I know, I know... SOFIA, right. But I STILL think she did a better acting job than Wallach! There I said it.

Seriously though, and forgive me, if this has been covered already; does anyone think it may have been a mistake to have two major Scorsese references in the movie? The Mama Scorsese cameo and using Cavalleria Rusticana, particularly using the Intermezzo for the climactic scene. I mean, how many people watching, didn't instantly flashback to images of Jake La Motta? Just saying...

Agreed Wallach was terrible. Cav was also relevant tothe plot of GFIII, so it may or may not have been a homage to Scorcese, and if it was he is deserving of it.

My problem with 3 is that it is a rehash of the previous two scripts in many places. It makes the whole movie seem like one big cliche.

It seems like a lot of things were done just for effect, such as: Johnny Fontane was in a scene, but why? It contributed nothing to the plot to have Fontane in there, he was just there so people could say "Hey there's Johnny from the original movie."

Just one of many examples of how this movie was made just for money.

Yes, Wallach was even worse than Sofia. He will be convincing as a Mafia Don when the Negev is watered by the Tiber.

But I think that Cavalleria stood by itself as a relevant leitmotif for the ending of III. The theme of vengeance was appropriate for the setting (Sicily) and the events (note Vincent biting Zasa's ear early on). The "Intermezzo" also was appropriate--it falls in a part of the opera when Santuzza, having ratted out Turiddu to Alfio, realizes that she's condemned them to a vendetta and only one will survive. It plays as Michael realizes that he'd condemned his own daughter to death through his own actions, ambitions, mistakes.

I thought Katherine Scorsese's presence in the film probably was FFC tipping the beany to his fellow director. Also, she has a very Italian appearance, and added excellent Italian presence to "Mean Streets" and "Goodfellas," where she was especially wonderful in that storytelling scene as Tommy's mom. (Her voice was heard as DeNiro's mother in "King of Comedy.")

Scorsese's use of the Cavalleria "Intermezzo" at the beginning of "Raging Bull" was ok, but less directly relevant than FFC's use of it in GFIII (not that it matters--I still liked it in "Raging Bull"). More interesting, IMO: Scorsese typically used a score of contemporary pop music in "Bull." But he also reached for two much-lesser-known Mascagni operas in key places. The "Barcarolle" from Silvano plays during the color film sequence (some of Jake's fights, his honeymoon, Joey's marriage). The "Intermezzo" from Guglielmo Ratcliff is heard in that wonderful shot of the rain-swept window of the "Debonair Social Club," when Joey meets with Salvy and Tommy Como. It's also heard when Jake wins the title from Marcel Cerdan.

Extremely relevant DT. Several months ago our friend Turnbull turned me on to Cavalleria and after veiwing it in it's entirety for the first time ( I fell in love with it ) I was amazed it how relevant it was not only to the plot of GFIII but also to some of the characters!


EDIT : TB, you and I were posting a response at the same time about the relevance of Cavalleria!

TB, I agree with your post. I also want to add that I enjoyed the Trilogy in part because of the basic continuity of the three films. Having Johnny Fontane in GFIII provided some of that continuity.

do you know where I can download the song Barcarolle" from Silvano that turnbull mentioned before in his post? Itunes would be ideal for me to download from, but I can't find the song there.

I don't know about a download of that particular piece. But the three Mascagni pieces I mentioned are included in the soundtrack CDs from "Raging Bull." You could buy the entire soundtrack (2CDs) from Amazon. Or, perhaps some online outfit permits downloads of individual tracks from the CDs.

thanks

Intermezzo is one of the most emotionally powerful sounds one ever hear. It nearly moves me to tears. Raging Bull is an underrated film. It rivals the GF.

Whatever else it was (or wasn't), GFIII was a reunion of sorts for much of the cast & crew of the first two films. Good or bad, it was the continuance and end of the story of a Don and his Family. I think it was right of FFC to get together as many of the original cast as possible. Besides, Johnny Fontaine had been Vito Corleone's godson, virtually a member of the Family. It makes complete sense that he would be invited to the celebration of Michael receiving that honor from the church.

By the way if you go by FFC's account in the documentary on the making of all 3 films (Godfather Extras Video provided by Don Cardi here on the BB)...I don't think GFIII was made 'just for money'. He would never have made it 'just for money', and whatever miscalculations were made, I do believe his reasons were far more heartfelt and sincere than that.

Apple

My God! I'm agreeing with Apple again.

Wait a minute. The room is spinning. Everything is getting blurry. I'm feeling faint. It's all growing dark.

Oh, thank God. I'm okay again. But, this happens everytime I find myself agreeing with Apple.

Next thing you know, you'll think Ade is dead.

Mai!