Oh HELL YEAH! I never clicked so fast on anything in my whole damn life! The Godfather is my favorite mafia movie and one of the greatest films ever made. Micheal's character transformation from a civilian into a don is one of the most remarkable character arcs in cinema. The Godfather Part 2 is even more epic! Let's Go! 💪🏾🔥
@@nestormurcia6681 it will be on RU-vid sometime in the nearish future, I know they are catching up on other movie and show reactions right now. But the full length for the whole saga is on Patreon!
Always thought it funny that Sonny says to Michael dismissively “this isn’t like the Army, you gotta get up close and bada bing” (ps-this is where The Sopranos got the name for the stripclub from). Michael was a Marine. He fought in the Pacific where combat was often “up close” & incredibly brutal. Also while serving, Michael was awarded the Navy Cross (2nd highest military decoration) & a Silver Star (3rd highest military decoration). Maybe Sonny just saw him as his little bro, but Michael was very experienced in close up violence.
Michael was a straight-up killer and killed more than several Japanese soldiers during his military service. He almost won the Medal of Honor, which is our countries highest honor !!
Definitely Sonny just seeing him as a lil bro. I mean shit no one knew what those boys went through until the movies started showing it. And even then shit like (the Pacific or Hacksaw Ridge) doesn't scratch the surface of the horrors seen on those islands.. all war is hell obviously. But the Pacific theater was on a different level. Only the memoris from those Marines there can capture it. And even then our imaginations can't imagine the hell they saw. So tl;dr You're absolutely right. Mikey was a cold blooded killer that could make even the strongest street thug cry
Excellent points. Until now, I never considered the likelihood that if Michael was a winner of the Navy Cross and a Silver Star, that he had done things in the Pacific conflict that he (like most combat vets) didn't want to talk about and definitely wouldn't brag about. Also, he probably killed a lot more people than his hot tempered big brother Sonny ever did.
In the novel Luca Brasi was a lot scarier, he was respected by everyone and a real killer, the movie somewhat fails to show this but Luca pretending to change sides is actually a big deal, no one would dare to move on the Corleone while he was still alive.
I just finished reading the book recently and while there is a lot of really weird stuff that I’m glad didn’t make it into the movies, a lot of cool stuff also got left out. To be fair though I don’t think the movies could have ever been made with some of those Luca scenes that are in the book
As someone who barely ever reads books. I have to praise books here. Sometimes you can't get the book to screen because of how well our imaginations come into play while reading. This is why I believe they haven't made a Blood Meridian movie yet. Obviously nowadays it would be a lot harder to make since Hollywood is really woke and it'd be hard to make a Blood Meridian movie without everyone feeling super uncomfortable but I digress. I feel the real reason is because no movie maker could accurately depict the character known as Judge Holden...
"On the Waterfront" won 8 oscars including best actor for Marlon Brando who plays a longshoreman working on the docks controlled by the union mob. The movie is ranked 19th on the AFI's all time list.
The film doesn't take place in the 70s. It takes place in the 40s and 50s. Michael is home from World War II during the opening wedding, so you know it's circa 1945 and about 10 years pass over the course of the film.
I saw this in the theater on first release. All subsequent Mafia films are inspired by and derivative of it. Another great one from that year: "The French Connection".
There's probably so many nods in The Sopranos that we still haven't caught lmao. That show is an iceberg when it comes to nods to other films and media
One of the best movies ever! Brando won Best Actor, Coppola Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Mario Puzo and Coppola. Burt Reynolds was offered the role of Michael, but Brando threatened to quit if Reynolds was hired.
Sure you've been told already. But Fredo's actor has quite the story. He was a living legend until an untimely cancer death. The movies he was in will blow you away. Even if you never saw it? You've heard about it in passing and he's played great roles in each of them
@@OrondeBranch yup, and the people at wedding in opening scene were family members of Patriarche (new england boss) . Brando didnt knew this , and he had 1 of his temper fall outs and directed towards them. But when he found out who they were he apologized to the boss
Sollozzo upon hearing Vito is still alive: "Well its bad luck for me, and bad luck for you if you don't make the deal." My thoughts: No its mostly bad luck for you.
29:15 The scene in the diner works without subtitles b/c you can feel the tension build regardless. But what they say is basically: SOLLOZZO: “I’m sorry…” MICHAEL: “Leave it alone.” ( or ) “Forget about it.” SOLLOZZO: “What happened to your father was business. I have much respect for your father. But your father, his thinking is old-fashioned. You must understand why I had to do that.” MICHAEL: “I understand those things…” [Waiter brings McCluskey's veal, then exits.] SOLLOZZO: “Now let’s work through where we go from here.” MICHAEL: “How do you say… ?” [Then Michael returns to speaking English.] [After Michael returns from the bathroom] SOLLOZZO: “Everything all right? I respect myself, understand, and cannot allow another man to hold me back. What happened was unavoidable. I had the unspoken support of the other Family dons. If your father were in better health, without his eldest son running things, no disrespect intended, we wouldn’t have this nonsense. We will stop fighting until your father is well and can resume bargaining. No vengeance will be taken. We will have peace, but your Family should interfere no longer.”
I use to read many comments talking about how precise were Michael shoots in the restaurant. Michael wasn´t in that time in mafia affairs, but he was a II World War hero. He probably shooted better than anyone in his family.
Can't believe as film buffs you guys don't know Marlon Brando. Guy literally reinvented film acting in the 1950s. Brought a realism that wasn't there before. Watch A Streetcar Named Desire and the On The Waterfront as an intro for his career.
"Johnny Fontaine" is Frank Sinatra, and is the only reason both the book and movie were financed. It was assumed that America would be endlessly fascinated by Sinatra's ties to the Mob, but that couldn't sustain the interest of Puzo or Coppola. Or America, as it turned out. "Johnny" was more or less pushed to the side in favor of the fascinating Corleones.
Lenny Montana: aka ‘Luca Brasi’ was actual muscle for the Columbo crime family and a wrestler. He wasn’t acting when he was rehearsing his line for the Don…he was actually rehearsing and Brando was making faces at him to get him to crack. Lenny..along with most of the people at the wedding..were actually all real La Cosa Nostra.😎
That's awesome. The wildest and only one I heard about was the dudes from Casino during the hit scenes at the end. I guess the guy that supposedly did the hits was the one acting them out since he was an advisor on set. Crazy ass stuff. I barely know dick about this stuff and heard that in passing so apologies if I got any or all of it wrong. Super interesting stuff and I'm sure there's incidents like this we've never heard about seeing how many legendary Italian mob movies there are
"You're not a wartime Congslerie Tom" Michael's words mean: #1 The first weak spot they came at The Don at was Tom, thinking he would fold under pressure #2 Wartime Congslerie, Street Veteran, Chess Master must know all the pieces on the board. 3# it's about to get bloody and violent and I need even my advisor to be ready to fight.
For Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), Francis Ford Coppola put a jaw prosthesis in his mouth and a gauze, to give him that particular face. Brando was relatively young in this film, and Coppola pretended to age him and also look more threatening.
My favorite reactors doing my favorite movie today! I may have actually squealed with joy when I saw this pop up! My dad, who grew up around *some Irish stuff* in the 50's-60's in Boston, was the one who showed me all the best mob movies. This (plus part II) and Goodfellas were always top of the top. When I was 13, my dad gave me the book of the Godfather (I don't think he knew about the Lucy Mancini subplot) and I loved it, especially getting to read descriptions of how Michael and Vito think and plan. My dad is buried in the same cemetery as John Cazale (Fredo Corleone), who was his favorite actor. He would think that was cool. Would LOVE to see you two react to the HBO series Rome, you would love Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus.
Rome is currently being reacted to on Patreon! It may take a while to get to RU-vid but right now I think they have the first 9 full length episode reactions up.
Alex Rocco - (Moe Green,)is another real life gangster who ran with Whitey Bulgur and The Winter Hill Gang in Sommerville, MA. Back in the 60s. After doing some time in prison he took off to California and started a new life as an actor.
Correct for the most part; Rocco didn't run with Whitey Bulger, he ran with the first two leaders of the Winter Hill Gang: Buddy McLean and Howie Winter.
Actors like these used to be almost worshipped. 😂 There was no CGI or trick photography or too much action. This is pure art and the cast were masters!
random tidbits from the book: 8:57 the tradition is that a man can't refuse a request on the day of his daughters wedding; that's why the Don is careful who he talks to that day; and why Luca saying that he just wanted to thank him without asking for anything was a gesture of respect. 24:54 That is Enzo the baker. He's the man (from the beginning) that the Don helped by fixing it to stay in the country and marry the daughter of the man who asked the favor at the wedding. He was willing to do anything as thanks to the don. 34:42 In Sicilian tradition, you can only give gold to a woman you are engaged to. So Michal giving her the gold necklace was taken as a former proposal; and her wearing it was a formal acceptance. 35:00 the family behind her are laughing because the girl was known for being sure-footed; and they knew her "stumbling" was just a ruse so Michael would be able to hold her arm. 41:26 in the book, the undertaker is scared because, not knowing what they were going to ask, he thought they wanted him to dispose of a body too important to be found. He didn't want to do it, but he knew he couldn't refuse to do the favor; and was relieved that the favor was what it was. 56:08 Clemenza was Sonny's godfather; so he was given the honor of killing Carlo as revenge for Sonny's death.
Now you guys can get all the Godfather references in The Sopranos: Vito picking out oranges before he gets shot just like Tony buying orange juice right before he gets shot in season 1, Big Pussy sleeping between the fish in season two just like Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes, Sonny saying bada bing in the Godfather and it turning into the name of the strip club in the Sopranos, Michael going into the bathroom and then executing Solozzo and the police captain just like the guy in the member's only jacket goes into the bathroom in the last scene of the Sopranos. It goes on and on. 😊
Lol, I knew you were going to question the naming a mixtape after Luca Brasi, but in the novelized version, his backstory makes him one of the most feared and notorious hitters in the mob. Even, the don is a little uneasy about him
Godfather Part 2 is the number one cited movie when it comes to folks arguing about whether the sequel is better than the first one. Can't wait to see y'all peep that one!
Godfather - you’re right about the acting (Brando - an Oscar). But it’s also the directing (Coppola - Oscar Nomination); the screen play (Puzo&Coppola - Oscar); music (Rota - Oscar); 3 actors nominated for best supporting actor; oh yeah, and Best Picture (Oscar). And did you catch the cinematography, (the shadows, the faces?) It all adds up to this being one of the top 3 movies ever. And you’re right; no mob movie can compare! Except one -> GF Part 2. Many believe it’s better. Plus add DeNiro to the mix…
25:34 That was Enzo, the baker's son. Vito did a favor to his father at the beginning of the movie that allowed him to stay in the country and it ended up saving Vito and his own son, Michael, as well.
Great reaction, excited to see you react to part II, which is on par, if not better. Both films are in regular rotation for me at home, 50 years on and never been beat.
You guys should check out Apocalypse Now next. Same director. Absolutely great movie and there’s so much interesting psychological stuff in there for you guys to really dig into & analyze.
Great reaction, guys. This movie was so influential that real-life gangsters started acting differently to each other, trying to be classy like the Corleone family... Even the FBI noticed the change on the wire tap conversations.
There's a pretty good mini-series on Paramount about the making of this movie. Producer had to go through a lot of hoops to get Coppola to write the script, get the studio to actually agree and then had to politic with the NY mafia to get the movie made
One of the most chilling scenes in cinema: a blood-soaked Jack Woltz waking up and screaming in horror because the mafia have cut off the lower half of the horse he sleeps with. Brutal.
None of the characters are real, they're inspired by some real ones, especially Johnny Fontaine, but the story is fiction (also inspired by the war of 5 families), a lot of the code and gentlemanlyness is real-enough, but has also been romanticized and embelished by the author of the novel.
Big boy, your man hit it out of the park with the observation, Michael in the hospital with Don Vito. Kiss his hand and Quoting " I'm with you Now, I'm with you"
The compound where all of the Don's family lives is out on Long Island, before the suburbs were built. They had one cul-de-sac with a wall and gate and all the family lived on the same provately owned street in the novel.
Marlon Brando was 46 years old when he portrayed Don Vito Corleone. Hence the cotton balls in his cheeks along with some aging makeup. Won best actor that year. GF2 is a must watch. Great review!
I love seeing two younger guys of a different culture or heritage appreciate ... the greatness of this film. Open mindedness is a great thing to see in others. Thank you for sharing your experience. ❤
The interesting thing is, in Tony Sopranos first meeting he says that he came in on the tail end of the mob's power. So when you watch Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino and The Sooranos, a clear picture of the mobs decline is painted starting golden era of power and respect with the Godfather all the way to Tony's era where there very little respect or power. In godfather and goodfellas we see how they are almost stars, but in the Sopranos, eveyone avoids doing business with them if they can
Fun fact, I learned in the documentary.The filmmaker told them to put the gun in a different place Behind the toilet.. they originally told al pacino It would be right on the bottom, but they put it on top to get a reaction of frustration and Anxiety
Yeah from what i understand the cat was a stray that they found around the studio lot and the cat just really liked Marlon Brando so they added the cat in the scene.
Omg, so excited!!!! “ I have seen this before..” ughh! Normally I would skip. Appreciate the honesty, and you guys are great so… let’s do it!!! Thank you
Great stuff, guys. Don’t wait too long before Part II. Having the major elements of this one in your mind will be helpful. Thankfully, the dark and rich style of the production is carried over perfectly. It’s a magnificent combination of both prequel and sequel.
30:00 this was referenced in Sopranos, when Adriana was confessing that she was a rat, Chris’ eyes were darting around like Michael’s in this scene with the close-up on his face
Carlo Set Sonny up. He got the women to call the House knowing she'd blow up, give her a beating She'll get Sonny to come run to the rescue. Hitmen waiting on the bridge crossing takes thought and planning.
I can't remember the particulars now that I'm at the end of this video, but you guys have made a few observations that I've never noticed or thought of before, and I can't remember how many times I've seen this movie. Well done, and thank you. Btw, the horse head in the dude's bed was real, they got it from a slaughterhouse at a dog food factory. So the screams were of real terror because they didn't tell the actor. Savage!
Mario Puzo, who wrote the novel, said this is the story of a king with three sons, each one possessing a trait of the Don. Sonny is aggression, Michael is wisdom, Fredo is compassion. It’s an amazing book.