The Godfather vs. Goodfellas Although The Godfather and Goodfellas are two different films, there are mostly similar themes that recur in both movie. A prevalent theme is the downfall of a great figure. By great character I mean a person of great importance and high status. The way both films depict the downfall of a great character is quite different. While The Godfather provides the most elegant take on Michael's great downfall, Goodfellas shows the hideous, hidden secrets of Italian mobsters and how a man's life falls due to the cruelty of the mafia. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay At the beginning of The Godfather, Michael had returned from the war and had no intention of joining his father's business. Michael was the “good” guy of the moment. When situations and problems began to arise within the family business, Michael had no choice but to become involved in the family business to protect his father. At first, Michael seemed like a good guy because he stood up to the people who were trying to kill his father and destroy his family. As the film progressed, he became exactly what his father never wanted him to be, a "bad" boy. It can be said that Michael was really a good person because his father never wanted to suffer the influence of Italian mafiosi on him. When the father found out, you can understand how divided he was to know that his only pure son had now taken a step into a world where he would never be safe again. Michael's turning point was when he shot the two people who posed a great threat to his family. When the bullets left his gun, his confidence and innocence were taken with them. What was once known as good and innocent Michael is now gone forever. When Michael assumed the status of Godfather he would forever be a dangerous, powerful and dishonest man. In Goodfellas, Henry Hill always dreamed of becoming an Italian gangster. He has always been attracted by the wealth and power obtained by gangsters. Eventually, he worked his way up to high status within the Mafia and achieved moderate success in business. Before he knew it, he was living the good life without worries. Henry had become so powerful that all he had to do was walk into a place and get the best service possible. However, greed has gotten the better of Henry. He still wanted more than he had, so he got involved in theft and selling drugs. Henry has been warned by other people within the mafia not to get involved with drugs because they do more harm than good. Nonetheless, Henry continued his drug scandal and got into big trouble. Between being arrested and put in prison for years and having the police follow him around and crack down on everyone involved in the business, his life fell apart. He could no longer live the rich, high life he once loved; instead he had to start all over again as a “normal” civilian. What was once Great Henry is now, what he calls, a nobody. The Godfather shows not the fall of one great person, but of two. The original Godfather himself falls from high status within the Mafia. The way he is dressed towards the end shows that class and strength no longer exist. There is almost a feeling of giving up in the atmosphere. Being the Godfather is no longer as important to him as it was before. In Goodfellas the downfall of many characters is also within the film. Even three.