Synopsis 700 Words

The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It is the sequel to the 1972 film The Godfather, and chronicles the rise of Vito Corleone and the fall of his son Michael Corleone in the 1950s.

Lee Strasberg played the character Hyman Roth in the Oscar winning sequel Godfather Part 2. He is based on notorious mobster and gambling kingpin Meyer Lansky It was Al Pacino who suggested Lee Strasberg, his former acting teacher, for the role.

The Godfather Part 2 starts with a nine year old vito in 1901 who has fleed his country after his whole family is killed in corleone sicily after his father had insulted the local maifa. Vito imigrated to new york city. In 1917 we find vito living with his wife and their infant son Sonny in devils kitchen. Vito, Clemenza, and new partner Salvatore Tessio make income by stealing goods and reselling them door-to-door. This attracts the attention of fanucci a man of power who extorts them. Vito impresses fanucci by standing up to him and not giving him the amount he asked for. Fanucci decided to make Vito an enforcer. However this would be a mistake as later on in the story Vito would kill fanuuci. This would help Vito in becoming a respected member of his community by helping locals in exchange for favours that he could cash in for anything and anywhere. in 1922 Vito visit Sicily in which Vito plan is to find the man who killed his family. He finds don ciccio and stabs him to death avenging his family.

The story from that point on follows Michael in the 1950s who is the son of Vito Corleone it is about seven years since the events that concluded The Godfather. With the murders of the heads of the other four New York families, the Corleone family has complete and utter control of New York City. Michael Corleone controls several hotels and casinos in the state. Frank Pentageli, the man who runs Michael's interests in New York, comes to Michael, asking if he can take out the Rosato Brothers as they are infringing on Pentageli's turf and business interests. However, the Rosatos are backed by Hyman Roth, a business partner of Michael's and a long- time ally of Michael's father, Vito Corleone, and Michael refuses. An assassination attempt is then carried out on Michael, in his own home. Michael investigates who is trying to kill him, and suspects that there is a traitor in his family and they believe it be Hymen Roth a long time ally of Michaels father. Meanwhile, Michael and Hyman Roth fly to Cuba to finalise some business deals there. The Cuban trip reveals all and that it was his brother Fredo who was true traitor however he got away before he could pay for his crimes. In 1959 an investigation is placed on the Corleone family, During questioning, Michael denies all criminal allegations against him. The hearing ends with the Chairman promising he will find a witness who will corroborate his crimes and put Michael to jail.

In 1959 During this time his wife aborts a child, he finds his traitorous brother and forgives him but no longer calls him brother or so he claims. Michaels mother passes away. The movie reaches its climax in a montage of assassinations. Hymen Roth is shot dead, Frank pentangeli is found dead by suicide, Fredo is murdered while fishing after Michael decides his protection is over after his mother passed away. The film ends with Michael looking over a lake in silent contemplation on how his story has began and ended.

Godfather Part 2 made Worldwide $47,961,919 at the box office. The movie won 6 Oscars & 5 nominee's, Lee Strasberg was nominated for best supporting actor in a supporting role only to beaten by Robert De Niro.

The film explores themes of power, corruption, family, loyalty, and betrayal. This is because it shows realism of a gangster in those days and it is what makes these films masterpieces to this very day.

Lee Strasberg most memorable line in godfather part 2 is his character Hyman Roth saying: Good health is the most important thing. More than success, more than money, more than power.

Godfather part 2 is very focused on delving deeper into the immigrant experience and explores the clashes between the aspirations of The Corleone Family and the “old money” political elite.

Lee Strasberg use real memory to release his emotions. It’s a deep psychological experience dredging up a lot of feelings and remembrances of the past. It can involve a breaking down of walls that block you from these feelings, mostly from adolescence.

Bibliography

Coppola, F.F., Coppola, F.F., Puzo, M., Pacino, A., Niro, R.D. and Duvall, R. (1974). The Godfather Part II. [online] IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071562/?ref_=nm_flmg_c_8_act [Accessed 31 Jan. 2024].

Strasberg, L. (2019). Lee Strasberg | The Godfather Part II (1974). Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/340306172 [Accessed 27 Jan. 2022].

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Lee Strasberg played the character Grandpa Sam who is grandpa of Arthur Kirkland. The character is slowly becoming senile and is the only parental figure for Kirkland when his parents abandoned him

Arthur Kirkland - Al Pacino

Judge Henry T. Fleming - John Forsythe

Jeff McCullaugh - Thomas G. Waites

Judge Francis Rayford - Jack Warden

Box Office

...And Justice For All made worldwide worldwide $33,300,000 at the box office. ...And Justice For All created in 1979. The movie won 1 Golden Globe & 2 Oscar nominees.

Synopsis

When a judge is charged with rape, Arthur Kirkland is forced to defend him. Kirkland has had problems with the judge in the past, including one incident when the judge wrongly sentenced his client Jeff McCullaugh because of a technicality. Kirkland faces a moral and legal dilemma.

Political Links

And Justice for All is an expose of the corruption, politics, and general crookedness of the legal profession.

Themes

The movie tackles ethical and moral issues -- as well as the abuse of power

Quotes

Look at you. Filled out, like a man. Soon, you'll look like a lawyer and you'll be a lawyer.

Practitioners Style

Al Pacino who was a student of lee Strasberg utilised his teaching methods of the "Method" To use emotions and real life experiences to encapsulate the performance perfectly. This is shown perfectly within the film which is why it liked by critics and fans alike for its amazing portrayal of its characters.

Bibliography

Jewison, N., Curtin, V., Levinson, B., Pacino, A., Warden, J. and Forsythe, J. (1979). ...And Justice for All. [online] IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078718/?ref_=tt_urv [Accessed 31 Jan. 2024].

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Lee Strasberg played the character Willie, A very terminally ill man nearing the end of his days who wants one last rush before death takes him.

Pete - Charles Hallahan

Crap Dealer - Jim Tipton

Joe - George Burns

Box Office

Going In Style made worldwide 30 Million at the box office

Synopsis

Going in style was created in 1979 and is about Senior citizens Willie , Al and Joe lead lives of uninterrupted boredom until they alight upon the idea of robbing a bank together. Though none of them has a criminal record, they nevertheless find the planning of the caper an energizing and satisfying experience all around. Even more surprisingly, they pull it off however no sooner do they make off with the loot than their age begins to catch up with them.

Political Links

It is an expose of life, death, depression & hope for people of an older age who feel there life is over as many did then and now

Quotes

What if we get shot?

No wonder the seat's always wet in the morning.

Practitioners Style

Lee Strasberg Played the character willie perfectly as he utilised his own techniques to perfect the character he was playing as I'm sure he was reaching age where he himself felt slow and weaker than he once was so he could use his real emotions to make the performance feel real.

Bibliography

Anon, (n.d.). Going in Style (1979) ⭐ 7.1 | Comedy, Crime, Drama. [online] Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079219/ [Accessed 31 Jan. 2024].

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Lee Strasberg played the character Herman Kaplan. He is fun to watch in this role of Herman Kaplan, a Holocaust survivor who gets upset when he learns they will be using a familiar old haunt, a Nazi concentration camp in Janov, for emergency quarantine purposes.

Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain - Richard Harris

Jennifer Rispoli Chamberlain - Sophia Loren

Mackenzie - Burt Lancaster

Nicole Dressler - Ava Gardner

Box Office

The Cassandra Crossing made 4.2 Million at the box office

Synopsis

The terrorists have planted a virus on the transcontinental train. The passengers onboard are the actress Sophia Loren (Sophia) and her former husband Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain(Richard Harris) as well as Ava Gardner's (Gardner) daughter Nicole Dressler (Lorraine Bracco) and her young friend Robby(Martin Sheen). The passengers are unable to get off the train, and one of the proposed solutions is to quarantine the passengers by redirecting the train over an unstable bridge known as the Cassandra Crossing. Dr. Chamberlain (Chamberlain) wants to rescue the passengers, but must first fight the terrorists.

Political Links

The Cassandra Crossing challenges traditional thriller conventions by exploring themes of political corruption, moral ambiguity, and the complexities of power.

Quotes

Herman Kaplan : Ah, Liebchen, even now you make me wish I was fifty again!

Practitioners Style

Lee Strasberg used his style of acting to create an atmosphere on the movie that made his scenes feel intense and real. This is because he used his personal experiences and emotions when he was in a horrifying experiences in his life to create the story of a man who has to relive his past horrors in life.

Bibliography

Jones, M. (2020). Review: The Cassandra Crossing (1976) ★½. [online] Philosophy in Film. Available at: https://philosophyinfilm.com/2020/04/02/review-the-cassandra-crossing-1976/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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www.imdb.com. (n.d.). The Cassandra Crossing (1976) - IMDb. [online] Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074292/reviews [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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Lee Strasberg played the character Morton Wiseman a passionate man who has experiences who fair share of pain in life. During the movie (Lee Strasberg) arrives to tender his resignation, explaining that ''I am a Jew'' and recalling the warning of Associate Justice Robert H. Jackson of the Supreme Court that ''the Constitution is not a suicide pact.

Danny Kaye - Max Feldman

Eli Wallach - Bert Silverman

Ward Ohrman - Un juge

Box Office

Unknown. The film however did get awarded by the directors guild of America and was nominated for 3 prime time Emmy

Synopsis

Despite the fact that the city of Skokie, Illinois has a large Jewish population, neo-fascist Frank Collin (a.k.a. George Dzundza), and his followers choose to hold a rally there. Skokie’s Jewish community, including more than a few survivors of the Holocaust, objects, but they are divided on how to react. Some want to ignore the event and deny the Nazi group any further publicity, while others believe that direct confrontation is inevitable and desirable.

Political Links

The story is profoundly riveting, a memorable illustration of how difficult it can be to live in and protect a democracy.

Quotes

I feel like i can no longer in conscious support the organisation in any manor

Practitioners Style

The style of acting in shown in Lee Strasberg's performance is interesting in this film as it seems quite personal perhaps because he is also Jewish which is why is performance in this is quite moving and feels so real and naturalistic which is his style The Method and it really shows in this movie and makes it much better.

Bibliography

www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Skokie (1981). [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35G28qXerFc [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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Wise, H., Kinoy, E., Kaye, D., Rubinstein, J. and Reiner, C. (1981). Skokie. [online] IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083090/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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Lee Strasberg played the character David Rosen a honourable man who doesn't allow himself to be pushed around. A man who loves his wife and his home and will do anything to keep it safe

Ruth Gordon - Becky Rosen

Janet Leigh - Florence Cohen

Box Office

Boardwalk made 1.5 million worldwide at the box office

Synopsis

David Rosen and his wife Becky have lived in the same Coney Island neighborhood for nearly all their life. But the place is not what it used to be, and a gang leader named Strut has decided to make Coney Island his new turf. Strut begins forcing merchants in Coney for payment for "protection" and using violence to deal with anyone who gets in his way. David refuses to give Strut protection money for the restaurant he owns, and as a result his diner is soon bombed, while many of his neighbors are attacked and his synagogue is desecrated.

Bibliography

Anon, (2018). 1979 Movies | Ultimate Movie Rankings. [online] Available at: https://www.ultimatemovierankings.com/1979-movies/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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Wikipedia. (2023). Boardwalk (film). [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boardwalk_(film) [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Boardwalk (1979) | Full Movie. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HKUbQtN0Gk [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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www.rottentomatoes.com. (1979). Boardwalk | Rotten Tomatoes. [online] Available at: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/boardwalk_2014 [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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HOLLOW SQUARE PRESS. (n.d.). BOARDWALK, 1979. [online] Available at: https://www.hollowsquarepress.com/boardwalk-1979.html [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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Lee Strasberg played the character Frank a man who is very ill and is in need of help from those he calls family however his past soon catches up to him and all of his past discretions. Now he must show his family he has changed or his family shall never forgive him.

Tony Lo Bianco - Joey

Anne De Salvo - Connie

Box Office

No box office because it was tv movie

Synopsis

A man named frank has suffered a stroke and become extremely ill. He now needs his family and mainly his oldest son to look after because he refuses for a health care worker to look after him however because of his past life his eldest son joey can no longer forgive him and doesn't want to help him. Joey is also concerned that if helps him he will become estranged from his new fiancee and that if he helps him he will lose her.

Bibliography

www.imdb.com. (n.d.). The Last Tenant (TV Movie 1978) - Plot - IMDb. [online] Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077837/plotsummary/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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www.saltypopcorn.co.uk. (n.d.). The Last Tenant (1978). [online] Available at: https://www.saltypopcorn.co.uk/movies/the-last-tenant [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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www.rottentomatoes.com. (n.d.). The Last Tenant | Rotten Tomatoes. [online] Available at: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_last_tenant [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

Moviefone. (n.d.). The Last Tenant (1978) - Movie. [online] Available at: https://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-last-tenant/1087326/main/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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Lee Strasberg played the character Patterson a man who is strong but also fearful of the future.

Edmond O'Brien - Capt. Matt Reardon

Jocelyn Brando - Lt. Ellen Wilkins

Box Office

No information available

Synopsis

This film is about an American commando team storming through Japanese occupied china to save a warlord imprisoned there. He and is team will do anything and more to complete there mission. While during this mission they will face many trials that will test him and there fortitude.

Bibliography

Box Office Mojo. (n.d.). China Venture. [online] Available at: https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0045624/credits/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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Charly Filmak (2021). China Venture (1953) | War | Full Length Movie | World War II | English. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55jAd8psWM [Accessed 23 Aug. 2023].

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Siegel, D., Bond, A., Yates, G.W., Collins, R., O'Brien, E., Sullivan, B. and Brando, J. (1953). China Venture. [online] IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045624/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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Lee Strasberg plays the character Pat he is however uncredited in this role considering that a character is practically a background character however it is important as it is one of the first films Lee Strasberg was attached to and began his legendary career.

Clark Gable - Charles Stewart Parnell

Myrna Loy - Mrs. Katie O'Shea

Alan Marshal - Captain William 'Wi

Box Office

Parnell made 1.6 million at the box office

Synopsis

The films follows the life of Irish politician Charles Stewart Parnell, following from 1880 and onward his struggle to secure Home Rule. It shows his life in prison, Parliament, and elsewhere. Emphasis is put on the relationship with married lover Katie O'Shea which threatens to bring all Parnell's plans to ruin.

Bibliography

Stahl, J.M., Druten, J.V., Behrman, S.N., Schauffler, E.T., Gable, C., Loy, M. and Oliver, E.M. (1937). Parnell. [online] IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029377/?ref_=tt_ch [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Parnell Preview. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lapbSkzRbc [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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www.rottentomatoes.com. (1937). Parnell | Rotten Tomatoes. [online] Available at: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/parnell [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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Lee Strasberg Directed the movie the story with two ending. it is his only film directed movie to have ever been made.

The film was written by Harold Buchman & Louis Solomon

Box Office

Short film no box office earnings

Synopsis

The film is as a Documentary short film depicting the disastrous result of runaway prices following the First World War and warning Americans against repeating the crisis

Bibliography

www.azmovies.net. (n.d.). Story with Two Endings - AZ Movies. [online] Available at: https://www.azmovies.net/movie/story-with-two-endings [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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Strasberg, L., Buchman, H. and Solomon, L. (1945). Story with Two Endings. [online] IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187525/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].

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