The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is a film about the life of an Italian American family affiliated with the mafia in the 1940s. The film's main character, Michael Corleone, faces many ethical and moral decisions that completely consume his life as he sacrifices his beliefs to protect the "family" his father built. Through his trials and tribulations, Michael's selfishness, morality, and paranoia set in motion a destructive force that eliminates any chance of contentment he might once have hoped to have. As the film begins, we immediately see a moral dilemma unfold. We see behind the scenes the inner workings of Michael's father's meeting with favor-granting guests on his daughter's wedding day. A man named Bonasera asks the Don to kill the men who raped his daughter. Vito Corleone, composed and excellent negotiator, replies to Bonasera that killing those men would not be an act of justice. That his daughter is still alive and killing the men who raped her would be an immoral act. We immediately learn that although Vito's organization is questionable both legally and morally, there is a code of ethical behavior necessary to maintain a successful and respectful operation. As the film progresses, we see Michael Corleone, a young man in uniform military uniform sitting with a young woman named Kay who is surprised by a very large man sitting behind them waiting to talk to Michael's father. When she asks Michael who that man is, he tells her that his name is Luca Brasi and that he is an associate of her father. Michael later informs Kay of his father's power and persuasion by referring to his father as a man of great responsibility, like a senator or a go...... middle of paper ......f such actions to his wife , definitively shows the audience that his role as a mafioso has consumed him. The structure of a Corleonese criminal organization is similar to the military one. The interests behind all criminal organizations like the Corleone family are organized like a military system following a similar hierarchy of soldiers, captains, lieutenants, etc. Any hostility or war is typically associated for the same reasons, whether it is criminal syndicates or government. They may be fought over money, power, resources, territory, or a combination of all of these. Just as men enlist and serve as soldiers, men join the ranks and become soldiers for the Corleone family. Both are trained to follow orders and defend their "families" at all costs. As soldiers, both are loyal to their country and follow all orders given to them no differently when asked.