With the sad and tagic events of the death of our beloved Holy Father His Holiness Pope John Paul II I have been doing a little bit of research into him and some of the former Popes. Anyways I find it odd that in The Godfather Part III that not only does it take place in the wrong year 1979 as opposed to 1978, I also find it odd that the Cardinal that becomes Pope John Paul I not only doesn't look like the real John Paul I but also has a different name. In the movie in 1979 Pope Paul VI died and then Cardinal Lamberto was elected to become Pope John Paul I and then he died about a month later at the hands of the Archbishop. In real life Pope Paul VI died and on August 26, 1978, Cardinal Albino Luciani was elected to become Pope John Paul I and then died of natural causes on September 28, 1978 33 days after being elected. I wonder why history was changed? Probably to protect the image of John Paul I but then again being his reign was so short it has been suspected that he was murdered anyways. Any Thoughts?

Pippi

His Holiness Pope John Paul II
(Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyła 1920 - 2005)

Rest In Peace Holy Father

Well, this was all just a fictionalised turn of events that they seem to do a lot.

Like Moe Green was Bugsy Siegel, Hyman Roth was Meyer Lanksky, Johnny Fontane was Frank Sinatra, and so on.

Its obvious who the characters are about but they change the names so that they can change the character around a little bit without anyone getting mad.

Hello! It's called a movie.

Movie producers can get sued if they portray situations too close to real life real people's lives--especially people who are public figures. I doubt very much if the Church would have sued, but enough stupid people thought that the story was somehow either the truth or close to the truth. I think that is one of the reasons for all that brohaha over Sinatra and the horse's head scene.

~~ Lollie

There is a discussion going on over in the Organized Crime Real Life thread about this subject right now. Check it out.


Don Cardi

Lighten up a bit Olivant, they are NEW to these boards!


Don Cardi

Those of you who think the historical figures in the GF movies should be the real individuals need to look up the term "roman a clef."

Olivant


I have not been on these boards as long as you have been, but I see no reason for you to be so nasty to the new people on here. Why not try and answer them in a more friendly way?

Don Smitty

Let's keep it civil.

I see no need for the hostility, I was just asking a simple question and I in no way figured that what happened with Pope John Paul I in the movie was the same as what happened to him in real life. I was just simply curious but I figured that the writers changed the historical account either to not get sued (Not that the Vatican would but others may.) or to not tarnish the good reputation of the late pontiff John Paul I. I wonder what John Paul II thought of the movie if he ever saw it.

-Pippi

The Godfather Returns do yourself a favour and put the book down and read The Origional or any of Puzo's works. You have the power!

Don't sweat it Pippi.

If you realize that what happened to the Pope in GFIII is not what happened in real life...then how can you be curious as to why the writers of fictional movie would 'change' a historical account? Or that they would change the year?

What happens in GFIII is clearly a fictional story, based very loosely on historical fact. Happens all the time in cinema. And on TV too - most notably on Law & Order where MANY episodes are written right from the headlines yet are still able to be depicted as fictional events.

I go along with olivant's response....which in comparison to alot I've seen on this Board is FAR from un-civil.

Apple

What was it Senator Geary said about a few rotten apples spoiling the whole barrel?

Could be...rotten apples have been spoiling the barrel since about August 2002. And they've outlasted quite a few other fruits along the way!!

he asked a simple question...that's what this board is here for. if no one likes his question..ignore the damn post. simple as that. i find nothing wrong with him asking a simple question.

There's nothing 'wrong' with anybody asking a 'simple question'. Frankly, it wasn't a simple question it was a vast elaboration on theory about a movie changing history. He also asked for 'any thoughts' on his subject.

Nothing wrong with people sharing their thoughts, especially when they were asked for. The responses aren't always going to be sweet & squishy and warm and fuzzy. Sometimes they're going to contain a dose of reality.

You want to share your theories and then invite response, then do it. Just be ready for the responses, as long as they're not personal attacks or insults they are what you asked for.

That's the way it goes.

Best,
AppleOnYa

it's funny i was just reading his question carefully...and i don't notice any theories on there. im sure if you read it very carefully you'll find that he's simply asking, and that is the importante work in this, why the writers of the movie choose to have this changes to events that have happened...obviously knowing that the pope wasn't poisoned. from what i see it's a simple question that does not deserve or need attitude from anyone on this board. old or new.

He finds it odd that "...in The Godfather Part III that not only does it take place in the wrong year 1979 as opposed to 1978...".

He also finds it odd that "...the Cardinal that becomes Pope John Paul I not only doesn't look like the real John Paul I but also has a different name..."

He points out that, "... In the movie in 1979 Pope Paul VI died and then Cardinal Lamberto was elected to become Pope John Paul I and then he died about a month later at the hands of the Archbishop. In real life Pope Paul VI died and on August 26, 1978, Cardinal Albino Luciani was elected to become Pope John Paul I and then died of natural causes on September 28, 1978 33 days after being elected..."

Then, he ponders "....why history was changed?..."

He closes by theorizing that it was " ...Probably to protect the image of John Paul I but then again being his reign was so short it has been suspected that he was murdered anyways."

Then he asks for "...Any Thoughts?...".

Some simple question.

I still go along with olivant.
However if anyone does prefer the more civilized response...then Lollies post is worth looking at as well.

Apple

First of all let me start by saying that I am very surprised at how the "veterans" of these boards have acted here. I for one don't think that a new member should be answered in that manner. The NEW member asked a question, a legitimate one, and was deserving of an honest and respectful answer. Not a hostile one! This is NOT the first time that one of the members on here has been hostile towards a new member. There have been many instances of it! And there have been hostile posts that have been deleted before anyone else could see them. These boards are definately here for our pleasure, but they are also here to attract new members for many different reasons. The hostility that has been shown here towards the new members lately has been out of control! Acting that way is not a way to keep new members posting here! Everyone is entitled to their opinions and there is nothing wrong with debating an issue. But when debating an issue, there is absolutely no reason to be snooty or make condencending remarks, especially with new members! I just don't think that it is the proper way to help keep new people posting on here! The hostility towards the new people must stop. If you want to discuss and debate the original topic that was posted, by all means please continue to do so. But if I see this topic sway off the subject originally posted, and see any more hostility towards the new member who made the post, I am going to have to close this topic. So let's just keep it civil. Thanks!


Don Cardi

For anyone who is really interested in the relationship between the plot, characters, etc. of GF III, read God's Banker which is a factual book about the Vatican Bank scandal.

Yes Olivant, that is a very good book, excellent recommendation!


Don Cardi

I resemble that remark

Of course, it might have been directed at any of the following members (besides myself, of course) who joined in August 2002:

#1327 howardsternisgod (8/8)
#1365 Sicilian Babe (8/19)
#1402 Just Lou (8/29)

Apple?

Sorry for all the fuss I caused and thanks for those who supported me and actually tried to answer my question instead of treating me like a total idiot. For the record I wasn't trying to theorize anything I was just simply curious as to why the real history was changed in the movie, like was there any specific reason that they changed it. I also know that true stories are changed around for dramatic purposes it happens all the time they make a movie or a tv show about factual events.

Thank-You,


Pippi

Pippi dont worry about it. This is a great site and there are a lot of good people here. Just have fun, I can tell ur a good guy.

It was directed at anyone to whome it applies. Why play favorites at a time like this?

Recently (about 2 months ago) I got a 'private' e-mail from another 'old timer' (and another well known 'Don') lamenting at what has happened to this Board, where have all the 'normal' people gone...and that for the most part all that remains is "grammar school like subjects", "silly word games", "half a brain posts", and... "giving each other high five's for reaching some dumb post count"...usually as a result of one of the above. This old timer 'Don' mentioned that the list is now full of "young kids with chips on their shoulders with little or no life at all."

At the time I hadn't posted or even visited the site in a while and thought I'd take a look. Recent visits have proven that communication quite accurate.

Aside from all that, we're now asked to play nice with the newbies; apparently ignoring the fact that is was another relative 'newbie' who originally posted 'Hello, it's called a MOVIE' in response to the brilliant theory that began this topic.

So y'know what, Don Cardi? Go ahead and attract new members for many different reasons, and enjoy what you get. I'll happily step aside again and spare myself from the urge to make condescending remarks and "...correct these children who post half truths and want to argue rather then discuss subjects..." (oh, yeah that's another quote from my old-timer buddy).

Meanwhile, I'll also spare you the urge to scold, close threads and delete 'hostile' posts.

Enjoy the Board, everyone!!

And I want everyone here to know there's gonna be no trouble from me.

Cicci -- a port'!



Apple

"How did things ever get so far? I don't know it was so--unfortunate --so unnecessary."

Where you got August, 2002 from still mystifies me

But your "private e-mail" story explains a lot, because

I didn't know, until this day, that it was ******** *** all along.

Ahh, the old lady had too much wine!

Apple, what have I ever done to you to make you disrepect me?


I am truly sorry that you feel this way. I hope that when you have time to think it over you will stay here with us and continue to contribute to these boards.


Don Cardi

How'd you guess !!!

I have returned because Don C sent me a VERY NICE private post. Luckily though, it's the weekend and I'll be away from the Board until Monday so everybody (including me) gets a chance to chill.

See you soon!

Apple

"And therein lies the peace."