This video essay explores several themes, techniques, and inspirations behind Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather Trilogy. Amongst many others, tradition, patriarchy, religion, law, capitalism and ethnicity.
This video essay is part of a series I am uploading for education purposes and is protected under the Fair Use copyright laws of the United States.
Alot of hidden layers to the Godfather. The end of Part II is quite sobering compared to the energy the first. The one thing I noticed at the end of Part II is that Michael still wears his wedding ring…. he may have literally lost his family, but in his head he may figurately think that they have abandoned/betrayed him?
Thanks for your insight Steven
Miss your weekly podcasts, but 401 is more than enough for us to re-visit 🙂
Hello Francis,
Thank you for leaving a post.
In all the years I have been watching The Godfather Part II, I had never noticed that crucial detail!
And I think the reason Michael retains his wedding band is exactly as you say: he considers Kay and his family have abandoned him.
As for the podcasts, I must confess that quite often I will see a new film in the theatre and think hmmm, how about rebooting the series. The Cinema Gods know that there are plenty more to address, especially since I retired the mic five years ago.