MovieChat Forums > The Godfather Part II (1974) Discussion > Did Michael kill Fredo to punish Connie?

Did Michael kill Fredo to punish Connie?

posted 7 years ago by MNRebecca (773)
21 replies | jump to latest

I'm thinking about the juxtaposition of the scenes.

1. Michael catches Connie letting Kay visit the kids. Gives Connie that long, intense, "There will be consequences" look.
2. Very next sequence is the death of Fredo.

[–] strntz (12773) 7 years ago

Did Michael kill Fredo to punish Connie?

No.

[–] Sandman81 (1510) 7 years ago

[–] TheUltimateHippo (2250) 7 years ago

Michael never forgave Fredo, he always knew he would kill him (much like Carlo). He didn't want to kill Fredo when their mother was still alive so that is why he didn't kill him initially. I think deep down Fredo knew that his fate was sealed.

[–] TexasJack (12516) 7 years ago

I don't know about that. I think Fredo believed Michael forgave him because he embraced him at the mother's funeral. I don't think Fredo ever saw it coming after that.

[–] TheEngineer (199) 7 years ago

He always planned to kill Fredo. He gave him the kiss of death.

[–] MNRebecca (773) 7 years ago

But the timing. Is it a coincidence it comes right after Connie, who earlier begged him to forgive Fredo, pisses him off with the Kay visit?

[–] strntz (12773) 7 years ago

Is it a coincidence it comes right after Connie, who earlier begged him to forgive Fredo, pisses him off with the Kay visit?

Yes.

[–] TexasJack (12516) 7 years ago

Agreed.

[–] roreyking (637) 7 years ago

"Did Michael kill Fredo to punish Connie?"

Could the OP be more dense? Did she really miss that avenging betrayal was Michael's motivation behind the 3 deaths? BTW - Fredo's death is NOT the very next sequence after Kay's visit.

[–] MNRebecca (773) 7 years ago

Incorrect. Michael shuts the door on Kay and gives a long, displeased look. Very next shot - lowering of the boat. The timing of Michael's revenge killing of Fredo was chosen to punish Connie. Two birds with one stone.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I don't believe Michael would kill someone to gain revenge against another party. That's pretty ugly. But I also have to say that I don't think Vito would have murdered a prostitute to gain favor with Senator Geary but it seems that's exactly what Michael had done so who knows. Even so, it's too close to the family for those kinds of games so I highly doubt it.

[–] strntz (12773) 6 years ago

There's a big difference between killing your own brother to piss off your sister as opposed to killing a whore in order to gain enormous power by putting a senior ranking senator in your hip pocket.

[–] TexasJack (12516) 6 years ago

There is a big difference, but I agree with estcst that Vito would not have done it or condoned it being done.

[–] strntz (12773) 6 years ago

Yes, but that's a different argument.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

It is and that's kind of my point. Michael has shown his willingness to do some pretty slimy things. I'm not saying it's not possible, just highly unlikely.

[–] johnnm58 (545) 6 years ago

No, death was done to Fredo turning on the family.

[–] MNRebecca (773) 6 years ago

But the timing. Michael could have killed Fredo any time after Mama died. Why that particular moment? To punish Connie.

[–] strntz (12773) 6 years ago

Michael could have killed Fredo any time after Mama died.

We all agree that Michael didn't want his mother to suffer her son's death, so he would wait until she died. But immediately after his mother's funeral would be the last point in time he would have Fredo killed.

By the time their mother died, Connie and Michael were again on good terms. Plus it makes no sense; Connie never betrayed Michael.

But if he truly wanted to punish Connie, he would have snuffed Merl or any of the other men who treated her "like a whore" during the time Connie was a big thorn in his ass.

Fredo's death had NOTHING to do with Connie.

[–] johnnm58 (545) 6 years ago

Michael didn't punish Connie; he did enough to her already. No I don't think it was a punishment.

[–] TexasJack (12516) 6 years ago

I think the timing was just a case of waiting for an opportunity that provided a plausible excuse for Fredo's disappearance.

[–] MNRebecca (773) 6 years ago

Clever, Tex! Thanks!