Why The Four Bosses Failed To Predict Michael Corleone’s Rise To Power?

In The Godfather, the four bosses - Brzini, Tattaglia, Stracci, and Cuneo - are all shown to be ineffective in predicting Michael's rise to power. In fact, they all underestimate him massively and end up paying for it. This video explores why this happened and what could have been done differently.

[@phillawrence5148]

Their fates were sealed when Appolonia was murdered. This affected Michael more than the film portrays I believe.

[@bartsullivan4866]

surely he never forgot it or forgave them.

[@johnfitzpatrick3094]

There's a deleted scene where Michael wants Fabrizio.

[@buttonman6262]

Yes

[@DubWill]

Great point

[@riazhassan6570]

So it was all ‘personal,’ not ‘business?’

[@cthemaverick]

Actually Vito specifically says " I swear on the souls of my grandchildren that I will not be the one to break the peace we've made here today". He knew what Michael would do. He chose his words carefully to disguise that intent.

[@dhiamuhamadakbar9590]

In the end, his grandchildren murdered by Mosca

[@julijakeit]

Don Vito could have sworn on Michael or anyone else, really, Vito was not the one to break his promise. He was, however, the planner of the events after his death, namely making Michael appear weak and letting rival mobsters encroach on their territory, allowing the rift among the family members to not only appear weak while they were secretly planning how to take all rivals out but also to oust the possible traitors within the family. Even in his death Vito is both a gentleman and brilliant mob boss and Michael = enigma and efficient, ruthless boss.

[@Taverens_Pull]

And his granddaughter ended getting shot at his grandsons opera show of pagliacci right in front of Michael. The perfect end to a family of criminals.

[@dominiccorleone7593]

Correct. After The Head Five Family's Meeting, Don Vito Corleone meet Michael Corleone at Home. And Don Vito Corleone warned Michael Corleone about Barzini Families. Just like his said before that to Tom Hagen. Don Vito Corleone: "Tattaglia it's a pimp, He coulda never outfought Santino. But I didn't know until this day it was Barzini all along." He quoted and Mark his word to Tom Hagen as The Sign after Sonny's death. And He's affraid this is gonna same thing happened to Michael Corleone. So He warned him as well. Don Vito Corleone: "So. Barzini Will move to against you first. He'll set up the meeting with somebody's that you absolutely trust. Guarenteed your safety. And in that meeting you've been assassinated." Michael Corleone look like shock when his father said like that, and He feel it looks like it's gonna happened to him next after his brother, Sonny Corleone. But He feel lucky from his own karma, when His father at the hospital lonely. Not even Sonny's or Tessio and Clemenza's there. Or the guards and the police to guard his father to make sure He's safe. Michael Corleone by himself taking care his father alone without any protections, not even with his men. And after that, there's a bakery man name Enzo looking his father and make a wish to his father to get well soon as well. But Michael Corleone didn't trust him if this Enzo really good man and not as a threaten Man. After Michael Corleone know who is exactly that Enzo is, Michael Corleone send him to the front of hospital to wait him. After move his father to another room get Helper by the nurse in that hospital to make sure his father safety zone from any of kinda danger, Michael Corleone meet Enzo, and make him look like his own bodyguard of The Corleone Family tryin look like have a gun from his appearance of his clothes by holding inside with hands. A bunch of Tattaglia came by car to see both of them, but because they're look Enzo look like holding a gun wanna to start shoot them, these bunch of Tattaglia go away from there. Enzo was scared, but Michael Corleone really apriciated his skills and help by his own acting like have a gun to start shooting those Tattaglia bunch at car.

[@dagnabbit6187]

@@julijakeit and he was a reasonable man listening to reason . Far more than cutthroat Barzini and some of the other bosses. Tattaglia. ? He was just the proverbial straw dummy. Vito had his suspicions all along that he was but couldn’t be sure until the meeting , the sit down. &. “ Tattaglia was a pimp . No way he could have outfought Santino “. So true . So true even if Sonny had some flaws as a Don

[@Jesse2566]

Michael and his father intentionally allowed the rival gangs to start moving in on their territory. Giving the appearance they were weak which caused the rivals to underestimate them. In the novel, they were building a secret army for when they struck.

[@pseudohacker]

It’s a pity that the movie didn’t have time to elaborate more on Rocco Lampone and Albert Neri, Michael’s very own Luca Brasi

[@shaileshkaushik]

@@pseudohacker Brasi and Neri's backstories were so amazing.. it's a shame they didn't make it to the movies...

[@molasorrosalom4846]

Also in the books the five heads weren't eliminated. Barzani and Tataliga were eliminated and pretty much all of the captains. The rest of the families quickly fell in line after that.

[@jfiliss]

@@molasorrosalom4846 Yeah, there really didn't seem to be a need to go after all the other New York families, I don't think there was ever anything like that in 20th century American Cosa Nostra history. Barzini was the real enemy, with Tattaglia as his lesser ally. Take them out along with any of their captains who they foresaw as as a problem.

[@digitalScribr]

I read that book like 25 years ago, kinda foggy on the details. I imagine it would be a good read today.

[@danmcn61]

Vito Corleone said in the book "The greatest strength is to be underestimated"

[@Torgo1969]

The greatest chef is an empty stomach.

[@poorchristopher15]

@@Torgo1969 Get lost

[@SaSouthSide210]

@@Torgo1969to the victor goes the spoils !

[@damoneboyd9945]

@@Torgo1969 wait what

[@DoctorWondertainment-sb9ee]

@@damoneboyd9945 Don’t mind him. He just watches the place while Master is away.

[@fvecc]

I think it wasn’t just Michael’s plan for revenge, it was also the Don’s. The Don knew immediately when Sonny was killed what he needed to do. He knew that the Corleone family didn’t have the strength to fight the other families. That’s why he needed to make peace and try to get Michael home. Once that happens, the Don goes into semi-retirement and begins to groom Michael to be boss, because he knows that no matter what, the other bosses will eventually kill Michael. Michael can never go back to his civilian life. So he prepares Michael to take over the family and together they begin to build up the strength of the Corleone family in total secrecy. They know that if the other families were to learn that they were rebuilding, it would start a war and the Corleones would lose. So they allowed the other families to chip away at small parts of their empire over time, meanwhile they were putting their pieces in place by building back their political connections, strengthening their main financial rackets, and building a secret regime under Rocco Lampone. The Don knows that once the time is right, Michael can give the order and take out the other bosses and the Corleone family will have the strength to move in and take over what’s left. Technically the Don would have kept his word but the result would be the same, the Corleone family would reign supreme. So the bosses of the other families did underestimate Michael, but that wasn’t their fatal flaw. They underestimated the Don and didn’t see he was playing the long game and preparing his revenge for years in advance. Their mistake was being fooled by the Don’s peace offering at the Commission meeting and not realizing that Don Corleone would never accept Sonny’s murder.

[@justinlast2lastharder749]

The book does a pretty good job or establishing it is both, but mainly Michael. He was always the Don's choice, which is why Vito gets so mad when Michael joins the Army.

[@Mukation]

Nah, Vito also insured that Michael showed weakness, to make them bolder. Remember when Vito says "it is a sign of weakness". They planned on killing him and usurping his family into theirs. And Vito and Michaels plan was based on that fact.

[@joemckim1183]

@@Mukation Vito's death was unexpected, I wonder if they would've gone through with it around the same time with Vito still around but being semi-retired.

[@dzanier]

very, very well written.

[@melvynsngltn27]

I agree. It took me a while to notice that it was his father's plan. He knew after the meeting Barzini was behind it and that he had outside help. He had Michael demote Tom & step down as Don so Michael could take his place. So he could cleverly run his plan through his son. While keeping Tom out of the line of fire and warn Michael that there was a traitor in there ranks

[@PrinceSamurai45]

The killing of Appolonia is definitely huge for Michael. He honestly never seems happy again after this. It turns him into the fully cold and calculated boss he ended up being. There was no more mercy or naivety in him after that. He knew he had to be ruthless.

[@catspaw3092]

The attempted assassination on his dad was the strike of the match, killing his brother Sonny was the spark & killing Appolonia was explosion thus changing Michael forever.

[@allanfischer9417]

Michael was a Marine Captain.There is a saying in the Corps - Payback is a Bitch. The shock and awe created by taking out all bosses at once had never been done before and is the statement of statements. There would be chaos throughout - all scrambling for control. That is a great time to turn up the heat.

[@offworlder1]

@@catspaw3092 A man can only take so much, and Mike was already a hardened marine who say some serious action where he could apply his tactics, ruthlessness, and hunter nature. Most like him who join the military do so to test themselves beyond fighting for country or other noble reasons. It is a proving ground and those who excel and like it know they can do a lot of good or evil.

[@petrov3190]

Michael slowly turned from the lovely little brother into a ruthless mafia family leader. Firstly the assassination attempt of his father, the murder of his brother and then Appolonia was the turning point. The problem for the other mafia leaders was that they underestimated Michael badly just because he was young. You cannot underestimate a military hero from the war who lost his true love and his brother.

[@jfiliss]

They also don't understand that Michael is actually more ruthless than his father. Don Vito was a successful old-school mobster who had experienced the ebb and flow of power over his many year. His character was modeled after that of Frank Costello, a relatively peaceful and widely respected mob boss with numerous connections. By contrast, Michael was a young Marine Corps war hero who would only accept the total destruction of his enemies, especially after they killed the love of his life.

[@tatianalyulkin410]

And he was a bloody Marine! Idiots.

[@lilbaz8073]

He was a hero. Then took the road to hell. Trying to protect his family. Make their business legitimate. Each step taking him deeper. That ended with him killing his own brother.

[@chipcook5346]

What about the War? Might that have had just a little effect on him?

[@richardlukesh5807]

During Michael's WW2 military service, he experienced more savage killing than 10 of the most experienced mobsters combined. He went from an enlisted man to an officer, aka a "battlefield commission," due to the high number of casualties. Stabbing, shooting, or planning a precise multifaceted combat operation would've been something he had a lot of experience in.

[@victorrivera6012]

To think Sonny mocked him when he wanted to kill the Turk and McKluskey.

[@TRamone01]

The disrespect did not faze Michael at all. Michael killed the Turk and McKluskey not for revenge but to save his father.

[@SgtSplatter782]

that and the fact that Michael's "Salad Bar" (medal strip) shows that he earned the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/ 2 Campaign Stars, and WWII victory Medal. Michael is no stranger to killing and doing it up close and personal.

[@markwilliams2620]

He was on the Canal. Starved and fighting outnumbered. Yep. Details.

[@schizoidboy]

In the book Michael does state that clearly to Sonny that his military career did expose him to violence. As I understand it Mario Puzo also served in WWII as an intelligence officer.

[@JordanOrlando]

The viewers DON’T see it coming. The movie is so well known at this point that everyone’s familiar with the brutal ending….but in 1972 it was a shock. The movie goes to great lengths to make Michael look weak, and like he’s genuinely trying to turn the family into an appeasing, more modern benign entity (“My father’s way of doing things is over, it’s finished”). Every scene from the meeting to the baptism is skillfully arranged to make it seem like Michael is going to pursue a peaceful compromise, in order to make that montage as surprising and shocking as possible.

[@33moneyball]

Hard disagree…the book was a massive success prior to the film. On that basis alone it’s impossible to argue it was a shock to 1972 audiences. Moreover you’re talking about the guy who suggested then committed the public murders of Sollozo/McCluskey knowing he’d have to live in exile for years with an unprecedented target on his back. Which is to say he was eminently qualified to shrewdly slow play the most violent retribution imaginable. It wasn’t a shock. Then or Now.

[@JordanOrlando]

@@33moneyball No. Suspense and surprise in fiction don't work that way. It's a surprise in the STORY, whether it's the book or the movie - as I described, the movie (like the book) is set up to create the impression that a weak Michael will fail to uphold the Corleones' power ("First of all, you're all done" from Moe Greene etc.) What you're saying is like arguing that the earth viruses killing the invaders at the end of Spielberg's War of the Worlds isn't a surprise just because the novel came out a hundred years before and ends the same way. (And anyway, the movie was the first introduction to the story for most of the audience; it was the biggest box office hit of all time, which means an astronomically greater number of people than any novel you can name.) No matter what, no movie based on a novel, no matter how popular the novel, proceeds as if its audience already knows the end of the story...so the narrative moves in the movie I'm describing are totally valid and legitimate reasons that it's fair to say the viewers are totally surprised by the last 20 minutes.

[@luisangelEXALTA]

I agree with you and Michael taking over as head, killing the Police captain and Solozzo was a nerve racking scene, although his military experience was his strength he was depicted as nervous yet methodical in that “job”. I dont believe the viewers saw that power move coming, i know I didn’t!! Adds to the intensity 💪

[@zaidholliday6033]

Michael was playing chess while the other bosses were playing checkers.

[@eclark3849]

Best comment

[@emperorreign6154]

Every single person underestimated him, with the exception of his father. Vito knew he could do it and do it well, he just didn’t want him to. He was very young and the family was on a downward trajectory for a long time, no one could ever have seen it coming.

[@user-mk6vq2ov5c]

You forgot the most important part. Michael made it look like he was weak to the other four families. Remember when Clemenza and Tessio came to the Don and said that they were losing territory to Barzini and the other families and Michael told them not to do anything. He wanted them to appear weak and to flesh out the traitor (Tessio). What was not in the movie but in the book was that Michael had Neri and Rocco create two secret capo regimes equal to Clemenza and Tessio’s capo regimes. The family money was going there to recruit men and get ready. That is why you see Neri and Rocco take out Barzini and Tattalia. The other families thought Michael was weak.

[@mickey-eq5vw]

yep! it was important to the plan for tessio n clemenza to tell other families michael is letting things fall apart and is weak keeping them offguard, meanwhile like ya said rocco n neary were building up n recruiting! The Don's only warning to the capo's was trust my judgment.. (if you wanna live ) ha

[@paullinford4510]

There was a deleted scene involving Michael, Tom and Vito where the secret regimes were mentioned. That really should have been kept in as it is fairly key to understanding what was happening in the run-up to the baptism scene.

[@paullinford4510]

It comes at the beginning of this scene, most of which made it into the movie kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3LYd5ywp6ioZtU

[@mickey-eq5vw]

@@paullinford4510 ill have to find that again but i think Vito says to Michael about Neary that " you found your Luca Brasi"..

[@misterwhipple2870]

T a t t a G l i a . . .

[@Hibernicus1968]

The assassinations of the heads of all four of the other families is an iconic scene, and makes for great drama, but from a strategic standpoint, it really makes no sense -- the other four heads will all have successors, and those successors will probably be just as capable of seeking vengeance for their predecessors as Michael. By killing them all, Michael is declaring war on _all four_ of the other families, and doing so at a time when Tessio's regime is compromised, and possibly untrustworthy. This is why, in the novel, Michael only had Barzini and Tattaglia killed (along with Moe Greene out there in Vegas). From a story point of view, that makes a whole lot more sense: it leaves the Stracci and Cuneo families neutral, and having no reason to oppose the Corleones. By assassinating their heads, Michael would _force_ them into alliance with the Barzini and Tattaglia families. By leaving them alone, Michael simultaneously gives them no _cassus belli,_ *and* can then point to the fate of Barzini and Tattaglia as a warning *not* to tangle with the Corleone family. This actually makes the Stracci and Cuneo families more likely to put pressure on Barzini's and Tattaglia's successors to end the war -- both sides have taken losses, Michael had legitimate grievances after the attempt on his father's and his lives, and the murder of Sonny. Time to end the fighting so they can all get back to doing business. None of that works if Michael goes after _everybody._

[@feudist]

This. The shock of being presented with a fait accompli of their murdered rivals and the tactical withdrawal to Nevada gave the survivors the ability to accept the murders as legitimate vendetta and to set about solidifying their own positions in the power vacuum. Business is business after all, and Barzini failed to handle his. Not to mention the tactical surprise Michael achieved by doing it on the day of baptism and the ruthless expertise with which it was carried out surely gave them pause.

[@adonis8289]

Disagree, all four had to approve of the hit on Don Vito. Besides Underbosses tend to be very ambitious, Mike probably made deals with them all . If not,why go to war with someone who just got handed you the keys to the kingdom. It's always about the dollars

[@KamilDevonish]

The Corleones were in a precarious situation with Vito incapacitated presumably because his influence and connections were personally held and not part of the family per se. That is, everyone agreed that without the head, the family was disorganized and dramatically diminished. They had manpower but not mind power with Sonny in charge. Imagining that this was true of the Corleones leads one to assume the same is true of the other families: that they are top-heavy organizations and without the head, the body will flail messily but ultimately succumb. If Vito's empire was so close to being crushed with his death if not for Michael's unconventional thinking, it's not hard to think that the other families would fare just as poorly in the same situation. Also the movie makes it clear that the issue that Barzini and any accomplices of his had was not with Vito personally, who was as ruthless as he was measured and predictable, but rather with the status quo of the Godfather. His outsized influence over whether drug distribution would be accepted had business implications for all of them, no doubt leading to an opportunity for consensus among the other 4 families. If that influence was simply transfered to Michael, the original source of enmity remains even after Vito is gone. So unless Michael went against Vito's decision regarding drugs, it was just a matter of time before they started gunning for him in the same way. Going after them in a coordinated, pre-emptive way seems to be a sound call, if a simple capitulation to their demands wasn't an option.

[@molasorrosalom4846]

In the book it was different, Barzani and Tataligia were killed, with all of their lieutenants. Think of the Sopranos for example, imagine what would happen if Tony, Silvio, Bobby, Paulie, Carlo, and every captain was taken out. And all that was left were soldiers like Benny.

[@riazhassan6570]

This strange inaction from the rival families is a weakness in the plotting of the story. There are other difficulties here and there also, but this is an obtrusive one. Still, overall, the series is a masterpiece

[@Ocrilat]

I always assumed that the other bosses simply underestimated him. Michael really wasn't one of them, and didn't have the experience or seemed to have the temperament to be that dangerous.

[@anonygent]

That's how I saw it. Michael had been out of the business most of his life and was expected to be a pushover.

[@rwlewko]

Obviously Barzini was setting up the meeting with Tessio where Michael would be assassinated. As you said, it was probably only Barzini that anticipated Michael would take revenge. However, one thing you left out is that Michael had his own reasons to take out Barzini. His own personal loss of his wife is reason enough for Michael to seek vengeance on Barzini. The Corleone family had been making a tactical retreat for a substantial length of time leading the other families into believing the Corleone family was too weak to be of consequence. Further, Barzini was probably the only one who knew that Micheal was being groomed by his father to take the role as Godfather. Finally, the action of removing the heads of all five families and the other enemies was probably seen as so audacious that that move was probably unanticipated by the other families.

[@dave-d-grunt]

Remember Mo Green said the Corleone family was nothing so he wasn’t afraid

[@newperve]

There were two dons who were particularly likely to be targeted by Michael, Barzini and Tattaglia. These two had directly or indirectly acted against him or his father. They both knew that Michael was being set up by Tessio so they thought he was taken care of. The other two dons thought if there was a war it would be Corleone vs. Barzinin and Tattaglia. They weren't in immediate danger and might even gain territory and power. Everyone thought they had time because they saw the Corleones acting weak and because they thought they had a plan.

[@riazhassan6570]

Except that we keep hearing that it is always business, not personal. The truth is that it is quite personal at several points in the story.

[@johnkochen7264]

Think about it. Michael had served in the military in wartime as a field officer. He understood leadership and tactics. He had most likely killed combatants from the other side. You can say he knew how to plan an ambush, protect his soldiers, kill enemies and be coolheaded while he did it. He was perfect to take over as mob boss.

[@luisangelEXALTA]

Agreed and add to that formula the death of his oldest brother and his young wife 😢, his heart was ripped out, he was never the same after returning from Sicily.

[@offworlder1]

His bother being killed was a big hit to him but when the enemy killed his wife he became ruthless. If they had failed to kill his wife he would still be a very powerful don but she would have kept him from being so ruthless being a kind voice of reason. Kay was not a good wife because she was too combative and did not obey. Even early on you see this trait, but Mike did not want to accept she would not be a good fit because he did love her.

[@schizoidboy]

Something to keep in mind regarding Michael's military service. In the Marines he was a commissioned officer, a captain to be more precise. As a captain he would have had a command of a company which is about a hundred or so troops. This is not a small thing, especially if you happen to be a battlefield officer commanding troops in the field. Who knows, if Michael didn't get wounded or decided to stay on in the service he might have gone up in the ranks.

[@robw9435]

Good point. Plus, much of the fighting in the Pacific theater was horrifically brutal. As a decorated combat veteran, he must've been in on some serious carnage.

[@mattspychala7251]

Michael and Don Vito had devised the plan before Vito’s death. Michael would give up partial bits of territory in New York to look weak…he would also make it known the Michael intended to leave New York for Nevada… So when Vito died they suspected that Michael would leave so they planned on killing him and taking all the assets, they were never threatened by Michael…only Sonny and when they killed him they felt that they only needed to wait out Vito’s death before finishing the Corleone’s… Turns out they were terribly wrong….

[@rustyshackleford3160]

Micheal was feigning weakness. It also drew out any traitors still lurking in the family.

[@gerrywhite7077]

Barzini did anticipate Michael’s reaction, and was actively moving to remove the threat. Using Tesio, he attempted to set up a meeting at which Michael would have been killed. This meeting is what set the timeline for Michael’s move.

[@Kombatkegz]

Mfs forget that the marine corps teaches you to see ahead, anticipate, improvise adapt and overcome adversity. As well as plan missions and execute with contingency and violence of action. They underestimated his skill and cunning and the fact he had killed enough to be over the hill on the sentimentality of it.

[@Silly81]

I assume that the baptism or being asked by Connie to be The Godfather of her child was an excellent strategical move for Michael buying him more time, and cover so that his enemies (or just Barzini) wouldn’t see the hits coming as swiftly as it did. If I’m not mistaken there was supposed to be a “meeting” set up on Tessio’s territory, what would’ve happened if the baptism opportunity wasn’t presented to Michael to utilize?

[@donaldschmidt2990]

Michael Corleone would have been the greatest poker player since the inception of playing cards! He was a paradox to be the ruler of the Corleones. The least likely and most likely at the same time. As a War Hero, he was the All American Italian boy. Serving his country, while deserting his family, in America's darkest hour. On the other hand, shouldn't this have alerted such intelligent and dangerous men to his obvious abilities? Clearly, he was a brave and daring individualist that wouldn't be cowed by anybody. Not even his father. The great Don Vito Corleone. What is as clear as Crystal China is that Michael Corleone is smarter than everyone else he went up against. He made them underrate him as a punk kid and mediocre successor. Only put in charge out of grasping desperation. Guessing Michael's intentions was like an Easter Egg Hunt in a cornfield. He gave nothing away. What he was really thinking remained a 50 chapter mystery novel. Much to the dismay and demise of the other hapless Mafia rulers.

[@tonyjones1560]

🎯🎯🎯🎯IMO, Barzini and Don Vito himself excepted, everyone else underestimated Michael’s capacity for both tactics and violence. They overlooked (1) Michael joined the Marines, (2) he was an officer, specifically a captain and (3) he earned the Navy Cross, the second highest award for valor under fire after the Medal of Honor. All this adds up to a man who had led others into combat and both thought and shot his way out of a series of bad situations. The “college boy” probably had both seen and participated in a level of violence that might have stunned Luca Brasi…

[@dave-d-grunt]

@@tonyjones1560good point

[@amandaa3713]

​@@tonyjones1560 You guys forget that declared war is viewed differently than mob war. Heroes of WW were not savages as they did not kill for personal reasons

[@therealdannymullen]

@Amanda A tell that to the soldiers that kept teeth and ears. Savages maybe not, but more than capable of savagery. I feel it worth noting, practically every combat vet I've ran with had hearts of gold. They'd give THEIR rations to villagers. But the enemy? No quarter.

[@amandaa3713]

@@therealdannymullen Why are you confused about combat savery with mobster savagery?

[@normantrapp9689]

Everyone forgets that Michael is a decorated US Marine, no better friend and no worse enemy.

[@khalilfuller4939]

The dons thought a guy who literally went to war was powerless 🤣

[@attiepollard7847]

Also shouldn't the mob be in support of Michael coleone joining the Allies in World war II to liberate to sleep since it was under the dictatorship of Mussolini who was not mob friendly?

[@eclark3849]

Most are they show they are low IQ Clones used by the same group to control humanity all ww are planned by this group who pick and control all world ss leaders govs partys armed forces police msm

[@eclark3849]

he woke up The respect then shock on mics face when the police chief punched him in the face he now sort of? understood why his family did not fight or die for anyone in power

[@williameftekhari3950]

People forget that Michael figured out Carlo was a traitor, arranging Sonny's death. He made Carlo his point man in the move to Vegas. Michael was likely feeding Carlo false information knowing it would go strait to his enemies. By making them think he was focused on the move to Vegas and ignoring New York, Michael lulled them into a false sense of security. They likely thought they could decide the timing on when to take Michael out. Michael played his cards very close to the vest. He knew either Tessio or Clemenza would turn on him or both. It was only at his father's funeral where he was sure Tessio was the the traitor, Michael revealed his plans to deal with everyone right before the meeting Tessio had arranged.

[@michaelburroughs7494]

I think none of the lessor 3 bosses considered Mchael a threat. And Bardzini already had his plan in place to eliminate him. Only Michael struck first.

[@ameennasar2583]

Q.Why the four bosses failed to predict? A.Michael is unpredictable.

[@adventurefuel5172]

Your last few lines summed it up. The other bosses didn’t see Michael as a ruthless killer boss. They would have prepared if it were Sonny taking the throne. In fact they killed him BECAUSE they saw that in him to prevent it. Michael played them perfectly, and they paid in blood.

[@captainscarlett1]

The Dons forgot that Michael was the one who shot Solazzo and Capt Whatsisname coldly in the face. He wasn't soft.

[@molasorrosalom4846]

Other than that, they didn't know much about him.

[@jamescipriani8915]

Don't forget, Michael was an officer. trained to war plan small unit operations.

[@phillipeubanks7471]

At lake Tahoe...he went full Marine mode...belly crawled to pull his wife from the bed...and covered her with his own body...not someone to under estimate...to be sure.

[@vincentkosik403]

Good point and now aim and fire

[@jayrod5411]

Michael didn’t break the vow. Don Barzini did. He had Michael set up at the funeral.

[@blaseblah204]

Interesting point. So Michael was acting in self defense, instead of vengeance. Literally.

[@dc6461]

@@blaseblah204 and safety of his family. Executing all other families got rid of the danger his family might be in, SAVED his life and got him a chance to regain lost territories that Corleone family lost at the time Sonny was a Don

[@mrgreen4688]

Barzini never made a vow. It was the Don and Tatagglia made vows to each other and the other families

[@redghettosun]

Barzini obviously didn't underestimate Michael. He tried to blow him up in Sicily (thanks to 411 from Tessio) and almost succeeded. When The Don had the meeting with the big heads and came to an agreement, Barzini had to comply and play the waiting game. Michael knew time wasn't on his side, Barzini didn't.

[@redghettosun]

@Dan Beech True and Barzini had contacts with the Sicilian Mafia who could've tipped him off. Michael wasn't exactly hiding out in a barn somewhere and the big wedding was ill advised.

[@redghettosun]

@Dan Beech Yes, Michael got really careless in Sicily unfortunately. Still too young to comprehend the reach his father's enemies. According to the timeline he was there for 2 years. More than enough time to hatch a plot to kill him. Since Fabrizio knew beforehand that Tommasino got wind of the danger (and was about to hide him again), he made his move. Saddest part of the movie knowing that Apollonia, the only innocent in the family, got blown to bits.

[@dc6461]

@@redghettosun Apollonia wasn't innocent. She didn't deserve to die but her death is a irony more that a tragedy. A manipulative goldigger who married an elderly man who she found ugly and who she knew was gangster after only two weeks of knowning him because she thought he was rich blew up in a car... The irony. Michael telling Vitelli that he is hiding from the police didn't get Fabricio to understand he was protecting someone big. He already knew. He knew he came from " powerful family ", he told him that when they were sitting under the tree. Now Michael told Vitelli he will kill him if he tells someone about him hiding there. But that's not the point of the story... When mafia war began Michael " pushed " Kay away from him and his family. He didn't let her anywhere near them. He did it bc he loved her and cared about her. They were supposed to get married that week. He warned her about danger of being attached to him at that moment. " I want you to think about everything ". He never broke up with her, or called of the wedding or stopped loving her. When he committed murder he had to flee. Months were passing by and he was certain he lost Kay forever. He saw good looking chick filled in all the right places He had thunderbolt which is biological manifestation of arousal ,sexual eraction. His blood was boiling with lust,his body was thirsty for love. So he went for it. But there is no sex before marriage in Sicily so satisfy his desire he has to marry her. But he never told her about mafia war, he never told her about danger of being attached to him at that moment. He never told her that Don Tomassino had warned him, right before he met her that his enemies know that he is in Sicily . They found him. Everybody knew he was in Sicily,noone knew where. Village circus of their wedding that her father made is how they found him. Spectacle of hypocrisy that was their wedding killed her. He conned her into marrying him at the hight of the danger and killed her. In a book he admitted what he had done. When he reunited with Kay he tells her:" You are the only one I care about, only one I have affection for, I could have chased you, I could have conned you I didn't wanna do that to you ".

[@skydiverclassc2031]

@@redghettosun I've always wondered why, after two years in Sicily, Michael still had a bruise on his cheek where McCluskey punched him.

[@Stogie2112]

The other Families probably expected Michael to seek revenge in the future, but they had all agreed to end the war. They all had to wait until after Vito died before taking action. Michael simply beat everyone to it. He agreed to the meeting with Barzini, but delayed it until after the Baptism. Get your enemies to relax and feel secure; that is when you strike. Michael did it with Sollozzo, Carlo, Barzini & Tattaglia and with Hyman Roth.

[@jpiccone1]

I think you misunderstand the film. Michael was viewed as weak, largely because he intentionally looked weak to lure them into complacency. That's why Tessio betrayed him - he thought the Corleone's were a spent force. When Michael struck, it was a suprise - to all the families and even his own.

[@WarTheory]

Time is what got the five families… Vito never broke his word… but he did take Sonny’s plan add to it teamed up with Micheal and it was executed perfectly… The book was better because it was more broader not gonna ruin it but I love the pizzeria scene And certain people were picking their teeth It’s a throwaway line but man you can really picture it… so they felt Michael was so weak that Tessio was going to betray Micheal so they had no fear until it was too late to see what was coming

[@govitm5774]

One key point to consider is Barzini was still after Micheal by having Tessio "make" arrangements - in fact the movie ends with Tessio being led away after Micheal successfully killed others. Barzini was the lynchpin - the other Don's don't have the resources to go fully after Corleone family

[@johnpauljones9310]

You probably should have read the book before making this video. In the book it's clear that the heads of the other four families regarded Michael as an Ivy League boy scout who wouldn't be capable of the ruthlessness necessary to take over the Corleone Family and threaten them. It's why after the Don was buried, the other families immediately began to push into Tessio's Brooklyn territory. Michael ordered Tessio not to retaliate. This was to cement the belief of the other families that Michael was weak. It also had the benefit of forcing Tessio to betray him in hopes of surviving after Michael leads the Corleone Family to destruction. While Tessio was the smarter of Vito's two original capos, he was not the level of ruthlessness that Michael would need to take out the heads of the other four families. Clemenza was absolutely ruthless and completely loyal to the Corleones. He would go down fighting for them to the death. Tessio was smarter and could be tempted -- so he was basically set up. In case Tessio sensed he was being set up and led some of his more loyal soldiers in rebellion against the Corleones, Michael had rebuilt Sonny's regime in secret under Rocco Lampone. Michael had spent months putting all the pieces in place, even to the point of not getting all of Vito's political and judicial contacts under his control. Vito dying "too soon" robbed Michael of some political power, but he went ahead with the final plan anyway.

[@Paul-vf2wl]

There's no question that Tessio was set up it was always part of the plan. That's why Michael had that meeting where he makes Carlo his head of Vegas operations both Tessio and Clemenza know how useless Carlo is the purpose was to make Michel look weak. I'm not sure Michael actually cared who betrayed him it's not like the hit that Clemenza performed was particularly difficult other than having to climb 2 flights of stairs. The troubling part to me is how little Michael valued loyalty. He seems to respect Tessio more than Clemenza for being the one who betrays him.

[@cha5]

I remember in the novel after Michael’s return to America he and his father having a heart to heart talk before the Five Family massacre and him telling Vito that if his father had forbidden him to take vengeance against Barzini and Tattalia for what happened to Sonny & Apollona that he would have been prepared to completely break off from the Corleone family and go after Barzini and Tattalia on his own if necessary.

[@joshwilliams6517]

Thank you for these amazing uploads

[@BradMason2014]

The Corleones were targeted by the other families multiple times. The attempted assassinations of Vito and Michael. The influence over Fredo, Carlo, and the rest. Unfortunately for the other heads of the five families - Michael was more perceptive than all of them. He stayed moves ahead in the long game. Bided his time, then struck when things were right. He is the ultimate chess player in his world. They did not necessarily underestimate him. They knew he was a threat to their power. They just did not realize how tactically savvy he would prove to be. Certainly they did underestimate how ruthless he was.

[@tvgerbil1984]

Vito told Tom Hagen in their car after meeting the four families that he only just realized Barzini was the true brain behind the plots to kill Vito and his sons. Vito was out-maneuvered by Barzini in the meeting and was forced to compromise on the drug business he previously objected to. Vito had a high opinion of Barzini. He thought Barzini was a great threat.

[@davidlynds9483]

The book makes it more clear that Michael lulled the other families into believing he was weak and timid. Clemenza and Tessio were concerned about encroachments on their territories, especially because their not fighting back to protect their interests encouraged the families to take even more. Michael was brilliant and ruthless in setting the bosses up, creating new regimes his fathers old comrades weren't even aware of. Even Tom wasn't told, though he figured it out. I think the book also gives more of an impression that this plan of Michael's took years to plan and put into motion. From the film, you might think it was just weeks or maybe a few months. Every step Michael took was calculated perfectly.

[@nicksandz3209]

Barzini definitely knew Michael was a problem which is why he sent Tessio to set up a meeting with Michael so he could kill Michael however Barzini failed cause he understand estimated the thinking of Vito and didn't know Vito would make Michael think 100 steps ahead of everyone else

[@Paul-vf2wl]

I don't buy that Barzini really underestimated anything he was just unlucky. His hit on Vito only failed because his shooters missed. His hit on Sonny went off without a hitch and the bombing attempt on Michael failed because his wife decided to learn how to drive. If Michael encountered similar bad luck Clemenza would have dropped dead of a heart attack while climbing the stairs and Al Neri would have only wounded Barzini with his 1 shot.

[@molasorrosalom4846]

Barzani just wanted to finish him off, he'd probably have Tessio killed as well as Clemanza. Replace them with puppets, or his own captains.

[@clash5j]

Films based on books can be very different, however, not in this case. I hate to be "that guy", but most of your assumptions are answered if you read the book

[@westington1]

Yeah…..not sure the guy that made this video has read the book or just wanted to put out content (which is fair enough), but as you said it explains the whole thing in detail in the book - including, as someone else pointed out here, he didn’t kill ALL the heads of each family, just took out the ones openly opposed to the Corleone’s, and left the others alone so they’d all accept peace, consolidation of their power, and gave them a share of the spoils. I can’t quite remember but I’m sure that, alongside the secret regime he built under Rocco, that he also infiltrated the families he went against, so particular capos’s of crews were ready to take power in the families they went against, to prevent retaliation

[@westington1]

Basically the book is amazing and well worth a read…. Especially where it details more about the rise of Don Vito and how he had basically created the whole new structure of the mafia, growing it bigger and with closer ties - they had all the families outside of New York allied and involved in the commission (Don Vito’ creation and idea in the book). Amazing mix of real life events with fantasy of Vito building the modern American mafia almost single-handedly

[@xentaatnex8261]

It wasn't the death of Vito that caused Michael to seek revenge but the failed assassination attempt in my opinion. Michael also suspected that an attempt would be made on his life.

[@Paul-vf2wl]

Once Michael was in charge total control was always his end goal I'm not sure he really cared that much about revenge other than against Carlo and Fabrizio. Killing the other heads was just business.

[@darkzak47]

“It’s not what you don’t know that gets you in trouble, it’s what you do know that just simply isn’t true“ - Mark Twain

[@christopherthrawn1333]

Excellent work

[@MoviesConsigliere]

Thank you very much, reading such messages makes me want to continue to do better next time.

[@LesterMoore]

One very important skill a Marine learns is a tactical sense of awareness. Especially an officer. He knows his resources (men, weapons, munitions. supply, esprit - the willingness and ability of his command to execute the battle plan to success), the time required to marshal them into a cohesive weapon and most importantly the strength, tendencies, abilities and whatwithal of his enemies.

[@rockwild737]

The other bosses were jealous of the Corleones' power and wealth. Once Vito agreed for peace the other bosses felt that they finally had the upper hand over the Corleones now. As long as Vito had to bow a knee before the others they were satisfied. I don't think any of them expected Michael to be as strong as hia father. They expected the Corleone family to gradually weaken and thus their own power increase.

[@Ange65230]

2:02 the 5 families had a plan to kill Michael, as we all saw, but they were complacent and didn’t expect such swift and comprehensive response. Michel got his hits in first!

[@dagnabbit6187]

It was business . Tessio was not a traitor until the Don died and he knew setting Michael up was the way to insure his future . The key to what Barzini had in mind for the Corleones was in Michael’s bellicose exchange with Moe Greene . In that exchange Moe said ,” The Corleones don’t have that kind of muscle anymore and are being chased out of New York by the other families . I talked with Barzini. I can make the same deal with him and still keep my hotel !” That was the cat out of the bag moment sealing Moe and Barzini’s fate . The other bosses were chasers but Barzini was the mastermind chaser out of it and they all wanted to destroy the Corleone family .

[@dudermcdudeface3674]

Michael is the Outside Context Problem. He is not one of them at all, or even like his father at all. He's like Napoleon coming at them from nowhere, like a storm.

[@jeffnorris8848]

The Dons also thought Carlo was a good source of information.

[@paryanindoeur]

Michaeel's experience in the war was crucial to the development of his character. In the war, he saw more killing, more tactics, more strategy than even the bosses could see in a lifetime as mafiosi. Look at Frank Sheeran in 'The Irishman' -- the war cultivated him as the perfect soldier. You can see something in Russell Bufalino's face when he first meets Frank and finds out he was in the war. He was on the lookout for soldiers, and guys coming back from the war could be a perfect match. The other thing about Michael was (what some other commenters have mentioned) the death of Appolonia. Yeah, that sealed the bosses' fates.

[@crow-ej3iz]

Michael, A Marine Captain who was awarded the Navy Cross for GALLANTRY. They (and Barzini, especially) under-estimated him.

[@douglaswarden2584]

It's not that they didn't think he would act. They didn't think that he would act that quickly and definitively.

[@publius5464]

Michael knew how to “drain the swamp” and had the resolve to do it.

[@frankmcelhill9379]

This kind of video makes me question why Netflix or anybody else hasn't made a series remake of The Godfather? 10 episodes per season could answer all the questions posed here. And given it's pedigree, it would surely be a worldwide hit.

[@MoviesConsigliere]

Would you like to see a sequel or prequel?

[@09kaustubh]

But who can equal Francis Ford Coppola's interpretation of the novels? Even he could not match expectations in the third movie. IMO it is too big for the filmmakers of the day to take on.

[@frankmcelhill9379]

@@09kaustubh Yes, you have a very good point 👍

[@frankmcelhill9379]

@@MoviesConsigliere I think a prequel. Godfather 3 was such a mess & pushed the entire saga in the wrong direction. A young Vito Corleone would be interesting.

[@MoviesConsigliere]

@@frankmcelhill9379 Yes, I completely agree that seeing young Vito and the other dons would be exciting. My only concern is who is capable to play young Vito.

[@abicaksiz]

Being a retired lieutenant-colonel myself, I would never underestimate a combat veteran, particularly one who made to an army captain in 4 years of war. He did have the capacity to kill men as easily as eating peanuts. I assume that all heads of other families had no military experience which led them into thinking that Michael was an outsider to their world of "tough guyism". Plus, while the Don was feigning weakness, Michael might have been acting like an inept or incapable leader (by hanging around his father only) to the Corleone family capos and soldiers, completing a fake picture of weakness to their preys. One final note: Michael was initially in the "vengeance mode" after the attempt on his father, in time he went into the "survival mode". Thus he would care less about vengeance, but knew that survival hinged on the elimination of all apparent threats.

[@stevenrodriguez4352]

Like I say in the video game world to quote don Micheal Corleone I want them gone everyone of them let's not forget that in the godfather 2 video game he reprimanded Fredo for thinking about him self and going against the family he never saw the big picture

[@allovdem]

I love how you jump straight into the video, rather than just waffle on for a bit.

[@Shaggi0209]

Michael knew the most important element.The element of surprise.

[@hamburg1306]

Michael catches them off guard by having the hits take place while he’s at the baptism becoming godfather to Connie and Carlo’s baby.

[@GiovanniZaluchi]

In the books Cuneo and Stracci survive, Michael never goes after them. The Stracci family is actually indicated as somewhat of an ally to the Corleones, even during the mob war. So too were the Cuneo. Both of the families were to a degree 'under the thumb' of the Barzini (more so the Stracci, as the 'weakest' of the Five Families, who also had in their holdings the docks of New Jersey where most of the narcotics were to come from), however, neither of them actually fed troops into the war. The inclusion of their deaths in the film, as well as the upper echelons of their families in the games, was for spectacle and to show off the ruthlessness of Michael (and extend gameplay/add objectives for the video games).

[@egyptian316]

I don't think Stratchi or Cuneo thought much about Michael taking over. They'd obviously given their blessing to getting rid of Vito (and clearing the way for the drug trade), but I don't think they were involved much beyond that. Tatalia probably saw the Las Vegas move as a sign that the Corleone family was surrendering. Barzini was planning to kill Michael, but missed his chance. I don't think Tessio was really approached until sometime before the funeral. The Don was dead, Michael wasn't supporting him. What else could he do? It does beg the question of why Michael left Tessio out. He trusted Clemenza, but it's not like Clemenza wasn't cunning, ruthless and aggressive too. Would Tessio have made the move he did if he'd been given something concrete early on?

[@robertobrien4318]

Where Michael is concerned I think the title " Godfather " is meant Ironically. He never intended it. As He tells Kay " That's my family ..its not me" as he avoids his father. And later at Genco's deathbed ( deleted scene) Its only after the Shock of the attempt his father's life and at the hospital -that the lax protection on Him ignites his instinct to protect his family.He drops his own plans and romance to devote his life to his Family- none of which is planned. Killing Solozo and Mccluskey was stressful- He hesitated and threw the gun in plain sight. The Death of Sonny and Apollonia were a tremendous shock He couldn't forsee. He had a price on his head (since he fooled Barzini once) all the Corleone men had been marked for death- in light of their reluctance of the Solozzo venture Michael wasn't completely sure of Carlo's complicity in the plot against Sonny- He had his plane ticket ready in any event.killing Fredo was vindictive and defensive.the Murder of Hyman Roth was from defense- not sound in a business sense. He seemed to be reacting to events incrementally .But He seemed revolutionary in his early vision to completely" legitimize" the family empire - and exploiting the trending tide and attendant Government largesse.

[@silverfoxdiva4780]

Their fates were sealed with the four (4) plots against his family: 1-Sonny's assassination, 2- The killing of his first wife (Apolonia), and 3-The assassination attempt on his father, and 4-Lastly the disrespect Moe Green showed his brother Alfredo. It was when his father was recuperating that Michael began his formal education on the family business and the Mafia. He was learning from his father (the best teacher he could ever have) on how to become the boss of the family plus it did help Michael with his clean cut imagine that was different from Sonny and Alfredo. They really miscalculated Michael's potential and abilities.

[@dpetrano]

Moment Michael cornered Moe Green to give up the casino, Barzini knew Michael was the man.

[@annatomasik6927]

I was never surprised that Michael got revenge on Carlo, and I loved that scene so much

[@philip48230]

The point you missed in discussing this is that Michael rose to the rank of an Infantry Combat tested MARINE Captain (Company Commander) … who also received the Navy Cross … I.e. a trained organized killer

[@shoresean1237]

They might have figured he would take time solidifying his power, while that was already done with. Moving on them would be telegraphed, some hits here and there prepping for the big show. Such a rapid coordinated all at once decap movement probably wasn't even in Barzini's view-scope.

[@Big_Bag_of_Pus]

What's never made sense to me about this sequence: the killing of the heads of the other four families wouldn't have made all the other members of those families go away. So why didn't that set of assassinations cause the rest of the members of all those families to come after the Corleones with everything they had? Why were the Corleones allowed to continue on without war?

[@rimshot2270]

I hope Clemenza did not kill the elevator operator. The poor young guy was what Pete would call "a pain in the a$$ innocent bystander." That is a major reason why society cannot allow gang wars, which still go on today, especially in the inner cities. Inevitably, innocent people (called "mushrooms") are killed or injured. The criminals shrug and say, "They got in the way." Like that justifies it? Who put them in the way? Did they know they would be walking into the middle of a murder?

[@NelsonStJames]

There is one other point, they may have anticipated it, but they also thought that Michael was going to be dead before he could carry any plans out. Consider that the day Micheal implemented his plan was also the day he was supposed to be assassinated. He simply acted much faster and more ruthlessly they counted on.

[@thegadflygang5381]

You are missing that Don Vito was a man of his word, BUT he was also the wisest of the Dons. They knew Vito's word was bond, but Don Vito ALWAYS knew that the revenge for Santino would eventually come just not under his reign. It is quite clear in the book and movie. As was the Michael would take control after Vito's death seeing as he was running the family for a few years at that point. Cuneo and Stracci werent killed in the books either they allied up with Michael and moved forward. Barzini knew Michael was a threat but he assumed the inner family turmoil with Clemenza and Tessio would buy time not to mention the planned move to Nevada would provide distance. Barzini still wasnt taking chances as he planned to have Michael assassinated through the Tessio meeting

[@tristramcoffin926]

Ok. I always thought it was because all the families thought the Corleone's were under the impression that Tattaglia was behind everything, when it is Barzini. So, none of them would have any reason to be concerned about retal in the first place. And, with Tattaglia being (just a pimp) he wasn't very consequential anyway. If anything, I never understood why Michael went after Stracci and Cuneo. I wasn't aware of any beef with them during the movie.

[@frankgesuele6298]

When strong appear weak. Thus will you be underestimated.

[@fawziekefli2273]

They ignored the _one guy_ in the _entire_ series with both the training _and_ the experience to carry out tactical and strategic operations in overcoming and neutralising the enemy's capabilities through specific, directed, and coordinated attacks on the enemy's COGs.

[@warrengouldthorpe5091]

Sonny was the one who originally came up with the idea to get rid of the heads of the other families, but didn't live long enough to see the plan through, then Vito carried on the plan, and Michael was the one that saw it through, so the whole plan was Sonny's idea and took a very long time to plan it and execute the plan

[@mefirst5427]

The most dangerous person in the room is often the humble low profile person in the room.

[@whatsgoingon07]

What always bothers me about this movie was the lack of retribution the other families sought immediately after all the 4 bosses were killed. Instead in the Godfather part II, we simply see Michael talking to Frank Pentangelli like nothing ever happened. It’s like the other families don’t exist anymore

[@tigerjonn]

Vito said " I will not be the one to break the peace that we've made here today.." I think Vito was very strategic when he said "I" instead of We or My family... I think Vito planned for Michael to get his revenge...

[@rickytickytimbo9182]

I agree that all the mob bosses knew that violent deaths were a part mafia life, but I also think that they had all deluded themselves into thinking that if they were snart enough they could avoid being killed

[@Alic3IiWL]

Michael, and Vito for that matter, played Brazinni. The Corleones pretended they wanted peace, Tessio was told to be non confrontational to the point of appearing weak. Brazinni thought too much of himself, he was sure that Michael wanted peace. That’s why Michael won.

[@rimshot2270]

They underestimated Michael and thought he was weak and bound by his father's promise. But Vito swore HE would not be the one to break the peace He said nothing about Michael. Besides, Barzini broke the peace when he plotted withTessio to kill Michael. The other dons thought Barzini would strike first, but Michael was ready for him.

[@robertdeffenbaugh9004]

Michael was an outcast they knew he wasn’t involved in the family business and once he got involved they were foolish to underestimate him.

[@hoviksmail]

It's pretty simple, he was young, inexperienced in that life and a mild mannered person. They didn't know his personal experiences in the war so they didn't know what they were dealing with.

[@redleg.0]

Both Vito and Don worked hard to make the Corleone family as badly weakened, and Michael was a "rookie" despite taking out McCloskey and Sollozo. None of them could know Michael planned the hit. To them, he was the button man. Sonny was known as a skilled tactician. With him and Vito dead, Barzini doubtless expected an attempt at revenge (though he may not have figured out Vito knew he was behind everything), but not the extent of it or the tactical genius of it.

[@ElGordo4488]

Michael knew Barzini was arrogant and Barzini controlled Tattaglia and so he underestimated the next Don, Michael. And I truly believe that Barzini thought that the Don's sons were not as wise as the Don. Also Tesio was truly fooled by Barzini, especially after the Don retired.

[@nicholastotoro7721]

The death of Apollonia combined with Barzini trying to have Michael killed should have let them all know they were marked

[@rishikesh1087]

I believe in the book Sonny had the same plan but it failed because the other bosses suspected immediately that Sonny would try to have them killed so for months they stayed in their compounds. Michael's plan works because they drastically underestimated his strength and desire for revenge. Don Vito makes a big deal in the book of the power of having your enemies underestimate you. It has been years. since I read the book but this is how I remember it.

[@bargdaffy1535]

There is also something about the Oranges showing up whenever there was going to be death involved.

[@pnwgentleman]

The other Don's knew Michael was the successor before Don Vito passed. Tom Hagen told Moe Green as much.

[@charlesbarboza8591]

In my humble opinion, all the other Dons had to do was look at Michael’s War Record. He won medals for Bravery. He didn’t just fight in the Second World War, he was a decorated war hero. With that comes a first hand knowledge of death. Michael was a killer, he had taken many lives in order to be decorated and declared a HERO!!! He was also a strategist. He was able to think several moves ahead. He knew how to give orders and with the exception of Fredo, he was an excellent judge of character. Don Vito had already prepared him for what was to come next. He knew to “keep his friends close and his enemies closer”. The older Dons misjudged his youth. Everyone knew it was Michael who whacked Solotso(sp?) and Maclucky(sp?). If they didn’t know he had his fathers blood running through his Bain’s, they should have. Even Carlo should have been smart enough to get as far away from Michael as possible, but, he wasn’t smart enough and it cost him his life. Obviously those men underestimated Michael, but, the signs were there if only their own egos didn’t block their clarity. When Michael came back from Sicily he had an agenda and the fact that none of the other Bosses could see it, cost them their lives. Well played Michael, well played.

[@allanb52]

They thought they had time while Michael was busy.

[@jaimebenjamin219]

the fact that he was a perpetual outsider didn't want anything to do with that life was probably what gave the other mafia dons such boldness to act so callously. They didn't read in between the lines. He was first a war veteran and had seen a lot of action in WWII. But the fact that given he was able to protect his father at the hospital and then kill the corrupt police chief and solozzo went over their heads. they probably saw him as an easy mark and that he was in over his head. But the fact that they knew so little about him and how ruthlessly he could be was probably the reason they look passed him and celebrated their victory too quickly

[@themanwhosoldtheworld5350]

Yes the four families should have known that Michael would come after them when Michael got rid of Tessio who was about to rat on Michael and betray him. It would have made sense for the bosses to be caught by surprise if Michael assassinated them on the same day of the meeting he was supposed to attend with Barzini on Tessio's turf where he would have been assassinated.

[@luisangelEXALTA]

You have the timeline wrong, Michael agreed to the meeting with Tessio, but eliminated the heads first while they were relaxed and unaware of his bold attack, Tessio was killed last before the meeting that Barzini never made it to.💪

[@hamoostaffat]

Not sure why this has popped on my list, havnt watched it since the 3rd came out what 30 odd year ago now, glad it did forgotten almost everything, definitely time to rewatch ✌️🤣

[@earlpipe9713]

They had a myopic and prejudiced view of Michael's character due to him volunteering for wartime military service - instead of viewing him as straight laced and incapable of being the type of ruthless needed, they should've thought instead of how he'd been trained not only to be a killer, but also how to lead small units in tactical combat as an officer in an invading force going straight into the enemy's lands. He'd also been able to gain a very exhaustive amount of experience in these areas, not to mention the tempering of him as a man when it came to self confidence and reacting decisively to danger

[@Viele411]

Vito knew Michael was going to get revenge for him and Sonny based on the conversation in the garden. He was making sure Michael knew one of their own “Tessio” would set up a meeting with Barzini and that’s where Michael would be killed. You think that he was telling Michael this for no reason?! He was telling his son to plan his attack based on this very move.