MovieChat Forums > The Godfather Part II (1974) Discussion > Pentangeli's Brother

Pentangeli's Brother

posted 6 years ago by [deleted]
9 replies | jump to latest

So what's the deal with Pentangeli's brother showing up at the trial? Is this why Frank commits suicide? It seemed more to me that he did this so his family could retain their place among the Corleone family.

[–] TexasJack (12516) 6 years ago

In part, yes. His brother had already returned to Sicily, but bringing him to the hearing demonstrated that they knew where he lived and could get to him at any time.

You are right that he also received the assurance he needed from Tom Hagen that his family would be provided for after his death.

RIP Frankie Five Angels

[–] Sandman81 (1509) 6 years ago

Pentangeli's brother showing up had nothing to do with threats to anyone's life. It was all about honor. His brother showing up was a reminder to Frankie about the oath he was breaking and shame he was bringing to their family. How dare you disgrace and dishonor our family name and our father. The shame of that was enough to break Frankie down and get him to back down.

Frankie ultimately killed himself because he wasn't going to testify, didn't want to spend the rest of his life in prison (which he would have if he didn't testify), and Tom made it clear that if he did so, his family would be fine.

[–] TexasJack (12516) 5 years ago

Pentangeli's brother showing up had nothing to do with threats to anyone's life.

Who's being naive, Kay??

[–] johnnm58 (545) 6 years ago

He didn't want his brother to see him turn rat. That's all it was.

[–] TheHungryHippo (821) 5 years ago

I think it was because his brother was sure to tell everyone that his brother was a rat which is the lowest form of scum you can be in the criminal world. It's the code of Omerta: Never rat out your friends and always keep your mouth shut.

[–] Bootselectric (165) 5 years ago

Good grief people, the only reason that Frank’s brother was brought to the trial was to signify to Frank that Michael had nothing to do with the hit, a symbolic representation of Michael’s absolute loyalty to Frank.

[–] roreyking (625) a year ago

God, you people are stupid. Frank understands that the Corleones have his brother and will kill him if he testifies against Michael. He doesn't, so they send his brother back to Sicily. After that, Frank speaks with Hagan about ancient Romans who unsuccessfully plotted against the emperor: if caught, they committed suicide so that their families would be taken care of by the emperor's people. That sets up the reason for Frank's suicide. Get it now?

[–] redban (6574) 3 months ago

The idea that the Corleones brought the brother to say, “we can kill him if you testify” never occurred to me.

I always figured the message was more that Pentangeli didn’t want to be a rat in front of his brother: there was a certain code to follow. He does tell Hagen about his brother was so old fashioned

Pentangali’s brother did not look scared; he didn’t look as if he were dragged there by force from Michael and others. He nods at Pentangali when Pentangali finishes testifying too. I don’t think he was threatened

[–] [deleted] 3 months ago

Yep, it was about him bringing shame on the family. ratting people out with his brother sat there watching it was going to stop him from testifying.

nothing to do with threats.