Welcome, UnderBoss. I hope to see many more though-provoking posts from you; you've certainly started well.

And it's a good point you acknowledge. Although Brasi's, and more so Neri's, abilities were shown in depth in the novel, it was in extensive flashback. Perhaps Coppola (and/or Puzo) wanted to show the brains aspect of the Family business. Vito's mental strengths were paramount over his physical attributes, and thus both the novel and film concentrate on how his brains got the Family out--he is the puppeteer, the one in control, and his enforcers are simply his puppets, whose actions in carrying out their Don's wishes are simply taken for granted. In short, I think Coppola wanted to show that a successful Mafia Family needs brains as well as phyical strength.

Mick