Reely Bernie Faves: The Godfather Part II (1974)

The original is not always the superior movie when compared to its successor. True, it introduced the characters arcs, motifs, and overall tone, but when given a second chance, the sequel is born out of cleaner execution, unexpected risks, and an added ethical dilemma for the viewer’s conscience.

Take The Godfather: Part II (1974).

Every ounce of Mafioso culture that is romanticized and glorified in the original The Godfather (1972) is deconstructed into betrayal, corruption, and lost virtue in its sequel. While “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse” breathes air of humor and bravado, “I know it was you, Fredo; you broke my heart” gasps for air and leaves the viewer (and Fredo) cold.

Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando of the original) left his son a broken empire, and although we see its perils, we sympathize Vito’s lifetime intentions through his origin story, performed by Robert De Niro in one of his greatest roles. The De Niro sequences are the best part, I think. In a way, they justify the existence of “prequel” foundations in movies, but what makes The Godfather: Part II so special is its overlapping narratives between father and son.

NEW YORK – 1974: Robert De Niro performs a scene in The Godfather Part II directed by Francis Ford Coppola in 1974 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)

Son, in this case, is Al Pacino narratively transforming Michael into the monster he never wanted to be. The pacing is deliberate, the Corleone family is divided, and the unraveling is brutal drama. The inclusion of Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) adds assassination paranoia to the mix, and in the end, Michael is left alone, dwelling in shameful desolation of unforgivable acts.

The art of betrayal.

Nino Rota’s notorious score weeps more than it did in the original. The celebratory glory of the Corleone family’s legacy is now but a trumpet solo in thin air.

Overall, I always thought of Marlon Brando’s performance and the introductions of the Corleone family in the original as a grand spectacle. The Godfather Part II is grand drama. It is as dark as it gets for a sequel—a Shakespearean tragedy of succession and downfall.

(If you’re a fan, you can hear Nino Rota’s trumpet motif in your head on cue.)

Reely Bernie Faves:

1. Amadeus (1984)

2. Magnolia (1999)

3. Poltergeist (1982)

4. Pulp Fiction (1994)

5. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

6. The Godfather Part II (1974)

7. Weekend at Bernie’s (1989)

8. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

9. Goodfellas (1990)

10. Nosferatu (1922)

11. Pollock (2000)

12. Kicking and Screaming (1995)

13. Jaws (1975)

14. Fargo (1996)

15. Citizen Kane (1941)

16. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

17. The Endless Summer (1966)

18. Back to the Future (1985)

19. Angel Heart (1987)

20. The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

21. The Goonies (1985)

22. Trainspotting (1996)

23. King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

24. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

25. Bambi (1942)

26. The Paradise Lost Trilogy (1996-2011)

27. Psycho (1960)

28. Parenthood (1989)

29. Swingers (1996)

30. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

31. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

32. Smoke (1995)

33. Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

34. A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

35. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

36. City of God (2002)

37. 1917 (2019)

38. Black Swan (2010)

39. School of Rock (2003)

40. Mulholland Drive (2001)

41. Groundhog Day (1993)

42. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

43. The Greatest Showman (2017)

44. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

45. The Florida Project (2017)

46. Cinema Paradiso (1988)

47. So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)

48. Shadowlands (1993)

49. Steve Jobs (2015)

50. ¡Three Amigos! (1986)

17 thoughts on “Reely Bernie Faves: The Godfather Part II (1974)”

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  2. One of the best sequels and prequels of all time. The Godfather Part II has a perfect structure. You’re right about the drama. Though I would still say that the first and second are about even.

    P.S. Looking forward to your Top 5!

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    1. I flip between The Godfather and The Godfather II. Same with my dad. Right now, it’s all about Part II. Starting this Thursday, you’ll see what’s in store for my favorite sequel of all time, and I’m sure you probably have a good idea… All great stuff. Love revisiting your Top 10 as well! Happy Monday!

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        1. If I remember correctly, you said I would like your No 1.
          I’m afraid I’m not a huge Godfather fan Bernie. I’ve seen the first one enough now with the kids and we enjoy it. I have the second one somewhere to dust off and rewatch. What’s the better sequal to you? Empire strikes back or GF 2?
          I musr admit I wasn’t taken with Robert playing the younger version, but it deserves another go for sure. I hope this message finds you and your family well Bernie.

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          1. And, if I remember your list correctly, we will share the same #1! Again, great minds… Yeah, we will agree to disagree on The Godfather I and II entries, probably like we will agree to disagree on Stanley Kubrick, haha! Anything Godfather is in my upbringing, and I still can’t believe how well executed they are as dramas.

            Can’t wait to share interests on Amadeus. I have 5 more to go, and you guessed it: The Empire Strikes Back will end up being the ULTIMATE sequel, even beating out The Godfather 🙂 Good call on that one!

            Happy Monday. Speaking of The Godfather, my youngest daughter was baptized yesterday 😉

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            1. I’m in great company if we share the same favourite movie. I must admit in the past I’ve changed between Amadeus, Citizen Kane and The Remains of the Day. I think for nostalgic reasons and after much deliberation Amadeus is the suitable No 1 pick for me.
              Regarding the Godfather, we hardly watched it growing up. I don’t think my father would have been too fond of it for the violence and cursing. He was very careful with us when showing movies.

              I gathered you might have had Empire Strikes Back up near the top. I prefer Star Wars IV for nostalgic reasons once again, but Empire is probably my favourite ever sequel.

              That’s exciting about the baptism of your daughter. Who was the Godfather? hehe.

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            2. Yeah, I was thinking of making my entry “Star Wars: The Original Trilogy,” but I wanted to stay consistent to one movie per listing. And, yes, I agree with you: “Empire” is the ultimate sequel.

              My best friend I’ve known since kindergarten is Godfather 🙂 Sunday was a very special day.

              We’ve made it to Tuesday! Haha! Have a good one, Matt! Looking forward to Thanksgiving break when I can catch up to your writings 🙂

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            3. It took me a long time to come round to ‘Empire’ Bernie. My kids like it more than ‘A New Hope’ I reckon. The scene in the cave where he uses the force to extract his light saber is one of my favourite scenes from the three although of course there are many legendary scenes! What’s your favourite scene from the 3 if you have one? I thought the post trilogy would have captured some of that magic. It sadly didn’t and that’s putting it nicely.
              That’s so touching to read your very old time friend is your daughter’s Godfather.

              I imagine, you’ll like today’s song entry from the ‘Greatest’. I wish you a grandiose day Bernie.

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            4. Actually, my favorite scene is out of “Jedi” in which Darth looks three times at his dying son under the wrath of Palpatine’s powers, still fighting the urge to stay on the dark side. He finally succumbs to good, and the redemption is so powerful.

              Eine Kleine! Yay! I left a comment 🙂

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            5. You won’t believe it, but I was thinking of exactly that scene when I was pondering my other favourites. I don’t know how many times my son and I watched that when he was just an infant. There’s another one just prior which no doubt you remember as clear as day when Luke pleads with Darth (having given himself up based on Obi’s advice in and donning the cuffs lol) saying ‘I feel the good in you’ and Darth being unremitting in his allegiance with the Dark side. This story is so biblical/ timeless, yeh? It also has a lot to do with the old Egyptian story of Osiris and Horus. This is what JBP talks about when recollecting the Pinocchio story and rescuing his father. They don’t make movies / stories like this anymore.
              Thanks for leaving a comment on Eine Kleine. I’ll check it out.

              Liked by 1 person

            6. Yes, so biblical. And, I don’t feel like religion or even spirituality is forced in any of them. Virtue, good vs. evil, temptation, and redemption follow suit in a way that both young and old can relate to. I forgot to mention that I agree with you that the post trilogy was weak in all categories. This is why I always go back to the original trilogy. Plus, I’m too nostalgic!

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