[What did he actually gain by murdering Fredo? People being more terrified of him?

Again there really is zero evidence that shows Fredo wanted to kill him

Michael is a thoroughly reprehensible character. In his mind, if he showed any mercy or forgiveness to anyone who "injured " him--even his own brother-- (as he put it to Cardinal Lamberto in III), it would be viewed as a sign of "weakness" by enemies and friends alike--and would endanger his life. "This was the business he chose."


Yes, If Ola had flat-out asked Fredo to help in the murder of his brother, Fredo would have said no. So, Ola played him--Michael was being tough on negotiations, they needed information, bla-bla-bla. But, Fredo just closed his eyes,,ears and mind to what was going to happen when Ola told him to open the drapes--especially since he was promised "there'd be something in it for me."


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In his mind, if he showed any mercy or forgiveness to anyone who "injured " him--even his own brother-- (as he put it to Cardinal Lamberto in III), it would be viewed as a sign of "weakness" by enemies and friends alike--and would endanger his life. "

This all runs back into the earliest conception of the movies, and into the novel. Michael is a rationalist - the mathematics professor - and the inheritor of what Coppola called Vito's "intelligence, cunning and coldness." He just does calculations in his head, and dishes out what's deserved, no matter who's on the other end of it.

In the novel, Kay reflects that she loves that Michael is "always fair." Fairness can have a dark side - when crossed, a fair person can proceed completely without conscience in settling the score. That's Michael.

Fredo traitor in the family betrayed his kid brother, Michael for personal gain arguably the Donship itself Fredo so coveted
Take sides against the family second time even after warning

helping get rid of Mike is not so far-fetched. thinking Mike was going to jail.
No bigger shot and respect than Don Fredo Corleone

There is no redeeming feature

But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever!

Michael is a thoroughly reprehensible character. In his mind, if he showed any mercy or forgiveness to anyone who "injured " him--even his own brother-- (as he put it to Cardinal Lamberto in III), it would be viewed as a sign of "weakness" by enemies and friends alike--and would endanger his life. "This was the business he chose."

Yes, If Ola had flat-out asked Fredo to help in the murder of his brother, Fredo would have said no. So, Ola played him--Michael was being tough on negotiations, they needed information, bla-bla-bla. But, Fredo just closed his eyes,,ears and mind to what was going to happen when Ola told him to open the drapes--especially since he was promised "there'd be something in it for me.":

Extract:
Given the years that Fredo brooded over getting stepped over,being relegated to menial duties in the Family,and basically being thought of as a joke,he finally just lost it andthe idea of helping get rid of Mike is not so far-fetched.
I don't think that he would have had any more of a problem getting Mike killed,than Mike had about killing him.
And yes,Fredo was a marshmallow,but helping someone else do the work is a whole nother story.

Extract:
Michael, like father like son and like Vito, negotiated first and used murder generally as a last resort, Michael's first choice was not murder. He's no different than his father

Khartoum and Hooker -- both were defenseless, truly innocent victims and I reckon, parallel could be drawn

The collateral damage is unfortunate, in the business they've chosen same as Don Ciccio's guards

Extract:
On the other hand, Michael, who could have used violence or murder against Roth, didn't--he was negotiating for the Havana properties. Roth, on the other hand, set up the machine gun attack at Tahoe, and didn't care if Kay was killed in the attack. Moral of story: No honor among thieves

Was Michael bloodthirsty?[quote=Evita]Extract:
Michael, like father like son and like Vito, negotiated first and used murder generally as a last resort, Michael's first choice was not murder. He's no different than his father

Khartoum and Hooker -- both were defenseless, truly innocent victims and I reckon, parallel could be drawn

The collateral damage is unfortunate, in the business they've chosen same as Don Ciccio's guards

Extract:
On the other hand, Michael, who could have used violence or murder against Roth, didn't--he was negotiating for the Havana properties. Roth, on the other hand, set up the machine gun attack at Tahoe, and didn't care if Kay was killed in the attack. Moral of story: No honor among thieves[/quote

]

Vito did business with Hyman Roth,Vito respected Hyman Roth,but Vito never trusted Hyman Roth

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True Lou nobody trusted anyone and didn't care about the collateral damage be it were defenseless, truly innocent victims
No honor among thieves

I reckon, comparing Vito and Michael is apples and oranges Vito's criminal world Michael's “legitimate” world
Times have changed. It's not like the Old Days -- when we can do anything we want

I reckon, Vito the evil, ruthless, murderous original villain is seen through rose-colored glasses

As we debated in Criminality and legitimacy thread
“He dispensed [his] “justice” to fellow Sicilians who shared his values and demanded friendship, loyalty and respect in return” always with a caveat

1. Killed Fanucci
2. Bandleader's signature or brains for his Godson's contract release
3. made Bonasera grovel when he insulted Vito by offering him money
4. Killed Khartoum for his Godson's Movie part
5. Killed, a senile, Don Ciccio living out his last days other side of the world no threat to the Corleones
6. Trusted Tessio set his son up to be murdered

We debate Fredo's murder but he did exactly the same and would have been just as horrific and guilty of fratricide if Michael had been killed He was complicit in trying to get his brother killed for personal gain arguably the Donship, Fredo so coveted, Don Fredo Corleone

Fredo unlike Michael no remorse no regret

Michael Oh! What a brother! showed understanding "mercy and forgiveness" to Fredo until Fredo's boathouse outburst, gave him a pass

No one was more honorable, more respected and liked than Roth -- set up the machine gun attack at Tahoe, and didn't care if women and children was killed

No one was more honorable, more respected and liked than Roth -- set up the machine gun attack at Tahoe, and didn't care if women and children was killed