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How About This Ending For GFII
#19210
11/10/04 09:47 PM
11/10/04 09:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,238 The Ravenite Social Club
Don Cardi
OP
Caporegime
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OP
Caporegime

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,238
The Ravenite Social Club
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Was surfing through Godfather Scripts and found this draft of a GFII script that had a different ending which included Vito in Michael's flashback scene at the end. >>VIEW ON MICHAEL Alone in the garden. OUR VIEW begins to MOVE CLOSER to him. We begin to HEAR MUSIC of the forties; happy music, swing music, as we move CLOSER to Michael. DISSOLVE TO: INT. OLD CORLEONE HOUSE - MED. VIEW - NIGHT SONNY CORLEONE, his arm wrapped around a smiling red-faced Carlo Rizzi, pulls him into the Corleone dining room. SONNY Hey, who knows my buddy Carlo Rizzi. Here... my brother Fredo, here's my Mom. Mom, whatcha got cooking? And Carlo, this is my kid sister Connie. Here, pull up a chair, Carol is sitting next to Connie. Oh, the droopy kid over there is Mike. The college boy. An older, lanky man enters the room, his arms laden with presents. This is TESSIO. TESSIO Buon Natale, everybody. Buon Natale... (he smiles at Tom Hagen) Hi, Tom, how's every little thing? HAGEN (helping him with the presents) Wonderful, Sal. Now the study door opens, and DON CORLEONE enters. DON CORLEONE Is dinner ready? MOM Two minutes. The Don happily regards his family; his sons and daughters and even some Grandchildren. He raises a glass. DON CORLEONE A good life, a long life to all my children, and friends. To my grandchildren, and those that will be. To our family. They all drink. They refill glasses; then Tessio proposes a toast. TESSIO To our Godfather. They all drink. INT. THE DINING ROOM - MED. VIEW - NIGHT The family is happily at Christmas dinner. Don Corleone seated at the head of the table. SONNY What'd you think of those Japs, eh? The nerve of those Japs, coming right here in our own backyard dropping bombs! HAGEN Well, we could have expected it after the embargo. SONNY Hey! Expect it or not, those Japs don't have a right to drop bombs in our backyard. Whose side you on? MAMA Please, do we have to talk about the war at the table? On Christmas, much less. VIEW ON MICHAEL He has been listening to this discussion. MICHAEL Pop, I've decided I'm going to enlist. A quiet hush descends over the table, as though everyone knows the effect this will have on the old man. Sonny tries to make light of it. SONNY Kid, stay in college. The girls are cuter, if you know what I mean. HAGEN Pop had to pull a lot of strings to get you your deferment. MICHAEL I never asked for it; I don't want it. VIEW ON DON CORLEONE Disturbed; but wise and prudent. DON CORLEONE My son wants to talk about this, and so we'll talk, but not at the dinner table. He rises, and starts across the room toward his study. Then he looks back. DON CORLEONE Michael. He disappears into his study. Michael rises, glances around. People are generally tense over the situation. Michael follows his father into the study. INT. DON CORLEONE'S OLD STUDY - NIGHT The Don closes the door behind his son, and then moves across the room. He stops at the little bar there, and pours himself a brandy. DON CORLEONE Would you like some? MICHAEL No, Dad. DON CORLEONE Now what is this talk about joining the army? Eh? MICHAEL It's not talk; I'm doing it. DON CORLEONE You would risk your life for strangers? MICHAEL Not for strangers; for my country. DON CORLEONE Anyone not in your family, is a stranger. Believe me, when trouble comes, your country won't take care of you. MICHAEL That's how it was in the old world, Pop, but this is not Sicily. DON CORLEONE I know. I know, Michael. It's Christmas, your brothers and sister are all here -- we are happy. Let's not spoil this. Go your own way, but when you are ready, come to me the way a son should. I have hopes for you... CLOSE VIEW ON MICHAEL looking at his father with a mixture of great love, and also fear, and confusion. MICHAEL I won't be a man like you. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. THE TAHOE ESTATE - HIGH FULL VIEW - DAY The leaves are blowing. MUSIC comes up. Michael and his young son, Anthony, walk through the grounds of the estate, talking about things we cannot hear.<< Don Cardi 
Don Cardi Five - ten years from now, they're gonna wish there was American Cosa Nostra. Five - ten years from now, they're gonna miss John Gotti.
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Re: How About This Ending For GFII
#19216
11/11/04 02:28 AM
11/11/04 02:28 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15
Pichichi
Wiseguy
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Wiseguy
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15
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Originally posted by DonVitoCorleone: Hey, do you guys think that scene would best fit as the first scene in part 1? I prefer this scene to be put as the ending. Because it strongly shows how contradictory Michael was, right after what he dreamt (of protecting the family), was torn apart. Sort of nostalgic feeling, full of 'what ifs', contemplating why it came out terribly with his family. As a bonus it also shows how Fredo was the only one not being furious and questioning Michael decision to be enlisted. And there Michael was, frowning how he ended up making order to kill own brother. This is a very sad flashback scene for me. I agree with Turnbull that the current version fits better. More powerful. The absence of Vito plus the 'Happy Birthday' greeting and chanting on the background made it even powerful.
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Re: How About This Ending For GFII
#19218
11/11/04 07:45 AM
11/11/04 07:45 AM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,238 The Ravenite Social Club
Don Cardi
OP
Caporegime
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OP
Caporegime

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,238
The Ravenite Social Club
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Originally posted by Turnbull: It was interesting to read this ending, but it was weak and rushed. The one shown at the end of GFII was much more powerful and realistic--and far truer to the behaviors we saw of Sonny and Michael. When Michael said he'd enlisted, Sonny lost his temper and lunged at him. And when Tom said that "your father and I have discussed your future many times," Michael gave him the patented Michael Corleone chilling stare and said, "you...discussed my future with my father?" Much stronger stuff than in the ending that was posted here. I also don't believe Vito would have let Michael off so lightly. Yes Turnbull, I agree that the family flashback scene that WAS used is the better version for exactly the reason's that you state. I know that originally FFC planned on GFII being the last GF movie to be made, and that is why he shot the very end showing Michael alone in his chair. But in hindsight, now knowing that a GFIII has been made, I would have liked to see the scene from this script at the very end where Michael and Anthony are walking off together. Don Cardi 
Don Cardi Five - ten years from now, they're gonna wish there was American Cosa Nostra. Five - ten years from now, they're gonna miss John Gotti.
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Re: How About This Ending For GFII
#19221
11/12/04 06:24 AM
11/12/04 06:24 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,733
JustMe
Underboss
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Underboss
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,733
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Originally posted by Don Cardi: I know that originally FFC planned on GFII being the last GF movie to be made, and that is why he shot the very end showing Michael alone in his chair. But in hindsight, now knowing that a GFIII has been made, I would have liked to see the scene from this script at the very end where Michael and Anthony are walking off together.
I also prefer this ending, with Anthony, but it has a begining before the flashback: ______ CONNIE Don't worry; I'm sure he got here on time. The roads from the airport are so windy, it takes forever; I've driven them myself. She picks up some of the serving plates that he has left untouched. CONNIE I'll bring him out to you as soon as he comes. She moves back to the main house. MED. CLOSE VIEW ON MICHAEL He turns and looks at the rough water of the lake for a moment. He slowly takes a sip of wine. EXT. A PLACE IN THE GARDEN - DAY There are a few chairs. MED. VIEW ON ANTHONY CORLEONE He is eighteen years old. ANTHONY Hello, Dad. VIEW ON MICHAEL squinting up at his son. MICHAEL Anthony. He rises, and reaches up to his son, who is now taller than he; he embraces him. MICHAEL You've grown so tall... so tall in the last year. You're much taller than me. ANTHONY I was taller than you when I was fourteen. MICHAEL Sit down. Your Aunt Connie and I waited for you to have some lunch, but now it's all dried out. ANTHONY I'm not hungry. MICHAEL Well, that's alright... alright. Good. You'll graduate in another year, isn't that right? You know... I never finished college. I was a good student, but I never finished. Of course, there was a war then. Connie approaches them. CONNIE Don't let me interrupt anything, this will just take a second. Here. (she takes out a small needle, and begins to prepare it) Your father has to have his insulin shot. Why don't you go to your room and put your things away, Anthony. She begins to give Michael the shot. MICHAEL Hurry back; we'll talk. We'll talk. Anthony goes on his way to the house with his things. Connie gives Michael the shot. _____ But with this ending there could be no such part 3! Tony graduates in a year, then 20 years passed, and he still cannot get the law degree! 
keep your mouth shut, and your eyes open.
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Re: How About This Ending For GFII
#19222
11/12/04 07:59 AM
11/12/04 07:59 AM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15,058 The Slippery Slope
plawrence
RIP StatMan
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RIP StatMan
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15,058
The Slippery Slope
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MICHAEL You've grown so tall... so tall in the last year. You're much taller than me.
ANTHONY I was taller than you when I was fourteen.
That's a somewhat funny exchange in that scene.
I mean, given Pacino's height.....
"Difficult....not impossible"
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Re: How About This Ending For GFII
#19224
12/28/04 04:55 AM
12/28/04 04:55 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 133 Netherlands
Don Schulini
Made Member
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Made Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 133
Netherlands
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Just thought of it, but shouldn't Genco be in this scene? I mean Tessio was there, while Genco was closer to the Don then Tessio. Tom states that he and Vito discussed Micheal's future many times, but at that time Tom was far from being consigliere to Vito.
Or was Genco already ill at the year 1941? Can't remember what the novel tells about this, only that he was dying from cancer, and suffered for a long time.
Ontopic: I prefer the original ending, you could feel Brando's presence even when he wasn't there. And the ending of the scene, Micheal sitting at the tabel all alone, is very powerfull I think.
"You never wanted my friendship, you don't ask with respect.."
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Re: How About This Ending For GFII
#19225
12/29/04 06:26 AM
12/29/04 06:26 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 133 Netherlands
Don Schulini
Made Member
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Made Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 133
Netherlands
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Originally posted by Don Schulini: Just thought of it, but shouldn't Genco be in this scene? I mean Tessio was there, while Genco was closer to the Don then Tessio. Tom states that he and Vito discussed Micheal's future many times, but at that time Tom was far from being consigliere to Vito.
Or was Genco already ill at the year 1941? Can't remember what the novel tells about this, only that he was dying from cancer, and suffered for a long time.
Any thoughts on this?
"You never wanted my friendship, you don't ask with respect.."
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Re: How About This Ending For GFII
#19226
12/29/04 12:31 PM
12/29/04 12:31 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,733
JustMe
Underboss
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Underboss
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,733
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Genco was dying in hospital for nearly a year, so it's said in the novel. Perhaps, he was somewhere else. We don't see Clemenza either. Maybe, they were celebrating Christmas (In that script it is Christmas for unknown reason, not Vito's birthday) with their own families, and Tessio had none, so they invited him. I only know why there must be Tessio: the meaning of the scene is that Michael finally killed almost half people present in that happy room, and Tessio was one of them.
keep your mouth shut, and your eyes open.
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Re: How About This Ending For GFII
#19227
12/29/04 02:47 PM
12/29/04 02:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,224 New Jersey
AppleOnYa
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,224
New Jersey
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Originally posted by JustMe: ...We don't see Clemenza either. Maybe, they were celebrating Christmas (In that script it is Christmas for unknown reason, not Vito's birthday) In the movie, it is BOTH Christmastime (early December) and Vito's birthday. Remember Sonny makes the reference to Pearl Harbor and then moments later (after Michael's bombshell news about enlisting in the Marines) tells Connie to "...go show Carlo the Christmas tree..." And a minor note regarding Clemenza's absense in the flashback scene... if Richard Castellano was written out of GFII due to salary and script disputes...there was certainly no way he was going to wind up in that last scene. Originally posted by JustMe: ...I only know why there must be Tessio: the meaning of the scene is that Michael finally killed almost half people present in that happy room, and Tessio was one of them. And all were killed (Tessio/Carlo/Fredo) because each in some way betrayed Michael and/or the Corleone Family. So I agree...for the scene to have full impact...Tessio had to be there, Clemenza did not. Apple
A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government.
- THOMAS JEFFERSON
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Re: How About This Ending For GFII
#19228
12/29/04 03:45 PM
12/29/04 03:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,733
JustMe
Underboss
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Underboss
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,733
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Originally posted by AppleOnYa: Originally posted by JustMe: [b] Maybe, they were celebrating Christmas (In that script it is Christmas for unknown reason, not Vito's birthday) In the movie, it is BOTH Christmastime (early December) and Vito's birthday. Remember Sonny makes the reference to Pearl Harbor and then moments later (after Michael's bombshell news about enlisting in the Marines) tells Connie to "...go show Carlo the Christmas tree..." [/b]I had following reasons to think so: In the script there's no reference at all to Vito's birthday, instead we read: MAMA Please, do we have to talk about the war at the table? On Christmas, much less. And later: DON CORLEONE I know. I know, Michael. It's Christmas, your brothers and sister are all here -- we are happy. Let's not spoil this. In the movie this scene has been changed, I think Coppola at first meant it to take place at Christmas, but later made a wiser decision to retain original date - Puzo says in the novel that Mike enlisted on the day after Pearl Harbor, so he simply couldn't be there at Christmas. So we have some lines added to tell us when it was: SONNY what do you think of the nerve those Japs - those slanty eyed bastards, huh. Dropping bombs in out back yard - and on Pops birthday you know! FREDO Now they didn't know it was Pop's birthday. And later: SONNY Nice -- real nice -- break your fathers heart on his birthday. And at the end of the scene they all congratulate Vito.
keep your mouth shut, and your eyes open.
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Re: How About This Ending For GFII
#19231
01/01/05 04:23 PM
01/01/05 04:23 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,733
JustMe
Underboss
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Underboss
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,733
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Originally posted by AppleOnYa: I suppose you are being nitpicky and referring to Christmas Day, Dec. 25th.
You're right, the scene does not take place on that actual day. And neither is Vito's birthday on Christmas Day. The reference is that Vito was born (at least according to the scene) on December 7th.
Still though, it is December and Christmastime.
Yes, of course, you are right, it would be anyway in December and that means Christmas tree, shopping and mood. What I tried to say was how I see the possible genesis and development of the idea of this flashback. They were going to show Michael with his son, so they wished to remind us the difficulties his own father had with him. The best possible moment to choose was the ultimate point of Michael’s defying “his fathers express command” and joining the army. They intended to show the reaction of all the family, so the whole family had to be gathered at the same place, which meant some family celebration, but no strangers, something closely private. It would also show, as a contrast, the gaiety of old good days, and the people he loved, most of them gone, and as an additional thrilling point – almost half of them killed by that very college boy, who was having his own plans for future, and never let anyone bend his will even then. Coppola chose Christmas day, Dec.25, as most eligible for those purposes date in December, as Mike enlisted in Dec., after P.H. It was written in the script as Christmas, and it atoned well for bringing Tessio, another victim of Michael’s, into the scene, because Christmas is a day that we usually spend with our family, and he had no family, unlike Clemenza and Genco, so it is possible that they invited him so that he wouldn’t sit alone. Also Carlo could be invited- we invite the friends of our children for Christmas, nothing’s strange here. But there was a big hole in this plan, and I guess it might be Puzo himself who pointed out the mistake to FFC. Michael enlisted not just “after P.H.”, but on the day after, so it would be impossible for him to be still there, and still less possible that he could keep his enlisting a secret and announce it more than 2 weeks later. Also would be strange to introduce the “Nervy Japs” topic so late, when it had to be discussed many times already. But it was necessary, because it gave Mike possibility to tell about his decision. So they decided to make it Dec.7. As there was nothing to celebrate, they made this day Vito’s birthday (I hope with Puzo’s permission, or maybe it was his own idea). It was good move – It made Michael’s step more significant, and the presence of Tessio at the celebration, as one of Vito’s closest friends, more justified. But then, there had to be others - Clemenza and Genco. But they found their way out: we don’t see here, as in the script, everyone gathered and celebration begun. Maybe they would come in a minute later, or even came in together with Vito. Of course there was no Brando, so we couldn’t see Vito’s reaction or his talk with Michael, but that is still better. They were not necessary, cuz we can guess that well In this version the presence of Carlo becomes puzzling, but well – everything cannot be perfect after all  . I wonder one more thing: When did Mike’s holidays at college begin? Or he left for a day to attend his dad’s birthday? See how terribly nitpicky I am! 
keep your mouth shut, and your eyes open.
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