Originally posted by Cristina's Way:
I think one of the reasons I have a problem with the flashbacks has to do with an unintentional effect that the contrast technique evokes: that the alternating lives of the two Dons are diametrically opposite. In other words, I get the impression that the film presents Vito as the "good, moral, compassionate mafia kingpin" while Michael is the "bad, amoral, merciless mafia kingpin."
Didn't Vito exploit women (via prostitution)? Didn't Vito arrange for a few legs and fingers to be broken (via loan collections, gambling)? Didn't Vito threaten and coerce people (such as Johnny Fontane's bandleader)? We don't see Vito doing the dastardly deeds, which to me is a bit disingenuous.
I agree that the portrayal of Don C. was a bit misleading, but I think that the effect of the juxtaposition of the flashbacks with the more contemporary story was intentional, rather than unintentional, as you suggest.
