I was watching the start of part 1 last night...I hadn't realised - It's quite a talking to, that Bonasera gets from Vito, isn't it? He really dresses him down.

Brando is so good as the Godfather, every actor is excellent in this film, it's so well cast. A masterpiece.

It's like the film is different every time you see it, you pick up on so much more than the last time you watched it.

I've seen 1 and 2 a couple of times, and all of 3 only once - not nearly enough to grasp the detail that is in the films.

It especially brings this point home when I read some of the theories being discussed, by some of the senior members, if you will. I respect these points of view, some must have seen the films a great many times.

Basically, I am a novice. I simply haven't seen them enough to contribute to many of the threads, and sometimes they serve to astound me with how much detail I have missed.

That said, I look forward to giving the series a proper watch, the most intently I watched them was the first time. Since then it's always been with a couple of beers or other distractions.

I wonder what i'll make of them after i've seen them all a dozen times. Just for the record, after the fist viewing young Vito is my favourite character, but I wonder if this will always be the case...

There is a point in there somewhere, I'm sure, but

in the meantime; respects to all gangsterbb members, and Geoff, The Don, who's websites are excellent.

bye

WM,there is no need to be so modest.Even someone who has never seen the films should not hesitate to respond to questions like "who was the best/worst Don".Or to speculate on the hidden meaning behind FFC's use of horses,cigarettes and fresh fruit.You mentioned the consumption of alcohol while watching the films and that young Vito is your favorite character but wondered if this would always be so.Well I warn you that if you drink too many of those beers and spend too much time alone watching the same film over and over, like many of the posters to this board, Mama Corleone may become your favorite character.

Walter, that could be the understatement of the year! The films are so great, so full of incredible detail, that, yes, you can get a new perspective each time. I've seen them, all or in part, well over a thousand times--and I always pick up some new detail I hadn't noticed before. And as you've seen, so do many, many other people. That's what makes the Trilogy priceless.

Same here. The great Turnbull for example can notice something from the movie and post about it that I never noticed and I will go watch it again or visa-versa. Another reason why Don Geoffy's site is so great. All the knowlege you learn.

Some subtle nuances from Vito appear innocuous, but after seeing the movies time after time, I think they add to the richness of his character.
For example, when Brasi is stumbling through his prepared statement of gratitude at Connie's wedding, Vito's expression and slight body language suggest that he is sympathetic and ready to help his friend through this potentially awward moment.
He also subtly gestures with his hands to show his approval and gratitude when the baker proudly tells him about the cake.
While it took several times watching the movie to really pick up on this, I think it is a testament to fine acting and attention to detail to define a character.
Now when I see these scenes, I think this reflects a difference between Vito and Michael, who did not have his father's warmth.

For my money, it's arguably the best scene in a movie filled with great scenes.
Brando really had to draw on all his acting chops in that scene with Luca's awkward speech:
According to Harlan Lebo, there was much practical-joking on the set. During the filming of that scene, Lenny Montana, who played Luca, taped a piece of paper on his tongue stating, "F**K YOU" and stuck his tongue out at Brando. I guess Marlon had all he could handle to keep a straight face after that.

Wow. I never knew that. I had heard that Lenny Montana was actually nervous filming the scene with Brando and that the flubbed lines (which I think are priceless) were accidental.
I like the Lebo tale better.

I agree with seeing things differently with every watching. For example the first time I saw Part II in a movie theater (it was actually a screening at MOMA here in NYC) I noticed the Life and Look magazines on the table when Michael is discussing what to do about Hyman Roth with Tom, Rocco and Neri. Those are things that you just don't spot when you are watching the movie at home on television (unless you have a giant 60 inch screen!). Plus the majority of movie is dark and that scene especially is lit so darkly it is hard to pick up all the little nuances.