Why Did Michael Corleone Kill Fredo? Part 2 | Was it Right or Wrong?

[@rhaenyralikesyoutube6289]

The fact that we're even still discussing these films that are over 40 years old just proves how much these films are true masterpieces.

[@njekwaamusaa395]

Movie makers today can learn a thing or two from such classics.

[@jimmybuzaglo15]

I wish we can have movies like this today, now it’s all leftist propaganda

[@doraran2138]

Yours is one way of looking at it. Another perspective I hear from millenials, is the poor quality of current films. We can all agree in WOKE Hollywood of today, Godfather I & II could never be made in form it was made. This inhibition translates to formula movies with formula dialogue and formula plots. The few films that do come out straying from WOKE values, are often criticized, misunderstood and marginalized by critics, elites and others.

[@jordanwebster1728]

Dor Aran Thats a major over exaggeration. Those woke people have no real power, they just whine loudly and that’s it. Joker pissed off many critics and those same woke idiots and grossed $1 billion. Plus, I don’t even think theres anything in The Godfather 1 and 2 that would piss them off.

[@doraran2138]

@@jordanwebster1728 WOKE did Oscars that got lowest ratings in history. They don't care about masses, they just like to impress their fellow WOKEy's. Lots in Godfather I & II to upset the WOKE, start with ethnic stereotyping of Italians, demeaning of women, anti-gay violence (Fredo was bi-) and more.

[@louisewilson2044]

The thing is it wasn't just Michael life that was put at risk by Fredo's betrayal it was his wife and children. "In my home where my wife sleeps. Where my children play with their toys." In Michael's mind he probably was protecting them not just the business.

[@arthurcurry2003]

The moment he decided to lead that life he put himself and his fam at risk. This is what even Vito didn’t understand or give a fuck about. Sonny died, Michael became a dick mob boss and Fredo was killed... all family tragedies that happened because he chose the life of a gangster.

[@jacobsladder6715]

@@arthurcurry2003 Vito did care that his son got killed... did he want to do something about it? Yes was it wise to do so? No because a smart man does not want war.. it's better to have peace and everyone makes money. However he knew Sonny's death would be avenged and Carlos would get what was coming to him.. he knew Michael would take care of it.

[@mrmeerkat1096]

@@jacobsladder6715 yes I agree. I'm pretty sure Vito told Michael, never become angry with your enemies, it will cloud your judgement. I think that is what Vito had in his mind when Sonny was killed, and the fact he probably prepared himself for that news one day when Sonny followed him into the life. Anger, emotion can make you impulsive and make mistakes. You act in the moment without much thought. Not only that but it can make you predictable. Like Philip tattaglia knew Sonny would lose his head over Carlo hitting his sister and he would storm over there which allowed them to plan out and kill Sonny at the toll booth.

[@markbaldwin3233]

Exactly!

[@charlesandrews2360]

@@arthurcurry2003 To be a mob boss you have to be a dick. Michael chose that life and he is responsible for Fredo's death but when you are the son of a mob boss oh, you are born into that life. You automatically lose many options that you would normally have in civilian life. I know from experience because my father was the son of a mob boss who chose the civilian life. Rather, was chosen for him by his father.

[@jeanw2018]

What makes Fredo dangerous is found in his statement, “I can handle things, I’m smart, not dumb like everybody says!” His resentment and refusal to recognize his limitations both in intelligence and judgement, despite all his past mistakes, (as in many real life situations) is what makes people dangerous.

[@n.s6463]

When u said the quote i thought u were gonna follow it with he exposed that he knows whats going on and the possibilities of his actions. But your right i did feel sorry for him when he said that

[@billyswanson4842]

Dead on right. If Fredo had been honest with his limitations things would have been different.

[@beasleyforpresldent6985]

Great comment. I have a brother like this. He is very limited intellectually & especially with character. I've done so much for him, yet each and everytime, he pulled a Fredo & went against me. When I confronted him, he lied & tried to gaslight me. Hed been doing it for YEARS, but I kept turning a blind eye. But it KEPT happening. Although I couldnt have him taken out....he IS dead to me.

[@katherineleonowski7289]

Yes...I believe Fredo was too far gone...

[@jeffreyjeziorski7646]

@@billyswanson4842 a man's got to know his limitations. Dirty Harry Callahan

[@michaelsnowden5735]

To show mercy to Fredo would have been inconsistent with Michael’s character and his decline towards an emotionless and callous individual. The movie’s final shot of him sitting alone staring off vacantly with the autumn leaves blowing reminds of the Bible verse “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?”

[@richardsanchez9190]

Shit I'll take that deal.

[@nem6262]

@@richardsanchez9190 then you r a foolish man my friend

[@thegamingfool524]

@@richardsanchez9190 yikes

[@seanclement1443]

Great comment

[@kwadwoamponsah]

@@nem6262 so it would be wiser to have your own blood orchestrate your downfall? Your brother that got you house shot up endangering your wife and kids? Endangering the legacy of your father and the generation before? What would it profit him?

[@themanofsteel6520]

Michael explained his reasoning for his actions during the ending scene in The God Father part II. He told Tom Hagen that he didn't need to wipe everyone out; just his enemies. When Fredo betrayed him, he not only placed the life of Michael in jeapordy, but his wife and children. This cemented in Michael's mind that Fredo was an enemy; thus, wiping him out was his only option.

[@lornegoodman9739]

The key to the hit was when Michael kept pressuring Fredo to give up any other important information about the committee. Fredo finally told him that the committee chairman belonged to Roth, proving that Fredo was hesitant in telling Michael this, as he should have notified Michael way before the boathouse meeting. Fredo was still in league with Roth! Great movie.

[@Nakedwittypod]

fact

[@rpstevo8965]

We have to remember Fredo’s action almost had Micheal killed and the nail in the coffin was his angry attitude when Micheal questioned him. He had to go.

[@jbo4547]

True

[@TjamVideoMan]

Like there was something he could have (truthfully!) said to change that!?!

[@rpstevo8965]

@@TjamVideoMan you are definitely right. Fredo, always the slowest one in the room underestimates once again to what degree that he messed up and what Micheal would do to mitigate the situation... You couldn’t have convinced me to come back to that compound after what he did. Micheal said it best “he’s stupid”

[@KsAmin-c4i]

Killing Fredo was the Dumbest idea. Who doesn't have Arguments in the Family? Michael was already Made( Mafia Boss). He didn't had to prove anyone. His actions says it all. Taking Enemity to the highest level with his brother made him more Coward. Killing is the Last option and for what? Michael should have sent his Brother to Sicily to look after other Business. Never take sides against your family. Whose side You are on. Michael? You killed your own Blood Brother.

[@AkxlieTVM]

Exactly!!

[@samsoncrosswood7259]

It’s Michael Corleone. No doubt he considered every option, every possible outcome. He had a calculating personality that surpassed that of his father. What he lacked was compassion.

[@asd2640]

Not having compassion is one of the things that made him survive. Vito had compassion, but he grew up in different times. When Vito was young the mafia was neighborhood level, when Michael was in power it was on a continental level. If Michael tried to be like Vito, all righteous and compassionate, he would have been killed a long time ago...

[@vksasdgaming9472]

Sonny had boldness, Mike had cunning and Fredo had people skills. Vito had them all as balanced mix. Because his sons had no balancing traits they each were weak in their own ways: Sonny was hot-headed, Mike was cruel and Fredo was gullible.

[@rhaenyralikesyoutube6289]

I disagree that Michael was cruel. If Michael was cruel, he would have killed him after he did something stupid the second time after he warned him in Las Vegas after the disastrous Moe Green meeting.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

@@rhaenyralikesyoutube6289 Perhaps cruel was not the right word. Mike was utterly uncaring about human element and how people might react to his actions. It was all about his will and his desire and everything was to serve it.

[@f1aziz]

@@vksasdgaming9472 I think he lost compassion in the aftermath of attacks on his father, brother and his Italian wife, his father almost died while his brother and wife were brutally murdered. He then and there realized that holding on to absolute power over life and death of his real or perceived enemies is the key to the survival of his family. He was so consumed with the survival of his family he was willing to kill his own brother. The only problem was, even he didn't realize how much he loved Fredo and how much his murder would wear him down.

[@sydneyavery5650]

There is an angle I think is missing here. Michael was a marine, a veteran of WW2. Having lived in a situation where he had to kill or be killed contributed significantly to his lack of compassion. In his eyes, an enemy was an enemy and had to be eliminated at whatever cost. Also, the loss of his first wife had a devastating impact on him. I think that when he reunited with Kay, he never let himself love her as deeply as he loved his first wife. Finally, combining all of those factors with mafia life, Michael really didn’t have a choice. I’m guessing that by this time, drugs had become a fact of life in the underworld. In addition, this was the time when folks started turning states evidence. There is no way Michael could have allowed Fredo to live.

[@OptimumTaurus]

THANK YOU! I think a lot of people miss that Michael thought more like a soldier than a gangster. In the gangster world, you do most of your fighting from the shadows. But as a SOLDIER things are much simpler-- either you kill the other guy or they kill you. While he learned the subtleties of staying close to enemies, he still ultimately had it in his mind "Enemy? Kill them." That's just how he was trained as a soldier. And by all counts, Michael was a GOOD soldier. Vito himself was in awe of the things he was told his son had done as a Marine, wondering how his son would do miracles for his country he wouldn't do for his family. Michael wasn't intentionally being overly brutal-- he was just being a soldier.

[@m.janeroberts8640]

I disagree that Michael loved his first wife more. He was eroto-romantically attracted to her, and the only way they could be together in that setting was to marry. But he was seriously involved with Kay before the first marriage and was drawn back to her after he was widowed. Kay was the love of his life. (Also, he refrained from having her whacked after she got an abortion.)

[@marygreenfield9964]

Good point on the RICO trials. Fredo could never have handled that. You just convinced me.

[@jasonsanders9444]

I think the anger Michael had behind Kay's abortion added fuel to his anger with Freddo. Killing Freddo was a message to those within the family and outside of it.

[@uncleloof]

This is is a true statement.

[@the-btc-tradingfloor2808]

Michael had had enough and put his foot down

[@jneroo226]

Michael never let Kay have custody of his children. There was never any question in my mind that Fredo needed to go. The mistake is on Vito. Fredo should have run a legitimate business for the family. That would have kept him out of dangerous matters.

[@koreanelvis]

Rewatching your video (and also rewatching The Godfather trilogy afterwards) helped me realize how ruthless Michael was compared to Vito. He was tactless in that way, and in the end suffered the ultimate price: the accidental assassination of his daughter (whom he truly loved) and spent the rest of his life wallowing with regrets. Thank you for this video. Love your channel my friend.

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

This is an interesting thought experiment. Michael could have used Fredo, but how could he trust him? In the first movie Luca Brasi was told to pretend that he wanted to leave the Corleone family. No one believed that Luca would turn on the Corleone's so they killed him immediately. Fredo could have been the perfect mole. Everyone outside of the family knew that Fredo was not respected. Fredo desperately wanted respect and responsibly. Michael could have used that to his advantage and told Fredo that he was going to give him a job that no one else could do. Fredo could have been used to gain info from the Corleone's enemies. But once again, how could Michael trust his brother after what he had done.

[@fabiomantegazza9660]

Being a mole is one of the most difficult roles to pull off. It requires a high degree of rare skills, a quick mind, very cold blood and huge courage. All characteristics Fredo did not posess. Fredo resented Michael, and would have had trouble taking orders from him. Michael put him where he could do the least damage, and away from him, to spare him constant humiliation. He was repaid with treachery. Michael would not trust Fredo, and he was right. He was the runt, but a malevolent one. Michael did not operate in a vacuum. Every action of his was being watched and evaluated. Michael was not pushed to the Dark side. He chose the Dark side, which is the only side that will preserve you and your family in that unforgiving, primitive criminal underworld. Fredo had to be sacrificed to send out a message. There is little point in judging Michael's actions through "normal" morality. The World he came from, from which he chose not to escape despite having been given the chance, has entirely different moral standards. He was smart enough to know that. He was the best successor to his father. Sonny was tooo impetuous, and paid the price. He was drawn into an ambush by enemies who had figured how to use his weaknesses against him. Fredo would not have lasted one week. Michael knew that he could only choose that World, because his family needed protecting and he was the only one with the skills and the strength. He made his choice, and he lived with it.

[@KsAmin-c4i]

Killing Fredo was the Dumbest idea. Who doesn't have Arguments in the Family? Michael was already Made( Mafia Boss). He didn't had to prove anyone. His actions says it all. Taking Enemity to the highest level with his brother made him more Coward. Killing is the Last option and for what? Michael should have sent his Brother to Sicily to look after other Business. Never take sides against your family. Whose side You are on. Michael? You killed your own Blood Brother.

[@Xehanort10]

I think Vito sending Luca to infiltrate the Tattaglias was a sign he was getting old and losing his touch. The other families knew how loyal Luca was to Vito since Vito had Luca's murder of his girlfriend Kelly covered up earning Luca's loyalty so they knew he'd never betray him. But Fredo would have never been able to spy on Corleone enemies. He'd have given something away or said the wrong thing.

[@lcaceci43]

"gain info?" Fredo was too stupid to know what was going on.

[@TheCookster64]

A provocative thought but I agree with others that Fredo never could have pulled it off. Then again, if Fredo did screw up and got killed Michael wasn't directly involved, so his conscience would have been faily clean. I think this would have been a great outcome but Michael couldn't afford wildcards and Fredo was definitely a wildcard.

[@Necron990]

They hit his house where his wife and kids were. Just because Fredo was too stupid to realize how far they would go to get Micheal, doesn't give him a pass. Fredo goes.

[@bladeguru6358]

Fredo would have undoubtedly got Michael killed. He may have even ended up doing it himself.

[@davidreidenberg9941]

@@bladeguru6358 I don’t think so. As noted in the GF ll Fredo almost died in infancy and was clearly mentally deficient. Micheal could have kept him on a very short leash and as the video points out even used him as a source of misinformation.

[@DatFeature]

@@davidreidenberg9941 Michael already had a lot on his plate regardless of if that’s his big brother or any mental defects he gave him too many chances plus got his wife and children shot up he had to go

[@bladeguru6358]

@@davidreidenberg9941 mental defects aside, there was a dark resentment for Michael hiding behind Fredo’s weak exterior.

[@StarfieldRailway]

Fredo was in on the assassination attempt. He passionately wanted Michael's job and was extremely angry at Michael for having it. When Fredo revealed that, Michael decided that Fredo was nobody to him. Michael learned at that moment what Fredo was really about and what he had done.

[@mrmeerkat1096]

Coppola caught lightning in a bottle twice with the first two godfather movies. Brilliant, brilliant films. To have audiences still analysing what was going through a characters mind and their motivations 50 years later is astounding. I think people will still be talking about these characters well into the future like they do today with Shakespeare.

[@cliffgaither]

mr Meerkat :: That's a perfect analysis of these films & characters. When I saw The Godfather, I was way-too immature to really understand too much of anything about the film or the characters. After seeing this video & reading the comments, I realize now that I missed a masterpiece because I was more interested in the buttered-popcorn.

[@mrmeerkat1096]

@@cliffgaither yes I think they went over my head when I first saw them also.

[@larrygotter5609]

It's not astounding. It's depressing. People wondering why Michael killed Fredo? That tells me, no one has watched the movies in their entirety beyond just having the movie on in the background.

[@dani01949]

@@larrygotter5609 nah, it's astounding. The ability to be received by different people and gain new life every time is one of the characteristics of a masterpiece. That applies both to cinema and literature.

[@marcelo_pendragon]

Mario Puzo deserves half the credit, if not more. Because he wrote the book that gave rise to the first movie, and the script for the 2nd movie

[@richardlono1]

Michael was young, young Vito was equally as ruthless. The Vito shown here was older and wiser and had seen a lot already. You can see in GF III that Michael would have made a much different choice than young Michael.

[@mfancyketchup6701]

This is a great point

[@Lawrence_Talbot]

Should’ve just cut out Fredo’s tongue for talking too much. Would’ve sent a strong enough enough message while ensuring no one could get information out of him again

[@the-btc-tradingfloor2808]

50/50

[@glennchartrand5411]

His brother betrayed him on every level, accidentally and intentionally. After the assassination attempt Mike and his family's lives were still in danger and Fredo didnt tell Mike who it was. Mike's sense of betrayal overrode doing what his Father taught him. The family survived what Fredo did to Mike, it didnt survive what Mike did to Fredo.

[@domb9110]

Yeah I hate to say it but Fredo would’ve kept descending on a downward slope until he got someone killed or eventually himself. The movie doesn’t show every bad situation Fredo got himself into.

[@duprez2]

That might have been the solution to Michael's dilemma. He may not have necessarily had to kill Fredo. But he wasn't obligated to save him either.

[@georgeferrier9461]

Alfredo is the reason Alfredo is dead. Reminds me of Starsceam and Megatron! The leader gives you power. But it ain’t enough, you want to be the man! But you can’t! Why? You don’t know what to do? There is a reason the man is the boss and you’re not! Get in line and stay in your lane! Otherwise, well you know!

[@blorac9869]

In the book Fredo had seriously shamed the family in Vegas, so much so, that his father wished, to never see or speak to him again and didn't! How could Fredo not expect his ending!

[@georgeferrier9461]

@@blorac9869 I agree completely. I mean he had submitted to the guy out there in Vegas. That was completely embarrassing and shameful. And then his betrayal of the family not once, but three times man come on!!!

[@jackkennedy70]

Excommunicado

[@emilrodriguez2705]

Throughout the whole trilogy, Michael’s decisions were always at the cost of Michael. He suffered so much damage-his marriage, his brother, his daughter, for instance-and let’s not forget: he never really wanted to be in charge. Very sad.

[@the-btc-tradingfloor2808]

Great men rarely want power.. ..

[@bryanx0317]

Even when Michael is shouting to him "You're still my brother!” it's debatable whether or not he genuinely meant this. It's shown in many scenes that Michael will flat out lie to get the situation to unfold how he wants. My first time watching, my impression was that he was just luring him in so that he could kill him later.

[@troyevans9981]

Exactly

[@el34glo59]

I highly doubt he meant it. I always felt that was just a line to lure him in

[@swimminwitdafishes8059]

That was my impression and Fredo knew it.

[@sunnymoondog]

That's how I saw it too

[@Mant111]

Yeah it's common for the mafia to act as friends and then dust you, no way he could've taken that "offer".

[@paulmcdonald8055]

You could see how much he loved his Brother, he really had no choice but to show complete control over this situation and prove his strength as a leader!!! No one would question his Leadership! His Brother nearly got him killed and so Touché! He did show that deep down he had a Heart and Regretted to his dying day the choice he made!!!

[@jimpatterson1111]

John Cazale deserves the ‘Academy Honorary Award’ Oscar. Meryl Streep should be the one to receive it and give a speech on his behalf.

[@johnregnary8597]

In a deleted scene Michael killed the bodyguard who betrayed him in Sicily causing the death of his first wife. Fredo almost caused the death of himself and Kay. He could not allow Fredo to betray or make a mistake like that again.

[@buddywilliams5650]

Why did Mike kill the bodyguard? Mike had to have a good reason. He betrayed Mike for what? Money 💲

[@chrisshoemaker67]

They found out Fabrizio had been living in New York the whole time. He was the owner of a pizza shop in Buffalo. One night he just finished up closing the place down and walked to his car....BOOM! The same way he killed his wife. You reap what you sow. He thought he had gotten away with his betrayal.

[@chrisshoemaker67]

@@henrikhansen1023 No. Of course he didn't. He didn't do any of his own dirty work. The only time he actually did anything with his own hands, was way back in the restaurant.

[@el34glo59]

@@henrikhansen1023 I don't think you meant personally

[@dustinmaxwell259]

Then put him outside, never trust him again, but don't kill him. Even give him an allowance that let's him live a very cushy lifestyle. Hell. That act alone would have made it seem as if Michael truly loved Fredo. Then Michael's enemies would have killed Fredo, _just to spite Michael_ , which would have let Michael off the hook. But no. Michael wanted to appear ruthless to his enemies.

[@prairiemain]

You overlook the main reason he had Fredo killed. The FBI was homing in on the Corleone family and already had Frank Pentageline compromised and under wraps. Michael knew Fredo would never stand up to the pressure and would roll over for the FBI etc. Despite being low in the pecking order of the family, Fredo still knew many things about the family that even Frank Pentageline did not know. Thus Michael couldn't risk Fredo being arrested. The other things you mention are valid but I am convinced that when the hit came it was out of fear of the FBI. Otherwise he would have gotten rid of Fredo much sooner.

[@ricktheitalianrebel6687]

Pantangelli told michael to NOT trust ROTH..and yet Michael ignored Pantangelli. IT was michael's own arrogant fault.

[@wayneurquhart1967]

@@ricktheitalianrebel6687 I never thought Michael did trust Roth.

[@ricktheitalianrebel6687]

@@wayneurquhart1967 HE trusted him too much. Pantangello warned him, and he did not listen.

[@el34glo59]

@@ricktheitalianrebel6687 agreed

[@Zodroo_Tint]

He still could have him locked in the mansion or send him Sicily for years. That would do the the trick.

[@ΑλέξανδροςΓκίνης-ο9σ]

DON MICHAEL, DID THE RIGHT THING!!! BROTHER MICHAEL, DID THE WRONG THING!!!

[@saigokun]

This comment sums it up perfectly.

[@duprez2]

💯

[@ArinzeAsiegbunam]

Exactly ....

[@maximodashe5635]

...and the resulting contradiction destroyed both Michaels. How tragic. Indeed it was the most tragic part of the story.

[@bubrzubr5940]

Large letters deserve attention.

[@mrbure1373]

In the novel, Tom Hagen explains to Kay why Carlo Rizzi had to be killed, and he tells her that even if Michael could have forgiven Carlo for betraying Santino, Carlo would never forgive himself, and would therefore always be a danger to the family. Fredo showed no remorse, only fear. He was terrified of what Michael would do to him, and the longer he stayed alive, the bigger that fear would grow until one day he felt compelled to act on it. Fredo had to go.

[@yvonnebinggeli2072]

I love the fact that these unanswered questions about these masterpieces are coming to light.. All the information in these videos are helping me to understand things I've overlooked or didn't "get" the first 100 times I've watched my favorite Godfather Movies... Besides ~ I was always too mesmerized ~ Just Looking and Watching MICHAEL... But seriously, thank you so much for very well put together the full insight to the basically "behind the scenes" info.. Now, I am going to watch my favorite Godfather Movies again, but with a different view of the the stories.. Thank you!

[@Dissection39]

I feel Michael did the right decision. He may have regretted his action in his twilight years, but there was no way to know it would haunt him so deeply, after being betrayed by someone so close to him. The paranoia is what drove him, and saved him many, many times throughout the saga. Vito's lessons where genius to be sure, but that's all they were; lessons. It wasn't Vito's era any more, and family values were beginning to disintegrate at that point; which is why Fredo betrayed Michael, and their sister Connie left her children to galivant with strange and disappointing men for all those years. At the end of the day, it was Michael's family and Michael's syndicate, and it was ultimately his choice, not Vito's. He may have left his brother alive to be imprisoned for all time; expending valuable resources, men, money, property and strategic energy, but all this for someone he considers 'nothing' to him? He would murder his brother-in-law to protect his organization and his family as a whole, and that's who he was. He may have changed in his elder years, but that is the path he ultimately and repeatedly chose, because it was usually the most appropriate one. It was the hard decision, but I believe, had he not had such strong regrets, everyone's lives would have ended up the better. Edit: Grammer

[@piusoreva8451]

Well said!

[@LordScotchezo]

Agreed, on top of what you said, I would like to add, as the head of the family and a father to his children, he absorbs that pain and regret, to ensure the longevity, of their safety and wellbeing. Ultimately an argument can be made that it would have been emotionally beneficial to Michael, the family and his children to keep Fredo alive in some way, however the likelihood would be, the emotionally heathier route would have been short lived by all. It must be remembered the Corleone Family under Micheal, was geared for war and retaliation which further expanded his reputation. He didn't go and buy fruit unguarded, as you touched upon it was a different time. He made a choice when he shot the police captain to enter the life, he knew it meant he could not be a loving emotional man, and he stayed true to it even when he was faced with this painful issue. Despite all this he doesn't loose his ability to feel, he cares for his family and it shows. But it's the distance between his feelings and his actions which weights so heavily on him, which is a burden any person who makes that decision must carry, which is why towards the end he expressed this regret.

[@dustinmaxwell259]

LOL. "expending valuable resources, men, money, property and strategic energy," Oh yeah. The guy was a freaking multi BILLIONAIRE . For less than 500k/YEAR, Michael could have bought some protection for Fredo, and exiled him to the suburbs. Michael was just too damn cold blooded for his own good. The brother-in-law caused the death of the previous future leader of the family. He was not really blood. He personally set the guy up. He HAD to go. But poor Fredo was a broken man, who would have settled for a TINY piece of the pie , after being exiled for so long. FUCK MICHAEL..

[@Dissection39]

@@dustinmaxwell259 easier said than done. I'm sure Michael would not be so crass to do it on a whim, and had considered all the angles. He wasn't responsible for hundreds of the most dangerous gangsters ever for silly reasons. I'll leave it at that.

[@LordScotchezo]

@Dustin Maxwell I don't know how much interaction you've had with the life, or from what perspective. But let's say Micheal pays for protection, gave fredo a small piece and that piece was taken by a rival faction, or worked into the ground, or people saw fredo as a route to get to Micheal as Hyman Roth did. That weakness would be open to be exploited. That would show that there was a clear avenue to get to Micheal and it would cost him eventually, I'm not arguing with the fact it was cold blooded, the decisions like this always are. But unsurprised it's a part of the decision to enter the life, and once you get in you very rarely ever get out.

[@hatchett151]

Michael had to get rid a Fredo. They sent him off to Vegas and Havana and both times it was a mistake. Shelving him on the compound after showing how jealous and angry with Michael would be mistake as well. He was a liability wherever he would be.

[@MrTCHOSS]

That's the key. It's one thing to be stupid and dangerous. But when he admitted he was motivated by jealousy and vengeance, he had to go. A stupid, vengeful, spiteful little man was more dangerous than anything.

[@davidkopec9442]

@Jay Boogie weak from BIRTH!

[@el34glo59]

@Jay Boogie Thats the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Weak because a baby had pneumonia? Lmfao

[@LB-gz3ke]

I think possibly if Fredo had given his life to the church and become a priest, Michael would have let him live. That was his one way out. But a guy who does cocktail waitresses two at a time and attends live sex shows isn't even considering that.

[@TerryT420]

Michael had no idea how much his decision would hurt him later. At the time it was the correct one, but the consequences: his son and his wife finding out and hating him and the personal feelings that he thought he would get over, but instead got ALOT worse.

[@oscargonzalez1614]

But if he let him live he woulda turned on him again and gotten him and the entire family killed you idiot.

[@andreasmerkel5717]

It is a tragic dilemma....like you have to amputee a part of your body to prevent a life threatening infection. Maybe It ist absolutely necessary for keep your life, but the part of you is lost forever and you are complete never again.

[@favorites1484]

@@oscargonzalez1614 Not necessarily you idiot

[@arvindgaurav1493]

One thing that bothers me is that Antony was mad at michael because he killer uncle. But why his he not mad at his mother for killing his baby bother

[@alneri8327]

@@arvindgaurav1493 key part in researching flaws in script , firstly Michael would never let his son be raised by anybody else than Him and his current woman , Tony wouldn't grow up hating Michael , he woud respect the Cosa Nostra and be a underboss under Michael

[@mantaniega]

Thanks!

[@gordonjreeves5651]

👏 BRAV-OOOO - Profound and Enlightening 👏

[@a.k.4486]

Morally you do not kill your brother. "Mafially" you do it if necessary. "It is a matter of life and death" as said Michael.

[@laprincessa3772]

"Mafially" 😄 I love it! 👍

[@KsAmin-c4i]

Killing Fredo was the Dumbest idea. Who doesn't have Arguments in the Family? Michael was already Made( Mafia Boss). He didn't had to prove anyone. His actions says it all. Taking Enemity to the highest level with his brother made him more Coward. Killing is the Last option and for what? Michael should have sent his Brother to Sicily to look after other Business. Never take sides against your family. Whose side You are on. Michael? You killed your own Blood Brother.

[@jameelharris8834]

Mafially is hilarious 😂

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

@@KsAmin-c4i from the Mob pov its not, Fredo is basically a loose cannon he can either threaten to whistle blow the Family, betrayed them again or join a different family again. Its Immoral yes but being a Mobster is already Immoral as your power comes from the not only the despair but also the absolute intention for the demise of others.

[@jbooops9646]

@@jameelharris8834 once Fredo betrayed him, Fredo was no longer his brother. Even in movie number 3 he refers to him as "my father's son," but not his own brother.

[@hectormonclova7563]

Man, if I am Fredo and not considered for the Family Business, being so filthy rich anyway I look for a career in art in Europe, and forget mafia at all...

[@hemmingscable]

Exactly be rich and live stress free

[@jujufactory]

Totally right. Why stick around a family that does not appreciate you.

[@RajaPamungkas87]

Nope. If you cant swim, once you dive in a pool, you cant go up, you will be drown. Same like Fredo, he cant handle a business but already jump into it. He drown.

[@s.sestric9929]

Vito should have sat him down and said, "Fredo, you're just not cut out for this line of work. You don't have the ruthlessness or killer instinct." Give him an allowance and let him be a playboy.

[@blorac9869]

Read the book by Mario Puzzo!

[@BornProtector]

Taking Fredo out also sent a strong message to his enemies. This was extremely important to establish his ruthlessness in the eyes of his enemies.

[@TricksterDa]

But, what about his family and friends? If Michael could kill his own brother - his "mother's son" - how safe were any of them? Rather than ensure his power, Michael might have increased the level of fear and paranoia within the Family. As it was, his emotional and physical health were ravaged by what he'd done, with the final straw being the death of his beloved daughter from a bullet meant for him.

[@BornProtector]

@@TricksterDa Part 3 was a part that was only forced written and made to make money. So, that part cannot be taken into account as that is not how life progresses naturally. Actually, after Michael's wife betrayed him by aborting their baby, he could have taken her out easily but he chose not to. This is because it was a betrayal on a personal level. She had not betrayed him by conspiring with his enemies. Fredo was his blood, and yet he committed the ultimate act of betrayal by conspiring against him with his enemies. Michael was kind to keep him around till their Mother's death actually. So, this was not personal, it was strictly business.

[@skillet9141]

@Born Protector Say what you will about part 3, but it had it’s moments and it’s been 20 years since Part 2 so many things can be possible. And the entire trilogy is operatic with a slight sense of surrealism so if you say that 3rd can’t account due to how life is and the 1st 2 might as well not count either. The 3rd one is weak as hell in comparison to the 1st 2, but it still has some weight and a place in The Godfather saga.

[@KsAmin-c4i]

Sorry I don't agree with that. Killing Fredo was the Dumbest idea. Who doesn't have Arguments in the Family? Michael was already Made( Mafia Boss). He didn't had to prove anyone. His actions says it all. Taking Enemity to the highest level with his brother made him more Coward. Killing is the Last option and for what? Michael should have sent his Brother to Sicily to look after other Business. Never take sides against your family. Whose side You are on. Michael? You killed your own Blood Brother.

[@Xehanort10]

His enemies probably thought "If he had his own brother killed what horrible shit is he willing to do to us?"

[@lojo1]

It’s a tough call. When ur brother has that kind of jealousy it’s probably a matter of time before it backfires. Also, I’ll point out that Fredo also dropped the ball by not becoming alarmed when Paulie kept calling out sick (Sonny picked up on it).

[@brianmurphy250]

God, I miss when movies were this well written

[@the-btc-tradingfloor2808]

The book is better

[@cliffordmcdoleiii92]

Lol.. Try The Books

[@darkaneurysms8633]

I'm a big fan of The Godfather, this channel here...it fits me like a glove! I fucking love it!👍

[@jasonleetaiwan]

In another video, Fredo is led to believe it was supposed to be a kidnapping. Either way, he was a risk to the entire family because at some point he could give critical information on the whereabouts of family members like Anthony who had a close relationship with Fredo. At some point Fredo would potentially jeopardize Anthony or Connie putting Michael in a bad position again. If I was an enemy of the Corleone family, Anthony would be the first person I would target by going through Fredo to get to him. When people have to choose between their child or sibling, they choose their children.

[@michaelbonner5604]

Michéal Became Forever on Guard after that attack that Killed His Wife. His Turn to The Dark side ! If you will was Complete

[@chasemcpot7789]

Apolonia!

[@sheruffa6032]

incredible, we in Italy too had a heated discussion on this aspect :) Frankly I always thought that no one would forbid Michael to remove his brother in an unknown location, perhaps entrusting custody to someone, I think this solution could be a valid alternative, because killing a brother is something that remains indelibly in the soul as we saw in the scene where in a moment of stress Michael is overwhelmed by the memory of his brother, these aspects work thoroughly I imagine that living with that sense of guilt must 'be devastating!

[@ezekielbrockmann114]

This is incredibly well edited.

[@gmelniagara5808]

Actually the point of keeping Fredo as a decoy to lure his enemies in the future is brilliant.

[@Alex-kc7tp]

Yes but who knows whether or not michael can trust the information Fredo would give him though. Fredo would have been put in an even more advantageous position to get at michael because michael would be determining his next move based on what fredo tells him, so fredo could be manipulated to feed michael false information that would lead him to make a mistake and walk into a trap.

[@beareble-lion4446]

@@Alex-kc7tp that's why fredo is given bad information by Mike. Let fredo do work by being ferdo Mike wouldn't even have to tell him what his job is.

[@DieForDethklok11]

@@beareble-lion4446 i agree that hed only be useful to Michael if he was kept in the dark rather than being an intentional mole, but if hes kept in the dark and fed bad info, then he really is just betraying the family again, isnt he? even if its an intentional setup on Michaels part, the intention from Fredo would be betrayal. you could do that, what, once and then youre in the same situation with a dangerous, turncoat brother to deal with, that now knows he was only spared to act as bait.

[@Outlier999]

Only if he wasn’t pressured. Other mobsters would wonder why Michael was letting Fredo roam free.

[@ven11235]

Too dangerous

[@CreamySpoon]

Maybe add a link to Part 1 in the description, please? KZbin suggested this video for me without me ever seeing the first.

[@TheGr8-1]

Imagine Vito killing Sonny for speaking out of turn with Sollozo lol. Vito would not have killed Fredo. This is why The Godfather is so brilliant. Vito was the perfect leader. Each of his sons only had a fraction of his totality.

[@fabiomantegazza9660]

Not the same thing. Michael killed a brother, not a son, and Sonny made one mistake. It did have consequences, but it was mindless. His loyalty to the family, or his father, was never in question. Fredo conspired over time and was motivated by resentment. Fredo was, also, stupid; he thought he was better than Michael. Michael had no choice. Vito did not face the same issue, at least not in the movies or the book. It is futile to speculate as to what he would or would not had done had he discovered that one of his sons had been disloyal.

[@kendane2001]

I believe that’s how Copala written the original Godfather. Sonny was supposed to have Vito’s rage, and violence, Fredo got Vito’s compassion, and his love, and Michael had Vito’s cold intelligence, and cunning, and ability to hide his thoughts to his enemies.

[@CL-Lynn]

Vito would have had Sonny made a deal with Solozzo BEHIND HIS BACK like Fredo did behind Michael's back.

[@C3lloman]

@@fabiomantegazza9660 Well it's not like Michael had no choice, he had the choice not to kill. Would you kill your own brother if he conspired against you? I think 99% of people would refuse to commit such an act. The Mafia was especially family-centered, so killing your own blood would have been a big deal for them as well, I reckon even Mario Puzo was against the idea. It's a great movie, but probably wouldn't happen in real life.

[@fabiomantegazza9660]

Sonny never did a deal behind Vito's back with Sollozzo. He took a different position to the Don's in a meeting, was corrected by his father and never again stepped out of line. Not the same thing. It happened in front of the Don, not behind his back. It gave Sollozzo the idea of rubbing out the Don so he could then do a deal with Sonny. There is a flaw in this line of thinking; if Sonny had been just another underboss abd not the Don's son, fine, but given thst he was the first born son, there was never a chance that the ploy would have worked.

[@toth3]

I always felt Michael felt that the sacrifice of one family member was worth saving the whole of the family. I think he knew the pain and curse he would endure for the rest of his life. But he felt it was worth the sacrifice, to save the rest of the family.

[@the-btc-tradingfloor2808]

It was not a fast decision....remember?

[@cade377]

When you say "In part 3 he regretted his decision..." you're referring to him being in that movie, right?

[@TricksterDa]

I look at it this way, if Sonny had been in Michael's place, I have no doubt he would have beaten the shyte out of Fredo. That day he pummeled Carlo would have seemed like child's play compared to what he would have done to Fredo. But, kill him? No. Sonny would NOT have gone that far. He would have isolated Fredo, condemning him to a kind of house arrest, but he would have never killed Fredo.

[@Outlier999]

In a moment of rage 😡 he might have. Sonny could not control his temper.

[@BubbaGanuche]

Fredo would not have been disturbed in the first place with Sonny because that was his older brother and he would have been loyal and not disturbed.

[@melvynsngltn27]

100% Sonny would of killed Fredo too. Also Fredo was actually Michael's #2 man. Despite not as tough or sharp as his brother's he was important and still a Corleone.

[@larrygotter5609]

Good thing your opinion is total bullshit, otherwise I might have to tell you you're wrong on all facets.

[@LazyLAG]

yes

[@AaronMichaelLong]

Michael didn't kill Fredo for business, he did it for *pride*. He had already encompassed the doom of everyone who had exploited Fredo's gullibility. What does Fredo dying really get him that he hasn't already gotten? He was already known to be incredibly ruthless and dangerous, he'd slain every mob boss which had openly attacked the Corleone family. When Hyman Roth tries to strike at them with deception, he also proved he's too cautious and intelligent to be taken in. Michael didn't kill Fredo in the heat of passion, and he didn't kill him right away in an immediate demonstration that betrayal has consequences. No, he ordered his capo that Fredo should remain unharmed while their mother was still alive. How long that was, we don't know, but it was long enough for Kay to secure a divorce, and for Michael to defeat her in custody hearings to retain his children (something that's very, very unlikely in the early 1960s when Godfather 2 takes place). So, long enough that any question of any capos complaining about unfair treatment or favoritism would have come to the surface. No, Michael waited until their mother had died, and killed Fredo after the funeral. It had nothing to do with keeping order, or asserting dominance, or enforcing the rules. So why did he do it? Because he took Fredo's perceived betrayal personally. He excuses his own behavior because "It's just business", but when Fredo's trying to make business deals of his own, it's personal? He never told Fredo "don't trust Hyman Roth", so why should he feel betrayed if it turns out he was working with one of his Father's old associates? What's Fredo guilty of, really? Being duped, being gullible, something both Vito and Michael knew long before the assassination attempt, long before Cuba. For that he's got to die? For that he's disowned and murdered? So what's really going on? What's Michael's real motive? Because he blames Fredo for *outing* him, for the slip up which confronts Kay with the grim realities of being the wife of a Mafia Don. After that reality check, she gets the abortion and files for divorce. To Michael, Fredo destroyed Michael's *own* family. And that is where pride comes in. Michael thinks he can control everything and everyone. He's always holding all the cards, always one step ahead of his rivals. But he was outmaneuvered by his own wife. He thought he could keep the wool over her eyes, thought he could keep her quiet and compliant, if only he kept her in comfort and safety. But we know it's bullshit. We know she's on to him at the end of the first Godfather. He lied to her, badly, and she saw right through him, because the truth will *always* out. There were too many secrets in the Corleone family, too many murders, and once it became clear that Michael's promise of taking the family legitimate wasn't going to be kept, she wanted out. That's why Fredo is killed: Because of Michael's lies and broken promises, and his misplaced anger fell on the first person he could find to blame for his own failings.

[@jasonpalacios2705]

Very interesting perception of this, I didn't see it that way and by your comment,it makes a lot more sense.

[@cristiansaucedo4707]

This is a good explanation. Never thought about connecting the 2. Yes, Michael would hate that his wife was put in danger, but he would also hate that it let her know what she needed to know, what he also needed to know: Michael wasn't really in control. The killing of the 5 Family Dons and Moe Greene was not enough to guarantee safety, only to delay an open attack. Deception would have to be used and Fredo was the way in. So, why not blame Fredo? Everyone will think he is in the right, for what Fredo did. So why not mix in his own hate? Hate at the realization that he did not plan out the assassination attempt with his father past their deaths, to figure out who would want revenge and take them out as well. If even Vito, his father, who helped to plan out the attack, didn't take that into account and was considered the best don, then what did that say about Michael, who was taught by Vito? Michael could not forgive Fredo, for the betrayal, his family's lives, but also, the important realization.

[@Theenableduser]

Michael was alone, his father gone, the next to that his place dead. He had to act swift. Fredo yelled@ Micheal twice, 1st a/b how to talk to moe greene, then a/b how he wanted things, fredo didn't respect him...he had to go.

[@donshipman8441]

This channel is fantastic!

[@muskegontribune]

Fredo lapse in defending his Father when Vito got shot was the beginning of the end for Fredo. He didn't even get a shot off, plus he was lackadaisical with the security that day.

[@redwolf7227]

No matter what decisions you make in life…no matter which way you choose there is always and will always be regrets…we are all fallible human beings…none of us can or will get out of this world without scars.

[@cliffgaither]

Redwolf Bedo :: Murder is a whole different ball-game & especially murdering your brother !

[@redwolf7227]

@@cliffgaither point taken…but in spite of the degree of the situation…the principal still stands.

[@cliffgaither]

@@redwolf7227 :: Yeah !

[@jamesmarhen]

I think Michael in the end had to kill him, Fredo already felt resentment towards Michael, I doubt being imprisoned by Michael would be any better and I doubt Fredo could have sustained his mental health being under what would basically be house arrest by his brother. Reality is, the family falling apart was already set in motion when Vito got into the life as the lifestyle just eats up family sooner or later and a family being involved in the criminal underworld is going to get destroyed eventually, especially when one of them has so much resentment built up like Fredo.

[@fabiomantegazza9660]

You are spot on with your analysis.

[@duprez2]

But it was always Vito's goal to fortify his family by becoming legit. He just didn't have enough time.

[@brandonmedina494]

The Corleone story is a tragedy. U have the tale of a young man forced from his native land due to gang violence. Cosa Nostra or mafia is like a demon, a grim reaper come to claim the souls of the Andolini/Corleone family. It claims Antonio, Signora Andolini and Paolo, but Vito escapes and moves to America with nothing but the clothes on his back. No money, no connections, no education, no skills, no future. He builds a new life for himself. But the mafia that killed his family catches up to him in America in the form of Don Fanucci. Vito is left jobless, just as he was left orphaned. This time he has a family, a wife and son. And now he must face the demon/grim reaper known as Cosa Nostra that has chased him across the world in an attempt to collect his soul as it did his brother and parents. Vito, to protect his family and kill Fanucci, embraces the life of a mafioso and becomes an agent of death to the Grim Reaper that has followed him from Sicily to America, becoming the Godfather. Vito gains wealth and power, but a deal with the devil comes at a price. By joining Cosa Nostra he dooms his family. Vito is finally taken by the reaper that has tried to claim his soul for so long, but now, after finally taking Vito, it looks to claim the others: Carmella dies of a broken heart, Fredo dies after betraying his brother, Mary is shot in front of her father, and Michael, who's soul the reaper desires even moreso than Vito's, dies a more tragic death than his father. With that cosa nostra has consumed and taken the lives of every Corleone, fulfilling what began in 1901 when Vito left Sicily.

[@toto6u3613]

Hello, could you make something about Connie Corleone? I find this character very interesting. Sadly there are not a lot of videos of her, in youtube. Thank you and greetings from germany 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@emmaphilo4049]

Yes I like her too👍👍👍

[@omayrasdemesne]

I've heard theories that the reason a lot of people don't like godfather 3 is because Connie took on Tom's role. We know Robert Duvall didn't want to return. So it appears she took on tasks and gave advice that Tom probably would have filled. Is it likely that would happen in the mob culture? Or were the writers grasping at straws?

[@jbooops9646]

@@omayrasdemesne I mean, if we're being honest, wasn't all of 3 a grasp..? 🤷🏾

[@lunamilo2065]

Connie had so little screen time in two movies and was unrecognisable in part 3.

[@fieryphoenix586]

It may sound cliché, but showing mercy and forgiveness sometimes shows more strength in someone than one who retaliates.

[@TheGarlicfather]

I know what you mean, but this doesn’t work nor does it apply in the crime world

[@brianbreining4614]

Michael made a conscious decision to kill Fredo without realizing that it would condemn his soul and haunt his mortal dreams. We clearly see his anguish in part III.

[@calexander7495]

What stands out to me in retrospect is the look on the henchman's face when Michael tells him to kill Fredo. It was a vaguely sad look, like being told to kill a wounded animal. I think that demonstrates it was unnecessary in two ways. For one, I don't think they actually expected Michael to need to kill Fredo, he suffered in his exile and given how thoroughly he's defeated those who conspired against the family I don't think it really would have invited betrayal to let him live. Secondly, I think part of that look the henchman gave is because Michael appeared to have forgiven Fredo and was going to allow him to live in a more isolated capacity, so in a sense Michael was betraying Fredo with the false assumption that he was being allowed back into the family. In the sense I think his ruthlessness might have gone too far and actually could invite betrayal born of fear, because he might be viewed as so unforgiving that if one of his underlings makes a mistake they have to betray him just to survive

[@jeremyhoke1782]

He already showed how heartless he had become when sister Connie's husband was killed. Of course it was retaliation for Sonny's death.

[@Sciencegrinds]

Connie's husband was never accepted. Vito said to give him a living but not let him into the family business.

[@brocczz]

I've had the advantage of reading the collective wisdom of all who have commented on this question that has haunted me for over 40 years....my most sincere thanks to all of you. We know Fredo's so unfortunate childhood illness and the resultant intellectual deficits left by prolonged fever, common then, were a crippling deficit his father understood and necessarily had to accept. Fredo's years of cumulative, profound resentment and alienation leading to his seduction promising to right this, was almost inevitable. Trod ground. But I now feel (finally) that only Michael's acceptance, bitter and maybe unrealistic knowing his character, might have been the only real resolution to averting his own equally tragic and tortured last years. Thanks again all.

[@MeMeMeMe-uc8th]

Been there done that! Betrayal by a family memeber is the most hurtful event in a person's life. Michael was not out to avenge his assination attempt, he was out to make sure Fredo was not a weak link for other's to exploit. Sibling rivalry is extremely destructive. Keeping Fredo under wraps is a stupid idea, Fredo would only resent Michael more. Fredo had to go.

[@mikef8741]

What surprises me is how Connie went along with Michael's plan to kill Fredo. Right after she kissed his hand, he then put blood on hers.

[@kargs5krun]

Fredo "had to go." Simple as that. Even Roth knew this. For even if Roth was successful, he too would have bumped off Fredo......who was nothing more than liability. #nohonoramongstthieves

[@Pinkranger87]

Fredo knew too much about the family. The smallest insignificant detail could've been used to exploit a weakness. And Fredo was a weakness

[@tigdogsbody]

Fredo was “week and stupid,” if the feds had gotten ahold of him, that would have been the end of Michael.

[@gtaylor6937]

Bingo. Michael truly had no choice. The feds would have definitely entered the picture at some point.

[@stephengoldberg2657]

"weak"

[@dareisnogod5711]

👎👎👎👎👎🐵🐵🐵🐵🐵 This WEAK or last WEEK ?

[@danthemanv26]

This dilemma is so perfect because it is almost totally 50/50. Even 50 years later we are still debating it. As others have pointed out, Micheal waiting until after his mother's funeral indicates there was no absolute need to kill Fredo because, if that were the case, it would have been done immediately. However, I believe Micheal made the correct decision. Fredo was a huge liability and could've been a center for future plots from internal and external enemies like Roth, whether it was as a willing pawn or as a loyal, unwitting decoy. Worse than that, if the FBI investigated the family again and got hold of Fredo, it's doubtful he could've withstood the pressure and most likely would've given important information up that got Micheal imprisoned and the empire destroyed. When Vito decided to forego vengeance for Sonny's murder, this was just to buy time in order to train Micheal to avenge the family by killing the five family heads as well as Carlo, who was most responsible for Sonny's death. So, I think Vito would've condoned Fredo's murder too and Micheal's delay until his mother died could be considered similarly tactful to wait until the appropriate moment. Michael is like a modern version of Machiavelli's "The Prince," and, as he wrote: "It is better for a prince to be feared than loved."

[@walterlv01]

I think Vito said it best in the garden scene to Michael; "I knew Santino was going to have to go through this, and Fredo, Fredo was, well........."

[@ianhumm531]

Love these well put together videos

[@NewChris024]

There is a scene in the end of part 2 in which Tom Hagen looks at Fredo showing Anthony a fishing rod , Tom sort of adjusts his collar and gives a funny look. My question is did Tom know Michael was going to kill Fredo , if he did , did he try to talk him out of it ?

[@KAC790]

One of the best movie and sequel ever made. A master class in acting and casting ever done. A must see for any movie fan.

[@zaidholl6255]

People keep forgetting that it was fredo who was really responsible for the attempted hit on Michael compound in Reno. So Michael did the right thing.

[@Smudgeroon74]

Fredo didn't pull that trigger though. He was an accomplice on the hit on Michael...

[@PoorStretch]

@@Smudgeroon74 he opened (or had someone open) the drapes so the shooters knew which room to shoot at. He also (or had someone else) killed the shooters in their getaway attempt to cover up his involvement. It wasn't Rocco or his men as Mike specifically told Rocco to keep them alive. Because Mike obviously wanted to question them. So Fredo fingered which room Mike was in and covered up any involvement by killing the shooters before Mike could question them and possibly implicate Fredo. Or if you argue Fredo was too weak for that, he had someone else do those things for him. Yes it's speculation but within the context of the film I don't think there is any other reasonable explanation as to why the drapes were open or why the shooters were found dead in the drain ditch. To me that is far more than a simple accomplice.

[@ravendon]

Fredo was extremely dangerous to the Corleone family. Keeping him alive would keep a dumb, resentful, vengeful family member close to Michael. Fredo could inadvertently help the enemies of the Coreleone family. Confining him would make him even more resentful. He had to die.

[@IceManBgd]

Great storyline and complex characters are the reason why I’m watching those movies every 2 years. Add the brilliant performance of the actors and you got yourself a timeless classic

[@rg2001mm]

Michael let Fredo live for years after the betrayal - as long as their mother was alive, which to me largely negates the notion that Michael regarded Fredo as such an immediate threat to the family. By the time Michael got around to having Fredo killed, Fredo was harmless and out of the loop of the business. At that time, it appeared that Fredo had accepted his lot in life and would rather fish with his nephew rather than make some major power play, which he was long out of position to do anyway. I think it was immoral and unwise for Michael to have murdered his brother.

[@whodidit99]

I agree. Michael killed Fredo out of paranoia. At the time it was unnecessary as Fredo was not really a threat, though there still was the possibility that Fredo would crack if the Feds got hold of him, so maybe Micheal was right.

[@Outlier999]

But if the FBI had grabbed Fredo and threatened him with a long term in prison he would have talked. He was too weak to do anything else. If Pentangeli could be made to talk, so could Fredo. Besides, after a time he might have convinced himself he could try again.

[@halfunkbass2966]

I wouldn't want Fredo anywhere near my children especially when they could had been playing with their toys when Hyman Roth's boys was attempting to kill anyone in the room. Fredo made no apologies.

[@Outlier999]

@@halfunkbass2966 His only regret was that he failed again and got caught.

[@halfunkbass2966]

@@Outlier999 It was Fredo who opened the window blinds... Nope, Fredo hated Michael. Kay was spared even after she had an abortion... she killed too.

[@ReshiramR52]

Do you plan on making videos about Once Upon A Time In America?

[@stefanfilipovits21]

Such a great and criminally slept-on movie.

[@thomasseery7570]

He’s done one

[@xGAMER_chimpX]

Fredo didn’t listen thats why “ dont ever take sides with another against the family again “

[@latifaalali97]

I love this thank you

[@sjones8738]

Fredo should have stayed in school and chose a legitimate life style with a legitimate job. His father should demanded and encouraged him to take that path to keep him out of the family business and out of trouble.

[@TheCultureMafia]

AGREE💯

[@thomasmargolis3313]

Fredo was...the older brother.... The resentment for the course of events were in Fredo, and the odds of him suppressing them and not seeking out alliances outside the family to 'correct' the matter?

[@joecrowaz]

They all knew it and said it... Fredo is weak.

[@alexspurr124]

He would of failed at school though

[@sjones8738]

His father would have provided tutors and pushed him to succeed.

[@johnmorgan8232]

Correct move from Michael’s side. Things are more complex than one family. Fredo was liability, a point of weakness, but, most importantly, unpredictable. Michael also had an uncanny ability to seize an opportunity to further his intimidation effect. Finally, Michael was aware that Tom Hagen wasn’t happy as well, and that he may move against him, looking for allies, outside and inside the family. It’s hard to say what Vito would do, but Vito did not have to handle a disgruntled brother whose very existence was a threat to the rest of the family.

[@masterGAWK9]

When I first watched "II" as a youth I thought they faked Fredo's death because I couldn't imagine a brother doing this and waited for a scene to verify this but alas it never came.

[@Jake4Life45]

Fredo would have forever been a stumbling block. Michael did the right thing.

[@xxkontonxxiiseikatsuii9577]

I agree fredo was a tragedy waiting to happen

[@Michael-hy3mt]

Michael was pushed to the limit by so many people around him. And So many questioning his decisions . On the other hand the only time I felt his hesitation was when he consulted his mother. I was nervous whether he would kill his brother or not

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

After Fredo's betrayal, Mike just stopped caring. It wasn't like he didn't have tons of chances. They never blamed Freddy for Vito getting hit (luckily he survived and no doubt Vito stuck up for him if anyone did blame him), then he sides with a rival who smacked him around over his own brother and family, then he sides with Roth and Ola and does a lot worse than we ever learn. Michael STILL forgave him but he ran, then finally when they reunite, he can't apologize and own what he did, and expresses resentment and even anger towards Mike. It was only then that Michael was officially done with him. Fredo was a huge liability

[@hornet718]

Great expose!! I think if Apallonia had not died, Michael would not been very ruthless toward Fredo. Having Kay as his wife, a non-Italian, that put strain on Michael's view on life. Also, being a soldier and being under fire also hardened Michael's view on life. To kill his brother was a decision he did not want to do but when he realized what he had done, it was like looking the door on the decision to kill him. Without his mother and father to temper Michael's heart toward Fredo, Michael had no other choice but to remove the traitor form the family. If Michael's life was not put in danger by the assassination attempt, then maybe Michael would have spared Fredo. But look at when he visited Frankie, Michael was livid that not only his life was attempted, but Kay could have died along with his children. This could also be on his mind as Fredo would put his own blood in the cross-hairs of the family's enemies. Michael had very few options when dealing with Fredo. The exploitation of Fredo had to be ended. If Fredo realized what he did and put away is resentment, then maybe Michael would have forgiven Fredo and left him alive but not in the Corleone Business.

[@hankskiar1571]

I think that the fact that he was responsible for almost having what he cherish the most his wife and kids killed. He just couldn`t forgive that.

[@burkeycfc5129]

Can you imagine a scene where Michael has to answer to Vito about the death of Fredo. Maybe in a dream or Afterlife scene

[@venom-su6ie]

Betrayal is the like no other pain. It cuts right through you when an outsider does it but when a family member does you die inside

[@enolan533]

You can get over feeling betrayed you will never get over killing your brother.

[@blueyestu7950]

I think Michael being so wracked with guilt in part 3 tells us that ultimately it was the wrong thing to do.

[@oldmangranny5oldmangranny56]

I always wondered what Vito's reaction would have been if he'd found out what Mike did?

[@Grey-Fox_94]

I've been dying to hear someone talk about Fredo's death.

[@TitanicHorseRacingLover]

Great video. I never considered the idea that killing Fredo might have been the wrong thing to do. In the long run, it did appear that since he was haunted by it in the 3rd installment of the Godfather, but I don't think the character Michael was thinking that way at the moment. Fredo was a liability and Fredo had to go, as ruthless as it was.

[@edbertomendez9431]

Great video discussion! My all time most favorite movie. Perhaps the Greatest movie ever made!

[@michelvanderlinden8363]

"It's nothing personal. It's just business"

[@jamesharris40001]

Feeling bad about it in the end is better than what may have happened if he kept Fredo around.

[@montescott59]

My personal belief is that forgiveness is always the ultimate good. But, my morals as an individual can't always be equated with governmental/corporate ethics. The state has the right and obligation to punish law-breakers, and forgiveness isn't always appropriate when dealing with criminality. Similarly, Michael is the head of a crime family. He was not thrust there against his will, but chose to accept that way of life in the course of seeing his family involved in the war that resulted from the Solozzo affair. As the head of the entire crime family, and not just the Corleone clan, he carried the responsibility to deal with Fredo's unapologetic treachery. It's clear that he suffered for his decision, but as he's later told by Cardinal Lamberto, it's just that he suffers for the decision. It's possible to be tormented by an agonizing decision that was nevertheless correct. Within the confines of the Godfather alternate reality, I still maintain that because of Fredo's unrepentant attitude, Michael had no choice but to eliminate him.

[@AguyR1401]

You don't blame the water for destroying your town: you blame the fool who opened the dam. Michael tells the priest, during his confession, that he killed his brother because he had been "injured" by him. The injury was allowing assassins to narrowly fail at killing Michael "in his home... where [his] wife sleeps" and where his "children play with their toys". Any of Michael's family could've been killed by the assassins, and Fredo's misdeed proves a negligence for their lives as well as his brother's. Michael was correct in killing Fredo.

[@mrains100]

Thank you.

[@oscarcornejo8573]

Michael is a version of Cesar Borgia the cold calculated mind type of guy. Michael was raised with love and strong family values and principles from his father, then he changed but his soul remained full of love inside. This devasted him as we can see at the end, how his face turns old so fast just sitting alone in the Park... The killing of Fredo was Michael cursed and downfall.

[@remylucai]

My brother broke my heart, like Fredo did to Michael. In a moment, I had a knife pressed to his throat. And the only reason I never took my brother's life that kept from doing so; I couldn't put my mother through the pains of burying one child, and losing the other who put him in the ground. I can appreciate that I didn't follow through on that decision.

[@AdolphSaxOfficial]

Can I ask what he did?

[@BuddWX]

BS

[@TheGarlicfather]

@@BuddWX🤣

[@ScottLaceyMN]

I wonder if one of Michael's reasons for killing Fredo could also have been (in part) a warning to Tom (and perhaps Neri), who was very important to the Corleone family business? If Michael was willing to have his own blood brother murdered, how safe would Tom be if he betrayed him? Also, when Michael asked Fredo if there was any information he could give him to help with his trial, Fredo informs him of the senate lawyer belonging to Roth. So Fredo was willing to have his own brother convicted and sent to prison up to that moment. While Fredo wasn't the smartest bulb on the tree, he'd have to know that his little brother would quite possibly be murdered in prison.. He could have given this information to Michael at any time. Even when he was in hiding, he could have found a way to let Tom know of this information but chose not to. In my opinion, Fredo could have saved himself if he'd come clean while having drinks with Michael at that outdoor cafe in Havana.

[@thebrocodermusic]

Fredo had to go. Get rid of liabilities. The last convo he had with him demonstrated that Fredo’s envy was strong, which puts the whole family at danger. It was the lesser of 2 evils. Tragic….

[@DARITVKOREA]

If it’s about protecting the family as the don, getting rid of Fredo was Michael’s only real option. Fredo was already warned about betraying the family and his outburst at the compound revealed the extent of his resentment. I don’t think we can compare this with Vito’s delayed retaliation (not simply “peace”) for Sonny’s death. Vito was going to get vengeance, but only after making sure his son (who did not betray the family) would be given safe passage back home and when the Corleone family would be strong enough to strike. Fredo also knew key members of the committee were on Roth’s payroll, so at the very least, he knew that Roth could hurt Michael - but he didn’t do anything to prevent this (he didn’t even share this information with Michael until he was pressed to). Lastly, we can compare this with Tessio’s betrayal of the Corleone family. He was a part of the family for decades and was as good as a brother to Vito. But his one act of betrayal led to his downfall - nothing for old time’s sake, remember? Michael may have ultimately thought that this was the only way to protect what was left of the family’s integrity and the Corleone’s standing among other families (that is, unless Michael decided to wash his hands clean of the family business entirely). In the end, it was business - not personal.