Frank's brother

What effect did his appearance at the hearing have on Frank? We know that it caused him to change his mind about selling Micheal out, but why?

Some have suggested that it was because Frank felt ashamed in front of his brother, being seen breaking omerta and betraying old-standing values. Others, more realistically in my opinion, say that Micheal turning up with his brother was understood by Frank as threat that his family will suffer if he continues with his original testimony. The look on his face when he first see's his brother is almost a look of resignation coupled with a look of 'I understand'.


What does everyone else think? Does the book provide any more insight into this situation?

For years, I believed that it was the threat of harm to his family that stopped Frankie from testifying. However, Tom's statement to Vincenzo about the family's honor being intact, as well as Michael's statement to Kay that "it was between the brothers" has led me to believe otherwise.

Since The Godfather ends when Michael becomes Don, the trial is not part of it.

Anything Micheal says to Kay regarding the business must be taken with a pinch of salt surely?

What do you make of the look on Frank's brothers face when he walks in to the hearing? Could be construed as disbelief in seeing his brother turning traitor but to me looks more like fear, almost a glance of 'help me' towards Frank.

Absolutely not. Tom's honor statement to Frankie's brother was meant for that brother. The statement to Kay was meant for Kay. The appearance of his brother in the hearing room was meant for Frankie and the implication was clear. Do you think for a minute that Michael, facing imprisonment for perjury (and God knows what else), would put all of his eggs in the honor basket?

Nope, disagree. Michael knew that Frankie was "old school" and that the honor thing was important to him. His brother's presence was a reminder of what the Corleone family was to him.

Yes, his brother was intimidated by his surroundings, but I think he looked more upset with Frankie than the Corleone Family.

I agree with Sicilian Babe. Tom's statement to Frank's brother is too obvious. But why can't it be both?

Frankie needed a reminder? He's already provided testimony to the FBI that seriously implicates Michael in murder and mayhem, but he's going to be dissuaded from further testimony by honor? Madonne!

Then why did Tom make that statement to Vincenzo?

The statement, "The honor of the family is intact,"indicates that Vincenzo's presence was meant to shame Frankie out of testifying for the government.

BUT: later, when Tom visits Frankie, he likens the old Corleone Family to the Romans and concludes: "... Unless they went home and uh, killed themselves -- then nothing happened. And their families -- their families were taken care of..." Tom replies: "Don't worry about a thing, Frankie Five Angels."

We can infer that Frankie had been threatened--either that his own family in the US would be harmed, or that Vincenzo and his family would be harmed, unless Frankie not only recanted, but killed himself. So, I think both views--honor and threat--apply.

TB, I interpret the scene between Frankie and Tom (one of the best in the trilogy, IMO) as a negotiation. Frankie had to be eliminated for the same reason that Fredo had to be killed. Forgiveness is not possible in that world. Frankie traded his permanent silence (which could only be guaranteed by his death) for his family's security, both physical and financial. Frankie makes the offer and Tom accepts the deal.

Babe, you really believe that the Michael Corleone, who is capable of having his brother murdered, is actually going to rely on someone's sense of honor to deter them from testifying when that same sense of honor has not precluded them from already testifying? And Frankie is going to focus his attention on a sense of honor when the guy who is supposedly prompting his sense of honor he believes has already tried to murder him?

I'm finding it hard to disagree with Olivant.

I think the threat of doing harm to Pentangelli's family was definately there in an unspoken and subtle form.

I think Micheal would have been quite confident that Frank would co-operate once he see's his brother and he would not have to follow through with the threat he implied.

So was Pentangelli's brother kidnapped by the family in Italy? Or did he himself understand and accept the risks?

Good question.

Its believable that the Corleones wouldn't have had to resort to making the actual threat.

They may have worded it so, on the surface, it appears that they required Vicenzo to come to the hearing hoping that his presence will lead to Frank feeling shamed and therfore cease in his treachery towards Micheal.

However, I think Vicenzo would have known, as did Frank, what the repercussions would have been if Frank didn't suffer this bout of 'shame'. More of an unspoken threat as I'v mentioned before.

One thing this thread had led to me question though is this: why didn't Frank anticipate that Micheal would target his family? Sure theres not a lot he could have done about it but he probably wouldn't have even got as far as the hearing and thus wouldn't have been forced to commit suicide.

The threat was implied. But Vincenzo's facial expression and Frank's response clearly shows (at least to me) that it was all about their family's honor.

I think the Corleones had two cards to play: The family honour card and the threat to Vicenzo card.

The latter made it so the former was undoubtedly going to work, whilst at the same time saving face for everybody. Expertly played by Micheal.

In 'mafia-speak" there is a way to make Frankie's brother know he was needed in D.C. without the need for threats or kidnapping.

Yes. TB already explained it perfectly.