THE BROTHERHOOD
US, 1968, 94 minutes, Colour.
Kirk Douglas, Alex Cord, Irene Papas, Susan Strasberg, Luther Adler, Murray Hamilton.
Directed by Martin Ritt.
The Brotherhood’ was not a commercially successful film from Martin Ritt, director of such fine films as A Man is Ten Feet Tall, Hud, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Hombre and Sounder. Now, comparisons with The Godfather are inevitable because of its Mafia subject and similarities of theme and treatment.
Yet The Brotherhood is a good film showing insight into the Mafia, the new generation versus the old, Sicily and America. Kirk Douglas is excellent in the central role, one of his better performances. Director Ritt always develops social settings well so that the drama is played out in real situations and not in a vacuum.
Strong fare but worthwhile.
1. By the end of’ the film, it could be seen that there was much irony in the title of the film. How?
2. "Brotherhood" implies blood relationship, fellowship and the Mafia itself. What did the film show of their inter-relationships?
3. Was the flashback structure of the film effective? What impact did it give to the conclusion?
4. What did you think the relationship between the two brothers was as the film opened?
5. The film opened in Sicily with a mixture of the modern and the old, but focussed on the old, the origins of the Mafia. What insight did these Sicilian sequences give into the Mafia, its origins, its reasons for existence?
6. How did the U.S. skyline contrast with Sicily, the old and the new? How did the film develop this contrast between old and new, the realities of change, growth and progress?
7. What kind of man was the Don? Did the film 'give insight into his character, beliefs, ambitions, superstitions, ruthlessness? How? Comment on the presentation of his marriage, his wife, his love for his daughter, his relationship with Vince, the style of his home, his old friends, his office and, especially, his proud and stately dance at the wedding.
8. How did it emerge that he was old-fashioned in mentality and work, out of touch? Was he necessarily doomed because of this? What was the cause of his downfall?
9. Did he understand the new alignments, the computer world, Vince's ambitions? Why did he stand out against change? Why was he so presumptuous in his trust of old ways and friends?
10. How ugly was his murdering of his father's betrayer? How cruel? Did it change your attitude towards him? Why did he still keep to the old traditional ways of murder, even if it meant flight from the country?
11. Was Vince any less ruthless than his brother, or was he more ruthless? Which was worse, his cold computer-like, intellectual approach to business, extortion and murder or the old, personal cruel vengeance? (Which allowed for the possibilities of change of heart or repentance?). (Why did his wife want to know nothing? Had she a responsibility to know?)
12. Did Vince have any options about killing his brother? Why did he accept?
Do you think that as a person he would be able to live easily with this? Why?
13. Martin Ritt is noted for his ability to present an environment and characters formed by their environment. Does he do so here? How? How effectively?
