Soundtrack Blank screen causes us to focus purely on the soundtrack Solitary jazz trumpet Godfather theme Signifies isolation of mafia Don who doesnt know who to trust Melancholy tone heightens sense of loneliness ID: 718299
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Slide1
Higher English
Opening SequenceSlide2
Soundtrack
Blank screen causes us to focus purely on the soundtrack
Solitary jazz trumpet = Godfather theme
Signifies isolation of mafia Don who doesn’t know who to trust
Melancholy tone heightens sense of lonelinessSlide3
Puppet Symbolism
Puppet strings symbolise control, power and deception
Father = head of family
Hierarchy of Italian mafia
Bold contrast of black and whiteSlide4
Opening Lines
“I believe in America…”
Immediate introduction of American Dream – an illusion (at least to immigrant population)
We focus on
Bonasera’s
slow paced monologue
No soundtrack nowSlide5
Bonasera
“America’s made my
fortune
. And I raised my daughter in American fashion. I gave her freedom and I taught her never to dishonour my family.”
Italian tradition vs. America values
Honour = central to Italian communitySlide6
Bonasera
His monologue introduces all the central concerns:
Justice
Violence
Crime
Corruption
Honour
Family
American Dream etc.Slide7
Bonasera
“…not an Italian…”
Italian tradition vs. America values
Disdain for those outside the community
Bonasera
was willing to adopt American customs – his daughter has “freedom” to go on unchaperoned date. As a consequence she has suffered a violent assault and has been left maimed
Raises important point about violence and danger in American society
By contrast Corleone family retain Sicilian traditionsSlide8
Bonasera
“For justice we must go to Corleone.”
Italian tradition vs. America values & Justice
Contradiction to opening statement
No longer believes in American dream/justice
Bonasera
must reject and turn away from American values to ask for help
Questions effectiveness of American courts in dealing with violence against immigrant community
Gives insight into what the Italian community think of Corleone – someone who fixes thingsSlide9
Bonasera
“Why did you go to the police? Why didn’t you come to me first?”
Italian tradition vs. America values & Justice
Vito’s opening line immediately highlights corruption and his role as Don
Questions
Bonasera’s
loyalty and respect
Mafia culture has separate set of values from AmericanSlide10
Justice
Challenges perceptions of justice
Misdemeanours should be repaid ‘in kind’: Old Testament ‘eye for and eye, tooth for a tooth’ definition
Bonasera
whispers request – highlighting secrecy and crime
Sets up template for the film: illegal activity done in shadows
“That’s not justice – your daughter is still alive.”
Offers money – Vito ignores this and turns his back; he wants loyalty as payment
“We’re not murderers”Slide11
Justice
Bonasera
offers loyalty in exchange for violence
Kisses Don – respectful symbol of hierarchy – cementing his rejection of American culture in turn for Italian justice/community
Dialogue from film poster: “Someday, and that day may never come. I’ll call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, accept this as a gift on my daughter’s wedding day.”
Cannot refuse a request on this day – Italian tradition
Bonasera
subservientSlide12
Mise
-
en
-scene
Low key, dim lighting casting shadows creates enigmatic sense of dangerous
Clandestine atmosphere of secrecy creates tension
Cat – stroking cat shows comfort and control in this role. Cats are cunning, symbolic of his strength, metaphorical meaning: large powerful figure exercising control over, small animal
Desk as barrier
Brown palette, room is a grand, opulent office representative of wealth, power and status
Costume – grand suit, disguised danger, power, status
Red rose – threatening, dangerous
Shadows – mystery, corruption, illegalSlide13
Sound
Quiet – no soundtrack – intimating that they do not want to be heard reinforcing secrecy
Calm tone of Vito’s voice – laid back, not a stranger to crime
Whispers – secrecy
All violence is dressed in euphemismSlide14
Editing
Slow editing indicates control over situationSlide15
Camera
Close up of
Bonesera
steadily moves backwards
He becomes smaller and smaller as his confidence diminishes
In contrast we have the growing figure of the shadowy Vito (GREAT INTRO AND INSIGHT INTO HIS CHARACTER! HIDDEN. PROTECTED. AUTHORITY. MYSTERY etc.)
Becomes an over the shoulder shot
Low angles indicating dominance, he is taller making him more threatening
Long shot od room – Vito at the centre of frame. Illustrates superiority – two men protecting himSlide16
Montage
Contrast between public image and private business
Montage and juxtaposition of wedding vs. office scenes
Brightly lit family scenes/community of legitimacy vs. dark, shadowed corrupt businessSlide17
Camera
Close up of
Bonesera
steadily moves backwards
He becomes smaller and smaller as his confidence diminishes
In contrast we have the growing figure of the shadowy Vito (GREAT INTRO AND INSIGHT INTO HIS CHARACTER! HIDDEN. PROTECTED. AUTHORITY. MYSTERY etc.)
Becomes an over the shoulder shot
Low angles indicating dominance, he is taller making him more threatening
Long shot od room – Vito at the centre of frame. Illustrates superiority – two men protecting himSlide18
Juxtaposition
Wedding
Office
Bright, daylight
Dark, shadows
Jovial, celebratory,
lively
Hushed, secretive, serious and sinister
Public
Private
Soundtrack
No soundtrack
Chatting, laughter, singing, dancing – traditional
Sicilian wedding
Conversation
has purpose, violent undertones
Women
Men
Family
Business
Legitimate
Illegal, corruptSlide19
Sonny
First seen standing behind father – indicative of his position: eldest son, next in line, foreshadows his rise to power
Immediate tension between Sonny and his wife
Lack of restraint – cheats on his wife, spits on FBI car, smashes camera
Impulsive, hot-headed, violent and recklessSlide20
Michael
War hero
Immediate stands out as different from family
Costume – sets him out as American
Arrives late
Treats Kay as equal – speaks candidly about family business and makes blunt admission of family violence and corruption
Typically American – second generation Italian-American
Rejects family business – “That’s my family Kay. That’s not me.”Slide21
Fredo
Weakest middle brother
Drunk when initially introduced
Uneasy in role – overshadowed by older brother’s reckless passion and younger brother’s unshakeable confidence
Moved to Las Vegas and masks his discomfort and insecurity with alcohol and womenSlide22
Tom Hagen
Adoptive brother – not Sicilian
Consigliere – lawyer, confidante, chief advisor
Intricately involved in family business but not violent – does not get his hands dirty
Aids the image of legitimacy
Sometimes the voice of reason
Overly cautiousSlide23
Kay Adams
Initially Michael’s girlfriend, later his second wife
All America girl – costume in opening signifies a less demure, traditional women – opposing the quiet, passive Italian women
Silent during Michal admission – love blinds her?
Michael brings her into the family picture – involves her, brings her into the ‘family’