Treachery in The Godfather: Who Betrayed Michael Corleone?

The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is a classic tale of family, power, and betrayal. While the story revolves around Michael Corleone's climb to power and his eventual duality as a feared mafia boss, it is the betrayers themselves who add complexity to the narrative. This article explores the significant acts of treachery against Michael, offering insights into the motives and consequences of their betrayals.

Primary Betrayals and Their Aftermath

Michael Corleone, the protagonist of the Godfather, faces betrayal from multiple fronts throughout the film. The major betrayal occurs in the first part of the series, where Fabrizio, a trusted bodyguard, and Tessio, a trusted associate, both turn against him. These betrayals are crucial to the plot and set the tone for Michael's transformation into a ruthless mafia boss.

Fabrizio: The Sicilian Betrayal

While under the protection of Don Tomassino in Sicily, Michael encounters betrayal from an unexpected place. Fabrizio, who was initially meant to protect him, becomes jealous and sells Michael to the Barzini family. This betrayal culminates in Fabrizio planting a bomb in Michael's car, leading to the death of Michael's wife, Apollonia.

The movie and the novel differ in the fate of Fabrizio. In the movie, Fabrizio flees to New York with the help of the Barzinis and later perishes in a car bombing. In the novel, Michael sends a hitman to Fabrizio's pizzeria in Buffalo, where he is ultimately killed.

Tessio: The Brooklyn Betrayal

The most significant betrayal in the first movie occurs when Salvatore Tessio, a longtime associate of Michael, betrays him regarding the elusive peace summit with Don Barzini in Brooklyn. Tessio decides to work with the more powerful Barzinis, offering Michael as a sacrifice to gain control of the Corleone family.

Micheal is warned by his father, Vito, about the backstabbing nature of Tessio’s proposed summit. During the meeting, Tessio is surrounded by Cicci and Clemenza’s henchmen, realizing he has been betrayed. Michael then takes him to Two Toms where he and his fellow conspirators were executed. Tessio’s betrayal was a critical turning point in Michael's rise to power.

The Second Film: Further Betrayal

In The Godfather Part II, Michael is betrayed once again by his brother Fredo, who is later killed by Hyman Roth and Johnny Ola in an attempt to destabilize Michael's leadership of the Corleone family.

Hyman Roth’s payoff to Johnny Ola resulted in a targeted assassination attempt on Michael. Prior to these events, Fredo’s betrayal is another significant plot point. Fredo, unable to maintain the immense pressure and responsibility placed upon him, sells out to Roth. This ultimately leads to Fredo being executed, contributing to the family's instability.

Conclusion

The betrayal of Michael Corleone in The Godfather serves as a powerful narrative device, illustrating the fragility of trust and the harsh realities of the mafia world. From Fabrizio to Tessio, and Fredo in The Godfather Part II, these characters’ betrayals highlight the importance of loyalty and the devastating consequences of defection in this world of power and violence.

Related Keywords

The Godfather, Michael Corleone, Salvatore Tessio, Traitors in The Godfather