Ok, I'm probably just completely retarded, but there's one thing I don't understand. When Michael, Solozzo and McLuski are in the car on the way to Louis' restuarant, Michael says "are we going to New Jersey?" The car then turns around and drives in the other direction. Solozzo says "good work". What's that all about?

They wanted to make sure they weren't being followed, so they got on a bridge to Jersy, and then quickly turned around.

Although his face didn't show it in the movie Mike was probably pissin himself when he saw the JErsey sign- (since they wasnt goin to da Bronx where da gun was planted) BUt when Lou turned the car around he knew exactl what they were doin.

Good point. I had always thought it was just to scare Michael....

That makes sense though if they were trying to lose somebody, just in case. If somebody was following they certainly would be either found out or lost after turning their car like that.

yes, as soon as Mikey sees the sign "To New Jersey" he was probably thinking of actually making the deal with Sollozzo because Louis Restaurant was in the Bronx. It also proves Sonny somewhat correct in the earlier scene when they are talking about the meeting and I believe Clemenza suggests putting a tail on the car, and Sonny replies, "No way, Sollozzo is gonna lose our ass going around the block." Sollozzo guessed that they were being followed, and had "Lou" (I believe that was the drivers name) pull a 180 on the way to Jersey.

I actually have another question about that. Tessio says that he knows the resturant. I thought Tessio was based in Brooklyn, and Clemenza in the Bronx?

Just because his territory is different doesn't mean he doesn't patronize businesses in other sections of the city.

Maybe it is an early sign of his betrayal

In the book, they describe the car crossing the George Washington Bridge, which connects northern Manhattan to New Jersey. Just before they get to the Jersey side, the car jumps the divider and heads back to Manhattan and eventually the Bronx. The film holds very close to book. Today you would never jump the divider in a car. The bridge that was used in the film was the Queensborough Bridge - aka the 59th St Bridge, from the same title as the Paul Simon song (Feelin' Groovy). The film crew did not have permission or permits to film on the bridge (budgetary constraints). They devised a plan to block both sides, they drove the vintage cars on to the bridge, quick set up, shot the scene and left traffic jams on Third Ave in Manhattan. Those of us who have driven the GW Bridge know that wasn't the bridge, but it is the only bridge that connects Manhattan with New Jersey. Such is artistic license. There also wouldn't be a sign on the 59th St Bridge "To New Jersey" especially since they would have been heading in the opposite direction.

MaryCas: I always thought that scene was filmed in a studio, which is what it says on Geoff's site.

Me too, especially when Mike asked Solozzo if they were going to Jersey and Solozzo's facial expression "maybe..."

It wasn't to scare Michael.
It was to throw off anyone who may have been tailing them. No driver, no matter how good would've been able to catch up with Solozzo's car after that sudden U-turn.

Of course what Solozzo didn't know and we do...is that The Corleone's already knew they were headed for Loui's in The Bronx, so there was no need to follow the car.

Seeing the 'to NJ' sign probably did alarm Michael for a moment though, since he knew there was no a gun waiting for him in a toilet in Jersey.


Apple

Dons Advisor:
I'm going by Harlan Lebo's book, The Godfather Legacy. He describes the scene and how they pulled it off. No disrespect to our Don. I've haven't checked Geoff's reference.

The statement DonsAdvisor is referring to is this one:

*The car scene over the George Washington Bridge with Michael, Sollozzo and McCluskey was filmed in a studio.*

However, I believe that means the scene in the **interior** of the car, where we actually see Michael, Sollozzo, McCluskey and their driver.

The actual shot of the cars driving on the bridge had to have been filmed on a real bridge.

Best,
Apple

Nice choice, Mary Cas! It's excellent, and a must read for any fanatic.

Mick

Dude, its so totally computer generated! Don't ya remember the deal between Pixar and FFC?

Err...Apple....it was just a joke man!

And I know you were tying to be serious...nobody is THAT stupid...



-DJ

Sorry Apple, I had to do this.

Ala Tommy Vercetti:

That's ok, Double-J.

As is evident by my conversing with you in the first place...I enjoy the pain.



AppleOnYa

Tessio would probably know the restaurant by quite simply dining there with his wife

I think FFC says on the commentary in the first film that the when filming the scene in the car, to give the effect of other cars driving behind them all it is is torches on strings to look like head lights, I could be wrong.

nah you're quite right, its a great effect innit, you wouldnt even notice