Do You Renounce Satan ?

The baptism montage in "The Godfather" is a pivitol part of the film, and also of the development of Michael Corleone's character. This scene in the film finishes the transformation from the Michael we saw in the beginning of the film, to the Michael that becomes the new 'Godfather'. At the beginning, Michael didnt want to have anything to do with the family buisness. He set himself a little bit apart from the rest of the family .. and after the completion of the baptisimal scene he completely transforms from the youngest son to the Godfather.

The irony of this scene is that Michael is swearing in to be godfather of the child .. to protect him and love him, renounce satan and do the work of god. Parallel to this baptism taking place, Michael has arranged the deaths of all the other gang heads, swearing himself in as 'The Godfather'. The contrast from the peaceful scenes in the church to the violent and chaotic murder scenes suggest alot about what Michael has become. Because these two events happen at the same time, it is almost like Michael is allowing such violence into the home, something that Vito would have prevented.

The duality of this scene captures the nature of Michael's new life. It foreshadows a large change in the way that Michael will act as Godfather, compared to his father before him.

The use of montage for this scene helps to forshadow the double life that Michael will lead as head of the family.