The Godfather: Should Michael have ordered the hit on Fredo? *

I realize that this is one of the eternal questions among film buffs, but I'm just looking to get your take.

 

Maybe.

 

I'd prefer a yes or no response, if you don't mind.

 

I thought Fredo drowned?

 

Yes.

This question made me think about possibilities for the Fredo character in Godfather III but since the actor was long dead by then I guess it is all moot.

 

Yes.

 

I agree. It was only a matter of time before Fredo's impulsiveness would have brought down the entire Corleone family.

 

Of course he should have. Fredo's betrayal allowed for a hit attempt that nearly got Michael and his family killed.

 

I don't know Mikey, I mean he didn't know it was gonna be a hit.

 

Had to. Fredo was weak, and in that world, could've brought down the entire family. If he had tried to banish him from the family, even worse. Fredo left him no choice.

 

it was business.......yes it had to be done.

that is/was the world they chose to live in.

 

From Michael's point of view, it had to be done. Fredo was a loose canon, untrustworthy and unreliable, and Michael almost got killed because of him. Michael's main concern was his own survival, and with Fredo around this was not guaranteed.

 

He had to show strength and resolve to his Capos. If he failed to kill Fredo they would have lost respect for him.

 

Yeah I think it had to be done. It was sad, and Michael probably regrets it, or at least feels guilty, but he was a danger to himself & his family. Can't have any wild cards in that game, absolutey no risks.

 

Yes.

 

yep, he realized this wasn't a game for weakies. You take sides against the family, you force me to take sides against you.

 

It was something which had to be done, as long as Fredo remained alive there was always the risk he would do something against the family again. With doing it though any last vestige of Michael's pre Don personality went with it and Part 2 ends with him a cold, isolated & remote person who although he has triumphed over all his adversaries it has clearly come at a tremendous cost.

 

He had a little help.

 

that's the way pop wanted it.

 

Let's face it: Freddie should have be eliminated merely on the basis of his sub-par work ethic at the casino. He was banging cocktail waitresses two at a time! Players couldn't get a drink at the table!

 

I would loved to have seen an alternate Godfather story where Santino didn`t get shot.

 

He had a good heart - but he was weak, and he was stupid.

 

I suppose that's a spoiler? The Godfather movies somehow have still eluded me.

 

Definitely should have been whacked.