The Godfather
Spoken Essay Notes
In some films, from the very beginning, the seeds of destruction of characters or
institutions can be detected. Show, by close reference to the text, how the opening
section of any film you know well alerts the audience to the possibility of destruction
to come.
In your answer you must refer to the text and to at least two of: casting, mise-enscene, sound track, editing, theme or any other appropriate feature.
From the beginning, Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Godfather’ shows the seeds of
destruction being sown. The initial scene shows this happening to the Corleone family. It
is the characters that display the possibility of destruction to come.
Wedding scene
The character of Santino (Sonny) shows signs of possible conflict and destruction in the
first scene. We learn through the first scene that he is controlled by his emotions. He has
a very passionate side, which is revealed, with the affair he has with one of the bridesmaids. This not only highlights a lack of respect for his wife, but also a lack of control
over his inhibitions. This affair causes conflict with himself and Don Vito. He is aware
of Sonny’s activities, and when he enters the office, Don Vito says “A man who does not
spend time with his family can never be a real man.” This clarifies the conflict between
Sonny and Don Vito over the idea of the importance of family. Sonny is a passionate
character, which is evident when he cheats on his wife with the bridesmaid. He is
headstrong and becomes angry when he encounters the police.
Michael is very important to Don Vito. He is seen as a kind of hero, in his war uniform.
Don Vito won’t take a picture without him. Although he is not involved in family
business, he is Don Vito’s favorite son.
Fredo appears unreliable, as our first introduction to him is when he is drunk.
Police presence causes friction between the family and the law. The law is aware of the
organized crime. Don Vito wears a red flower on his jacket, while the rest of the men
wear white. Symbolizes death.
Tom Hagen is the adopted family member but still closer to Don veto than sonny. The
fact tom is present at the meetings and is fully involved in the family business and sonny
is not, highlights the possibility for conflicts between them. Sonny is personal whilst tom
is all business.
Don Vito
 Carrying out business on his daughters wedding day. Signifies more organized
crime to come.
 Wearing red flower on jacket while his son wears white flowers symbolizes death
and foreshadows the violence to come.
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He treats Michael differently from his other sons. He favors him, and says he will
not take a family picture without him. The camera shows Don Vito’s point of
view as Michael moves through the crowd with Kay. It shows the great interest he
has in Michael.
Throughout the scene Don Vito appears to be very compassionate, which is also
portrayed through his fairness later on in the film. The cat on his lap also
symbolizes his caring side, as does his dance with his daughter. This however, at
times is a disadvantage to the family because Don Vito can be too compassionate.
There is a clear and extensive police presence at the wedding. Sonny is informed of the
activities and his lack of self-control and impulsive nature resurface. Firstly he spits on
the badge of a police officer, breaks a police cameras, though he quickly reimburses him.
Sonny again demonstrating his impulsive nature by resorting to violent and destructive
acts without consideration for the consequences.
Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Godfather’ is filled with the destruction of the characters
and institutions. The seeds of this destruction can be traced back to the first scene. Don
Vito kindness an consideration of others; Sonny’s emotional impulsiveness, Michael’s
dislike for family ‘business’; Fredo’s incompetence; and the police presence all could be
roots to the future possibility of destruction within the Corleone family.