Anthony Corleone
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anthony Vito Corleone(1952- ) is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather, as well as the trilogy of films based on it directed by Francis Ford Coppola. He is portrayed by Anthony Gounaris in the first film, James Gounaris in the second, and singer Franc D'Ambrosio in the third. The character was given the name Anthony because it was thought that the three-year-old Gounaris of the first film would respond best if his own name was used.[1] Anthony Corleone is also the older brother of Mary Corleone. While Anthony was never a major character in the films, major events in his life were the backdrop of key parts of the second and third films.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] The Godfather
Anthony Vito Corleone is born in the first film to Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) and Kay Adams (Diane Keaton). He is described as an intelligent child by his father, being able to "read the funny papers" at age three. He was also the only person present at the death of his grandfather, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), in the family tomato garden.
[edit] The Godfather, Part II
The second film's plotline opens in 1958, with Anthony's first communion, a very important moment for many Catholics in their childhood. It continues with an extravagant banquet held in his honor near Lake Tahoe. During this banquet, his father is largely tied up with family business, a theme which would repeat itself throughout the film. He receives many gifts, mostly from people he does not know.
Later in the film, he and his sister, Mary, overhear their parents fighting; they are separated by the end of the film. Anthony seems to resent his mother's role in the divorce, and as a result, is sullen and relunctant to kiss her during a visit. At the end of the film, he develops a friendship with his uncle Fredo (John Cazale) and fishes with him, until Fredo is assassinated by Al Neri at Michael's order.
[edit] The Godfather, Part III
A fully-grown Anthony attends Michael's celebration on his receipt of a citation from the Pope, along with his mother and sister. At the banquet that follows, he confronts his father, along with Kay, and tells him that he is quitting law school for a career in opera, and will not join the family business, claiming it has brought him nothing but "bad memories." This infuriates Michael, but he relents and gives his blessing at Kay's insistence. Kay also tells Michael that Anthony knows that Michael had Fredo killed.
Anthony's operatic career is a success, and he is given the lead in the opera Cavalleria Rusticana in Palermo, Sicily. Overjoyed, his family join him for the premiere. As a gift at a gathering, he performs the traditional Sicilian ballad "Brucia La Terra" [1] (the official theme of the trilogy.) During this visit, he joins his parents in criticizing his sister's relationship with her cousin, Vincent (Andy Garcia).
The film concludes with Anthony performing his debut. Although the production is a success, it is overshadowed by numerous murders and assassinations during the evening, several of which occur right at the opera house. After the concert, Mary is shot and killed in a failed attempt to assassinate Michael.
[edit] References and notes
- ^ The Godfather - Did You know...? (Accessed 9 August 2006)
