Originally Posted by Turnbull
Originally Posted by JCrusher
I still think Roth’s plan was the best and if not by pure luck Roth wins. If Kay doesn’t mention the drapes Mike is dead and if Fredo doesn’t tell Mike about the Senate lawyer Mike goes to jail

Yes indeed. Roth's plans were brilliant, and he had backups for all of them--even arranging, after his stroke, near murder, and escape from Cuba, to nearly nail Michael at the Senate hearing.

Roth was the scalpel. Barzini was the blunt instrument. He telegraphed his intentions by horning in on Corleone territory, even before Vito died. That's when Michael and Vito knew Barzini would try to kill Michael after Vito died. The only unknown at that point was the identity of the traitor who'd set up a meeting. That warm scene between Barzini and Tessio at Vito's burial answered that question. Barzini was a dead man at that point.

. True. Unlike Roth Barzini never pivoted and had a legit backup plan. Like Sollozzo said he missed his chance. Yes it was a miracle Vito survived but it was obvious he didn’t have a real contingency plan and obviously took Mike too lightly. Maybe you can argue Roth learned from Barzini’s mistake. I also think Roth saw Mikes ruthlessness and realized he was never like his father it that way