The Godfather, Parts 1 & 2, may be the finest productions in America film history. That is arguable, but I know of no one who denies the films greatness (Part 3 is another issues all together). I have seen both parts countless time and in the last couple of watchings, I became aware of the dangerous power of these films in particular, and films in general.
The characters, Don Corleone, Michael, Sonny, Fredo, and the rest are compelling. They are thugs, vicious killers, thieves, extortionists. They are power hungry, not content to rule the criminal underworld, they set out to control politicians and supposedly legitimate businesses. They are despicable. I have known several people in my lifetime who had at least some connection to la Cosa Nostra, 2 were fairly high up the chain. The movies were pretty much spot on. These folks were, one and all, warm, generous and a lot of fun, usually. But, you quickly understood that crossing them, in any way, was a very bad idea. I never did business with them; I just knew them. That was the closest I wanted to get.
The characters in the Godfather are just like that, warm, funny, and generous, and it is genuine. They really are that nice, at times. But, the other side is brutal, vengeful and greedy. They are humanity at its best and worst. There is the moral ambiguity.
People watch the Godfather and, in a twisted sort of way, see these folks as heroic. Family values are supreme to them. Loyalty rules. But, why is loyalty to such a stupidly thuggish group admirable? In reality, loyalty bred from fear is not a trait to be admired. Fear is how the Nazi's ruled. Fear is how the Communists ruled. Fear is what is motivating many in our current world. It does create a certain loyalty, and from that. oddly enough, deeper ties can develop ( look up 'the Stockholm Syndrome'), but, at the base of any emotions that so arise, even fondness, even love of a sort, there lies the negative, Fear.
My point? Beware the power of films. The better made they are, the more power. It is certainly right to portray brutal men as human. That is all they are. But, the underlying depravity, the psychopathic violence, must be shown clearly. In The Godfather, the negative is shown, clearly, but the acting is so good and the characters so appealing, that the 'good side' of the Mob very nearly outshines the 'bad.' That is a tribute to the craft of actors and of Francis Coppala, but the audience needs to keep its head and never get caught up in the glamor.
Why is this important? If you get a chance, watch Triumph of Will, the brilliant film dealing with Hitler's Nuremberg Rallies. Despite the fact that we know of the madness of the Nazis. the film is so powerful that it is almost impossible not to get caught up in the excitement.
Films are powerful. You must keep them in perspective.
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