| From our deconstruction of hundreds of | | | | Goddess): Michael meets Apollonia. |
| Hollywood blockbusters at | | | | Rebirth through Death (Woman as Temptress): |
| The Hero's Journey is the template upon which | | | | Female phone call leading to Connie getting beaten; |
| the vast majority of successful stories and | | | | Sonny gets shot; Apollonia dies in the bomb |
| Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, | | | | explosion. |
| ALL of the Hollywood movies we have | | | | Atonement: Vito meets with the heads of the |
| deconstructed are based on this template. | | | | five families. |
| Understanding this template is a priority for story | | | | Apotheosis: Vito realises that it was Barzini all |
| or screenwriters. | | | | along. |
| The Hero's Journey:a) Attempts to tap into | | | | Ultimate Boon: There is peace between the |
| unconscious expectations the audience has | | | | families. |
| regarding what a story is and how it should be | | | | Refusal of the Return: Clemenza and Tessio are |
| told.b) Gives the writer more structural elements | | | | refused permission to push back Barzini; Vito |
| than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid | | | | cannot break the peace. |
| point and so on.c) Interpreted metaphorically, | | | | Magic Flight: Michael arranges for the move to |
| laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number | | | | Vegas. |
| of varied stories to be created.and more... | | | | Rescue from Without: Vito dies. Now Michael is |
| Sample Movie Deconstructed: Godfather (1972) | | | | free to break the peace - "you gave your word |
| Call to Adventure: Sollozzo asks to meet with the | | | | pop, I didn't give mine..." |
| Corleone's to discuss funding a drug running | | | | Crossing the Return Threshold: Vito's funeral; |
| operation. | | | | Tessio sets up Michael. |
| Refusal of the Call: Vito Corleone refuses drugs | | | | Master of the Two Worlds: Michael is both good |
| because he believes they will have a negative | | | | and evil: he "settles all business" while accepting |
| impact for the Mafia in the future. | | | | that he will be Godfather to Connie's baby; Carlo |
| Supernatural Aid: Michael has two mentors: Kay | | | | is taken care off / Sonny is revenged. |
| leads him to the good side and Vito pulls him | | | | Freedom to Live: Michael lies to Kay; Michael is |
| towards the dark ("what miracles you perform | | | | accepted as the new Godfather with his own |
| for strangers"). | | | | lieutenants. |
| Crossing the First Threshold: Vito gets shot. | | | | Learn more... |
| Michael, for the first time, sits in on the meeting | | | | The Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and |
| between Tessio and Sonny and actively takes | | | | other story structure templates can be found at |
| part in the family decision-making process. | | | | You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by |
| Physical Separation (Belly of the Whale): Michael | | | | entering your email address at this site. |
| saves his father in the hospital; his face is | | | | Kal Bishop |
| deformed by captain McCluskey. | | | | ********************************** |
| Transformation (Road of Trials): leading to Micheal | | | | You are free to reproduce this article as long as |
| shooting McCluskey and Sollozzo. | | | | no changes are made and the author's name and |
| The Ideal and Seizing the Sword (Meeting with the | | | | site URL are retained. |