Talk:Vito Corleone

English
I think some of the sections here were written by a non-native English speaker. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.215.16.154 (talk) 22:19, 16 July 2008 (UTC)

Don Corleone packing heat?
Odd question but did the don ever carry a gun around with him..just in case? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.126.51.66 (talk) 01:36, 2 May 2009 (UTC)

Surname
How do you pronounce his surname? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.156.9.9 (talk) 17:06, 8 September 2007 (UTC)

--I assume by this question that you are asking if the final vowel is pronounced. There is no way to determine that from the novel. In the movies, some characters do pronounce the final vowel, rendering it a four syllable word. However, Michael Corleone does not and pronounces it as three syllables. In real life, Al Capone did not pronounce the final ‘e’ in his surname and would get very irritated if anyone who addressed him did so. I rather think that not pronouncing the final vowel in such names is deemed more American, more modern, though that is just speculation on my part. I don’t know how Italians in Italy would pronounce it. I suspect they do pronounce the final syllable, though I’m not certain. —Preceding unsigned comment added by HistoryBuff14 (talk • contribs) 18:37, 20 February 2010 (UTC)

You do pronounce the final 'e' in Standard Italian, but not in Sicilian dialect. elpincha (talk) 20:10, 20 October 2010 (UTC)

Italian from the south (not only sicilian) tempt to not pronounce the last syllable of words, like a slang. If you would read their name in standard Italian, you would have to pronounce the e, but they dont cause they're from the south and it's a way to differentiate them from the North (Milan, Rome). Al Capone was Napolitan so he didnt prononce the last e. For the story of Al Capone being enrage by the fact that poeple were prononcing the last e of his name, it's not totally true. The true story is that at the beginning of his criminal carreer, a newspaper published a article writing the name Al Caponi ( not Capone) and that made him furious and he then made the writer understand that his name was Capone. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.55.56.96 (talk) 19:16, 19 October 2013 (UTC)

Vandalized
It seems someone has destroyed the entire page Edit: Fixed

Sonny

 * He found out later that Sonny saw him commit the murder, and he afterwards blamed himself for his son's violent streak.

How could this be possible? -- Toytoy 08:00, Jun 11, 2005 (UTC)
 * This isn't true at all. I removed it. K1Bond007 07:56, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

In the novel Vito and Sonny confront each other and Sonny admits that he witnessed his father murder Don Fanucci.

Real life models?
Does anyone know who the real-life model for Vito Corleone might be? Would this be worth including in the article? john k 07:45, 30 August 2005 (UTC)

Costello was already on the page, I added another source that Puzo mentioned.Kenobifan 02:47, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

godfather kicks ass he will put a dead horse in YOUR bed

-I don't understand why is it mentioned that he was based on Vito Genovese. They were very different characters and I don't see nothing similiar between Don Vito Corleone and Don Vito Genovese except the name. I think Vito Corleone was based clearly on Costello but Michael was based a little on Genovese. Michael exile on Sicily after murder and when look how Michael gaining power he kills the heads of Five Families. He was very ruthless. Just like Genovese who want's to wipe everybody just like Michael. Genovese kills Moretti Anastasia and wants to hit Costello but failed. I think Michael is a little similiar character to Genovese but why Vito is based on Genovese that I don't understand.

Film over book prejudice
Vito's early life had some alterations made to it for the films, and this page's article seems to treat the film as the canonical version, rather than making reference to the changes made.

For example, it says that his family was murdered when he was nine, that he avenged their death as an adult, and that he was renamed Vito Corleone on Ellis Island. The book states that he was twelve. Only the film says he was nine. In the book, his father was not killed by a Mafia boss--he himself killed the Mafia boss, and then was killed in retribution. Vito's mother, then still alive, sent him to America. In the film, an immigration officer renames him Vito Corleone. In the book, he takes that name for himself to honor his native city.

2011-03-17 - Agreed. It even attributes film distinctives to the novel, rather than just presenting the film version of the story. It will take quite a bit of time to undo this problem. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.169.43.24 (talk) 06:13, 17 March 2011 (UTC)


 * coded-movie@trackers.info 93.86.237.160 (talk) 00:21, 2 June 2023 (UTC)

Small Inaccuracies
'Corleone later met Peter Clemenza, who gave him an opportunity to obtain a rug for his home. So, both men went into the home of Clemenza's friend, who was not home, and took his rug, almost being caught by a police officer.'

A very small point - and must admit I have only seen the films (many times) and never read the books - but surely there is little evidence that this was really a friend of Clemenza - just a 'cased' house to which Clemenza had a skeleton key? I'm quite sure that this was just an introduction to crime ...

Yeah, well clearly you're not going to kill a cop if he catches you taking a rug with the permission of its owner. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.148.5.119 (talk) 05:08, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

It mentions that at the start of the movie, the daughter of the undertaker was "sexually assaulted". From what I remember of the film, the undertaker makes it very clear that the boys that attacked her didn't get anywhere in the sex department, ("She kept her honor") which is why they beat her up so badly. 11:45, 24 June 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.243.26 (talk)

Date of Birth
It seems that Vito was born on the same date as the bombing of Pearl Harbour. Source: Godfather Part II --Pinnecco 22:44, 12 February 2006 (UTC)


 * This would mean that he was born in 1891, not 1892, since the scene at the beginning of Part II takes place in 1901, and the weather suggests that it's before December 7. This is, of course, based on the movie, not the book. --Palpatine 02:04, 18 February 2006 (UTC)
 * For those who are confused, a clarification:
 * At the beginning of Part II, the bottom of the screen states that the year is 1901. Furthermore, there is expository text stating that he is nine years old at the time.  In the very last scene of Part II, it is mentioned that the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on Vito's birthday, meaning he was born on December 7.  Now, in the first scene of the movie (where he is nine years old and the year is 1901), it is clearly Northern Hemisphere summertime.  Since his birthday is on December 7, for him to be nine years old in the summer of 1901 means that his ninth birthday must have taken place on December 7, 1900.  Perform the necessary subtraction, and voila!  Vito Andolini was born on December 7, 1891.  Kurt Weber 21:45, 1 April 2006 (UTC)
 * Vito Corleone's tombstone shows his birthdate as April 28, 1887.15.235.153.106 18:24, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

Would you really say it was clearly Summertime? It looked a bit bleak. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.148.5.119 (talk) 05:24, 12 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Yeah, I don't agree with the assumption that it's summertime. It's pretty sunny and hot in Sicily be it winter or summer, and we don't really know what time of year it is when he arrives in New York (it's obviously not the hottest part of the summer or the coldest part of winter, but it could be an overcast day any time of the year aside from that). We also don't even know how much time passed between the murder of his mother and his arrival in America.&mdash; Chowbok  ☠  23:20, 1 August 2011 (UTC)

How about this: in teh Godfather part I Vito Corleone is buried. The monument, inscribed Corleone, mentions 'Vito April 28, 1887 July 29, 1955'. How does this tally with the other sources? Michel Doortmont (talk) 16:46, 3 September 2008 (UTC)

When Vito is buried in Godfather I, the monument I see says "Corleone" and then below that it says "Vito - April 26, 1891 - " with the date of his death not yet inscribed.Jameywiki (talk) 19:35, 6 February 2016 (UTC)

Date of Death
I'm just curious. What is the source for this date?--Son of Somebody 14:43, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

-He wasn't die in 1954!! He died in the year of 1950. In the Godfather Part II when Michael testifying before the Senat Committee they asking him that in the year of 1950 he ordered to murder heads of the Five Families. In this year Vito was already dead!! He didn't die in 1954 for sure.

I agree: 1950 (or 1949 possibly) was the year of Vito's death and 1950 was certainly the year of deaths of Tessio, Moe Green, etc.Jrm2007 01:45, 18 July 2007 (UTC)

Okay, the death year was changed from 1950 back to 1954 without explanation. Can't think of a more authoritative source than Godfather II unless it is the book or Godfather I. It is absolutely clear that in Godfather I, V. Corleone died during a hot month, so not December. Therefore, if Godfather II is to be believed (from what was said by the Senator), he died in 1950 as first mentioned by the second poster on this page. Would like to hear reasoning from the person who decided to change my edit.Jrm2007 00:40, 19 July 2007 (UTC)

The birth year of his grandson has bearing on Vito's death date -- see the discussion page for Anthony Corleone. Nice that someone without a handle keeps reverting death date without being willing to discuss reasons.Jrm2007 03:12, 19 July 2007 (UTC)

It is asserted that V. Corleone's tombstone is shown in one of the films and a death year of 1955 is on it. Can anyone verify this? If true, there is simply a major inconsistency in the film versions.Jrm2007 05:13, 19 July 2007 (UTC)
 * See birth date above: On the monument the death date reads 'July 29, 1955'. How does this tally with the other sources? Michel Doortmont (talk) 16:47, 3 September 2008 (UTC)

Long Island?
Are you sure the Corleones resided on Long Island? I thought they resided in the borough of Staten Island...?
 * NewYork1956 06:01, 29 January 2007 (UTC)

you claim to be from new york yet staten island isnt a borough dickhead.

-Corleones compound wasn't on Staten Island and it wasn't on the Long Island it was on Long Beach.

Yeah I asked someone about this [he was a tourist just back from New York] I want to know where is this long beach? I also wrongly assumed it was called Long Beach like named after LOng Island, but forgive me, I only want to know where the Don lived and I have no idea. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.148.5.119 (talk) 05:26, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

Two Things: a) Staten Island is one of the five boroughs, despite the claims of our rude friend b)  Long Beach is on Long Island. Look it up on Google Maps. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.226.172.117 (talk) 01:13, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

In the story the Corleones lived on Long Island. In true life the mansion in the film was located on Staten Island —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.10.219.167 (talk) 15:53, 21 October 2009 (UTC)

Quotes
I just moved all the quotes on this page to Wikiquote. There was already a "The Godfather" article in Wikquote, so I just appened the quotes in this article to the Wikiquote version.

However, this meant the template wouldn't work, since it links to whatever the Wikipedia page name is. Under Wikipedia, "Vito Corleone" has his own article; under Wikiquote, "Vito Corleone" is only a section under "The Godfather." Since there's no "Vito Corleone" article on Wikiquote, it doesn't go anywhere. So, I just made a plain text link under "References."

Is there a way to fix the template? Or should "Vito Corleone" be created as a #REDIRECT page to "The Godfather" in Wikiquote?

Nevermind, Wikiquotepar did the trick.

In this Wiki, there's a reference to Vito saying "I want all inquiries made", when Tom Hagen informs him that Sonny was killed. In fact, Vito says "I want NO inquiries made", and this is a critical distinction. Even if this word was muffled on the screen, it also makes sense - given Vito's desire to now meet with the heads of the Five Families - that Vito would NOT make inquiries, because this would give the impression that Vito was planning something, possibly to retaliate for Sonny's murder. By making NO inquiries, it makes his overt gesture more genuine, as if to say "I accept what has happened, but now we must move on". —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tomada36 (talk • contribs) 16:43, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

Robert DeNiro image
Robert DeNiro also received an Academy Award for his role in The Godfather II as Vito Corleone, so I think there should be an image of him as Vito in the character's biography. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 87.196.105.235 (talk) 20:04, 25 April 2007 (UTC).

Head of Corleone family before Vito
Logically, wasn't Vito Corleone's father, Antonio Andolini, the head of the Corleone family, before Vito took over?? It is the same family, after all, and he was the head of the family, before Vito attained adulthood. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kwakkles (talk • contribs) 17:53, 15 September 2007 (UTC)

Head of the family, yes, but Family, no. Note the case of the first letter. Puzo himself used this important distinction, and varied it according to the meaning or intent of the use.

And also needless to say, Vito would have been head of the Andolini family, not the Corleone family. And it was young Vito who began the criminal dynasty -Antonio was actually killed for standing up against the Mafia [he had been in a dispute with a neighbour, the neighbour referred the matter to local Mafiosi for a ruling, and Antonio refused to obey the decision they handed down] so there was nothing in that sense for Vito to take over, except the family name [and he didn't even do that!]. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.148.5.118 (talk) 05:16, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

Male Chauvinism
Is it absolutely necessary to mention that Vito showed signs of male chauvinism? The story is set in the 1940s. I think it goes without saying that his views would be chauvinistic. It was hardly a concious choice of Coppola's to include that side of him. It cheapens the article considerably to include such a hackneyed feminist intepretation of a character who neither invites it or needs it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.175.225.192 (talk) 15:03, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

And even further exonerating Coppola, was the fact that all of these traits were pointed out and criticised by Puzo himself, the sole creator of the character. Reading his original book introducing Vito, he repeatedly calls Vito "old fashioned", and even characterises Sicilian culture generally as "primitive" in the field of sexual equality etc. So I think Coppola was just faithful to the character he had inherited from Puzo, and Puzo himself was fully aware of the prejudices and assumptions of the character he had created. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.148.5.119 (talk) 05:22, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Vito GF.JPG
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BetacommandBot 22:14, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

Running Info From the Second Movie Together With the Novel
In the article, it states that the information concerning Vito Corleone’s background comes from “In the Novel.” However, much of it is taken from the movie The Godfather, Part II. In the novel, there is no mention of Vito having had a brother or that his mother was killed.

Vito's father is killed not for refusing to pay tribute per se, but rather because he has quarreled with another villager who then took his case to an unnamed local Mafia chief who sided with him. Vito’s father refuses to accept the Mafia chief's judgment, presumably continuing the quarrel for which he is ultimately killed. The Mafia chief begins to worry that Vito, now age 12, will eventually seek revenge and “makes inquires” regarding the boy, which are presumably perceived as a threat to murder the boy. Vito is then sent by his mother to live with friends (the Abbandando family, Italian grocers who take the boy in and put him to work) in New York City. All of this is contained within Book III of the novel, upon which the movie embellishes.

The first two movies don’t always strictly follow the novel. (In regard to Part II, the portions contained within the novel.) Would people here rather I change the article to correct for all this or would you rather make some sort of note that the article is drawn partially from the novel and partially from the second movie? Please advise.

--I added a clarifying note at the beginning of the relevant section under "Backstory."

—Preceding unsigned comment added by HistoryBuff14 (talk • contribs) 18:57, 3 February 2010 (UTC)

Date of death (1954 vs. 1955)
There are multiple, inconsistent, sources on Vito Corleone's date of death. Paramount's official series website (http://www.thegodfather.com/) says 1954. OTOH, the tombstone in the movie (first movie, about the 2:33 mark in the DVD cut, near the start of the funeral), says April 28, 1887 - July 29, 1955. A screencap of that is at: http://www.sorabji.com/pictures/64606-3/vlcsnap-82113.png

This problem has been mentioned before.

But since this gets edited back and forth, we should pick one, and add a comment in the article to keep it that way, with a link back here for an explanation. I suggest we accept the tombstone as accurate. It's really subject to the least possible amount of interpretation. Rwessel (talk) 16:46, 8 April 2014 (UTC)


 * hair-type@infrigment-report.dnk 93.86.237.160 (talk) 00:20, 2 June 2023 (UTC)