Godfather

Godfather The Book and the movie of The Godfather have their similarities and differences that I will be focusing on. The Godfather is the best selling phenomenon - a classic of our time. The Godfather story was written before the movie came out approximately 30 years ago. At first glance, the book and the movie appear the same. Upon further investigation, however, the two forms of media do possess certain differences. Although they are different in the areas of characters, setting, and dialog, they are similar in the areas of violence, Don Vito Corleone, and Michael Corleone. These differences in the movie and the book are very minute. The plot for both were intense to read and watch. Gangster action is my forte. There seems to be nothing better than acknowledging a character that plays a role that is highly respected and feared. The plot was very interesting and easy to follow. The literature to this book as opposed to The Rainmaker is that Mario Puzo is better at describing a setting vividly to get a good mental picture as to what is going on. The characters in both the movie and book are easy to relate to because of the Italian side of my family. Whenever we have family get togethers and our "Mafia" picnic, I see the same socializing/ conduct that happens in the story/film. There is one single person that is in my family that is assumed to be the Godfather. I guess I can say that is because my parents strongly urged that I foreclose myself from talking about it to the other people in the family. Acting in the movie including Marlon Brando (Don Vito Corleone), Al Pacino (Michael Corleone), Robert Duvall (Tom Hagen) and Diane Keaton (Kay Adams) all had contributed to a great life-like effort. With those mentioned and along with a handful of others was their acting debut. The only thing I feel was not well thought out about the movie is the characters picked out to play the parts. Some of them were not considered to look like they were Italian. Along with that the sons of the Godfather did not resemble each other, the father, nor the mother. The setting in both the movie and the book were accurate. A lot of the Italian families that just got off the boat resided in New York. The reason for that is because it was the direct route from here to Europe. The dialog throughout the film/book was not that of the native Italian language. The story was in a sense, wasAmericanized. The Italian names were there and the Italian culture was there, but the dialog was in English for the most part. The dialog in the story was done in a hierarchical structure; the most important of people were spoken to accordingly. The main focus in this paper is to discuss the differences between the novel and the film. I would like to reiterate that the characters, setting, and dialog are all topics of interests that are different. Opposite to that the violence, Don Vito Corleone, and Michael Corleone are similar in both mediums. With those six main differences/similarities I will provide four supporting occurrences for each topic. The characters in the book were more put into detail. The ones to be mentioned that were not in the movie may not reflect that they might have had a one second part that could easily be passed up. The characters that were not included on the movie but not in the book are Nazorine, Margot Ashton, Enzo, Katherine, Filomena, Anthony Cappola, and Billy Goff. Of course there are more to be added to the list, but I am simply making a statement. The idea of listing and describing all of them would be tedious. Nazorine is a baker that is described as a pudgy and crusty as his great Italian loaves, still dusty with flour that scowled at his wife. Katherine is Nazorine's daughter. Enzo was Nazorine's baker helper. Filomena is the one that Nazorine scowled at his wife. Margot Ashton, along with being Johnny Fontaine's wife, was described as a beautiful woman with an angelic face, soulful violet eyes, and delicately fragile but perfectly formed body. Anthony Coppola was a son of a man Don Corleone had worked with on the railroad yards in his youth. Billy Goff was the most powerful man in the movie labor unions. All in all the book is more likely to describe in detail about the characters. The scene where Genco Abbandando has cancer and is visited by Don, Johnny, Sunny, Tom, Michael, and as well as others in the hospital is also excluded in the movie. Three days later Genco Abbandando dies. The book started out with Amerigo Bonasera in New York Criminal Court Number 3 for a case involving his daughter. The case was based on vengeance on the men who had cruelly hurt his daughter. After thinking about why the book started out with the case and its significance, I didn't find any evidence in its connection with the book. The case was not included in the movie, which comes to my second difference between the literature and the film. Other setting that differs from the film is that the book lacked mentioning of Don Vito Corleone's wife. In general, I feel that women were not important to the characters and the outcome of the story. Still the theory of women not having rights holds to be true with Mario Puzo's work. Mary Kay was really the only female character in the novel that has much bearing as to what goes on. If I were the one to write the novel I would have stressed more women roles. Could there be any conflictions with the wives of the male characters as to how and why they killed other people? Those type of issues were not addressed in the book that could be very likely to happen in those type of situations. Paulie Gatto was on the Godfather's hit list now. Paulie Gatto was one of the Godfather's caporegimes (bodyguard) and was being replaced by Rocco Lampone. Rocco Lampone worked for the Godfather as an internship for a little while. The scene consisted of Clemenza, Rocco Lampone, and Paulie Gatto. The Godfather found out that Paulie Gatto was getting paid by Sollazo and didn't want an unfaithful man as his bodyguard. The difference lies in that Clemenza made a stop to eat at an Italian restaurant before killing Paulie. The book has its differences with the dialog from the movie. The first reference to that is when the book basically states that the laws don't work for justification purposes, but the Mafia does. The Mario Puzo uses a couple of words that are not used in the movie, for one being caporegime. As mentioned before, a caporegime is any of the bodyguards of Don Vito Corleone. My assumptions are that it is an Italian word. Another word used in the book, but not in the film is pezzonovante. Pezzonovante is a word that means gun. Just like caporegime, it is also an Italian word. The time in Michael Corleone's life after he shot Solazzo and Captain McCluskey where he is hiding from the police presents another difference in dialog. While being in Italy, there is some conversation in the movie where others are speaking in Italian. The book is strictly written in English so the Americans can understand it. The Godfather written by Mario Puzo and the film directed by Francis Ford Coppola have more similarities than differences. The similarities can't all be pointed out, however some can be brought out. The main topics of interest for similarities are violence, Don Vito Corleone, and Michael Corleone. The way that Jack Woltz's horse, Paulie Gatto, Sonny Corleone, and Luca Brasi were killed in the same fashion from the movie to the book. Jack Woltz's horse Khartoum is a retired bred that was purchased for six hundred thousand dollars. The reason the horse came about was because Tom Hagan was there to visit/request that Johnny Fontaine get the part for the next movie. Being that Jack Woltz was the most powerful man in the movie industry, he could be very resourceful for Johnny Fontaine to become famous. Jack Woltz denied the grant for Johnny's part in the movie so Don Vito Corleone had Jack's most precious thing killed. Jack Woltz could only wish that his horse be more head strung. Paulie Gatto was killed like mentioned before; the simple fact that he was being paid off by ( Solazzo ) one of the Godfather's enemies. Rocco and Clemenza took Paulie to a field and killed him where Clemenza supposedly had to go to the bathroom. Sonny Corleone ( Santino ) was killed and set up after Connie Corleone and Carlo Rizzi got into a fight. Sonny when finding out that Carlo Rizzi had hit Connie, he went to go after him. There was prior animosity between Carlo and Sonny because Sonny had beat the heck out of him for hitting his sister before. Sonny on his way to get Carlo, he was blocked in to a security gate and shot at. Luca Brasi, one that was feared by all but only feared the Godfather, got erased by Tattalia and Solazzo. Luca Brasi was brought to a meeting with Tattalia and Solazzo to be offered a more generous dividend for his efforts. The two thought that such a brute force on their side would be a benefit to them. Luca Brasi's life ended when they had strangled him to death. Don Vito Corleone, the Godfather of the Corleone family, reflected the same person in both forms of the story. "Don Vito Corleone was a man to whom everybody came for help, and never were they disappointed.", verbatim from the book. Words of "I'll give them an offer that cannot refuse" were mearly a reference to a part of his personality. He made no empty promises, for he didn't let anyone down. Don Corleone would take other people's problems to heart. The things that he did for people were looked at as a favor. He didn't look for pay out of a deal, at least not directly. Don Vito Corleone believed in the theory that you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Between the two ( book and the movie ) there was a happy medium in how the Godfather was shot by Solazzo and others not mentioned. Solazzo shot the Godfather because he did not want the family to do anything with dealing drugs. Solazzo being pro drugs, thought he could get his way if he killed the Don. Michael Corleone was the youngest son of Don Corleone and the only child who had refused the Godfather's direction with the business. The description of the physical appearance matched that of the book. The literature and the film were also both synomous with Michael Corleone in regards to his personality, how he killed Solazzo, how he killed Captain McCluskey, and how he became the Don. In summation of the book and the film, I feel that each has their entities. The vivid descriptions that Mario Puzo uses to effect the readers' minds could not brought to life without Francis Ford Coppola's film version. Reading the book was sincerely my first positive experience I have ever had with reading a book. Honestly, I have opened myself for the first time to reading books. That is why I am happy that the book and the novel are so closely related. I liked the book more because I will always look back at it. To sum it all up the differences are certain specifics of the characters, setting, and dialog. The similarities consist of violence, Don Vito Corleone, and Michael Corleone.

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Power

People have many different dreams, and many different ingredients for happiness. Some people relay on love, others lean towards money, it may be achieved through money, relationships, or even the misfortune of others, but why does power have the persuasion to change a person and what drives them to gain more?
Mario Puzo, the author of “The Godfather” does an excellent job of showing the many outcomes that power has on people. He writes about Don Corleone, the head of the Corleone family whom has unlimited power and influence throughout the east coast, yet he remains a respected business man and negotiates with his pupils rather than command them. “Don Corleone was a man to whom everybody came to for help…it was not important that you had no means to repay him…it was only required that you proclaim your friendship.” He believed in good ties, and solid relationships. He used his power to advance his loved one’s happiness.
On the other hand, his rival, Solozzo, uses his power to strong-arm his followers and reign terror upon his foes. He relies on his allies for support and wields that power to pursued others to help him. “Sonny will come after you with everything he’s got…You gotta talk some sense into him, the Tattalgia Family stands behind me with all their people.”
What is the deciding factor for one’s outcome as a result of power? Some think it is like a drug that seems to add... [to view the full essay now, purchase below]

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Mario Puzo’s "The Godfather" was the first and most influential gangster movie that paved the way for gangster movies of the future. The movie was directed by Frances Ford Copolla, who made many different ingenious ways to portray this gangster classic. The movie was a very subversive movie, and one of the first of all time.The Godfather has a many different uses of light settings through the whole movie, in which the movie can be interpreted on.
The lighting in "The Godfather," is very dim and is often said to be compared with a Rembrant. The lighting suggest many things throughout the film like a painting. The light scenes in the movie are to portray the Corleone family as good people, someone you could relate to not look down upon. Such as the wedding scene. The scene is very happy and bright, to make you start off to think that the Corleone’s are loving family, and family minded people. The dim light in the film is used to induce fear and death. Such as the scene where Don Corleone gets shot, or when Mike is going to kill the two people in the restaurant. The scene that contradicts the lighting theory is the heart attack of Don Corleone, but it could be look at as a happy time, a time of rebirth, Michael’s coming into power.
"The Godfather," shows a tremendous amount of family values throughout the film. I think the best line in the film is when Don says to Mike " A man who does not spend time with his family is not a man." A good ... [to view the full essay now, purchase below]

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The Godfather is based on the story of an Italian family’s and their rise to power in the land of freedom. The main theme is the honor code, which they live by. This theme might not be as noble as one can think. There are certain societies that live by this code. Honor in them is a matter of pride. No one can say that he did a thing he was not supposed to do. This concept is apparent in Arab and Italian culture. The concept of people liking each other for their deeds. In the godfather trilogy, Honor is not like that of society, it is based from fear of the person as it is in a mob situation. You give me I give you but if you don’t give me I kill you. So logically live by Honor or die. In other words its all about who gets what. Honor is a label that it has been given to glorify it. There is loyalty between the people of the mob because their culture is one that values loyalty ands true friendship. It is a good way to bond to each other, always knowing someone has your back. This is whats called a collective society as opposed to money driven individualistic society where everyone only care about himself. Family ties are not valued as much as they should be. The concept of honor flourishes in a collective society because they label you as honorful. But when you don’t care about what anyone thinks of you, why be honourful. There is no use of being that way to you because no one values you more as a consequence of it. You give but don’t get, then you would be stupid to have honor because you will be taken advantage of.

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The Godfather was based in the late 1940's in New York City. The story is about the Corleone family, which is headed by Vito Corleone. He had four sons. The quick to act older son is Santino, also known as Sunny. The next son is Fredo and the youngest son is Mechael which was in the military at the start of the movie and later stepped up to be the head of the family business. Finally, there is the adopted son Tom who Sunny found in the streets of New York homeless. He took him in seeing how his life was so terrible and Sunny's life was so good. Vito also had a daughter, Connie who went through the pain of the family business and she was not even involved in it.

The movie starts off at the wedding of Connie and her husband Carlo. Vito promises Carlo a good future, but will not ever let him be a part of the family business. After the wedding, Virgo Salatso, a herione dealer from Italy is looking for the Corleone family backing by money and protection from the law, as they have control over the local government. Vito wants no part of the heroine dealer and little does he know all of the other mob bosses are going along with Salatso. Vito had no idea his noncompliance with Salatso would start a war between the families of New York. This led to Virgo's men to shoot Vito but not killing him. This outgraged Michael and this led to the revenge of him shooting a police captain under Virgo and the shootin... [

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I am writing about the use of lighting in the opening scene of The Godfather, (1). The

photography of The Godfather as an entire film is very planned and used specifically to

generate moods, and have great psychological affect. This is just as true for the very first series of shots for the film, and perhaps more important since these first shots will give the audience the initial feeling of the film, and set a tone for the picture. The first shot is highly dramatic in its lighting method, and the audience is drawn in immediately to one single detail. A man begins revealing the details of a tragic incident that befell his daughter. We don’t see who he is talking to. There is a spotlight directly above the man, and this is pretty much 95% of the light used. This really lights up the top of his head, which is bald, but there is no hot spot or reflective element which is good because reflection here would be aesthetically displeasing. The lighting causes dark areas under the man’s eyes, which emphasize the passion and eventually the hatred of what he is talking about. The scene is lit so that the background is completely black, so that the only thing we can see is the man. Even though this is logically unrealistic, the stylistic decision to light in this manner is warranted, since this or any other good film draws heavily upon our expectations and imagination to convey a message or meaning. We as audience accept the unrealistic elements, if they assist in making the story

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Critics agree that in The Godfather, the protagonist, Michael Corleone (Mikey) changes from a person with moral principles and a legitimate role in society to a cold-blooded mobster. In the beginning of the movie, Mikey shows his reluctance to involve himself in the Mafia when he tells his girlfriend, Kaye, about his father’s (Vito Corleone) business methods of coercion and says he will never be like his family. However, as Mikey’s involvement with the family business increases his violent tendencies become more apparent as he volunteers to murder a rival thug and a corrupt police officer. In the final scene, Mikey kills his brother-in-law, and when confronted by Kaye, he looks her in the eyes and claims no role in the murder. At this point, he completely transforms from a military hero and legitimate citizen, to a Mafia don capable of lies and murder. While Mikey’s transformation is quite obvious, the reason for this change in moral behavior is a more complex issue. The change in ethical behavior is a result of Mikey’s decision to become more involved with his family, consequently putting him in an environment that promotes immoral behavior.
Michael Corleone’s problem is an internal conflict between loyalty to family and moral principle. After an assassination attempt on Mikey's father, Mikey decides to return to the family and assume leadership, even though he disapproves of Mafia business practices. The strength of family ties, ingrained in Mikey as a youth, influenced h... [to view the full essay now, purchase below]

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Realism and Idealism for the Godfather

I will never forget what I felt when I first seen my first mobster movie, I was about 12 years old, it was real late at night and I just could not fall asleep. I was flipping the channels looking for something to watch, and that is when I encountered my first mobster movie. I was intrigued from beginning to end; it was like nothing I had ever seen before. The way they talked so confident and cool to the way they looked so sharp and sophisticated. Although they were ruthless criminals, they had certain respectability towards them that no body could deny. Even though I was young and didn’t quite understand all of the scenes I became infatuated with the movie the Godfather and went on to seeing a couple of other popular films like Goodfellaz, Casino, and Once upon a time in America. It is almost unreal how one movie can have such a big influence on your life, but I truly believe that after that day, something inside of me changed, and I began to grow an overwhelming passion for these types of films. It was like discovering a completely new world you never knew existed.

What draws people to mobster films like the Godfather? Hollywood’s gangster stereotype does what we would not dare, and acts like no body we know. They do not care about nobody but their selves and do anything they want, or at least think they can. That is what infatuates people with gangster and mafia films, because people secretly want to experience this lifestyle withou... [to view the full essay now, purchase below]

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Communication in The Godfather "

Vito Corleone is one of the main characters in the movie The Godfather. Throughout the movie Vito gives numerous speeches to the men who work for him, do business with him, and ask favors of him. His style is unusual for a man with all of his power, but it is very effective. His style could be a good example to anyone who is in a management position working with subordinates as well as anyone working in sales or any other position where there is contact with potential business partners. In this paper I will be analyzing Vito's speaking style. First, I will discuss a brief history of Vito Corleone's life to put his speaking into perspective. Next I will discuss his speaking style in different situations. Finally I will look at the reactions to his speaking and his overall speaking effectiveness. Vito Corleone was born with the last name Andoline. He was born in Corleone, Sicily, in the early 1900's. When Vito was twelve-years old his family was murdered and fearing for his own life he immigrated to the United States. Young Vito did not want to be discovered so he did not give the immigration officer on Ellis Island his last name. The officer had to put some name down so the officer choose to use the town that Vito was from as his last name. After hiding out for a few years with relatives, Vito went to work in a grocery store in New York's Hell's Kitchen. At the age of eighteen, Vito married an Italian girl who had just arrived from Sicily. Vito continued to work at the grocery store until a local offshoot Mafia member made the grocery store owner give Vito's job to his nephew. Until that point Vito had never done anything illegal. Out of a job, Vito reluctantly helped a neighbor hide some illegal guns for a few dollars. Vito eventually made friends with his neighbor Peter Clemenza, and his neighbor's partner Tessio. A few weeks later Vito reluctantly agreed to high jack a truck with Clemenza and Tessio. Each of them cleared at least a thousand dollars from the heights. The local smalltime Mafia leader who had cost Vito his job heard about the truck heist. This local Mafia leader demanded a cut from the three young men. Vito, Clemenza, and Tessio were torn between paying the money that they worked so hard for, or keeping the money and becoming an enemy of the leader. Vito decided to hold out and not pay the amount the Mafia leader was asking. Clemenza and Tessio reluctantly agreed to let Vito handle the situation. Vito Corleone, after a clever discussion with the Mafia leader, used an ambush to kill the Mafia leader. Vito was still not interested in organized crime, he just had wanted to keep all of his money. Clemenza and Tessio were noticing that no new Mafia member had taken over now that the original leader had been killed. Clemenza spoke to Vito saying, "Nobody is collecting from the store owners. Nobody is collecting from the card games and gambling in the neighborhood." Tessio then said, "We could take over his customers. They would pay us." Vito shrugged, "I have no interest in such things." Slowly Vito realized that his neighbors viewed him differently now. Vito was treated as a "man of respect" by everyone now. When a widow had a problem with her landlord kicking her out, she surprising came to Vito for help. When he spoke to the landlord at the widows request, the landlord was rude and insulted that Vito would even step into his personal business. Vito remained polite and as he was leaving said, "Do me this service, eh? I won't forget it. Ask your friends in the neighborhood about me, they'll tell you I'm a man who believes in showing his gratitude." The landlord immediately made inquiries about Vito Corleone. He visited Vito that vary night, assuring Vito that it had been a dreadful misunderstanding and he not only let the widow stay, but he reduced her rent. The landlord was so afraid that he stayed out of town for a few weeks. Vito Corleone was reputed to be a member of the Mafia of Sicily. Men who ran card games gave him money each week for his "friendship." Store owners who had problems asked Vito for help and paid him well. Vito gave part of his new income to Clemenza and Tessio without being asked. This is how Vito became the "Godfather" of all Mafia. When Vito spoke, people listened and understood. Vito became known as a "man of reasonableness." He never uttered a threat. He always used logic that proved to be irresistible. He always made sure that others got a share of his profit. He always made it seem like a "win - win" situation for those involved. Vito's speaking style was one of the keys to his success. He was always respectful of others when he spoke in public. He used the same tone in his voice when he spoke to a neighborhood family about their meager problems as used when he addressed a Congressman and his aids about their complicated and important relationship. He made the small people feel important which helped to keep their loyalty. When Vito spoke he took his time and looked like he really meant what he was saying. In public debates he never rushed into saying a statement that he has not fully considered. This style made him look wise and considerate. President Clinton also uses this technique in his debates and town-hall meetings. It makes a person seem connected to the audience. The speaker seems not to have a bunch of preset sound-bite answers to throw at people. It makes it seem like a person is answering what he or she believes, not just what they are being told to say, or just what they think the audience wants to here. Vito only showed emotion when he spoke in extreme circumstances. Vito was able to seem composed even in dangerous or joyous situations. When he spoke to the guests at his only daughter's wedding reception he barely cracked a smile. When he was told of his oldest son's death he just cringed and looked down. This speaking and public demeanor trait helped him to keep the respect of his subordinates. They knew that they could trust his judgment under any circumstances. When Vito spoke he always emphasized how what he was "selling" would be in everyone's best interest. His arguments make people, whether or not they liked him, believe that his way of thinking made the most sense. Most of Vito's speeches were persuasive speeches and this was one of his finest talents. He was even able to convince groups of men to go to prison for him. He did not threaten these men with violence, but he offered the men's families wealth and security while they were gone as well as a reward when they returned from prison. He was able to convince them to do what he wanted while making them feel that both sides had won. Everyone eventually learned that when Vito spoke he was serious. He was an effective speaker because everyone know that he would not say something if he did not mean it. Once a Senator demanded a one hundred thousand dollar kickback from the Corleone family for his help to get a gambling license. Vito looked him straight in the eyes and said "Here is my offer, nothing. I will pay nothing, and you will put up the $2,000 for the license fee. It has been nice meeting with you Senator." The Senator eventually gave in when Vito was able to make him understand that he needed Vito's friendship. Once a new drug dealer set up a meeting between the two groups. The drug dealer made his pitch to Vito, Clemenza, Tessio, and Vito's oldest son Sonny. Vito waited until the speech was over and than began his own. Vito began quietly, "I decided to meet with you because I heard you are a serious man, a man to be treated with respect. I must say no to you but I must give you my reasons. The profits in your business are huge but so are the risks. Your operations, if I were part of it, could damage my other interests. It is true that I have many, many friends in politics, but they would not be so friendly if my business were narcotics instead of gambling. They think gambling is something like liquor, a harmless vice, and they think narcotics is dirty business. No, don't protest. I'm telling their thoughts, not mine. How a man makes his living is not my concern. And what I am telling you is that this business of yours is too risky. All the members of my family have lived well the last ten years, without danger, without harm. I can't endanger them or their livelihoods out of greed." In his speech to the drug dealer he tries to say no to the dealer's idea without angering the dealer. He has spoken kindly of the dealer because he does not know when he may need an ally and does not want to belittle this person just because he disagrees with his ideas. His thoughts seem well thought out. Vito gives no indication that he would ever change his mind, but also gives this dealer the respect that would not jeopardize any future communications. In Vito's position as a Mafia leader it is important to have good public speaking skills. With his public speaking skills he had the whole package, he could motivate people with his intelligence and he could motivate them with force. He prefers the former but was not afraid to use the latter. From his humble beginning in Sicily, Vito learned the importance of intelligence. The strongest does not always win so Vito used his intelligence to supplement his force. One of the weapons of the intelligent person is speaking well in public and Vito used this to his advantage. First impressions are important and he gave off a good first impression when he spoke to a new group for the first time. He was young once and he accumulated his great wealth because he was underestimates by the local Mafia leader. Vito made it a point not to underestimate those he spoke to, or give them a reason to not be his "friend."