Why Did Michael Corleone Kill Fredo? & Why Did Fredo Betray the Corleone Family?

[@biggrieder]

The sad thing about this dilemma is When Michael is reminiscing at the end of Godfather Part II Fredo was the only one at the dinner table that congratulated and was in Michaels corner for enlisting in the Marines. Both Tom and Sonny were upset and confused at Michaels decision.

[@Kiddynamite3341]

That's right, wow.

[@nick3777]

You go to college to get stupid?!

[@adrianchannelle8651]

Very true. He looked up to Michael. That is what made the tragedy of what happened later truly terrible.

[@tinafoster8665]

It WAS stupid, his Father got him a deferment, no reason to risk his life for a war Don Corleone KNEW the Americans would win.

[@biggrieder]

​@@tinafoster8665 The family business wasn't any less dangerous, and Michael knew this. Tom Tells Michael " You got to understand that your father has plans for you. Many times He and I have talked about your future." In which Michael responds "Talked to My Father about My future.........My Future." Tom Replies " Michael, he has high hopes for you." Michael then responds "Well I have my own plans for my future." Michael wanted to carve out a completely legitimate path in life, distant from his family. He knew how dangerous the family business was and he wanted no parts of it. Don Corleone tells Michael that he never wanted him as the head of the family instead he could see him as a Senator or Governor that could help the family in the political realm. This is the future that Tom is alluding to. Sonny was pissed because he is starting to realize that the future of the family will be squarely on his shoulders one day. With the only guidance coming from Tom and no actual help from his biological brothers. See the look Sonny gives Michael after he is done shoving him at the dinner table. Its a subtle look of fear, that all the weight of the family will be on him. Obviously this is not how it played it out.

[@csckitty]

Roth would have killed Fredo if they were successful in getting rid of Michael.

[@powfoot4946]

yep, cut off any loose ends. Especially since Fredo is partly to blame for the death of mo green

[@genemartin6962]

Roth kills him whether he defeats Michael or not. Fredo was a dispensable pawn in a game of Kings. He was dead the second he agreed to help Roth. Since his hit men missed on killing Michael he let Fredo live on the chance that Fredo might be of value in the future.

[@ryancarroll5488]

In Roth position I'd b thinking "ok now cleanup...this guy helped murder his own brother. ..his own blood..who he was on good terms with who took care of him..all because he didn't (basically) get picked 1st for dodge ball? I know people have their nurotic emotions about this stuff but..to go to murder...if he'll change on a dime n murder his little bro ...he won't have any loyalty to me if say...I don't give him a posotion high enough to satisfy his little ego..and side with some hair brained plot against me. ..safer to kill him"

[@dagnabbit6187]

@cackitty Yes indeed that always happens in a lot of gangster stories but I saw it on display in the Pilot where the Lone Ranger was created . When he was not the masked man and just a Ranger , the comrade who sold the Ranger and his fellow lawmen out to a bad guy who ambushed them also got it . . Bad guy told his men “ Well if he betrayed his friends he will do that to us too when he gets the right opportunity !” Betrayal definitely doesn’t pay in the long run .

[@YellowCab524]

No doubt

[@TheKulu42]

Fredo was an ordinary guy in an extraordinary family. He would have been fine running a grocery store or something like that. He simply wasn't cut out for the mob life.

[@stefanhammel192]

Can he bang employees two at the time in a grocery store?

[@nixonvanegas8715]

@@stefanhammel192 i dont think so

[@answerman9933]

Fredo was never a varsity athlete.

[@matthewgray469]

@@seaninlondon4424 The customers couldnt get their cannolis

[@antonyduhamel1166]

@@stefanhammel192 If he's a smooth enough talker, why not? He couldn't do it during their shift, but I bet he'd make break time REAL interesting.

[@claynails4391]

Pacino said john Cazale was perhaps the best actor he had ever worked alongside. Including Brando. That’s a huge statement

[@rollotomassi4768]

Great in the Deer Hunter too.

[@justlooking1593]

john casales (sp?) is the answer to a trivia question. he died of brain cancer, was involved with meryl streep and he is the only actor whose every movie won an academy award (including another movie with al pacino) : dog day afternoon!

[@joecook5689]

I think Meryl Streep was married to him.

[@jeffreyrobinson3555]

So many truly great performances done in that movie. All over shadowed by Pacino’s, even Brando’s comes in second place. We forget how Fredo came alive on the screen. If Godfather is a great tragedy, ‘ Michael loses his soul’ then it has to be ‘Fates destruction of Fredo’ too.

[@patrickforrest4504]

@@rollotomassi4768 .v

[@dixondiaz8448]

I think that when Fredo complained about being stepped over, Michael realized Fredo was too dangerous to live.

[@Krezo200]

No i dont think so

[@StarfieldRailway]

That is exactly what happened. Michael knew why Fredo was in on trying to have him killed. Fredo desperately wanted Michael's job and was so angry about not having it that he couldn't even keep hiding his anger.

[@myguychris7739]

Yeah cause if he set him up once, he'd definitely do it again down the line

[@MrPunkforlife]

@@myguychris7739 Same with Carlo Rizzi and Sauly Tessio. Treachery can NEVER be forgiven.

[@paulpisano8538]

fredo screaming at Michael was the straw that broke the camel's back. fredo is acting like a spoiled child, and now Michael knows for sure he can't be trusted.

[@juancarlosdavila6591]

The biggest problem for Fredo is that he was weak and incompetent at every level. He was not fit to be a boss or enforcer. Unfortunately for him, he was also the oldest Corleone and there was nowhere for him to hide. Fredo showed his weakness over and over again. He wasn't smart, he couldn't be trusted, and he wasn't tough. When Vito was shot at the fruit market, his lack of cool and courage was at full display. On the other hand, Michael loved him and gave him many chances. But Fredo kept screwing up. It was a tragic situation. What choice did Michael have? Fredo was not smart enough to be a family lawyer like Tom. He wasn't tough like Sonny. He wasn't boss material like Michael. Michael had 2 choices dealing with Fredo. 1. Have him killed 2. Take him out of the family business 100% and move him far away from all the families. But Fredo would have probably screwed up in that and ended up dead anyway or cause Michael more hardship. Fredo's character is deep and flawed. He tried so hard to live up to the Corleone name and failed miserably. We all loved Fredo. He just wasn't good at being a Corleone.

[@bonzodog6872]

Sonny was older than Fredo

[@b-2466]

@@bonzodog6872 this is referring to a time when sonny was already dead.

[@sofakingonmynuts1438]

I think the only possible way, Michael should have took him to a desert and showed him a hole in the ground and point a gun at him, tell him if he fucks up against he is dead, leave him in the desert with some water, maybe he will get the point to get lost

[@LgiovanniF]

Fredos actions almost got them killed. Michael's anger at the fact that his kids might have wandered in and caught a round in the head is evident when he spoke to Pentangelli.

[@frank3508]

Fredo was actually the middle child - two years younger than Sonny, two years older than Michael. It's in the novel. Santino: born 1913 Fredo: born 1915 Michael: born 1917

[@ShadowAkatora]

Michael said it best himself: "Fredo? He's got a good heart. But he's weak, and he's stupid.."

[@Me-qp8vz]

Yep all criminals are weak and stupid...

[@804kingoffoamsjs5]

@@Me-qp8vz That's def not accurate

[@rray1953]

Not the successful ones...

[@greedokenobi3855]

His mistake was not cutting family business related ties with Fredo

[@pokeman5000]

thats the issue with generational wealth and nepotism. People like Fredo inherit vast wealth/connections and either squander it or believe its never enough like Michael. It's the honest beauty of Part one and two. Michael is the "good son" that ruthlessly builds ontop of an already impressive fortune but you see through him its never ending. The family will always be five years away from being completely legitimate. Fredo is the failure and resents his siblings success, but hes sympathetic because alot of us have been him in our lives. helpless and desperate to prove our worth. The tragedy is that the money and lifestyle Vito exposed his children too, in the attempts to provide for them, doomed them onto these paths. At any point they could have just left it all behind and lived an easy lifestyle surrounded by their loved ones. But they can't leave it behind. They WON'T leave it behind. It's never enough. "I saw a hole in the Man, deep like a hunger he will never fill. It is what makes him sad and what makes him want. He will go on taking and taking, until one day the World will say, 'I am no more and I have nothing left to give.'"

[@moebetta4224]

John Cazale was a brilliant, understated actor. A master of body language and the subtle things that create a character.

[@VolumedMusicMan]

I also liked John in dog day afternoon with Al he was good in that as well.

[@From-North-Jersey]

That scene where fredo is complaining about being stepped over was the best performance of his carrier, He was rotting from the inside out with cancer and rejected intensive treatment to finish the movie. He is wearing the fishing hat to hide the chemo effects on his hair during the scene in the boat house, and he still knocked it out of the park.

[@MikeGervasi]

May he rest in peace.

[@jaycee4504]

@@From-North-Jersey didn't know that back story thank u.. Adds to it even more.. So many Oscars could of been handed out in this masterpiece

[@maxxdahl6062]

Died wayyyyy too young.

[@edwardcashh924]

Man i remember watching this second part with my wife on our italy trip. They had a godfather marathon and i had finished watching the first one that ive seen several times. When this part came up and i heard the gun shot i felt sick to my stomach but instantly fell in love with the 2nd part more than the first one. Theres something about Michaels character being absolutely ruthless even after making Fredo feel that everything is ok yet still kills him. Absolutely amazing

[@RalphieMuskinyaar]

Al Pacino was just incredible as Michael Corleone. The best performance of his career.

[@FansFAX]

I like him loud like devils advocate and heat

[@rollotomassi4768]

He's had many great performance. Hard to decide which is the best.

[@beeferbeefer7903]

SCARFACE WAS HIS BEST !!!

[@lawrenceballack5506]

I thought Carlitos Way was his best.

[@mike20ak]

Dog day afternoon was his best role

[@seth_fitzgerald]

Michael warned him years before “Don’t take sides with anyone against the family” Fredo was not the smartest person who would have known that Roth was manipulating him

[@swervomb7]

And Roth knew Fredo was incompetent so he used that at his advantage as you said manipulation and Fredo should have known but it wasnt his fault due to his mental weakness

[@AY-qy4jn]

Nah dude fredo knew what he was doing. Yall have mental ilness instead if you think he didnt know what was gonna happen when he had roths men into michaels territory

[@seth_fitzgerald]

@@AY-qy4jn Fredo was always weak and I’m certain he knew what he was doing but he didn’t see the deceit in Roth until after it happened and it was already too late.

[@absolutelynot6504]

I mean..blinds were open. Fredo opened the blinds.

[@alilweeb7684]

@@absolutelynot6504 he did not

[@kalphil4385]

A guilt ridden Michael confesses his sins to the priest in the Godfather 3. Weeping he says he killed his mother's son. Earlier when he has his heart attack he yells Fredo! A very underrated movie.

[@michaelmorales4381]

I disliked that movie. His daughter and nephew with their incestuous relationship. I hated that.

[@KaoticReach1999]

​@@michaelmorales4381 I can absolutely see what they were going for, but throwing that in at the book end of a trilogy was a terrible idea.

[@yusufg.620]

​@@michaelmorales4381I agree. Sub-par final movie to a near perfect trilogy

[@Gbrsnm]

I skipped part 3 after watching an hour. Shit wasn't it

[@markheidema3699]

By killing Fredo, I believe it saved The Family, but eventually killed Michael.

[@TK0S3]

Well said. I would have done the same in Michaels situation, and I would have had the same regrets as Michael eventually. That's what makes Michael the greatest movie character of all time. Incredible character development unlike any other. And it's all so believable, nothing pretentious. And all these choices, we can all relate.

[@Lalvon_Zelpharr]

Actually, Fredo's death haunted Michael for the rest of his life

[@Microsystem1110]

I disagree with this. What is killing Michael inside is the conflict of gaining legitimacy for the family business and being cursed by Cain’s sin.

[@alilweeb7684]

it was the oposite it killed the family but it saved michael

[@StevenCarinci]

I wonder what the kids said, "Hey dad, when's Alfredo coming home. I haven't seen him in two years?"

[@heliosapollyon4391]

Blood is thicker than water but water washes away blood. Never go against the family

[@utewbd]

Blood of the battle is thicker than water of the womb. When it came to battle, Fredo took the wrong side and betrayed the family. Period.

[@heliosapollyon4391]

@@utewbd I've never heard that before. I love it!!! You are correct

[@Hddh22]

Damn. That's deep

[@Primogaggi]

That's right

[@doman362]

You just added up one more proverb to our Universe. Well-said.

[@posterboyrob]

Fredo had a very high fever as a child. It is why Dón Corleone stole the carpet. The fever was extremely high and did some brain damage. His mother never understood that. By the 70's the effect of high fever in infancy was well known. The genius of the writers was in allowing this event to simply be part of the movie though it had a major effect on the outcome.

[@randygreenfield4312]

Coldest line in ANY movie EVER !! Fredo, you’re my older brother, and I love you. But don’t ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever. .... That’s 💯

[@truthfactors4553]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJDdn4Bva8iHjsk

[@carycoller3140]

I told my brother something similar. Ed, I said, you're my brother and I love you, but don't ever take sides against the family again,....ever. We wanted burgers 🍔 and he alone wanted pizza🍕. He lost 🤣.

[@carycoller3140]

Fredo: "I'm as tough and smart as all of you (while fumbling and dropping his .38 while Pop is being gunned down in the street).

[@JAMES-wl2pd]

My face will be the last face you will see. The Sopranos.

[@JAMES-wl2pd]

I have to unfuck what you fucked up. The Sopranos.

[@Petefx86]

That dead cold look in Michael's eyes when he gave Fredo "the kiss of death."

[@Microsystem1110]

It’s borrowed from Giotto’s painting “Jesus kissed Judas” if you want to know the reference.

[@mariaeddycesario3067]

@@Microsystem1110 - Wow! This is new to me! For me, the look on Mike's face when he finds out Fredo knew Johnny Ola all the time, it was brilliant!

[@derickg73]

Yeah, that's called the 'Judas kiss'. In reference to being a traitor and backstabber.

[@rickcortese2023]

As Dixon Diaz says below, Michael realizes Fredo was to dangerous to live after revealing he was still mad about being stepped over. It goes beyond that in the story line. Authors typically include a "fatal flaw" in characters they want to use to teach lessons. In The Godfather movies, it is the people that let their emotions get the better of them. Think of Sonny loosing his temper & exposing himself to assassination, Roth who while saying he let it go reveals that he is still mad about Moe Green, et cetera. Vitually every death in the movies is preceeded by a weakness of character being revealed. Cop punching Michael, Moe Green slapping around Fredo, not a lot of exceptions.

[@cabezitadealgodon]

Brilliant observation

[@andrewvelonis5940]

I've always been impressed by the way Michael gives the death order: "nothing is to happen to him while my mother is still alive" And when she passes, Fredo is desperate to try to make amends with Michael even though it is too late, because he knows his time is up.

[@ogre7737]

Very Well Said!!! Wish Fredo could’ve told his nephew not to grow up hating his dad

[@Gylfi0]

@@ogre7737that's a very deep and beautiful thought! So romantic it would have changed everything

[@user-kz2yt5ow7r]

He didn’t know.

[@jondstewart]

Suppose his mother lived another 20 years. Maybe by then Michael would have forgotten. 😒

[@Vinterfrid]

That is not a correct analysis at all. Fredo did not know his time was up - on the contrary, he thought MIchael would understand that he did do nothing to hurt Michael or anyone in the family. I think you need to watch the film again in order to see that your conclusion is wrong.

[@RawloftheDead]

One of the most intense scenes in cinema is when Michael tells fredo you broke my heart. So powerful. What a great movie.

[@leonardatlas1345]

it was Michael's only option fredo double crossed him

[@themanwhosoldtheworld5350]

The embrace with Fredo at their mother's funeral and the eye contact with Rocco was both intense and chilling!!

[@StevenCarinci]

You mean Alfredo went to a porn movie without telling Michael? How exactly did he betray him?

[@themanwhosoldtheworld5350]

@@StevenCarinci He did deals with Johnny Ola and old man Roth without telling Michael. Fredo told Michael he had never met Roth or Ola but then he opened his stupid mouth during the porno show and admitted he knew Ola and Roth.

[@RipRebos]

@@StevenCarinci What part during the movie did you fall asleep?

[@jmcrae825]

The fact that fifty years later, we are discussing these characters as if they were real human beings says something about the power and lesson of this story. Fantastic writing!

[@abdalazizalshaalan7808]

There’s a fredo , a michael and a sonny in every family

[@fabianbravo6008]

Never go full fredo.

[@circuitsandcigars1278]

Just ask the Cuomo family lol

[@TheDcraft]

Even if they only have girls?

[@TheDcraft]

What if they only have one kid? Does kid become all three? And how would that work, like split personalities or something 🤔

[@martinwhite3354]

Ouch!!!!😨

[@ajaychoudhary9817]

al pacino's role as micheal was the peak of his acting skills so perfect and so very convincing

[@bokhejtidisi4851]

Idk bro... Pacino had too many "peak" moments. Just listen to his speech in Devil's advocate where he has role of a devil kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHK1oWVqdq-Kgs0

[@Microsystem1110]

Because it’s Coppola’s movie. Al fell from the peak to a melodramatic gangster.

[@TheWaynos73]

And even after all the evil he has done and what he’s become Al still makes you like Michael to some extent as most of what he did was justified.

[@robertmccoin1166]

For me, Al Pacino's best acting performance was in Scent Of A Woman. His speech at the Baird School was unforgettable.

[@TheWaynos73]

@@robertmccoin1166 Dog Day Afternoon was my favourite role.

[@akingdomservingking9311]

Excellent work Sir!!! The Godfather's my all-time favorite movie and I absolutely love and appreciate your breakdowns of it. Your videos are amazing educational and informative.

[@dereklopez9060]

Michael could've easily went to war with Hyman Roth with guns blazing, but if he did that, he would never know who the traitor is in his family. So Michael played it safe by pretending to be business partners with Hyman Roth and never reveal his true intentions until its the right moment for Michael to get back at his enemies. Michael was also very good at strategy. The most heartbreaking for Michael was the betrayal of his own older brother Fredo which was the final nail in the coffin.

[@adamchirico7724]

Great explanation

[@mattspychala7251]

He also knew that he couldn’t because of the Senate hearings. Once the hearings were done he killed Roth.

[@cryptosavy9716]

Fredo told Michael he was left out the loop, then a couple minutes later revealed he knew way more that he told Michael.

[@richardmoores]

*nu

[@cursedcaracal04]

@@richardmoores *N

[@pustacmato5031]

*Gknew...the N is silent

[@QBAN2010]

Gnu

[@SK-vc4nh]

or how about *knew

[@mirellalastar]

Yeah, Fredo's story is the ultimate tragedy in the Godfather. I still hear Michael's voice screaming "Fredo, Fredo" while suffering from a diabetic stroke in the kitchen. I know they are actors but I was able to feel the love Michael had for his brother. And Coppola made a good decision in Godfather III by showing how Michael never stopped grieving the loss of his dear brother.

[@scottdunn3339]

A treacherous sibling is easier to deal with than a stupid one. The treachery adds a layer of predictability and can be managed, stupidity is erratic and unpredictable - you never know when it will strike.

[@edwardwong654]

Interesting.

[@vinrico6704]

Perfectly said...

[@AV84USA]

Together they can be devastatingly destructive and toxic.

[@happymess3219]

🙂 wise words. wise, wise words.

[@nihilistcentraluk442]

Yeah but a lot easier just to cut them out of the family business.

[@mikem591]

Michael actually had a real love for Fredo. He gave him many chances and was in denial for a long time about Fredo’s treachery. There relationship was similar to Toney Soprano and Big Pussy. Though the relationship was different, being more of a buddy relationship, Toney didn’t want to have to face the truth, like Michael. After Michael had Fredo killed, it haunted him like nothing else. It was the one thing he did that convinced him he had turned into a monster. Michael’s decisions, though cold and calculated, generally where ‘the right move’ at least in his world. This was the one move, though logical, he looked back on and realized he had gone over the edge...’killing his fathers son...’. In Godfather III there was no mention of him trying to rationalize it, but was a source of great shame, guilt and deep sorrow. It led to his dramatic action of confessing his sin to the future Pope and in some respect becoming a changed man at the end of his life.

[@illwitness]

Michael was put in an impossible position: a) forgive and look weak to the other families and therefore become a possible target. Or b) kill his brother and maintain and gain respect in order to run the family business but live with the fact that you killed your brother. This is not an easy decision to make but I think he strategically chose the best option. There’s no rebuilding a relationship with a family member after a failed assassination attempt on your life. Fredo might’ve looked pathetic and weak at times which he was, but he was ruthless and ambitious enough to partake in a plan to murder his own brother. Let’s not forget that.

[@panteraxenos4789]

Tony not toney ,,,stupid.

[@dagnabbit6187]

@@illwitness As I said above , it wasn’t just about the attempt on Michael’s life , anybody there could have been collateral damage of what was basically a sloppy attempt at a hit . That left Michael with no choice but to whack Fredo . Yet banishment was all he could do as long as their Mother was alive and his men respected that decision

[@solrebel7]

👌

[@IrishCarney]

Maybe a better Sopanos parallel is the relationship between Tony and Christopher. Tony thought of and referred to Christopher as "blood" and his "nephew". That was not literally true, since Christopher is actually the son of Carmela's first cousin, and is therefore second cousin to Tony's kids. Anyway, although Christopher is far more competent than Fredo, he is distracted by his film ambitions and his girlfriend's music ambitions. He has a hot temper and makes mistakes. He's in and out of rehab for booze and drugs. Tony trusts him and gives him many chances, but relapses raise serious doubts. When Christopher's girlfriend is revealed to be an FBI informant, Chris (unlike Fredo) goes to Tony with this information almost immediately. While this huge act of loyalty should reinforce the Tony-Chris relationship, Adriana's resulting death (explained by her supposedly going to witness protection) haunts the whole family and could also make Tony fear Christopher might seek revenge. Ultimately Chris is an increasingly serious risk, especially with his knowledge of many murders, and when he confesses to being back on drugs, Tony decides to kill him. While Tony is now relieved of the burden of Chris betraying him or failing catastrophically some other way, this most ruthless and calculated of all Tony's decisions creates another burden on him as well.

[@JPIndustrie]

The flashback scene to a sick Fredo was also very telling; a sickly child usually has issues later on in life.

[@scott1178]

It's important to note that Michael carried that guilt with him for the rest of his life. Someone can remind me, I'm sure, of where Michael laments that he "killed my mother's son".

[@amina-pr8xt]

In part 3, when he talks with the priest

[@Vicki1951]

He told a Cardinal or Bishop at the Vatican that he killed his father’s son during an absolution. The Cardinal told him his sin was great and that was why he developed diabetes. His own conscience action toward his brother was killing him and it eventually did. Diabetes can be the cause of strokes and heart disease along with other health problems. It’s definitely a very serious disease and shouldn’t be treated lightly. Never underestimate the power of guilt. It can and will kill.

[@agreeneish]

The Monsignor replies to Michael.. “ You’ve committed some great sins .. You deserve to suffer “

[@corssecurity]

No the Monsieur said you have commited grave sins and it is right that you suffer

[@gregoryruff77]

Fredo opened the curtains to Michael's bedroom. He knew it was a hit. They didn't really have to manipulate him all that much, he wasn't used. He was just jealous, incompetent, weak and hopelessly insecure.

[@Lalvon_Zelpharr]

Exactly

[@rezselecta2580]

You don't know that he left curtain open!

[@mariaeddycesario3067]

All I can say is a big YES!

[@SalvationinCHRISTalone888]

ABSOLUTELY and if he would construct a way of having his own brother killed then who could ever trust him ( Fredo ). He’s useless.

[@deliciousful]

@@rezselecta2580 Who else could go into Michael's room?

[@nhppublishing]

I was actually contemplating it over the interpretation of how he accidentally set up his brother and how he became a liability even though he seem to have wanted forgiveness and changed his ways to To make up for what he did and be a part of the family with loyal terms the second time around. Assuming he learned his lesson, and Michael can see that, I didn’t know how to conclude why he still murdered him. But this makes sense! You are brilliant!

[@tomantush4867]

What is never mentioned is the serious illness Fredo suffered as an infant. High fevers in early childhood often result in developmental, emotional, and mental imparements as children age. Fredo's deficiencies were not understood by his family, and the expectations placed upon him made his failure and doom a certainty.

[@robertwhite1075]

Never thought about it like that

[@TheCultureMafia]

Wow excellent point, they really didn’t emphasise that , it always just seemed that he was just more into partying and getting drunk than being a true Corleone. But thank u for sharing that angle

[@dagnabbit6187]

@@TheCultureMafia As seen in GF II by the Deniro Vito , I think the Father knew .

[@Kalvin5]

I always wondered about that with Fredo, that his illnesses as an infant led him to be protected in a lot of ways that didn't serve him well under other circumstances. He was a very tragic figure.

[@Pbadome1]

So where have you been for 47 years? Excellent point that probably less than a handful of people would have ever thought of, including myself.

[@brianmartinez1412]

Lets face it, with no where else to go. Fredo would have turned into an informant. In the end, Michael had to follow Cosa Nostra and kill him.

[@Oscirus]

If he didnt turn on Michael when Michael was ignoring him, he wouldnt have ever turned on him.

[@yucansuckadee8930]

Fredo would of been dead.

[@brianmartinez1412]

@@yucansuckadee8930 Seeing as witness protection didn’t start till 1970. Plus, no other family will take him since he betrayed his own. Yeah, his fate was sealed.

[@iamshawnwilliam]

Fredo definitely would've turned into a rat.

[@tomcunners9887]

I agree. His next move was to work with FBI

[@Jamie-69420]

This teaches us that the family can be your strength but it can also become your weakness

[@jackthetech5105]

As much as Don Vito was an intuitive leader and boss, Michael was a tactical genius and boss. Sadly, Fredo was damaged by illness as a young child and was stunted in his development. Roth and other bosses saw this weakness and capitalized on it. The Family HAD to come first. It wasn't personal, just business..

[@extraordinarygentleman6023]

Fredo could had validated himself by informing the family of the plots from enemies while maintaing his loyaty. Then the family would had been able to trust his judgement.

[@stephenhosking7384]

He was too weak to admit such a big betrayal and just hoped it would all go away.

[@Creyole]

Fredo? Up against Hyman Roth? He’s no match. Hyman would be like a cat playing with the mouse before devouring him. (Fredo)

[@markbaughman4727]

I've watched all of your videos on the trilogy. One thing I did not hear you mention: In that scene in Cuba where Fredo and Michael are having a drink in the park, Fredo starts to confess to Michael once and maybe twice. He stops himself and says something about how sorry things got out of hand. Had Fredo confessed, which is what Michael was looking for, Michael might have shown mercy. But probably not.

[@lordofthevalley]

Michael had no other options. As long as Fredo was alive, Michael’s enemies could rally around him, and therefore was a danger to Michael and his family. It’s really a key part of the tragedy of Michael’s story. He had to make terrible choices to appear strong and to protect his family, but in the end he loses them all anyway.

[@radel096]

I personally think fredo wouldn't be a threat anymore, he's weak and michael could have spared him and sent him somewhere far away and disconnecting him from the family, but he just could not forgive him.

[@mariolisa2832]

@@radel096 As long as there was breath in his lungs, Fredo could give out information that could hurt Michael and his family. The further away Mike sent him the easier it would be for his enemies to turn Fredo…

[@Vicki1951]

@@radel096 unfortunately, a weak person can be manipulated. If you don’t stand for something, you can fall for anything. (Something like that anyway). I don’t condone Fredo being killed but I don’t condone betrayal either. Tough decision and happy I didn’t have to make it.

[@lelelew2735]

@@Vicki1951 fredo was just grateful to be given another chance he feared death more than not being respected as you see when he plead for his life. He wouldn't have betrayed michael again just the thought of michael hating him was punishment enough.

[@lelelew2735]

Michael killed Fredo because his heart had hardened around that point.. his wife just told him she aborted his kid. Everyone was betraying him left and right his rage made him close off from everyone and make a horrible decision he later regretted.

[@shinskoala7072]

When Fredo found out they tried to take out Michael and his family he should have come clean to protect them, at least.

[@graffProdigy]

He should’ve went into a rage and go a war path!

[@nailersrule]

Fredo knew. He wanted him dead.

[@mariolisa2832]

@@nailersrule yep Fredo opened Michael’s curtains for the hitters. He wanted Mike dead

[@SKBottom]

He resented Michael but he was also a coward.

[@kathleenvanhouweling8142]

This is awesome! I’ve always been very curious about their relationship! Thanks.

[@justmike75]

For Michael, it was always personal. The attempt on his family's life, Fredo's betrayal, the promise not to kill Fredo until his mother died... Fredo was not about business, it was personal. To me, Godfather II, is about how Michael is a success as a Don (cold, patient, calculating, ruthless) but a failure as head of the family (controlling, hot headed, vengeful, thin skinned). Vito's success as head of the family led him to be the Don, while Michael's journey is the contrast.

[@Siegeclan34]

Michael hot headed? Lmao what are you smoking

[@ernestbassey6928]

Michael was a sterling DON, considering the circumstances he evolved from.

[@aracelymoran2504]

@@Siegeclan34 No kidding.

[@StevenCarinci]

How did Alfredo betray him?

[@timmi59]

Fredo never had the makings of a varsity athlete

[@karanen]

Nor did Ola's nephew

[@muzicaempathica6479]

👁 c wat u did there~

[@timmi59]

@@muzicaempathica6479 haha. Yeah, you got me. 😉

[@muzicaempathica6479]

@@timmi59 😘💋💋

[@lean.2366]

The way fredo betrayed Michael? Quasimodo predicted all this.

[@50PullUps]

7:00 I think this scene with Fredo and Michael talking in the winter exposes a missed opportunity. After "You believe that?" the script should have had Michael explain to Fredo that nothing a snake like Hyman Roth does is an accident, that Roth + Ola had the scheme planned out far in advance, and that even the chance encounter in Beverly Hills was only possible if Fredo was under surveillance. With these 15 additional seconds of dialogue and Fredo's reaction, the audience would've been gut-punched with how much more advanced Michael's critical thinking skills were over Fredo's. Lastly, to demonstrate his own careless narcissistic personality, Fredo could've argued with Mike briefly before being told to get lost.

[@t.trevino5272]

Brother or not, It’s the mafia... Fredo broke the rules, betrayed the boss of the family and he had to go.

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

I said the same thing when Johnny the Slurp didn't restock the Picante Big Bites at our 7-11. Rules are rules. He took a cab.

[@pattiburtonsalmonsen3202]

His sister wasn’t a innocent either

[@t.trevino5272]

@@pattiburtonsalmonsen3202 yeah but she wasent a made member in the mafia

[@iamshawnwilliam]

Period

[@radel096]

Shows that the whole "honor code" they have is b.s, in the end they're just cold blooded killers

[@Nick-kk4kc]

Fredo imo is a really great example of someone who can’t realize their mistakes or improve on himself. In the first movie where he bungles and can’t defend the life of his own father he doesn’t attempt to improve his gun skills or attempt to avenge him. Michael is the one who has to do it. Later on when Michael goes to Nevada and Fredo takes Moe’s side Michael gives him another chance. Michael understands that Fredo hasn’t grown or attempted to change at all. With no improvements, his susceptibility to vices, and willingness to prove himself. Michael understands he can’t make him go to Sicily like him so the only option which he hates more than anything is to further go deeper into a place he can’t come back from and kill Fredo

[@GO0DWOLF]

As a kid, it was easy for me to overlook Fredo/Cazale. It's not until I got older that I realised the brilliance of his casting, especially given that he shares physical characteristics with Brando that help sell the illusion of being his son. The forehead and hairline especially.

[@jeremyhoke1782]

Originally Micheal wouldn't relate to his Father's advice, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Because when Michael was in the war his fellow Military Servicemen had his back.(Friends) His enemies were people he shot from a distance. Once he stepped into the world of revenge it eventually swallowed him up.

[@pspicer777]

The final straw was the attack on Michael at his family compound. It was Michael's fear that his family would be hurt that was the point at which Fredo had to go. Michael was protecting his family.

[@shortpom6]

In addition, it was the attack on their home that broke the marriage between Michael and Kay. Fredo was responsible for that too perhaps in Michael's eyes. It cost him his marriage.

[@TENGU127]

Woooow, beautiful analysis...To this day, I can still literally sit through a whole day and watch TGF 1 and 2. Cazale was a great actor and all the legendary cast members had seen Cazale as one of the best at the time. When Fredo gets in the boat with Neri at the end, you could tell Fredo had already accepted he was going to die, besides him giving his final prayers, Fredo could of ran off again or tried to avoid getting in the boat with Neri...in his final minutes he proved He was a real Man, who could face his fate.

[@stratplayr6997]

and during that scene on the boat, Fredo was repeatedly saying the Hail Mary - as if he knew he wasn't coming back

[@ufo734]

What about GD3?

[@michaelmorales4381]

Yeah. Me too Godfather1 and 2 were great. Godfather 3 not so much.

[@MarkusAudio]

When he said "ow shit!" after the kid was called, got me hard. He had realised it was time to check out.

[@CCmagee3]

Nah, Fredo didn't have a clue he was about to get killed.

[@MyRedHulk]

I always felt that killing Fredo was kinda Michael's only option, but I could never articulate why. Thank you for this essay.

[@jaywill1678]

either that or exiling him from the family but yeah it was a tough choice forsure

[@pogiakolagi1909]

Fredo's confession that he wanted Michael's position sealed his fate. Plus he's stupid and easily manipulated. Letting him live is a liability, as opponents will try to use him to get to Michael. Michael can't exile him either, he knows too much and that might be used against Michael. Ultimately, he can't be trusted so he dies, or let him live and be a problem later on.

[@ginotarabotto]

"I know it was you Fredo", probably the most iconic scene in the entire trilogy.

[@angel-rq4fz]

Fredo betrayed Michael to Roth : The punishment of traitor is DEATH .

[@chiva7240]

tbh i wouldve spared him hes learned a good lesson after what happened so he wouldve been useful.

[@lukastragic8493]

@@chiva7240 Doesnt work that way in any Mafia

[@markreierstad2418]

As tragic and inhumane as Fredo's death was, it was understandable. He was weak, he was stupid, and he was too willing to do something for himself. He never meant to betray the family, but he was easily played, and Michael knew it.

[@ralphsanchico2452]

The mistake was letting him be involved in the family business. The should've set him up early in his life in something safe and legal that doesn't require critical thinking!

[@laprincessa9787]

Both are beautiful responses to this. I concur.

[@MantisFootball]

"He was SMART. Not like everyone says, like DUMB. He was SMART, and he wanted RESPECT!"

[@the-btc-tradingfloor2808]

Fredo did not get it....he was not able to see the dangers of the biz

[@warlordofbritannia]

That makes Fredo’s murder all the more meaningless. Michael could have cut his brother out. Instead Michael, I believe, has Fredo killed because he’s embarrassed and shamed by being his brother.

[@RockerGirl71]

Was anyone else distracted by the misspelling of happened or am I just really elevated from the jazz cabbage I’ve been enjoying?

[@josephwallace3895]

Killing Fredo haunted Michael for the rest of his life.

[@djsailbeat9999]

killing your own family member hardest man can do

[@Pbadome1]

You are very correct. Although the majority of "Godfather" lovers hated Part 3, one of many key moments in that movie was when Michael, as an older man, was having a stroke and screamed out, as only Al Pacino can do, his brother's name, "Fredo, Fredo", very powerful scene.

[@Cilgeran]

@@Pbadome1Second that. Also when during his confession to Cardinal Lamberto he cries and says "I killed... I ordered the death of my brother. He injured me. I killed my father's son. I killed my father's son!"

[@robinrobyn1714]

@@Pbadome1 You beat me to it, Phil!!!!!!!!!!! I was going to post EXACTLY that!!

[@Pbadome1]

@@Cilgeran Yes, and he seemed less upset about killing his brother than killing his "father's son". Interesting moment, as they are both the same.

[@NWAWskeptic]

John Cazale was an amazing actor! He would be right up there with Deniro, Pacino, Pesci if he was alive today. Pacino called him the finest actor he ever worked with. And he was dating Meryl Streep until his death. What amazing talent in that couple.

[@dalleguy]

I like these videos. I hate the AI narration. But, no one else breaking this down like you are. Great job!

[@seandoyle2983]

I agree with Clay nails. John Cazele was one of the finest actors of his days. The days were to short.

[@ozzy7728]

Too

[@ysgol3]

By the time of his death, as Connie pointed out, Fredo was 'helpless'. He was completely broken by his betrayal (he'd never wanted Michael to be killed), there was no way he would or could ever be a threat to Michael again, and MIchael knew that very well. Fredo just wanted to live quietly and go fishing with the family. So Michael was completely wrong to have him killed. And Michael knew that for the rest of his life. His humanity had been destroyed by Appollonia's death, but guilt about Fredo, deservedly, came upon him and haunted him until his own death.

[@ysgol3]

@Lux Aeterna Hi, it's part of the greatness of the film, isn't it, that people can disagree like we do. Thanks for replying, I'll stick with the views in my comment, that Fredo was broken and therefore no threat to Michael whatsoever any more, hence Michael's guilt about the needless killing of him for the rest of his life. I do see that anyone can do anything, including becoming a threat, at any time, but Fredo had become in effect the least likely person in the world to do future harm to Michael! The Don would never have allowed Fredo to be killed like that - his own son - and Michael knew that too.

[@leonsmits]

he couldn't have let Fredo live, he'd seem weak - it was known that Fredo had been apart of the set up. At the end of the day, he's a mob boss.

[@PAX777]

"His humanity had been destroyed by Appollonia's death, but guilt about Fredo, deservedly, came upon him and haunted him until his own death." I never knew Michael Corleone died in the Godfather series. Pretty sure he lived till the end. Or did I miss something?

[@ysgol3]

@@leonsmits Hi, he allowed him to live for some time - years it appears - until their mother died. By then he'd amply proved he wasn't weak! So killing Fredo was a sign of how needlessly brutal he'd become, and of how his megalomania had destroyed him because his guilt about the killing ruined the rest of his life.

[@ysgol3]

@@PAX777 Hi, he died, alone, at the end of Godfather 3.

[@davidcoachman1367]

I think Michael knew that his enemies could use Fredo to get him. Although he loved him, he also knew Fredo was a liability. It was a bit like the ending of Mice and Men.

[@rickykeim2005]

I think Michael was correct in deciding to get rid of Fredo. Vito had already decided Fredo wasn't going to head The Family Business. Fredo was responsible for an Assassination Attempt that happened in Michael's own Home. Fredo can't be allowed to make too many mistakes like that.

[@melvynsngltn27]

Fredonia wasn't responsible he was a last minute replacement

[@rinzler9171]

"Come with me, You're still my brother! Fredo!" For some reason, with Michael cast in shadow it felt like a sort of God moment where He was trying to save the sinner from damnation.

[@mistercheese9383]

See I took it the opposite. Michael cast in shadow gave the appearance of him being “fredo’s brother” but he realized it was a trap. Fredo realized his brother was gone.

[@happymess3219]

🙄 a "god" moment? c'mon bro. we all like the movie too, but let's not go overboard

[@BUS-US]

@@happymess3219 im dead rofl

[@mariolisa2832]

@@mistercheese9383 I agree Fredo would have died in that car if he got in…

[@zuzu2365]

@@mariolisa2832 Michael wouldn't have killed fredo as long as their mom was still alive

[@alexcasanova5668]

Great video bro!

[@haydenoberg6807]

In the mafia world if you betray your family and do things against your bosses wishes then you pretty much signed your own death warrant that's just how that world works. There are rules you must follow once you're sworn into the family and you become a made member.

[@jessestien9027]

You know this from wikipedia bro?

[@Billydevito]

@@jessestien9027 😎 Nah! Probably from Hollywood mafia movies.

[@mariolisa2832]

@@jessestien9027 why hate?

[@heliosapollyon4391]

Those who betray are those who will betray.... Never forget that or you will end up like Julius Cesser saying "etu Brute?"

[@josephwallace3895]

It's etu Brute.

[@heliosapollyon4391]

@@josephwallace3895 thanks

[@OdintheGermanShepherd]

Or was it “Kai su, teknon” ??

[@pepewr]

@@OdintheGermanShepherd you have 162k subscribers!!

[@OdintheGermanShepherd]

@@pepewr yes, I do! Check us out if you like dog vids. Have a great day.

[@cnote2458]

Fredo was a guy that wasn’t meant for that life but unfortunately was born into it. He was so simple minded and naive. As all it took was a few nice things in his ear. And he believed that he had a friend who ever done the whispers. While if someone was critical of him he took the words personally. And thought everyone looked down on him. He was to easy to play. But his betrayal was not out of malice but stupidity. He truly loved Michael and I believe would not purposely get him killed. In the game The Godfather part 2. They got a lot wrong with that game. However I love the things they got right. one thing I absolutely love is they touched on Roth hold on Fredo. And how Fredo was never intending for things to escalate the way they did. In a very early scene Roth goes up to Fredo and says something on the lines. Your just like your brother. You are very smart Fredo. And through the game it shows what the words meant to him. And how he made so many bad decisions. Out of stupidity and ignorance but never malice.

[@Tommykey07]

I get the sense that Al Neri felt a little sad about having to kill Fredo. The look on his face when Michael signals the order with his eyes, he looks like he has a hint of uneasiness about it.

[@ianirishfan1]

The hug and then the look to Al...one of the most powerful scenes

[@dagnabbit6187]

@Tommykey 07 After it was signaled to Mike that it had been done on the lake , the man in charge of the hit bowed his head in remorse . In spite of his treachery , none of Michael’s men relished what had to be done . The contempt was for Roth and that is probably why Rocco volunteered for the suicide mission to clip Roth when Roth landed at Miami Airport . It wasn’t in the movie but I bet Rocco’s family got a huge compensation for his loyal soldier decision .

[@solrebel7]

Str8 up, I would too..

[@Pbadome1]

Actually, Tommy, if you love the movie, don't rob yourself, read the book, it fills in a lot of information left out, but that pertains to the original Godfather, not part two. Just FYI. As for that look and bowing his head, I always thought that it was Neri's way of respecting Michael's hard decision, in other words, not having to make it harder on Michael by staring at him. I also think that if Neri was sad, and I believe he was, he wouldn't show it to Michael.

[@nagone11]

@@dagnabbit6187 Good point bro...but I kind of think Michael might have had Rocco do this be cause in the back of his mind, he may have thought even Roth may have gotten to him. Tom Hagen even questioned this and Michael responded that all their people's loyalty was based on business. Who was close enough to Michael and his family to open the blinds in his bedroom so Mike could get hit? Rocco was his top security man... Also Don Vito picked Rocco, Michael didn't, so there may have been some loyalty issues there as well. So, I always wondered about that suicide mission......Just my take, but I could be way off...

[@BigMamaDaveX]

😎 Under the circumstances, it was the ONLY thing Michael could do. 😢

[@YellowCab524]

Fredo had it coming to him sadly

[@J_Braz_]

We all got it coming to us.

[@amar1254]

At least he waited until after thier Mother die. Connie did her best to try and save him.

[@williamdennis7652]

Taking Fredo out may have been one of the best moves Michael had done. Even after so many tries to get him to not mess up or betray the family Fredo still proved to be a liability. It was only a matter of time a rival family would have used him to successfully kill Michael and or possibly weapon the family to the point that they would have collapsed. If there is a weak link in a chain it needs to either be fixed or replaced otherwise natural forces will brake the chain. Fredo was the weak link and was continuously showing how incompetent or naive he was. Thus the only think Michael could do was kill him.

[@mrf9893]

In part 1 Michael warned Fredo to not take sides with anyone against the family ever again, but Fredo wasn't smart enough to learn from that and stood against the family again by betraying. At that point it didn't matter to Michael it was his brother, he had to take down anyone who betrayed the family with absolutely no exclusion

[@LordBloodraven]

Michael missed out on a lesson Vito gave to Sunny, never let anyone else know what you're thinking. Had he not let Fredo know he was aware of his betrayal, Michael could have used his brother to lure potential enemies. Fredo wanted to be his own boss and have responsibilities. Michael could have stuck Al Neri to Fredo to serve as his bodyguard and Al could have informed to Michael anyone who tried getting one over on the family through Fredo.

[@GodlysRebirth]

He thought that lesson to sunnys son in part 3

[@zoluhwa3508]

Fredo betrayal almost got his wife and kids murdered.... He would not risk fredo stupidity even to lure potential enemies again at the risk of his wife and kids. Better to have him dead and prevent future risk again to his family... Fredo was too stupid

[@skinz2dend]

The Fon tried that with Luca Brasi. If that's how his name is spelled.

[@anonfinally1692]

If I remember correctly Vito's quote was "Never let someone outside of the family what you're thinking." And Fredo's a family so basically Michael followed Vito's advice?

[@cz2165]

Michael was so in control with everyone else, even with Sonny, but Kaye could get under his skin, in that argument they had. And he was so shaken by figuring out Fredo he couldn’t hold in his anger. This actually shows that he still had some humanity, love for his family. Then he goes to his Mother to ask her about family loyalty and realizes it had all changed. Vito could have some honor in how he conducted things.He had proportionate responses to the actions of others. This was evident when he refused to grant the wish of that guy in the first part or part 1 to kill whomever he wanted killed, the crime was not bad enough to kill. Vito didn’t want to get into the heroin business.Vito had earned respect in the neighborhood, they knew he was a fair protector. Vito gets to die of natural causes in his garden. Then as soon as Vito died, Tessio who was almost like family betrayed Michael, and all of the old codes of honor broke down, eventually even within the strongest of bonds, the sibling bond.

[@serkansekreter4269]

A brother like fredo makes you never sleep with eyes closed.

[@KutWrite]

RIP John Cazale. He did so well, I thought of him as this character and the one he played in "Dog Day Afternoon."

[@joeyfrederick9156]

Interesting, Fredo took a bullet to his head because he was disloyal to Michael...but Cazale's Sal took a bullet to his head because he was completely loyal to Pacino's Sonny in Dog Day Afternoon!

[@shemene647]

Yes !!!! Dog Day Afternoon . Classic

[@tomwalker389]

RIP, John Cazale.

[@amina22377]

Great video

[@danabrown276]

At the office, when a colleague (who wasn’t successful at their current job, but is promoted to a position that he/she has no business in… we call them Fredo!

[@evm6177]

🍷😆👍

[@Rockhound6165]

And now you know the reason why Chris Cuomo is called Fredo.

[@tobeornottobetobeornottobe974]

Lol

[@carolbarber9898]

@@Rockhound6165 lo

[@MikeG82]

man ypeople don't get promoted due to competence like michael did, they get promoted due to likability it's often who you know not what you know

[@stephencreme4617]

I think you’re a bit off, I believe Fredo knew exactly what was going on from the start as he pretended not to know Johnny Ola when Michael introduced him and then Michael later overheard Fredo telling others that some burlesque show they were at was an old haunt of Ola’s. So he was hiding the relationship from the start.

[@alilweeb7684]

i dont see how that is relevant. as fredo said he was trying to make deals outiside micheals knowledge it would make no sense for fredo to tell he already knew about ola

[@victorp647]

You lost me at “We all love Fredo”. He infuriated me. His reaction to seeing his father being gunned down was to fumble the gun and sit on the curb with his head in his hands like time wasn’t of the essence in saving Vito. I regard him as dangerously egotistical because, even after he royally screws up the security detail of his father, he’s still egotistical enough to think he SHOULDN’T be passed up in favor of Michael. He truly thinks he’s built to be the next Don. Unbelievable

[@rikers263]

Fredo had to go. If word got out, he would seem very weak.

[@joesimon2018]

Fredo was banging Meryl Streep. Michael got jealous

[@t40606]

It had to be done. Michael was betrayed by Pantangelli, his brother, and even his own wife. What would happen if Fredo lived but was exiled? He would have been vulnerable. And perhaps susceptible to the feds. A deal would be offered for Fredo to testify against Michael to save himself. Fredo put Michael and his family at risk. Women and children could be careless, but never men. Michael had to protect himself and his family from whatever risk. Fredo was the risk that had to be mitigated. There was no other option.

[@Rockhound6165]

Pantangelli never really betrayed Michael. What ever Frank did was after he thought Michael tried to kill him(in reality it was the Rosado's acting on orders from Roth to set Michael up) so him flipping was in retaliation for that.

[@kyleiwalker3603]

this storyline is so heartbreaking and well done. there is nothing like it

[@davidz2016]

If my bradda betrayed me I'd be devastated. If I almost got killed because of him I'd probably be on the side of the godfather. You get one life and information is key to living a bit longer.

[@Polica40]

Fredo was killed because he was weak, stupid and broke Michael's heart.

[@alilweeb7684]

yay?

[@pamelamays4186]

There's also Don Vito's advice, given to Sonny in Fredo's presence: Never let anyone outside the family know what you're thinking.

[@matthewgray469]

When Sonny spoke out of turn during the meeting with Solozzo you can see Clemenza wince and lower his head a bit.

[@TheGodFather333]

"Don't ever take sides against the family".

[@babyfaceaviator7862]

Good points, but 6:18 That wasn't a final chance. Fredo was already given the kiss of death. Fredo fled because he knew that this was the same tactic Michael used on Carlo

[@docd2295]

I think this is a real debate. It could be a writing hole in the movie because it seemed sincere when he asked him to go with him but he had already given him kiss of death.

[@mariolisa2832]

Fredo was in Vegas when Carlo was killed

[@babyfaceaviator7862]

@@mariolisa2832 doesn't mean he couldn't have heard of Carlo's death from one of Michael's men. After all Fredo was made underboss, and it's not like he wouldnt be curious with Carlo being his brother-in-law

[@Vicki1951]

Personally, I don’t know if Michael’s retaliation against Fredo was due to saving his own life or that of the Corleone family. He stated more than once that it happened in his home, in the bedroom, where his wife slept and where his children come play with their toys. Of course, it was also to protect the family business, but that part wasn’t mentioned as much as his wife and children and that was something he couldn’t ignore. He asked his mother if it was possible to be so involved with taking care of your family that you could lose them in doing so. He couldn’t allow the risk of it happening again. He would use all his powers to stop it from happening and he did.

[@davidperezz7248]

"I know it was you Fredo, you broke my shinebox"..

[@terrymiller111]

Nice mash-up.

[@Grivian]

"I don't shine shoes anymore"

[@From-North-Jersey]

Don't cross the streams.

[@Ausblack]

Whats the reference?

[@From-North-Jersey]

@@Ausblack Get thee back under thine bridge foul troll. One fluent in Godfathersese must surely recognize the language from the Burg of Goodfellas Heights.

[@afropick93]

the veins in Fredo's head when Mike told him he broke his heart.

[@jupiterdef]

When I truly imagine, VISUALIZE what would've happened to Michael and Kay that night, I can still understand what he did and why. Of course, killing your brother is one of the ultimate sins ever! That's what Fredo ALMOST accomplished! Imagine If the plan had succeeded, Michael and Kay both dead in their own home, Anthony an orphan, the family without their Don and in a humiliating way, betrayed, now vulnerable to ALL enemies and inherited to FREDO. It would be the end for all of them, and even worse, they wouldn't even suspect Fredo that much, due to his reputation for being too weak and stupid to pull anything like that off. He would definitely suffer and weep for the rest of his life because of It, too. So, as ruthless and cold as Michael's final decision was, for me, It's still justified, Fredo had bound him and the rest of the family onto an even worse fate. Crazy how real the portrayal of these books and movies actually are... Epic!

[@willferrell8524]

"He said, 'there was something in it for me, Mike!'" ... the way in which John Cazale delivers these lines is acting at its finest ... in the end, that's why Fredo got whacked...

[@elcordobes-i1h]

Remember the dinner scene when Sonny, after finding out that Michael had joined said " You go to college to become stupid "" and castigates Michael for not following in the family footsteps. The only person who congratulated Michael was Fredo.

[@wftjet]

Fredo congratulated him but Sonny shut him down. Tom was hardly better.

[@thelastgreatpoet5219]

So what you extrapolate from that fredo is confirming he is stupid

[@paullew4853]

True, but I think the backhanded way to say Michael was making a bad choice. Going to fight in a war risk injury or death for nothing other than pride when (in the Don’s eyes) you could do that as a made man and be under his protection? Especially when he’d have the added benefit of aiding the transition from Vito to Sonny (and the Don thinking ahead keeping Michael there to balance out Sonny’s hot headed ness). It worked and Michael got through the war, but that doesn’t mean it was a good choice.

[@thelastgreatpoet5219]

@@paullew4853 mike was trying to escape a dysfunctional family until it pulled him back

[@elcordobes-i1h]

@@paullew4853 This is a conundrum many immigrants face. To whom do you feel allegiance to ? Your family/community or country. Many feel it is their community and disregard their country, no matter how much benefits they reaped. The Don said so at his daughters wedding " You come to me for justice ? ". Yet your own kind can betray you. Michael finally got converted into the Don's thinking and took up the family cause, thereby propagating the cycle of violence.

[@adityasurve8106]

The Godfather is the greatest film ever made and it remains. Masterclass explanation on the extraordinary mind games between Michael and Fredo. Appreciate for this hard work. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@Daywalker9846]

never underestimate the ruthlessness of your enemies

[@SEALCOATINGISLIFE]

It’s so cool that Junior Soprano was in Godfather II.

[@Pbadome1]

Yes, I agree. He looked so tall, yet old and short in the Sopranos.

[@Pbadome1]

@Ricardo DeMatteo LOL

[@Nursemonster]

One thing that’s I noticed after watching this epic series is that in the boat scene FREDO tells Michael that “he didn’t know that it was going to be a hit”. However, then who let the blinds open?, it was FREDO and he knew it was a hit

[@astersdixon3142]

Considering all that was at stake, it was absolutely the right move to make! Albeit tragic, Freado had to know the consequences of his actions or else he wouldn’t have tried hide what he was doing!