Higher English

Opening Sequence

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 loneliness

Puppet Symbolism

• Puppet strings symbolise control, power and deception

• Father = head of family• Hierarchy of Italian mafia• Bold contrast of black and

white

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 now

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 community

Bonasera

• His monologue introduces all the central concerns:– Justice– Violence– Crime– Corruption– Honour– Family– American Dream etc.

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 traditions

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 things

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 American

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”

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 subservient

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, illegal

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 euphemism

Editing

• Slow editing indicates control over situation

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 him

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 business

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 him

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, corrupt

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 reckless

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.”

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 women

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 cautious

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’