The cat was not in the script. It was a stray that lived on the studio lot. Coppola found it by his feet while they were setting up the shot and gave it to Marlon before they rolled and that lucky kitty was forever part of one of the most famous opening scenes in cinema history.
I saw The Godfather in the theater for its 50th Anniversary. You could hear the kitty purr during the opening scene very clearly. It was an excellent way to juxtapose Vito Corleone's business and his family life.
I've heard of a similar situation in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. A cat wandered onto the set and they managed to get the kitten to sit in Eastwood's hat as he held it. "Every gun makes its own tune", he says to the cat when he hears Tuco's gun.
Rumor has it the cat was purring so loud, see the comment on the 50th anniversary version, that Marlon Brando’s lines had to be looped in later, because the cat drowned out his words.
It's the change a character goes through over the course of a story. E.g. Think of it like when you were a kid compared to now. You're not the same person you once were. You've gone through many changes that have shaped your goals, your views, character etc. and that is your arc.@@maxsparks5183
Godfather 2 is a must-watch, so good. Godfather 3 isn't up to the level of the previous 2 movies, but it does gives closure for Michael's story and shouldn't be skipped. I also recommend watching Martin Scorsese's mob movies. Goodfellas is a must-watch, and I also like Casino very much.
In regards to the hospital scene with Enzo, he is the one that the baker at the wedding asked the Godfather to help keep in the US to marry his daughter. Enzo was over to thank the Godfather for his help in that.
The man who asked Vito to hep Enzo remain in the country was an undertaker. The same undertaker that Vito asks to use all of his powers and skills so that his mom wouldn't have to see Sonny in the state they left him.
@@micahdevynn3967 What on earth are you talking about? They're two completely different characters: a baker, and a mortician. What you said doesn't even make sense!
15:45 Enzo is the baker that the Vito helped remain in America so he could marry his boss’s daughter. For such a mild mannered guy to stand with Michael in such a moment was a great honor. Enzo probably was set up for life.
Yup. Without Vito, Enzo would be deported to a country he doesn't want to go back to, away from the woman he loves. When he heard Vito was shot, even at these weird hours after the bakery closed, he wanted to show his respect to the man who ensured his happy life in America.
Enzo the Baker is mentioned in The Godfather, Part III. Decades after the events in Part I, he is still in business and making cakes for the Corleones. One imagines that the Corleone family and their associates did a lot of business with his bakery over the years. I loved how they showed Enzo shaking after the car pulled away from the hospital. A totally understandable reaction.
If I remember the book well, after the hospital situation somebody from the family told something like: "Good guy this Enzo, he helped us a lot, let's do something for him." So it would make sense that he has some protection and help from Michael after.
In the later books, several characters make a comparison/contrast between Enzo and Johnny Fontane. Enzo, out of genuine gratitude for the favor given him by Vito, is willing to put his own life in danger to help the don; while Johnny keeps the family at arms distance, unless he needs a favor. Where Enzo always volunteered, Johnny had to be coaxed.
Excellent reaction and analysis, Addie. The Godfather is a modern-day Greek tragedy, IMO. Michael was doomed from the start. Michael told Kay, "That's my family, Kay. It's not me." He couldn't even look her in the eye when he said it. He was a Corleone, and deep down, he knew it. His destiny was set in stone.
John Cazale who played Fredo, was only in maybe 5 full length movies, all of which were nominated for academy awards. Stolen from us was too soon. His performance in the sequel is especially fantastic.
@@el34glo59 could you imagine him in his later years putting in work like Dog Day Afternoon? Or The Deer Hunter? Ugh. Meryl Streep was with him until the very end, another reason to love her.
context from the book.... 21:21 A gift of gold from a suiter was considered a formal proposal. So in Michael giving Apolonia the necklace, it was him saying "I'm serious". Her wearing it, meant she was in favor. Later, when they're walking together and she stumbles, the women walking behind the couple laugh because it was a ploy, a way for her to get past the rule that says couples can't touch or hold hands that early in a relationship. The book says something the woman laughing, remembering how she always had the balance of a mountain goat.
I'm reading the book right now and it was very satisfying to read about how those two punks were meted out justice for beating Bonasera's daughter. Clemenza had Paulie find two retired boxers, then they waited at night for the punks to exit the bar they were at. Paulie lured them over by yelling insults to them, and they came over to beat him up and the boxers emerged to beat the hell out of them, breaking bones, but they were instructed not to hit them on the top, back and sides of their heads because they were not to be killed. They ended up spending months in the hospital and were permanently disabled.
17:20 Michael is a war hero and a combat veteran from the Marines. He has probably ended far more lives than Sonny ever has. Of all Vito’s sons Michael is the most like him. Paired with his combat experience running the family was easy. The other Dons were not prepared for someone as ruthless and strategic as Michael.
There’s a difference between ending a life and murdering someone though. Ending a life could be justified, murder on the other hand is the unlawful premeditated killing of someone.
Michael was smarter than all of them - even his father. He was smart enough to take the Family Business to bigger and better things, which was something that his father couldn't do. Sadly, tragically, he let his dark side have too much control, and it ultimately destroyed him.
More than Michael being a war hero, he was a Marine and almost-certainly fought against the Japanese in the Pacific theatre of war. The Japanese were fanatical, animalistic and brutal. They couldn't be negotiated or bargained with. This taught Michael that the only way to deal with your enemies was to kill them, while Vito preferred to meet with his enemies face-to-face and try to negotiate a solution, first. So Michael became far more ruthless and brutal than his father.
One of the things I love about this movie is that it's so streamlined and sleek, with almost no wasted time, scenes, or dialogue. For example: Sonny's temper. Nearly EVERY scene SHOWS you how emotional and PRIMAL Sonny is: spitting on FBI badges, sleeping around on his wife, pushing Clemenza (Your father is dead. Whatsamatter with you?!..PUSH), flying into a rage at Carlo, EVEN (1)his dinner plate is steak and scotch. The man eats burnt meat and firewater for dinner. and (2)his hairy back and arms....when other men are wearing suits, Sonny is such and animal he barely wears clothes and underneath, he's covered with hair. He's a fighting, f*cking, fuming, feral man who only smiles and laughs when they're at open war. You can contrast this with, say Captain Marvel, "Youre the strongest women and best friend a person can have." They have to TELL you about the character, yet....in the story, we never got to see what a good friend she is, or how she's so strong she overcomes NOTHING. No inner reserrve of strength. No perseverance. No struggle. No obstacle. The only obstacle is "herself." What a joke. It's not story telling, it' talking AT the audience. Fredo....you see him screwing up in EVERY scene. Cant hold a gun. Screws up Mike's business meeting (girls, band) Getting slapped around by Moe Greene (for being incompetent). Sides with Moe against the Family. There's no end to Fredo's incompetence and you can SEE it, you dont have to be told. Even Apollonia, we are shown that she's so CLEARLY traditional and Italian, that when she gets the gift from Micheal she has to look TO HER MOTHER for approval. She barely speaks English. She wears Italian clothes, not like Kay's bright RED American trench coat. EVERYTHING about Apollonia and every scene TELLS you that she's the Siicilian wife (and anchor) that Michael needs. Similarly, Don Corleone is SHOWN to have power: he can beat up local punks, influence Federal Immigration officers, judges and senators send gifts to his wedded daughter, drug smugglers ask for his influence and money, he strong-arms people on the other side of the country (Hollywood, CA from NY) , and when he calls a meeting with the heads of the Five Families, THEY SHOW UP. And when he speaks -- softly --everyone listens and when he gives his word, everyone TRUSTS HIM. All the scenes paint the picture of a powerful man --- we never have to be told....we are shown. To me, this is movie making as high art, assembled by a master storyteller.
I don't see "The Godfather" and "The Godfather II" as one being better than the other. They are quite different films, and they are both great. Together, they tell a powerful and profound story, a tragic story, about the rise and fall of a Sicilian-American crime family. It's an intimate look into one aspect of American history from 1900 through the 1960's. Brilliant story telling.
The actor that played Luca Brasi was Lenny Montana, an enforcer and arsonist for the Colombo Crime Family. Appearing as Luca was his first acting job. He got it because members of the Colombo family were on set during filming (everything had to have their OK). Coppola saw Lenny and decided to cast him for the part, I believe after the original actor suffered a stroke. Lenny was so nervous appearing with Brando that he kept practicing his lines and fumbling them. Coppola filmed him practicing and that's what we saw in the movie.
@@ronweber1402 Thats what made this scene so powerful. If a man like Luca is nervous to be around Don Corleone imagine what type of person the Don must be.
@@PorkinsTheWhite Luca wasn't nervous because he was afraid of the Don, he was nervous because of how much respect he had for the Don and he didn't want to look like a palooka and mess up in front of someone he held in such awe.
@@ArtificialintelligentleYes, he was a professional wrestler, but there is a huge difference between putting on an act and actually being an actor. We all put on an act from time (wife gives me a honey do list and suddenly my back hurts because of an old football injury) to time but that doesn't make us actors.
Michael said the family business was "my family, not me" but he knew he was made for it in the scene where he frightens off the hitmen at the hospital. Enzo's hands are shaking so bad that Michael has to light his cigarette but Michael's hands are rock-steady. He even takes a moment to look at them like he can't quite believe how calm he is.
Yes, the horse's head was real! It was sent over from a slaughterhouse. During that time, horses were sometimes used to make dog food. John Marley, who played Jack Woltz, was apparently not informed that the head was going to be real. 😱
I mean, that's terrible, but it's better than what was going on in "Apocalypse Now". In addition to the water buffalo scene, they used real cadavers to pile up and set on fire in Kurtz's compound. According to Coppola's wife's diary she made during filming (which was turned into a fantastic documentary on the making of that film), she came to set one day and saw people unloading cadavers from a truck. When she asked the crew about it, they told her "The script says a pile of burning bodies, not a pile of burning dummies" which inferred that Coppola was pretty locked into portraying the realism of the scene.
Johnny fontaine's characters based on Frank Sinatra in the movie he wanted to be in is "From Here to Eternity." The actress the director's talking about is supposed to be Ava Gardner
@SergioArellano-yd7ik the screen writer and the Novelist, had a collaboration with the director to make the storyline move along. Is call artistic license
Fun fact. The cat was a stray Marlon found in the alley in the studio. He improvised and used it for the scene. Francis let Marlon do whatever he wanted bc you know, he was Marlon
I do hope someone gave that sweet fur baby a good home. When I first watched the movie, I just assumed the cat was Mama Corleone's kitty that wandered into the office, and until I learned it was a stray I assumed having a cat there was planned.
About Luca's death, they didn't know he was a spy. The problem was they knew he was Corleone's main enforcer. When Sonny spoke up in the meeting, it showed that if Sollozzo could remove Vito Corleone, his son would be open to making the deal. They knew that any attempt on Vito Corleone's life was not a good idea until AFTER they manage to kill Luca. Killing him might have been very difficult except that Vito Corleone sent him on that spy mission. So Sonny speaking up led to Luca being killed and his father being shot.
@mrtomas0990 I can only give my opinion. Its all I know. Though it is one of the only (if not the only) sequel to win best picture Oscar... its also generally considered superior to part 1.... but ultimately, yes, of course its my opinion...
Its funny cause Enzo the Baker(The man who helps Michael protect his father at the hospital) is actually in the very first scenes, standing besides the baker as the baker makes his case for Enzo and his daughter to be married and asks Vito for help with the immigration... I think I must've watched this movie 10 times before I notice Enzo just standing there, he almost disappears in the background... LOL. These types of details is what makes this movie the greatest movie ever made. You could learn new things even after many watches.
' what do you think this is the Army where you shoot a guy from a mile away? No you gotta get up close put the gun up against his head BADABING! Get blood and brains all over your suit college boy"
The actress who played Apollonia, Simonetta Stefanelli, has a daughter, Violante Placido, who is in “THE AMERICAN,” with George Clooney. It’s an excellent film.
Good one, Addie. Part 2 is really good too. Oh, and now you can enjoy You've Got Mail much more having seen The Godfather, so many quotes from the movie, LOL! Thanks for sharing this one. 🙂
Hi Addie. Great reaction. Don't wait too long for part two. Best to watch while this one is reasonably fresh in your mind. One of the few instances where part 2 is arguably better than the 1st one. Also if you haven't seen them you might want to give a couple other classics a try. The Sting and maybe The Great Escape. Both great movies with exceptional casts. Enjoy!
I love Michael's character development. And Michael's and his father's relationship. I saw this at the drive in when it came out.. Thanx for reviewing it with us.. Xx
Btw, The Godfather 2 is considered the best sequel ever! Winning Best Director & Film, the film takes us back into the journey for Vito Corleones past (played by a young DeNiro) who won the Oscar for this role. Michael Corlene does have a story in this film. So it is 2 storied wrapped up into this movie... this film is 3 hours and 20 minutes, so you may want to consider breaking this up into 2 parts. Also, this film, in my opinion, is one of the top 10 best endings of all time.
I will never disagree with someone who places G2 over G1, but AMI, IMDb, and most polls (including myself) prefer GI as a perfect movie. However, the best sequel EVER is Terminator 2, and Linda Hamilton was robbed.
I'm so excited to see you react to this movie. While I haven't watched it yet, your reactions are always a treat to watch! After watching part of your reaction, Enzo the baker, who helped Michael in the hospital, was the son-in-law to be of the baker from the wedding. If you remember, he was the second person to ask The Don for a favor, because his daughter loved Enzo, but he was going to be deported back to Italy after the war. So The Don made arrangements for his to stay.
I always see this as a parallel story to my family. My grandfather joined the military, like Michael, the distance himself from the mafia. WWII ended, he came home, opened a pub, and they started to hang around, trying to get him back in. He quickly went back into the service and stayed in. He had a run in at his mother’s funeral with one of his uncles and asked for a transfer to Panama. Things eventually calmed down, but I remember my dad getting strange phone calls when I was little.
Very Dr Seuss of you. “Is he dead on a bed?” No, he’s not dead, he’s not dead on a bed, but under the covers you’ll find a horse’s head.” A horse’s head? You heard what I said, now go sit with Fred
If you’re really interested in how the Godfather was made there’s a fantastic miniseries on Paramount called The Offer starring Miles Teller. Came out last year and was one of the best series of the year. Either way, I enjoyed your reaction and definitely look forward to seeing part 2.
Enzo is the guy that the wedding cake baker asked Don Corleone at the start of the movie to help keep in the country, so that he could marry his daughter. So he is loyal to the Corleones. That is why Michael trusted him.
About Michael: The beginning of the film is just after the end of World War 2. At the wedding, Michael is wearing a WW2 US Marine Corps officer's uniform. The insignia on his shoulder epaulets show his rank is Captain, an officer commanding a Company of 160-200 men. The ribbons on the left front of his jacket are : top row left to right Silver Star (3rd highest award for combat valor with serious risk to own life), Navy and Marine Corps Medal (highest award for non-combat life saving valor with serious risk to own life), Purple Heart (for being wounded in combat), 2nd row left-most ribbon is WW2 Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with 2 Stars (indicates participating in a total of 3 Pacific Island battles). Prior to being promoted to Captain, as a 2nd Lieutenant and then 1st Lieutenant he would have commanded a platoon of 40-50 men. He is a combat veteran who has commanded a significant number of men (40-50, later 160-200), is trained and experienced in marksmanship and tactics (attacks, defense, ambushes, maneuvering for position, etc., as well as individual combat actions), taking decisive action and clear thinking in stressful situations, been promoted through 3 officer ranks (2nd Lieutenant -> 1st Lieutenant -> Captain), shown personal bravery in both combat and dangerous non-combat situations, been wounded in combat, and seen some of the bloodiest battlefields of WW2. Most of those battles had very intense hand-to-hand combat, no just shooting, as they almost always ended with desperate Japanese soldiers making massed banzai charges. At the wedding and throughout the movie, he is almost always the most experienced, hardened killer in the room. The older mafiosi laugh at him for proposing to shot Sollozzo and the police captain, but really have no idea what his experiences are or how coldly ruthless he will be to decisively defeat/eliminate his enemies.
Marines are not trained to be psychopaths, lead criminal organizations, or break the law. Marines are trained to kill legally, not like dipshit criminals. Stop slandering the Marine Corps on it's birthday.
Michael Corleone betrayed the Marine Corps the moment he started behaving like a psychopath. Here's a link to an FBI explanation of why Michael Corleone is a psychopath... th-cam.com/video/7gWjyqL2L4g/w-d-xo.html
Carlo turned because he wanted a more important position in the Family, for more money. He started slapping Connie around as he grew more resentful, culminating in his participation in luring Sonny into the Barzini trap at the toll gate.
Nicely done, as always. You're a delight. BTW, the baby in the finale was played by the director's daughter Sofia Coppola, the future Oscar-winning writer/director (whose latest film "Priscilla" is in theaters currently).
Luca Brasi was played by Lenny Montana a former wrestler and possibly connected with the mob. The Godfather was his first movie and he was nervous about having a scene with Marlon Brando and actually spent time practicing his lines before each take. Director Copolla noticed this and wrote it into the script.
Johnnie Fontaine is Frank Sinatra, the movie is Fred Zinneman's "From Here to Eternity" with the iconic beach scene with Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster. The baby at the christening is Sofia Coppola.
4:05 He is actually rehearsing his lines. This is his first time acting because he is gonna act in front of Marlon Brando. Fun fact, the dude playing him is a real life bodyguard for the mafia.
"Nothing is going to happen to the cat. It's not that kind of movie, right?" No, not the cat. Just the horse. Lenny Montana, the actor who played Luca Brasi was an actual mob enforcer. He was so nervous to perform with Marlon Brando that he kept rehearsing his lines over and over. Francis Ford Coppola noticed this and filmed it to include in the movie. Montana's nervousness also carried over to the scene where he meets with Don Corleone at the wedding. Coppola left that in, too, rather than shoot a retake where Montana could deliver his lines without stumbling. "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli" was an ad lib by actor Richard S. Castellano. The Godfather Part II is considered by most to be as good as or better than the first movie. Part III isn't a bad movie, but it's not up to the level of the first two.
I just watched the three movies myself as well for the first time. they were GREAT. Please watch the other two. The third is the weakest, but the scene with him and the priest (you’ll recognize it when you see it), really encapsulates his entire arc and where he ends up at the end. And it’s definitely worth the time to watch!! The second movie is great and lots of twists too!
Addie, that was one of your best reactions! You have to read the novel, it explains everything in so much more depth. And watch Godfather part 2. Btw, Johnny Fontaine was played by famous crooner Al Martino ("Spanish Eyes" was one of his #1 hits).
That little "u-turn" on the bridge is what prompted Jersey to put up thos barriers between lanes on the roads. After this movie people were re-creating that little trick.
The cat on Brando's lap in the opening scene was just hanging around the set and Coppola handed it to Brando just before starting the camera knowing Brando loved animals and would go with it.
One thing worth remembering that casual viewers tend to forget- Michael is established early on as a decorated marine corp veteran of the WW2 Pacific theater and despite the laughter of Clemenza and Sonny when he proposed the killing of Solozzo and McClusky, he would be no stranger to close range mortal combat and targeted assassination. Think Guadalcanal or Iwo Jima. The kind of things seen in the film The Thin Red Line. Michael may have first intended to stay on the straight and narrow legal wise but make no mistake he was no sheltered babe in the woods. His enemy kill count would've likely been higher than any button man's in the Corleone organization and he was seriously wounded himself.
The singer Johnny Fontaine was a hidden reference to Frank Sinatra, who did get the movie part he wanted in From Here To Eternity. He won an Oscar for that part. Lots of hidden references in this.
wow You were spot on in your comments especially with what Michael was evolving into. As people say below now you must see the part 2. Pacino really shines in the 2nd one and really deserved an OSCAR
When (not if) you watch GF2, remember that ending, with the door closing on Kay. You might see it again. Also it would be helpful to read up at Wikipedia on the Cuban Revolution and the Valachi hearings, so you recognize what's happening in GF2.
Oh I've been waiting this for ages! Now I'll watch this and enjoy! I did not read the comments so maybe someone already told this, but the actor who played "Luca Brasi" was Lenny Montana, a real life Colombo mob family enforcer. So he was really not an actor at all. Greetings from Finland!
Great reaction once again, like they say "Better later than never" im glad you enjoy this masterpiece of cinema its one of my favourites its becouse of this movie that Coppola and Pacino got their careers famous in Hollywood. Lenny Montana, who played Luca Brasi, was a professional wrestler before becoming an actor. He was so nervous delivering his lines to a legend like Brando during the scene in in this movie study that he didn’t give one good take during an entire day’s shoot. Because he didn’t have time to reshoot the scene, Coppola added a new scene of Luca Brasi rehearsing his lines before seeing the Godfather to make Montana’s bad takes seem like Brasi was simply nervous to talk to the Godfather. The horse head in the movie producer’s bed wasn’t a prop. The production got a real horse’s head from a local dog food company. The line in the script only had actor Richard Castellano as Clemenza say “Leave the gun” after the hit on the mobster who ratted on the Corleones. He was inspired to make the addition after Coppola inserted a line in which the character’s wife asks him to buy cannoli for dessert. Keep up the good work.
There's a great conversation in the novel that didn't make it to the movie, where Michael asks Vito how to say "no" to the family. "You can't say 'no' too often, and when you do it must sound like a 'yes'."
Great movie and love the reaction. Funniest backstory I think about Godfather is that Luca Brasi actor was real gangster and his acting was so bad at 4:36. He wasn't supposed to stutter. Brando's facial expression here is his real reaction to the bad acting. Coppola didn't know what to do with him and then he shot the practice scene at 4:03 later. Making it look like he stuttered because he was nervous around Godfather. Most directors would just scrap the scene but this was brilliant directing.
Now, you will be able to understand what mention of "the baptism" means in discussion of film, American film in particular. I recommend you watch this film at least once a year. There are so many deep facets to the film that you can watch it a dozen times and still have questions and see things, understand things you never understood before. There's a very good reason this film is widely considered one of the greatest ever made.
Godfather Part 2 is also very good! Glad you really enjoyed the movie and see why it's such a classic. I thought Al Pacino was sooo magnetic in this film.
Hey, Addie! Glad you watched this masterpiece! I wanted to drop a comment on your patreon the other day when you posted it, but that didn't happen.... Anyway, you should definitely check out The Godfather Part II, which some consider to be the greatest movie sequel and even better than the original, though I will always like this one the best! Godfather part III is also an underrated masterpiece, and if you have not heard of the humorous mob movie comedies, Analyze This, and Analyze That, with Billy Crystal and Robert DeNiro, you should check those out too. You had me cracking up big time during your reaction, especially the face you made and the nod when the guy who loses his horse's head was talking about how she "was the greatest piece of ass he ever had," and also when you zoomed in the camera and said the lingering "Yeah...." when Connie said Micheal killed her husband. I also appreciate the makeup. :)
So pleased to see your attentive responses to this transcendent story of a family told in a finely crafted cinematic voice. TBH, Part II just might be an even more finely crafted story. Far be for me to tell you that you have to watch any further within this Saga. What I will say is that I believe that, should you choose to proceed, I am almost certain that you will be enlightened on so many variously disparate levels. Again, thank you for sharing your experience.
Enzo the baker is the one who's father-in-law asked for the favor at the beginning of the movie. That's why he was visiting the Godfather in the hospital.
Something you said at the beginning of your post-reaction remarks, about Michael's arc starting with not wanting to be part of 'the family business'. That phrase, that concept, 'the family business' referring to organized crime. It's in a thousand memes, movie plots and TV shows, and it began with this movie. And not only that concept, but dozens of others also had their start here. It's that groundbreaking of a work. Also, you should definitely see the second movie, soon, even if you skip the others. In many ways, it's even better than this one, according to many. You'll have to make up your own mind.
15:43 he is just a baker! he’s a good guy! his name is enzo. if you remember from the beginning, a guy (also a baker) asked Vito for help because one of his employees (Enzo) was set to be deported back to italy, but the baker’s daughter and Enzo wanted to get married, and the baker wanted Enzo to stay on as an employee. Vito helped them out, so Enzo was genuinely going to hospital to thank Vito and wish him well. Enzo is a good guy!
The Godfather is nothing short of a Shakesperian Tragedy. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, just an epic cast of the greatest living actors of all time. You're the only reactor I know who loved the Michael and Apollonia courtship. Clink boom 🥂 . Definitely check out part 2. Great reaction Addie
The cat was not in the script. It was a stray that lived on the studio lot.
Coppola found it by his feet while they were setting up the shot and gave it to Marlon before they rolled and that lucky kitty was forever part of one of the most famous opening scenes in cinema history.
I saw The Godfather in the theater for its 50th Anniversary. You could hear the kitty purr during the opening scene very clearly. It was an excellent way to juxtapose Vito Corleone's business and his family life.
I've heard of a similar situation in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
A cat wandered onto the set and they managed to get the kitten to sit in Eastwood's hat as he held it. "Every gun makes its own tune", he says to the cat when he hears Tuco's gun.
Rumor has it the cat was purring so loud, see the comment on the 50th anniversary version, that Marlon Brando’s lines had to be looped in later, because the cat drowned out his words.
The cat was a great actor! He performed purrrrfectly.
If you like Michael's character arc here, then you're going to love Part 2.
What’s “character arc”?
How the character changes from the beginning of the film to the end @@maxsparks5183
It's the change a character goes through over the course of a story. E.g. Think of it like when you were a kid compared to now. You're not the same person you once were. You've gone through many changes that have shaped your goals, your views, character etc. and that is your arc.@@maxsparks5183
The change a character goes through throughout a movie @@maxsparks5183
@@maxsparks5183 The evolution of a character - how he is transformed to something different than what he started from.
Godfather 2 is a must-watch, so good. Godfather 3 isn't up to the level of the previous 2 movies, but it does gives closure for Michael's story and shouldn't be skipped.
I also recommend watching Martin Scorsese's mob movies. Goodfellas is a must-watch, and I also like Casino very much.
avoid 3 like the plague. lol.
Don’t forget mean streets and who’s knocking at my door two of Scorsese’s best
Frankly, the third movie was pretty lousy. The first two are among the finest films made of the entire era.
DO NOT skip part II! It’s one of the few sequels that is even better than the first. It’s amazing!
I still have to pick this first over part 2, but just my opinion. Part 2 is magnificent though!
I wholeheartedly agree that part II is not to be skipped. I actually prefer it over the first one
@@MontagZoso I agree the first is the best ! Pacino , Brando , Caan , and Duvall . the 2nd is good .. but part 1 is more classic .
@@MontagZoso Yeah The Godfather is WAY better than Part 2, though everything with De Niro is amazing.
@@STOCKHOLM07 WAY better? Nope. No way that it's WAY better. I'd even say that the 2nd is a bit better than the first.
In regards to the hospital scene with Enzo, he is the one that the baker at the wedding asked the Godfather to help keep in the US to marry his daughter. Enzo was over to thank the Godfather for his help in that.
So many people don't realize who Enzo is. It even took me a 2nd or 3rd watch to realize it.
@@donw804 He says right away he's the baker.
I've watched several reactions & lots of people had wondered if Enzo was the killer, but sometimes a baker is just a baker.
The man who asked Vito to hep Enzo remain in the country was an undertaker. The same undertaker that Vito asks to use all of his powers and skills so that his mom wouldn't have to see Sonny in the state they left him.
@@micahdevynn3967 What on earth are you talking about? They're two completely different characters: a baker, and a mortician. What you said doesn't even make sense!
This reaction is an offer I can’t refuse.
And remember to bring the Cannoli 😄
@@kimleechristensen2679 Especially if it's from a authentic Italian bakery.
15:45 Enzo is the baker that the Vito helped remain in America so he could marry his boss’s daughter.
For such a mild mannered guy to stand with Michael in such a moment was a great honor. Enzo probably was set up for life.
Yup. Without Vito, Enzo would be deported to a country he doesn't want to go back to, away from the woman he loves. When he heard Vito was shot, even at these weird hours after the bakery closed, he wanted to show his respect to the man who ensured his happy life in America.
Enzo the Baker is mentioned in The Godfather, Part III. Decades after the events in Part I, he is still in business and making cakes for the Corleones. One imagines that the Corleone family and their associates did a lot of business with his bakery over the years.
I loved how they showed Enzo shaking after the car pulled away from the hospital. A totally understandable reaction.
One of my favorite scenes- Enzo shaking with nerves after the car leaves.
If I remember the book well, after the hospital situation somebody from the family told something like: "Good guy this Enzo, he helped us a lot, let's do something for him." So it would make sense that he has some protection and help from Michael after.
In the later books, several characters make a comparison/contrast between Enzo and Johnny Fontane. Enzo, out of genuine gratitude for the favor given him by Vito, is willing to put his own life in danger to help the don; while Johnny keeps the family at arms distance, unless he needs a favor. Where Enzo always volunteered, Johnny had to be coaxed.
Excellent reaction and analysis, Addie. The Godfather is a modern-day Greek tragedy, IMO. Michael was doomed from the start.
Michael told Kay, "That's my family, Kay. It's not me." He couldn't even look her in the eye when he said it. He was a Corleone, and deep down, he knew it. His destiny was set in stone.
The reaction we can't refuse, Addie.
Same
John Cazale who played Fredo, was only in maybe 5 full length movies, all of which were nominated for academy awards. Stolen from us was too soon. His performance in the sequel is especially fantastic.
Absolutely. One of the greatest actors ever. Such ashame
@@el34glo59 could you imagine him in his later years putting in work like Dog Day Afternoon? Or The Deer Hunter? Ugh. Meryl Streep was with him until the very end, another reason to love her.
.... also in Dogday Afternoon ⚘
And I thought the film career of James Dean was kind of short.
context from the book....
21:21 A gift of gold from a suiter was considered a formal proposal. So in Michael giving Apolonia the necklace, it was him saying "I'm serious". Her wearing it, meant she was in favor.
Later, when they're walking together and she stumbles, the women walking behind the couple laugh because it was a ploy, a way for her to get past the rule that says couples can't touch or hold hands that early in a relationship. The book says something the woman laughing, remembering how she always had the balance of a mountain goat.
I'm reading the book right now and it was very satisfying to read about how those two punks were meted out justice for beating Bonasera's daughter. Clemenza had Paulie find two retired boxers, then they waited at night for the punks to exit the bar they were at. Paulie lured them over by yelling insults to them, and they came over to beat him up and the boxers emerged to beat the hell out of them, breaking bones, but they were instructed not to hit them on the top, back and sides of their heads because they were not to be killed. They ended up spending months in the hospital and were permanently disabled.
Thanks for the info. Good to know. I didn't even know how much I needed to know that! 😊
17:20 Michael is a war hero and a combat veteran from the Marines. He has probably ended far more lives than Sonny ever has.
Of all Vito’s sons Michael is the most like him. Paired with his combat experience running the family was easy. The other Dons were not prepared for someone as ruthless and strategic as Michael.
There’s a difference between ending a life and murdering someone though. Ending a life could be justified, murder on the other hand is the unlawful premeditated killing of someone.
@@andreshernandez1180 Surely Michael considered Solottzo and the Police Capt. Enemies!
@@jamesalexander5623 They were enemies
Michael was smarter than all of them - even his father. He was smart enough to take the Family Business to bigger and better things, which was something that his father couldn't do. Sadly, tragically, he let his dark side have too much control, and it ultimately destroyed him.
More than Michael being a war hero, he was a Marine and almost-certainly fought against the Japanese in the Pacific theatre of war. The Japanese were fanatical, animalistic and brutal. They couldn't be negotiated or bargained with. This taught Michael that the only way to deal with your enemies was to kill them, while Vito preferred to meet with his enemies face-to-face and try to negotiate a solution, first. So Michael became far more ruthless and brutal than his father.
One of the things I love about this movie is that it's so streamlined and sleek, with almost no wasted time, scenes, or dialogue.
For example: Sonny's temper. Nearly EVERY scene SHOWS you how emotional and PRIMAL Sonny is: spitting on FBI badges, sleeping around on his wife, pushing Clemenza (Your father is dead. Whatsamatter with you?!..PUSH), flying into a rage at Carlo, EVEN (1)his dinner plate is steak and scotch. The man eats burnt meat and firewater for dinner. and (2)his hairy back and arms....when other men are wearing suits, Sonny is such and animal he barely wears clothes and underneath, he's covered with hair. He's a fighting, f*cking, fuming, feral man who only smiles and laughs when they're at open war.
You can contrast this with, say Captain Marvel, "Youre the strongest women and best friend a person can have." They have to TELL you about the character, yet....in the story, we never got to see what a good friend she is, or how she's so strong she overcomes NOTHING. No inner reserrve of strength. No perseverance. No struggle. No obstacle. The only obstacle is "herself." What a joke. It's not story telling, it' talking AT the audience.
Fredo....you see him screwing up in EVERY scene. Cant hold a gun. Screws up Mike's business meeting (girls, band) Getting slapped around by Moe Greene (for being incompetent). Sides with Moe against the Family. There's no end to Fredo's incompetence and you can SEE it, you dont have to be told.
Even Apollonia, we are shown that she's so CLEARLY traditional and Italian, that when she gets the gift from Micheal she has to look TO HER MOTHER for approval. She barely speaks English. She wears Italian clothes, not like Kay's bright RED American trench coat. EVERYTHING about Apollonia and every scene TELLS you that she's the Siicilian wife (and anchor) that Michael needs.
Similarly, Don Corleone is SHOWN to have power: he can beat up local punks, influence Federal Immigration officers, judges and senators send gifts to his wedded daughter, drug smugglers ask for his influence and money, he strong-arms people on the other side of the country (Hollywood, CA from NY) , and when he calls a meeting with the heads of the Five Families, THEY SHOW UP. And when he speaks -- softly --everyone listens and when he gives his word, everyone TRUSTS HIM. All the scenes paint the picture of a powerful man --- we never have to be told....we are shown. To me, this is movie making as high art, assembled by a master storyteller.
I don't see "The Godfather" and "The Godfather II" as one being better than the other. They are quite different films, and they are both great. Together, they tell a powerful and profound story, a tragic story, about the rise and fall of a Sicilian-American crime family. It's an intimate look into one aspect of American history from 1900 through the 1960's. Brilliant story telling.
The actor that played Luca Brasi was Lenny Montana, an enforcer and arsonist for the Colombo Crime Family. Appearing as Luca was his first acting job. He got it because members of the Colombo family were on set during filming (everything had to have their OK). Coppola saw Lenny and decided to cast him for the part, I believe after the original actor suffered a stroke. Lenny was so nervous appearing with Brando that he kept practicing his lines and fumbling them. Coppola filmed him practicing and that's what we saw in the movie.
So funny. Someone as scary and dangerous as Lenny Montana being intimidated by Brando who was likely one of his heroes from films like The Wild Ones.
@@ronweber1402 Thats what made this scene so powerful. If a man like Luca is nervous to be around Don Corleone imagine what type of person the Don must be.
@@PorkinsTheWhite Luca wasn't nervous because he was afraid of the Don, he was nervous because of how much respect he had for the Don and he didn't want to look like a palooka and mess up in front of someone he held in such awe.
Wrong. His first acting job was as a pro wrestler. In the book, Vito was the one actually afraid of Brasi.
@@ArtificialintelligentleYes, he was a professional wrestler, but there is a huge difference between putting on an act and actually being an actor. We all put on an act from time (wife gives me a honey do list and suddenly my back hurts because of an old football injury) to time but that doesn't make us actors.
Pacino's portrayal of Michael's transformation over the course of the movie is masterful. The greatest American movie ever made.
this is absolutely a classic, one of the greatest of all time without question
I dearly love the horse head scene because it sends the message "we can get to anyone, anywhere, anytime."
Michael said the family business was "my family, not me" but he knew he was made for it in the scene where he frightens off the hitmen at the hospital. Enzo's hands are shaking so bad that Michael has to light his cigarette but Michael's hands are rock-steady. He even takes a moment to look at them like he can't quite believe how calm he is.
Yes, the horse's head was real! It was sent over from a slaughterhouse. During that time, horses were sometimes used to make dog food. John Marley, who played Jack Woltz, was apparently not informed that the head was going to be real. 😱
I mean, that's terrible, but it's better than what was going on in "Apocalypse Now". In addition to the water buffalo scene, they used real cadavers to pile up and set on fire in Kurtz's compound. According to Coppola's wife's diary she made during filming (which was turned into a fantastic documentary on the making of that film), she came to set one day and saw people unloading cadavers from a truck. When she asked the crew about it, they told her "The script says a pile of burning bodies, not a pile of burning dummies" which inferred that Coppola was pretty locked into portraying the realism of the scene.
A $600,000 horse in 1945 translates to over $10 million in 2023.
Johnny fontaine's characters based on Frank Sinatra in the movie he wanted to be in is "From Here to Eternity." The actress the director's talking about is supposed to be Ava Gardner
But that movie was made in the 50s and this was just after the war
@SergioArellano-yd7ik the screen writer and the Novelist, had a collaboration with the director to make the storyline move along. Is call artistic license
Fun fact. The cat was a stray Marlon found in the alley in the studio. He improvised and used it for the scene. Francis let Marlon do whatever he wanted bc you know, he was Marlon
I do hope someone gave that sweet fur baby a good home. When I first watched the movie, I just assumed the cat was Mama Corleone's kitty that wandered into the office, and until I learned it was a stray I assumed having a cat there was planned.
About Luca's death, they didn't know he was a spy. The problem was they knew he was Corleone's main enforcer. When Sonny spoke up in the meeting, it showed that if Sollozzo could remove Vito Corleone, his son would be open to making the deal. They knew that any attempt on Vito Corleone's life was not a good idea until AFTER they manage to kill Luca. Killing him might have been very difficult except that Vito Corleone sent him on that spy mission. So Sonny speaking up led to Luca being killed and his father being shot.
Bro thankyou so much I know this movie for so long still it amaze me to find out new stuff
He is Enso the Baker from the wedding, hello 👋 😂 16:34
Your classic film reactions are always a delight to watch. Long may they continue.
You MUST watch part 2, it surpasses the first one and is one of the few sequels that improves on the original and won an oscar...
Yeah it's brilliant. My favorite movie. Deniro was impeccable
(In your opinion)
@mrtomas0990 I can only give my opinion. Its all I know. Though it is one of the only (if not the only) sequel to win best picture Oscar... its also generally considered superior to part 1.... but ultimately, yes, of course its my opinion...
Its funny cause Enzo the Baker(The man who helps Michael protect his father at the hospital) is actually in the very first scenes, standing besides the baker as the baker makes his case for Enzo and his daughter to be married and asks Vito for help with the immigration... I think I must've watched this movie 10 times before I notice Enzo just standing there, he almost disappears in the background... LOL. These types of details is what makes this movie the greatest movie ever made. You could learn new things even after many watches.
It's so refreshing to see someone react to a classic for the first time, with no preconceived expectations. Well done, Addie.
Even better with no spoilers.
Michael is Marine Corps Captain at the beginning of the movie, and a WW II combat Veteran, he's no stranger to violence and killing men.
' what do you think this is the Army where you shoot a guy from a mile away? No you gotta get up close put the gun up against his head BADABING! Get blood and brains all over your suit college boy"
The actress who played Apollonia,
Simonetta Stefanelli, has a daughter, Violante Placido, who is in “THE AMERICAN,” with George Clooney.
It’s an excellent film.
Good one, Addie. Part 2 is really good too. Oh, and now you can enjoy You've Got Mail much more having seen The Godfather, so many quotes from the movie, LOL! Thanks for sharing this one. 🙂
Hi Addie. Great reaction. Don't wait too long for part two. Best to watch while this one is reasonably fresh in your mind. One of the few instances where part 2 is arguably better than the 1st one. Also if you haven't seen them you might want to give a couple other classics a try. The Sting and maybe The Great Escape. Both great movies with exceptional casts. Enjoy!
I love Michael's character development. And Michael's and his father's relationship. I saw this at the drive in when it came out.. Thanx for reviewing it with us.. Xx
Btw, The Godfather 2 is considered the best sequel ever! Winning Best Director & Film, the film takes us back into the journey for Vito Corleones past (played by a young DeNiro) who won the Oscar for this role. Michael Corlene does have a story in this film. So it is 2 storied wrapped up into this movie... this film is 3 hours and 20 minutes, so you may want to consider breaking this up into 2 parts. Also, this film, in my opinion, is one of the top 10 best endings of all time.
I will never disagree with someone who places G2 over G1, but AMI, IMDb, and most polls (including myself) prefer GI as a perfect movie. However, the best sequel EVER is Terminator 2, and Linda Hamilton was robbed.
I'm so excited to see you react to this movie. While I haven't watched it yet, your reactions are always a treat to watch! After watching part of your reaction, Enzo the baker, who helped Michael in the hospital, was the son-in-law to be of the baker from the wedding. If you remember, he was the second person to ask The Don for a favor, because his daughter loved Enzo, but he was going to be deported back to Italy after the war. So The Don made arrangements for his to stay.
I always see this as a parallel story to my family. My grandfather joined the military, like Michael, the distance himself from the mafia. WWII ended, he came home, opened a pub, and they started to hang around, trying to get him back in. He quickly went back into the service and stayed in. He had a run in at his mother’s funeral with one of his uncles and asked for a transfer to Panama. Things eventually calmed down, but I remember my dad getting strange phone calls when I was little.
8:52 I think they gave the horse a lethal dose of tranquilizers and cut off it's head post mortem. They wouldn't have let the horse suffer.
Very Dr Seuss of you. “Is he dead on a bed?” No, he’s not dead, he’s not dead on a bed, but under the covers you’ll find a horse’s head.” A horse’s head? You heard what I said, now go sit with Fred
If you’re really interested in how the Godfather was made there’s a fantastic miniseries on Paramount called The Offer starring Miles Teller. Came out last year and was one of the best series of the year. Either way, I enjoyed your reaction and definitely look forward to seeing part 2.
Enzo is the guy that the wedding cake baker asked Don Corleone at the start of the movie to help keep in the country, so that he could marry his daughter. So he is loyal to the Corleones. That is why Michael trusted him.
The Godfather II is a must watch in the near future.
Ollie howled "NOOOO TESSIOOOOOO" Brilliant lololol🤣
About Michael:
The beginning of the film is just after the end of World War 2. At the wedding, Michael is wearing a WW2 US Marine Corps officer's uniform. The insignia on his shoulder epaulets show his rank is Captain, an officer commanding a Company of 160-200 men. The ribbons on the left front of his jacket are : top row left to right Silver Star (3rd highest award for combat valor with serious risk to own life), Navy and Marine Corps Medal (highest award for non-combat life saving valor with serious risk to own life), Purple Heart (for being wounded in combat), 2nd row left-most ribbon is WW2 Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with 2 Stars (indicates participating in a total of 3 Pacific Island battles).
Prior to being promoted to Captain, as a 2nd Lieutenant and then 1st Lieutenant he would have commanded a platoon of 40-50 men. He is a combat veteran who has commanded a significant number of men (40-50, later 160-200), is trained and experienced in marksmanship and tactics (attacks, defense, ambushes, maneuvering for position, etc., as well as individual combat actions), taking decisive action and clear thinking in stressful situations, been promoted through 3 officer ranks (2nd Lieutenant -> 1st Lieutenant -> Captain), shown personal bravery in both combat and dangerous non-combat situations, been wounded in combat, and seen some of the bloodiest battlefields of WW2. Most of those battles had very intense hand-to-hand combat, no just shooting, as they almost always ended with desperate Japanese soldiers making massed banzai charges.
At the wedding and throughout the movie, he is almost always the most experienced, hardened killer in the room. The older mafiosi laugh at him for proposing to shot Sollozzo and the police captain, but really have no idea what his experiences are or how coldly ruthless he will be to decisively defeat/eliminate his enemies.
Marines are not trained to be psychopaths, lead criminal organizations, or break the law. Marines are trained to kill legally, not like dipshit criminals. Stop slandering the Marine Corps on it's birthday.
Michael Corleone betrayed the Marine Corps the moment he started behaving like a psychopath. Here's a link to an FBI explanation of why Michael Corleone is a psychopath... th-cam.com/video/7gWjyqL2L4g/w-d-xo.html
Carlo turned because he wanted a more important position in the Family, for more money. He started slapping Connie around as he grew more resentful, culminating in his participation in luring Sonny into the Barzini trap at the toll gate.
You rally can't beat these old classics.
Not what you strictly said about the movie at the end, but the way you did, made me emotional.
Glad you appreciate this cinematic masterpiece.
For some reason this is a great movie to watch this time of year. One of my favorites -- I'm so glad you reacted to it!
Nicely done, as always. You're a delight. BTW, the baby in the finale was played by the director's daughter Sofia Coppola, the future Oscar-winning writer/director (whose latest film "Priscilla" is in theaters currently).
22:19 Such a beautiful "Aw shucks!"
Luca Brasi was played by Lenny Montana a former wrestler and possibly
connected with the mob. The Godfather was his first movie and he was nervous about having a scene
with Marlon Brando and actually spent time practicing his lines before each take. Director Copolla noticed
this and wrote it into the script.
Leave the gun, take the cannoli. Lol that's one of my favorite lines
Your doggo walking in is always the highlight of your videos
Johnnie Fontaine is Frank Sinatra, the movie is Fred Zinneman's "From Here to Eternity" with the iconic beach scene with Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster. The baby at the christening is Sofia Coppola.
I love that yoyr finally supporting the Don & Michael! 19:39
I just googled it. Wow! That horse head was NOT a fake!!!
4:05 He is actually rehearsing his lines. This is his first time acting because he is gonna act in front of Marlon Brando. Fun fact, the dude playing him is a real life bodyguard for the mafia.
Godfather 2 is a must. Not watching it is not an option. It completes everything. 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
Wow, was fun to watch your first looking of this legendary movie classic.
"Nothing is going to happen to the cat. It's not that kind of movie, right?" No, not the cat. Just the horse.
Lenny Montana, the actor who played Luca Brasi was an actual mob enforcer. He was so nervous to perform with Marlon Brando that he kept rehearsing his lines over and over. Francis Ford Coppola noticed this and filmed it to include in the movie. Montana's nervousness also carried over to the scene where he meets with Don Corleone at the wedding. Coppola left that in, too, rather than shoot a retake where Montana could deliver his lines without stumbling.
"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli" was an ad lib by actor Richard S. Castellano.
The Godfather Part II is considered by most to be as good as or better than the first movie. Part III isn't a bad movie, but it's not up to the level of the first two.
I just watched the three movies myself as well for the first time. they were GREAT. Please watch the other two. The third is the weakest, but the scene with him and the priest (you’ll recognize it when you see it), really encapsulates his entire arc and where he ends up at the end. And it’s definitely worth the time to watch!! The second movie is great and lots of twists too!
14:42 - In all of the Godfather movies, there's nothing that scares people more than that nurse xD! I love it...
Addie, that was one of your best reactions! You have to read the novel, it explains everything in so much more depth. And watch Godfather part 2. Btw, Johnny Fontaine was played by famous crooner Al Martino ("Spanish Eyes" was one of his #1 hits).
That little "u-turn" on the bridge is what prompted Jersey to put up thos barriers between lanes on the roads. After this movie people were re-creating that little trick.
8:01 - The horse's head!
The cat on Brando's lap in the opening scene was just hanging around the set and Coppola handed it to Brando just before starting the camera knowing Brando loved animals and would go with it.
One thing worth remembering that casual viewers tend to forget- Michael is established early on as a decorated marine corp veteran of the WW2 Pacific theater and despite the laughter of Clemenza and Sonny when he proposed the killing of Solozzo and McClusky, he would be no stranger to close range mortal combat and targeted assassination. Think Guadalcanal or Iwo Jima. The kind of things seen in the film The Thin Red Line. Michael may have first intended to stay on the straight and narrow legal wise but make no mistake he was no sheltered babe in the woods. His enemy kill count would've likely been higher than any button man's in the Corleone organization and he was seriously wounded himself.
I want to see that movie! Michael Corleone in WWII
The singer Johnny Fontaine was a hidden reference to Frank Sinatra, who did get the movie part he wanted in From Here To Eternity. He won an Oscar for that part. Lots of hidden references in this.
Also get distracted by the cat in that first scene... it looks so comfortable and at ease with Marlon Brando
wow You were spot on in your comments especially with what Michael was evolving into. As people say below now you must see the part 2. Pacino really shines in the 2nd one and really deserved an OSCAR
When (not if) you watch GF2, remember that ending, with the door closing on Kay. You might see it again. Also it would be helpful to read up at Wikipedia on the Cuban Revolution and the Valachi hearings, so you recognize what's happening in GF2.
Oh I've been waiting this for ages! Now I'll watch this and enjoy!
I did not read the comments so maybe someone already told this, but the actor who played "Luca Brasi" was Lenny Montana, a real life Colombo mob family enforcer. So he was really not an actor at all.
Greetings from Finland!
Great reaction once again, like they say "Better later than never" im glad you enjoy this masterpiece of cinema its one of my favourites its becouse of this movie that Coppola and Pacino got their careers famous in Hollywood. Lenny Montana, who played Luca Brasi, was a professional wrestler before becoming an actor. He was so nervous delivering his lines to a legend like Brando during the scene in in this movie study that he didn’t give one good take during an entire day’s shoot. Because he didn’t have time to reshoot the scene, Coppola added a new scene of Luca Brasi rehearsing his lines before seeing the Godfather to make Montana’s bad takes seem like Brasi was simply nervous to talk to the Godfather. The horse head in the movie producer’s bed wasn’t a prop. The production got a real horse’s head from a local dog food company. The line in the script only had actor Richard Castellano as Clemenza say “Leave the gun” after the hit on the mobster who ratted on the Corleones. He was inspired to make the addition after Coppola inserted a line in which the character’s wife asks him to buy cannoli for dessert. Keep up the good work.
Apparently the singer at the beginning was based on stories mario puzo (writer) heard about frank sinatra.....
There's a great conversation in the novel that didn't make it to the movie, where Michael asks Vito how to say "no" to the family.
"You can't say 'no' too often, and when you do it must sound like a 'yes'."
Super fun seeing your reaction. You simply have to watch the other two or I'll have to make you an offer that you can't refuse... 🤭😂
I have watched the series 100 x’s and find new information each time. It has amazing story and background.
The thing about the godfather is that it gets so much better on rewatches, when you pick up on the small details.
Enzo was the bakers assistant that the wedding cake guy in the beginning was asking help for. He's totally devoted to the Corleone family!
Great movie and love the reaction. Funniest backstory I think about Godfather is that Luca Brasi actor was real gangster and his acting was so bad at 4:36. He wasn't supposed to stutter. Brando's facial expression here is his real reaction to the bad acting. Coppola didn't know what to do with him and then he shot the practice scene at 4:03 later. Making it look like he stuttered because he was nervous around Godfather. Most directors would just scrap the scene but this was brilliant directing.
I'm glad the first thing you mentioned was Michael's journey. That's the answer to why the movie is called The Godfather. It's Michael's story.
When Clemenza says, "Hello, Carlo," you know; you just know.
I can't refuse Addie's journey as she watches more great movies.
Loved the appearance from “Future Addie”….👍👍
Now, you will be able to understand what mention of "the baptism" means in discussion of film, American film in particular.
I recommend you watch this film at least once a year. There are so many deep facets to the film that you can watch it a dozen times and still have questions and see things, understand things you never understood before. There's a very good reason this film is widely considered one of the greatest ever made.
Godfather Part 2 is also very good! Glad you really enjoyed the movie and see why it's such a classic. I thought Al Pacino was sooo magnetic in this film.
Hey, Addie! Glad you watched this masterpiece! I wanted to drop a comment on your patreon the other day when you posted it, but that didn't happen.... Anyway, you should definitely check out The Godfather Part II, which some consider to be the greatest movie sequel and even better than the original, though I will always like this one the best! Godfather part III is also an underrated masterpiece, and if you have not heard of the humorous mob movie comedies, Analyze This, and Analyze That, with Billy Crystal and Robert DeNiro, you should check those out too.
You had me cracking up big time during your reaction, especially the face you made and the nod when the guy who loses his horse's head was talking about how she "was the greatest piece of ass he ever had," and also when you zoomed in the camera and said the lingering "Yeah...." when Connie said Micheal killed her husband. I also appreciate the makeup. :)
Masterpiece. I wonder if we can give Addie, "An Offer She Can't Refuse." She watches all the Godfathers....and she gets more subscribers.
So pleased to see your attentive responses to this transcendent story of a family told in a finely crafted cinematic voice.
TBH, Part II just might be an even more finely crafted story. Far be for me to tell you that you have to watch any further within this Saga. What I will say is that I believe that, should you choose to proceed, I am almost certain that you will be enlightened on so many variously disparate levels.
Again, thank you for sharing your experience.
Back when writers still knew how to write a good story.... oh how I miss those days!
Enzo the baker is the one who's father-in-law asked for the favor at the beginning of the movie. That's why he was visiting the Godfather in the hospital.
Something you said at the beginning of your post-reaction remarks, about Michael's arc starting with not wanting to be part of 'the family business'. That phrase, that concept, 'the family business' referring to organized crime. It's in a thousand memes, movie plots and TV shows, and it began with this movie. And not only that concept, but dozens of others also had their start here. It's that groundbreaking of a work.
Also, you should definitely see the second movie, soon, even if you skip the others. In many ways, it's even better than this one, according to many. You'll have to make up your own mind.
15:43 he is just a baker! he’s a good guy! his name is enzo. if you remember from the beginning, a guy (also a baker) asked Vito for help because one of his employees (Enzo) was set to be deported back to italy, but the baker’s daughter and Enzo wanted to get married, and the baker wanted Enzo to stay on as an employee. Vito helped them out, so Enzo was genuinely going to hospital to thank Vito and wish him well. Enzo is a good guy!
Finally you react to the probably alltime best movie. Thanks, I enjoyed it!
Notice the remarkable makeup job they did on vito corleon .going from a younger version to a much older version at his death .subtle but effective
The baby in the baptism at the end is director Copolla’s daughter Sophia, now an Oscar winning writer and director.
Yes, a slow burn....but it burns so good!
Nice one!
" so this is Future Addie talking and..." best part of this reaction 😄😁
The Godfather is nothing short of a Shakesperian Tragedy. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, just an epic cast of the greatest living actors of all time. You're the only reactor I know who loved the Michael and Apollonia courtship.
Clink boom 🥂 . Definitely check out part 2. Great reaction Addie
You should watch a cool little miniseries about the making of the first Godfather movie called "The Offer'. Really well done.