Okay, question - on one of the extras on the DVD set, Mario Puzo says he didn't want to kill off Fredo although I don't think he gave any reasons why on that one. [And yes - if I'm remembering this incorrectly, please let me know!]

I think Michael is very pragmatic when it comes to dealing with his enemies, but he had Fredo under house arrest from the looks of things. Yes, Fredo constituted a threat in many respects - but it seemed as if his death in the movie was more for the symbolism of tying up loose ends to parallel the same ending scene in the first movie.

Also - do you think Tom knew that Fredo was about to be killed? Is that touched on at any point?