The Godfather 2 Ending Explained (& Why It’s One of the Best)
The ending of The Godfather Part II is one of the best movie endings of all time. Today, we’re going to break down everything that makes The Godfather Part II ending great – from plot and characters to music and production design. By the end, you’ll know how Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo, and all the other artists involved in the film crafted an unforgettable moment in cinema history.
Before we dive into The Godfather Part II ending, let’s quickly review the road leading up to it. Here’s the plot of Godfather 2 explained.
Francis Ford Coppola’s epic tells the parallel story of Vito Corelone (Robert De Niro) and his son Michael (Al Pacino). The film alternates between the modern timeline of 1958/1959 – where Michael is the boss of the Corleone crime family — and the timeline of the past — where Vito is an up-and-comer in a New York neighborhood.
Important characters to know for The Godfather Part II ending:
Former college dropout who joined the armed forces after Pearl Harbor; honorably discharged at the behest of his father Vito. Michael was a ruthless crime boss who desperately wanted to make his business legitimate.
Michael was never supposed to be involved in the family business, but in The Godfather, he was drawn into the underworld — and eventually inherited the title of Don (after the death of his older brother Sonny).
An Italian immigrant who found social and financial success in America. Vito worked to procure a better life for himself and eventually became boss of the Corleone crime family.
In The Godfather, Vito struggles to find an heir apparent after the death of his eldest son, Santino (Sonny).
Sonny, known for his energy and impulsivity, was Vito’s underboss. Sonny was killed during the war of the five families.
Fredo was the middle son of Vito Corleone, junior to Sonny, senior to Michael. Fredo was passed over for the role of boss because of his ineptitude, which led to a longstanding grudge with Michael.
Fredo betrayed Michael by revealing his location to an enemy at the beginning of The Godfather Part II. The scene where Michael reveals “he knows” Fredo betrayed him remains one of the greatest scenes in cinema history. Check it out below.
By giving Fredo the “kiss of death,” Michael all but seals Fredo’s fate as a marked man; which is especially tragic considering Fredo was once Michael’s biggest supporter.
