The Godfather Trilogy: Coppola Restoration

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Fletch F. Fletch
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#51 Post by Fletch F. Fletch » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:40 am

From the Digital Bits Rumor Mill:
4/4/08

A number of readers have seen this online (and thanks to all those of you who sent the link in), so we decided that it's finally time to comment on the subject. The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has just cleared 84 minutes worth of special features for a little something it refers to as The Godfather Trilogy Restored 2008 Bonus Disc. Yes, you read that right - The Godfather. Restored.

We can, in fact, confirm that The Godfather Trilogy has indeed been restored, and that our very own Robert A. Harris was involved in the project - a project backed by director Francis Ford Coppola and even Steven Spielberg no less (you can read a bit more on that here). The BBFC notice means that Paramount is likely planning to being The Godfather Trilogy Restored to DVD (and possibly even Blu-ray Disc) later this year. Note that we're posting all this in The Rumor Mill today, because the potential DVD release - and indeed the restoration effort itself - hasn't officially been announced by Paramount yet. As such, we don't have any more information for you right now than what we're offering here. But when the studio gives us the okay, and takes the cloak of secrecy off the project, Robert assures us that he'll have lots to say about it all for you here at The Digital Bits. So for those of you wondering why Robert's Yellow Layer Failure column hasn't been updated as often in the last year or so, NOW you know why. Hey... some things are just more important.

Stay tuned!

atcolomb
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#52 Post by atcolomb » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:21 pm

I have the The Godfather The Complete Epic 1902-1959 on VHS tape which has the 2 movies in chronological order so i hope they might think about that on their next dvd release

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Cold Bishop
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#53 Post by Cold Bishop » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:33 pm

atcolomb wrote:I have the The Godfather The Complete Epic 1902-1959 on VHS tape which has the 2 movies in chronological order so i hope they might think about that on their next dvd release
But why? I mean, is this situation in which a tv edit has different footage or something? Because I can't understand why people would want to watch the movie this way.

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Antoine Doinel
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#54 Post by Antoine Doinel » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:41 pm

Cold Bishop wrote:
atcolomb wrote:I have the The Godfather The Complete Epic 1902-1959 on VHS tape which has the 2 movies in chronological order so i hope they might think about that on their next dvd release
But why? I mean, is this situation in which a tv edit has different footage or something?
Yep. From IMDB:
In 1977, a special version for television titled "Godfather Saga, The" (1977)" was prepared by director Francis Ford Coppola and editor Barry Malkin by re-editing The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather: Part II (1974) in chronological order and adding deleted scenes. Most of these deleted scenes are also included separately on the DVD release and in The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992). Among the deleted scenes:

Following Bonasera's exit in the first scene, Vito whistles at Sonny for not paying attention to business.
During the wedding reception, Tom Hagen informs Don Vito that consigliere Genco won't last the night in the hospital.
After the wedding, the Don and his sons are leaving the compound with Johnny Fontane to visit Genco. Vito asks Michael if Kay was able to get home all right.
In the hospital, the Don looks at Michael's military decorations with disdain then tells Michael that he has plans for him after graduation.
A dying Genco begs Vito to stay with him believing that Vito will somehow stop his death.
An extended version of Jack Woltz's party for his child star, Janie.
After being thrown out by Woltz, Tom looks up and sees Janie crying and her mother push her back into Woltz's bedroom.
Connie and Carlo argue and she runs crying into Mama's arms. Sonny wants to confront Carlo but Vito tells him not to interfere.
After Tom returns from Hollywood, he discusses with Vito what he has discovered about Woltz.
Michael and Kay are in their hotel bed in New York City and don't want to go to the family compound. Michael has Kay call Tom pretending to be an operator, then Michael tells Tom that they are in New Hampshire and will be at the compound the next day.
On the way to meet Sollozzo, Luca sees the nightclub's neon sign burn out.
Sonny gets a call from a detective telling him about his father's shooting. He then tries to call Tom.
Sonny tells Mama about the shooting. He then goes into Vito's study, calls Tessio and tells him to prepare his men. He then tries to call Luca.
A quick shot of Michael driving, returning home after his father's shooting and Rocco offering to escort Michael into the house.
Michael brings Tom's wife Theresa into the study where Sonny and Tessio are. Sonny comforts her and tells them both to wait outside but Michael stays. They discuss with Michael whether Clemenza or Paulie was the traitor. Michael tries to talk Sonny out of going to war stating Vito would not want it. Then Tom returns home and hugs Theresa.
Immediately following is a quick shot of the Corleone compound that dissolves to the scene where they discuss their next course of action.
Rocco admires Clemenza's car but Clemenza complains that the bumpers are wooden due to the war effort. He then tells Rocco that he is to kill Paulie.
Clemenza has Paulie check the hideout spot. He then has Paulie make a stop so he can buy some cannoli and have a meal at a restaurant.
In Sicily, Michael and the bodyguards watch a Communist demonstration march.
While relaxing in the afternoon sun, Fabrizio begs Michael to bring him along to America when he returns.
Michael and his bodyguards visit his father's childhood home and find it abandoned.
After Connie hangs up the phone on Carlo's "girlfriend", she then confronts him in the shower. Then, Carlo orders her to make him dinner.
Bonasera is shown getting ready to return his favor to Don Vito. Bonasera tells his wife who is helping him get dressed that maybe he will be asked to be an accomplice to murder.
After the car bomb, Michael wakes up in bed surrounded by nurses and Don Tommasino. Michael tells Tommasino to find Fabrizio and he passes out.
Michael and Vito talk in the new garden after his return from Sicily. Michael takes responsibility for avenging the deaths of Sonny and Apollonia so Vito will not have to break his promise to the other Dons.
Additional dialogue when Michael removes Tom from his position as consigliere.
The final scene is Kay in a Catholic church lighting candles and praying.

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#55 Post by cdnchris » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:52 pm

Cold Bishop wrote:
atcolomb wrote:I have the The Godfather The Complete Epic 1902-1959 on VHS tape which has the 2 movies in chronological order so i hope they might think about that on their next dvd release
But why? I mean, is this situation in which a tv edit has different footage or something? Because I can't understand why people would want to watch the movie this way.
Yes, I have it as well, and it has more footage. If I recall most of the additional scenes in this version were in the supplements in the last DVD release.

As for watching them in chronological order it's "neat" but that's about it. Not at all an abomination, though.

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HerrSchreck
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#56 Post by HerrSchreck » Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:28 pm

When I was younger the chronological cut was always my favorite way to watch it. Now of course... cineaste... honoring "original release" etc.

But for the lazy brain not looking to make metaphorical father-son connections, elliptical editiing, etc, the Epic can be very satisfying.

solent

#57 Post by solent » Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:33 pm

This TV version was only made in 4:3 [pan-and-scan] and was made specifically for TV viewing.

patrick
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#58 Post by patrick » Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:41 pm

There's a report over on the Mobius Home Video Forum (under 'THE GODFATHER restored, New 4K digital restoration') from someone who was lucky enough to see a screening of the restored first film - unfortunately it's hard to directly link to a topic on there.

atcolomb
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#59 Post by atcolomb » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:26 am

Cold Bishop wrote:
atcolomb wrote: I have the The Godfather The Complete Epic 1902-1959 on VHS tape which has the 2 movies in chronological order so i hope they might think about that on their next dvd release
I can't understand why people would want to watch the movie this way.
I still watch the two movies separately but it would be nice to have that option to watch it in chronological order. I think the two movies are great to watch with or without the extra scenes.

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a.khan
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#60 Post by a.khan » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:06 am

DVD Active has posted the official announcement (artwork, supplements, et al) for the R2 DVD.

stwrt
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#61 Post by stwrt » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:53 am

How many times is Paramount going to make people buy a movie they don't like (Godfather "3") ?!?

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Fletch F. Fletch
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#62 Post by Fletch F. Fletch » Fri May 09, 2008 9:37 am

American Cinematographer has posted an article on the restoration process.

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Person
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#63 Post by Person » Fri May 09, 2008 6:17 pm

Fletch F. Fletch wrote:American Cinematographer has posted an article on the restoration process.
Hearty thanks for that link, Irwin. :D I was looking forward to hearing stories from RAH on the restoration. Fascinating stuff - but unnecessary. I mean, those two films really should have been handled like nitroglycerin over the years, but were treated like uncle Joe's Betamax tapes of Cheers episodes. It's so fucking good to know that Godfather I and Godfather II are in optimal condition again.

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#64 Post by flyonthewall2983 » Sat May 10, 2008 3:27 pm

Person wrote:I mean, those two films really should have been handled like nitroglycerin over the years, but were treated like uncle Joe's Betamax tapes of Cheers episodes.
I gotta admit, that one gave me a hardy chuckle.

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Person
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#65 Post by Person » Wed May 28, 2008 11:26 pm

Here's a comparison of the old DVD and the new PAL DVD of Part I from Spanish site, Zona DVD.

Flesh tones are more golden and that murky salmon tinge is gone allowing the whites to gleam at last. Remember that these are just quick caps. It will be very interesting to see how the film plays with finer detail, better contrast and stronger colours. On Blu-Ray this year, hopefully. Don't shaft us like you did with the Indy trilogy, Paramount.

TedW
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#66 Post by TedW » Wed May 28, 2008 11:30 pm

Oh-oh... looks like somebody got happy in the telecine suite again... man, I wish these guys would stop Days of Heaven-ing their remasters...

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HerrSchreck
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#67 Post by HerrSchreck » Thu May 29, 2008 12:49 am

Properly supervised, restored dye transfer 35's of the first two (fuck that abominable third) transferred to HD is enough reason in itself to upgrade to Blu!

A always assumed Willis had however used some major sepia lens filters, especially in 1 & 2, to create the feel of antiquity... a gimmick which in fact set off a ridiculous craze in every period piece since then... i e "if we don't lightly spritz the air with some studio haze, throw a light beam in to show it off, and shoot it all thru a light, topdown golden sepia gradient, it won't look like the real Jane Austen furchrissakes..."

mogwai
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#68 Post by mogwai » Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:28 am

Zona DVD has now compared parts II and III.

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HerrSchreck
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#69 Post by HerrSchreck » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:24 am

3 certainly looks better, but some of 2-- some of it-- looks washed out and faded. Not sure in all caps that the changes are for the better.

Ironically, the changes to 2 removes the "golden period hue", and the changes to 3 increases it.

Not all that impressed.

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Fletch F. Fletch
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#70 Post by Fletch F. Fletch » Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:04 am

More about the restoration process. Interestingly, the article cites September as the month for release.

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oldsheperd
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Godfather 3

#71 Post by oldsheperd » Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:39 pm

Rumor has it that Sofia Coppola has been digitally replaced by a stick figure with better range.

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exte
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#72 Post by exte » Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:22 pm

That is an awful rumor.

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Antoine Doinel
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#73 Post by Antoine Doinel » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:37 pm

Mario Puzo's Son Sues Paramount.

Let's hope this doesn't hold up the restored DVDs.

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Person
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#74 Post by Person » Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:20 pm

Antoine Doinel wrote:Mario Puzo's Son Sues Paramount.

Let's hope this doesn't hold up the restored DVDs.
I wouldn't think so, but you never can tell in this dick-headed litigious world. To be honest though, it is the non-appearance of the Blu-Ray edition that is galling me at present. But, I wonder how much money the Puzo Estate gets from those awful Godfather T-shirts that seem to be on every T-shirt etailer site? :roll:

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Fletch F. Fletch
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#75 Post by Fletch F. Fletch » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:38 am


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