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Topic:
Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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Grand_Moff_Monkey
Registered:
Nov '01
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 2:39am
Subject:
Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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I just didn't get it. I payed close attention, but I just couldn't follow it.
The flashback stuff with the young Vito (Robert DeNiro) is fine. Makes sense. It's all the events of the present that I didn't get.
What's Hymen Roth's connection with everyone?
Who are the Rosato brothers and whose side are they on?
What's the story with Franky Pentangeli? Why does Michael think it was him who betrayed him? Why does he retract his testimony when his brother shows up at the Senate hearing? And why does he kill himself?
So who was Fredo working for? And how did Michael find out it was him who betrayed him?
How did Havana and the Cuban rebels fit into everything?
The first Godfather film I understood and really enjoyed, but in Part II, I was just scratching my head trying to work out what was going on.
If any of you can shed any light on my questions, it will be much appreciated.
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Now that all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter:
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bright sith
Registered:
Aug '99
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 2:55am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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I understand there are some unclear plot points people might encounter watching G2, but from your questions, I strongly recommend you see it again. Like you said, you just didn't get it; some of the answers should be pretty obvious.
What's Hymen Roth's connection with everyone?
Jewish businessman who deals with the Corleone family. He and Michael have a surface of mentor-student, partner to partner relationship, but the entire movie's plotline is generated out of their intentions to eliminate each other.
Who are the Rosato brothers and whose side are they on?
The Rosato brothers were given the territory that Pentangeli had hoped to be in charge of after the Corleones moved out of New York. They are, basically, against Michael.
What's the story with Franky Pentangeli? Why does Michael think it was him who betrayed him? Why does he retract his testimony when his brother shows up at the Senate hearing? And why does he kill himself?
Michael does not think Pentangeli betrayed him. Michael KNOWS that it was Roth. It is Pentangeli who mistakingly thinks Michael tried to kill him. He retracts his testimony either out of honor or fear in front of his brother, or both, I have primarily thought of it as fear for his brother's life. He kills himself because he is worthless now. Tom's conversation with him assures that his family will be taken care of.
So who was Fredo working for? And how did Michael find out it was him who betrayed him?
Fredo wasn't necessary working for Roth and Johnny Ola, but he at the least slipped information to Ola for them to have a shot at Michael in his own home. Michael finds out when he overhears Fredo mentioning that Ola brought him to the sex show while they were there. Fredo had previously denied knowing Johnny Ola.
How did Havana and the Cuban rebels fit into everything?
Roth and Michael were trying to buy a piece of Cuba with the old regime. They would have complete freedom with their businesses just outside of the US. The rebels overthrows the regime, and thus Roth and Michael's plan is no longer able to come true.
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Grand_Moff_Monkey
Registered:
Nov '01
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 3:17am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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You're probably right. I do need to watch the film again.
Thanks a lot for your answers. It makes a lot more sense.
But...
If Michael doesn't think it was Frank, why does he start shouting at him when he goes to see him. "In my home! In my bedroom where my wife sleeps!" etc?
So who gave the Rosato brothers the Corleone's old New York territory?
Johnny Ola? These names have lost me. Who is he?
Is it deliberately left ambiguous the extent of which Fredo was "working for" Roth?
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Now that all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man.
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jedivalens
Registered:
Apr '01
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 3:28am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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the more you watch it the more you understand it. the book "the Godfather" goes into more detail. it kinda has both movies combined into one book. its a very good book
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Jedi knight Pozzi
Registered:
Apr '00
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 3:50am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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I’ve been wondering about Part II myself. I understand the original 6 ½ hour version would have explained all, but the present day version with Michael feels like a series of stories that are unconnected – at least to me. The above explainations helped me too.
Vitos’ story is some sort of reverse parallel to his son’s life I’m sure, but I’ve felt it could have been dropped and made more room to explain Michaels story more.
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Nothing lasts forever. But somethings last for long enough. Life goes on. 
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Angel_of_Sith
Registered:
Apr '02
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 4:20am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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tip: read the book.
it's by mario puzi and is really quite excalent.
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I'm leaving when I get to 10000 posts, I'll still check on PMs though  darththunderbird is so cool she rocks my socks on the strangebehaviour committee 
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Ben Kenobi
Registered:
Mar '00
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 5:44am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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Technically, it's Mario Puzo.
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The Bigger Fish
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Apr '00
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 5:47am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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There's a sequel!?! 
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Dancing with Penguins I'm in Yvette's fishtank.
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Angel_of_Sith
Registered:
Apr '02
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 5:54am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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Ben Kenobi: smart arse, no offence or nuttin.
The Bigger Fish: there are three films, and on book. though the book is actually a collection of short books just compiled into one volume.
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I'm leaving when I get to 10000 posts, I'll still check on PMs though darththunderbird is so cool she rocks my socks on the strangebehaviour committee
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AL
Registered:
Aug '98
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 6:05am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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What's Hymen Roth's connection with everyone?
Roth is a Jweish mafia boss who manages to sort out a deal with the Batista government in Cuba that will allow a massive American gambling influence into the country, and Roth needs money from the Corleone's if they are to be partners to him in this. It is revealed later, however, that he only intended to take the money and that he was out to kill Michael from the beginning onwards.
Who are the Rosato brothers and whose side are they on?
An Italian mafia family in New York who are affiliates (and obviously the subordinates) of Roth. They try to kill Frankie Fiveangels (Pentangelli) though they are not successful. The reason they mention Michael Corleone during the failed garotting is to confuse both the audience and Pentangellin in his dying moments.
What's the story with Franky Pentangeli?
Frankie was possibly one of the caporegimes to Don Vito Corleone (he might have been a subordinate of Clemenza though; we are not sure) though we did not see him in the first film. The character was hastily written into the film when Peter Castellano decided not to take part in the second flick as Clemenza when his suggestions about the character were not taken on board by Coppolla. That is why Clemenza's passing is briefly mentioned in the beginning of the film.
Why does Michael think it was him who betrayed him?
Pentangelli thinks that Michael tried to have him murdered. That is why he goes to the police and coughs up. So he does betray him, in that sense. Until, that is, his older brother shows up.
Why does he retract his testimony when his brother shows up at the Senate hearing? And why does he kill himself?
He retracts his testimony when he is reminded of the bonds of family when he sees his brother again. Whatever happens, you do not betray your family and sort it out in house. The reason why he kills himself is obvious from the speech about the Roman Empire that he gives to Tom Hagen.
So who was Fredo working for? And how did Michael find out it was him who betrayed him?
Fredo was promised a deal by Johhny Ola, Hyman Roth's Sicilian messenger boy where he was to be given money and control of some casinos. It is unlikely that he knew the plans included the possible assasination of his brother as he tells Ola on the phone that he has been dragged into the whole affair much more than he originally wanted to. Michael always had a hunch that Fredo betrayed him but this was confirmed in the night club scene where Fredo tells the Senators that Ola first took him there when previously he had said that he had not met Ola before.
How did Havana and the Cuban rebels fit into everything?
Castro takes over the country: bye bye American business interest, legitimate or illegitimate.
Hope this helps.
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"I got fifty storm troopers shooting at three people from ten feet away, and nobody ever gets hurt. Who's gonna believe this?" George Lucas, 1976
Those aren't pillows!!!!
Thank you for profiting on my childhood.
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Grand_Moff_Monkey
Registered:
Nov '01
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 9:06am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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I think I'm gonna have to watch it again tonight.
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Now that all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man.
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Radiohead
Registered:
Mar '02
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 9:08am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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You should. Godfather 2 is a masterpiece. So is the first Godfather. The third one is... well... let's just say George Hamilton is in it and Robert Duvall isn't.
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"I have to admit it's getting better. It's getting better all the time." - The Beatles
"For a minute there, I lost myself..." - Radiohead
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Jedi knight Pozzi
Registered:
Apr '00
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 9:10am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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Part III would be fine, if the first two didn't exist.
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Nothing lasts forever. But somethings last for long enough. Life goes on.
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AL
Registered:
Aug '98
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 9:14am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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I still prefer Godfather to its sequels, nevertheless.
-----signature-----
"I got fifty storm troopers shooting at three people from ten feet away, and nobody ever gets hurt. Who's gonna believe this?" George Lucas, 1976
Those aren't pillows!!!!
Thank you for profiting on my childhood.
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Princess_Tina
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 9:45am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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Well, the previous posts explained the plot... I'd like to add something I read once about Godfather Part II. You see, what makes it such a compelling film is that it shows how in an earlier time in America, you could prosper financially while keeping strong family bonds, while after WWII, the force of capitalism became so great it could tear a family apart. (Fredo betraying Michael, then Michael killing Fredo).
That is why Michael asks his Mom, was Vito ever afraid that by protecting his family he could lose his family...
Still the best Godfather movie, IMHO...
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Liz Skywalker
Title: Ex-Mod
Registered:
Jun '00
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Date Posted:
4/15/02 10:03am
Subject:
RE: Could someone please explain the plot of Godfather II to me?
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Transcript
Godfather boards
I suggest renting the Godfather trilogy DVD collection. It's got some great commentary.
...and a mango. (or should that be orange?   )
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Hey, is slash still banned?
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