It’s the only major difference between the novel and the film.
Interesting. Thanks for pointing that out. Never knew that.
If memory serves me right. In the novel Kay calls the Corleones once a while and talks to Michael's mom/Vito's wife. Who tells him to look elsewhere. Finally when Michael has returned Kay calls once again. Mom tells Michael has returned about 6 months ago. Kay is about to hang up but Mom tells her to come on over. Not to see Michael but herself. That later turns to them seeing each other in the compund and having a talk.
Also Michael had not yet fixed he's face that was broken by Captain McCluskey. It is some time later when he has he's face fixed by the Lucy Mancini's boyfriends Doctors friend. Lucy being the woman that had a big... Vagina and Sonny Corleone was the only one who could have sex with him because he had a big dick... Don't know why I remembered that from memory
Other differences too. Micheal in the novel is not in uniform at the wedding, he’s dressed in a tuxedo like everyone else because he’s been back from the marines by the time of Connie’s wedding. Also the murder of the other heads of the 5 families and Mo Green did not happen all at once, it was a period of time if I remember correctly.
Oh and Lucy Mancini gynaecological problems for half of the book! 😜
@@Clin45 That's something I wondered about in the movie when it comes to Michael's uniform at the wedding. The year is 1946, so the war had been over for half a year or close to a year, which meant that Michael had been back for months since the war ended. I started to believe that Michael wore it because he knew it would upset his family, considering how they were against him going into the Marines during a flashback in Part 2.
I've always felt Michael chose Kay almost entirely because of what she represented to him - his own path, not his family's. He may have liked her, but he never loved her in the way that he did Apollonia. Him meeting her after feeling the guilt of not being there to protect his dad (I played it straight and my dad got hurt) is terrific psychologically, because his internal narrative is: "I killed these two people who wanted to kill my pop and fate rewarded me with love at first sight to a far more traditional woman than Kay." It validates his choice in a pavlovian sense...and sets him up perfectly to emotionally detach himself, to avoid even more guilt for the opposite reason than the one he felt with his dad (I played it crooked and though I was given true love for that, she was killed because of me).
If he had allowed himself that grief and guilt, he might have averted his fate of becoming a cold-hearted business-oriented Don...but he buries it instead all the way until his confession scene in Godfather 3 (where it is even heavier due to the end of Godfather 2) and thus dooms himself to that fate. So the answer as to whether or not he was 'fated' to become who he does, I feel, was answered perfectly during that confession scene: "Your life could be redeemed...but I know you don't believe in that. You will not change (from who he becomes)."
Michael returning to Kay after the death of Apollonia signalled the direction he wanted to take himself and the Family, i.e. Corporate/Legitimate, i.e. WASP. This was the era of The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit, and you had your romantic interlude in Italy and came back to America, the boardroom and the bedroom. Business and Personal. If he wanted another Traditional Italian Wife, he could have very easily found one.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading that
@@Lolabelle59 ...🤔🤔🤔.. interesting.....
You are very informative here.
Nonsense. Michael could have quickly found another traditional Italian woman. Kay was a terrible choice after he returned home, but Coppola and Al Pacino said that Kay was Michael’s real love and not Apollonia. He wanted her in his life even though he knew she would give him hell throughout their future marriage.
The Godfather movies are some of my favourite films of all time, or at least the first two. They're so well made, and you notice new details everytime you watch it, such as orange being present just before a death takes place. Vito and Michael's parallels are also very similar.
I think the reason oranges represent death is because it shows the old Sicilian mafia ways coming to America through the 5 families. Vito became a gangster to provide for his family and stop what happened to his parents and brother from happening to them but thanks to the mob war not only is Sonny killed but Michael, who Vito didn't want anywhere near the business is forced to take over as Don.
You guys are close, but overthinking it. If you ever have a chance to go to Italy or Sicily go and pay attention. You'll understand what not only the orange before the death meant, but the color in general.
@Safwaan Michael dies at the end of 3. His daughter Mary gets killed by a hitman and it completely breaks him so he retires to Sicily and one day he slumps over in his chair and dies. 3's a shit film though.
@Safwaan Because it's got a load of weird plotlines like the Vatican conning Michael out of money, his nephew Vincent and his daughter Mary in an incestuous relationship, a former friend of the Corleones who was never mentioned in the previous 2 films being one of the main antagonists, Michael going from the cold hearted gangster who drove his family away to a remorseful man trying to redeem himself, getting back together with Kay despite her leaving him after the failed hit on Michael, breaking his promise from the 1st film that the Corleone family would be legitimate in 5 years, finding out Michael had Frank Pentangeli's brother flown in to scare Frank into not testifying and Kay aborting their kid because she didn't want it to become a gangster like Michael. The series ended with III. There was a 4th film planned but then Mario Puzo who wrote the original 1969 Godfather novel the 1972 film was based on died.
@Safwaan Don’t waste your time with #3. It’s awful.
And his hands.. at the gates of the hospital, they weren’t shaken, and he realised of it. Nice analysis, thanks so much for sharing your view
Thank you... seems like hardly anyone notices that on the reaction channels I watch.
This was the first moment Michael drew from his military battle training experience as he saw the risky but bold plausible strategy of striking the enemy at a moment of surprise
A couple of things about Michael and the the Scicillian American experience you missed, Michael was also intended to be the son to be the straight or legitimate son, its very clear from the way Vito and Sonny talk to and about Michael that Michael was supposed to be the family's bridge to legitimacy and ultimately leaving the mafia. Its in a scene near the end of the movie where Vito and Michael directly referencs Michaels own sons that maybe next time they would make it. The ethnic Crime syndakits had a cyclical pattern, a new group would arrive in America, settling in the large cities in ethnic enclaves, and invariably they would split into legitimate, albeit poor businesses, and criminal organizations. The Scicillian Mafia knew this very well because they had in essence replaced the Jewish and Irish Crime Organizations, as Irish and Jewish Americans became more and more mainstream, and no longer the unwashed foreigners. Vito likely was hoping to make the transition shorter for his family, but it did not work out in the case of Michael.
Syndicate*
Well, there are some things that we can learn about Michael's military experience from his uniform.......he has a silver star and a purple heart......he was in combat and he acted very bravely earning an award for valor that is only second to a Medal of Honor......he was wounded in combat probably in the Pacific fighting the Japanese.......taking island after island as the Marines did.......he earned promotions to Captain which means he was the leader of an infantry company which was comprised of 100 to 200 men......he had a lot of responsibility leading these men......he had to look out for their well fair and yet plan operations that would risk their lives......he had to take certain objectives......he had to produce......reach goals......a mafia crime family is structured to resemble a Roman military unit with a captain and lieutenants and sergeants and front line soldiers......power and authority at the top with people playing various roles under that central power figure.....very good training indeed for a young don.
The version of the Godfather we see today that is popularly loved has quite a few scenes cut from it. These scenes were in the original final cut of the movie that went to cinema theatres when the film was released in 1972, and were included when the film was serialised on TV in the late 1970s (I remember it well as a youth at the time). Those scenes include one where Michael is in bed recovering from the bomb blast and explaining to Don Tomasino that Fabrizio was involved in the car bomb. It is quite emotional as Michael is in a deep delirious state. Then there is another scene where Michael speaks to his father in the garden of his father’s house about taking over the family. His father says he swore not to take revenge on the other New York mafia families, and Michael asks him if that would be a sign of weakness, what about Sonny, what about Italy (meaning what about Appolonia his wife). Michael clearly wants revenge, it’s quite emotional, and says to his father you gave your word to the other families I didn’t. So he didn’t just shut down, he responded emotionally and wanted revenge, we just can’t see that anymore because the original movie has been chopped up and those scenes are never seen anymore…
"he causes his enemies and the deaths he first saught to prevent" THIS
You should watch the deleted scenes for any reaction from Michael regarding Apollonia. One deleted scene is when he wakes up after being rendered unconscious by the car explosion asking about Apollonia. He is told she didn’t make it then he asked about Fabrizio. He gets no answer. He then orders them to find Fabrizio. There’s a lot of good stuff in the deleted scenes. Check it out.
Even more so in the book. Too be honest the book itself can explain the psychology of the characters better than any analysis of the movie
Your right .. he isn’t qualified to make a video such as this without knowing the full story
And there is the deleted scene of fabrizio getting blown up when they find him working in new york
Excellent insights and analysis of an iconic character. I never realized the wedding scene goes on for 30 minutes of the first act. In that context, it really shows how the scene sets the stage and introduces us to the main players.
One bit of constructive feedback- it’s not meant to nitpick but to give your well made video a bit more authenticity. Michael was not a soldier nor did her serve in the Army. He was an officer who served in the Marine Corps. This is actually important not just for military accuracy, but also for the story and Michael’s character.
In the United States, “soldier” specifically refers to someone serving in the US Army. The term is never applied to a Marine. Marines are naval infantry and specialize in amphibious warfare. This meant that during the World War II, Michael Corleone served in the Pacific Theater against the Imperial Japanese. The jungle fighting of the Pacific campaign was particularly brutal and often done at close quarters. The infamous Banzai charges of the Japanese infantry meant American Marines frequently had to engage the enemy at close range - shooting them up close and even bayoneting (stabbing with a blade affixed to the rifle) or fighting the enemy hand-to-hand.
This makes Sonny’s teasing of Michael about a mob assassination being different from military combat particularly naive and it let’s us know that Michael in his “nice Ivy League suit” has done, seen and commanded men to do things that would probably make the other tough guys in the room squirm.
In future videos, it would be more accurate to describe Michael as serving in the Marines and wearing a Marine Corps uniform rather than using the inaccurate terms “soldier” and “Army”.
Have to smile. When I gave a military discount as a cashier at Home Depot, I could always spot a Marine. They were stunned, "How do you know?" It's how a Marine carries himself.
@@janetrock8905 Does Michael Corleone posess the posturing of a marine in tge three godfather movies?
One thing about Bonasera that a lot of people don't realize is that he has a sense of guilt about avoiding the Don. What Corleone does is a traditional part of Sicilian society - not a _good_ part, but definitely traditional. (The term "Mafia" is an insult; the correct term is _Cosa Nostra,_ "our thing," which emphasizes its cultural place.) Bonasera came to America and placed his trust in the system, but in so doing, he's turned his back at least partly on his own people, even though the Don represents a segment of that people that is dangerous. So the Don plays expertly on that sense of guilt, however well-placed, to imply that he, as a part of that traditional society, is welcoming Bonasera "back." It highlights what a master of psychology Corleone is, and how he knows how to manipulate the feelings of others in his sphere.
Said perfectly! I was very tempted, instead of this video I made, to just do a breakdown of that opening scene. The interaction between Bonasera and Vito is fascinating, and also a perfect introduction in terms of how Bonasera's feelings partly reflect the sort of opinions or questions the audience might have about Vito. "Is he a dangerous murderer who just wants pay?" (which Vito gives his response to)
"How does Vito work in relation to ordinary society?"
"Why would someone, even the moral, be tempted to turn to Vito?"
I think giving versions of answers to those questions in a single conversation; filled with manipulation that partly works on us too, is a phenomenal way to begin the film
20:30 -- RE: "Vito Corleone is never cold." -- I think you're mostly right in your analysis on the whole, but on this point you're mistaken. Vito's coldness, though, is veiled behind the secrecy inherent in the family business, and so, when he has to be cold (evidence: Amerigo Bonasera coming to him on the day of Connie's wedding) it has maximum impact in terms of the respect that it garners.
It isn't easy to appreciate that the secrecy is exactly why Vito occupies a position which is called Godfather. The plausible deniability afforded to him and his involvement with any issue that he takes an interest in gives him power in the secular sense which practically appears to be God-like since all the Establishment symbol for power (read: mayors, governors, judges) are in his pocket. Even the other 4 Families defer to him, this power is so great.
Another direct piece of evidence for Vito's coldness is found in Godfather Part II, during the DeNiro scenes with Vito as a young man. It is difficult to be a cold-blooded killer without being cold, and Vito's warmth and generosity of spirit is a necessary facade for maintaining the success of his own family, and its security.
Quick correction - Michael was not a soldier, nor was he in the army. He is wearing a Marine Corps uniform. Some may think that's a quibbling point, but it's an extremely important difference to those in the service.
There are two deleted scenes which he does mention Apologia. Reading the book also gives great insight into not only Michael's thinking process but everyone else's as well
Yep...I think there's a scene where he weeps over her in his hospital bed and promises a reward to any of his lieutenants who can kill Fabrizio. (Another deleted scene involves Fabrizio, having emigrated to the U.S., finally getting his. Both of these scenes are in the book as well.)
In the book he hits Frabizio at the same time as the bosses of the families. He avenged both Apolonia and Sonny that way
I think the point where Michael knew he had the Corleone power, was when he lit the bakers cigarette,as Enzo was trembling in fear. He noticed that he was perfectly calm compared to Enzo. It's a really small moment, but you can see it in Pacino's eyes, that even he is disturbed by his calmness. Love your videos btw
Love mags from bonnie Scotland ❤️
I think Vito's line is the mantra of the entire story: "A man that doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man. "
Vito spent time on work, but his top priority was always spending time with his family and checking in that the neighborhood was doing alright. This bit him in the ass because he was too forgiving of his family's weaknesses and didn't prepare them well enough for the war to come, future enemies were allowed to fester and organize, and his friendly walks about the neighborhood left him open to assassination. BUT, he still had his family, though the neighborhood was scared of him they showed up to support him when no one else would, and ultimately, the man died as all men should: playing with his grandson on a gorgeous summer day.
Michael saw only his father's weaknesses, and spent 100% of his time eliminating potential threats and hammering down every variable in his business, keeping his wife and family around primarily as prisoners and wasting no time getting cups of coffee or fruit with the neighborhood locals.
Michael works harder and smarter than his dad ever did. And yet, he loses everything. Enemies get smarter and find ways to threaten him in his own home no matter how many guards he can afford, his suffocating regime creates enemies within his own family, his own wife betrays his blood lineage out of rebellion, and everyone close to him either dies or is exiled.
Vito was an OK businessman where even when things went bad, he still had his family.
Michael was a flawless businessman who starved his family until the business was all he had left.
I agree with almost everything you said. But I just have to add 1 correction. You say that Vito was an "OK" businessman. But I think he was a great businessman, given what he built with what little he had. Also, we must remember that Michael was taught almost everything from his father. So he would not have been able to build what he built without Vito's wisdom. All the business and political connections the family had were because of Vito's business acumen. Also, an underrated part of Vito's brilliance is his ability to find great talent (i.e. Genco, Tom, Luca Brasi, etc.). Just food for thought.
@@maleekmayers Yeah that's a great point. I was more delineating the difference between Vito and Michael, but you're right, that shouldn't at all downplay how successful Vito's social, warm demeanor was.
In other words.
Business: Micheal is better.
Family: Vito is better.
@@justforrowYes and no. Thinking about it more, I think what it is is that Vito is small-scale family-oriented business that checks in on the locals and is in touch with its roots. Michael is big calculated business that's all over the nation but is completely divorced from the regular people and is too cold and big for its own good.
@@samwallaceart288 Fair assessment.
I love how you just make videos about whatever you want instead of just making something you think will get a lot of views
This is the best godfather analysis I've seen on all of youtube. No over reaching assumptions just poetic psychological breakdowns, canonical down to the scene.
The Godfather is like War and Peace, I probably should've found the time by now to appreciate them.
There was actually a deleted scene where Michael is somewhat distraught when he wakes up after the car bomb but his grief turns to vengeance almost immediately as he targets Fabrizio and more or less puts a hit out on him. I think hearing of Sonny's demise and witnessing Apollonias death more or less killed any warmth in Michael save for when it concerned his kids and parents. And its understandable. It would fuck anyone up losing their brother and wife in such a short space of time. I mean come on Apollonia is dead by the end of the scene which opens with Michael being told of Sonnys death. People either break down and allow themselves to be destroyed or they become hardened and take care of business. Michael took the latter path.
It was a good thing they didn't include that scene to the final cut, that would've acted as a bridge between the two Michaels we see. Instead we were presented with a stark contrast between the characters; the one who lovingly teaches his Italian wife how to drive ( the American way cutting into the tradition again ) and the one who proposes his old lover to be his wife without any feeling in his eyes.
I think one thing that micheal did shows alot about his character, notice micheal only pulls the trigger on killing fredo AFTER the death of their mother, which shows how micheal KNOWS doing that would have devastated both his parents greatly. it really shows how much of a diffrent man micheal is..Vito is a man that would throw away EVERYTHING he's built if it meant saving his family..that comes from Vito being a confidant man who knows who he is and what he is living for, micheal on the other hand chooses business over family because he feels he is OBLIGATED to keep alive what his father built n needs to prove to himself as well as everyone around him that he is just as great as his father! all this comes from a lack of confidence in himself and not knowing who he truly is as a man, in turn in ruthless actions are based on proving himself, that is a trait Vito never had n why he was able to forgive and be mercifull! Vito never felt he had anything to prove, whereas micheal felt that he had EVERYTHING TO PROVE. which brings me back to fredo.. he could never kill fredo while both his parents were alive because he would feel as if he failed them which goes against his father's philosophy and makes him feel inferior to his father's leadership, however waiting for his mother to pass away excuses him of having to face this head on and it's something micheal felt he needed to do to to show his power and position, whether if he knows his parents are rolling over in their grave is inconsequential at that point, since their death means he can avoid their dissapointment head on and he can go on with his facade "being a worthy successor" to his father, if he had to face his parent dissapointment and grief head on, it would spit in the face of what he wants to accomplish.
Best explanation of how/ why Michael killed Fredo! I have always wondered if it was possible that Michael didn’t have to have Fredo killed. We know Vito probably would not have had Fredo killed.
The dynamics between father and son in regards to how they came into the family business makes a huge difference for sure. Even if M didn't go into the family business..his fate may have stayed the same simply from association. He had more security and control this way.
Very nicely put together. 👌
I like the analysis of Michael protecting his country overseas against people he has never met contrasted to trying to save his father in his hometown and the subsequent radical change of direction in his understanding of how the world he lives in works.
Thanks for taking the time to put this together, always a joy to hear subtext of the Godfather laid out. ❤
16:34 I always saw the flashbacks in Godfather II as Michael thinking about different things his father had told him about his life. Thinking about his dad's rise from orphaned boy to America's most powerful crime boss and wondering why, while everyone respected Vito they hate and fear Michael refusing to see that it's because he's too ruthless and that while Vito recognised his actions were wrong he was doing what he felt he had to do for his family while Michael is just using his family as an excuse for more money and power much like Walter White.
Wow such a great video! So many observations and ideas I haven't heard before and such a great conclusion! I would add to your conclusion that I notice even in the wedding scene when he talks to Kay that there is at the very least a fascination with grandiosity and power. While he is depicting his family as immoral, he also seems to enjoy the shock effect that the Luca Brasi story has on Kay, like deep down he thinks it's really badass
So, fun little fact, in the book by Mario Puzo and in a deleted scene in the Godfather Part I Michael is knocked unconscious from the explosion. I believe he goes into a coma for a bit, but, when he finally comes to, he tells Don Tommasino to basically place a bounty on Fabrizio saying, "Fabrizio. Let your shepherds know that the one who gives me Fabrizio will own the finest pastures in Sicily."
Later on they do find Fabrizio working at a Pizzeria in New York in the book, and I think that there's a deleted scene in the second movie.
The fact that this channel doesn't have millions of subscribers is the real crime here
Loved every bit of this analysis and just had to let you know. That is all
Vito swallowed his pride for the good of his family regarding Carlo, and the death of Sonny. Vito got to die retired and safe. He was not happy Michael had to succeed him, but he was optimistic for the future of his name Corleone, and passed away sharing a silly moment with his beloved grandson. At peace. Michael ends up alone, several times, and died with a broken heart.
My God wtf man.....
Vito didn't swallow the pride with Carlo
And Michael died smart ....realizing what he had done was wrong.
But It was too late
I always got more of a feeling of true love between Michael and Appollonia than between him and Kay. It's pretty telling that the famous (and absolutely gorgeous) love theme "Speak Softly, Love" is only associated with Appollonia. The only romantic music associated with Kay are songs of the period, playing on radios and such, in scenes where they're together. And, after all, there is that "thunderbolt"...
Wrong. Al Pacino and Francis Coppola have said multiple times that Kay is Michael’s true love of his life. The book and script clearly state that Michael had mostly lust for Apollonia. Lust is not love. It doesn’t matter what you feel. It’s what the director, characters, cast, script and the writers say. You are reading too much into the love theme because Coppola wanted it to be a love letter for the land of Sicily and not Apollonia as a whole, individual person. He spoke about wanting American audiences to fall in love with Sicilian culture, land and traditions.
I think Michael looks at the car when he‘s asking Kay to marry him because he is thinking of Apollonia.
WOW! I got the chills when I read this. Rings so true!
Wow! Very interesting point.
One important error: Michael was not a "soldier in the Army". He was an officer in the Marine Corps, the motto of which "Semper Fidelis" (or "Semper Fi"), "Always Faithful", says a lot in the end about Michael's character.
Please do Breaking Bad one day. I would love for you to analyze the characters.
Breaking Bad is like oil that sits ontop of the land. It's easy to observe the rotations of the mind because it's thoroughly evident in the dialogue. The dialogue and camera emphasizes everything that should be subtle or nuanced. It is detailed, but it details its own details.
@@theconsciousobserver6829 breaking bad suggests itself.
Great video with insightful analysis. Keep up the good work!
You're brilliant. Thank you for the content, I'm loving every minute of it. Plus The Godfather movies are a masterpiece that I cherish deeply, so thank you again.
This is so high quality, as is all your work. Thanks!
Really interesting video..one of my favourite films ever. The whole trilogy really. I love the way costume is so important too. Michael swaps one costume (military) for another, a dark suit and homburg. There is a contrast between how Kay dresses and Appolonia with her simple, innocent but ultimately seductive dress reflecting the colours of Sicily. Fascinating detail.
Starting my degree in counselling and these videos are a very welcome distraction from more typical subjects
Thank you so much :)
Wow! You picked up on some really interesting and significant details that I never would have thought of.
Great job!
I watched this film with my father while my mother was away one day. It was just the two of us and I enjoyed it immensely, weather the oddness of the situation or the film itself this film stuck in my head sense that day and I think about it often, I see similarities and warnings in my day to day that I first thought of while watching it, this is an amazing video on an amazing film and I love it.
Loved this! Looking forward to your next analysis!
I felt just like Michael growing up. Not feeling like I belonged in my own family. Being the black sheep of the family, I always felt some sort of distance from other relatives, especially ones that didnt like that I was pursuing a career in music. I have many relatives that basically took the route their parents wanted for them, which is fantastic, but I cant live someone else's life. I gotta do what I feel is 100% for me. Luckily, distancing myself from certain relatives created more positive thoughts towards my bloodline, more so being cooler with my parents.
You beautiful articulated my own personal and unspoken analysis of this masterpiece.
I really enjoyed your narrative. Thank you very much, I've already subscribed to your channel and look forward to part 2.
Great analysis! It will be interesting to watch the film again and notice the things you've pointed out. Analysis like this elevates great films in to even greater films.
17:00 I love the scene where Vito mocks Fontane. When he mimmicks his inappropriate winning.
These videoen are my favorite atm, Thank you
I hold a tad dissension from that contention. Don Vito was feared early as he ascended to power and even later after he crystallized his integrity. But the marked difference between both was that Vito was more skilled at unveiling his intentions which could be mistaken for weakness.
I just discovered your channel through your good will hunting videos. This is such an amazing channel and I can't wait to see you grow and do more work
Great Video! But I think Michael didn’t enlist in the Army, he was in the Marines
is a Marine
I've never seen these movies before, but I loved hearing your analysis. I found myself wondering if Apollonia and Kay are physical representations of Michael's relationship with Italy and America. Apollonia was love at first sight, easy to be with, beautiful, traditional ... the life he wishes he could live. I'm guessing Vito grew up in Italy and moved to the U.S. as an adult, but Michael didn't. Italy isn't his home; it's not the life he can have. At some point, he'll have to return to America, and Apollonia dying is like him symbolically having to give up the life he wished he could have in Italy.
He grew up believing in the American dream and became a soldier, enamored with freedom and being independent. But after he saves Vito's life, he no longer wants freedom to pursue his own path; he falls in line with his dad's goals and the family business. America now feels like a lie to him. This is the life he has, but not the one he wants. All of his actions in the mob are subversive to being a good citizen. Everything he once loved about being American now mocks him and the life he's chosen for himself. He can't live his life as an honest, open citizen. His relationship with Kay is also him playing a part. He needs her, like he needs to be in America. There's no other choice for him, really. But it's not what he wants. So he shuts Kay out, has her be what he needs in the relationship and ignores all of her needs, much like he uses America for the safety it provides him, but he is no longer giving back to this country. He is only taking what he needs.
I don't know if that's what the movie was hoping to convey, but hearing your analysis just made me think maybe his relationships with these women are supposed to parallel his relationships with these countries.
If you saw GF2, then you'd know Vito didn't come to America as an adult, but as a 9 year old orphan who had lost his entire family in Sicily.
However, he still grew up in America trapped by poverty and prejudice and probably feeling that in too many ways, life was no different in America than it was in Sicily, at least not for immigrants.
I think this movie is also about the illusion of free will. Michael thought he had a choice but by being born into a crime family and a powerful one at that his fate was already sealed.
@@MOTIVATIONBYDAR and a Sicilian with a culture of vendetta and vengeance.
Very solid and well considered analysis. Thanks for sharing.
Just when I thought I was out! I have been seeing a lot of Sopranos/ Godfather videos lately and I forgot how good it all was.
There was a reaction from him that was cut. A ruthless directorial move that did work
this was an absolutely fantastic breakdown of one of my favorite movies and movie characters of all time! i'm actually watching it again right now 😂
Like Vito Corleone said, "Despite what this undertaker thinks. We are not killers."
In the book, Vito says "this corpse valet"
Very good discussion and analysis. Thank you.
nice, been waiting for this.
That was very well put together. I just recently rewatched 1 & 2. I feel you glossed over the greatest tragedy of all which was the destruction of that Alpha Romeo 'Freccia d'Oro'. Ouch.
Regarding "unless I've missed it":
Michael says to Vito,
"What about Sicily, Pop?" ~
(imo) ALLUDING (BOTH) to
how "they" tried to kill Michael
AND
how "they" killed Apollonia 🤷♀
19:50 Agreed Michael quenched the fear of more losses with becoming more powerful
Great analysis especially the bit about fruit as a death omen
One of my favourite movies and characters. Can't wait to watch this while eating a full plate of spaghetti. Thanks for making this, love the channel!
I've just watched the 50 Year Anniversary edition in a theater, for the first time with no spoilers. What an experience oh my God!
Great analysis. Thanks for sharing.
This is going to be a great video.
WRT the “simple fruits” observation - my husband remarked while we were watching that Vito foretold his own death: “Women and children can be careless; men cannot afford to be careless.”
Moments later, while he is carefree and being silly with his grandson, he dies.
I think what ultimately has the audience's heart on a string, about this movie and why people love it so much is because of how actually haunting Michael's story is, without the movie ever telling you(show don't tell)but showing you, Michael does literally EVERYTHING right so he can live a normal life and not become like his father and get involved but ultimately he has no choice, he has to either live his life how he wants but watch his family get slaughtered because in the mob, losing power means death and his 70 year old dad can only be a powerful Don for so long, and specially after Sonny dies it seals his fate since there's no other choice, Fredo is dumb and his dad is very very old and already narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, and that's it he becomes what he tried his best to escape but it was like trying to outrun a blackhole, that inevitability is haunting and its a very dark story, beautiful but very dark, we're watching someone who has no freedom of choice
love this! could you do citizen cane (i am obsessed w it) and the significance of rosebud ? i think there is a lot going on there psychologically
This is a great analysis, particularly about the potential source of Michael's disillusionment starting with the hospital scene, and the function, generally, of the part in Sicily. If accurate, I almost wish that the script could have had just a few more lines of dialogue to help flesh some of that out. I know it's better to show than tell, but I don't feel like some of these things were as clear as they could have been.
Beautiful commentary!
The Godfather is considered the greatest film ever made.
There is no chance to be a film again like The Godfather.
Mafia Don Michael Corleone is the most iconic protagonist ever developed. Also called him a tragic hero.
He was skillfully ruthless, stark, and full of dark psychology.
Since I have read and watched this character I became very curious about the character of Michael Corleone.
Thanks for providing this video of the masterclass explanation of the psychology of Michael Corleone.
Hats off. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Regarding Apollonia, in the directors cut of the godfather two, Michael avenges her death by killing his bodyguard that runs away before the bomb goes off in the car. Also in the directors cut, The man who kills young Vitos mother and brother are killed as well. Sadly that was cut out of the original film.
He killed Fabricio bc of the security of his family......not vengeance towards Apo.
That was stated in a book and shown in a movie
Brilliant stuff. Thank you
I watch every godfather video I can find, and I believe this is the best
Oh damn, thanks!
I feel lucky today.
Why?
Nice tree of thought.
This is another great video by @mylittlethoughttree , but I cringed again and again when he talked about Michael being in the "Army." Michael joined the United States Marine Corps (a part of the Navy, not the Army), and that is not merely a technical difference but one that shows a lot about Michael's character. Although Michael could have avoided military service altogether, he chose voluntarily to join not merely the military, but the toughest and most demanding of the armed forces, and the one with a reputation of having the toughest training and being sent to combat first, and to the fiercest battles. For an American, seeing Michael in a U.S. MARINES uniform, rather than an Army uniform, communicates a very powerful message about who Michael is. In addition to demonstrating his physical courage -- which is important -- it also shows that Michael wants to stand out; there are millions of "soldiers" (officers and men of the Army), but being a Marine is something apart, and we get out first hint that Michael will want to be something apart. Michael wants to be SPECIAL, and the fact that he joined the USMC communicates that to Americans watching the film.
You're awesome, man.
Thanks for the upload - I find it to be a very 'scorpionic' film. The deep psychological motivations that drive Michael, or any other character of a story. Michael is truly a 'Scorpio' in nature; fierce loyalty to his family, but be careful of that sting if one is to betray, especially those who are close - the sting itself can often come full circle one way or another, as we see in the final chapter of Michael's life.
I have watched the series many times. And always thought I was missing a lot of the interpretations.
This is great
The Godfather is still the best movie of all time happy 50th anniversary in 2022.
For all their tactical brilliance the two biggest mistakes by Don Vito and Michael were sending their most feared assassin, Luca to gather intell and Vito and Santino allowing Michael to kill both men in the restaurant.
I subbed based on this video alone. Kudos
Nice work
Bong hit every time you hear the word “arguably”.
Thank you for an insightful analysis. I must be honest, though, I haven't finished it yet. In fact, after the section regarding Michael, I must extend a few insights. I disagree with your suppositions around what strongest affected his initial changes to becoming don. We must find the '50-foot view' to recognize Coppola and his editor's true genius. From the start Michael was established as a Nice Guy- a choirboy, a dutiful golden child, being groomed 180º away from the family businesses toward "legitimate" enterprises. The character's 'energy' before his dad's assassination attempt was clear & straightforward, easy to read. After the attempt we saw him reveal to the family his talent for strategy. He was already described as a 'war hero' by Fredo and others, so we can assume he'd undertaken difficult responsibilities and actions before. So he does what must be done and whacks the nearest dangers to his family, then is sent to Sicily.
Fast forward to watch a man we know is not frivolous get hit with The Lightning Bolt. He then takes decisive, admirable, chaperoned steps - clearly over a period of months, not days or weeks - to wed the absolute love of his life. We saw Apollonia to be a respectful yet spirited young woman; it may be fair to assume Mike might desire, or even admire such a partner. Then we witness the shattering next scene; with the blast's raw force alone throwing Michael at least several feet into the brush. You stated we "can't see his expressions", or read subsequent reactions as his literal life is destroyed. I find it nearly impossible to track your conclusions. Personally, Michael's scream in the last seconds Apollonia was still alive illustrate his 'new base' - a ferocious, blood-chilling, violent reality he spent his life around but not inside. We fade to black for an indeterminate amount of time (iirc Kate said a year). We must assume suffered incomprehensibly before gradually re-entering his US family's sphere.
Moreover, we see Michael's eyes now. No longer showing receptive, do-gooder willingness, his eyes are now strikingly flat-out predatory, world-ending rage boiling just beneath. If something similar happened in my own familial circle, I have no doubt I would track precisely as he did. Cheers.
Michael was in the US Marine Corps, not the Army. - Corporal E. Dudley, US Marine.
The irony about Michael's journey is that everything broke apart when he began to be non-traditional. Joining the Marines was an act of rebellious nature towards his family, but otherwise not as important as when he began dating Kay. Kay is the representation of a non-traditional woman, which Michael may have been drawn to on a subconscious level or may have recognized. Even just 'dating' in general is non-traditional, as back then it was 'courtship' that was traditional.
His one last chance at possibly being traditional was with Apollonia. In this period of Michael's life, he goes the traditional route, especially in 'courting' Apollonia as opposed to 'dating' her. And into their marriage together, he was truly happy and filled with life. However, Apollonia's death sent him down a dark path where he became cold, distant, and ruthless, forever pushing him away from the traditional path. He didn't have the love or caring nature that Vito had, which drove away his family and made them also become non-traditional. Which is why, by the end of the trilogy, Michael dies alone in a fruitless yard and without any family by his side.
With Vito, on the other hand, he was traditional. Granted, running a criminal empire and committing crimes is not traditional, but he was so with his family and friends. Due to the harsh life and loss he suffered in his youth, he understood what family meant and always put them first. He made sure that his family was loved and taken care of, never acting cold or heartless towards them. He also took on a traditional woman to be his wife, while also being a traditional husband in return. And by the end of his life, he died in a fruitful yard, surrounded by family.