Luca Brasi is one of my favorite characters in the film, more so than in the book. I think the actor Lenny Montana gave the character heart, soul and humanity that was not conveyed in the book. My favorite part in the movie is Luca's fateful encounter with "The Turk," Sollozzo. What fascinates me about the scene and character of Luca Brasi is that his fate is sealed the moment he refuses to shake Sollozzo's hand. Luca will never shake the hand of the man who dares to kill Vito. That is why I like Luca:he would rather die than even contemplate the betrayal of Vito. And its this loyalty that gets him killed. Vito and Luca are old school Sicilians who live by the code of honor. The death of Luca spells the doom of Don Vito Corleone. Death before dishonor, that is the code that binds Luca and Vito.