The Latest from Cactus Tactical: Guns & The Godfather

Gunfights in Cinema

Guns & Godfather's

Today we look at firearms in the Godfather Trilogy. Adapted for film, it was based on the crime novel written by Mario Puzo. The first film featured Marlon Brando and won an Academy Award for both best picture and best actor. The Godfather was released in 1972 and had a distinct impact on mafia films for decades following. The second film in the franchise was released in 1974 and delivered a look into the origin story of both Vito Corleone as well as it looks into the life of Michael.

The second film was also heralded, but did not have the same impact as the original. The third film was released in 1990 and has met with much criticism but shows our anti-heroes ( Michael Corleone) trying to repent for his past sins. This trilogy covers a spectrum of themes and dynamics of family, friends, business and loyalty. We see the careers of Vito, Michael and then Vincent Corleone and their effect on their family, friends and neighborhoods. A myriad of firearms were used in these films but we're going to focus on the most iconic gun scenes in these movies.

The Godfather: Scenes featuring firearms in this film are numerous so we had to narrow it down to two crucial scenes. The first is when Vito Corleone is nearly assassinated in 1945, Michael Corleone volunteers to murder the man responsible, Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo (Al Lettieri). He also proposes to kill Captain McCluskey (Sterling Hayden), a police captain who removed his father's bodyguards from the hospital, presumably to set up his father to be killed. Although it is normally a hard-and-fast rule in the Mafia that law enforcement officials are not to be harmed, Michael successfully convinces his older brother Sonny (James Caan) that since McCluskey is serving as Sollozzo's bodyguard, he is considered fair game.

The scene is set up at a restaurant where a gun has been planted in the restroom so that Michael can assassinate the two men. Michael knows they will search him for a weapon at this meeting so the only way they could possibly pull off this coup. The gun is a Smith & Wesson Model 36, a .38 special that is planted behind the toilet so that in the midst of the meeting Michael can maneuver his way to the bathroom in order to shoot the men upon his return. This scene is pivotal in the sense that this is when we see Michael commit to the family and the lifestyle he will now have to lead. Corleone is successful in his mission and proceeds to hide out in Italy for some time. This film is iconic for brilliant gun scenes and story line and is a masterpiece in Frances Ford Coppola's collection of amazing films.

https://youtu.be/kSQqv2UuvC0

Smith and Wesson Model 36 - .38 special

Michael fires the revolver.

If you haven't had a chance to see this film you definitely want to make time to do so. If you haven't seen it in awhile, it might be time to dust it off for a viewing.

The second scene we'll take a look at is the scene with Sonny Corleone and the massive shoot out that takes his life. In this scene Sonny takes a phone call that requires him to leave the safety of the Corleone mansion. When Sonny gets to the toll booth, he realizes he has been set up and is now in a trap filled with continuous gunfire. The primary weapon used in this scene is often called the Tommy Gun.

Barzini's hitmen use Thompson M1928's with drum magazines when gunning down Sonny Corleone (James Caan) at the toll booth.

One of the hitmen kicks Sonny's head after killing him.

This scene and especially this film, is filled with the riveting action that makes us love a crime drama. The plot line takes us through the Corleone family and it's magnificent legacy. Truly an iconic piece of American cinema.

https://youtu.be/gw5qPQ79DxA

The Godfather 2: The second film from the trilogy, The Godfather 2 was one of few sequels to earn public praise and a Best Picture award. Released in 1974, this film takes us through the origins of Vito Corleone and we glimpse into the present situations of Michael Corleone. There aren't as many iconic gun scenes in this flick but the plot line is strong and I'm a fan of the cinematography. The most memorable scene is where we have a flashback to a young Vito Corleone in the beginning of his illustrious career taking care of a matter with a gentleman named Don Fanucci.

During the 1921 flashback, Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) uses a Webley Mk VI, wrapped in a cloth to slightly suppress the shots when he confronts Don Fanucci (Gastone Moschin) in his apartment building. Vito is then seen going to a rooftop to break the revolver apart and scatters the part

Vito places the Webley in the mouth of Don Fanucci

This is the beginning of the Mafia lifestyle for Vito, who eventually becomes Don Corleone. The second Godfather film fills in the blanks of the history of the Corleone's and their Mob kingdom. There are many great scenes in this flick but this one really sets the tone for the lives to come of our main characters.

Watching these films is like peering into the complex history of a dynasty, the stuff of legends. Brilliantly written, Puzo made his mark in cinematic history with Director Coppola.

https://youtu.be/em7EcaXPJF8

Godfather 3: The final chapter in Michael Corleone's life. We follow Corleone as he attempts to legitimize his business dealings. The film also interweaves a fictionalized account of two real-life events into its plot: the 1978 death of Pope John Paul I and the Papal banking scandal of 1981–1982; both are linked to Michael Corleone's business affairs. We are introduced to Sonny's illegitimate son Vincent Mancini. Michael ends up taking Vincent under his wing and shows him the life he has an ambition for. One of the best scenes in the film is a barrage of gunfire from helicopters but another intregal scene feature's Mancini thwarting two would be assassins in his home.

Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia) pulls a Beretta Cheetah when confronted by assassins sent by Joey Zasa (Although the pistol turns into a Walther PP for a close-up).

Vincent aims the Cheetah at the other thug.

https://youtu.be/Ju4vhscaYII

We watch the rise and fall of an empire through this trilogy. It's a great way to spend a weekend or a rainy day. Entertaining, gripping crime drama at it's finest these three films capture the heart of the Mafia film genre. Which one was your favorite?

Labels: Al Pacino, Andy Garcia, cinema, film, gunfights, guns, mafia, Marlon Brando, movies, the godfather, trilogy