thats such a sad reality of life and i think almost every human being has made a similar promise at some point in their life. How many alcoholics promised their loved ones they would stop? how many abusive spouses promised to change? how many times has a partner said their financial problems will go away in a year because they have a new job lined up? people promise to drop bad habits and give a timeline long enough and vague enough so that they never actually have to change. similar to the politicians as another commenter said
@Daniel Miller 16 months later the government is saying july 4th we will reopen, which is approximately 2 weeks. and yet i have a feeling nothing is going to change
Totally true! The end of The Godfather 3 is set in the future when the movie was made and Michael is now a mentally destitute man in his 70’s living in the same home his protectors kept him in when he was hiding the first time and drops dead in the courtyard. Like it’s said, it never ends! Hyman Roth had nothing to do with Michael’s business after he finished him off.
😂…kinda changing the subject, but I gotta admit that I was a little bit shocked that Hyman Roth lived THAT far ‘under the radar’. I mean, tuna salad, really dude…?
When Michael tells Tom Hagan he’s always thought of him as a brother, it’s one of the most touching scenes of the movie, you can see Tom fighting to hold back tears because he’s almost overwhelmed with emotion at this declaration, a very touching scene. 😊❤️
R Duvall is the best of his class. He gives his all to the worst parts, and he has had to take many. But they are redeemed in his care, if for nothing else but as studies in excellence. And like Elvis, he realizes he is an entertainer and not a politician.
That's one of the reasons I think Godfather II is better than I. There could be so many aspects to have our empathy, for example Fredo and Tom, especially their role in the family.
Yet another reason why The Godfather 1 & 2 were so great… They exhibited Shakespearean tragedy in a masterful way. Virtually all dramas, even soap operas have elements of Shakespeare but it’s the way Coppola & Co. crafted these movies with every detail that made them a master class in human drama and high art. The writing, the mood, the music, the scenery, the casting and finally, the acting. Your analysis is great too. Moving & inspirational.
@@thankyoujodi Solozzo and McCluskey. Wow! This was 12 years before Roth. And they were just the tip of the iceberg and had nothing to do with Roth. Even the main baddie Barzini didn’t! But Moe Greene did!
The key is the LOCATION of the hit on Michael: it’s the bedroom “where my wife sleeps and our children come to play with their toys”. Frankie could be ruled out since he’s an old style gangster who lives by the old Mafia code: never endanger the family of your enemy. Remember he complains to Michael that the Rosato brothers “do violence in their grandmothers’ neighborhood-a violation of the old Sicilian code of conduct. Only an outsider acting from purely business motives would strike against a wife or children. Unthinkable for Frank Pentangeli. Roth is the only logical alternative. He baits Roth with his claim that it was Pentangeli who ordered the hit and Roth’s glib response “he’s small potatoes” seals Michael’s hunch.
Brilliant connection, Douglas! I was waiting for there to be any revelations like THIS in the 15 minute synopsis we watched haha but there are gems like yours in the comments, thanks!
excellent point. that, along with the fact that everything Frankie said was while he was drunk, u can certainly rule out Frankie for sure. people tend to be more straightforward when they're intoxicated so with Frankie pointing out the violations of attacking civilians WHILE he's drunk, u can almost guarantee it wasn't Frankie.
@@kinidiosodlosios6892 True. I figured someone would make this point. GFII begins with the young Vito barely escaping the vendetta launched by Don Cicci. Perhaps blood feud trumps everything else: the crucial flaw in Sicilian society. But Frankie has no motive for blood vengeance against Michael. And family is central to both men. Michael later exploits Pentangeli’s familial loyalty to prevent him from testifying at the Senate hearing. The point is that Frankie is the old style gangster, he represents “the old way” which made family ties vital; something lost in the new age of business relations.
@@kinidiosodlosios6892 true to a certain extent but isnt that the tension between the five families (and their affilates) here in America and the imported sicilians (zips) , the zips didnt care for killing civlians ir setting off car bombs, if someone has to go, all witnesses went, while for the most part(again human action and human nature happens),the American mafia (atleast on record) had strict regulations regarding killing family members, drug dealings, killing innocent bystanders, and so fourth, couldn't kill someone in front of families, it ine of the reasons why the head of the bonano family in the 1970s (who was importing the sicilian zips to traffick heroin) got whacked.
Tom Hagan to Michael - "They say Roth has about 6 months left to live." Michael to Tom Hagan - "He's been dying of the same heart attack for 20 years. He thinks he's gonna live forever and he wants me out of the way."
I think Roth was faking bad health to Michael. He attended a meeting downtown with no problem and had a piece of cake celebrating his birthday, but on the same day, he said he’d love to take a piss without it hurting and later in a hospital bed on life support. It was an act.
@@firelordazula386 He wanted smaller slices because he didn't want to offend any of guests if they didn't receive any cake. It's an old Sicilian message: you were out of favor if you didn't receive cake (it was a sign that you were now an enemy.)
I always wonder if the guys in the mafia ever felt bad about killing their rivals I assume some of them had some kinda conscious and remorse about it ?
The Michael Corleone - Hyman Roth plot dynamic is the most fascinating and intellectually profound element in this story. These are two brilliant minds going head-to-head. Michael instantly suspected it was someone on the inside because he takes the time to KNOW everyone in his organization, from the street muscle to his inner circle. The fact that a drunk Fredo had loose lips was a matter of luck and circumstance that Michael found out that it was Fredo. Michael did not even suspect Fredo, leaning on the belief that he is "weak and stupid" and dismissing any ability to betray the family (he clearly forgot about Fredo kissing Moe Green's ass in front of him in part 1). While it was smart of Roth to exploit Fredo, Roth did not consider the damage Fredo could do to his plans should he have a slip of the tongue ("Johny Ola told me about this place"). I believe Michael prevailed over Roth in the end because he is smarter, but the win was by a thin margin as Roth was equally as capable of taking Michael out. Roth just missed the timing.
I think when Michael said that Fredo is weak and stupid he was stating that Fredo could have been duped into letting Roth's men into the compound. He was saying that Fredo could be the traitor.
Fredo let it slip at the live sex show. He and Johnny Ola pretended they didn't know each other at the first night club. Fredo let it slip when the slimy Senator asked Fredo how he found that sex show place and Fredo said "Johnny Ola. He knows all these places". Michael was watching and listening very intently and caught it. I think it was that moment it confirmed his suspicions about Roth and learned it was Fredo who was the traitor inside the family.
@@litedawg Yes once Fredo had a few to many drinks, he let it slip. Michael was devastated, as he tries to hold back his anguish of having his suspicions confirmed.
It amazes me to see, so many years went by since the god father came out and still remain a hell of a movie. I cannot say how many times I have watched this movie and every time that I do, there's always something I didn't see or had missed.... One of the greatest movies I have ever seen...
Did anyone pick up Roth's line when being served the cake "smaller piece."? Was that a backhanded reference to investing in the Cuban casinos, especially since he asked Michael about having second thoughts investing the $2 million because of the rebels?
I always thought I was the only one drooling over the cake. "Make sure everyone gets a piece." ... I felt like buying one for myself as a consolation. sigh
That was more about Tessio. Both Clemenza and Tessio were unsure about Michaels leadership and wanted to split. Once Tessio came to him at Vito's funeral, his father's advice became true.
Yes!!!!!!!!! Hi Jeff! That was one of my favorite quotes from the first Godfather movie. When Don Vito Corleone tells his son Michael after the big Barzini meeting with all the mob dons there, Vito put it together that Don Barzini WAS THE BRAINS, and supposed trusted friend "Tessio", who came to Michael at the funeral to set Michael up for Michael's enemies to kill him,WAS THE TRAITOR, ALONG WITH Connie's husband-Carlo Rizzi, but Michael smartly took them out during his sister-Connie's & Carlo's son-(Victor Rizzi) baptism.
Agreed! I'll also acknowledge your point in connecting that phrase to this movie! (instead of gushing about it from Part One.) I was watching this and waiting for some revelation but it's just a synopsis. The Culture Mafia thinks he's the "smart one in the room" by creating his own peanut gallery to patronize..."what confuses many people, and some couldn’t really understand"...LOL We all watched the film and this painful, awkward, poorly-dubbed and cringeful 15 minutes does absolutely nothing but summarize a few scenes that literally lead to the conclusion: Michael pieced together that it was Roth. Cheers, just wanted to vent and saw at least one original thought in the comments to connect with! =P
Ya i going to comment that Michael knew it was him because he wanted to avenge moe Greene, but maybe he killed moe not just to get the casinos but too also get back at Hyman for using him?
Mike looks into peoples souls. He rarely breaks eye contact even if the person turns away his eyes follow. That’s one of his super powers. He’s able to read people easily by staring into their souls.
He's also very intelligent (like his father). Also, on his father's side is the propensity for extreme violence, aka Sonny. Sonny never could have been Godfather because he never could be rational. The violent side of revenge would always take over first. Even his father knew that if Sonny were ever to be Godfather, or Don, he wouldn't live very long. And Fredo was, as Michael put it, "weak and stupid." But Michael had the unique and deadly combination of intelligence with controlled rage. That's the way I always saw it, anyway. I read the book "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo twice and have seen the movies (part 1 and 2) more times than I've seen Star Wars. Imo, The Godfather is epic and they'll never be anything like it, no matter how hard they try.
@@ellieelizabeth5627, I too had a privilidge in my life to witness such masterpieces as Godfather and Star Wars Trilogies, I realize as I grow older , not everyone has this opportunity, and I am greatfull to be a part of the audience . Goodbye my friend .
To your point, in Godfather 3 when Andy Garcia brings to Mike's attention that this is at the opening Church event/party)Montanya is bad mouthing Mike. Montanya denies it and Mikes look straight at him and tells him that anybody who bad mouth's me is ---and he calls out some name, forcing Montanya to agree with him.(It has been awhile so the actual script escapes me)
hyman thought.. "why do the work of killing him myself. we'll make it look like it was one of them" . hyman wanted the corleone family to tear itself from the inside.
I so wish Francis Ford Coppola didn't remove the scene where Don Vito met Hyman Roth for the very first time. That would have been a good connection between the main storyline and the flashback. The Frank Pentangeli character was written in as a replacement for Peter Clemenza. Clemenza being in the main storyline would have been another good connection, as well. Writing Clemenza out of the main storyline, however, did not hurt the second "Godfather" like the way writing Tom Hagen out of the third film negatively affected it.
No and no. The flashback scene of young Vito meeting young Hyman was done terribly, for the fact that both Vito and Hyman are around the same age, and are equal to each other. Hyman is modeled after Meyer Lansky, and not supposed to be a young kid from the street. It was a good thing Richard S. Castellano did not reprise his role of Clemenza because he would have betrayed Michael as well as Tessio, both of Vito’s capos betraying would have been sad. And Michael V. Gazzo did an amazing job as Frank Pentageli.
@@josecarranza7555 yeah the guy who played Clemenza as I’m sure u know denied to be in The Godfather II because he felt it wasn’t true to the character for him to betray Micheal.
@@josecarranza7555 the scene was awkward but without it Hyman Roth kind of comes out of nowhere. I know it was rushed once they had to replace Clemenza, but they should have figured out a way to have retroactively introduced Pentangeli as well. A quick line in one of the 1920s scenes would have worked.
I didn't mind the Clemenza change, though I missed his character, but I never could bring myself to believe that Clemenza would have betrayed the family the way Pentangeli was prepared to do.
@@blakeharris58 agreed. I always paid extra attention to The Godfather 2 flashback scenes to see where Pentageli was involved in but could never identify him. Always though he might have been there when they were outside hanging up the Genco sign but I guess not.
I caught that myself. Roth goes to a meeting with a gold phone being passed around, has a celebration of his birthday on a rooftop, ends up in his hotel room suffering from heart problems and wanting to take a piss without it hurting, and on life support in a hospital room that night all in one day without having had a heart attack. Yes, definitely a hoax he had set up!
Robert Duvall is one of America's greatest and under appreciated actors of all time. But his under stated performance in the The Godfather was his best.
@@drawntofashionillustration9596 hes understated for most people under 40. i just watched Godfather trilogy for the first time and only recognized him as the old guy from Gone in 60 Seconds
Parts 1 and 2 are brilliant in that they let the audience participate in the storytelling by giving us subtle clues. And they always push our focus into the future of the narrative.
One of the things that really mystified me as a kid was how don Vito knew that it was Barzini. Coppola handled that superbly. A lesser director would have used a shot of Barzini cackling villainously or broadcast his treachery some other way, but there's no narrative hand-holding in the GF saga. Because of that, the don's powers of intuition are as mysterious to us as they would be in real life, a trait Michael clearly inherited as proved by his realization that Roth was his ultimate foe.
@@nekorisnik Exactly. Don Vito said Tataglia never could've out fought Sonny in a war, he didn't have muscle on the street or power. I believe he knew Barzini was smarter and more powerful and he seemed to be leading the meeting to make peace. Vito was no dummy, he read the room quick.
@@nekorisnik To add on, based on thinking about the movie. Don Vito did get caught slipping because he put it all together at the meeting (in my opinion) that Tataglia not only couldn't have out fought Sonny but he didn't have the brains to lure him out in the open with the abuse of Connie from Carlo, but Barzini did. As confirmed when Carlo admitted to Michael it was Barzini that approached him.
I liked how they showed Roth living in a modest home in Florida, enjoying a sandwich while watching the game. A true gangster never brings attention to himself by living a lavish lifestyle. Plus, what else does a man need? Comfortable home, loving wife making you a sandwich while you relax. Remove the part when he gives the OK on a hit, and the scene seems almost wholesome
“You are father did business with Hyman Roth, you are father respected Hyman Roth, but you are father never trusted Hyman Roth…” Is what you really just said.
Moe Greene's death played a viral role. When I first saw the movie, I was really startled, when Roth abruptly brought Moe's death. I didn't expect that he'll be mentioned in this movie & that Roth would be incensed about it, after all these years. He loved Moe as a son.
Moe Green and Hyman Roth are the alter ego of real life Bugsy Segal and Meyer Lansky. Those 2 were with Lucky Luciano as the 3 of them were allies/friends from the start of 'this thing'.
Jews hate and despise non-Jews, more so if the non-Jew kills a Jew, more so if the killed Jew was like a son. The need for revenge was boiling in Roth´s soul for a decade.
Moe green was just an outside business partner just like roth. They were both jews and not protected by the sicilian code. I suspect roth even felt that michael would have pushed him out after he didnt need him just like michael did to moe green.
The Godfather II is the greatest film ever made. The Godfather has a masterclass storyline about business. This 3 hours 20 min epic crime film is worth watching. Thanks and hats off. It's a masterclass explanation of the question. How did Michael know it was Hyman Roth? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I thought that the tipoff was when Michael went to Cuba and had the insight that the rebels would win. This would mean their investment and plans in Cuba would be worthless. When he told Roth this, how did Roth react? He was angry. He didn't want to hear it. Roth was supposedly this financial genius and Michael is telling him something that would impact their massive investment and he's ignoring it. At the very least that should tell Michael that Roth is up to something and that Roth is willing to screw Michael over if needed.
One of the key moments was when Michael overheard a half-drunk Fredo chatting to the group at the sex show (superman on stage, with the large d***), that Jonnie Ola showed him this club, because he knows Cuba like the back of his hand. Michael thought this was the first time that he and Fredo had come to Cuba, so now he knew that Fredo had come to Cuba before secretly, escorted by Roth's top man Jonnie Ola. Roth was definitely his hidden enemy, and Fredo was the traitor.
Nope. In the scene @ Pentangeli’s house after the attempted hit, Michael tells him it was Roth who was behind it. But he also knew there was a traitor inside the family who had helped Roth & Johnny Ola penetrate his security. That scene was well before the trip to Cuba.
@@dandavis8300 Vegas being golden was part of it. And they all had (incorrect) high hopes for Cuba. But essentially Roth wanted to be the top dog in organized crime. Which he couldn’t as long as Michael was around. He also wanted to exact revenge for Moe Greene’s murder.
Indeed. And Roth was pointed to Michael in that statement and very pissed about Moe’s killing, so Michael then knew that Roth was on to him and wouldn’t trust him. Michael knew this too, so he immediately put Roth in his crosshairs- never to be trusted.
Also useless fredo gave it away by denying any knowledge of roth or johnny ola despite their family being so close with them. Michael probably knew it was a lie but confirmed it when fredo slipped he knew johnny.
When Roth replies 'he's small potatoes' he's basically conforming that Pantangeli had no motive to set up the assassination, as he could not possibly think that by killing Michael there would be no repercussions. I could imagine Pantangeli killing Michael only in a momentary loss of judgement, however unlikely, but certainly not such an organised hit without realising his folly.
Well all the parts about Don Vito getting his start and rising to power are in the book "The Godfather," but Puzo and Coppola created a masterstroke of screenwriting by including the Roth story, which is not included in the book. That was purely their invention. Everything about those two movies is masterful because all great movie and novels work on multiple levels.
I thank you so much for doing these two parts, because I never could figure out how Michael knew it was Roth. Like Vito knowing Barzini was the one who ordered the hit on Sonny.
Michael, like Vito, was ruthless and brilliant. Example: in Godfather I, he knew Carlo was involved in the hit on Sonny, but because Carlo was now his brother-in-law and Michael had stood as godfather to their baby, he wasn’t going to kill Carlo without knowing for sure that Carlo was involved. Carlo was already a dead man walking, but Michael, in cruel fashion, made him admit his betrayal before the deed was done. He didn’t absolutely have to do that, but Michael is so smart that he would leave no stone unturned. I believe Michael had more suspicion of Roth than Pantangelli, but it wasn’t until his meeting with Pantangelli in the old Corleone home where Michael confirms this, both for himself and the audience. The scene makes us as the audience fearful as Michael is confronting Frank, almost as if Michael is interrogating us. It’s a good plot device to make us believe Pantangelli was the culprit, and that’s how Michael is approaching the situation as well. He asks Frank to settle his dealings with the Rosato brothers. When Frank again opposes this, just as he had before, Michael realizes for sure Frank being honest and is not implicated. Had Frank been guilty of orchestrating the hit, when confronted in this manner, he would’ve gone along with anything Michael said in order to reduce suspicion on himself. As soon as Michael gets the reaction from Frank he needed, he immediately relaxes his posture, realizing Frank is not against him, and reveals the name of their enemy and his plans for his elimination. Michael could have revealed all of this as soon as Frank enters the room, but he doesn’t. Because at the start of the scene, he doesn’t know completely if Frank can be trusted. That scene is the exact moment Michael confirms his suspicions.
It's funny how they portrayed this in the movie because in the book, it implies that Vito knew Carlo betrayed them after he made the peace with the other families. In the book when discussing Carlo's future, Vito calls Carlo a "Good talker " with a hint of contempt as described by the author.
I like how they passed the gold phone around. Michael looked at it. Roth observed him look at it. When passed to Roth he didn't even look at the phone. He just passed it right on to the next guy. Michael noticed it.
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That gave away that he tried to kill Frank. Absolutely. It was that. Calling frank small potatoes before that. The way he kept acting like he was going to live forever with the what do the doctors know stuff. And other details. I haven't even watched this video yet bjt it was definitely a combo of things
The Godfather part two is my favourite movie in the trilogy. Al Pacino played Michael beautifully. He was absolutely terrifying and it was a delight to see him "pitted" against the "old dogs", Roth and Pentangeli. Those two were so self-assured that, so set in their way of doing things, that they just couldn't conceive a young don like Michael, whose background differed from theirs (they rose to power from nothing, whereas Michael inherited it) could be so wise and ruthless. But Michael's beauty as a character is that.... he was NEVER naive. He was a war veteran, he had gone to college, he was familiar with the American way, so to speak. Whereas Vito had been a family man, and maintained that sort of mentality when he did business - his associates were the family, at least for as long as they didn't betray him fundamentally - Michael was a general. The true family, to him, wasn't dictated by blood, or old friendships and partnerships. The family was represented solely by those who stood by him. Yes, he was infinitely colder than Vito, but he was the Don that was needed. The "old dogs" (and that includes Vito, I feel) could no longer maintain their positions as the "top dogs". They hadn't adapted to the times, and the changes those times had brought. But Michael WAS the very embodiment of that "new order". The only betrayal that broke his heart was that of Fredo, but that betrayal did NOT take him by surprise. The confirmation of it was painful, but it was just that - a confirmation. Because Michael knew that, when business is involved, when money and power are involved, it's every man for himself. He knew that the concept of la famiglia had evolved into something far less personal. The family was no longer a small grouping of people who had helped one another rise to power in a foreign country - but rather an institution ruled by those who survived, and who COULD survive. I think to some degree both Pentangeli and Roth were mistaken precisely because they assumed Michael would have the same values as Vito. That he would NEVER expect such a large scale betrayal, and especially not from his father's old "brothers in arms". Those were men amidst whom he probably grew up, people who brought him presents when he was a child. But whereas I believe their betrayal might have been a true blow to Vito, to Michael it was all business. The betrayal made sense, precisely because he knew that the end goal was no longer to create or maintain a "family", but rather to gain the ultimate power. The title of Godfather no longer held and emotional meaning, it was just a title that represented one's influence and wealth.
Al Pacino was about as terrifying as the pomeranian next door that runs on batteries..DeNiro was the star of this movie, liberal scumbag that he is.. not pacino..and if you watch pacino with the sound off, he is a very unimpressive actor..he doesn't command attention or respect and much of it because he doesn't have the physical presence or personality of either.. that's why I never put much stock in this whole pacino mythology
When Michael made the Olla/Freddy connection he was sure and put his plan to kill Roth and Olla in motion, but in the meantime Roth sensed what was happening and made his move. A very great movie with top class acting.
Michael learned just in time that investing in Cuba was a no-no. In Cuba he also learned that it was Fredo who had sold him out. He shouldn't have told Fredo that he knew so he could question him later. I'll never know why Frank Pentangeli, more warrior than businessman, went unescorted into a meeting with the Rossatos he loathed and distrusted so much. Bad move.
@@wjatube I think they just wanted him to let him know that Mike sanctioned the hit (or at least let it happen). Sadly Frank was a casualty and should never have been sacrificed.
@@wjatube because hyman roth wanted frank to believe that michael set him up. So that later he could use frank as a witness against michael in court. But in the hearing frank realises it wasn't michael who had done him.
@alanparedes2034 THIS LINE RIGHT HERE, IS MICHAEL FIGURING IT ALL OUT!!!! People really need to go back and watch the movie again. It was AFTER THIS MEETING WHEN MIKE WENT DIRECTLY TO NY TO SEE PENTANGELI AND HE TELLS HIM THAT HE KNOWS ROTH TRIED TO KILL HIM!
What confirmed it was when Fredo got introduced to Johnny Ola and feigned that he didn't know him. Then when they were at the spot watching Superman, Fredo tells stories about hanging with Johnny Ola. Ola was Roth's guy...
There's a theory that Fredo wasn't the only traitor in the Corleone family since I don't see him being able to kill Roth's hitmen. Some have said Roth might have paid off Rocco to kill them and that Michael sending Rocco to kill Roth at the airport at the end knowing Rocco would die too was either a punishment or Rocco atoning for his betrayal by sacrificing himself.
You never mentioned killing of Mo Green by Michael, Mo was like a son to Roth so he want to revenge for him, there was also a conversation of Mo Green when Michael came to meet Roth. You completely ignored that part which I think is the most important in Michael knowing Roth is the Culprit.
Yea exactly. Michael knew pretty much the entire movie that Hyman Roth was gonna move against him. Right from the start- the meetings with the Senator and Junior Soprano- then the attempt on his life. He knew
Exactly, when Michael asked Roth why he gave the order to kill Frankie, Roth told the story of Mo Green basically asking Michael who the F gave you permission to take out Mo Green. It was a brilliant answer by old man Roth.
Although Roth completely gave himself away with his answer and his obvious rage at Michael on full display there, and guaranteed that there was no way that Michael would ever let him live after that.
Michael’s father knew he had a gift for reading people which is why even though he didn’t want the mafia life for him he knew he was the best fit for the job. Cool headed, silent storm
It was mental game of Chess between Michael and Hyman Roth. Hyman was using business and Michael was using his super sharp patience. Michael was studying Hyman Roth ever since their meeting in Miami. Michael had me watching the way he eats, the little noise he made when tap the chair after saying "whatever I can do to help Michael" just anything that gave away the slightest impression that Hyman had something to do with the bedroom shooting. And that intense stare down when they passing the phone around in at the meeting was like get ready because it's me vs you one of us is not gonna make it out of Cuba alive.
The biggest clue for Michael being convinced that it was Roth was the last sentence, "he's small potatos". If you look at the scene carefully, you can see that Michael asks this question to reaffirm the mind of Roth, and Michael's face is full of suspicion. If Roth was indeed concerned about the deal with Michael and the safety of Michael, he would never have implicated that it was Pentengeli due to knowing Pentengeli so well over the many years. Roth knew that Pentengeli was a tough but loyal guy who would never assassinate his own Don nor have the intelligence to set up a betrayer so close to Michael. If Roth was acting in good faith, he would let Michael know of the unlikeliness of the Pentegeli involvement and the dangers of taking out a Capo who had his own men behind him, which would put the Corleone family in danger as well as taint the deal with Roth. But Roth was relieved to see that Michael was suspecting Pentengeli, and went ahead with Michael's seemingly foolish theory about Pentengeli. Roth never had good intentions with Michael. Michael, on the other hand, is now convinced that it was Roth and proceeds to find out the inside traitor.
I agree, Roth got caught because he went along with Michael's trap to blame Pentangeli. The first allibi that Michael "offers" him, Roth takes. Guilty! Brilliant.
@@dimitristripakis7364 Indded that's what makes Michael who he is. Together with his cunning intellect + his ruthlessness makes him an emperor of the underworld. I always thought him as the Augustus of the Mafia.
Bothe Tessio and Clamenza say that "they,ll come under Barzinis thumb" One of them did. (tessio) The other died of a (not) heart attack , and was replaced by Pantangelli. Now if Roth wanted Pantangelli dead , why did the hitman say "Corleone says hello" To testify ?? He was killing him !!! No point in putting suspicion into a man who youre garroting !!! If Michael had him killed it was because it was still business with Roth. If Roth had him killed it was for the same reason.
I saw Part 1 in theaters last year and was blown away. I bought the 4K restorations on iTunes, and watched part 2 last night and I was very confused until watching this video. For some reason the version on iTunes has either full closed caption subtitles or no subtitles at all. What I wanted was subtitles for Italian only scenes or subtitles as the movie intended when released. I totally missed that Hyman Roth was with Vito in the flashbacks because I had them off for the first 30 minutes 🥲 so the movie didn’t come together for me and now I realized I missed important info.
That was a bloody. bloody affair with Hyman. Mike had ALot of blood on his hand's. And, Under the Fingernails Frank got killed Rocco poor Freddie got it on the boat by Al. Willie Cici outlived them. Joe Spinell died in 1989. So Willie's character couldn't be tarnished.
When Michael left to see Hyman Roth in person after they tried to kill him at his Nevada home. When he got to Roth at his home. Roth said "I Heard You Had Trouble!" It was then when I knew Roth ordered the hit on Michael.
Do you have any idea how long it takes to go from Reno to Miami by train? It's FOUR DAYS. Anyone could find out anything in that amount of time. Even in 1958.
Could it have been Johnny Ola that told Roth of the screwup??, he knew Fredo and Fredo knew Johnny Ola, he did say Roth would never come here but Johnny Ola knows these places in the back of his hand ✋
This parallels the scene where Don Corleone knew it was Barzini that was behind the attempt to kill him after noticing that Barzini, and not Sollozzo, was in charge of the discussions during their sit down. G-d these movies are brilliant.
Tony Montana is in The Godfather too and The Godfather two. And Adrian from Rocky. Brian Piccolo from Brian’s Song is featured as well. Along with Boo Radley from To Kill A Mockingbird. Finally, Stanley Kowalski from A Streetcar Named Desire plays a lead role.
One thing you have to remember is that Vito Corleone purposely located all his familia in a compound in Long Island, and had a “telephone man” who monitored all the phone call coming in and out of the compound. Micheal did the same. When Hyman Roth talked about bugsy, the guy in Las Vegas, he showed his true nature, then Fredo, already drunk, talk about Johnny showing him the Superman show, when a few hours said he did not know him. But, then Johnny called Fredo, and that call was the prove Micheal needed to point the traitor in his family. It is amusing how he send a message to Franky when he brought his brother to the court, by doing so, he let Franky know he had nothing to do with the attempt to kill him. Then, he send Tom, to tell Franky to kill himself by remembering the Roman empire. There is a historic event that took place about traitors, their families, and how they will kill themselves.
Michael told Roth that he would take out Frank. When the Risotto's try and take Frank out they tell him 'Michael Corleone says hello'. If this information got back to Michael (which i'm sure it did), Michael knew that this move was instigated by Roth as he was the only one he told about taking out Frank. It would also confirm that Roth was behind the attempt on his own life as why would Roth want Frank killed? Because the dead don't talk and Michael's suspicions about his killer would've died with Frank.
correct. This is the clincher. Michael did not authorise the hit and when Frankie was almost assassinated he knew that Roth was just as ruthless and that his old man businessman persona was just a cover.
Except Michael didn't authorize hit on Frankie, as we know, wouldn't Roth know that M would find out about the hit and question who/why had done it....anyway I always felt bad for FP
They only said that to Frankie while trying to kill him to make him think it was Michael who had betrayed him. They would have finished him off had it not been for the cop.
There was no reason for that hitman to say that to Frank...that line was to confuse the audience (us). No reason for it at all...he was supposed to be killed. I've always regarded it as sloppy on Coppola's part and I cringe every time I hear it.
I have to admit that it was only after watching this movie many times that I started to understand the plot of this movie. It’s so dense and subtle in the way it presents the characters and situations.
One of the questions that is never answered is who killed the two assassins who tried to murder Michael in his bedroom? If Fredo had no idea if was going to be a hit, it wasn't him. Was Johnny Olaf there? Could it have been him? Anyone?
Why is it no one says anything about Fredo’s botched almost confession when they were having drinks? He said “Michael I was mad at you...” leading up to asking for forgiveness for what he had done, but stopped just short of a full confession?
Michael doesn’t have it in him to suspect Fredo until Fredo lets it slip completely at the sex show. Him covering his face is about realizing just how stupid he’s been to not see it as much as he can’t believe Fredo was stupid enough to sell the family out.
This is sloppy analysis. No mention of Roth’s motive of revenge for the murder of Mo Greene in Godfather 1. Roth = Meyer Lansky and Greene= Bugsy Siegel.
Literally how michael knew it was him. Revenge was the only motive as he feels moe (as one of the founders of las vegas) was disrespected by the corleones moving in to seizethe business and ultimately killing moe
Excellent analysis. The first couple times you watch GF II, this plot seems too complex and confusing. But once you know how it plays out, you can see that Puzo and Coppola really play it straight the whole time. We’re just watching Michael play the situation like a master. The ultimate irony is that Pentangeli does betray the family, but in a different way. And Michael’s up to that task too.
How does Frank betray the Corleone family? Please I've been trying to look for a short, straightforward answer everywhere but I couldn't find it! 😭 I do know that was the reason he cut his own wrists though!
@@porkadobo5035 He rats on the family to the Feds. Michael handles it by bringing in Frankie’s brother for his testimony, causing Frankie to retract his statements.
@@leamanc If you don't mind me asking, what was up with when Michael tells Roth that it was Frank who planned the hit? And Mike tells Frank that it was Roth who did it? What was that about?
@@porkadobo5035 Although Michael knew pretty much right away that Roth was behind the assassination attempt, he didn’t know yet who the “inside man” was in his own family who helped orchestrate it. He’s looking at how both Frankie and Roth react, to see if their reactions tip him in the right direction. He never would have thought Fredo would be the one, but he later figures it out in Cuba.
@@leamanc Dang, thanks a lot man! Definitely rewatching the movie. I'm pretty new to the GF trilogy, I thought the first one was slightly betyer than the second!
@@jerry85g7 it really is. But I was joking as in it takes about 7 hours to watch them all, lol. I've seen them all several times......especially the 2nd, it's the best in my opinion.
According to real life, there was a family boss who had a heart attack (and died), but poison was suspected. But it was not a low-level crew (e.g., Rosato Brothers) that was responsible. It was Willie Cicci who said "That was no heart attack."
@@themistoklestheodosopoulos6253 And I don't know if they ever found out for sure (i.e., heart attack or poison). There was a brief NYC mob war in 1961-62. That's where they borrowed the "That was no heart attack" idea from.
@@basilmarasco1975 it’s funny all these years I kept thinking he died after the shootout and being struck by the car but he later recovered and testified, funny how you remember things incorrectly
I always liked how Coppola had Tom Hagen sitting next to a table lamp. You can see it in multiple scenes. The way the light illuminates and outlines his still figure in a serious way, exhibiting his grounded wisdom and steadfast loyalty.
Great analysis. Personally, I think Hagen was always on Mike’s list of suspects. When Mike asks Tom to step out of the meeting, Coppola keeps the camera on Tom Hagen despite the meeting having already started off-screen, showing that Hagen feels hurt for being left out. Hagen’s motive could have been this feeling of Mikey not treating him like “a real brother,” as he states later. The fact that Mike tells Tom the same line he tells the rest of the suspects confirms, for me, that Mikey _did_ suspect Tom too.
Michael knew there had to be a traitor for the failed hit to occur at his home. When he caught Fredo lying about not knowing Johnny-ola, he knew Johnny-ola set up the hit. He already knew that Johnny was Hyman Roth's man. Q.E.D.
Still doesn’t specifically say the moment Michael figured out Roth. He goes the Florida to meet him and something there confirmed it. Roth didn’t stand to meet Michael. In fact, he throws his leg over the couch without a care. When his wife serves a sandwich, doesn’t even consider if Michael wanted something to drink as he just flew in. When calls Pantegili ‘small potatoes’, he’s actually thinking of Michael. A bag man to deliver money. These mannerisms are a big deal when you have a meeting.
Both Fredo and Roth were good friends with Mo Green, Fredo went as far to take his side, Mike had going against him with Roth, also Roth is a user, he used Fredo to get to Michael for the assassination attempt , just like he was using Michael to get the $$$$ for his cuban deal, had he succeeded (Roth) he would of eventually taken out Fredo
There will be never this kind of perfect movies again so sad the 70s and 80s were the best time for movies great actors, great regie, great Atmosphere vibes and all that stuff the movies had everything
Greatest movie trilogy ever. Al Pacino was made for this part,no one could have played it. I thought the trader was a inside person who knew Micheal's vulnerability was his weakest link was family.His weakest brother, Alfredo used by Roth.
Michael knew it was Roth because the Rozzatto brothers knew that the Clemenza crew was protected by Corleone. They never would have move against them without a go ahead
One of the best parts of The Godfather movie was when the young Vito Corleone saved his neighborhood from being terrorized by the hated “ Black Hand “ in the first Godfather movie. Robert DiNiro was an excellent choice to play the part of young Vito.
@@fazbell Ahh, interesting. There's a very well respected gentleman in the hunting industry named G. Fred Asbell. I thought you may have taken your name from him. Sorry about that.
@@thankyoujodi Oh no, Deniro was SUPERB! One could say that Deniro was the LEADING ROLE! I believe he had more screen time than Pacino or close to it. That's why it's sooo hard. Pentangeli makes you believe he wasn't even acting, like at all. Besides, his voice alone stands out! Then again, mostly all of the main characters made us fans believe it was real. This movie should have broken all the Oscar records, the hell with Titanic......
@@tarzlegacy9446 seriously, it's a damn shame Jon cazale wasn't nominated. I'm probably in the minority but I actually like franky five fingers over clemenza. He truly was spectacular.
@Lucas Duenez , Yes indeed! John Cazell was underrated and deserved more credit. Pacino once said that Cazell was one of the greatest actors he ever seen. He died way too young. I think Cazell was dating or married to Maryl Streep before he died. He was a truly gifted actor!
Michael knew it was roth when fredo invited him to the "dirty show", there he said it was johhny ola who took him to that place for the first time. How does that make michael realize? well in the first scenes of the movie Johnny Ola comes to nevada to speak with Michael, there he sees Fredo and they BOTH act as if they didnt know each other.
Fredo actually tells Michael before that scene that he didn't know Johnny Ola. So when he says Johnny Ola showed him that place, Mike instantly knew Fredo had lied to his face. And was the traitor.
