Considering the novel, do you also think they could have been better? The account of Don Vito's troubled childhood was unrealistic, it should have been simpler like in the novel, also the return to Sicily could have not taken place. Now, from the point of earning the respect of the neighborhood, going into the olive oil importing business, the storyline should have been continued, the great war of 1933 ending with the execution of Maranzano, Sonny's turn to crime, the pacification of the New York. It's too bad Luca Brasi had that small coverage in the first and that's it for such a strong character.

Agreed about the Sonny and Luca points, they should have certainly figured in the flashbacks. My god, the things Luca is alleged to have done in the book would have burned the screen. Sonny tells the Don in the book at that he witnessed the murder of Fanucci...could have been interesting.

But the return to Sicily was vital, especially to develop the friendship with Tommasino..and damn right we wanna see Vito tear Ciccio's guts out.

Why was Vito's return to Sicily unrealistic?? And why was his childhood unrealistic?

To see the events in Filomena's story on screen would be something... Also the killing of the Al Capone's henchmen, the killing of Don Alioto and the rest. Luca with his reputation is never seen killing anyone. And yeah, the dispute between Sonny and his father, entering the business, commanding his regime after the assassination attempt on the Don would really be worth watching.



The plot is kinda forced and cliched. The young Vito is weak and considered mentally challanged, his brother is also murdered, his mother goes to Don Ciccio to beg him to let him live and when he refuse she sacrifes herself to allow Vito to escape with gunmen with luparas running after him. And of course, he comes for revenge after decades. A flashback from his childhood in Sicily is necessary but they should have left it simple like in the novel.

The plot is kinda forced and cliched. The young Vito is weak and considered mentally challanged, his brother is also murdered, his mother goes to Don Ciccio to beg him to let him live and when he refuse she sacrifes herself to allow Vito to escape with gunmen with luparas running after him. And of course, he comes for revenge after decades. A flashback from his childhood in Sicily is necessary but they should have left it simple like in the novel.
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What????

His mother only said Vito was weak so Ciccio would spare him...Vito is anything but mentally challenged.

But certainly part II missed a trick with no Brasi whatsoever.

Until he started singing alone on Ellis Island he didn't say a word. He should have been portrayed differently.

Even as an adult, Vito preferred that people underestimate him. Look at the scene with Signor Roberto or Fanucci. He liked to understand people, letting them show their true colors.

Plus, if you were a little kid, and your mom took you to see the big Mafia chief that had murdered your father and your big brother, wouldn't you be a bit intimidated?? Perhaps even quiet?

And remember that Don Ciccio had it exactly right - when he grew, Vito DID come back for revenge!

Why would she try to reason with Ciccio in the first place instead of just sending him to be hidden by relatives and shipped to America?

She was a poor woman with no resources and now no breadwinner. She had lost her husband and eldest son. Perhaps she was hoping to keep Vito close to her.

No time. Ciccio came straight for him.

The thing that really creeps up on the viewer is that Ciccio ordered all those murders simply because he could. No law in Sicily to protect the average person. Ciccio killed Vito's father because he wouldn't give in to him. Then his brother. Now, he's going to kill nine-year-old Vito simply because he'll grow up and seek revenge. No accountability to anyone...no wonder Vito grew up to "refuse to be a puppet on a string held by those pezzanovanti."

Don who? I know who/what you're referring to, but where was this person's name ever mentioned? The novel just mentions that Luca Brasi killed the guy and then the Corleones made peace with them; I don't recall him ever being named.

Do you know something we don't?