Many would argue thatThe Godfatheris simply a plethora ofgreat scenes that perfectly culminate in one narrative,hence why it is considered one of, if not the, greatest film of all time. The presence of actors likeAl Pacino,Marlon Brando, andJames Caanresonates powerfully off the screen, with every action having a weight and significance for the audience to digest. However, one of thebest scenes inThe Godfatherdoesn’t even include the big hitters like Michael or Vito Corleone, yet sees their presence loom over everything. This is the scene where, after it is revealed that Tessio betrayed Michael—as Vito predicted someone would—hitmen snagTessio (Abe Vigoda). The set-up and execution of the scene effectively communicate the power and threat that Michael and Vito present and explore some of the core themes ofThe Godfathersurrounding a changing of the guard.Yet, as with every adaptation, the novel gives us extra details on what happened to Tessio after the scene and further displays Michael’s strategic brilliance.
Tessio Is Shot and Dumped In Barzini’s Territory After Betraying Michael in ‘The Godfather'
During Vito Corleone’s funeral,Tessio approaches Michael and offers to host negotiationswith Barzini (Richard Conte) on his territory for Michael’s protection, just as Vito predicted the traitor would reveal themselves. This is what leads to the scene whereTessio is told Michael won’t be joining them,with Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) also backing out of going, confirming to Tessio that he has been discovered. Without showing us any violence,the scene communicates an ominous tone. The moment he and Tom silently acknowledge what is happening is a brilliant show of acting, as we feel the silentfinality of Tessio’s fate that can no longer be prevented.Yetwhat specifically happens to Tessio after he is taken awayis just as fascinating.
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“It’s not personal, it’s strictly business.”
InMario Puzo’s original novel, it is revealed that Tessio was driven to his club, andhe and his bodyguards were executed there,with Tessio’s own protégé pulling the trigger asAl Neri (Richard Bright)watched out. Afterwards,his body is dumped in Barzini’s territory to justify the hit on Barzini. Tessio’s death, both what we see and what we know, tells us so much about the world in which these men operate andhow Michael is two steps ahead of everyone around him.The calculated use of Tessio’s death personifies the line that this is “business, not personal,” as he doesn’t humiliate Tessio but maximizes his advantage from the situation.
Tessio’s Resignation to Death Contrasts Carlo’s Pathetic Resistance During His Assassination
Tessio’s dignified acceptance of defeat,with only a half-hearted attempt at appealing to Tom to “get off the hook,” contrasts effectively withthe wailing of Carlo (Gianni Russo)when Michael confronts him, displaying the idea ofhonor being lost as the new age dawns,as further shown by the death of Vito, the brutal murdering of theFive Families, and theintroduction of narcotics. Furthermore, whilst he isn’t in the scene or involved in Tessio’s death, the way Michael handles the assassination of Tessio versus Carlo and the other heads of the Five Familiesshows his deeper level of respect for Tessio.By setting up Tessio with Tom so it is obvious what is going to happen, Michael respects Tessio’s resolve and is what makes Tom’s line that Michael “understands” that it was only business feel so honest, along with his line at Vito’s funeral that “Tessio was always the smart one,“confirming to us how calculated Michael is and how that makes him dangerous.
It is always fascinating when people say they watched and lovedThe Godfather,yet have never read the bookbecause there isso much to learn from the novel that you just can’t get into a film.Knowing what happens to Tessio after the scene in the film tells us so much about Michael’s strategic brilliance and his and Vito’s omniscient ruthlessness. Having said that,the film does what we expect an adaptation to do:focus on the essential parts of the narrative.Tessio’s honorable acceptance of his death is a far more important piece of informationto display how the gangster underworld operates and is losing something in this new era than how clever and ruthless Michael is, especially considering these ideas are communicatedvia the iconic baptism scene and Carlo’s assassination.
The Godfatheris available to stream on Prime Video in the U.S.
The Godfather
Don Vito Corleone, head of a mafia family, decides to hand over his empire to his youngest son, Michael. However, his decision unintentionally puts the lives of his loved ones in grave danger.
