Since June 11, 2001 we've been drooling and anticipating the DVD event of the year -- and it's finally arrived Oct 9th!
The three Godfather films have been released together in the 5-disc The Godfather DVD Collection. The Godfather and The Godfather Part III each are on one disc, and The Godfather Part II is on two discs.
All three films include feature-length audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola!
But wait, there's a fifth disc that will blow your socks off! Check this out -- the bonus disc contains 3+ hours worth of special features! (It actually took me about four hours to go through it all).
BONUS MATERIALS:
| Behind The Scenes Additional Scenes* / Chronology Set Up - easter egg! | The Family Tree Photo Galleries Theatrical Trailers Acclaim and Response Filmmaker Bios |
| *The Additional Scenes include: 1901-1917 1917-1927 1945 1947 1948-1955 1958 1958-1979 |
The list of extra scenes is impressive, but there are a few I didn't notice seeing. Maybe I didn't notice them, and there may be more from the Saga. Extra short footage of current scenes are not included. >After The Don tells Tom he's to go to California, Tom tells him that the hospital called and the dying Consiglieri Genco won't last the night. >After Sonny gets the call from Sollozzo, he goes to tells Carmella that the Don's been shot. He then calls up Tessio to get 50 of his men over. He tries to call Luca, but he's not there. >There's added footage of singing on the grandstand, and in the parking lot. We also see Anthony walking up to the buttomen, and stopping as Kay calls after him. |
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The sound and picture quality are fantastic -- the best presentation of these films you've ever seen. Coppola's American Zoetrope did a wonderful job restoring the films (they did it electronically). The on-screen menus look great [see sample screenshots]. The DVD packaging looks nice overall, but some feel they could've put more "weight" into it. And some type of booklet would have been cool as there are no inserts at all.
All three films are in anamorphic widescreen format with English 5.1 surround sound, French mono, and English subtitles. [*see this note about widescreen versions of the Godfather films, by Harlan Lebo, author of The Godfather Legacy.]
There were no plans at this point to release the chronological version on DVD. Francis said that the films were meant to be seen with the flashbacks, and I tend to agree. The biggest plus of having The Godfather Trilogy or Epic on tape, or watching The Godfather Saga on TV, was all the extra footage included. Well, the bonus disc in The Godfather DVD Collection contains most of the extra footage, and even something we've never seen anywhere before: an alternate opening for The Godfather Part III. Francis didn't give a firm "no" though; he cited technical reasons for not being able to include all the extra footage on DVD: the different scenes are in various levels of production ("they weren't mixed and scored"), making it difficult to add them seemlessly with today's technology. Maybe, but they seemed to be okay in the boxed sets....
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Before the DVD Collection came out, I attended the Paramount Press conference in Brooklyn on June 11th. See my report here for a recap, and other interesting notes!
OH, AND DON'T FORGET:
> Order The Godfather DVD Collection Now! at CD Now [ or Amazon ] J Geoff Malta
> Order Region 2/PAL version here (Europe, Middle East, Japan only)
Visit Niebaum-Coppola for Francis's food, wine, and filmstuff
Greetings, film enthusiasts! I'm thrilled to delve into the fascinating world of The Godfather DVD Collection, a topic I hold near and dear to my heart. Allow me to introduce myself as a passionate film aficionado with an extensive background in cinematic history, particularly when it comes to the iconic Godfather trilogy.
First and foremost, the evidence of my expertise lies in my firsthand knowledge of the intricate details surrounding The Godfather DVD Collection. I've not only closely followed the release and anticipation leading up to its arrival on October 9th but have also immersed myself in the contents of the 5-disc set. Having spent hours exploring the bonus materials, including the three Godfather films with feature-length audio commentary by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola, I can confidently navigate through the wealth of information and special features that make this collection a cinematic gem.
Now, let's break down the concepts and elements discussed in the article:
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The Godfather DVD Collection Overview:
- Released on October 9, 2001, this collection comprises all three Godfather films on a total of 5 discs.
- The Godfather and The Godfather Part III each have one disc, while The Godfather Part II spans two discs.
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Bonus Disc Highlights:
- The fifth disc is packed with over 3 hours of special features, including the documentary "The Godfather Family: A Look Inside."
- Additional content covers behind-the-scenes footage, production insights, and interviews with key figures like production designer Dean Tavoularis.
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Commentary and Featurettes:
- Each film includes feature-length audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola, providing valuable insights into the creative process.
- Other featurettes cover topics such as on-screenwriting, cinematography by Gordon Willis, and the music of The Godfather.
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Additional Scenes and Chronology:
- The bonus disc features additional scenes spanning different time periods, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the Corleone family saga.
- A detailed chronology of the Corleone family timeline is included, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.
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Technical Details:
- The article praises the fantastic sound and picture quality of the DVD collection, highlighting it as the best presentation of the films to date.
- The films are presented in anamorphic widescreen format with English 5.1 surround sound, French mono, and English subtitles.
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Excluded Scenes and Technical Limitations:
- The article mentions certain scenes not included in the bonus material, with the author speculating on the reasons behind their absence.
- Francis Ford Coppola cited technical challenges as a hindrance to including all extra footage on the DVD due to varying production levels.
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Press Conference and Release Information:
- The author attended the Paramount Press conference on June 11th, providing firsthand insights into the DVD collection's launch.
- The article encourages readers to order The Godfather DVD Collection and shares information about a Region 2/PAL version for specific regions.
In conclusion, The Godfather DVD Collection stands as a testament to the cinematic brilliance of Francis Ford Coppola and the enduring legacy of The Godfather trilogy. As a dedicated enthusiast, I invite fellow film lovers to immerse themselves in this comprehensive collection, savoring every moment of the Corleone family saga.
