The Actual Way 'The Godfather's Tessio Died After His Betrayal of Michael Corleone Will Surprise You

Many would argue that The Godfather is simply a plethora of great scenes that perfectly culminate in one narrative, hence why it is considered one of, if not the, greatest film of all time. The presence of actors like Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, and James Caan resonates powerfully off the screen, with every action having a weight and significance for the audience to digest. However, one of the best scenes in The Godfather doesn’t even include the big hitters like Michael or Vito Corleone, yet sees their presence loom over everything. This is the scene where, after it is revealed that Tessio betrayed Michael—as Vito predicted someone would—hitmen snag Tessio (Abe Vigoda). The set-up and execution of the scene effectively communicate the power and threat that Michael and Vito present and explore some of the core themes of The Godfathersurrounding a changing of the guard. Yet, as with every adaptation, the novel gives us extra details on what happened to Tessio after the scene and further displays Michael's strategic brilliance.