Why did they make Luca so............

Ok in the book we know Luca as this tough hard looking mean guy. But in the movie he seems so stupid at Connie's wedding. Why is that?

That's a good comment. In the book they made even Vito fear him, and he was described as Loyal and immensly powerful and intimidating. In the film he seems nervous and wound up about making a mistake when congratulation Vito, thus turning around the roles and showing his fear of the old boss. He also looks gullible and helpless in the bar before he gets killed. The reason but this is completely unexplained, it certainly isnt to make way for the other capis because they all play a major role later on in the film and in part II, and Neri in III.
Definitely wasnt to clear the air for Michael, there is no question that if Vito wanted him to be loyal to the new boss, he would follow the orders with impunity ala Calo to Tommassino in GFIII.

Luca in the movie should have been portrayed alittle bit more.

He wasn't the smartest of characters but to me in my opinion I would say he was street smart. So he would have no problem of nerves outside of the wedding or Vito's presence.
I think they showed him to be scared of Vito to show even Vito's power.

SOnny's Girl,

Actually in the movie, the actor kept forgetting his lines and was told to go into the corner to practice them. Eventually they decided to keep the messed up lines in the scenes because it looked natural, and made Luca look like he was nervous when going to DOn Vito, and that is exactly how the character of Luca in the book felt whenever
he went to Don Corleone, nervous.


Don Cardi

But still you knew Luca as a man that everyone feared in the movie I wouldn't be scared of that even if he didn't remember his lines. But if I remember correctly someone said Micheal had his own Luca Brasi right?

It was said that Al Neri was Michael's Luca Brasi.

I don't agree that Luca looked stupid, he was just nervous. I, admittedly, do not think that not-shaking Sollozzo's hands was a very stupid thing to do. But that doesn't mean the guy was dumb. "...he could arrange a killing without anyone ever finding out about it...."

As for Mike's Luca, that was a cooment regarding Al Neri. It was only made in the Saga version.

Al Neri the man, doesn't compare to Luca the man, but I personally think he had more intelligence. Hey - if he lasted for possibly 50+ years w/ Michael/Vincenzo, he must have something up in the noggin. Also, he never broke Omerta (Not that he had to) and did everything Michael said. I think he is Michael's Luca Brasi.

I also agree that Luca was not being stupid by refusing to shake Sollozo's hand, in my opinion he did not shake it because that would have meant going against his Godfather, and as we see often, the godfather is the ONLY person or thing which shakes Brasi...

[ August 27, 2001: Message edited by: Constanzia ]

Actually, in my post I meant that it was stupid of Luca not to shake hands with Sollozzo. He was sent by Vito to infiltrate their plans and shaking Sollozzo's hands would mean that Luca was willing to make some extra money on-the-side. That didn't mean he betrayed his Don. By not-shaking sollozzo's hand, he signaled ill-will. We know about Sollozzo's intentions of killing Luca anyway, but Luca didn't know about it at the time (are you listening Luca?), and he should've shaken Virgil's hand.

I know i've refered to the 'Godfather Legacy book a few times now but its really a good insight to alot of things about the movie/film.

There was a re-write of one of the scenes which originaly by Vito says to Michael that he has his Luca Brasi (about Neri). Then says....

'There are men in this world who demand to br killed. They argue in gambling games; they jump put of their cars in a rage if someone so much as scratches their fender. These people wander though the streets crying out 'kill me, kill me' Luca Brasi was like that.
And since he wasn't scared of death, and in fact, looked for it.....I made him my weapon. Because I was the only person in the world that he truly hoped would not kill him. I think you have found the same with this man.'

I easily think this should have been left in.

I've ordered to on Amazon.com. It should be here in a month or so - Never heard of the author though. He famous?

I've never heard of Harlan Lebo till I got this book. But if you look at some of the reviews about the book on Amazon.com you'll find one by JG. Aparantly our Don has met him.

I also consider it my own bible.

I liked the Godfather Legacy. It was good.

As for the Luca Brasi thing, maybe the reason he didn't shake Sollozzo's hand was for the same reason Vincent didn't go all the way with Altobello, mainly b/c he knew that it wouldn't totally be believed. Luca was known as being very loyal to Don Vito, so maybe he pulled back so it wouldn't look strange.

Apparently it didn't do him any favours, since that reluctant hand was then icepicked to the barcounter as he waited his end

That's what I meant, when I said the Don was the only person to shake him, I meant to rattle him, you know? Make him nervous. I meant that if he agreed to shake hands it's an unspoken contract that he agree's to go against his Don.

I think Luca's portrayal in the movie was consistent with his character in the book. He was a man of action and a power, "like dynamite or lightning," but he also chose to serve Don Corleone, even though there seemed to be no compulsion for him to do so. Hence the contradiction between his character and the flowery words that weren't natural to him, and that he had to deliver in a stammering, awkward way. But he was smart enough "to do a job of murder all by himself." And the Don trusts him with a major threat to his life. "Go to the Tattaglias, make them think that you're not too happy with our Family, find out what he's got under his fingernails." That's not a mission for a guy whom the Don thinks is dumb, or is just plain muscle.

I think FFC made Luca Brasi so stupid because the idea of a huge dumbass is a funny idea and it's funnier on film than it is on paper.

I find it hard to think that FFC was looking for humor, but who knows.

the guy who played luca studdered because he was nervous in front of brando....so they kept it and added the scene with him talkin to himself

Keyser did you know that Agent Dave Kujan of US Customs is looking for you?


wil.

in the godfather 2 movie, they should've showed the part from the book how when don corleone was shot by those irish guys, and luca went on a killing spree and killed them all. also it would've been cool if they showed when luca hacked up those two guys sent by capone. i loved reading about luca in the book.

there's a godfather 2 novel? i thought he only wrote 1.

Patrick there is only one book.

Johnnie actually Luca only hacked up one Capone hitman. The other died when he swallowed a small towel that was stuffed in his mouth. He was so shocked and frightened watching Luca hacking up his partner to pieces he swallowed the towel and choked to death.

wil.

that's horrible.

The most grusome and horrible story about Luca is of course the secret story no one wanted to tell Michael. He finally hears the story while hiding in Sciliy. The story is told to Michael through Dr.Taza by an old woman named Filomena. I assume everyone here knows the story, so I will not go to the trouble to tell it. It is some story, and some Luca.

wil.

I think it would be great to tell Luca's story on the big screen if they decide to make GFIV. If you saw the movie and never read the book there is no way you could understand what a great character he really is.

how many godfather novels are there?

Just one. The first movie is based on parts of the novel. GFII has some of the book in it(the flashbacks to young Vito) butt all of the sceans that take place after the move to Tahoe were made up just for GFII.

god damn man. i didn't even watch all of GFII. it was really confusing. one minute, tony is being shot at in the scene where kay asks him why the curtains are open, and the next scene there are people speaking another language. i'm pretty sure it was vito. i guess the more you watch it, the more you understand.

There is a version of the films that are broken up and put in chronological order, try and get your hands on that version, it will be easier for you to follow, after you have seen that version.

ok, thanks.

Patrick who the hell is Tony?

wil.

yeah hopefully kobiashi speeds up the fuckin car

Thats riGht, but I still think FFC and Puzo miGht ve made a mistake - if you can call a creative decision that - in never actually SHOWING Luca doinG one of his infamous one-man-performances.

So no matter what his reputation miGht be, the only picture remaininG of Luca in the movie is Luca GoofinG of in front of the Don and Luca beinG whacked by Solozzo and the TattaGlias. Hardly the best impressions of a die-hard-professional killer with bestialic Gusto.

In the novel Luca is backed by all this Gruesome anecdotes, in the movie hes not. They shouldve Given us "some Luca" if theyd wanted to show us the Dons leGendary fiGhtinG machine.

But I dont think it was FFCs intention however, since also in the Lebo book, it is said, that he fell in love immediatly with the thouGht of havinG that Luca actor - name escaped my memory, tho - play the role, thus buyinG all the shortcominGs that it brouGht, since he was a wrestlinG pro and no actinG pro, obviously.

I wonder if it miGht one day be possible to carve out those side- and backstories, Al Neris, Luca Brasis, the Bocciccios and all for screen in one way or the other. who knows...

meow, consiG.

Keyser, Yeah Kobyashi cut it a little close at the end, of course you could have lost the limp a few steps earlier also.

wil.

In the novel, Puzo several times writes admiringly of "Sicilian cunning." He says that "no non-Sicilian could ever hope to equal a Sicilian in cunning." The film makes no such mention, and Luca appears tongue-tied for reasons cited by others in this thread. Yet, Vito thought Luca might be cunning enough to fool his enemies: "Go to the Tattaglias. Make them think you're not too happy with our family...find out what he's got under his fingernails."[emphasis added]. Sounds like Vito thought Luca had "cunning."

i know and i really shouldnt have stood there and lit my cigarette, i just should have got my ass in the car...im so dramatic