Rating: 
Summary: Grazie Paramount!
Review: It looks and sounds great to me! The extra features are cool, and I for one don't want all the additional scenes (the ones for the Godfather Saga on TV) inserted. I prefer them where they are. Some of those scenes are good (the Genco scene), but others are just unnecessary (all the errands run before Paulie is shot). I thought the Family Tree was a great addition to the extras disc, too. The movies ARE dark (particularly I and II), but that was the intent (check out Gordon Willis' comments on the extras disc). And finally, I don't know why everyone is so harsh on III. For me, the only real flaw in it is Sofia Coppola's performance, but I can look past that and still enjoy it. I think one reason people don't like it as much is that it takes place in more modern times and doesn't have that lush, romantic feel about a lot of it--as the earlier movies do in buckets. Buy the set....now!!!
Rating: 
Summary: No WideScreen ?!?
Review: The box clearly states on both the front and back that it is a widescreen version. Each of the individual boxes mentions : widescreen. However none of the DVDs are widescreen! That was one of the things I looked forward to the most.
Rating: 
Summary: Two Masterpieces, 21 hours of stuff, 5 DVDs.
Review: Here's an offer no film-buff could ever refuse. I wish I could tell you the Collection exceeded the high expectations and delivered everything anyone could ever hope for and more, but I can't quite do that. The films look very good, but I don't think they are as perfect as they possibly could be.There is visible grain and because of how the film was shot at times it is a bit too dark. The sound in some scenes has an overly processed feel to it and home theatre system owners won't be overly impressed with the sound separation. It's just not anything special. Most of the 3 hours worth of extra material on disc 5 is not comprised of brand new or unique material. Film buffs and Godfather enthusiasts have probably seen most of it already. It's great that it's been collected and put together on these discs, but I was yearning for something new, something that would make me say.. Wow... For that you have the films and the feature length commentaries from Coppola -- Commentaries full of interesting, informative and fun information. The Godfather and The Godfather Part 2 represent two of the finest American films ever made. What they represent, how they were made, the actors that appear in them all contribute to making the film's special and unique. Too much time passed by to try and re-capture some of the glories with a Part 3, but remarkably there are moments that indicate the effort wasn't a completely worthless or wasted one. Part 3 is a fascinating failure on several levels. The original Godfather film is a modern classic which was immediately responsible for inspiring dozens of low budget knock-offs mainly in the U.S. and Italy, a remarkable sequel (Part 2) and then several books, films and television shows such as: 'The Long Goodbye' (England); Scorcese's 'Goodfellas'; TVs Wiseguy; and HBO's Sopranos. It also proved to be very influential to filmmakers in Hong Kong as well. The world was alternately fascinated with and disgusted by gangsters. The Godfather stylized and glamorized not so much the Cosa Nostra, but rather the Corleone family. They were criminals, but they were criminals with their own morals and ethics. They appealed to younger filmgoers because there were several parallels one could draw from The Godfather saga. First one could see how pursuit of the American Dream led to the corruption. Second, one could surmise that a thin line separated the gangster Corleone's from the great American political and business family dynasties. Third, the Corleone's could be viewed as dark revolutionaries, carving out their own fortunes regardless of rules or laws. And fourth, they were criminal's. . . bad guys. Bad guys always seem more interesting than good guys in literature and in the movies do. Scarface, Public Enemy and Little Caesar riveted film audiences in the 1930's. Some criminals became American folk heroes; Bonnie and Clyde, and Al Capone for instance while Jesse James, the Daltons and the gunfighters both good and bad of the old west were idolized. True crime has seemingly always carried a fascination for Americans who internationally have had reputations of being wild, unruly and dangerous. And so Mario Puzo (and others) created the great Italian-American gangster family, The Corleones. The Godfather was given the kind of epic sweep previously reserved for historical dramas or huge classic literature adaptations. Mario Puzo's book was a far cry from classic literature. Puzo had lengthy sub-plots in the book, which had little to do with the life and times of gangster father and his family. Coppola wisely stripped the book down to its basics and based his screenplay on the family of gangster contained within the overly sensationalistic book. When one looks at film's that are called masterpieces and lauded as among the finest ever made, one should find that such films had a great impact on the intended audience (even if that impact was limited or one of initial total rejection) and an extraordinary degree of influence. An influence whose scope transcended the intended target audience. The Godfather, and The Godfather Part 2 are two films that can make that claim. They offer exquisite period details (1901-1959) and introduces us to several memorable characters and Corleone family members. In the Godfather we have two of the greatestt performances ever captured on film -- Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. Brando transformed himself into a mature and complex character in what amounted to a major supporting role. Yes, he won the Best Actor award. . . but his role was really a major supporting role and not the star. The starring role of the picture is that of the character who changes drastically over the course of the nearly 10 years the nearly three hours movie covers--Michael Corleone. It is Al Pacino at his best. And as impossible as it may seem, his performance is even better than Brando's is. Even more improbable is watching Pacino deliver an even better performance in Godfather Part 2. Perhaps the finest performance that anyone has ever given on film. A performance that failed to win an Oscar and proved indisputably for anyone who had any doubts what little relation an Oscar win has to actual and lasting talent. You simply will not find a better performance in any motion picture in the last 30 years than the performance that Al Pacino delivers in The Godfather Part 2. But brilliant performances don't occur in a vacuum and part of the strength of Pacino's performance is due to the performances of those around him. Both the Godfather and Godfather Part 2 have some of the best and most memorable supporting performers and represent the strongest ensemble acting in American film. Christopher Jarmick,is the author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder a critically acclaimed, steamy suspense thriller.
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Summary: An American Tradition
Review: Much like the western movies of old, Mafia movies are a staple in American movie watching diets. With our fascination with the "old world" and the underworld The Godfather fulfills our need to look into a different world. So many mannerisms from this movie are still with us today. The Godfather collection is a must for everyone, this may be a look at an America that may not be our finest moment but is certainly a look at our history nontheless.
Rating:
Summary: DYSFUNCTION AS ART
Review: Francis Ford Coppola's take on Mario Puzo's riveting account of a peculiarly American family has been lovingly transferred in a collectors pack of five discs. Coppola is a great story teller and his unusually personal and insightful commentary creates a new viewing experience. A full-length and quite wonderful new documentary completes this elegant package.
Rating:
Summary: What are people talking about?
Review: I dont follow some of the reviews being written. I have a widescreen version; yet someone says its not available. Someone said the picture quality was poor; I disagree. It does not have the crispness to the picture that many of the newer movies does, but it is far superior in picture quality and sound when compared to the VHS tapes. As for additional scenes, that is a tough call. They are not cut into the movie, which I personally like. What is contained on the DVDs is the original theatrical cuts; the additional scenese are on the Bonus Material disc. To me this is how it should be, after all, that is what they are: Bonus Materials. The saga has been cut up so many times it was nice to see it in its orignal take. I suppose there could have been additional formats in the set; such as they Godfather Saga where it is all cut into chronological order, but that would be fine as another set in my eyes. Is it the box set of all box sets? Probably not. Is it the original versions of three of the best movies made with better audio and video? Unquestionably. Would it have neen nice to have a "director's cut" with additional scenes? Certainly, however I would hate to see how many discs that would have been. Bottom line: If you are looking for something new and jaw dropping, you will be dissapointed. If you are looking for the trilogy in digital format, you will be happy with your purchase.
Rating:
Summary: Great movies, Questionable DVDs
Review: Not many debate the superiority of these films (except for the 3rd one), so I am not really going to review the actual movies themselves, but the DVDs. This is because I am guessing that most, if not all, of the people who buy this set have already seen them. I have a few gripes about this DVD collection:
First, they could have done better with the packaging. Granted, the slim cases that they use save a considerable amount of space on the shelf, but they seem a little chinsy and barebones. This set could have also benefited from some sort of booklet that usually come with DVD collections, but maybe they felt that the supplement DVD was enough.
Second, what is the deal with the picture and sound in the first movie. I know it is old, but they claim this movie is "remastered"? There are speckles throughout Godfather I, but it is tolerable. However, the sound during the wedding party at the beginning can get raspy/static-sounding at times, mostly in the upper volumes of that scene. I've seen other movies from this era that have been remastered and transferred to DVD that have done a better job (the newest version of the Exorcist for example). Incidently, it isn't my speakers because I have 50 other DVDs that sound perfectly fine in all volume ranges.
Third, why did they put Godfather II on TWO DVDs?!?! All of the extras for the three movies where put on the 5th supplemental disc, so the only thing on the other DVDs are the movies. I'm pretty sure that the entire length of that film could fit on one, but I guess I could be wrong. Even though I bought this set immediately, I have a deep fear that this DVD collection will get re-released again in a year or two due to public criticism in order to correct their past mistakes. If you need an example of this look at the DVD version of Kubrick's "The Shining". I believe there have been 2 versions released to date of that particular film. That's just a sampler too. There have been several movies re-released because the studio screwed up the first time. All things considered, however, I am glad that finally own the DVDs of these movies. As all DVD owners will agree, VHS is horrid, and these discs give you the versitility and ease that CDs had over cassette tapes. Very few movies made in the past decades can even compare to the Godfather I/II, which makes this collection a must-own for the true fans of the films.
Rating:
Summary: AFI voted Godfather I & II into top 100 films !! and Why ?
Review: Francis Ford Coppola's 31 year obsession with the "GODFATHER Trilogies" rewards him with 9 Oscars (to include movie of the year 1970 (Godfather I)and 1972 (Godfather II)), 2 movies voted by the AFI (Amenrican Film Institute) (Godfather I & II - the only sequel ever to be awarded this honor)among the top 100 films in the last 100 years (1998).
Now we can enjoy this complex world of the "GODFATHER" through this complete 5 DVD "GODFATHER COLLECTION". This set provides us with the 3 movies and in depth background DVD.
In Summary:
DISC 1 - Godfather I (Oscar/Best Picture 1970) introduces us to Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando - Oscar/Best Actor) the "GODFATHER" his family and his family right after WW II. Rival Family takeover fails to assassinate Vito, but murder his oldest son. This causes the unsuspecting rise to power of the youngest son Michael to run and eventually become the Godfather (when Vito semi retires). (Extra - candid commentary by Coppola)
DISC 2 & 3 - Godfather II (Oscar/Best Picture 1972 & Best Director - Coppola) and the continuing rise of power of the Corleone family led by Michael (Pacino) trying to legitimize the family business with flashbacks of a young Vito (Robert DeNiro - Oscar/Best Supporting Actor) in his rise to power. A parallel story of 2 generations and their similarities in accomplishing the seige of power. (Extra - Coppola commentary)
DISC 4 - Godfather III (1990) Has Michael trying to become respectable and leave his past behind. Through this process his past proves to be his down fall and major obstruction to his dream of leaving the underworld. (Extra - Coppola commnetary)
DISC 5 - This DVD has many excellent features including a look at Coppolas real family connection to the series - sister ( playing Vitos daughter in all movies -Talia Shire), daughter (Sofia in Godfather III) & father (winning OSCAR/Best Score -Godfather II). The CORLEONE FAMILY TREE (sorts out the characters and their relationships to each other), GODFATHER TIME LINE (you can pinpoint the actual events of the Godfather movies and characters), many deleted scenes which really fills in the details of this complex saga. Most delightful is the early screen tests and how Coppola and the stars became friends etc.
This DVD set is the most complete allowing us to really understand Mario Puzo's and Francis Ford Coppola's mind set and the world of the "GODFATHER".
Rating:
Summary: A must have, almost
Review: We have all waited so long for this collection. I will not repeat what other have said about Part III. Suffice to say that I agree with the detractors. It is nice to hear that first line "I believe in America". Some may be dissappointed by the 4th disc. The "documentary section" seems to me to be a lengthy justification for Part III. I really wanted to see more behind the scenes footage from I and II. The "deleted scenes" are fantastic and I wonder if we will ever get "The Epic" on DVD. I think It is a much more complete story. So.... if you are not an obsessed Godfather fan wait for the separate releases of I and II.
Rating:
Summary: An offer you can't refuse
Review: The GODFATHER The first great film follows the transfer of power from Don Vito Corleone to his young idealist son, Michael. Throughout its three hour running time, the mafia family shifts into various states of conflict, as old-time tactics start to fail and egos bring destruction. The film is based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name and is thankfully not too faithful a transfer. Director Coppola exhibits great skill in bringing focus to the story, something lacking in the novel. The effort won the film many Oscar's including Best Picture. The cinematography harkens back to a 1940s style of filmmaking. Very little is brightly lit and the camera for the most part remains at a constant height. The now classic musical score by Nino Rota adds tremendous texture to the piece, practically yanking it away from becoming a potential soap opera. But, it's the star maker casting that really created a stir. Against studio demands, the trouble making Marlon Brando was cast as the powerful patriarch. Playing someone over thirty years his senior with fine make-up and his own physicality won him a much deserved Oscar. Al Pacino establishes himself as an acting force to be reckoned with as Michael, the reluctant recipient of an empire. He carries that through all three films. James Caan, whom the studio wanted to play Michael, brings a level of machissimo to the trip-hammer Sonny. Coppola's sister Talia Shire plays the victimized daughter Connie. Her character changes drastically through the trilogy. Of course, each film is as bloody as a slasher, all stylistically violent. Sonny's experience at a toll booth and Michael's first hit are only topped by the finale. Several murders interspersed with scenes from a baptism. The baby in the baptism is none other than Sofia Coppola who later appears as Mary Corleone. THE GODFATHER PART II With the second film, Director Francis Ford Coppola does the impossible. He creates an original piece better than its wonderful predecessor! After the phenomenal success of the GODFATHER, Coppola didn't have the studio watching every move he made like a hawk, and the results are a better, more diverse film. He lifted a concept he was saving for another movie, one where a father's story and his son's story are intermingled, comparing them both at the same age. Robert DeNiro won an Oscar for his mostly silent portrayal of the soft-spoken Italian, Vito Corleone, played by Brando in the first film. This was the first time in history that two people were both given an Oscar for portraying the same character. Running parallel with Vito's story is the continuing saga of Michael. He has grown into a man bent on his own fate, battling hubris like a Shakespeare character. The production design and music are once again wonderful, Vito's past is a gorgeous pastiche of immigrants at the turn of the previous century, while Michael now rules an empire that extended into the sleazy world of gambling. Coppola uses some of the same tricks as the first film (If it ain't broke...). The result is a three-hour plus tragedy that is sure to make a hit with you. Then, almost twenty years later, The GODFATHER PART III hit the screen. This film is one of the most disappointing films in history. To be fair, the other films set the bar mighty high. Ironically, many of the elements that made those earlier films so successful are the same things that bring this failure. From frame one of this film, Michael Corleone is a completely new man. There are few character traits from the first 2 films that made it into this film. It's questionable that Michael could grow into the fellah in this third film. The same could be said for Michael's sister Connie. I question that she could logically grow into the matriarch we now see. But, these new characters are the ones Coppola wrote about. Al Pacino is again wonderful and many times chews the scenery like it was connoli. Andy Garcia also makes a big mark on the film, portraying the bastard son of Sonny Corelone. It seems that he alone would not be out of place in the earlier films. By the last portion of the film, he even resembles Robert DeNiro's Vito. Some people appear in the film more as window dressing. George Hamilton, John Savage, Don Novello and Bridget Fonda are not given an opportunity to do anything. Then there is the casting of Francis' daughter Sofia as Michael's daughter Mary. This has got to be the most notorious miscasting since Homo sapiens began to walk upright. And I have to say it is deserved. Sofia doesn't have the depth to carry such a pivotal role. But, it's not her that makes the viewer uncomfortable. It's actually watching competent actors (like Pacino and Garcia) failing to find any believability or truth in scenes with her. Like Charles Foster Kane with his opera singer mistress, Director Francis has gone on record justifying Sofia's performance. It's nice to imagine the performance the originally cast Winona Ryder might have put in. Since this film, Sofia has gone on to become a pretty promising director. With most of the negatives out of the way, much of the production design is powerful. The music by Carmine Coppola (Francis' Dad) is excellent. The interposing of several murders while Michael watches his son in an opera is strong. The result is that this is a worthy "GODFATHER" film. What a great Disc set. All of the supplements are excellent, even the apologetic audio commentary by Director Coppola (Who does spend a lot of time justifying his third film...) The transfer is nice and the audio is excellent, and the packaging, it's worth a turf war.
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