Who's your favorite from the 'Godfather' by Mario Puzo?

I finished reading this great classic by Mario Puzo a few days ago. I personally liked Vito Corleone (the Godfather himself), his son Michael and Luca Brasi very much. Sonny and Clemenza also make the story quite interesting. Reading those savage accounts of Luca Brasi (and somewhat Albert Neri too) was a spine-chilling experience!! D:<
I've also seen the movie quite a lot of times. The way Marlon Brando and Al Pacino have played the Godfather and his son, respectively, is simply incredible in every sense! James Caan was good too.
Would like to know who your favorites are from the book and the movie as well? And what makes them your favorite?

On a side note, I've seen this quote by Honore de Balzac on the cover of many editions of the book - “Behind every great fortune lies a great crime.” That's hard-hitting! It always makes me wonder …..... Is it really not possible to attain a great fortune ethically, morally or conscientiously? Is crime the only way to make it?
What do you say?

 

I love the Godfather trilogy but have never read the books. I'm guessing you recommend reading them. I loved James Caan, his performance is often overlooked. Did you know they used a real horses head in that famous scene with it on the pillow. They got it from a local dog food factory (Gross) the actor didn't know they were using a real head and the screams from the actor are actually real. Animal rights groups tried getting it removed from the film, thankfully they weren't successful as it's now one of the most famous scenes in film history.

In answer to your other question; I believe there are very few from the extremely wealthy, who have not been corrupt in one way or other to attain their wealth. The corporate world is full of corruption.

 

Well if you love the crime genre, I would definitely recommend reading the book. Watching a 3-hrs movie and reading a book are two completely different experiences. I'm sure you'll enjoy the book a lot more.
I think I've come across what you said about the horse scene somewhere. Maybe in the Trivia section on IMDB but I'm not really sure at the moment. Yah, I think the same about James Caan. He has pulled off Santino Corleone excellently but maybe since he is a supporting actor in the movie, his performance has been overlooked. One more interesting fact about him is that he was first assigned the role of Michael Corleone, but Francis Ford Coppola (movie director) thought that Al Pacino was more suited for the role. That's why James Caan, later, was made to play Sonny.

What you say is true although I'm not much aware of the corporate world. But making big money in an honest manner nowadays doesn't seem to be possible.

 

When I read the book many moons ago, I liked Tom Hagen who was the consummate behind the scenes guy. They are typically the ones that survive and prosper. It's the Dons who get the notoriety and the consequences. In the movies, Hagen seems more like a butler.

 

I guess that's because Hagen's not directly involved in the family business - I mean he doesn't have a direct operative hand in what the Corleones do. All tasks are executed by either the Caporegimes or their button men. Hagen looks just after the legal matters. The main theme is crime and his role makes him somewhat passive against that background. Moreover Mikey dismisses him from the position later as he is not a befitting 'War Consiglere'. He doesn't have an active part as the story ends.

 

Exactly, the story ends in a lot of deaths and he is already safely away with a big bag of money, I presume, and did not have to get involved in the messy parts...

 

I've never read the books but I've seen the movies. Are there any major differences between the two? Anyways, my favorite would be Vito Corleone (fun to say).

 

The books are much more elaborate and descriptive than the movies. A 3-hours movie can't cover all the delicate and beautiful intricacies described in a book.

 

Fredo, you're my older brother and i love you, but don't ever take sides against the family, ever.

 

Vito Corleone. Marlon Brando is an undisputed legend.

 

I like how Mikey says it in the movie.
The most famous line though from Godfather is “I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse”, said twice throughout the story, once by the Godfather himself and once by Mike.
It's also one of the most famous movie quotes of all time. I guess it's the second one, first being “Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.” from movie Gone with the Wind (1939) by Clark Gable.

 

Yep, no doubt, but I also consider Al Pacino an all time great.