The brilliance of Don Corleone: He helped Enzo to stay in the country, Enzo stays with Michael to help save his life. We find out that Enzo was safe, so the family was so grateful that he ended up with a great living, even presenting them his dishes. He even pops up in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it scene in The Godfather Part 3 played by the same actor.

Michael signal his change at the Hospital when he whispered to his father, "I'm with you now."

Fine, fine reaction! I'm 74 (today's my birthday). Over the years, I've watched The Godfather or reactions to it about 100 times (maybe more). You're right - this movie is timeless, and it never gets tiresome, dull, or trite. I love to see new viewers become believers in this film. You were great to share your reactions with us.

The first time I ever watched the movie the "bolt of lightning" speech made me swallow hard. It reminded me so much of my Dad, who is not a criminal or anything but a big man shaped by 12 years in the merchant marine. Some 18+ year old guys threatened my brother and myself when he was 13 and I 11. My Dad picked us up at school for a few days (we usually walked to school). On one of the occasions of Dad collecting us we encountered one of the bullies who was there to pick up his own younger brother. My Dad is a family man. Always gentle and caring and making time for his little ones. That day i saw another side to him. He gave a speech pretty much like the "bolt of lightning" speech and the look in his eyes...o he meant everything he said to that adult ass man (okay he was 19, but still an adult) and not for a moment after i was ever afraid again of walking by myself anywhere in our district. My Father is old now and fragile and forgetful, but I will always remember that look in his eyes when he defended his babies

Fun fact: The Johnny Fontaine character was based on Frank Sinatra, who in real life was in a contract to the Tommy Dorsey Band. He somehow got the part in "From Here to Eternity", which made him a superstar and for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Frank Sinatra was notoriously linked to the Mafia and he hated the Godfather novel when it came out. One night, both Mario Puzo (the writer of The Godfather) and Frank Sinatra were at a restaurant called Chasten's and there was a scuffle witnessed by several people. Sinatra was furious at the implication that his career success was attributed to the Mafia pulling strings.

If you're ever curious about the story of Moe Greene (guy in Vegas), the real guy it's based on is Bugsy Siegel. Best dramatic presentations about him are in the show "Boardwalk Empire" (although only a secondary character late in the series) and the movie "Bugsy" (1991) that's specifically about him and covers his later years.

As far as Michael finding out about the Don being shot from the newspaper- he & Kay were out Christmas shopping and walking along the street. How could the family “call” him? In those days, newspapers came out with several editions every day, so he was getting the most up to date notice he could.

I've seen this movie many times over the decades. I'm very impressed how you picked up on subtle plot points during your first viewing. Well done, sir. Great reaction.

One of the most fascinating things about Al Pacino's role as Michael is the way he hides his power level until the oppurtune moment, making both his foes and family continually underestimate him, misjudge his abilities and overexpose themselves. Sonny and Clemenza openly laugh in his face when he proposes the double assassination with the hidden toilet gun despite his wartime record as a wounded, highly decorated marine corp veteran of the Pacific theater- think Guadalcanal, Guam, Okinawa, Iwo Jima. His enemy kill count would've likely exceeded any hit man's in the Corleone organization. Notice Tom Hagen, canny individual he was, didn't join in the ridicule, understanding Michael was not a sheltered, innocent stranger to lethal violence. Tom knew the buttoned down "college boy" aspect of Michael's identity was a skillfully projected mask.

Your enthusiasm for the story is very contagious! lol can't wait for Godfather II Something interesting about the spousal abuse between Carlo and Connie; if Vito hadn't been incapacitated, he wouldn't have done anything. He and his wife are very traditional Italians, and that means once a couple is married, whatever goes on afterwards is strictly their business (including physical abuse). You can see that at the dinner conversation when Carlo tells Connie to shut up; Sonny reprimands him, but their mother interrupts to say "Don't interfere." It was Sonny who had a very non-traditional reaction, and publicly punished Carlo for abusing his sister--the consequence of course being Carlo's betrayal and Sonny's assassination.

I'm not from NYC, but I've been there many times. It's a wonderful city with so much to do, you don't ever have to repeat the same thing twice and still have a great time. You should definitely see the city, but do your homework first as to where things are located. You'll have a better time if you plan ahead - less time trying to figure it out once you're there. Best areas: Go to the Financial District, Central Park, Chinatown/Little Italy. You won't be disappointed.

That line about a bolt of lightning from Vito has always been a favorite of mine too. To hear someone who's built a reputation for being rational and compromising speak that way makes it especially chilling for me.

There has never been a character development in the history of movies like Michael Corleone, schools teach classes at his character development

Francis Coppola, the director had to battle Paramount they did not want Brando, who was considered a has been or Al Pacino. They wanted Burt Lancaster and Robert Redford. Godfather II is considered better by many people but Paramount did not want to pay for Brando to be in the second movie

35:49 he basically said, "I will destroy myself and everyone in this room (he said "blame SOME people" but they all knew what he meant) if something happens to my youngest son", absolutely anything. 😂 Definitely one of the coldest, yet, eloquent threats in Cinema.

Another fun fact: The actor who portrayed hitman Luca Brasi (Lenny Montana) had a successful career as a professional wrestler and worked as an enforcer for the Colombo crime family.

This is ART mate, one of the GOATs. Your reaction sooo enjoyable Cap!!! A truly MASTERPIECE.

Enjoyed this. Part II is so good, hope you do it soon.

First time watching your channel… had to subscribe before even listening… love the title of Captain….

I lived for 4 years from 73 to 77 20 miles from New York City. The view from my room was the skyline of the city which at the time included the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Took one trip to the observation deck of 1 World Trade Center. The view was fantastic and in a strong wind, the building could sway back and forth up to 2 feet. Visited the city that doesn’t sleep many times. The New York style pizza with sliced sausage and pepperoni that you could buy from street vendors or from kiosks in subway stations is delicious. So are the hot dogs sold by street vendors and the bagels and rolls sold at deli’s. I’ve only mentioned a few food items. There must be tons of new food places in the 49 years since I moved away. You definitely should make a trip there. I’d recommend flying in to one of the airports, getting in a train to grand central station and taking the subway all around the city to explore it.

I think the turning point for Michael was when he saved his father at the hospital

I have watched dozens of reactions to this classic and you picked up on all the nuances better than any other. I too, found the "bolt of lightning" line to be as critically telling as you. The only thing I think you may (emphasis on "may") have missed was Enzo was the one discussed with his then girlfriend's daughter's father during Connie's wedding regarding his upcoming deportation... which the Don pulled the strings to have him stay. Otherwise, you nailed everything... even how Carlo set Sonny up. Many miss that until the end. Same for Paulie. Everything about this movie is perfect... the screenplay, the casting, everybody's acting, the score, the cinematography. Nothing was short of perfection. Now, you MUST watch the sequel... preferably as soon as possible while this one is fresh in your mind. Every bit as good as this one. Some say even better. Great job, Captain!!

aahh, yes. the sicilian consiglierie. The family lawyer/advisor, and also one of the only people that are "off-limits" in family feuds, as they are the person that handles contact with the rest of the world, on behalf of the family. also, 21:01 a sandwich with a bite taken out of it, and a full cup of coffee left behind. someone left in a hurry, and that is a warning bell going off (Security guard by trade). And as Michael is a former soldier, he sees this as well and takes it for the bad sign it is.

Did anyone count how many academy award winners in their careers are in this movie, never in the history of movies has there been so many Oscar winners in one movie

Great film. The beauty lay in its portrayal of the characters within the context of their cloistered little world - and make no mistake ALL of them are evil, horrible people; all are bottom feeding predators that thrive on human misery and weakness but within the context of their twisted shadow world you get to see gradations of character - some are worse than others. As to the Don, he's a relic from another world.

the singer Jonny Fontaine was suppose to b Frank Sanatra and Mo Green was suppose to b Bugsy Seagell who made Las Vegas but alot of names were changed 😇

"...Or if he should be struck by a bolt of lightning!..." Great selection of line

That cat Brando was petting while sitting beginning of the movie had just wandered onto the movie set. Brando picked it up and was petting it before the scene started, and they just left the cat in it, lol. Watch the directors commentary (on your own) at some point...Coppola's insight into the movie and the making of it is fascinating...that's where I got the cat story from, lol. Thanks for the wonderful reaction, as adorable as ever!

I would recommend to anyone who loves "The Godfather" watch "The Offer". It's a mini-series about the making of "The Godfather".

Fantastic reaction video as always!!

The fundamental change you spoke of in Michael occurred because not only was Vito incapable of fulfilling his responsibilities as Don and Godfather, because he'd been shot multiple times but when Michael looked around he saw the santino was not capable of taking over his done because he was far too impulsive and would have turned all the families overtly against the Corleones, and you yourself commented on Fredo's effectiveness (or total ineptitude) when the Don was being shot. Michael knew that the entire family's survival depended on his brain and his military training so he had no choice but to do what was needed, whatever that might be

"Why is he acting suspect" ha ha

The guy who plays Luca Brasi is Lenny Montana. He was a real life enforcer in the Colombo crime family.

The Oscar on the bed table (good catch) was won by Francis Coppola for best adapted screenplay for PATTON.

"The don built diferent, bro" 💪 haha love that line.

As for learning Italian, it's a relatively easy language to at least learn conversationally. It's a very musical language (every word ends with a vowel, so it rolls together very well) The key is learning some basic phrases and work on vocabulary. As a Sicilian American from the Bronx, I can tell you that this movie was quite authentic. The pizza is great here (NY), uniformly good. (a really bad pizza place wouldn't get enough customers)

Roughly speaking, Jonnie Fontaine is Frank Sinatra. The Band leader is Tommy Dorsey & the movie was "From Here to Eternity" & Yes, Frank Sinatra was the right man for the part. It made him a huge star. & He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film. & You are correct, you do not abuse the mob boss's daughter. September 1980, NY Mob Boss, Big Paul Castellano. Ordered the murder of his former son-in-law, Frank Amato, for physically abusing his wife. She was pregnant & had a miscarriage weeks later. Big Paul never forgave Frank. & The daughter didn't ask why, her husband never come home one night.

I’m from Philadelphia but I do go into Manhattan fairly often. I have to say I always try to go to NY at Christmas time every year. You should go, you’ll love it. Times Square is the ultimate place to people watch!

I live in Manhattan. In fact I walked in Central Park this morning. The city is fabulous with much to offer. You will love it. As I love your reaction to GF I. Please watch II soon. It’s unbelievably good. Wait’ll you see DeNiro.

That was fun. Thank you. You understood it perfectly. My favorite movie of all time.

te detective who said Mike was a war hero is the famous Sonny Grasso....look him up-

I'm 63 and lived in NYC from 1983 to 1993 so it's been some time but the top of the Empire State Building is still worthwhile on a clear day. Rockefeller Center Skating Rink around Christmas time is nice. You can do the Stature of Liberty and Ellis Island tour together. The 911 memorial means a lot to those of us who live in the metro area as we all directly lost or knew someone who directly lost a loved one on that day.

Great job reacting! Thanks!

The reason Michael wasn’t told about his father’s shooting is that he was in the city with Kay in a hotel taking some time to be together. The family can’t reach him because he doesn’t want to be reached.

"Hello, Carlo." You know, you just know.

Lifelong New Yorker here. Something that you should know is that New York city took a MAJOR blow from the pandemic and hasn't been the same since. Its economy depended on continual motion and when everything shut down it caused major changes. The New York experience is not the same as what many pre-pandemic tourists will remember. It's a shame and I hope the city eventually recovers. Traditionally Manhattan during the holidays was amazing,

In the 1940's, of course, nobody had mobile phones. But almost no one had answering machines either. Until Michael and Kay got home (or saw a newspaper), there would be no way to contact them.

The real Mafia had the last say what was in the movie and what was out also many of the extras a real-life Mafia guys, Francis Ford Coppola might have been the director but he took his orders from the mob bosses

Hey, CT, I'm a new subscriber from New York. You'd love it here. I was raised in an old brownstone in Brooklyn, and I'm part Sicilian on my mother's side of the family. If you do visit NY, make sure you go to the non-tourist sites like the family owned Italian restaurants, and other out of the way places. Thank you for the reaction.

It's worth reading the book you get answers to everything. Sonny's interruption at the meeting why they wanted to get his father out of the way, hoping Sonny will be the new Don who is keen on the drug business. Michael wanted revenge on the police officer who hit him. He can't take defeat. He would've killed that guy anyway some day. When he said it's not personal it's business, he was lieing. It was personal.

He's calling Fredo, Frodo 😂

I'll put it to you this way about NYC, I'm heading there for the 4th time in the last 10 months next weekend. This time to see Shakespeare in the Park, Ricky Gervais at Radio City. 1 Vanderbilt Place to walk the glass floor that is 364 meters above street level. And a tour of all the top NYC pizza spots and a few other things as well.

The Don's 'superstitious man' speech is one of my favorite lines in all filmdom. It's just chilling.

Newspapers in those days published fresh editions throughout the day with brand new headlines. It would be very normal for a mid-day murder to show up on newsstands for someone like Michael to see early evening.

I've always been partial to that "bolt of lightning" speech, and too many reactors don't even include it in the edit in full, which it needs. Earned a like, maybe a sub after I look at GF2. There are many great 20th century films and too few reactors interested in historic cinema, hope you sample some more.

I´m 60, a film-freak, and I´ve seen more than 20.000 movies (yes, it´s my daily addiction). For me personally, there´s only two perfect movies: 1) THE GODFATHER 1 + 2 (yes, I count them as one) and 2) GALAXY QUEST, a science fiction parody and wonderfully tender homage to star trek (a wonderful movie, watch it if you never saw it) 🙂

It helps to keep in mind that The Godfather movies are about gangsters, they really aren't a celebration of gangsters. People who don't want to accept that get really pissed off with the last movie. Everyone who gets it love the last movie. That's why the last movie is so controversial and polarizing.

Truly great reaction! I loved your admiration for the Don. One of my favorite Brando films is On the Waterfront, but I don’t think it’s available on KZfaq. You can also look for The Wild Ones, Apocalypse Now, and A Streetcar Named Desire. I’m sure I’m missing some; he was great in everything. The Godfather was his best, though. Brando was an icon.

It's really heartwarming to see a new generation reacting to the Godfather and realizing what a fantastic movie it is.

Yes, NYC is a place unlike any other. It would be worth the trip.

tables next to couches are endtables, and tables next to beds are nightstands

Michael just told kay he had been back in the US more than a year, so Apollonia was dead that long

No cell phones back then. They had no way to reach Michael when his father was shot.

16:38 Yes, Fredo is incompetent. Today, if someone is called a "Fredo", that is an insult and implies that person is incompetent, but thinks they are smart.

He waited for the train to pass before he surprised them, and shot them both. He Hit the Cop twice.

Moe Greene is supposed to be Benjamin bugsy Siegel main guy of the lansky Luciano crime organization and also the founder of the modern-day gambling in Las Vegas with the very first flamingo hotel. Bugsy was also part of the famed murder Inc.

It is this film that made Al Pacino a superstar. And the Al Pacino "Scarface" is a REMAKE.

when you paused about the "bolt of lightning," I, too, paused....and subscribed. I've read the book dozens of times. It's on my "bedside" table and still pick it up and open to any random page. There is almost no reason for YOU to read the book, as ---take it from me--- the movie is almost a flawless reproduction, minus details that would slow it down. One the FLIP side, the background from the book is amazing. For example.... Sonny is known as "the most feared city fighter in New York," by ALL the families. A few years ago, a similar unsuccessful hit was put on the Don and Sonny took over the family at the age of 19. Being a hot-tempered man, Sonny reigned hellfire on New York, while the fiercely loyal Luca Brasi waged a parallel one-man war to avenge his Don. The other 4 families were on the brink of extinction because Sonny was blindly killing anything at moves and business had stopped for everyone. Luckily, the Don recovered from his assassination attempt and made the peace before Sonny could wipe out everyone. As a result....ALL the families fear not only Don Corleone, but the Son that stands beside him and the Luca that stands behind him. The families also learned to APPRECIATE the Don as a man of reasonableness because it was his recovery that saved their very lives. SOMETHING else that you might appreciate, is that the entire movie is SONNY'S FAULT because of his outburst at the Solozzo first meeting. When they met Solozzo and Sonny said "wait a minute, you mean to tell me the Tataglia's will guarantee our----" and then he was cut off by the Don. Once Solozzo could tell that Sonny was hot for the drug deal, the only logical thing (for Solozzo) was to kill the Don and let Sonny take over. That's why the Don was angry at him, because Sonny let Solozzo know that the family wasnt unified in their decision. Had Sonny kept his mouth shut, Solozzo would have no reason to believe that killing the Don would get him his drug deal.

In the book, Luca us a total psychopath

Another fun fact: The actor who plays Carlo Rizzi (Gianni Russo), claims to have slept with Marilyn Monroe when he was a teenager (16 years old).

See "Donnie Brasco" and "Black Mass". And "Carlito's Way".

It is very interesting to see your reaction to the films Robocop and Robocop 3. This is a cool immortal classic 👍

Mike didn't have a cell phone, mike said they had to get sollozo and remember he was a captain in the Marines

If you haven't seen the sopranos you should do a watch-along/reaction series...

Alot of details left out from the book that really makes you look at characters differently. Give it a read and learn a bit more about Luca.

Yes, they shot his father in the streets, then came to the hospital to finish the job. That is when Michael became HIM!

Got to do the sequels now

Mob movies to see - "Donnie Brasco", "A Bronx Tale", "Blow" (drugs more than mob), "Casino", "The Untouchables",

For Brando brilliance watch On the Waterfront. He won best actor in a leading role.

the family COULDN'T call Michael. It was like 1945 LONG LONG LONG before cellphones.

In one fell swoop Michael became Capo Di Tutti Capi

you will enjoy Godfather 2.

46:49 While Vito Corleone had some qualities like putting family first, and leadership qualities and charisma, he was not someone to be emulated. In the end, he was a terrorist, murderer and criminal.

This is really Michaels story

Loca was a real monster

If you get the opportunity, read MARIO PUZOS, THE GODFATHER AND GODFATHER 2.

Grazie 🇮🇹

The wife abuser set Sonny up to be Hit. But that didn't fool Michael.

Captain Tinny: _Is "Scarface" the best movie ever?_ No... but you might have just watched it.

Being a murderer is not integrity.

being calm was the dons style, Dutch Schulz was notb

Spanish sounds a lot sexier than Italian, hehe.

The NYC you imagine is a memory. Dirty, unsafe, very poorly run and not even the nicer parts are immune ----- The illegal immigrant population has made even the best hotels a risky proposition. You'll be disappointed if you go there.

Born and bred NYC It’s amazing and it sucks

Dude what would you do if they tried to kill ur father. ? I'm waiting. You are not bright

When a dummy watches godfather

you talk alot.

New York is magical. and I say that as a Californian.

I like how everybody in the movie and then everybody I've watched react to the movie is always under played Michael's abilities use a captain in the Marine Corps in World War II Silver Star and other decorations at forget but when he's walking in you see his medals. His brother's over here talkin about snipers. His brother was a combat infantryman you look at his uniform again he's got the combat badge. Look like the European and Pacific badge to. Which means in either theater he saw hand-to-hand combat there was no mile away there was just like these guys do walk up basically walking up but there it's Shear chaos but you're still that close killing people. Room-to-room house-to-house. And then the Marines in the island-hopping campaign if he was anywhere in that Guadalcanal any of that stuff 450 Marines against the Imperial Japanese Navy. No these Warriors when they came back home if they were allowed to go into civilian life and be civilians they were good but if they weren't nobody was ready for that kind of ferocity. A lot of these guys that came back went back to civilian life working in the factories and one not the ones that didn't started the motorcycle clubs of today and ended up being a lot of your big-time gangsters. It's a lot of these soldiers had last names that ended in vowels. They can think of a couple mob bosses that were actually WWII veterans and underbosses

Great reaction though I think you missed a point. Don Corleone was not interested in peace. He was simply biding his time.