You all have had discussions of theme on this forum before, but I have always been told that a theme cannot be stated in one word (i.e. family, vengeance, power, love, etc.), but it is moreso what the author/creator tries to TEACH ABOUT those topics. What is the lesson? I remember that one of my teachers used to tell me that a theme should be a sentence. That being said, what lessons do you all think that Puzo and Coppola were trying to TEACH with these films?

I'll start: There has to be a balance of temperment and intelligence in order to be successful.

Don Vito had that balance, which is why he was able to run the family so well. Sonny had a temper, but not the intelligence to explore his options before he acted. Michael had the intelligence, but eventually let his need for swift action destroy his family and himself. In a way, he turned into Sonny, but without the obvious, outward show of his temper. He has the most dangerous combo because he has high intelligence and a bad temper. No good.

Well, I don't think Puzo or FFC sat down and said, "OK, this is THE LESSON we are trying to teach here." I think they were just trying to write a dramatic story.

Although one theme common to all three movies, is you cannot decide to be "partly" corrupt.

You're either out, or you're in.

If there is a theme, it's "Crime does not pay."

How about these lessons:

Sonny - don't be rash

Michael - you can't kill everybody

Don Vito - do only what you have to do to get what you want.

I strongly believe that the message Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo were trying to say in these films is that family is the most important thing more than money or friendship. All the three Godfather films centre around the Corleone Family and in Godfather Part 2 Micheal asks his mother if u can lose ure family and she tells him u can never lose ure family. The lesson that is said is that family is everything and without it there would be no life as the Godfather Films wouldn't have been made how hey are surronding the emotional feelings of the Corleone Family

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!" - Michael Corleone/Silvio Dante