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Summary: Both a treat and a deeply touching movie
Review: This edition, which contains a significant amount of footage that didn't make it to the original will prove to be a treat to those of us that smiled and cried to the 1990 version. Very few movies have had the effect on me that this film by Italian director Tornatore (Siamo Tutti Bene, Malena, Legend of 1900) had. I guess it's the mix of the exquisite score by Maestro Ennio Morricone and the sadness of the story, but it is one of the few movies that will pull a tear out of my eye, no matter how many times I've seen it. It's hauntingly beautiful, as Sicilian-born Toto, grows through his childhood and teenage years to become what he's dreamed of, to finally learn that all that matters is true love when he finally finds runs into his first great love. His whole life continues to revolve around the memories it evokes as he grows to become a successful filmaker away from his hometown. If you don't understand a word of Italian, fine, because along with the subtitles, the actors are incredible at conveying the tons of feelings their characters go through. Give it a shot and you will not be dissapointed. It's one of those touching stories that will always live as a classic in your heart once you view it.
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Summary: Movie Magic Casts It's Spell.......
Review: This review refers to Buena Vista/Miramax DVD edition(2/03 release) of "Cinema Paradiso - The New Version"...... The original theatrical release of "Cinema Paradiso"(1990)was honored with many international film awards. Among them the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Foreign Langauge film.The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards bestowed on this film Best Actor(Philippe Noiret), Best Supporting Actor(Salvatore Cascio), Best Film Not in the English Language, Best Film Score (Ennio and Andrea Morricone), and Screenplay for writer/director Guiseppe Tornatore, who also was awarded the Grand Prize from the Jury at Cannes.There were many more awards and nominations too numerous to list. You may ask why a film with this many distinctions would have a new version? Well if you have seen the original, there's a good chance you fell in love with all the characters and the 50 aditional minutes spent with them is more than welcome. Most of the additional footage not seen in the original is devoted to the star-crossed love story bewteen Salvatore(also called "Toto") and Elena, and may give you some closure to their relationship. But the beauty of this DVD is that you get both versions to relive the beautiful moments over and over and you can decide for yourself which version is your favorite. Either one on it's own will touch your heart, and both together is well worth owning on this beautiful transfer to DVD. The story is one that will have you totally immersed. A small Italian village, post WWII is in love with film. They townfolk clamor to see whatever film is playing at their little theatre, "Cinema Paradiso". But none are more enamored by the films and the process of showing them then little Toto and his idol Alfredo, the projectionist. When Toto as a grown man and successful filmmaker learns of the death of Alfredo, he thinks back to that time in the village of his growing love for film, the girl he loved, and most of all the loving bond that grew between him and Alfredo. This beautiful story of love and frienship is hypnotic. The actors are wonderful in their portrayals and the score delightful. It is one that will especially touch the hearts of film lovers. The DVD is an excellent view of these outstanding films. The new version is presented in Dolby Dig 5.1 Surround. It is in the original Italian language track with English subtitles and is presented in widescreen(1.66:1)with a nice clear picture and and vibrant colors. The original theatrical version,also in widescreen is presented in Dolby Surround,which also sounds great and may also be viewed in French. There are also captions in English. The subtitles may be deleted if you choose. Other than a theatrical trailer and some sneak peeks, there are no bonus features, but for me, getting lost in Toto's world for nearly three hours was bonus enough. Let this film cast it's spell on you...a must have addition to any film lovers collection...enjoy...Laurie
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Summary: Both versions - different and indispensable
Review: Like most avid lovers of this film, I saw it (and repeatedly viewed it) in the original version, and that version remains one of my favorite movies of all time - I never tire of watching it - or at least my favorite scenes from it. The music is unforgettable - possibly Ennio Morricone's greatest score. But like most others, I waited years to see the 50 minutes or so that had been deleted from the original release. The questions left unanswered (about Elena's disappearance) by the original were just too haunting... The new version answers those questions - and in some ways, unexpectedly. The first time I saw the new version - the seamless brilliance of the original seemed to lose power...but on repeated viewing, this effect diminishes...one begins to appreciate the director's original intent. Yes, some tawdry sex scenes seem to diminish the lovability of the original's characters. But that is a superficial criticism. In fact, the new version adds reality to the (slight) 'romanticized' excess of the original. Who hasn't been tempted into some tawdry sexual exploration, even though remaining a fundamentally decent person? Both versions remain indispensable, and are very highly recommended.
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Summary: I think people are missing the point of this "new" version.
Review: I am a long time fan of the original 1990 version of Cinema Paradiso. It was a very touching story of a father and son and the love they shared for each other. Some reviews on this web site have suggested that the "new" 51 minute version ruins the beauty and power of the original film. I feel everyone has missed the point. In fact it strenthens an already powerful story. The new footage with Toto finding the older Elena actually serves to demonstrate several points. First, it reinforces the point Toto made years earlier about the soldier and the princess. If Toto had left well enough alone, it would have been easier on him. Instead he will never be with Elena, knows it, and is tormented by the realization that he was so close to having her in the first place. Secondly, the question must be asked, what would have happened if Toto had ran off with Elena. Would he have become the successful filmmaker and would their love have lasted? Probably not on both questions. He would have by passed his destiny and in the end would have regreted this choice. Also, their love could never have lived up to his expectations...nothing could have, and he would have been more disappointed by this. Lastly, the revelation that Alfredo had "lied" to him does not turn Alfredo into a bad guy or liar. He gave Elena the choice and she saw it his way. He loved Toto so much that he wanted him to make the most of his life and not settle. He wanted him to realize the full potential of his life made a choice entirely out of love for him that in the end was the right choice. This new version is a wonderful movie and should be viewed seperately from the original since it is basically a whole different movie. Pick up this dvd...you wont be disappointed.
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Summary: One of the Best films of all time
Review: One of my favorite movies of all time. It is the story of a young boy growing up in pre-war Italy who spends most of his time in the "Cinema Paradiso" theater with an old man who is his friend, sneaking peaks at the Catholic preists censoring films. The music by Ennio Morricone complements the story so well it's as if they were meant to be together. 5 stars for a film that conjured so many emotions from me, I could identify with the boy completely.
Rating: 
Summary: A five-star movie reduced by two stars.
Review: The "original" (U.S. theatrical) version of this film has long been a favorite of mine. I had little interest in the newly-released director's cut, but purchased this DVD as it contains both versions. (Note: The "original" version is on side B of the two-sided DVD.) Out of curiousity, I did watch the newer version and the additional footage was, in my opinion, worthless. These scenes did indeed alter the very essence of the film, and I'm puzzled that the director had such a very different intent for the movie. The real "love affair" of the 1990 version was the father/son relationship between Alfredo and Salvatore. In fact, I always considered the boy/girl romance a superfluous element in the plot. I also appreciated the innocence of this film - an innocence that I believe was one significant reason for it's success. The director's cut trades in that innocence for something much cheaper and less palatable. There are several unnecessary sex scenes. Three primary characters are tainted: Alredo comes off as a liar; Toto's behavior is pathetic; and Elena is robbed of her purity. I was really stunned at the complete transformation in the film's entire message. This newer version truly diminishes the film in every possible way. I never thought I'd tire of watching "Cinema Paradiso", but the last half hour of this was unbearably tedious. The ridiculous reunion of Salvatore and Elena also serves to lessen the incredible final scene. As another reviewer noted, some stories are best left untold.
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Summary: Re-edit is inferior to original
Review: If you are a fan of the original theatrical cut of Cinema Paradiso, allow yourself to watch this radical revision out of curiosity. If you have never seen Cinema Paradiso, your experience of the film will be RUINED if you let yourself watch the recent version first. I suggest you get acquainted with the far superior earlier cut, and later try the new version. The new version is a totally different film. The focus is shifted from the central character's relationship with Alfredo, a cinema projectionist, to his lifelong obsession with a lover from his adolescence. The latter lacks believability, and radically alters the mood of the film. Aside from this insertion of a mammoth chunk of storyline that was absent from the first film, there are a few edits and extra scenes dotted here and there throughout the film that utterly ruin some of the most memorable and effective moments from the original. Perhaps I am just too in love with the original (the irony here, in view of the film's major themes, is stark) to be able to accept this new version. Admittedly, the extra storyline fills in some glaring holes in the original, though not without creating a few new loose ends. If you are a fan, watch this just to satiate your curiosity, but bear in mind that you are watching a very different--and far inferior--film.
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Summary: They Ruined a Perfect Movie
Review: The original Cinema Paradiso is my favorite movie. It's perfect and sweet. This new version adds length and lessens the story and characters. It makes Alfredo look like a bad guy, and worse, it makes Toto look like a loser/stalker in the end. A couple of icky sex scenes are thrown into this version as well--again taking away the sweet innocence of the original. Somehow the characters in the theater aren't as important in this version, and the destruction of the theater at the end loses its poignancy. Very disappointing. I'm buying the original before it gets too hard to find. It's a shame they didn't put the original version on this disc as well.
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Summary: A Great Homage To Cinema
Review: In spite of some extra scenes that I think are unnecessary, this extended new version of "Cinema Paradiso" stills makes a great impression on me. This Italian masterpiece about the growth of a Sicilian kid (Salvatore Cascio, in a brilliant debut) from childhood, adolescence (in the person of Marco Leonardi), to manhood (in the shape of French actor Jacques Perrin) through movies is marvelous, touching, and truly entertaining.
When I first saw "Cinema Paradiso" back in 1990, I fell in love instantly with it, thus becoming one of my favorite movies. The innocence of Toto as he wants to learn how to handle a projector, thanks to the help of Alfredo (French acting legend Philippe Noiret); the tough times in his adolescence, working as a projectionist, having an impossible romance with Elena, doing military service; and his loneliness as a movie producer in his adulthood. Everything caused me a great impact, and still does everytime I watch this film by Giuseppe Tornatore. Now, in this extended version, I like the fact that Toto -as an adult -has the chance to see Elena again and discovers why they failed to meet at the Paradiso prior to his departure for Rome. In my opinion, that's the most important new scene of the movie. I really wanted to know that, and now I feel satisfied.
All in all, I still like this great work of love everytime I see it. A work of love towards life, innocence, romance and, above all else, movies. A great homage to cinema.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed with the New Version
Review: Cinema Paradiso is one of the best films I have ever seen. However, I recently bought the New Version on DVD and was completely disappointed with it. The original plot and version were what made the film so good, the new version is too much. It tells too much of what happens afterwards and makes the most heart-warming character, Alfredo, seem like a bad guy. A terrible dissapointment, buy the original if you want to purchase this film.
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