Coppola's The Godfather

“There are many things my father taught me here in this room. He taught me: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” – Michael Corleone, The Godfather: Part II.

Much of our understanding of the Mafia comes from Francis Ford Coppola’s film The Godfather. With its memorable scenes, dramatic soundtrack and legendary quotes, the film created the generic gangster image of shabby black suits, Stetsons and smoky bars. Since the film’s success, the mafia theme has been intricately woven into popular culture, serving as the backbone for many TV dramas, books and further blockbusters. But how does the real image of Cosa Nostra live up to its Hollywood image?

What is the Mafia?

“It’s not personal. It’s business” -Tom Hagen, The Godfather.

The broad definition of the Mafia is of a secret criminal organization. Rather than being monolithic the organization consists of several different fractions. It has a structured hierarchy and obeys certain codes of conduct. The original term is linked specifically to Sicily, although other mafia organisations have developed in countries such as the U.S., China and Russia. The origin of the word “mafia” is itself quite obscure but seems to have originated in Sicily in the 19^th Century, and means “courage”.  The Sicilian Mafia can also be referred to as “Cosa Nostra” (meaning our thing) which differentiates it from other clandestine networks, such as the Neapolitan Mafia, known as the “Camorra”.

When and how did it begin?

“If anything in this life is certain, if history has taught us anything, it is that you can kill anyone.” – Michael Corleone, The Godfather: Part II.

Because of its secretive nature, the precise beginnings of the mafia are not easily traceable.

Although the word “mafia” dates back to the 19^th Century, the origins of the mafia in Sicily seem to date back slightly further. It is, however, thought that Sicily’s transition from feudalism to capitalism in 1812 played a significant part in its development. Sicily suffered more than most during this period, mainly because of geopolitical reasons. As an island its history has been tainted by foreign invasion by Arabic groups, the Normans and the Spanish. Throughout its history local landowners, who could not trust state laws enforced by foreigners, would take matters into their own hands and employ “bandits” to work for them with the promise of their protection in return. As the network developed mafia members began to wield more power and influence over state administration. This influence became more prominent after the Unification of Italy in 1860.

The mafia is based on a code of silence

Traditions and terminology

“We should wet our beaks a little” – Albert Volpe, The Godfather: Part III.

A lot of today’s knowledge about Mafia rituals comes from turncoats (pentiti) offering information. For example, it is known that members partake in a formal initiation ceremony which swears them in to a clan or family and seals their commitment. Bound up in Mafia law is the concept of omertà; a code of silence which prevents its members from going to the authorities with the threat of death and even the murder of relatives.

A few essential Mafia phrases and words:

● Capo di tutti capi – Boss of all bosses, an individual who holds great influence over the whole organization

● Don – Head of the family

● Made Guy – someone fully indoctrinated into the Mafia

● Mob – a single organized crime family (it can also mean all families together)

● Pizzo – protection money, considered a kind of tax, usually imposed with force on local businesses (the word derives from Sicilian dialect for “beak” – to let someone wet their beak is to pay protection money)

● Consigliere – the family advisor who is always consulted before decisions are made

● Waste Management business – euphemism for the mafia

How did it develop into the organisation of today?

“Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in” - Michael Corleone, The Godfather: Part III.

During the Fascist Ventennio, Mussolini led an attack on the Mafia with the aim of wiping them out completely. Although not as successful as the Fascist propaganda portrayed, the attacks led to many important Mafiosi fleeing to America. The Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943, however, destroyed any remnants of law and order, and crime and confusion flourished once more. The Mafia were able to take advantage of this, and spread from their former urban strongholds to rural areas. Palermo became a hub for Mafia activity thanks to its access to the port and a growing number of post-war construction programs. The revival of Mafia strength attracted some of the exiled big players back to Sicily.

What kind of power does the mafia hold now?

“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” – Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather.

The Mafia’s power depends largely on how many state officials are linked to the criminal organisation. This infiltration has been a huge obstacle in the authorities’ attempt to quash the Mafia’s influence. The violent and ruthless nature of the organization makes it dangerous to provoke, and their wealth plays an equal part in maintaining their power thanks to Sicily’s weak economy. It goes without saying that the mafia are still an integral part of Italian life.

Judge Giovanni Falcone was murdered for his anti-mafia stance

Furthermore many think that the Berlusconi’s grand plans to build a bridge from the mainland to Sicily will only be possible with the help and involvement of Mafia-run construction companies. The Sicilian Mafia has however retreated from the limelight in the last couple of years. It is now Italy’s other criminal organisations, such as the ‘Ndrangheta in Calabria and the Camorra in Naples, that are more recognized for their violence, power and wealth.

Major opposition to the Mafia

“Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement” – Michael Corleone, The Godfather: Part III, 1990.

It was not until the 1980s that the Italian state began to take the Mafia’s power seriously; a major campaign against the Mafia was headed by magistrates Giovanni Falconi and Paolo Borsellino. The so called Maxi Trials against several mafiosi were organized in response to the arrest of Tommaso Buscetta, a Mafioso turncoat who decided to seek protection from a rival family after being detained. As a result of the trials, which ran from February 1986 and December 1987, 342 mafiosi were convicted. The Mafia retaliated with a killing spree targeted at members of the judiciary, including Falconi and Borsellino.

Today, it is the younger generation who are the most vociferous in their opposition against the Mafia, with regular rallies throughout the Italian peninsula. However, one of the problems that continues to weaken opposition is the Mafia’s own participation in rallies: known members ensure that they are seen actively protesting as part of their subterfuge. A prominent guilty culprit is Italy’s current Prime Minister Berlusconi who has been accused of links with the Mafia when he was launching his Forza Italia political party in the early 1990s.

Femme fatale: Women in the mafia

“In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns” – Calo, The Godfather, 1972.

All known Mafia bosses have been men. Duties usually pass down the family to the eldest or most brutal son. Mafiosi mamme are as revered as the Madonna and are generally kept out of mafia business. The role of Mafiosi daughters has traditionally been to marry advantageously into another Mafia family. However, the role of women in the Mafia has been steadily changing over the past couple of decades. Now, as mafiosi face threats of life sentences and more women are formally educated, it’s the females who have an increasingly active role in organised crime, and especially in drug trafficking.

Fiction or foe?

If the real Cosa Nostra frightens the meatballs out of you, here’s a selection of films to enjoy in the comfort of your own home, but remember it’s always best to “leave the gun and take the cannoli.”

● The Godfather trilogy directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the book by Mario Puzo.
● Goodfellas (1990), a Martin Scorsese film about the Mafia in New York.
● Il divo (2009), about the Italian politician Giulio Andreotti, who was suspected of Mafia ties.
● Gomorrah (2008), a graphic film about the Neapolitan Camorra, based on the book by Roberto Saviano.
● A Prophet, in cinemas now, about the Corsican Mafia and their operations from a French jail.

The trailer for Paolo Sorrentino’s recent film Il Divo.