The Godfather’s Most Overlooked Line Quietly Explains the Entire Trilogy

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The line ‘We’re bigger than U.S. Steel,’ often overlooked, perfectly captures the core idea of The Godfather trilogy. This cinematic masterpiece, based on Mario Puzo’s acclaimed novel, excels in its storytelling, complex characters, and immersive atmosphere. Decades after its release, The Godfather remains a timeless film, and it’s likely to never be surpassed by a remake.

The Godfather trilogy is still considered one of the greatest ever made, despite The Godfather Part III being noticeably less impressive than the first two films. Marlon Brando immediately captivates as Vito Corleone, and Al Pacino powerfully portrays his son, Michael. Many of Michael’s scenes are iconic, but one conversation with a character from The Godfather Part II is particularly memorable.

The Godfather Trilogy Represents The American Dream

“I believe in America” is a truly iconic line, and it’s easy to see why. Spoken by Amerigo Bonasera at Connie’s wedding in The Godfather, it beautifully captures the film’s core themes and foreshadows the events of the entire trilogy. The American Dream isn’t just about ideals; it’s the idea that anyone can succeed if they have the determination and the right connections. With enough drive and support, people can improve their lives in significant ways.

Despite his imperfections, Vito’s life is a classic example of the American Dream – the belief that anyone can succeed through hard work and determination. He came to the United States from Italy as a young boy, escaping violence and arriving with nothing. At Ellis Island, he received a completely new beginning, even having his name changed from Andolini to Corleone by the immigration officer.

Over the years, Vito steadily rises in society, gaining wealth and power, and eventually becoming a major figure in the criminal underworld, all building towards a carefully planned act of revenge. By the start of The Godfather’s main story, he’s become one of the wealthiest and most powerful people around.

Michael’s journey from soldier to the new head of the family offers a twisted take on the American Dream. The Godfather shows that success is possible, but it comes at a great price. While those in power have influence and wealth, it doesn’t guarantee happiness. In Coppola’s films, achieving your ambitions means giving up important things – relationships, principles, and even love – things that matter more than money to some.

The film and its follow-up explore Michael’s difficult life alongside flashbacks detailing Vito’s climb to power. The story contrasts Vito’s early experiences and ascent within the Italian-American mafia with the changes in Michael’s character and goals decades later. This creates a compelling comparison between father and son as they both grapple with the American Dream, achieving different results despite sharing similar ideals.

“We’re Bigger Than U.S. Steel” Undermines Capitalism

Honestly, a lot of the movie focuses on Michael building his business empire. After he officially takes over as Don, this guy named Johnny Ola, who works with the powerful Hyman Roth, comes to him with a plan to invest in casinos in Las Vegas. Then, after someone tries to kill Michael, Roth invites him down to Havana, Cuba, suggesting even more investment opportunities there. It’s all about expanding the family’s reach, and it’s fascinating to watch how Michael navigates these deals.

From the start, Michael is wary of Roth’s intentions and decides the best way to deal with him is to stay close. Even as the Cuban Revolution gains momentum, Michael continues this approach. Throughout the film, Roth reveals the mafia’s power to Michael, explaining they have the financial resources to control both politics and the economy.

When Roth declares, “We’re bigger than U.S. Steel,” he’s both boasting about the power of the criminal organization and pointing out a strange truth about how capitalism works. The film The Godfather Part II takes place in 1959, when U.S. Steel was a massive company – not just the leading steel producer in America, but one of the largest businesses globally. Roth, played by Lee Strasberg (who once taught Al Pacino), is inspired by Meyer Lansky, a Jewish gangster who created a criminal fortune through casinos.

In The Godfather Part II, Roth’s conversation with Michael subtly mirrors real-world events, demonstrating how even a seemingly independent market can be controlled with enough force.

It’s easy to see why Roth downplays the seriousness of organized crime and its consequences when you understand his real goals. Despite pretending to support Michael and wanting to work with him, Roth is actually the one who tries to have Michael killed in Lake Tahoe. He has both personal and business reasons for wanting Michael gone. Roth views Michael as a rival, tries to use Fredo to get inside the family, and also wants revenge for Moe Greene, who Michael killed.

At its core, The Godfather trilogy is about the consequences of striving for success, even through illegal means, and how capitalism drives everything that happens. Vito Corleone’s rise to power, starting after he immigrated to America, began with small crimes and a sense of protecting his community. Ultimately, the Corleone family’s strength comes from their loyalty and ruthlessness, but they maintain their power and wealth through shrewd business dealings.

As a critic, I’ve always said The Godfather isn’t just a gangster film; it’s a story fundamentally about business. Take away the Corleone family’s various enterprises – the casinos, the unions, all the ways they make money – and the whole empire crumbles instantly. Strip away that capitalist drive, that relentless pursuit of wealth and power, and honestly, there is no Godfather story to tell. It’s that simple.

The Godfather Trilogy Highlights the Effects of Corruption

The pursuit of wealth and the American Dream are central to the story, as are the problems that come with power, control, and dishonesty. The line, “We’re bigger than U.S. Steel,” subtly acknowledges how these ideas connect throughout the film. Despite all the excitement and violence, Coppola’s movies brilliantly demonstrate how easily even good people can lose their way when tempted by ambition. As Michael Corleone expands his family’s criminal empire, he attracts more rivals than allies.

The Godfather trilogy is fascinating because it shows how corruption – in areas like ethics, politics, and money – creates a chain of events. As the story unfolds and we learn more about the characters, the organizations involved become increasingly powerful. For example, in the films, the Corleone family and the Italian mafia primarily struggle for dominance amongst themselves, aided by corrupt politicians and police officers.

Throughout The Godfather Part II and continuing in the current story, the films show a shift away from relying on police connections towards more seemingly legitimate business practices, even though those practices are still ethically dubious. The Godfather Part III goes even further, attempting to profit by involving the Vatican Bank.

Corruption is a pervasive force in The Godfather, affecting all aspects of life and turning even loved ones into potential targets. Nearly everyone close to Michael experiences violence, either directly or indirectly. While Vito Corleone survives an assassination attempt (though the injuries would likely have been fatal in reality), others aren’t so lucky. Connie’s husband, Carlo, is killed during the infamous baptism massacre, and Michael’s brothers, Sonny and Fredo, are murdered in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, respectively.

With Michael continuing to lead, those connected to him keep dying. Mary’s death in The Godfather Part III is a particularly striking sign of this tragic pattern, marking a definitive end for many involved.

In the end, the effects of corruption in The Godfather

As a movie fan, it’s heartbreaking to watch how Michael’s unwavering loyalty slowly transforms into something really brutal. By the end, he’s almost unrecognizable – a ghost of the man he used to be. And honestly, the film shows that building a massive empire – taking on and defeating huge, established companies – comes at a terrible cost. It’s a powerful message about the price of ambition.

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2025-11-21 07:12