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DVD REVIEW FOR
"THE GODFATHER COLLECTION"

(1972/1974/1990) (Al Pacino, Diane Keaton)

The Godfather

Length Screen Format(s) Languages Subtitles Sound Sides
175 minutes Letterbox (1.85:1)
16x9 - Widescreen
English
French
English Dolby Digital 5.1 1

The Godfather Part II

Length Screen Format(s) Languages Subtitles Sound Sides
200 minutes Letterbox (1.85:1)
16x9 - Widescreen
English
French
English Dolby Digital 5.1 2
Discs

The Godfather Part III

Length Screen Format(s) Languages Subtitles Sound Sides
170 minutes Letterbox (1.85:1)
16x9 - Widescreen
English
French
English Dolby Digital 5.1 1

PLOT:
The Godfather:
Indisputably one of the masterpieces of American cinema, Francis Ford Coppola's THE GODFATHER stars Marlon Brando in the title role of a movie that became a true cultural phenomenon and the highest-grossing film of its time. Based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel, THE GODFATHER's cast includes Al Pacino as Michael, James Caan as Sonny, Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen, the Don's consigliere, John Cazale as Fredo, Talia Shire as Connie and Diane Keaton as Kay Adams, the fiancée of Michael Corleone.

The Godfather Part II:

PART II stars De Niro as a young Vito Corleone growing up in Sicily and New York in the early 1900's, contrasted with the mature life of his son Michael (Al Pacino) in the 1950's. 1917: introduced to a life of crime by a young Clemenza (Bruno Kirby) and gaining momentum through his dealings with Don Fanucci (Gastone Moschin), Vito comes to power as a force in his own right. 1955: a decade has passed since the start of THE GODFATHER. Michael, secure in his position as Don, attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas and Cuba.

The Godfather Part III:

In the final installment of "The Godfather Trilogy," THE GODFATHER PART III finds an aging Don Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) seeking to legitimize his crime family's interests with the help of his nephew, Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia), and an alliance with the Vatican. But, as his health continues to fail, a handful of Mafia rivals, including Joey Zasa (Joe Mantegna) and Don Altobello (Eli Wallach) keep him involved in the criminal life he had hoped to escape.

AUDIO/VIDEO ELEMENTS:
Considering the three films' ages (particularly the first two), the picture quality often looks rather good, but there are some noticeable problems. Beyond the sepia/yellow-brownish hue that's purposefully cast over the films - giving them a proper period feel - the overall image isn't as sharp or vibrant as one would like or expect for a remastered edition (meaning it doesn't pop off the screen as it should).

Although film artifacts (scratches and other blips) aren't too numerous or bad (thus indicating decent prints were used for the transfer), some scenes are quite grainy, thus occasionally giving the film more of a VHS rather than DVD look. That condition, of course, improves with each subsequent film (as they're newer), but even Part III has some rather grainy scenes, as well as some odd digital artifacts at times.

As far as the audio is concerned, one can tell in the first film where the score and certain effects have been remastered into the 5.1 mix (since they sound good, feature full dynamic range and spatiality - such as a car explosion with lots of bass and surround effects). Other moments, however, sound rather flat - both tonally and from a sound field perspective.

Like the image, though, the sound improves through the subsequent films, with surround and spatial effects becoming more prominent and realistic sounding in the second film, and then even more so in the third.

EXTRAS:
  • Scene selection/Jump to any scene.
  • Running audio commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola on all three films.
    Behind the Scenes 1:
  • A Look Inside -- 73+ minute feature about the series with the various filmmakers discussing it, including scenes from the films and a great deal of behind the scenes footage.
  • On Location -- 6+ minute segment about shooting on location with the films' production designer.
  • Francis Coppola's Notebook -- 10+ minute segment about the director's notes taken during the film.
  • Music of The Godfather -- Tape recorded bit with Coppola and Nino Rota - 5+ minutes - and an interview with Carmine Coppola, including scenes from the recording session - 3+ minutes.
    Behind the Scenes 2:
  • Coppola and Puzo on Screenwriting - 8+ minute bit with the two (director and author/screenwriter) discussing the story and craft.
  • Gordon Willis on Cinematography - 3+ minute segment with the cinematographer.
  • Storyboards - Godfather Part II (various storyboards from the film).
  • Storyboards - Godfather Part III (various storyboards from the film).
  • The Godfather Behind the Scenes - 8+ minute featurette from 1971 with period interviews and scenes from the film.
    More Extras:
  • Brief bios for the director and various crewmembers.
  • 34 Additional Scenes.
  • The Family Tree - Graphic representing the family, with links to info about certain characters.
  • Theatrical trailers for all 3 films.
  • Photo Gallery - Many images from the films with descriptive captions.
  • Rogues' Gallery - Still images of the villains from the various films.
  • Acclaim and Response - Including footage from the Academy Awards, a list of Awards and Nominations, and the 1974 Network TV Intro (1+ minute bit with Coppola introducing the TV version).
  • COMMENTS:
    With the never ending public fascination with organized crime and the Mafia, not to mention the phenomenal public and critical success of HBO's "The Sopranos," it didn't take a brain surgeon to predict that interest in director Francis Ford Coppola's mob-based trilogy, the "Godfather" films, would suddenly rise again. That will be especially true now with the release of the saga in a DVD collector's set.

    Of course, that's not meant to imply that interest in the film series - particularly regarding the first two pictures - ever waned that much as they're near universally regarded as two of the best films ever made, especially for the genre.

    The first film - released in 1972 and based on author Mario Puzo's best-selling novel - was a mob film unlike any seen up to that time. Beyond the terrific performances from the likes of Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall and a slew of other talented actors and actresses, Coppola and his behind the scenes crew - notably cinematographer Gordon Willis and composer Nino Rota - crafted an incredibly polished and lush looking picture that perfectly complemented the multilayered and completely engaging story. The result was a box office and critical hit, winning 3 Oscars (for Best Picture, Actor and Adapted Screenplay) out of 10 nominations.

    Success may breed contempt, but when it comes to movies, it breeds sequels, and in this case, that meant "The Godfather, Part II." Unlike most cinematic follow-ups, however, this 1974 film is actually superior to the original, as it not only follows up the material from the first film, but also expands upon it.

    With Pacino returning, Robert De Niro standing out as a young Vito Corleone, and an assortment of other terrific performances - not to mention Coppola's masterful direction - the film was, and still is, one of the best mob films ever made. It won 6 Oscars (for Best Picture, Directing, Actor, Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay, Art Direction and Scoring) out of 11 nominations (with 2 of them also being for Supporting Actor).

    Unfortunately, Coppola couldn't leave well enough alone and thus returned to the series one more time with 1990's "The Godfather, Part III." Most notable for the controversy that stemmed from the director casting his own daughter - Sofia - in a major part, the film clearly isn't a disaster - after all, it was nominated for 7 Oscars.

    Yet, it's not in the same league as its two predecessors as it's missing the elements and directorial confidence that made them so good. Then there's the feeling that there wasn't enough of an untold story to continue the tale without feeling like it's stretching to do so. If not for the first two films and the richness they imparted, this picture wouldn't work as well as it does, and it obviously pales in comparison to its predecessors.

    Even so, for fans of the series, this is a must have collector's set, especially considering Coppola's terrific and quite insightful running audio commentary on all three films, as well as the plentiful supplemental materials on the extra fourth disc.

    The Godfather DVD Collection is now available for purchase by clicking here.

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