Most Rewatchable Scene · 31:47
The garden conversation (two votes)
Bill Simmons: Sollozzo’s pitch to the family is nominated.
Bill Simmons: Clemenza’s meatball lesson is nominated.
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22:59
31:47
45:03
58:33
1:08:24
1:12:48
1:15:55
1:22:53
1:24:14
1:28:31
1:29:30
1:29:44
1:33:35
1:34:45
1:43:41
1:45:57
1:48:28
1:58:10
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Who won the movie
Francis Ford Coppola
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Roger Ebert
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Dion Waiters Award
Jack Woltz
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“That Guy” Award
Alex Rocco
The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 1:12:48
Business, not personal
Remember that it is business rather than personal.
Cast
Selected cast credits · Film reference
Marlon Brando
Vito Corleone
Al Pacino
Michael Corleone
James Caan
Sonny Corleone
Richard Castellano
Peter Clemenza
Robert Duvall
Tom Hagen
Sterling Hayden
Captain McCluskey
John Marley
Jack Woltz
Richard Conte
Emilio Barzini
Al Lettieri
Virgil Sollozzo
Diane Keaton
Kay Adams-Corleone
Everything from the episode
In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.
22:59
Roger Ebert's review
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:22:59Read transcript
- The hosts report that Ebert’s original review criticized aspects of Brando’s performance. — Bill Simmons
- They report that Ebert later revised his view and awarded four stars.
31:47
Most Rewatchable Scene
The garden conversation (two votes); the christening murders (one vote)
The garden conversation (two votes); the christening murders (one vote)
In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:31:47Read transcript
- Sollozzo’s pitch to the family is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Clemenza’s meatball lesson is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Michael deciding to kill Sollozzo and McCluskey is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The Louis restaurant assassination is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Sonny’s tollbooth murder is nominated and debated.
- The Five Families meeting is nominated.
- Michael and Vito in the garden receives two votes. — Bill Simmons
- The christening murders receive Chris’s vote.
- The Las Vegas confrontation with Moe Greene is nominated.
- The opening undertaker audience is nominated.
- Sonny beating Carlo is nominated.
- Tom Hagen visiting Jack Woltz is nominated.
- The wedding is praised as an extended sequence.
45:03
What’s Aged the Best?
The wedding, family politics, food, moral complexity, performances, and precise lines
The wedding, family politics, food, moral complexity, performances, and precise lines
In the discussion (21)
Approx. transcript time · 00:45:03Read transcript
- The wedding world-building is praised. — Bill Simmons
- The Woltz-house sequence and its later appearance in Fletch are praised.
- The family structure remains legible and rich. — Bill Simmons
- The use of the word consigliere is praised. — Bill Simmons
- “Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes” and the newspaper-wrapped fish are called a great one that went into the lexicon; a participant only now noticed it was rolled in the bulletproof vest. — Bill Simmons
- Mama Corleone warning Sonny not to interfere in Connie and Carlo’s argument is praised. — Bill Simmons
- The movie’s eating and food-preparation scenes are praised. — Chris Ryan
- Michael’s face before the restaurant shooting is praised. — Bill Simmons
- Tom delivering news of Sonny’s death is praised.
- Vito’s prediction about narcotics reshaping organized crime is praised. — Sean Fennessey
- The story’s shades of moral compromise are praised. — Sean Fennessey
- The Mafia’s role beside failures of formal government is discussed. — Chris Ryan
- Clemenza’s Hitler-at-Munich line is praised.
- Jack Woltz’s ethnic insults remain memorably performed. — Bill Simmons
- Pacino’s controlled performance grows in stature when viewed with Part II. — Bill Simmons
- Michael’s presidents-and-senators line remains resonant. — Bill Simmons
- Every Fredo scene is praised, including his Vegas outfit. — Bill Simmons
- Clemenza’s sauce recipe remains memorable. — Bill Simmons
- The “Tattaglia’s a pimp” line is praised. — Bill Simmons
- Tessio asking to be spared for old times’ sake is praised.
- Vito’s garden death is praised. — Bill Simmons
58:33
What’s Aged the Worst?
Al Martino’s acting; Kay, the Sicily section, racist dialogue, and the missed punch
Al Martino’s acting; Kay, the Sicily section, racist dialogue, and the missed punch
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:33Read transcript
- Kay Adams’s characterization is criticized and defended. — Bill Simmons
- The Sicily section is debated as beautiful but momentum-slowing.
- Apollonia’s performer was reportedly sixteen during production.
- Racist remarks in the Five Families scene are flagged. — Bill Simmons
- A visibly missed punch in Sonny’s attack on Carlo is flagged. — Bill Simmons
- Johnny Fontane is criticized as a character and performance.
- Al Martino’s acting is treated as the most conspicuous weakness.
1:08:24
Casting What-Ifs
Lancaster, Brando, Scott, Beatty, Nicholson, O’Neal, Redford, Hoffman, Sheen, Caan, De Niro, and Stallone figure in c...
Lancaster, Brando, Scott, Beatty, Nicholson, O’Neal, Redford, Hoffman, Sheen, Caan, De Niro, and Stallone figure in casting history.
In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:24Read transcript
- Burt Lancaster and Laurence Olivier were considered for Vito Corleone. — Bill Simmons
- Marlon Brando’s contested casting and screen test are recounted. — Sean Fennessey
- George C. Scott is discussed as a possible Vito. — Sean Fennessey
- Mia Farrow auditioned for Kay. — Bill Simmons
- Warren Beatty was considered for Michael and around directing. — Bill Simmons
- Jack Nicholson was considered for Michael. — Bill Simmons
- Ryan O’Neal was Robert Evans’s preferred Michael. — Bill Simmons
- Robert Redford was considered for Michael. — Bill Simmons
- Dustin Hoffman auditioned. — Bill Simmons
- Martin Sheen auditioned. — Bill Simmons
- James Caan tested for Michael and Tom before moving to Sonny. — Bill Simmons
- Carmine Caridi was originally slated for Sonny. — Bill Simmons
- Robert De Niro left the Paulie role for The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight. — Bill Simmons
- Sylvester Stallone unsuccessfully auditioned for Paulie and Carlo. — Bill Simmons
1:12:48
The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson
Business, not personal; hide your thinking; beware Sicilian women; never oppose family publicly; distrust rival inter...
Business, not personal; hide your thinking; beware Sicilian women; never oppose family publicly; distrust rival intermediaries; honor wedding-day requests; drop the gun and walk away; the dated “men may not be careless”; Clemenza’s sauce; spend time with family
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:48Read transcript
- Remember that it is business rather than personal.
- Never let anyone outside the family know what you are thinking. — Bill Simmons
- In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns. — Bill Simmons
- Never take sides against your family in public. — Bill Simmons
- Treat a trusted intermediary sent by your biggest rival as a possible assassination setup. — Bill Simmons
- No Sicilian can refuse a request on his daughter’s wedding day.
- After a public shooting, drop the gun and walk away without running or making eye contact.
- Vito’s claim that women and children may be careless but men may not is identified as a lesson that has aged badly. — Bill Simmons
- Cook meatballs and sausages first, then add them and wine to the tomato sauce. — Bill Simmons
- A man who does not spend time with his family can never be a real man. — Bill Simmons
1:15:55
The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance
Jack Woltz
Jack Woltz
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:55Read transcript
- Clemenza is nominated.
- Sollozzo is nominated.
- Moe Greene is nominated and receives Chris’s vote.
- Jack Woltz is nominated and receives the other two votes.
- Luca Brasi is nominated but not considered a heat check. — Sean Fennessey
- Richard Castellano’s unusually brief film career and impact are discussed. — Bill Simmons
1:22:53
The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award
Alex Rocco
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:53Read transcript
- Alex Rocco is selected for Moe Greene. — Bill Simmons
- Abe Vigoda is nominated but judged too recognizable. — Bill Simmons
1:24:14
Half-Assed Internet Research
The research section covers Sofia Coppola, Sinatra, Pacino, Caan, Brando, cars, deleted deaths, salaries, and real fi...
The research section covers Sofia Coppola, Sinatra, Pacino, Caan, Brando, cars, deleted deaths, salaries, and real figures.
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:14Read transcript
- Sofia Coppola played the baby in the christening. — Bill Simmons
- The Sinatra–Puzo confrontation story is recounted. — Bill Simmons
- Pacino really had his jaw wired during part of the shoot.
- A cast mooning tradition and Moon Champion belt are recounted. — Bill Simmons
- James Caan confronted Robert Evans after seeing his cut-down role at the premiere. — Bill Simmons
- Brando’s slap of Al Martino was reportedly improvised. — Bill Simmons
- Apollonia’s car is identified as a 1946 Alfa Romeo.
- Fabrizio’s death was cut from the first film, then filmed and cut again for Part II. — Bill Simmons
- Moe Greene is linked to Bugsy Siegel.
- Pacino, Caan, Keaton, and Duvall’s salaries are compared. — Bill Simmons
1:28:31
Apex Mountain
Robert Evans: yes
Robert Evans: yes
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:31Read transcript
- James Caan is judged below his apex. — Bill Simmons
- Coppola, Pacino, and Brando are judged below their apexes.
- Gordon Willis’s apex is assigned to Part II. — Chris Ryan
- Al Martino receives a joking apex assessment. — Chris Ryan
- Robert Evans is judged at his apex. — Bill Simmons
1:29:30
Is This Movie Better With…?
Steve Buscemi as Fredo
Steve Buscemi as Fredo
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:30Read transcript
- Steve Buscemi is proposed for Fredo. — Bill Simmons
1:29:44
The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award
Talia Shire’s confrontations lead a disputed field with Carlo, McCluskey, Jack Woltz, Pacino, and Caan.
Talia Shire’s confrontations lead a disputed field with Carlo, McCluskey, Jack Woltz, Pacino, and Caan.
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:44Read transcript
- Talia Shire confronting Michael is nominated.
- Talia Shire confronting Carlo and smashing plates is nominated. — Sean Fennessey
- Carlo’s crying during Michael’s interrogation is nominated.
- McCluskey’s restaurant behavior is nominated and defended. — Bill Simmons
- Jack Woltz is also mentioned. — Bill Simmons
- Pacino’s reconciliation scene with Kay is nominated and disputed as bad acting rather than overacting.
- James Caan’s knuckle bite is debated as either overacting or authentic behavior.
1:33:35
The Johnny Fontaine Award for the Most Glaringly Bad Actor in the Movie
Al Martino
The panel proposes a new category here.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:35Read transcript
- The full Johnny Fontane Award name and purpose are explicitly proposed. — Bill Simmons
- Al Martino is selected as the most glaringly weak actor. — Bill Simmons
- The actor playing Carlo is nominated as an alternative. — Bill Simmons
1:34:45
Picking Nits
Michael’s movements, Vito’s security, Kay, McCluskey, the restaurant gun, Sicily, Carlo, and informants generate sepa...
Michael’s movements, Vito’s security, Kay, McCluskey, the restaurant gun, Sicily, Carlo, and informants generate separate nitpicks.
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:45Read transcript
- Michael’s job and day-to-day movements after returning from the war are questioned.
- Vito’s security when he is shot is questioned.
- Kay’s quick return to Michael is questioned again. — Bill Simmons
- McCluskey eating during the tense dinner is questioned.
- The car frisk and bathroom-gun plan are questioned.
- Michael hiding in Sicily while holding a public wedding is questioned. — Sean Fennessey
- The delay before Carlo is killed is questioned. — Sean Fennessey
- The family’s informant coverage is questioned. — Chris Ryan
1:43:41
Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake
No remake; Tom Hagen in Los Angeles or Fredo in Las Vegas spinoffs
No remake; Tom Hagen in Los Angeles or Fredo in Las Vegas spinoffs
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:41Read transcript
- A Netflix-scale remake is rejected as unnecessary. — Bill Simmons
- A Tom Hagen Los Angeles spinoff is proposed. — Chris Ryan
- A Fredo Las Vegas spinoff is proposed. — Bill Simmons
1:45:57
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie
“Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli” (personal favorite; no consensus)
“Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli” (personal favorite; no consensus)
In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 01:45:57Read transcript
- “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” is nominated and called the most famous line. — Bill Simmons
- “Leave the gun, take the cannoli” is nominated and named a personal favorite. — Bill Simmons
- “I don’t like violence, Tom; I’m a businessman” is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The line about blood being a big expense is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- “Tattaglia’s a pimp” is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Woltz’s ethnic insult is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- “In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns” is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Moe Greene’s cheerleaders line is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Sonny’s Bada Bing speech is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The masculine-child line is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- Vito’s line about spoiling his children is nominated. — Sean Fennessey
- The undertaker’s “I believe in America” opening is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The bathroom joke is nominated.
1:48:28
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Locations, tollbooth logistics, Carlo, Tessio, and the ranking of the Godfather films
Locations, tollbooth logistics, Carlo, Tessio, and the ranking of the Godfather films
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:48:28Read transcript
- Where exactly are the Corleone compound, Kay’s home, and the travel routes?
- How was Sonny’s tollbooth assassination planned and controlled? — Bill Simmons
- What did Carlo expect to gain by betraying the family?
- Why did Tessio rather than Clemenza arrange the betrayal? — Bill Simmons
- Which of the first two Godfather films is greater?
1:58:10
Who Won the Movie?
Francis Ford Coppola
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:58:10Read transcript
- Coppola is selected for turning a trashy novel into landmark American cinema and setting a new course for filmmakers.
- Al Pacino is the strongest acting alternative.
- Gordon Willis is briefly considered before the speaker settles on Coppola rather than get “too cute”. — Bill Simmons
- Robert Evans is nominated for enabling the production. — Bill Simmons
- Marlon Brando is considered and rejected as the winner. — Sean Fennessey
- Robert Duvall is nominated during the extended closing discussion.
Mentions across The Rewatchables
Recorded movie reference
Deliverance
The Rewatchables · aired January 31, 2023
1972 box office top ten: 1 The Godfather; 2 The Poseidon Adventure; 3 What's Up, Doc?; 4 Deliverance; 5 Deep Throat; 6 Jeremiah Johnson; 7 Cabaret; 8 The Getaway; 9 Last Tango in Paris; 10 Lady Sings the Blues
Approx. transcript time · 00:12:57Read transcript
Source 1