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You know a film is a masterpiece when it's discussed even after decades of it being filmed

This scene comes directly from the book and the next one coming up. After lighting the cigarette, Michael notices how calm he is, and how nervous Enzo is; and he looks at it with a calm detachment. In the next scene, where Michael plays the center role while seated, he tells everyone he will kill Sollozo. Everyone laughs.....except Tom. Tom knows he means it.

Tom Hagen did not laugh. He knew what was up and what Michael was capable of.

Now Breakdown the whole movie by 15 seconds each.

Mike is a war hero, he does not shake. The lighter scene is when he realize the incompetence of his family without his father in charge. He understands he cannot stepout like a teenager. He has no other way but to take charge of the family. He told his father later that he can handle... and those are my fifteen seconds 😊

I’ve always said that the hospital scene shows why Michael, not Sonny, not Fredo, should be the Don’s successor. He arrives late at the hospital and sees that all of pop’s protection is gone. He takes a moment to deduce what’s going on, does not panic nor even get excited. Instead, he springs into action and does everything right. First, he calls for help, next, he moves the old man so that the hit men won’t be able to find him. Finally, he takes advantage of the serendipitous appearance of Enzo, the baker’s son, to make it appear to the approaching goons that their setup has not been set up. By the way, Enzo is now in good favor with the family.

One of the reasons the Godfather is head and shoulders above other films is that it treats its audience with respect and does not attempt to dumb things down or spell them out for them. It assumes you can keep up and understand what is happening in front of you.

Now do your second favourite 15 seconds, and your third and fourth pls

However many seconds long the Godfather is, is my favorite seconds of the Godfather

Crazy how mikes brothers were shocked a serviceman could be so tactical and ruthless in their approach. Tom knew

But earlier by Vito's bedside, Michael tells his father that he's "with him now." So he's already made up his mind and is already transforming.

Because he was a REAL captain in the Marines, not just a Mafia captain. He saw real battle and earned real medals and honours. That's why he could face down those armed men with nothing but a bluff; his military career put him way ahead of any mobsters in terms of strategy, tactics and combat ability

Michael was a war veteran as well.

I think it’s at this moment that Michael realizes that he’s calm under pressure. He realizes he would really be a valuable asset to his family because of this.

Watched a 9:05 min long video of breaking down 15 seconds of the film and why it's brilliant. *Feel like rewatching the whole film* Me: Shit! Here we go again.

I love the scene during which he tells his family, “ I’ll kill him.” It’s about his love of his Father, and his decision to not allow his less intelligent siblings make mistakes that he knows that he would never make. He knows that he is more competent, he knows his own intelligence. “ They’re gonna kill Pop. “ I love watching people thinking.

3:34 The godfather is passing the torch to his son. The wounded patriarch recovers in room No.2. He is no longer No.1 for the family.

I like the character of Enzo. He could have split, but stayed to help.

The whole hospital sequence was always my favorite part watching as a kid. Me as a kid watching the sequence where nothing technically happens, being riveted the whole time by atmosphere and subtext alone.

"If there is trouble, I stay here to help you. For your father - for your father."

You can't watch the Godfather without pondering that moment. It's so perfectly and brilliantly framed. I remember it the first time I watched it - having no idea what the rest of the movie would bring I recognised the change that Michael noticed within himself, as if to say 'whatever happens from here I can handle it, even if I didn't realise until just now'. It's also worth mentioning how his poise is a remnant of his time in the army, and the irony that he joined the military to avoid 'the Life', but it ended up training him for it. Subtle and perfect. It is the best movie ever so one shouldn't expect any less.

If you all notice, Michael had a more brighter face and skin lighting which gets darker as the movie progresses.

Apparently the shaking of the guy portraying Enzo the Baker in this scene is real, it was his first time acting in a film.

This is a shining example of why I love video essays about movies.

almost 50 years after the movie is made and it is still iconic beyond all other movies.

I must have seen the movie 15 times but never consciously broke down that scene; Michael lingering for a moment as he becomes aware that he is steady under the pressure. Subconciously I made the leap I suppose because we know that he was decorated for bravery in the war. The distinction you help me make is that this is a war that he had decided not to fight. Michael knows he is in it. "I'm here now Pop, I'm with you now."

One of the best film essays channels on KZfaq, hands down!

One of the few films that I enjoy more every time I watch it. It's just overflowing with small details like this scene.

My favourite scene from godfather is AL PACINO'S EYE SCENE from the louis restaurant.

Being a war hero would give him that steel to do what he had to do for his family, it's not the first time he has faced death and dealt it.

i would argue that he does have a choice, a very difficult one, stay uninvolved and let his father die or the other way around, his love for his father marks his downfall. Those 15 seconds doesn't indicate him making a choice, he already did that, it shows to him and to us the audience that he got what it takes. Unlike his two brothers.

2:17 when your mom calls but you're with the boys so you can't say i love you without getting roasted

I love the scene for exactly what you shared. Michael is not shaken, maybe because he is a war hero or because he is a Corleone. He has it within him to be the leader in the family, and he is realizing this. His transformation through the film is brilliant.

Mario Puzo writes this moment in the novel. The great thing about a film is that it can convey this information without telling you. Great video.

Facing death protecting your father is similar to facing death fighting for your nation as a marine.

the lighter scene symbolizes closure. the flame went out. Flame provides light. the light is out within Michael and it's on to darkness. There is a slight hesitation as if Michael wants to cling to his innocence for just a moment longer before he relinquishes it. The narrator points out an important observation. Even though there is slight hesitation, Michael is steady and knows this is what he has to do. It is a very powerful moment in the movie and part of what makes this film, IMO, the greatest of all time.

I felt the exact same when I was watching the movie. In the book, it is explicitly told to you via text, but that's where Coppola took advantage of it being a visual medium. By "showing" instead of telling. This and so many more examples of this can be found within Godfather where the same was done.

Amazing how a movie that came out 47 years ago can still be dissected today.

I just rewatched The Godfather Part I & II after watching this video essay and found a moment in the sequel that seems like a direct connection to this scene you love. (It's the scene in the Washington Hotel when Kay says she is leaving and breaks the news to him about what really happened to their unborn son). He is holding a glass and his hand shakes as he listens to Kay. The very next thing he does is to light up a cigarette to calm his nerves. The way I see it being thematically parallel is that Michael can remain calm and steady when there's some situation he can control (Such as attempting to prevent a hit on his vulnerable father), but when faced with a situation he can't do anything about, a certain tremulousness takes over. I always enjoy your video essays, dude. I am so glad you are continuing to get more and more subscribers. You deserve them!

Godfather I is, in my mind, as close to perfection as cinema has ever gotten. This 15 second shot is a good illustration why. Brilliant analysis, Thomas.

That never occurred to me: Michael's steady hands, then noticing it. Smart and insightful.

The best scene is when he's pitching Sonny about killing Solozzo. When he is sitting in the chair explaining what he wants to do and the camera slowly focusing and getting closer

To me, that moment was the instant when Michael realized what had to be done and what he would need to do. He knew the evolution of the family would fall on him.

Michael had already been in the marines, he wasn’t no bandleader.

My favorite 15 seconds is his final scene in The Godfather after Kay asking him about the murder of Carlo. The lighting sequence is pure genius and spine chilling to see Al Pacino's acting everytime I see it.

When I saw the title I thought 'It has to be part of the hospital sequence', was not disappointed

Nice breakdown! This is what I love about KZfaq, I can find a 9 minute video talking about a 15 second scene in great detail. The whole video is about the subtlety of a characters action and the huge impact it implies in the story, even though it’s just one blink and you’ll miss shots. For those that catch this extra layer put in it adds soo much to an already rich film, but if you do miss it your not losing anything from the story. It’s like finding sprinkles in the icing on the cake! Love it!

I just watched a 9 minute breakdown of a 15 second clip, and I must say, it was time well spent.

He's a godamn marine, why would his hands shake

I've seen the movie maybe 15 times and it has always been my favorite, but this is a moment that escapes you when you're 12-13. When I rewatched it a few years ago, at 21, I gasped at this scene. It changed the whole film for me. I just re-watched yesterday with my partner, and they just looked at me and was like "ooohh this is a prodigal son movie." A masterclass in visual language, for real.

Beautiful. I’ve had conversations with others about this film speculating exactly when Michael decides to become involved - I never focused on this detail. Good insight.

It's an exceptional analysis like this one, which makes me appreciate my favourite film even more. Thank you.

I always felt that moment’s significance. Also the clear click of the lighter when closing reminds me of a lock on a door, Michael going irreversably in a new phase at that moment and he knows it.

I thought I was the only one who noticed the steady hand and how he looked at his hand, realizing he was cold blooded

That was amazing. I never noticed this, and it speaks volumes towards the theme of the film. Videos like this are the reason I love youtube, fantastic job

Every second of the movie is a masterpiece

My favorite few seconds are when they are eating Chinese food and waiting for the phone call to know the place where Michael meets Sollozo. Michael is not eating, but rather sitting and thinking about what’s about to happen.

THAT was fantastic! Super analysis. Those scenes always fascinated me but I never noted his thought process with the lighter scene. 👍👍

I just had your channel pop up in my feed. Subscribed. That moment in the film always did stick out to me but quite honestly I was unsure why. I simply didn't understand what Mike was thinking or how it was showing his transition. You Sir, are good. Very good. I'm simply not savy enough to break down scenes in a film the way you are. Just as importantly is your ability to explain it all to the audience. Bravo!

Godfather I and II will forever be my favorite films. Great breakdown of a pivotal moment.

A good lesson on the importance of editing, probably my favourite part of the film making process, keep 'em coming!

Outstanding video. This scene has also been one of my favorite for many, many years.

This is the moment where Walter White turned into Heisenberg.....wait

BEST movie of ALL TIMES! Hands down

As touched in on in one comment already, your bit on continuity and its implications shows such incredible nuance. It makes me wonder how much i must miss in movies, because this flew past me completely.

Thank you for posting this. I never thought about that scene and its importance. Great job

I also loved the fact Marlon Brando trolled the two guys by putting weights under the gurney that they had to carry him upstairs.

Awesome video man.

Finally! I’ve been bringing this brilliant scene up for decades in my many conversations about this masterpiece and nobody has ever seemed to see the importance of it the way I did. Appreciate the validation. Nice work.

I subscribed to this channel just after seeing the first few seconds of this video. I always thought that this part was the pinnacle of the movie and hearing you say this made whatever you say worth hearing

"You better go home, there's gonna be trouble". "No" -"I stay, I stay" - "For your fadda" - "For your fadda"!! (From memory)

Banging video and banging film

Hey bro. I've seen this exact scene a thousand time, always found it magical but could never decode this scene like you did. You have opened a new world of cinema for me. Thank you so much for this video.

I'm glad you chose this moment. It's one of my faves as well. We know he's a War Hero. That's made clear. But this is the first time we see him consider taking charge for his father, and that he realizes it comes naturally for him.

Part of me wonders if the distance Michael puts between him and Kay is because maybe he’s scared she will prevent him from going the path he actually wants.

I think you forgot that hes a soldier who went to war.

Great video ! Excellent analysis, personal, original and true. Very intesting !

This breakdown literally blew my mind. Thanks for these lengthened 15 seconds.

My favorite scene from The first Godfather was the shooting scene in Louis’ Restaurant, and my favorite scene from Godfather 2 was when Michael tells Fredo “You’re still my brother, Fredo!” during the chaos of the revolution.

They put more thought into making these 15 seconds than Disney did for all their Star Wars films.

This breakdown was so epic! I had to subscribe! 🙌🏾

You're the most knowledgeable KZfaqr on film composition! Keep it up!

Can't wait for Jomboy's breakdown of Thomas Flight's "Favorite 15 Seconds From The Godfather | A Breakdown"

Shows how important editing is....🤯🤯🤯🤯

I rewatched the movie today, and your video was constantly at the back of my mind, despite having seen it months ago when you released it. And I must say you were absolutely spot on. It is the most pivotal scene of the movie.

Brilliant analysis! Love it! Always felt that scene was in slow mo for me watching Pacino eloquently expressing the depths and transition to cold blooded murderer of Michael as he embraces his leadership with that simple gesture. Good job!

It's also empathy and concern that shown towards Enzo the Baker knowing that this might have shaken him up.

I was literally having a conversation about this scene couple of days ago.

This is a really great essay. I especially loved your comment about the cut forgoing rigid continuity and instead focusing on emotion. This reminds me of how, from what I've heard, Martin Scorsese is more interested in "emotional continuity" than visual continuity, so he'll often have actions that don't match at all, but he doesn't care because it doesn't matter and the emotion is more important. I wonder if you could make a video about that.

Great videos, my friend. Excellent insight into the visual subtext of this beautiful scene!

Ma ma mia Marcel, this is how you hold a lighter!

When Pacino was young he got arrested in my state for being in a car full of burglars and burglary tools

I love your attention to detail. I also have a keen eye for subtleties like these in movies too.

This is great! Thanks for sharing this informative and interesting video.

I first thought I was watching a video of Nerdwriter...

This is also one of my favourite scenes in the movie - and I'm saying that as someone committing the heresy of not thinking The Godfather quite worth its breathless reputation. It's mostly that I don't think Michael's arc is that well realised, because we are *told* but barely spend enough time with him to understand how and why he is "outside" the family. It is also strange they keep acting like he's an inexperienced kid when he got back from the war a decorated hero. He's clearly taken lives and kept calm under pressure. Not the same as a life of crime of course, but still. It's a really good movie, parts of it is certifiably Great. But it leaves me a bit cold in the end. Though I absolutely understand why many people love it. Now Godfather II, that one fires on all cylinders for me.

Astonishing analysis, keep going!

That observation was absolutely brilliant!

While this is all true and very insightful regarding this scene, I think the most pivotal moment that finally transformed Michael was when his beautiful new bride, the true love of his life, was blown up with a car bomb in Italy. That loss truly embittered him against his enemies and I think is what made him what he became.