And the same holds for Fredo. In the book, Tom tries to explain to Kate why Michael had Fredo killed. He tells her that not taking revenge is a sign of weakness that will lead to more attempts on Michael’s life. Even Vito acknowledges that forgoing revenge for Sonny’s killing was a sign of weakness.
Maybe Roth was motivated by the fact that he was old. He may have figured he only had a year or two left and it was time to settle old debts before he died. He may have been angry with the Corleones for years but had to ignore it for the sake of his business - but with his mortality facing him, his business concerns could be put aside for revenge.
His impending bankruptcy is what’s driving him.
- Roth knew that the Cuban revolutionaries were going to win. Therefore, Roth’s interests in Havana were actually worth squat and he knew it… he was about to lose it all if he couldn’t make this “deal” between Corleone and El Presidente. The man was penniless and he was in fear of everybody seeing it.
- Roth wanted the $2 million (or most of it) for himself, not the Cuban President. Had Michael actually given Roth the $2m to go to the President, it likely would not have made it there.
- He was to kill Michael so Roth would take over the Corleone interests in Las Vegas. He involved the Rosato brothers so they could take over Corleone interests in NY. I don’t think it’s ever really mentioned what would happen to Vegas if Michael died (as opposed to NY), but it’s logical to assume that Roth would have a big role to play in a post-Michael Vegas.
- That’s why Roth needed the $2 million: to consolidate his Vegas position after the death of Michael Corleone, while simultaneously writing-off his Havana position.
- Tales of Roth’s impending death were greatly exaggerated. The guy was a vampire - he had a good 10, 15 years left.
The first attempt to kill Michael was to put Fredo on the Corleone seat of power so that Fredo would make this deal with Roth (again, this is a theme that occurs in GF1 where the Don was shot so that a stunned and politically-pressured Sonny would have to make a quick deal with Sollozo). With Fredo eager to “make good” and act the Don, he would’ve given Hyman Roth $2 million faster than Sonny put the beatdown on Carlo.
Remember when Michael was talking to Fredo, he mentioned that he was going to be assassinated? He understood he was going to be killed in Cuba because Roth knew that Michael would’ve never let being taken for $2 million (and his leading position in Vegas) standing still. Once Michael found out he was bilked in investing $2 million in hotels that were nationalized a week after the investment, he would’ve gone after Roth with his dying breath.
So I think the assumption that “Hyman Roth was dying” was really incorrect, a smokescreen blown by Roth as so his enemies could underestimate him.
“the old man has been dying of the same heart attack for twenty years.”
I can’t let my bona fides slide. Of course I knew Carlo had no active role in the family business. He nonetheless had insider access and information. His hit was a necessity, plain and simple. Moreover, the hit on Carlo is not Michael’s undoing. In the end (of Part Two, which is where it ends for me), Connie is one of the only people still with Michael. His father and mother are dead. Sonny is dead. Kay is out. He’s even starting to push Tom out (" Why do you hurt me, Michael? I’ve always been loyal to you.")
On the other hand, I think Fredo could have (and should have) gotten a pass. He was harmelss. He needed Michael. But in the end, Michael is left alone, just like he was at his father’s birthday dinner. “That’s Pop talking” Maybe you should have listened Pop, Michael.
To me, the true impact of this scene is, out of all his family, it was Fredo who congratulated Michael on his first “adult” attempt to break away from his family, his first attempt to do something other with his life than be the son of a Mafia Don.
Fredo was the only one who congratulated Michael… and Michael had him killed.
(At least, that’s what I get out of it).
I agree, that’s there too. Like so much of the saga, there is a LOT to “get out of it.” And Fredo’s gesture is intended to illustrate both his dimwittedness (after Sonny has just tried to beat up Michael for “breaking his father’s heart” on his birthday, after everyone, including Tom, has admonisghed Michael, Frado says “That’s swell, Mike. Congratula . . .”) and his desire to be loved by Michael.