The Godfatheris undeniably one of the most influential gangster movies of all time, and the series’ popularity has only increased with every passing decade. Alongside being one of thegreatest movies ever made,The Godfatheralso has a reputation for building the foundations of the crime genre in movies and television. Francis Ford Coppola’s magnum opus is extremely important to cinematic history, but there’s one aspect of the story that’s still overlooked today:The Godfatherfilms don’t always get enough credit for their detailed, introspective examination of the Corleone family’s structure and hierarchy.
The Godfatherand its two sequels follow the story of Michael Corleone, the youngest and most responsible of Don Vito Corleone’s sons, and the child he views as most fitting to take control of his criminal empire in the event of his death.The GodfathermovietrilogyexploresMichael’s inability to stay away from the temptation of raw power, examining how his morals and family are torn apart by the corrupting nature of crime and authority. But while Michael is clearly the protagonist, there are actually severalother characters inThe Godfatherfranchise whose influence over the family is just as important.
The Godfather Highlights 3 Main Corleone Family Dons
The Chain Of Command Seemingly Only Passes Twice
ThroughoutThe Godfather, there are three clear leaders of the Corleone family.At the beginning of the first movie, it’s Marlon Brando’s Don Vito Corleone who leads the empire,with his sons fighting for his approval to succeed him. Don Corleone is a formidable figure of authority who’s respected and feared by the other crime bosses in New York, and his passing halfway throughThe Godfathersets off the chain of events that would throw the Corleones into chaos. Vito is later succeeded by Michael Corleone, who steps down from his ambitions of a political career and finally gives into the allure of crime.
Vito Corleone’s Real Right-Hand Man, Hidden By The Godfather, Only Appeared In A Deleted Scene
From Tom Hagen to Peter Clemenza, Vito Corleone has a lot of trusted associates in The Godfather — but his true right-hand man is in a deleted scene.
ThroughoutThe Godfather Part II, Michael Corleone leads the Corleone family into a new era of prosperity in his father’s absence. He’s the one responsible for keeping the other crime bosses at bay, and he’s forced to sacrifice everybody that he loves to make it work.As Michael Corleone gets older, he finds his successor in Vincent Mancini, the illegitimate son of his brother Sonny. Bythe end ofThe Godfather Part III, Vincent takes over as the third leader of the Corleone empire.
3 Other Characters Take Charge Of The Corleone Family In The Godfather Movies
Michael’s Siblings Take Control In His Absence
While Vito, Michael, and Vincent are officially recognized asThe Godfather’s three dons, there are several other figures who deserve credit for briefly leading the empire in their absence.The first is Sonny Corleone, the eldest son of Don Vitowho assumes control of the family after his father’s attempted assassination. The hot-tempered and impulsive Sonny almost runs the empire into the ground before he’s also killed and Michael is forced to clean up his mess.
Michael lived in forced exile in Sicily for several years to keep him safe from the Corleone’s many enemies.
Although Michael’s leadership lasts for decades, he’s not the only person with influence over the family. Vito’s adopted son,Tom Hagen, proves he should have been the Godfatherwhen he takes control for a brief stint inThe Godfather Part II,ushering in a much more diplomatic approach for the family. Later, when Michael suffers a debilitating stroke in his final years, it’s his sister Connie Corleone who takes over much of the administrative affairs of the family.The empire never would have lasted under Michael’s controlwithout either of these key players.
Why Sonny, Tom & Connie Deserve To Be Considered Corleone Family Dons
The Siblings Were Integral Cogs In The Corleone Family Machine
Although Sonny Corleone, Tom Hagen, and Constance Corleone are not the dominant leader of the Corleone family in the same way that Vito, Michael, and Vincent were, they still deserve to be considered at least part-time dons simply because of how influential they were. They may not have been as efficient or successful as the others (particularly Sonny), but it’s fair to say thatThe Godfather’s story would have gone in a completely different direction without them.
Connie was also crucial in Michael’s later years, learning from his ruthlessness and making the tough calls that he was no longer physically capable of doing himself.
In particular, Tom Hagen was a huge asset to the Corleone family whose importance finally became clear inThe Godfather’sfirst sequel when his calmer, more diplomatic approach to dealing with the other families allowed Michael more authority and lenience in his dealings. Tom helped the family build firmer relationships with the other bosses, which were later crucial in helping Michael maintain his influence. Connie was also crucial in Michael’s later years, learning from his ruthlessness and making the tough calls that he was no longer physically capable of making himself.
The Godfather
The Godfatheris one of the most iconic and influential film franchises in cinematic history. Based on Mario Puzo’s 1969 novel of the same name, the series chronicles the rise and fall of the powerful Corleone crime family. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the franchise consists of three films that explore the complex dynamics of organized crime, loyalty, and family. The films are celebrated for their outstanding performances, direction, and thematic depth, especially regarding power, betrayal, and morality within the Mafia world. The first two films, in particular, are widely regarded as some of the greatest films ever made.
