. “I’m Going to Make Him an Offer”. The Godfather – Opening Scene The Godfather, by Francis Ford Coppola has been a film phenomena since its release. This is widely held to be one of the best films of all time. It means that you will have to serve the time in prison if you get into trouble again. Whiskey is a very strong alcoholic drink. The link to the opening scene. We understand all of this effortlessly because we see the world through the lens of reciprocity. Bonasera then asks the Godfather to murder these boys, but the Godfather says no. Hi, honestly, it’s really difficult for me to understand what the Father and God Father said. You don’t even think to call me Godfather. This means earn money. I want to say thank you to you. The opening wedding scene in The Godfather has a hidden dick joke. Vito Corleone: We’ve known each other many years, but this is the first time you came to me for counsel, for help. It is a swear word and is offensive to some people. The boys tried to take advantage, but she resisted and kept her honour. BONASERA: Let them suffer then, as she suffers. Perhaps you talk over them when they are talking or you ignore their advice or perhaps you start yawning or don’t pay attention to them. She went to the movies with him; she stayed out late. The opening scene of The Godfather, sets the mood and tone of which the classic film takes the viewer through the compelling story. It is the wedding day of the daughter of the Godfather, Don Corleone. However, we can make a crucial distinction between the three sons: while Sonny and Fredo are both defined by their immature actions, Michael is Vito’s only son who … You found paradise in America, you had a good trade, made a good living. Sonny can be seen with the white flower in his lapel standing by the cake. From scene to scene you can create symbolic connections by repeating or rhyming with the specific choices made to enrich interrelated moments. Bonasera: She found a boyfriend; not an Italian. . Hurricane Marlon is sweeping the country, and I wish it were more than hot air. This is a very unpleasant treatment. 182. Listen to the next lines. 1. Part II begins with a parallel shot of Michael, now Godfather, having his hand kissed by a suppliant. The police protected you and there were courts of law. And then they tried to take advantage of her. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you have enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a comment or a rating or a review. CORLEONE: Bonasera . How often, these days, do we get anything like all that? Learn this way is too much more fun. Bonasera uses it to buy revenge, which is itself a form of reciprocity. He was eased in, despite stiff opposition from the studio brass, because of the advocacy of a thirtyish fan, Francis Ford Coppola, an Italian-American who happened to be the director of The Godfather. The grandfather of all cool actors becomes the Godfather. Tommasino is at the side of the bed. Today, I want to look at the language from the opening scene of The Godfather. The sentences has been suspended, or put on hold and you won’t have to go to prison if you don’t break the law. DAISY MAULE 2. Because talking about editing can be abstract, let’s look at an excellent example of character-driven editing in The Godfather restaurant scene. When I went to the hospital, her nose was a’broken. Thanks Minh Hieu – I forgot to update the link. Bonasera’s daughter found a boyfriend who took her out with another boy and they tried to get her drunk by making her drink whiskey. It is the wedding day of the daughter of the Godfather, Don Corleone. The scene opens in a dark room with a close up of Bonasera who is explaining his problem. And you didn’t need a friend like me. This really is a brilliant opening scene. And those two bastard, they smiled at me. The gray and white cat held in the opening scene of the Godfather (1972) was actually a stray that director, Francis Ford Coppola, found on the Paramount movie lot during filming.. CORLEONE: That is not justice; your daughter is still alive. A fortune is a large amount of money or property. Marlon Brando enjoys being mysterious. Honour and respect. The police protected you; and there were courts of law. western” align=”LEFT”>Of course, the Lake Tahoe sequence isn’t in itself the opening of the film, just the 1958-9, Michael-Corleone-focused half of the narrative. Close. Justice in this example means fairness in the way people are treated. Vito Corleone: Some day, and that day may never come, I’ll call upon you to do a service for me. Vito Corleone: I can’t remember the last time that you invited me to your house for a cup of coffee, even though my wife is godmother to your only child. But I wept. save. If I ever bought anything that wasn’t the cheapest possible option, my mother would complain that it had cost a small fortune. "The Godfather" opens very slowly, with just one man speaking, in low key lighting. Your email address will not be published. THE GODFATHER: 3. The opening scene is set in Don Vito Corleone office in his house where people are asking him for favors. So they beat her, like an animal. (to Tom Hagen, after Bonasera leaves the room) Ah, give this to ah, Clemenza. Corleone uses it to manipulate Bonasera into joining Corleone’s extended family. Like Shylock, Don Corleone is a member of an unliked ethnic minority who has acquired a certain amount of power by means considered unsavory and who cares very much about his family. Archived. All rights reserved. And you didn’t need a friend like me. ‘The Godfather’ and the Decline of Marlon Brando – Review by Stanley Kauffmann, THE GODFATHER: BRANDO PLAYS A MAFIA CHIEFTAIN – Interview by Shana Alexander, THE GODFATHER: THE RESURRECTION OF DON BRANDO – Review by Richard Schickel, THE GODFATHER: HOW BRANDO BROUGHT DON CORLEONE TO LIFE – BY JOSEPH GELMIS. Includes stills from the film. Two months ago, he took her for a drive, with another boyfriend. Originally, it meant someone whose parents were not married and in the context of the film is supposed to indicate that these were not honourable people. Hey, Jack! David Wong. Grazie, Godfather. It’s irregular weep wept wept. Michael’s power is established. Bonasera admits he was afraid of getting into “trouble.” The dialogue continues: CORLEONE: I understand. The Opening Scene in The Godfather. It shows how sometimes what’s considered justice is nothing more than words on a court form, and true justice has to come from other sources. He added the cat himself, believing that it would help show the Godfather, Don Vito Corleone‘s, soft side. I want reliable people; people that aren't gonna be carried away. (then, after Tommasino shakes his head not knowing where Fabrizio is) Opening Sequence Analysis – The Godfather Part I The opening sequence commences with a title frame stating the title of the film ‘The Godfather’. She was the light of my life — beautiful girl. I’ll add some when I can. To make a good living means you earn enough money to live well. The godfather opening sequence analysis 1. To weep means to cry very dramatically with lots of tears. The opening scene of The Godfather, sets the mood and tone of which the classic film takes the viewer through the compelling story. Bonasera . 42 comments. A tornado of praise—cover stories and huzzahs—blasts out the news that Brando is giving a marvelous performance as Don Corleone in The Godfather, the lapsed Great Actor has regained himself, and so on. But just as extraordinary to me is how easy it is for us to understand this complex interaction in an alien subculture. With the light only shown on the man's face, the background is almost completely black, accenting the dramatic and intimidating tone of the entire film. Hey! Then, the scene cuts to the entrance of the wedding cake outside. Where can I find the activities? You won’t attract any attention if you say it in a pub, but you shouldn’t say it at work or somewhere you should be polite. , Hi Aitana What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you haven’t seen the film, or haven’t seen it recently, I recommend you watch it again. The Italian immigrant Bonasera, an undertaker, has come to ask for a favor: He wants to avenge an assault upon the honor and body of his own daughter, who was beaten by her boyfriend and another young man. (during the movie, The Godfather strokes the cat while deciding who should live or die) Song Lyrics – Ralph McTell – Streets of London. She stopped them assaulting her sexually, but then they physically attacked her. This movie portrays the willingness and sacrifice immigrants are willing to take in order to be successful in a new country. In some countries, there is a very important hierarchy of honour. The screen is completely dark, as the introduction music composed of Italian sympathetic strings quietly silences and the screen illuminates only to show the figure of an older man stand in formal clothes in front of a desk. share. If someone breaks their jaw, doctors may have to use a wire frame to hold the bone pieces in place so they can heal. Hic. Vito Corleone: That is not justice; your daughter is still alive. You don’t even think to call me “Godfather.” Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you ask me to do murder, for money. New York: Basic Books, 2006. i need a whole analysis of the Godfather like this please! The scene starts off with a close up shot of a man’s face, the man is named Bonasera. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you uh ask me to do murder, for money. The judge gave them a suspended sentence and let them go free that very day. He is also the one... 4. CORLEONE: Good. Bonasera describes the assault, the arrest, and the trial of the two boys. We understand that in accepting a “gift” from a mafia don, a chain, not just a string, is attached. If a person is coerced or forced into a sexual act in this state, they have been taken advantage of. So, in no particular order, here are my top 5 scenes from The Godfather. I want you to listen to some lines from the film and then I’ll discuss the language. She couldn’t even weep because of the pain. There are two important concepts in this scene. . Mario Puzo knew his Shakespeare. Suspended sentence! And then they would fear you. Associates are continually professing their loyalty, and asking for “favors” to rescue them from any issues they have in their lives. To dishonour is much stronger. This is widely held to be one of the best films of all time. When the Godfather is talking to Johnny Fontaine in his office, Sonny Corleone is also present. But uh, until that day – accept this justice as a gift on my daughter’s wedding day. To take advantage of someone normally means to use somebody’s weakness to help yourself. It’s a really tricky scene. Reciprocity is a deep instinct; it is the basic currency of social life. It's a cruel truth but we reckon you, like us, don't remember the first moment you saw Marlon Brando as The Godfather. VITO CORLEONE Prego. Justice can mean the system of laws in a country that says how a person should be punished for different crimes, but there is also a more general kind of natural justice that people believe should be the case. Thank you so much for this! We wince at Bonasera’s clumsy attempt to offer money when what is lacking is the right relationship, and we understand why Bonasera had been wary, before, of cultivating the right relationship. This is the same as how much do you earn? That means that a small amount can make you quite drunk if you are not used to it. The Godfather agrees to make the boys suffer in a way that he thinks is just and appropriate considering their crimes and sends Bonasera away with these closing words. Later on, the Godfather says ‘You found paradise in America, had a good trade, made a good living.’. Source: Jonathan Haidt, The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom. The beginning oversees the godfathers daughters wedding. THE GODFATHER PART 2 opens with: A brief shot of Michael as a guest kisses him on the hand. Jack. Corleone asks what exactly he wants. The movie begins with Bonasera, a man seeking a favor, visiting Don Corleone in the Godfather's home office. If you are in a person’s debt, then they may ask you for a favour in return and you would feel obligated to do what they ask. There’s nothing fun or funny to be found here. He explains that he always believed in America, and it treated him well—until his daughter was beat up by her boyfriend and another man after she refused to have sex with them. Being a person of honour in one society might mean going to church and dressing smartly, but in another it might mean serving in the military or doing an important job. To sentence means to say what an official punishment is – this is done by a judge The judge sentenced the boys to three years in prison. Required fields are marked *. Listen to his response. A suspended sentence is a special type of punishment that is a bit like a threat. Notice the collocation. Debt is something that you owe someone. [He kisses Corleone’s hand]. If you’d come to me in friendship, then this scum that ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. Sometimes, they lose the ability to consent at all. Hi! This means to do something that reduces a person’s honour. Then, the scene goes back to the office where Sonny is still present with the Godfather. A sentence is another word for an official punishment. Interview by Shana Alexander. Her jaw was a’ shattered, held together by wire. My name is sohrab and i from Iran. Once he got the part, Brando in turn helped Coppola maintain camaraderie during the frenzied three-month shooting by kibitzing with the cast and establishing a fatherly relationship. Thank you so much for your lessons, it’s helpful for me so much. Vito Corleone: I understand. The opening scene of the movie The Godfather is an exquisite portrayal of reciprocity in action. And then there was Marion Brando, against all the odds, cast in one of filmdom’s juiciest roles, as mob chief Don Vito Corleone. I stood in the courtroom like a fool. The screen is completely dark, as the introduction music composed of Italian sympathetic strings quietly silences and the screen illuminates only to show the figure of an older man stand in formal clothes in front of a desk. I love to hear from you and any comments or suggestions you have. Good people deserve good things to happen to them and bad people deserve bad things to happen. You found paradise in America, had a good trade, made a good living. The a in front of shattered is supposed to be his Italian accent. Thanks . Credit card debt is probably the easiest debt to run up. The cat in the Godfather 1 opening scene, The cat held by Marlon Brando in the opening scene was a stray Francis Ford Coppola found while on the lot at Paramount. And uh, you were afraid to be in my debt. There’s a page for this podcast with the transcript, an activity and a task for you to do in the comments section. America has made my fortune. But let’s be frank here: you never wanted my friendship. They made her drink whiskey. CHARACTERS: The character to the left, Buonasera, is the one that we first see in ‘The Godfather’. The opening scene of The Godfather establishes that Don Corleone is Shylock. Bonasera’s opening monologue—a long take first cut of the film, revealing Don Corleone. The scene is extraordinary, a kind of overture that introduces the themes of violence, kinship, and morality that drive the rest of the movie. The first few lines of the film establish that Vito is incredibly powerful. The Godfather opens with a scene that culminates in an initially disrespectful suppliant kissing Don Vito’s hand in a humble show of respect. What made Bonasera mad was that the sentence was a suspended sentence. Often you hear about a 1 year or 5 year sentence which means that the convict has to go to prison for up to 1 or five years. Bonasera says her jaw was a’shattered. The opening wedding scene in The Godfather has a hidden dick joke. Could you please check the link of this transcript on Podcast? The scene in which Connie struggles to confront Carlo also showcases the power of allowing a long take to play without editing. Part of a series of resources available on The Godfather. But then, something happened that did. The cat was not originally called for in the script, and the cat with its purring muffled some of Brando’s dialogue, and, as a result, most of his lines had to be looped. The wall around the … Scene 1. I'm mean, we're not murderers, despite of what this undertaker says. The very slow and precise… The opening scene of The Godfather is one of the most iconic in cinematic history. Bastard in modern English just means a horrible person. Hi Minh Hieu For props, there isn’t much that stands out but everything that is in the room looks well furnished and good quality stuff so you can tell that these people are quite wealthy. Bonasera whispers something into his ear, which we can safely assume is “Kill them.” Corleone refuses, and points out that Bonasera has not been much of a friend until now. If you borrow money from the bank, then you are in debt. Posted by 3 years ago. And Bonasera wept. Their accents are hard to listen to and understand. The opposite is to disrespect. She kept her honour. Home / Scenes / Openings / The Opening Scene in The Godfather. I’m afraid I ran out of energy. report. The word shattered means broken into many pieces. © 2021 Scraps from the Loft. These two boys were brought to trial. Notice that the camera opens, in the dark, under the foreboding tune of Nino Rota’s timeless score to reveal a pair of sinister pupils set inside the deeply recessed eye sockets of a frightening, skeleton-like face. That's the only reason this scene isn't further up the list. When I clicked on the link on Podcast (iOS), it linked to the transcript of article “Types of Film and TV series”. You can make money. That is, to do something that would cause everybody to lose respect for them. My name is Jack and I’m making this podcast for you to learn or revise English vocabulary. So old people or people with learning disabilities can be vulnerable. If a conman tries to steal from these people because they are weak, the conman is taking advantage of them. Bonasera is furious and feels humiliated; he has come to Don Corleone to ask that justice be done. hide. Thank you so much for sharing this podcast with us. One of the greatest opening lines in film history, the first scene in the first film tells us so much about the Corleone’s, specifically the role of the “Godfather”. The Godfather says that Bonasera did not come to him for help because he was afraid to be in his debt. The judge sentenced them to three years in prison — suspended sentence. Bonasera: I — I went to the police, like a good American. The scene opens in a dark room with a close up of Bonasera who is explaining his problem. The opening wedding scene was shot in a Staten Island neighborhood using almost 750 locals as extras. Bonasera: They went free that very day! So please visit LearnEnglishVocabulary.co.uk and say hello. It’s usually money. You don’t offer friendship. Respect is normally a verb and in means to recognise a person’s honour; that you have a high opinion of the person. Opening Scene Godfather. I gave her freedom, but — I taught her never to dishonour her family. The house used as the Corleone household and the wedding location was at 110 Longfellow Avenue in the Todt Hill neighborhood of Staten Island. In the rest of this chapter I’ll explain how we came to adopt reciprocity as our social currency, and how you can spend it wisely. Then I said to my wife, “for justice, we must go to Don Corleone.”. As a Brando-watcher for almost 30 years, I’d like to agree. 4.11K subscribers. Detail. Bonasera: And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. TOMMASINO Morta [dead] MICHAEL (whispering) Fabrizio...? I didn’t protest. BONASERA: Be my friend—[He hows to Corleone]—Godfather? The cat that Vito Corleone can be seen holding in The Godfather’s opening scene wasn’t included in the original script.On his way to set, Francis Ford Coppola found the cat as a stray, wandering around the Paramount Pictures lot, and he decided that it would be fun to give the Don a cat to hold during his opening scenes. It is a spirit. SETTING: The opening sequence is set in what appears to be The Godfather’s office. People sometimes complain or boast that they have spent a fortune on their hobby. This ‘Deconstruction’ worksheet can be used by students to make notes on a key scene of the Godfather. It really is a brilliant opening scene. You might hear someone ask: how much do you make as a teacher? Unfortunately, you often hear people complain that there’s no justice in the world. [Pause] How much shall I pay you? You would be in a person’s debt if they helped you. Now she will never be beautiful again. The way you act towards them might show respect, it might demonstrate your attitude towards them. Detail. To make a living means to earn enough money to pay for the things you need to survive. You can be in debt to a person, which really mean you owe the person some money or you can be in a person’s debt which means you owe them in another way. Openings | November 29, 2019 . In the opening scene, we are introduced to Vito Corleone as he listens to the problems of an old friend who needs his help. Listen to the next part for the phrases make a living and respect. But then the movie cuts to an image of the rocky Sicilian countryside. Sometimes, when people are drunk, they lose some of their control. It’s not a really vulgar or serious swear word. Thanks Horacio – I appreciate the comment. So embedded in culture is it, that it's become hard to grasp how impactful it must have been to see him, jawline jutting forward, in all his glory, in the opening seconds of this movie. [Pause] Some day and that day may never come, I’ll call upon you to do a service for me. In the opening scene, we are introduced to Vito Corleone as he listens to the problems of an old friend who needs his help. MICHAEL (whispering) Apollonia...? The sprawling crime opera The Godfather is one of the most popular fictional stories of the 20th century. The opening scene of the movie The Godfather is an exquisite portrayal of reciprocity in action. In the film, Bonasera is upset because he taught his daughter to never do anything that would dishonour his family. A life sentence in some countries means you have to stay in prison for the rest of your life. In this scene we are introduced to Don Vito Corleone, quietly listening to the pleas of a fellow Italian man. Mario Puzo knew his Shakespeare. But until that day—accept this justice as a gift on my daughter’s wedding day. That’s why this column is so hard! It offers us only the absorption of good acting and good storytelling combined with a plausible anthropology of a strange, terribly relevant culture. Subscribe. It is a regular noun so the plural form should be bastards. The opening wedding scene of The Godfather serves a dual purpose, revealing Vito’s love for the entire Corleone family and the standard of behavior he expects from them, while also exposing his three sons as failing to meet that standard. ‘I Believe in America’ - takes students through the opening credits, Bonasera’s speech, and the introduction of Don Vito. This thread is archived. the original opening seem was the godfather walking into hospital room visiting his dying friend who upon seeing the godfather he wants him to put a good word in to god,godfather repley that i can not do i have no power up there, Your email address will not be published. Bonasera: I believe in America. You don’t offer friendship. But now you come to me and you say, “Don Corleone give me justice.” But you don’t ask with respect. With words for money, we use the verb make. Today, I want to look at the language from the opening scene of The Godfather. The cat held by Marlon Brando in the opening scene was a stray Francis Ford Coppola found while on the lot at Paramount. Thanks Caroline – It’s lovely to hear that you are enjoying the podcast. Opening Scene Godfather - YouTube. And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. It is a great way to learn and practise english!