My favorite quote from the movie and mantra I’ve applied to my life was when Don Vito Corleone said this, “Do you spend time with your family? If yes, then good. Because a man who doesn’t spend time with his family, can never be a real man.”

The godfather is definitely THE greatest not only mob movie but MOVIE ever I mean the reviews talk for themselves Marlon Brando and Al Pacino will forever be legends, great video as always.

The Godfather is still a benchmark in movie making

Thank you Michael for another great sit down. God bless you and your family Thank God your feeling better 🙏

I was always really curious how Mario Puzo had so much information about the mob, especially back in the 60’s when he wrote the book. I assumed it came from a family member.

Michael, I read a story about James Caan many years ago, 20-25 years or so, where he went to court to testify on behalf of some mob guy he knew. I don't recall who that was, maybe it was this Andy Russo guy. When Jimmy comes into the courtroom and goes up to be sworn in, the judge looks at him and says "I thought they got him at the toll booth", which made the court erupt in laughter. Had you ever heard that story?

All of Lenny's scenes were gold. I like the scene with Al (Solozo) where he has to feign disloyalty towards Vito but subtly can't hide his true allegiance. Its's a shame that he wasn't in more films. He had talent.

Just wanted to say, it’s truly inspirational, to see the way you turned your life around. Also, how you don’t glorify your past, but use it as a cautionary tale. Bless you, and your family. Your immediate family that is lol.

This will probably be a shock to alot of people I'm 50 and still haven't seen the Godfather but I plan on watching it soon 🙏God Bless

I love Pastor Greg. I'm thrilled to hear such a good report regarding salvation and baptism. Thanks for sharing that with us. It warms the heart for sure.

I was a young girl when I first watched the Godfather, and it is still one of my favorite movies. It is a little surreal to listen to someone who knew and was involved with the real families that ran New York, etc.

The movie brought the value of the family in the italian community ! The music ,the food, when whole family sitting around the table . I was invited few times in New Jersey by italien family, and i saw the unique unity of the real value of hard working family ! Thx for posting !

So glad you are feeling better Michael. 🙏 The Godfather is one of the greatest movies of all time. It is timeless. Great video today as always.

The funny thing is, the second most famous line from the Godfather movie is "Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes"... So Lenny's movie star legacy will live forever.

Great sit down Michael. Your honesty and knowledge is so awesome and I am a great fan!! God bless you and your family!!

Thank you sir as always for your work. I've been down myself a little stay in hospital and a surgery last Wednesday. Be safe and God bless.

In addition to James Cagney playing a psychopathic gangster ,Richard Witmark played a pyscohpath in the movie "Kiss of Death. He threw a woman in a wheelchair downstairs to her death. Thanks again for the video. The godfather is truly a classic.

It’s one of the few movies that I can watch many times over. Godfather 1 and 2 Our young people need Jesus in their life. Good to hear Your videos are so so interesting My favorite quote: “. For me, there's only my wife and son.”

Thank you for the best insight and knowledge in the genre. We also appreciate your testimony to God. I was at the Baptism in CDM too. Could you please review a most violent year thank you, Michael.

A fab film as always Michael, glad your over the flu,and I learned more on the great godfather film. God be with you and your loved ones

My favorite line in the film is when Don Vito says : *"I" will not be the one to break the peace we made here today!!!!* Key word *"I"* (such a brilliant idea & geniusly worded to make the perfect smokescreen of deception while also appearing to look weak but still keeping *"your"* word at the same exact time & without breaking *"your"* code) I also love when he says : *"Don't ever tell anyone outside of the family what you're thinking again"* Because after all , that's what really started the entire war to begin with & what got everyone killed in the entire film!!!! Santino simply opened up his mouth for only literally half a second !!!! He didn't even get half way through his first sentence or finish it , all it literally took was him to just speak & that immediately showed a huge sign of weakness & not just in Sonny himself or as the Underboss but for the entire family as a whole because he represents them so it gives off the wrong impression to all outsiders & how they're perception of u & of your family & of the way u all appear to operate especially because he was the #2 of the entire family , that's literally all it took was to speak at the wrong moment to bring down the entire house of cards!!!! Hence why u always keep your mouth shut & listen 90% of the time rather than speak a single word & when u do finally speak , tailor every single word very carefully 👍 Its crazy how just one single *word* from Santino's mouth pretty much destroyed the future of the entire Corleone family & just one single *letter* from Vito's mouth literally saved the entire future of the Corleone family!!!!

My wife and I, Absolutely love this channel!! Mike is sooooooooo full of spot on, Facts!! PURE-FACTS! And his demeanor is flawless.

"The Godfather" was the first R-rated film I ever saw.Aged 14 then,my Mom assured theatre manager I could see the film.Still,I read both Anthony Quinn and Ernest Borgnine were considered for the role of Vito.Could see both those guys playing him.Take Care,Mr.Franzese.

My mom read the book The God Father back in 1970 before the movie came out. Then we saw the movie at the theater in 1972. My mom liked the movie so much we went back to see it 2 more times. If it wasnt for my mom I wouldn't of been able to get into the theater because it was rated R and I was only 12 years old at the time. I thought it was one of the greatest movies I'd ever seen.

Thank you, You have really tought me about the life of the Lord. Hope you and your family are doin great.

Michael, I'm in northern Ca and every day I shake my head at the state of affairs of this once great state. Makes me think that I need to pack a gun just to go to the store. Imagine that, it certainly isn't how I envisioned retirement.

My dad was an extra in all 3 movies. During the wedding party the director told him and others to stage a fight scene. Apparently, this was filmed but not in the final version. My dad has wonderful pictures during the filming. Great memories.

Glad you're recovering from that bout of flu, Michael: you always look the picture of health - yet at our age, we have to stay on guard - and maybe it takes a little longer to recuperate. I read, "The Godfather," after my parents went to see it - the only, "night out," I recall them taking. Knowing that the book is usually better than Hollywood's interpretation, it was years before I saw it and realized that the first movie was only half the book. Wasn't taken with the movie: actually still like, "The Valachi Papers," better. However, after decades of hearing about how great the Trilogy was, and with respect to my youngest brother's opinion, I finally took in the series, Summer 2020. Beginning that journey ultimately led me to becoming acquainted with Michael Franzese. To me, that was the highlight. Am still fascinated with your story and your ministry. As Red Skelton used to end his programs, "And may God bless...."

Another great video Michael. Glad to see you and your channel getting more and more recognition by the day. I found out about you and your channel/video podcasts last summer when I was cooped up in the hospital from a near fatal car accident. Your vids and youtube clips of scenes from “THE GODFATHER” and “SOPRANOS” kept me entertained. Lol Crazy how as a kid, who grew up on the backroad behind “Satin Dolls” aka “The Bada-Bing,” I would walk past filming constantly all over town and never paid any mind to the show until I got older!! If I didn’t encounter the cast and crew at “The Bing,” then it would be as I walked home from school, past Lodi pizza (my buddies dad’s/ family joint) or Feech LaManna’s house!!

Youre at the top of the list of guys who could have gone another direction, but got sucked in one way, or another.

Great to see you back Michael.

It's crazy every where Michael. Signs of His time. Be safe. Stay blessed...

What a great movie. My dad took me to see that when I was about 10 or 11 years old . It was a great movie . I didn’t really understand it but it was just cool going to see it with my father who passed away from cancer within 3 years we didn’t see that coming.

Awesome that many baptisms, my niece just got baptized this year as well

Those movies are tradition in my house. We watch them every Christmas. I don’t know how it started but I love it. I watch them often. I really enjoyed The Offer and read all I could find about the movies, cast, the goings on of Hollywood at the time, newspaper articles about the Italian rights movement, all the info I could find on when the families immigrated (my family immigrated 1880’s or close to that which got me started looking at records and who was coming to America from where and what they did when they got here)….a lot of time spent in libraries going through micro film (in the 80’s n 90’s) online, of course after The Offer came out. I wish I’d written a book back in the 90’s. I found a lot of very cool stories of so many different families/cultures. It’s fascinating to me and one of the reasons I read the GF books as soon as I could as a child. The info in this video is new to me. Thank you, Michael, for covering it. I’ll have to read the book. Glad you’re feeling better. Blessings to you and yours.

I listened to the director commentary of the Godfather. FFC said Puzo told him not to get too close with the mob guys. He followed Puzo's advice. FFC then said James Caan did get in close to the mob. Interesting story.

Wonderful movie score too by the great Nino Rota.

That was fantastic. I love tid bits like this.

Missed you, delighted to see you back and feeling good.

This brings back memories of my early childhood. I can still remember some of the difficulties. 🙏

I saw the movie 100 times before reading the book. Absolutely loved it.

I love all your new content, Michael. What about doing a review on The Chosen? Me and Jimmy Calandra will see you in Miami! Looking forward to seeing another great Duo aside from you and Chazz! 🥰

Back in 2009 my Mother's friend gave me a book to read, it was Sam Giancana's Brother, Chuck who wrote it, that was a terrific read, covering everything from his Brother Sam, Marilyn, jfk, political stories, I couldn't put it down, real page turner.

Aside from the other content, bless you and yours for sticking up for The Lord.

My role model thanks for your postivity and your teachings and i like your change from being mob to a motivtional speaker thats great may the lord be with you at all times

My dad took me to the drive in to see the first Godfather flick I really didn't get it ( but I really got the Exorcist that shock everyone who watched it) good times 🎉🎉

Thank you Michael I have really learn a lot from you . A question I have is how did the Maranzano, Profaci, Mangano, Luciano, and Gagliano families become The Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese families and why

Dear Michael, I grew up in Westbury, Long Island in the 70's...my father was working in Westbury as a shoe maker. I don't want to be contradictory with your presentation....but for my father the film was quite "traumatizing". This is because we were the only Italians in that area. We are from the province of Palermo, Sicily (We all went back to Palermo in 1981. All my father's customers were making negative comments about Sicily and Sicilians from the day after the film was broadcasted on TV . Back in Sicily, all the foreign tourists coming to Palermo were mainly interested in "seeing" the Mafia and in going to visit Corleone. It may have been a great film but it created a negative image of Sicily and of Italy in general.

Love hearing your talks.. Thanks Michael. Peace ole buddy

Mario Puzo's book the Sicilian, begins with Michael Corleone's final days in Sicily. The Don wants Michael to return to America with Turi Giuliano. I always thought it was genius the way Puzo mixed in Michael Corleone a fictional character with Turi Giuliano a real person. The Godfather audiobooks are very good, you get an insight thinking of each character that you don't get in the movies. Another good audiobook is The Corleone family, you get a full in depth background story of Luca Brassi. Michael, Fredo, and Connie are still kids, and Sunny is barely starting to get involved in the life, and the Don is younger. Very good interesting audiobooks worth listening to.

Blessings Michael glad you are back and feeling better.🙏

Glad to hear your feeling better

That movie i saw 100 times, am 56 now and i must say we lived by certain rules in our village where u had to be careful about what u said but were u were told to listen and think.

I could listen to your stories for hours❤❤❤❤ God bless you and your family!

@michealfranzese, Michael I've just subscribed these last few days and I have to say, I'm really enjoying your content and binging your videos. Incredible interviews too! Respect from Galway, Ireland 😉

I gotta tell ya Michael I work in the oil field as an operator in Louisiana and I have a lot of time so I watch you everyday for 12 hours I enjoy listening to you I would come see you if you ever came to Louisiana

How interesting! Thank you!

Praise God my brother! Love your every posts! I’m 54 and the Godfather is by far the best movie of all time! Thank you for your witness of our Lord Jesus 🙏🙏

Wow...35,000 people. Phenomenal! Praise God.😊

View #3 here! Love your content Michael!

Wow! Thanks for the info!!

I assign the Godfather to my students in my literature class. There are some weird chapters that I remove from the lessons, nothing that appeared in the movies though. I do recommend reading it or at least listening to an audio version. You will get insights into the thinking and feeling of the characters.

Hi Michael Great episode as usual I told you about the B.C. and A.D. Here is another that NEEDS to be out there Zechariah 12:10 Glad you are feeling better my brother in Christ

@Michael Franzese: Thanks for sharing these New Things about The Making of The Godfather about Russell Buffallino knowing Brando!! Your videos are always fascinating to watch!! God Bless You and Your Family Michael!!😀🙏👏👏👏👍👋

I just found your channel and it is so interesting. For some reason being Italian and I have no idea why but the stories I've been told are not what really happened and I appreciate the honesty. Thank you for sharing and God Bless.

Learn something new every day.

Godfather 1 and 2. Casino. Goodfellas. Heat. Great films. Always watch them every year. At least once per. Great work by all involved. Sopranos. More greatness. I met Jim Gandolfini once. Very nice guy. I would love to see a tv series about Lucky Luciano.

Be healthy Mr. Frazese we appreciate all that you do

Michael, I hope you are able to read this now. I live on the Gulf coast in Mississippi. I have seen the hurricane/tropical storm news for Southern California. Please heed the warnings and you and your family get far away from the coast During this event. I have gone through more of these bad weather events than I care to count. Life is so disrupted and dangerous. There is a tendency for people who have never faced one of the weather events to dismiss the warnings. Please do not.

When you first started doing those podcast Sammy I thought those were the greatest man it was better than a bedtime story

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Hope you're feeling better Michael.

This is all documented in the book, The Kid Stays In The Picture. Robert Evans (The producer of the film) autobiography.

Coppola was a briliant film director to puzzle that movie together, he must have been in the know it looks like

Thhank you so much for leading me to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I'm not quite there but your insperational videos are pulling hard. May the Lord Bless you for leading me his way.

Let not forget the film could of never took place without Gianni Russo. He played a part in most 20th century historical moments. He’s some guy.

My relative is Morgana King aka Maria Messina, who plays Mamma Corleone. She was my grandmother's cousin.

Lifelong Pittston, PA resident here. Billy D’Elia ran a scandal sheet called The Metro in the 90s. He laundered money through it via phony subscriptions. He was also behind a massage parlor in Pittston.

I got the flu last week too! I thought it was a diverticulitis flare up or something but with slight shivers and a fever that didn't fit anything but the flu. I knew something was going 'round! it tore my stomach up pretty damn good. Glad you feel better, Don Michael. Sincerely, Your pal, Don Ramiroleone

Michael great job. BTW, I loved what Greg said about the "Baby Huey Christian". Amen! Keep giving your testimony of faith. I miss you.

So interesting. So interesting.. Thank you for this kind sir.. Always a great show with you my friend. God bless you and yours sir! Tim

Michael...i know how you feel about our kids if you havent seen it yet see the Sound of Freedom you wont be sorry

Hello Micheal , Awesome vid as usual

God bless Michael and your family as well (That includes Nova). Glad you're back up on your feet and feeling better man. Get a New England Tour going brother (or nearby). My wife and I are always keeping the Franzese family in prayer

Micheal loved this!!! Can you talk about the movie the sound of freedom??? Would love to know your opinion!! Maybe together with Chaz? Because he knows the movie world.

Never knew I needed to hear that Brando impression but I can’t stop replaying 😂 7:55

Hi Michael great stuff here . To which I knew little to nothing of this great masterpiece film the Godfather. I too had a close to involvement with La Cosa Nostra back in the early 80s while I was living up ? In the Boston area. However my at that time wife? Did not want me to take a job to which I had applied for as a chauffeur for a guy who had a Limo business in Beverly Massachusettes . I remember the interview so vividly and the money o was to make working my first weekend in that prospective job. My ex mother in law had been told by my ex about me getting ready to go to work for this guy . The mother in law mentioned it to a few of her co workers where she was working at the time and discovered? The Limo guy? Was connected. Now that may mean something or nothing. But me being also Italian from the Bronx and as we New Yorker Italians know? We can get to put it mildly short attitude wise and my wife at the time did want the possibility of me having a argument with a paisan ? Having me ending up as she said thrown into the Boston Harbor to swim with the fish let's say. Lol. This what I'm sharing as small of an event is? Is all 100% truth and real . Looking back ? And the money then ? I coulda made in one weekend to start ? Back then ? Was gonna be great. I was so disappointed with my wife and in Law to holding me back in thinking of the sums of money I could've made as a driver . To quote the famous words from Marlo Brandon? In close here? I could've been somebody lol. Okay maybe not. But it sure was an interesting moment personally in my life from my young 20s in life. Madone.... Anyway ? Thank you for sharing this great bit of information regarding the Godfather classic film . Take care and I will keep watching your great videos and channel here. Ciao

Going to get the book ,,Billy is a very good man,lives a few blocks away would like to get it signed by him ,,Michael u should get him on your show God bless, an have a wonderful Sunday,,🙌

Yes Michael I wholeheartedly agree w/U The Godfather 1 & 2 both were the best movies made. My youngest Son recently turned 21 & hadn’t seen either b4 so we watched them both 2gether after dinner a couple nights last week. We thoroughly enjoyed everything the actors, the score 2 the movie, the iconic lines, the cars from those times, New York in those days(we R NYrs). I really enjoyed rewatching these films w/my Son. Glad 2 hear U have recovered from the flu. Hope U feel as good as U look. 💖💖💖

I was in high school when I saw The Godfather. It really effected me. It shook me up. Now I want to see it again. I also love the movie, Jesus Revolution. Pastor Greg is one I like allot. It gives me hope fore revival to here what he and others are doing.

There's an Excellent documentary with Mr Coppola about the making of the Movie. As always, I learned some new.

Got to love that the mob thought The Godfather would give them a bad name. When in reality they were the ones giving honest Italians a bad name.

Another EXCELLENT video....Thank you Mike 💪

I enjoy all of your videos very much. I also met you and your wife the time you came to Beloit Wisconsin. I even had the honor to take a picture with the both of you.

The offer was fantastic. Really entertaining.

Your show is great Mike and thanks for the info 👍👍 and God bless you 🙏🙏😊😊😊

Love from England. Listened to a ton of your videos whilst painting some rooms in my house.

Thank you Michael for another great video!

Thanks for sharing love your input God bless you and your family ❤

Glad your feeling better. Stay strong.

Love this! And The Godfather is a classic that every time I watch it I see something new! I also saw the Offer! Excellent!