The Real Gangsters Behind 'The Godfather'
The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel by Mario Puzo, is a quintessential story about the Corleone Family, a fictional Mafia organization set in the 1940s and 1950s. However, beneath this narrative, there lies a web of real-life gangsters who inspired the characters and the atmosphere of organized crime depicted in the film.
The Corleone Crime Family: Fictional Origins
Despite its rich details and deeply rooted 20th-century mafia history, The Godfather is not based on real-life mafia members but rather stems from the creative imagination of novelist Mario Puzo. The characters, while inspired by real-life mobsters, combine elements of different notorious figures to create the iconic Don Vito Corleone and his family.
Character Inspirations
Vito Corleone
Vito Corleone, the patriarch of the Corleone family, is believed by many to have been inspired by Frank Costello. Director Francis Ford Coppola specifically noted that he based the way Costello talked on the way Brando portrayed Vito Corleone in the film. Another possible inspiration was Joe Bonanno, the head of the Bonanno family, also known as Joe Bananas. Bonanno wrote in his autobiography, A Man of Honor, that the film was based on him.
Joe Bonanno and Other Mafia Influences
Joe Bonanno is a notable figure in the world of organized crime. He was one of the youngest ever mob leaders, and his book A Man of Honor suggests his connection to the film. However, the character of Vito Corleone is believed to draw from several other influential figures:
Joe Bonanno: Although never confirmed, Bonanno claimed that Michael Corleone, the youngest son and future Don, was inspired by his own story as a powerful and influential mob boss.
Vito Genovese: While both have the same first name, Genovese is less likely to have been the inspiration for Corleone. He was convicted of drug dealing and didn't fit the mold of the character as portrayed in the film.
Carlo Gambino: Carlo Gambino, a notorious mobster and one of the most powerful gangsters of his time, arrived in the United States as a stowaway and had conflicts with the so-called Mustache Petes, akin to the Corleone family's rivalry with the other families.
Specific Characters and Their Inspirations
Other iconic characters from the film, such as Hyman Roth (known for his line Bigger than U.S. Steel), are believed to have been inspired by Meyer Lansky. The character of Luca Brasi, an enforcer with a sadistic streak, could have been inspired by Neil Dellacroce, the sinister underboss of the Gambino family who was known for his cruelty, or possibly Albert Anastasia, the Lord High Executioner who was head of Murder Inc.
Further Context
The Godfather is a reflection of the mafia scene in the first half of the 20th century, a time when there were five families that were the main players in New York City. The film captures the essence of these families, although many details and characters are a blend of real-life and fictional elements.
The specific inspirations for each character are still up for debate, but the combination of these real-life figures, along with the creative vision of Puzo and Coppola, brought The Godfather to life. The film is a masterpiece that blends fact and fiction, honoring the true stories of mobsters while also creating a uniquely artful narrative for audiences around the world.
Keywords: The Godfather, Mafia, Literature