Scene retrieved from The Godfather II

        In The Godfather Part II, Robert De Niro plays the young depiction of Vito Corleone. Utilizing appropriate aspects of his personality, like determination and vigor, Vito establishes the power and respect that he enjoys later in his life, during the period that Marlon Brando plays the character.

        This scene, specifically, is one example of how De Niro's character achieves his icon status. Not only does the violent nature of this scene convey a memorable image to the audience, the implications behind De Niro's actions here also advance his iconography. Fanucci, the character De Niro murders, has been an oppressor of his community. Fanucci has bullied many of the small-time local businesses, by garnishing their wages and by making various unreasonable demands. By murdering Fanucci, De Niro earns the community's respect. And even though De Niro soon takes on a role similar to the one vacated by Fanucci, the movie depicts De Niro's actions in a more favorable light, emphasizing the beneficiaries of his deviance, not those he oppresses.