How Did Michael Corleone Wipe Out All the Five Families?

How Did Michael Corleone Wipe Out All the Five Families? |The Baptism of Fire Explained
In the iconic mafia film the godfather, the powerful Corleone family refined over the criminal underworld with awn iron fist, Don Vito Corleone had built a billion dollar empire and his influence expanded from New York to Sicily. However, after being taken off guard the don was taken down, and we all know what happened next 🤯🔥
After years worth of work and negotiated the heir of the Corleone family had returned and had no intentions to Just sit back and watch the empire crumble. So, although a college student and a hero, Michael throws away his initial intentions of living a normal life, a safe and legal life, away from his criminal family, in which he used to look down upon. Now, he was entering the world he had only been a spectator too, he was now becoming the man he once despised. However, his experience in Sicily and the events he experienced and witnessed had finally made him comprehend this world. The true nature and importance of power.
In ONE of the most tactically and cunningly brilliant moves the mafia had ever seen, Michael Corleone, within 24 hours had taken out all his enemies, and certify his position as the most powerful boss in the country.
And with such astonishing and simply an unbelievably tactical move, I’m sure, we are left with more questions than answers.
For example, why didn’t the families retaliate? Why didn’t anyone oppose Michales claim to power, also was Michael truly the one who had orchestrated such a plan al by himself, didn’t sonny have a similar idea in the beginning in the film,
And I’m sure a lot more. So that’s exactly what we’ll answer in this video, so if you're a true godfather fan our just simply curious, get ready because a lot of these aspects will shock you.
What very few know, is the fact that Michael was not the sole orchestrate of this plot. In fact, it had been in the works for years.
In the novel, when Vito assembled his inner circle and began briefing them on the upcoming changes to take place. He privately talks to Tom, ordering him to tap the phone lines of Clemenza & Tessio, ensuring he received the monthly phone logs of both phone calls made and received. Even though he makes it clear he does not suspect them, and fully trusts their loyalty, however he saw it necessary to have as much information as possible. By the end of the conversation, Tom concluded that all these actions were hinting that within the dons mind, a far reaching and complex plan was being initiated. And made seem that a sort of day of reckoning was to unravel in the future. So, with the fact this conversation occurred prior to even Michael’s return from Sicily, it was clear that Don Vito had begun preparing some sort of plan for revenge.
Even though Vito swore that he would not break the peace, Michael had no intention surrender and stand by while they had almost destroyed his family, costing him his older brother Sonny, and wife Apollonia. Micheal assured Vito that there was nothing he could do to stop what was coming next, so with the instability of revenge, Vito guided Michael, and helped orchestrate this cunning and ambitious plot....
Its also important to mention that, the first member of the Corleone family to have some sort of intention to take out the other families at once, was actually Santino Corleone. Its true that he had discussed the possibility ofd taking out the other families in such a manner, however, he definitely could not have been able to skilfully to plan such a plan by himself, but he still deserves some credit on his way of thinking in which is something consistent with what Vito would have taught him.
But with all that being said, Michael is the one who truly was behind this move, yes he had help, and wasn’t the first to come up with the idea, however he is the one who managed to actually pull it off and had the heart and focus to successfully consolidate his power as the new don, of the mafia. Almost surpassing his father the legendary don vita Corleone.
📸 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐬 𝐎𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚 @𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚
/ theculturemafia
0:00 Recap
1:47 Michael's Return
3:08 Why Did Michael "Take Them Out"?
4:16 Settling All The Family Business.
5:15 Who Was Behind it?
7:55 Why Didn't They Retaliate?
9:26 In the NEXT Video...
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠
_________________________________________________________________
All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have a problem with the use of said material, please send me an email and we can work it out.
_________________________________________________________________
#TheGodfather #Mafia #AlPacino

[@citizenalex1934]

"Don't tell me you're innocent, because it insults my intelligence." This line is so underrated.

[@princessmarlena1359]

My older sister said that to me when we were kids, after she suspected that I went in her room to play with her kaleidoscope.

[@jadakid6942]

@@princessmarlena1359 Did she offer you a ride to the airport afterward?

[@princessmarlena1359]

@@jadakid6942 🤣

[@jonblazingfire135]

I too use this now when I know something and people want to insult my intelligence

[@domcagney2352]

And it makes me very angry..

[@MrManueleh]

Sonny couldn't because everyone thought he was capable so they wouldn't drop their guard. Michael could because they believed he wouldn't.

[@Therock007dmx]

Wow excellent point Sonny had everyone scared 😱 and they all thought Michael was to weak and inexperienced to even dare oppose them.

[@braetonwilson4296]

Not really. The other families knew that Michael murdered Sollozzo and Police Captain McCluskey in cold blood. They treated him with respect and accepted that he was capable. It's just that years had gone by and the Corleones had not exacted revenge so they let down their guard.

[@lynskyrd]

you nailed it.

[@michaelcolfin8464]

@@braetonwilson4296 Exactly, it was the same strategy that Barzini used to kill Sonny. Sonny let his own guard down because he was technically winning the war. He was hitting them and they weren't hitting back. He had become over confident and thus sloppy. It got him killed. The saw was true of the other families. They were just walking about in the open. None of them had body guards around. Sonny couldn't pull this off because everyone was in hiding.

[@frankgesuele6298]

The Lt Columbo tactic.

[@pamelamays4186]

Tom Hagen: Do you have to wipe everyone out. Michael: Not everyone, only my enemies.

[@mick40jb]

He didn't have to kill Fredo...imo

[@stillsolid5785]

@@mick40jb fredo was a liability. He gave up info that almost got him killed. Plus he knew too much.

[@huec888]

@@mick40jb fredo was a liability and not killing him was as mike ehrmantraut said : a half measure.you cant have half measures.

[@anotheruserism]

@@mick40jb Fredo had sold him out several times. He resented having his little brother take care of him when tradition dictated older brother would look after the younger ones.

[@rickoshay5525]

Take your 200th upvote from me. :)

[@The-Dom]

6:47 "you gave your word... i didnt give mine." you can see Vito smile for just a second.

[@khosta6690]

Is that scene in the movie? I didn't see it

[@finiburek]

​@@khosta6690 It's a deleted scene. I think that they should have kept it in so it would have been easier to understand Michael's plans for the future.

[@geekedghostgaming8156]

@@finiburek He spoke too much like scarface lol. I don't like this scene only because Michael wouldn't talk like that.

[@angelahagerman5693]

I love Al Pachino's face in the whole movie...He was so calm and collected.

[@zombeesama1169]

yep, i can almost see his horns too, through his eye's.... superb acting skills..

[@robertbusek30]

Except when Apollonia died…

[@cherylhayden7363]

That's why Caan's portrayal of Sonny was so powerful, and Oscar worthy. Sonny's kinetic energy made you wonderful if he'd explode, bits and pieces of him flying across the room.

[@spaceace1006]

Michael was his absolute scariest when confronting Carlo!!! ".....so don't tell me you're innocent Carlo. It insults my intelligence... makes me very angry....get outta my sight." Michael scared the sh*t outta me!

[@monkeytennis8861]

Unlike every movie he's in, where he overacts to the extreme

[@keithharper1470]

Tom may have not been good at war time decisions but Michael was. Michael understood tactics and how to read a situation. Imagine if Sonny and Michael teamed up to run the family during war.

[@adnaanu]

Agreed, Michael was in the military and fought in WW2. If I remember correctly he rose to the rank of captain. He would have had the necessary experience to fight a war and read situations.

[@gratefulkyle1]

I always wondered how they felt about America fighting vs Italy in ww2 till I realized the Sicilians hated Mussolini

[@jmoreirafcp]

Yep, fascism was extremely harsh in Sicily, specially against the mafia. No mobster would shed a tear before going to war against him.

[@blacksheba41]

Sonny and Michael would have never been able to work together. Sonny was a hothead. He reacts before thinking and Michael thinks before reacting. Plus Sonny never took Michael or his ideas serious. They would have kept bumping heads.

[@TheRisingMaster]

​@@blacksheba41 Tbh I think Michael would have simply taken over and Sonny would have come to terms with it, unlike Fredo. The closest parallel that I can draw is with Thomas and Arthur Shelby from the Peaky Blinders series. Arthur is the elder, hot headed brother, who's initially the leader, but Thomas, is the cold, ruthless one, who silently takes over and Arthur soon realises that is better for him. I think the way Michael dealt with the Sollozzo/McCluskey matter highly increased Sonny's respect for him as he completely went with his plan once he realised how ingenious it was. Eventually, I think Sonny would have just stepped back somewhat because he would have found it a pain to deal with while he could see that Michael was great at it. At the same time, Michael would ensure that Sonny never felt slighted by this 'demotion'. Similar to Thomas and Arthur Shelby in the Peaky Blinders

[@nagone11]

One thing must be said.. in the book, Sonny started to have the heads of the 5 families followed and looked to get their routines down so when he decided to move he wasn't going to miss. Sonny was sharper and more cunning than portrayed in the movie, but he had a major flaw. Yes, it took the cunning and brilliance of Michael and The Don to finally bring it to it's ultimate conclusion.

[@FIREBRAND38]

Exactly! The plan was set in motion by Sonny. Folks who've only seen the movie miss that.

[@tomatoisnotafruit5670]

Yeah, the movie sells Sonny way short, there are even a bunch of deleted scenes that show Sonny as much more smart and his strong leadership during the hardest time in the Corleone history, instead of just some hotheaded fool.

[@JungleLibrary]

Not to mention doing all that in some of the worst terrain known to man with the most rudimentary of maps (e.g. papua new Guinea )

[@jameshaley8162]

I think Sonny 'made it personal'...he let his emotions cloud his judgement...IF he had been a bit more clear minded, he wouldn't have taken off to his sister's place..... AND...didn't the Families know that that phone call and what lead up to it being made was easily traced back to Carlos? "Sonny got whacked at the toll booth by a large number of gun men" "How did that happen?" "Well, Carlos beat up Sonny's sister, she called Sonny, he got enraged and took off without any guards or escorts" "What...yous saying that twelve mobsters 'just happen to be there, knew what Sonny's car looked like, and said; "Hey, while we're here, let's whack Sonny" ?" "What are the odds, am I right?"

[@cherylhayden7363]

The suits behind the movie forced Coppola to cut many of James Caan's scenes. He was supposed to be hot-headed, anything else made the cutting room floor.

[@TR-Mead]

One thing people are forgetting is that Michael was a battle tested WW2 Marine Corps officer. After taking out well entrenched Japanese soldiers willing to die rather than surrendering, planning for the tactical eliminatiion of the 5 families probably seemed like a vacation, no mud, rain, heat, tropical diseases, half to 3/4 of your company being killed all around you, one island after another. Battle after battle. No, the 5 families had no clue what was coming their way when Michael came back to town.

[@LadyOaksNZ]

On point 💯💯 Well said!!

[@randomlyfactual1943]

Iwo Jima > La Cosa Nostra

[@matthewzablocki5310]

Agreed. Perfectly said.

[@roronoalaw7772]

A lot of fans forget he was a veteran.

[@seho8722]

You ARE absolutely right... I read the book in my native language... So, Michael said about Solotzo something like "he is a rat... where is his air support..."... remembering his days at war with Japanese...

[@johansmallberries9874]

I do like how all these guys, even his brother, thought Michael was soft because instead doing drive bys and roughing up bookies, he was in the pacific fighting one of the fiercest, most ruthless and cunning enemies any military has ever faced.

[@johnclark4593]

That experience did more to prepare Michael to become the Don. Michael probably had personally killed or ordered the killing of more men than the entire Corleone family, including Don Vito.

[@marksheiman1538]

And getting the best training for what was done. You are messing with the wrong marine.

[@reignkaida]

Michael didn’t fight at Thermopylae

[@jimlittle5769]

@@reignkaida No, but he did fight in the Pacific. The battles of Guadalcanal and Peleliu.

[@davidfrehlini968]

@@marksheiman1538. Hello from Siracusa. Sicilian American. USMC 64 -- 68. Vietnam 65 -- 66. That's right. And Semper Fi and Oohrah.

[@willwilson3377]

Killing Appollonia really pushed Michael for revenge in the book.

[@Engr.Cala1991]

michael was dead together with appollonia.

[@Aven-Sharma1991]

How come he loved Apollonia more than Kay when he was with Kay first and for much longer, they were in love and close. Then he found apollonia and loved her more? How come?

[@billyrocket62]

Killing Apolonia really pissed me off as well... That girl was gorgeous! 😍🤩😃🤪👍

[@ooofsized2036]

And now she’s in hell taking the devil’s stracci in her cuneo

[@james-mz3cf]

@@Aven-Sharma1991 IMO Kay was the woman who represented what he wanted at that time - white, educated, squeaky clean and VERY "American". The complete opposite of how his family was viewed. He did not want to be part of his family business and distanced himself in any way he could. His first wife was love, but also about "possessing her" as he describes the first time he saw her in the book. I think she represented his new life and deep understanding of where his family came from. She becomes part of the new, deep-seeded roots he discovered in Italy. She is his future and when she and his unborn child killed (she's pregnant in the book) he is forever changed.

[@TJSaw]

Michael Corleone is one of the greatest film characters of all time.

[@iMusikkForeva]

Absolutely! Uncontested imo

[@daredevil6145]

I like him more than *Vito* , not that Vito is much lower, he is in 2nd place but even in 1st film, I was a huge fan of Michael and very happy how his character went through in Part II

[@deadschooled]

Only in the first movie

[@MRHEEL-ys2rq]

I had always wondered because it was almost surgically precise with the timing. He had an established alibi being at the christening of Connie's son. My theory is that he was taking revenge against all of those who had a hand in Sonny's death and Don Vitos near death. He just did it with frightening timing and planning

[@josecarranza7555]

Cause it’s a movie lol

[@donkeytime1704]

@@josecarranza7555 Ya...!!!

[@jasonleetaiwan]

He is at the baptism because it's cinematic. The murders and the baptism are not necessarily in real time.

[@AliensAnonymous]

Why would you need an alibi if you're not there and never were going to be there?

[@frankdees507]

@@josecarranza7555 Exactly. With even everything technology has provided today, no president could even coordinate 5 presidents for assassination at one time, wherever they are in their own strongholds, with NO revenge from their Vice Presidents. It’s all complete utter bullshit lol

[@gl3605]

He never despised nor looked down upon his family. He simply didn't want to be part of the criminal activity. He loved his family more than anything..that's why he was so hurt by Fredo's betrayal.

[@deadschooled]

That was the garbage 2nd movie. We’re talking about the brilliant 1st one…

[@JAEUFM]

Michael, when it all ended up, was far more ruthless than his Dad ever thought about being.

[@pjj9491]

Dad did a lot of his own work...the burning towel scene

[@kenoliver8913]

That's the point of both character arcs. Vito went through even worse than Michael, and did many horrible acts in the way of business. But he never lost his soul - his capacity for love. Michael did.

[@followerofchrist3125]

@@kenoliver8913Vito had a rough upbringing, losing his parents and having to go to New York. But Michael had to defend Vito at the hospital, kill the Turk and the crooked cop, almost get blown up in a car, find out his oldest brother is dead and become the next Don and he had to deal with Fredo’s betrayed while trying to legitimise the Corleone business with criminals who kept trying to pull him into the underworld. He also had to deal with the government senate hearings and losing his daughter Mary. Vito and Michael both had difficult lives due to the mafia.

[@flibber123]

In the movie Tom mentions Rocco forming a secret regime. That's in addition to seeing Vito instructing Michael about how he will be betrayed, even to the point that Michael reminds him that they've gone over that already. The movie makes it clear that Michael is only capable of doing this because of his father's help. Where Vito got lucky is that Michael was the perfect person to carry out these actions. He could not be distracted like Sonny might have been, he wouldn't deviate from the plan for personal reasons, and he would show no mercy. I think Vito realized that and that's why he was kind of relaxed and at peace at the end. It wasn't the way he preferred things to play out, with Sonny dead, but it was about as good an alternative as he could expect.

[@jasonchen9645]

Sonny was too busy banging broads all over the city, that's why it was easy for Carlo to set him up.

[@frankdees507]

@@jasonchen9645 Actually He knew sonny’s temper would be his downfall. That was Fredo banging cocktail waitresses two at a time, and wasting wealth on women

[@annoyingobservations2310]

Does anyone give credit to the military. And combat experience. Helping give Michael the edge he needed. Fast and deadly attack. Striking without warning. Not expecting anything, then fast attack. Sounds like standard Sun Tzu Art of War recommendations. Or did Puzo read Machiavelli's The Art of War.

[@frankdees507]

@@annoyingobservations2310 His military training and instincts certainly kicked in

[@flibber123]

@@annoyingobservations2310 I'm sure the training and experienced helped to some extent. But killing a cop in cold blood is very different from killing a uniformed enemy in a time of declared war. In terms of strategy, his dad is the one who prepared him to take action.

[@edwinagray4373]

THE Godfather, 1&2, is and will always be my favorite movie of all time. Kudos to all the brilliant actors, director, author Puzo and supporting cast.

[@edwinagray4373]

@Ben Yehudah #3 wasnt as stellar as 1st two. Most everyone comments that it was a bust.

[@femiairboy94]

@@edwinagray4373 3 was good but not as good. For any other film 3 was great but for godfather standard not exactly

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

I think the first film is indeed better but they're both incredible. Part 3 is good just not classic epic like 1 and 2.

[@chrisf2615]

The book explains it pretty well. Sonny initially set the bold move up and the foundation of where all the key weaknesses of the people would be. Then Michael and Vito refined the plan with Michael finding Al Neri to serve as his new Luca. The rest was just wait for the right moment when his enemies all thought him weak and with Vito gone to drop all pretense and fear of retaliation so that they would not see the Blitz coming. It's why Michael even said to himself in the book "I will make them call me Don now." It also showed a level of cold calculation many of the families failed to detect in Michael someone to be feared moreso than Vito and someone who could not rule through a mixture of fear, love, and respect as Vito had but instead in only fearful respect.

[@jasWerner-qt5wj]

Thanks dead on The NOVEL spells it out

[@cubswin3838]

The taking out of the enemies was NOT tactical. It was strategic. Let's not forget Michael was a Marine Captain. He LEAD soldiers in battle! He had a strategic mind of his own!

[@johnroscoe2406]

Yes we're all so impressed you understand the difference and it was very important everyone knows.

[@davidfrehlini968]

Dave Miller. He did not lead Soldiers in battle. He lead Marines in battle.

[@iwishiwasthomasshelby]

A captain is the lowest rank. You basically have like 2 guys under you. It wasn’t like he was a sergeant or lieutenant

[@zakolascage5808]

@@iwishiwasthomasshelby Captain is above both sergeant and a lieutenant.

[@sterlingarcher0007]

Wow! None of us would've ever known the difference between tactical and strategery if it weren't for you Captain Obvious. Thank you for showing us that you're smarter than anyone else here in this thread. You're enlightening insight is truly one for the ages. I mean that from the heart of my bottom,...uh, I mean, the bottom of my heart. Yeah, that's what I meant😏 FYi: A soldier is army..A marine is from the Marines Corps. An airman is Air Force. A seamen is from the Navy and semen is usually found all over your mother's face.

[@therealpat5168]

I decided to read the book after Michael returns from Italy a while ago. First off it was only the top guys from the Tattaglia and Barzini families who were targeted, the other two weren't and Moe Greene was killed well beforehand. The Italian guy who betrayed Michael and got Apollonia killed was also murdered. Michael was also not anywhere in public when it was going down. The movie shows the baptism happening at the same time but in the book Michael is holed up in his compound and the baptism happened weeks before. Now since Sonny's death Vito and Michael were intentionally trying to portray the Corleone Family as weak and that came at the cost of Clemenza and Tessio becoming uppity as they were repeatedly told to stand down and let the Barzini-Tattaglia alliance encroach on their regimes, leading Tessio to conclude that they couldn't win. In the meantime Vito was transferring his political support to Michael and Rocco Lampone was building an entire third regime in secret that was intensely loyal to Michael. When Vito died Barzini thought that his political contacts went with him, Michael was incompetent, Tessio would join him, and Clemenza could be easily brought over as well. Another thing that made Barzini think the Corleones were weak and foolish is that they seemingly didn't suspect Carlo Rizzi's part in Sonny's murder and kept him involved in family business. Tom Hagen suspects that Vito knew all along but couldn't bear to have Connie's husband killed and so left it to Michael.

[@jaelge]

To me, who read the book a couple of times, but decades ago, yours seems to be a very good assessment.

[@Asign2012]

Nice assessment thanks

[@mikegallant811]

@@jaelge yes I believe in the book I think Fabrizio the guy who betrayed Michael and caused apollonia's death was working as a counter man at a pizza place and when the guy who took care of him dealt with him he said "Fabrizio, Michael Corleone sends his regards" and then shot him to death.

[@jaelge]

@@mikegallant811: Yep, that´s how I recall it, as well. I think, but not certain, that it was depicted in the movie, yeah?

[@mikegallant811]

@@jaelge not to my knowledge, not as it was in the book. A deleted scene has Fabrizio's car get rigged with a bomb.

[@PersonalityMalfunction]

Sonny never get enough credit and is always condemned for his faults. I disagree with that. Sonny built the intelligence picture of the other families, their key button men, their habits and addresses, including tailors, barbers, mistresses etc, laying the entire foundation for the day of revenge. He also recruited both Tom Hagen and Rocco Lampone. He ran the war flawlessly and severely punished Solozzo and the Tattaglias to the point of orchestrating the deaths of Solozzo and Captain McCluskey. His so-called flaw, to immediately head off the compound to punish Carlo Rizzi after him beating Connie for a second time, is rash, yes, but not stupid. Who would have guessed that Carlo had betrayed the family and that the Barzinis were behind the Tattaglias? Not ever the Don had foreseen that. In short, I believe Sonny would have been a fantastic don if Carlo hadn't betrayed him.

[@antonewilson4310]

Agreed. A blunt object, Sonny was terrifying.

[@elcochino8139]

That's the whole point. As smart, cunning, and strong as Sonny was his downfall was he had no control of his emotions. His temper was his main fault. And Barzini exploited that. In the book it explains that Sonny had forced the other families into hiding and their businesses had stopped profiting. But Tom said nothing cuz they had cowered and stopped countering so he thought it was working. But they were just plotting and waiting and used So nys biggest weakness to get him

[@iwishiwasthomasshelby]

Sonny was an ill tempered loser

[@johngeorgewashington1416]

His weakness was too well known..he loved "p...y" if it wasn't revenge for his sister's abuse by her husband he would have been easily setup.

[@PersonalityMalfunction]

@@johngeorgewashington1416 The impetiousness of youth... and impulsiveness. If he had lived another decade he would have been unbeatable as a Don. At the end of the day, what caused the war was Vito Corleone's refusal to take part in the illegal drug trade. Sonny, even though he made a colossal mistake in making his opinion known, was far-sighted enough to realise the consequences of not joining Solozzo. I wonder how it had panned out if the Corleone's had agreed. Was the war with the Tattaglias inevitable?

[@mg19cal]

Al Neri used to be a cop, that's how he snuffed out Barzini, he never expected it

[@maxxdahl6062]

That's how he was able to do a lot of things. Disguised in his old uniform, etc.

[@urkersen5246]

@@maxxdahl6062 I thought cops who resigned or were fired were required to hand back their uniforms?

[@maxxdahl6062]

@@urkersen5246 This isn't real life. lol. In the movie/book he uses his uniform.

[@viqarkagzi3922]

Michael may have despised some of the things his father did. Michael greatly admired what his father accomplished in time.

[@dawnguard6472]

His weapon of choice is a heavy torch - I am in the UK, cannot walk around with a weapon, that’s why I keep one in my backpack when hiking with my dog.

[@diontaedaughtry974]

The most brilliant and wildest way of thinking. And the amount of time it took to pull it off really showed the strength of Vito and Michael's patience, they could wait forever. Vito was beyond the grave. Don't let death fool you his enemies will still pay for what they did. Vito died in a garden and the others died riddled with bullets.

[@ffofana56]

That statement... You better lie on a golden bed with that!!!

[@Joskemom]

I was impressed with their organization from the opening scenes. When I first saw the movie I was always asking 'how the hell do you kill, decapitate, and put the horse head in the bed without waking the guy up?'. That was just brilliant.

[@munenex]

The most underrated character was Al Neri, Michael's right hand man. So close was him to Michael that he may as well been his shadow

[@antonewilson4310]

Strongly concur. As effective a killer as Luca Brasi but intelligent and reflective, a genuine counselor who could give great advice...and loyal as a puppy.

[@falecomigo]

Luca Brasi killing power + Tessio smartness = Al Neri

[@chairde]

“ Behind every great fortune there is a crime.”, the first sentence in the book.

[@kenoliver8913]

A quote from Balzac.

[@gaoxiaen1]

"I believe in America!" The first line in the movie. Much better than Ball Sacck.@@kenoliver8913

[@davidfrehlini968]

The Culture Mafia. These are some great and very interesting videos and the Mrs. and I enjoy them very much. And we love watching them wether we are Home in the USA or on the Island of Sicilia. Keep up the good work. Thank you and God Bless.

[@alneri8327]

My respect.

[@julijakeit]

When the priest asks Michael 'Do you renounce evil?' I realized that Michael at this moment renounced the evil perception of his father's business and embraced what needed to be done to support the family. Michael no longer viewed Cosa Nostra as evil.

[@nicky29031977]

In life what is really good or evil is mostly a question of personal perspective.

[@ms.annthrope415]

No need to over think this. Michael said no because what can he say? Admit to the priest he is evil and has ordered several people to be killed at that very moment? But it makes a great juxtaposition to scenes of hitmen killing everyone else.

[@mariahyohannes]

The priest was not asking Michael that, Mike was speaking for his nephew, Michael Rizzi.

[@JacksonWalter735]

Man I just watched the Godfather for the first time a few months ago and I'm so glad your channel exists.

[@saladinboss2507]

I may be misremembering this because it has been so long since I read it, but The Godfather Returns provides at least a little bit of a reason why there was no retaliation from the other families. In Mario Puzo's novel, Michael does not take out Cuneo or Strachi. The Godfather Returns builds on that story rather than the Part I movie. In The Godfather Returns Michael somehow plants evidence to make it appear as if Barzini took out Tattaglia, and Tattaglia took out Barzini. Therefore, at least before the dust settled, no one was looking at the Coleone family. Eventually, everyone figured it out as Michael was the one to benefit the most from their deaths, and then the respect and fear for Michael followed.

[@jeffdekimpe1746]

Moe Greene should’ve thought about a price.

[@only5186]

Whaaa??? He made his bones when you we're playin stinky finger with cheer leaders 😂

[@MrTCHOSS]

@@only5186 Jeff was bangin' cocktail waitresses two at a time. It got so bad, players couldn't get a drink at the tables

[@jeffdekimpe1746]

@@MrTCHOSS Gee that’s swell Tony. I got stepped over. I’m schmart.

[@MrTCHOSS]

How do you say banana daiquiri?

[@gorillacookies3171]

He got the Moe Green special

[@Swishmb]

I love when Michael tells Vito you gave your word I didn’t give mine

[@mick3765]

I don't remember that scene in the film??

[@thecustomizer2008]

6:44

[@samiamim4015]

@@mick3765 it's in the extended cut.Paramount released some more extra scene in KZbin I believe

[@RTOneZer0]

Michael was in the Marine Corps and saw fightings in the Pacific theatre. He knew how to plan and organize attacks with military precision.

[@jasonleetaiwan]

Tom appears to have known about the plan because he asks Michael at the funeral if he "Vito" told him how they were going to come at him. @5:15 This video says that Tom had the phone company tap the phones of Clemenza and Tessio. That means that Tom would be able to figure out to some degree what was being planned.

[@PokemonTrainerVince]

You're absolutely right. Even when Tom is left somewhat in the dark, you can't get anything by him. Vito even pointed this out when Tom confronted Michael about Rocco building his own regime and not listening to him. Tom knew a lot without even being informed.

[@urkersen5246]

Pacino is really a great actor asd witnessed in his film. I mean the way we see him tranform from the very nice and innocent guy in the beginning on the film we see how he by the end of is seem soulless and ice cold. The look in his face and eyes by the baptism, truly a transformed indivdual whose lost his soul completely. A cold soulless monster indeed.

[@stacynels4]

Not Cold Not Soul Less. Michael is cunning calculating focused while still keeping intact his father's dignified plan in orderly fashion so he's Brilliant As Well.!

[@illmaticgaming4162]

In order to kill monsters,he had to become one himself.

[@urkersen5246]

I accept they had to cut a lot of scenes or the movies would be too long, but then again some scenes they should never have cut while others could have been dropped. The scene where Mike says to Vito that he did not give his words of not breaking the peace is a key scene and should definetely have not been dropped as it sets the stage for the violen blood bath that is coming.

[@georgedoty-williams2085]

Wait, I remember having watched that scene in the Netflix cut of the film

[@tomatoisnotafruit5670]

@@georgedoty-williams2085 it in the extended version, or directors cut or whatever they call em, not in the theatrical, i guess.

[@machinesofgod]

The more I watch your videos, the more appreciation I have for these movies. To say there is a lot more to these movies than what's on the surface is an understatement.

[@jimlittle5769]

I've watched the first and second Godfather movies at least 20 times each and there is always something new to discover every time.

[@pauldonnelly910]

You didn't actually answer the question: HOW? First, note that none of the killings involved any betrayal by the other Families -- it wasn't the Barzini, Tattaglia, Cuneo or Stracci capos doing in their respective bosses. These were simultaneous decapitating strikes by Corleone killers. Second, the term that's missing from most analyses of the baptism scene is "military precision". Michael was a Marine. He understood that naval artillery, air support and infantry all have to work together. The other hits by other families are all spray and pray attacks: two guys shoot Vito FIVE times, not twice in the head. The attack on Michael in his bedroom uses machine guns -- and scores no hits at all. In fact, the only killing that is remotely as precise as these, is the one Vito does himself when he kills Fanucci. So that was his model -- HIS model, a military operation on a much larger scale than that long ago killing in Little Italy -- for the baptism: it wasn't just that he had an alibi, serving as godfather, renouncing Satan and all his works. (Wicked!) CARLO -- at that time, the only traitor within the Corleone family -- was also there: which would tend to make Barzini, and thus the rest of the Families feel secure. They were winning -- what was there to worry about? Third, the whole thing depended on excellent intelligence: knowing where Tattaglia (with yet another hooker) was going to be; when Cuneo (or Stracci, they are interchangeable) were going to be in an elevator or a revolving door ... Coppola is showing us (even more than Puzo did in the book) just how good the Corleone's information was. It's also masterful storytelling as CINEMA. Having Clemenza climb up all those stairs -- lugging a lupara, no less -- to shoot one of the Dons in an elevator is priceless. Having Willie Cicci check his watch before he's shaved shows us that he's both seriously cool about his coming task, AND he knows exactly where and WHEN he needs to be there. In the book, Moe Greene isn't killed at the same time. But the movie certainly makes it look like it -- which is better storytelling, especially for film. Barzini's killing is the one filmed most elaborately, which is not an accident. It's not just that he's the most important enemy -- it's also that having Neri impersonate a cop, actually write the ticket, and thus get the bodyguard to leave Barzini alone and vulnerable as a target on that BIG staircase: it's not just good cinema, dramatic ("every frame a painting"), it also shows us how meticulously planned all the hits were. And then, of course Carlo's death is sweet revenge: who is he calling? Why is he panicking, even before Michael shows up? Finally, a very subtle thing: when Tessio goes to Barzini and actually betrays Michael at the cemetery, Barzini isn't expecting it. Tessio TAKES Barzini's hand -- the Don is friendly and willing to shake hands with a top Corleone capo, but Coppola shows us it was Tessio's initiative. And that's when Michael reassures Tom Hagen: "I've already planned my move -- I'm going to be godfather to CONNIE'S baby." (Emphasis added, cuz it's missing in the movie.) That's HOW he did it.

[@marksheiman1538]

The other families didn't have a chance. Michael is a marine ( only if you are dead, you are a former marine).

[@Bronzong9121]

This is the exact comment I was looking for, beautifully put 👏🏽

[@baileyreport.]

I'm surprised Harvard Business College isn't using "The Godfather" as a source for their MBA programs. I was a real estate agent in California for eight years, and the phrase "make an offer you can't refuse" was an axiom acceptable in almost every business environment.

[@alexp.2897]

You sold property at the threat of murder? haha

[@baileyreport.]

@@alexp.2897 Don't misunderstand. Making a real estate offer means both sides have something to gain, and those offers that are accepted are those which the other side feels are too good to reject.

[@corneliusneil6128]

No, not business schools. I had college classmates who did case studies on the Corleone family for their PSYCHOLOGY classes. One did a paper on Vito's sons. Another did one on the way Vito handled the different requests he received on Connie's wedding day, etc. I am just surprised that more college kids don't take advantage of this masterpiece; especially for their psychology & sociology classes.

[@paulmanson253]

It has been some years now,but CBC radio had a two part critique,mostly written by a man intimately familiar with the course content of the Harvard MBA program. If what was stated in that program is true,then that level of sophistication is simply not taught. Instead,the likes of Robert S McNamara become comprehensible. Since then,Ford has never understood the difference between customer as cash cow and customer as victim,to be fleeced. More or less a formulary is taught instead. Pass on to lower levels risk,inventory ,and get rid of long term preparation. They cost money. If true,that program goes a long way to explain just what has happened to business and industry here in North America.

[@Jackiechanfan12344]

It wouldn't be hard for Michael to take out the other families he was a war hero.. I believe he held the rank of captain..

[@london_james]

Why would that help?

[@london_james]

A captain is hardly some tactical genius

[@patrickfennell6372]

@@london_james Actually during WWII especially in the Pacific Islands young officers were the in charge of small unitis and companies. The company commanders had to make split second decisions. Unlike today there were no drones, helicopters, planes or CIA to see what was ahead on the small jungle islands. Officers like Michael had a lot on their plates and a lot of marines depending on him and his deciaions. Sure Sonny was street smart, but Michael was battleield and college smart. He was a great Don and based on his reign a great businessman. The follow up book written by Mark Winegardener makes it clear how smart Michael was. The Godfather Returns. The other strong suit Michael had was to listen to others.

[@donaldmcauliffe3120]

@@london_james Michael thought attack plans from the military just like chess

[@charlottesmith4850]

And a Marine

[@Xehanort10]

8:10 They were probably so scared of Michael after he took out the heads of the other 4 families that the survivors surrendered.

[@STONESGAM]

I think rather than retaliate and start another big war that would impact earnings....the Underbosses and Captains were probably more than happy to move up the ladder after the whackings...rather than retaliate.

[@tomatoisnotafruit5670]

yeah, they didn't retaliate because they had no reason too, they never had any beef with Michael, and all their bosses getting whacked, meant they all move up the ranks and businesses can go back to normal, not to mention that retaliating meant they most likely would get killed, its not like Michael was some weak dude that you can easily take out

[@Petal4822]

Apolonia was Michael’s true *thunderbolt* 💘 love. She would never have had an abortion like the Monster Kay. Kay only married Michael because she couldn’t get anyone else.

[@stevesteve0521]

If fredo was in charge there would’ve been only five living people left in the corleone family

[@ericthomas917]

If that

[@ericthomas917]

@@Charlie-ii5rr does everything have to be about politics to you people?

[@kamarulariffin3093]

@Mister Happy you keep using that word, I dont think it means what you think it means

[@TheJohnnyCotts]

And thus, why he was passed over in favor of Michael.

[@SirDistic]

He was banging cocktail waitresses, 2 at a time.

[@pamelamays4186]

Connie proved herself a true Corleone when, in the novel, she recants her accusations about Michael killing Carlo.

[@jasWerner-qt5wj]

They pretend he just left and abandoned here

[@EffendiChung]

The shock and awe effect of the attacks is a display of how Corleone family still have immense power. The attacks itself was performed in such a swift manner and with surgical precision, the way Vito Corleone does his signature revenge in the past. With their leaders gone in such a way, I believe their families would scatter, making them easier to be absorbed, or eliminated.

[@jaredoverton7992]

Michael Corleone is 1 of the BEST character transformations ever!!

[@donshipman8441]

Sonny and Micheal would have made one bad ass team! Micheal already demonstrated he could keep Sonny’s temper in check with the sollozzo plan. If you haven’t read the book, READ IT! The supporting characters are insanely undervalued in the film. Sonny, Al Neri, a very disturbing Luca Brasi Amd even Johnnie Fontaine had so much more depth to them.

[@luckypunfire6263]

The only thing that could have stopped Sonny and Michael from being an unstoppable duo would have been their own personalities clashing: if Sonny could manage to rein in his temper to not act rashly *and* Michael was willing to tell Sonny all of his plans in advance they would have been unbeatable. But those two things are a big 'if.'

[@kenoliver8913]

Books can flesh out minor characters - even give them a proper character arc - because they have the length and space to do so. It's much harder for movies to do so, and even harder on the stage.

[@Fr4nkL33-D34DLY]

It should also be noted that Barzini (and possibly the other families) had no intention on letting Michael live after Vito's passing. He had already conspired with Tessio to have Michael killed (which Vito warned Michael about beforehand). So, in actuality, Barzini and the other families broke the peace first. So, Michael and his men simply retaliated. Thus, Michael and the Corleone Family proved triumphant (and got their revenge in the process).

[@marquesjohnson6359]

i always assumed michael and vito took the years after sonny was killed and they were attacked to plan and strategize and to allow the other families to become comfortable and just waited for the moment when they knew they could take them all out at once

[@Rubicon1776]

He had the makings of a varsity athlete.

[@FrankieBlueEyes]

Yeah but Richie Aprile had the jacket.

[@animationfanatic2133]

Large hands

[@johnroscoe2406]

@@FrankieBlueEyes not just the jacket he had the jackeeeeeeeeeeet.

[@SirDistic]

Once Sonny died. Whatever happened there.

[@donschmidt8203]

The one precept of Michael's complete annihilation of the five families is that the most powerful position of all is perceived weakness. Vito and Michael wanted Barzini in particular to slowly whittle away at their domains until he believed himself invincible. By literally being a wolf in sheeps clothing Michael played upon the greatest weakness of human nature. That being I'm smarter than you, I have the natural advantage. Then in one all consuming retaliatory strike he utterly decimates them. Sonny could never have done this because he was so overtly aggressive. Micheals perceived weakness was his greatest natural advantage. As Puzo states in the godfather Tessio noticed a force in Michael

[@FIREBRAND38]

He didn't "annihilate" the families though. He just decapitated them of their top leaders. I've no doubt that their successors stepped in order to sue for peace. Especially since in the book, he only killed the heads of the Tataglia and Barzini Families as well as Rocco's secret regime hit the streets and took back all the gambling stores they'd previously been squeezed out of. That was what Clemenza and Tessio were complaining about in the Don's office that they were losing territory to those two families. It's also why Tessio betrayed Michael.

[@ivos42]

Revolver movie(2005), same theme, only much more deeper...the source of patience and self(ego)control is actually what made Micheal win... Revolver is about beating the inner enemy first so that you can do the same on the outsode forces...through your comment i just realized that, only Revolver is less epic.

[@angelaholmes8888]

I'm not surprised that Michael would seek revenge on the other families for the death of sonny and almost killing his father and the death of his wife and unborn baby

[@josefagyeman135]

Me too. I would do the same...especially for the unborn baby

[@charlesparent-spioneck9928]

When is it mentionned that Apollonia was pregnant? I never realized it and don’t remember any time when it’s said, unless it’s only in the book

[@angelaholmes8888]

@@charlesparent-spioneck9928 I think it was mentioned in the book I read it years ago so my memory is a little fuzzy

[@11kful]

Yeah ... to get Sonny killed, Barzini had to get approved from the other Dons, especially after he went after Vito, too...

[@Xehanort10]

In the 2nd Mario Puzo novel set in the Godfather universe The Sicilian you find out that while Michael was hiding in Sicily his dad Vito and Clemenza asked him to help a famous Italian bandit called Salvatore Guiliano escape to America with evidence against the Sicilian Don Croce Malo but Guiliano is betrayed and killed by his second in command and Vito made a deal with Don Malo to get the evidence in exchange for bringing Michael back to New York.

[@saladinboss2507]

It's a really good book! And even though he is never mentioned until the last page, it is brilliant to find out the Vito was still orchestrating the whole thing. Very satisfying story.

[@braetonwilson4296]

Guiliano died at the age of 27, betrayed and murdered by his cousin Aspanu Pisciotta. Michael was and still is angry at his father Vito for not protecting Giuliano and letting him die. For Aspanu was ordered to kill his cousin by Don Croce Malo.

[@miexui8596]

I love that Salvatore Guillano part in the book

[@arnoldfernbladst3875]

CORRECTION: There were FIVE families - Corleone, Stracci, Cuneo, Barzini, Tattaglia. He took out FOUR of the heads of the FIVE families. He didn't take out his own father

[@guitarguroo]

❤️

[@SeaDrive300]

You're correct, of course, about the Corleone family being one of the five families, but I have to point out that Vito Corleone was already dead when Michael "took out" the other four families, so he couldn't possibly have killed his own father that day...

[@guitarguroo]

@@SeaDrive300 oh ok

[@guitarguroo]

@@SeaDrive300 yeah that’s a good point. The gun in the toilet was genius. When you have to go to the mattresses you do what is necessary

[@guitarguroo]

Mario Puzo book itself was amazing I read in college in 2000 just wow. I need to read his other work

[@TheKulu42]

Sonny had the initial idea, but his aggressiveness put the other families on alert. In contrast, Vito and Michael stayed passive and let the other bosses relax their guards and get into routines, making them open targets.

[@thegadflygang5381]

I always wondered and wanted to see the results of taking out the heads of the four families. We saw the result of taking out Moe Greene, the Corleones got full control of Vegas but never saw what happened with the other families. In reality it could have been disastrous killing off all the "Moustache Pete" old school bosses, as it is possible and likely that a young hot head would become boss and like Michael, seek revenge. GREAT VIDEO. Like all your videos. For the record I have read every book in the Godfather ethos, i believe there are five, maybe six or seven if you consider works like "The Sicilian" and "Fortunate Pilgrim" to be in the Godfather "cinematic universe"lol. It has been awhile, but regardless your vids are an incredible companion to the books. I really appreciate it. Incredible work

[@davidfrehlini968]

THE GADFLY GANG. Ciau Amicu Miu. Cumu si? Sicilian America here. I do 100% percent agree with you all the way. OK. The movie was good and I enjoyed it. But for some reason or another the book is always just a little better than the movie. God Bless.

[@juandavidrestrepoduran6007]

And he didn’t, that’s the profile of people like Clemenza and Pentangeli who were bosses in New York around the time the 2nd movie is happening in the book's timeline

[@David-yw2lv]

The whole trilogy is watching Michael Corleone become everything he tried to avoid being.

[@benderbendingrofriguez3300]

dude, he only killed the bosses of 4 Families, the Corleones make the fifth.

[@STONESGAM]

He took out Moe Green as well. He was not a boss...he was based on Bugsy Siegel.

[@jamesmarshall6619]

@Jay Boogie he made his bones when you were going out with cheerleaders.

[@T1Slam]

What about the Amongini family?

[@T1Slam]

@Jay Boogie really? The famous Sussiny Amongini, boss of Amongini family?? They also had close ties to Impostiny family, but they later turned out to be rats.

[@robertmasina4610]

Simple arithmetic on that.

[@nathanslay6342]

The Godfather 1 and 2 are both incredible films! I really really like the both of them!! Great films.

[@Elena_Vyt]

Very interesting video! I understand more Michael's character and power. It's really terrifying. You fear him. Indeed, the transformation was shocking. He became the reflection of the mirror. He avoided to look but it became way worse than he imagined. Al's performance is something else ❤

[@c.galindo9639]

Excellent. I do love it. Michael knew that without a doubt he would suffer under the other families especially with them having control over the Corleone family that he couldn’t risk being under such a threat against his family. An excellent mastermind and genius manipulator

[@jasonbourneistreadstone]

He doesn't feel he has to "wipe everyone out", Culture Mafia. Just his enemies.

[@DonElvis]

“Today i settle all family business” - such a powerful line.

[@raymondreddington5421]

Dayumn this video literally answered my each n every remaining questions💗

[@ricky1231]

The hit on heads of the five families ( four families + Mo Green) was so precise that it was within one baptism ie within one hour otherwise news would go around & surviving Dons would dash under cover . Respect .

[@williamj.dovejr.8613]

This scene is my favorite... never gets old.

[@ildecelgogo7718]

"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." Harvey Dent

[@willrobinson1671]

Don Vito was the most powerful Cat Dad ever.

[@kaind.badguy]

Michael didn’t help with staying hidden by openly telling a stranger his identity just to date his daughter.

[@Dendronish]

Once again a brilliant analysis.

[@bitupanbarua]

For me, reading the comments is like studying a refresher course😊

[@michaelcolfin8464]

What wasn't discussed was that Michael set up Tesio. Tesio turned traitor because as Michael put it, "It was the smart move." Tesio saw his territory dwindling because Michael wouldn't fight back. Michael didn't fight back to give the other dons a false sense of security. Tesio didn't know this. He didn't know that Micheal was recruiting men into Rocko Lamponi's new regime. He saw no future and he the only thing he could. If Tesio knew what Michael was planning he still would have been approached by Barzini, but he would have gone along with Michael's plan. Hagan knew all this so he wasn't going to turn traitor.

[@tomatoisnotafruit5670]

Yeah, I see that point, but then look at Clemenza, he faced all the same things as Tesio yet he didn't turn on the family, Clemenza would never side with Barzini or any other enemy no matter the cost, yet Tessio was willing to change sides to the enemy when things get tough. Besides Tessio was very foolish to think he can just switch sides and everything would turn out well, Barzini would never trust Tesio and would have him killed right after Michael, so turning traitor was actually "the stupid move".

[@BigMamaDaveX]

🙏🏻 Thank you for this! Loving all things Godfather! 💌💕

[@ifthen1526]

SO happy for your success... Quality product as always

[@MichaelGiordano777]

Do you know who I am? I'm Moe Green. I made my bones when you were going out with Cheerleaders. Man did Alex Rocco nail that role. He doesn't get mentioned enough.

[@saladinboss2507]

Very great video, Culture Mafia! Great content!

[@pirobot668beta]

The members of the Five that Micheal had killed were mostly figureheads; Bosses in name only. None of these deaths lead to the end of any of the Families...if anything, the killings opened opportunities for ambitious people. Micheal showed that the Five were weak; they never tried to counter-punch him, fearing what might come next. The attack that did come later was about Fredo, not revenge for the 5.

[@MrChameleon101]

Your videos are phenomenal please keep it coming

[@Lolabelle59]

Enjoy all your videos. You really nail it. I don't even bother watching any others regarding The Godfather. Who did the Corleones pin the McCluskey/Sollozzo murders on? Thank you.

[@kildawg]

The one family that operates the trash, they also are used to guarantee safety from assassination. One of them got a murder charge therefore the Corleones decided to support his family for Michael to return free of the charges for that guy to take the fall.

[@shoresean1237]

One more thing about the remaining members of the other families. Even if they decided to seek revenge, they would first have to choose a new Don for each of them. I can near to guarantee that, when someone asked in each house, "Who's in charge now?" that five to ten guys if not more said "I AM!" and that would have to be hashed out, likely leading to even more casualties and a delay in any action against Michael. By the time all the new Dons were installed and ready - and this could be months - some would have no more appetite for carnage. They might have even lost some of their best guys, defecting to the Corleones who showed spine and cunning while Michael consolidated further. I even wonder if he lived longer, Moe Greene having heard this news suddenly called with an offer he hoped would save his life.

[@MindfulAttraction]

Awesome video

[@CanoeToNewOrleans]

Like you said in another video, the baptism scene is also Michael's baptism by fire.

[@CJ-kk2vi]

Michael was a Marine Captain first of all, he knew when how to wait and to attack in the right moment. Unlike Sonny, who just wanted to talk and kill when he wants to, just like Don Vito said "Sonny would've been a bad Don".

[@papahonk3707]

Man I love these videos

[@MrGamer-lt9um]

Another great video!

[@TheCultureMafia]

Glad you enjoyed it 🔥

[@russca67]

Great summary and insight, the book broke it down! Nice video my man

[@stevemd6488]

It always puzzled my when they're making the move to Las Vegas Michael announces Tom is no longer consiglieri ostensibly because "you're not a wartime consiglieri Tom, things might get rough with this move we're making". But later Tom says to Mike, and I can't remember the exact lines, "I put on my Sicilian hat and figured why you wanted me out", so I think they needed someone to take care of the wives and children should things go south. Just my opinion. And I wish they had put the part in where Paulie and his goons beat the living shit out of the two punks who beat up Bonassera's daughter.

[@stiemestyles6091]

Michael made them think he was weak and then he dusted they ass off!🙄

[@gracekealoha4525]

I was always taught...when we are young, we do anything our heart desires (wrong or right) but we fail to realize that when we are old, your past will haunt 10 fold. To have made the decisions that Michael did, any normal person must realize that you will never be able to have a family or anyone to love without looking over your shoulders, which will give you many sleepless nites! So it made sense that in the end Michael became his worst nightmare!

[@hadeskire6110]

Al Pacino was rather a new actor at the time, because he made his debut in 69 ... If not Al Pacino would've have won the best actor Oscar for Godfather II Still can't understand how He was robbed of that oscar award

[@RADIUMGLASS]

For the Don to talk to Tom Hagen about tapping Clemenza and Tessio's phones just shows how much he really thought of Tom as a son.

[@circuitsandcigars1278]

“Trust but verify” - Ronald Reagan . Keeping call logs of your allies is never a bed thing

[@daveowens271]

Sonny was Fire, Michael was Ice.

[@pamelamays4186]

Tom: Do you have to take everybody out? Michael: Only my enemies.

[@thequietrevolution3404]

*Fun Fact:* During filming of the Cuneo execution, an actual Mafia contract was being fulfilled just a couple of blocks down the street.

[@clarenceconwell6183]

This may not have been coincidence. The film used actual mafia members in the cast. Sony(James Caan) was close to being "wacked" by one of the real gangsters when he disrespected the gangster by hitting on the man's girlfriend. Caan had to be reminded that these guys were not actors!

[@aaronrowell6943]

I have a question for youtube as it seems like the best place to ask it, was Michael ever a made man? The Godfather doesn;t go into how important being Made and being a recognized member of the Mafia, but it was still important in this era.

[@ricky1231]

@Aaron Rowell The Cosa Nostra had several conditions for a person to be a made man. First you needed to be of Italian decent ( initially a Sicilian) Secondly you took an oath of allegiance to the Family (Mafia) for life Third a made man had to vouch for you to enter the family Fourth you had to swear never to betray the Mafia to law enforcement ( omertà) Fifth you had to kill an enemy ( making your bones) After that you will be given a certain percentage of the “books” (ie proceeds of criminal activities ) when the books register opened say around November A made man was from then protected against ever being wacked/ killed without the ok of his Don or the Commission. I don’t think Michael could have made Don without being a made man - ie the above & commanding respect He did not get full respect till killed all the heads of families although he had taken down Sollonzo & the captain. Being Don was not hereditary, Micheal had to earn it. He & Don Vito feigned weakness and allowed Barzin to step on their toes whilst they were planing a grand strategy of elimination- Tessio was not in on the information so he betrayed the Corleone Don Vito knew in advance one of his Capos would betray Micheal after his death - it had occurred before during the parcification of New York Micheal waited till the very last moment to kill Fabrizio, Carlo , Tessio as doing so early would have alerted Don Barzin that there was danger coming his way

[@zionnewkirk4838]

I guess you could say that killing sollozzo and mcclusky was him unofficially "making his bones".

[@shashijain5084]

There were some changes from the original story ( novel) . Stracci & Cuneo were not eliminated in the novel and Moe Greene was not taken out . Also it's not as simple to just kill the chiefs of other families !!!!

[@susanadiasjohnson457]

THESE BRILLIANT CRITIQUES MAKE PERFECTLY CLEAR THE "CRIMINAL MIND". SHOULD BE REQUIRED MATERIAL IN EVERY SYLLABUS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENTS.

[@1coldalpha]

The main thing that helped him was the strategy that the Don came up with as his consigliere. Since the deal to bring Michael back made them look weak, the Don continued allowing them to look weak. It would do two things: shake out the traitors and also have the other families let their guards down

[@mohammedkhan449]

Santino was a G the real don

[@lucious9111934]

Michael would have made an excellent war time consigliere to Sonny"s Don. With that, Sonny wouldn't have been killed and the Corleone Fsmily would have never had to play catch up after Don Vito",s death. The Don could have.really Rested in Peace knowing his 2.sons had everything under Control.

[@roncarlyle8572]

They were all criminals, so I don't think there heros and villains. There were just the weak and the strong.

[@donaldschmidt2990]

Keith Harper has a great point regarding Sonny and Michael. Hypothetically, Instead of having their rift, they could have collaborated together. Sonny was great at execution. Literally. In the book, Mario Puzo speaks of Sonny's genius for urban warfare. Imagine the seemingly more timid Michael calling the shots and the ruthless Sonny executing them. The Corleone family would have been even more powerful than they became with Michael as the sole power broker. Utterly unstoppable. A force too powerful to possibly contend with.

[@Kate-zw8vj]

Michael made sure they got 'short' contracts and almost no screen time!!! =D