Who became the prototypes of the characters in the cult film "The Godfather"

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Many will probably remember the cult film "The Godfather", which was based on the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo, which tells a fascinating story about the fictional Corleone family. But few people know that in this franchise, real gangsters are hiding behind the images of Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and other characters, as well as a number of events based on true stories.

The collective image of Vito

The characters are inspired by real gangsters. The portrayed Brando, Vito's character, actually consisted of several gangster images. Like the real gangster Joe Profaci, Vito dealt with olive oil, which served as a cover for his illegal activities, known only in narrow circles.

However, like Carlo Gambino, Vito had a reputation as a modest and inconspicuous figure, almost always remaining in the shadows. However, the character of "The Godfather" was most similar to the real gangster Frank Costello, who was an excellent intelligent strategist, better known as the "prime minister" of the mafia because of his wise advice.

Vito, like Costello, used his diplomatic skills and connections with influential businessmen and politicians to maintain his power, and also discouraged his subordinates from participating in the drug business.

Johnny Fontaine was inspired by Frank Sinatra

The similarities between Johnny Fontaine's character (played by Al Martino) and singer Frank Sinatra were so pronounced that Sinatra was supposedly annoyed.

In the film, Johnny turned to Vito for help, asking for help with all the issues related to the signed agreement, the terms of which he was not too happy with. Desperate to save his dying career, Fontaine decides to become an actor and gets the opportunity to play one of the characters in an upcoming major movie.

This moment was based on a real event in the life of Sinatra, who, with the help of his connections with the mafia, managed to get out of an unpleasant contract. It was after this that he starred in the film "From Now and Forever", thereby reviving his popularity.

Mo Green's image was inspired by Bugsy Siegel

Green (played by Alex Rocco) was a very cocky and extraordinary person who breathed life into all the loopholes in Las Vegas. In reality, the gangster Bugsy Siegel behaved and did the same. As a former hitman, he moved to the West, where he helped build Vegas by running the luxurious Flamingo casino.

Without any remorse, he liked to show off among the crowd of celebrities, thereby attracting attention, and Green acted exactly like his prototype. Both Jews by birth, Siegel and Green also faced a similar fate - they were shot, and a bullet was found in their eye sockets. However, Bugsy was killed for stealing a decent amount from the mafia, and Green's lack of proper respect for the godfather only hastened his impending fate.

Michael Corleone's look was inspired by Salvatore Bonanno

Corleone's character was inspired by a real person named Salvatore Bonanno, whom everyone called "Bill". Unlike other criminal figures, Salvatore's father did not want his son Bill to run the family business. While instructing Bill, Joseph forced him to go to law school, just like Vito forced his son Michael to go to law school.

Against his father's wishes, Michael - like Bill - found his way into the life of the mafia. However, this is where the common thread ends. In reality, Bill had a great resemblance to Michael's older brother, Fredo. He was just as pompous, demanded attention, lived at the expense of his family and tried in every possible way to gain respect from his father's subordinates, which turned out to be in vain.

Salvatore Tessio was inspired by Gaspar Digregorio

The Godfather Corleone discovered that one of the group members was involved in a conspiracy that would prevent Corleone from climbing to the top. At first, everyone began to suspect one more arrogant gangster, but soon the family learns that it was the quiet, tall Tessio (played by Abe Vigoda) who was behind the attempt on Michael's life at the mafia summit.

The real gangster Gaspar Digregorio was the inspiration behind Tessio's character. When “Bill” attempted to shake off power by handing it over to his heir, Digregorio felt resentful. It was then that the decision was made to act and start fighting the mafiosi.

Then he decided to take up the organization of a meeting between warring rival groups in order to get rid of Bonanno as soon as possible. However, unlike the jealous and power-hungry Digregorio, Tessio wanted to remove Michael because he did not agree that it was Michael who was worthy of such an honor. While Digregorio was unable to kill his rivals and died in obscurity, Tessio was killed for his betrayal.

The filming in the restaurant was inspired by the meeting between Lucky Luciano and Joe Masseria

The filming at the restaurant was inspired by one of the most famous public executions in the history of the mafia. In 1931, the famous gangster Lucky Luciano, who was inclined to usurp power from his mentor and boss Giuseppe "Joe" Masseria, invited him to lunch at a restaurant on Coney Island. When Luciano went to the men's room, Masseria met his untimely demise when he was shot and killed by a group of assassins.

Frank Costello and Vito Genovese court hearings

The Godfather II Senate hearings, which forced Michael to testify about the Mafia, were similar to the actual Congressional hearings that took place in the 1950s and 1960s, when the gangsters Costello and Vito Genovese appeared in front of the public.

Most notably, gangster Joe Valachi testified, not as a committed gangster, but rather as a state witness. He was the first member of the mafia to appear in public and admit the organization's existence, which ultimately led to its downfall.

The story of Genovese and Luciano

When Michael shoots down his father's enemies, he travels to Sicily, eventually falling in love and marrying a local village girl, Apollonia Vitelli. The storyline was a page taken from the life of the gangster Genovese and Luciano. To avoid prosecution for his murder, Genovese fled to Italy and returned only when he was free. In Luciano's case, he was deported to his homeland and ended up leading his illegal activities in the United States, never returning home. Like Michael, Luciano fell in love with a young Italian ballerina named Igea Lissoni, with whom he lived until her death.

History is full of unique people who, thanks to their talent and cunning, have managed to become famous all over the world. Read about like eight outstanding scammers, having circled the gullible crowd around their fingers, have become a part of history.