1. Frank Pentangeli is a fictional character from the 1974 film The Godfather Part II, portrayed by Michael V Gazzo.
13 Facts About Frank Pentangeli
1. 2.
Frank Pentangeli is nicknamed "Frankie Five Angels" from his last name, which is formed from the Greek-derived prefix and the Italian word.
3.
Frank Pentangeli is a caporegime in the Corleone family, running the family's operations in New York City while Michael Corleone, his brother and underboss, Fredo, consigliere Tom Hagen and the other two capos, Rocco Lampone and Al Neri, are based in Nevada.
4.
Frank Pentangeli was a top soldier in the regime of Peter Clemenza, and took over the regime after Clemenza's death.
5.
Frank Pentangeli moved into Vito's former estate in Long Beach, Long Island.
6.
Frank Pentangeli's character was created in The Godfather Part II by Coppola and Puzo due to actor Richard Castellano not reprising his role as Clemenza in the sequel.
7.
The Frank Pentangeli character took the part in the plot which was originally intended for Clemenza, whose death was to be set anti-parallel to the extended sequence in which the young Vito becomes Clemenza's partner.
8.
Coppola, in his director's commentary on The Godfather Part II, mentioned that the scenes depicting the Senate committee interrogation of Michael Corleone and Frank Pentangeli are based on the Joseph Valachi federal hearings and that Frank Pentangeli is a Valachi-like figure.
9.
Michael refuses and orders Frank Pentangeli to do nothing, as he does not want a war to interfere with an upcoming deal with Hyman Roth, who supports the Rosatos.
10.
Frank Pentangeli takes this as an insult and leaves in anger.
11.
Frank Pentangeli prefers open warfare against Roth and the Rosatos, but reluctantly obeys Michael's order.
12.
In contrast, since Frank Pentangeli was a capo, there is no insulation between Michael and himself.
13.
Frightened, Frank Pentangeli recants his earlier statements, saying he "told the FBI guys what they wanted to hear," and now claims that the Corleone family is innocent of any wrongdoing, thus perjuring himself before the Senate committee.