The Truth Behind Fredo Corleone’s Role in The Godfather

Many have wondered about Fredo Corleone's involvement in Michael Corleone's kidnapping in The Godfather Part II. Is Fredo Corleone the unsuspecting pawn of the mob, or did he play a more active role in the plot against his brother?

Unlikely Kidnapping

Some have suggested that Fredo knew about Michael's kidnapping from the beginning, but this seems unlikely. There is no mention in the film or official sources of Fredo believing or planning such a kidnapping. Fredo's character in the film is portrayed as a simple, witless individual who wanted to be seen as a valuable asset, leading him to seek to improve his standing within the family.

Fredo's Motive: Revenge and Self-Respect

It's more plausible that Fredo was involved in a different plot against Michael. Fredo lied to save himself from Michael's potential revenge. It was known in the family that a hit was going to happen, and Fredo had a role in it. He knew that Michael had become the Don and was being passed over for advancement in the family. Fredo's betrayal was his attempt to provoke Michael, not to get him killed, but to restore his standing in the family and among his "friends."

No Mention of Kidnapping

Fredo's account provided to Michael revealed that Ola told him Michael was being tough on the negotiations. Fredo was merely relaying a message and did not mention any kidnapping plot. Further, no one in the family, not even Johnny Ola, would resort to kidnapping as a tactic. It would expose the family and lead to Michael's arrest, making it a poor strategy.

Fredo's Weakness and Believability

Fredo's character is portrayed as weak and gullible. It's likely that Ola and Roth could have easily manipulated him with a plausible story, making him believe that they were planning to put pressure on Michael through a kidnapping. Fredo was inexperienced and lacked the boldness needed for such a plan, causing him to believe their fabrication and act on it.

The Real Plot: Undermining Michael's Standing

The actual plot may have been Ola and Roth using Fredo to undermine Michael's position. The confusion and potential fear induced by a kidnapping could have been enough for them to diminish Michael's influence. This would have allowed Fredo to gain back the respect and position he felt he deserved, not through a hit, but by stirring the pot and causing chaos.

Conclusion

While the exact details of the supposed "kidnapping" plot are unknown, it's clear that Fredo's role was more complex than simply being an unwitting pawn. He was likely involved in a plot to destabilize Michael and restore his own status, even if it involved a scenario that would now be seen as a kidnapping. Fredo was always more concerned with his own image and standing than with the actual plan, leading to the actions he took.

Understanding the motivations of each character in the Godfather is crucial in grasping the complexity of their relationships and the true nature of their power struggles.