What are the themes of "The Godfather," and, if applicable, what are the themes in Part II?

Crime Doesn't Pay is the overall theme. Another is: Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.

Interestingly, The Godfather Trilogy is one of the few movies that Sparknotes made review for. Go to sparknotes.com and you'll see all the themes, motifs, symbols, etc - for free.

Not to mention when it comes to losing your family, "tempi cambi"

Another theme: Don't touch oranges!

TB I know that "crime doesn't pay" is a mantra of yours, but I want to test it a little.

Certainly the life of crime the Corleones chose ultimtey did not pay for Michael and many others, but it certainly did pay for many of the womenfolk, and for some of Vito's grandchildren.
Although many protagonists are murdered, including Don Tomassino and Sonny , I don't know that a violent death equates with their life choices being criminal in nature. I would draw the analogy to serving in politics or the military. If a soldier or a politician dies a violent death, you cannot say "being in the military or being in politics doesn't pay." You can only say that it can be dangerous.

In fact the Corleones had extraordinary wealth and power. So did Hyman Roth, and so did Don Tomassino who lived to a ripe old age and according to all accounts was beloved and respected.
Senator Geary resortd to crime (or acquiescence to it) and saved his political career.

Focusing a minute on Vito, in his last days he makes it clear that he makes no apologies for what he did with his life. He says he would never be a pupet on a string, and he would never dance to someone else's tune. As a poor immigrant he realized the American Dream for his family, albeit at a terrible price in blood and sorrow. Still, Vito died in a tomato garden while playing with his beloved grandson. Not a bad way to go.

So I guess I am asking TB for you to explain a little more about your premise. It is not that I necesarily disagree with you, but I am not sure what "Crime doesn't pay" means to you.

I'm referring specifically to Michael Corleone, who did have choices at every stage of his life--and who consistently chose a life of crime. As a result, he was constantly frustrated in achieving his lifelong goal to become "legitimate." He betrayed his wife, had his brother killed, his beloved daughter murdered in his place, died alone, attended only by a little dog...crime doesn't pay.

I see the film more like a Greek tragedy. Michael's first choice to join the family business is in a way a moral choice: He stood by his family when the family was under attack. But tempi cambi. So in the end of GF1 he has given up his own desires and has become a full criminal whereas in the beginning he says: "That's my family. It's not me."
In GF1 he hardly had any other choice. If he hadn't taken over, Sonny or Fredo would have ruined the family.
I think Vito knew that it was a burden for Michael: "I never wanted this for you", is an apology.

The tragedy in GF2 is that he's still fighting for his family. But (in his won words) by being strong for his family, he lost it.

I believe he did have choice. See here for a discussion:

http://www.gangsterbb.net/threads/ubbthr...=true#Post18313

I guess the answer comes down to this world or the next. As a nominal Catholic, Vito would have been aware of the possibility of hell and probably believed in it. So, is he destined for hell? Well, according to Catholic doctrine, yes he is - unless he repents and sins no more. In this world, materially, crime did pay for him and, in fact, probably did wonders for intangibles such as his self-esteem.

There's no indication of Michael's belief in anything religious. So, his concern about hell would, indeed, be nominal. Like his father, in this world, materially, crime paid for him. But, unlike Vito, in this world his deeds can back to haunt him. Regardless of a hell or not, he experienced a version of it right here on terra firma.

You forget the big Cathlic loophole. Michael went to confession and he was absolved of all his sins. Right after that he relinquished his role as Don and as far as we know he sinned no more. That being the case Michael is in heaven.

So, at whose behest did Calo murder Lucchesi?

Also, per Catholic doctrine, absolution of sins is a function of one's acknowlegement that one has offended God. There is nothing in Michael's statements to indicate that acknowlegement.

In addition, his passage of the mantle of power over his crime family from himself to Vincent makes him complicit in Vincent's subsequent sinful actions and he incurs the same penalty.

In the words of George Carlin, "It was a sin to think about feeling up Helen; it was a sin to plan to feel up Helen; it was a sin to take Helen to a place to feel her up; and it was a sin to feel Helen up."

Wow! Thank your for this!!!
Honestly.

is it a qoute from lord acton?

Yes it is from Lord Acton.