What is just?

Francis Ford Coppola certainly emphasises justice in The Godfather. Rather ironic it is to be discussed on a story of the mafia, but throughout the movie, Coppola allows the audience to question justice from various perspectives. Additionally, certain "filmic devices" suggest shots implied to pertain to justice (McGuigan).


Notable firstly is the most obvious: the plot of The Godfather. Considering the perspective from which the film is told through―the Corleone's, it could be assumed that Coppola is attempting to, to an extent, "glorify" the mafia (McGuigan). In the movie is a scene where Michael Corleone is beaten by the New York police, for example, in which there is little explanation why Captain McCluskey must punch Michael. Since the audience only knows Michael's side of the story―that he is standing in front of the hospital to protect his father from the Sollozzo and the Tattaglias―and not the other, it is far easier to associate Michael with good than it is to associate Captain McCluskey with the same. Far more difficult it is to associate the mafia with the wrong it is with the right when viewed through the mafia's perspective.


Other appearances of justice include where Vito Corleone seems to perform a judgement. Regarding certain scenes closely, such as that shown to begin the film―of Bonasera and the Godfather, one may be recall a court case. Don Corleone may be interpreted as the judge, while Bonasera is pleading to the Don his case. Considering the Don's capability and power, he is truly a fitting representation of a judge. Of course, it should not be ignored how the Don is called the Godfather for a reason: the name Godfather places Vito Corleone at the same level as the gods of all monotheistic religions―most notably that of the Judeo-Christian sphere. Powerful enough are both God and the Godfather to judge one to heaven or hell easily, for example. Possibly, the five bullets into the Godfather and the five strikes to Jesus is also a Judeo-Christian "allusion" which Coppola has made to further make obvious the similarities between the Godfather and God (Yap).


Obvious it is how Coppola has tried to recreate a court scene multiple times. Like the very first shot of the film with the Godfather and Bonasera, Vito Corleone has especially appeared in these court-like shots, which would make sense considering his godly, judge-like characteristics. Apparent in these shots are usually a table, a chair of some sort, a judge, and another character. Again, these court recreations may be a way for Coppola to convey to the audience his idea of relating certain characters, such as the Godfather, to a court judge.