The Godfather Part II - How Coppola Quotes Himself 

“Fredo...you’re my older brother and I love you...but don’t ever wear that jacket and bow tie combination to a family meeting ever again”

Poor Fredo. Drowned while fishing... with a bullet hole in the back of his head. Such a tragic accident.

“It’s like poetry, it rhymes.” - George Lucas

RU-vid made a recommendation I couldn't refuse.

Other scenes recontextualized in the second movie from the first include: - an assault on the family from someone inside that sets the plot in motion - Michael returning home to Kay after a long period of time out of the country - my personal favorite: 'never do business with anyone outside the family' vs. 'Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer' And also ORANGES

That moment when your movie is so long you can literally bake a loaf of bread in the middle of it to eat while you watch it. Which I may or may not have done the first time I watched godfather 2.

One thing you omitted was the horse's head and dead hooker. In the first film, Woltz waking up to his horse's head was seen as a comeuppance for the character. Senator Geary in bed with the dead hooker is more shocking, because they killed a woman to get their way, and Geary's "comeuppance" is not as satisfying.

The godfather part 1 and 2 has the greatest movie story ever told

"I am Enzo, de Baker"

A contrast that I notice between the two films is Kay’s hairstyle. In the first film, it’s lively, curly, and wild, indicating her independence, while, in the second film, it’s plain and flat, indicating how she’s trapped in her life with the Corleone family.

The Godfather Part 2 is one of my favorite movies. I’m glad to hear someone else appreciates the connections to the first film. I also like how part 2 doesn’t feel the need to go bigger and more violent than the first.

One of the things I love about the cinematography in both of them is that the outdoor scenes - the wedding in Part I and first communion in Part II for example - really look like they're from the periods they're portraying. Some of the shots from Connie's wedding look like color newsreel footage from the 40s and 50s (watch it without sound), but the communion party in Tahoe in Part II: it has a quality of the Super-8 footage one sees from the late 50s/Kennedy era. It's one of many ways GFI & II have always made me feel like I'm watching actual historical footage of the eras being depicted. For all the drama and epic quality, they're still two of the most believable films.

Does anyone else notice the visual similarities between Roth's killing and Jack Ruby's shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald? Im surprised that I haven't seen that pointed out in any of the Godfather saga analization videos that Ive seen on RU-vid

I always think of that last scene as the quote “a painting tells a thousand words” at that moment Micheal has gotten rid of all his enemies all the conflict in his family and he now has some time to reflect not just the events of part two but all of his life choices and his future choices he’s got everything but at what cost

Never have I been more happy with RU-vid recommendations.

HOW DO YOU ONLY HAVE 2.5k SUBS!

Vito had almost all his family killed... He was sick when he went to America. I mean, he did not have it that easy. Anyway, great video, as always.

DUDE, i was shocked to see you only had 5.4k subs , after watching this i wouldve thought you were a way bigger channel and i say that in a goodway. Keep it up bro you're videos are great

The best analysis i've ever seen. Brilliant video, also the godfather 1 & 2 are my favorite of all time. Plus I believe Al Pacino in the godfather 2 gave the greatest acting performances ever, that performance was just unbelievably good.

Another detail that emphasizes exactly what you describe about the door scenes, something which might seem perfectly obvious but to me still seems worthy of carrying a level of symbolism unto itself, is the physical locations of which doors are being closed. In Part 1, the door being shut is merely the door to a certain room of the Corleone family home, a room in particular meant for the conducting of such business that now belongs to Michael. Kay may not be allowed to be a part of "The Life", but she is still in the house, thus still present in his life (if only on a superficial level) and free to at least partake of what other commodities the place may be able to provide her. In Part 2, the door being closed is literally the front entrance. Just as you put it Kay is being rejected personally by Michael... Not just from his business, but from his home, from any and all of the things that home once offered. What that home represented in her mind, whether it offered her anything of value is it's own topic of course. If I had the time to sit down and watch the movies again I might have more to say on that angle but this was just what I noticed after watching the video here.

It's funny how Pacino is known for hits freakouts, because in the godfather 1&2 he doesn't so much as raise his voice more than 4 or 5 times. He shouts about 15 times in godfather 3 by my count. Bit telling imo

Continuously the most underrated film RU-vidr, great analysis as usual

This is the best video analysis on the godfather as a whole. Brilliant.

This was amazing. I'd like to see a video essay on Part III and the difference in how it quotes the earlier films and whether you think it succeeds or fails.

Great analysis. I particularly like the discussion about the party in the first GF film and how it contrasts with the party in GF2. The first film the Corleone family is attached to its Italian roots. The music, culture, language, etc. However, in the sequel the party is less grandiose and "cultural." It's Americanized and bland, thus showing how the Corleone family has become American. Michael defended his family in the first film, his heritage. In the second film, he defended his business, thus showing how American capitalism influenced him.

Greatest sequel ever. And imagine trying to top the greatest movie ever

Please keep making more analysis videos of the Godfather. It gives great perspectives that I've never thought about and its interesting to watch while in lockdown.

Amazing video well articulating how Godfather 1 & 2 relate in intelligent conversation.

Another fantastic video. Your channel is criminally underrated. Unlike some other film analysis videos, you really seem to put a lot into each video. I know this is a popular thing to say about small channels on RU-vid, but in this case it’s completely true.

I'm a fan of this movie for 2 years now and still there's a lot of details I have missed, Your more depth analysis blew my mind.

You sure know how to end a video That music still gives me chills

You forgot the parallel scenes where Vito and Michael each find out about the death of their sons (unborn in Michael's case).

What a great analysis, mate. Great job! I'll always come back to this video whenever I rewatch the first two godfather films, my favorite films of all time.

Watching Godfather 2 made me feel bad for Michael, when he started out as don there was so much at stake in contrast to Vito who was already was at his worse being an unemployed common thief trying to feed his family, therefore his trajectory can only be upward. And Vito's rise was slow which made its foundation strong. When Michael came to power he had a whole crime empire already there to fix under the shadow of his father while dealing with the loss of his first wife, father and brother. He had to weed out people in his own family and friends because of their betrayal. Vito never had to deal with that kind of turmoil in his family and friends because most of his problems were external.

brilliant analysis, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this.

This was brilliantly explained and articulated. Great video!

This analysis is phenomenal! I've watched Godfather for more than 5 times but I never noticed these comparisons between 1 and 2.

These things you cover are aspects that the film puts in your head no matter what, even though you don't realize how it is done. It is an obvious thing that Michael is pushing away from his wife and becoming a gangsta, but the way you explained how that is shown in the visuals is actually impressive. I'm waiting for part 3! (which is considered the worst one of them all, though being an excellent film)

I absolutely love this video… Recently I’ve been on a godfather kick and nobody really talks about the movies quite like you do. The way you analyze and compare the first two movies is incredibly interesting. Thank you for this Eyebrow!

I've watched these movies a million times but missed to see a lot of these points, awesome video!!

Brilliant, deeply insightful, analysis, superbly presented. THANKS

One of the greatest video essays I have seen on one of the greatest films.

19:30 Watching that final scene years ago over and over again, I came up with a little Rod Serling style monologue to illustrate it: "You are Michael Corleone, sole surviving son of Vito Corleone. You have plotted and killed your way to the top and what have you got to show for it? (Pause between the leadup music and the final musical cue). Nothing..."

Wonderful essay. So many points I hadn’t considered, and not a false note in any of them. Kudos.

That was an incredibly beautiful video. Absolutely wonderful

Dude this was an expert analysis. Well done!

Great Analysis, a lot of this I hadn't thought of!

Thank you! You pay these magnificient cinematography gems deserved respect.

Just finished watching. This was enlightening. Also, bonus points for getting me to understand what "intertextuality" can do when pulled off by one of the greats. You have a paypal or a patreon?

Pacino's face was so stupidly perfect for this role

Another great analysis with some more fantastic editing.

beyond incredible analysis 🙌🏻

Brilliant video, just what I was looking for after my rewatch of part 1 and 2!

Fantastic video mate - great points all round

Loved your review of my favorite movies of all time!!

Great analysis!

Wow. Excellent work on this video!

Great work man. Your channel is super underrated.

This video essay made me wach part II again. Thank you my friend.

Amazing analysis. Thank you so much!

Amazing analysis!!

Great job , beautiful explanation. Cheers

Awesome breakdown shewing me even more how this is a masterpiece.

And to think that later, Conney would become such a massive player and influence in Godfather part.3

Very great video and amazing explanation , really , thank you very much👑

Really good video man, you made me like the sequel even more

Thank you my friend for this beautiful analysis. As a fan of The Godfather movies I enjoyed it every minute of it. You revealed the characters as real humans with real human struggles and actions. That I also why I am a big fan of the films. It is not a B movie about gangsters it is a movie about evolution from simple people who try to make living in a hars environment till how to contain, control and preserve a criminal syndication where even your brother is used as a weapon against you.

Great video and analysis.

Amazingly insightful. Thank you. Grrrreat job

Beautifully put. Parallels I’ve never noticed before

This was such a good video man

Great video!

A fascinating, really clearly delineated, educational video essay, thank you. You're editing is top notch too, really clear and serves to emphasise you're written work deftly. I really enjoyed it. Plus, kudos on your nifty Sopranos/'gabolgool' joke, a nice quirky bit of sublimation 😄 it's amazing how quickly a type of Italian cold meat became such a household name after that series became so popular.

this vid is giving me an out of body experience thank you

dude, this is amazing

Thanks - loved the breakdown of how part 2 references part 1. Makes me think how unnecessary part 3 was to the overall story, but would be interested to hear your analysis on that too. Great work!

I’ve been gone a long time Sil...... just when i thought I was out. They pull me back in! Is that Pacino or is that Pacino

this was a brilliant video

Great job

NOW. I WANT TO SEE THE TWO MOVIES AGAIN WITH THIS NEW PERSPECTIVE. THANKS!

Great video! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

great video

this is a great video, subscribed

Great video

Dude. A tremendous video. I will support you on Patreon. I thought I knew movies. I don't know jack.

Great video , absolutely great

Great explanation.

Great video 👌

Vito had it harder than Michael but everything else was spot on! Keep ‘‘em coming!!

I think Vito having "easier" is still understated. Having lost his family, his home, and his identity, he learned very quickly that you have to seize the moment to make it in America. He got a flash of Fanucci already taking his job from him as well as terrifying his friends through shakedowns. Compound the issue further with a wife and children of his own to take care of. No police to run to and no other visible means of support, what should he have done? Otherwise great analysis.

Well done!

Great video! i love your take that Vito always had it easier... no one is better, no one is crueler it's a matter of circumstances

Very perceptive commentary, really interesting.

Many people might disagree with me but I like godfather 2 a tat bit more than 1.

Great essay.

Very good analysis. I esp appreciated the challenge to the Michael-was-a-meaner-gangster-than-Vito argument. Never quite rang true to me, & I believe your explanation helped shed some light on that for me.

I remember. When first saw the godfather. Uncut. At a friend's house. I went out and got the godfather and godfather part two on dvd set

Excellent analysis sir. --------II've seen an entry here by a female " therapist", stating that Michael is a classic psychopath. To me, she has entirely missed the point of how Mario Puzo & Francis Ford Coppola created him. He's a tragic character ------one who grows into tragedy as the 2 films go on. thus, by the end of " GF2 ", Michael is alone ------with all of his haunted thoughts & failings. He's NOT a psychopath at all, but a sad, tragic failure. -----------------------WolfSky9, 73 y/o

Amazing video! I like your take on Vito having it easier than Michael. Never thought of it that way

Good thoughts, thanks!