The Godfather follows the Hero's Journey template:
Call to Adventure: Sollozzo asks to meet with the Corleone's to discuss funding a drug running operation.
Refusal of the Call: Vito Corleone refuses drugs because he believes they will have a negative impact for the Mafia in the future.
Supernatural Aid: Michael has two mentors: Kay leads him to the good side and Vito pulls him towards the dark (“what miracles you perform for strangersâ€).
Crossing the First Threshold: Vito gets shot. Michael, for the first time, sits in on the meeting between Tessio and Sonny and actively takes part in the family decision-making process.
Physical Separation (Belly of the Whale): Michael saves his father in the hospital; his face is deformed by captain McCluskey.
Transformation (Road of Trials): leading to Micheal shooting McCluskey and Sollozzo.
The Ideal and Seizing the Sword (Meeting with the Goddess): Michael meets Apollonia.
Rebirth through Death (Woman as Temptress): Female phone call leading to Connie getting beaten; Sonny gets shot; Apollonia dies in the bomb explosion.
Atonement: Vito meets with the heads of the five families.
Apotheosis: Vito realises that it was Barzini all along.
Ultimate Boon: There is peace between the families.
Refusal of the Return: Clemenza and Tessio are refused permission to push back Barzini; Vito cannot break the peace.
Magic Flight: Michael arranges for the move to Vegas.
Rescue from Without: Vito dies. Now Michael is free to break the peace - "you gave your word pop, I didn't give mine..."
Crossing the Return Threshold: Vito's funeral; Tessio sets up Michael.
Master of the Two Worlds: Michael is both good and evil: he “settles all business†while accepting that he will be Godfather to Connie's baby; Carlo is taken care off / Sonny is revenged.
Freedom to Live: Michael lies to Kay; Michael is accepted as the new Godfather with his own lieutenants.
Learn more…
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at
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