Michael Corleone’s Vengeance: The Assassination of Sollozzo and Fabrizio

The tragic death of Apollonia marked a pivotal moment in Michael Corleone’s transformation. Urged by his desire for vengeance, he orchestrated a meticulously planned assassination to eliminate
key figures in the criminal world: Vito Sollozzo and the corrupt police officer, McCluskey.

Assassination of Sollozzo and McCluskey

Michael’s actions were not only driven by revenge but also by a calculated plan to solidify his leadership. This act marked a significant turning point, moving him from a reluctant participant to a ruthless leader. In a bold and strategic move, Michael eliminated these enemies in a way that underscored his growth and authority.

One of the most intriguing scenes that never made it to the Godfather film's final cut involved Michael walking into Fabrazio’s restaurant and eliminating him with a double-barreled shotgun, a weapon that Fabrazio had carried in Sicily. However, the producers deemed the scene too violent and opted to exclude it.

Revenge Against Fabrizio

A well-hidden truth is that Fabrizio was not killed in a car bombing, as previously reported. Michael personally sought retribution, planting a bomb in Fabrizio’s car that eventually led to his death. This event parallels the fate of Appolonia, marking a grim symphony of violence orchestrated by Michael.

Interestingly, Fabrizio's role in these events is connected to the Godfather II. In the latter film, it's revealed that Fabrizio's visa sponsorship came from the Barzini family as part of a defection deal. This added another layer of complexity to their betrayal.

Deleted Scenes and Further Details

The Godfather Saga, a comprehensive and chronologically ordered account that includes deleted scenes from both films, provides deeper insights into Michael's actions. In this documentary, Fabrizio is seen planting the bomb in Michael's car, which then killed Apollonia. This sequence was originally cut from the film but was reintroduced in the documentary.

The new version of Godfather Saga offers a rated R experience, connecting the dots that were left ambiguous in the original films. This film poster, released with the documentary, captures this experience:

Through various deleted scenes and additional footage, the documentary also reveals how Michael later found Fabrizio, who had defected and opened a small pizzeria in America. Al Neri, one of Michael's bodyguards, was tasked with eliminating Fabrizio by planting a bomb in his car. Fabrizio met the same fate as Apollonia, one night in a tragic and violent turn of events.

The sequence of events leading up to Fabrizio's death can be seen in the edited scenes available in both films, though the Godfather Saga provides a more complete picture of Michael's vengeful actions.

Conclusion

From the tragic death of Apollonia, to the strategic elimination of Sollozzo and McCluskey, and the personal vengeance against Fabrizio, Michael's journey from reluctant participant to ruthless leader was marked by a series of carefully orchestrated assassination attempts. The Godfather Saga offers a comprehensive look at these events, providing a deeper understanding of Michael Corleone's transformation and the strategic decisions that shaped his leadership within the criminal underworld.