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THE GODFATHER: The Coppola Restoration Edition DVD

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, James Caan, Lee Strassberg, Talia Shire, and Andy Garcia

Directed By Francis Ford Coppola

Rated R for violence and language

By John Delia

It has been years since The Godfather has been up on the big screen where it shines the most, and after it was released on DVD I purchased the set. Now the film has been fully restored to its original brilliant cinematography and in addition to the trilogy being available on ordinary DVD, is for the first time on Blu-ray Disc. The package has over 4-hours of supplemental material along with the three complete films. And, in conjunction with the release of the DVD, The Godfather I has been digitally remastered and will be playing at some of the local theatres around the country starting Friday, October 3. If you live in South Florida, the theatre showings will be at the Muvico Palace in Boca Raton, Florida.
Most everyone knows the saga of The Godfather as told in three separate movies, but to refresh your memory the following is a brief as possible description of all three episodes. The film centers on three phases of the lives of a New York Mafia family including Don Vito Corleone (Brando) the patriarch, Michael Corleone (Pacino) the son who becomes his heir to the ‘throne’ and the weakening of the New York criminal families.
In The Godfather Part I we are scooted ahead to a time where Don Vito Corleone is living in his guarded enclave and we get a glimpse of the family’s personal lives and their business. Here we become aware of each of the main characters including the Don’s three sons Sonny, Michael and Fredo who become the loyal soldiers under the godfather’s big business crime. During this period a lot of action takes place that keeps the central plot hot and interesting.
The Godfather Part II gives us flashbacks as we are treated to young Vito Corleone (DeNiro) who is eking out a living on the streets of New York in the heavy populated Italian section. During this period we see the rise of Vito to Don status and the power he gains over the community. This is where we obtain the pieces of writer Mario Puzo’s puzzle that magnifies the present day family as depicted in The Godfather Part I. This episode also show’s Michael’s rise in the family.
In The Godfather Part III all the loose ends of the two pervious films are tied together and Michael shows his power over rival New York crime lords. It may be the weakest of the three, but totally necessary to the overall story.
I love this story, the characters and the actors who portrayed them. It is probably the basis for all the future mafia related films that followed. Having this set provides hours of entertainment that cannot be found on this genre anywhere. If you are a collector of the best films ever, this trio should be in your library to replay whenever you want to enjoy a great crime drama. The Oscar winner for Best Picture for The Godfather Part I and Part II, if you have never seen this Trilogy, it’s a chance to see it in all its glory.
The bonus features that were on the previous trilogy release are included in this one, they feature commentary by Director Francis Ford Coppola, making of The Godfather, additional scenes, filming locations, the Corleone family tree (a must see after you seen I), the music of The Godfather (this is the thread that keeps you in focus during the trilogy), The Godfather historical timeline (a must after you have seen parts I and II), profiles of the characters (watch this after The Godfather I), photo galleries and storyboards (not that interesting and probably used for fill).
The new bonus features on the DVD with this release include; “Godfather World,” “the Masterpiece that Almost Wasn’t,” “When the Shooting Stopped,” “Emulsional Rescue Revealing The Godfather,” “The Godfather on the Red Carpet,” “Four Short Films on The Godfather,” “The Godfather vs. The Godfather Part II,” Cannoli, Riffing on the Riffing, and Clemenza.
Please note that the Blu-ray edition does contain a additional selection of Bonus features in HD including, a crime organizational chart, Connie and Carlo’s wedding album, behind the scenes, on location, Francis Coppola’s notebook, Coppola and Puzo on screenwriting, Gordon Willis on cinematography, and others.
The films do contain some strong violence, language and a scene of gory animal cruelty so please be cognizant when youngsters are present.

FINAL ANALYSIS: The Godfather is a brilliant trilogy that translates very nicely to DVD. (5 of 5 stars)