Rating: 
Summary: How could anyone give it fewer than five stars?
Review: This, along with Citizen Kane, in my opinion is the reason DVD players were made. Having all three of these movies along with one disc devoted entirely to extras is a treat in every sense of the word (Is there more than one? Oh well.). This film, along with other great films on DVD (Jaws comes to mind), is finally getting the justice it deserves by being available in widescreen: the way the filmmaker intended. You'll never want to watch it on cable again.Of course we have a great story with great actors in a great looking film in the first Godfather. Who can forget the opening first shot as the camera slowly moves backward over Brando's right shoulder? On the extras disc we get an alternate opening to Part III that used a similar shot where Coppola wanted the camera to do the same thing over Pacino's shoulder while being asked an important favor by a Catholic bishop. However, he decided to scrap the opening, deciding that the focus should be on family, not business. The film itself is great as we watch the daily goings-on of the Corleone family, the violence that can't be kept out, and the end of one Don and the rise of an unlikely other. Part II is longer and also has a compelling story, but just isn't quite as good as the first. Don't get me wrong, it's a great film and I like it a lot, but the charm of the first film is lacking as we see Michael fully in charge and working with a ruthless efficiency to get what he wants. By this time, the family has been forced out of New York (due to Michael's massive hit on the other families) and are controlling hotels and shady gambling operations in Las Vegas. One of the last scenes of the film, which is a flashback to earlier, happier days as the family is about to give a surprise party for Don Vito, is one of the best in film history. Part III, which was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar in 1990, is still a pretty good film, and worthy contribution to the continuing story, although it's not quite up to the caliber of the other two. Here we have Michael trying to keep the family operation in legitimate businesses only, but as fate would have it, every time he thinks he's out they pull him back in (sorry, I couldn't help myself). The final scene, which is supposed to echo Brando's death scene in the first film, doesn't quite work because it seems so short and rushed, almost as if Coppola was saying let's hurry and get this shot because we have to have it in the movie. The extras disc is packed with quality stuff including a great "making of" documentary that pulls out all the stops. There's even a screen test of Martin Sheen reading for the part of Michael(!). There's also Oscar acceptance speeches, an original 1971 featurette that was shot while the first Godfather was in production and many, many deleted scenes from each film, along with lots of other stuff. Anyone building a serious DVD collection must have this. You won't be disappointed, unlike Michael with Fredo.
Rating:
Summary: Some things I find puzzling
Review: I agree with other reviewers that this is a great DVD set. Over the last 30 years, I have watch the videos at least once a year. So it was with great anticipation for me when Godfather III was released. It was a dissapointment for me for reasons other than Coppola's comments. First, I think the casting of his daughter was just fine. Some persons in the industry who may have had it in for Coppola obviously hurt him personally, but I think he should have ignored it. It was a low blow and who can fault his casting anyway. Sophia, you were ideal. I haven't seen this observation anywhere, but I was struck how all three films were cast in shades of brown, even Kay's bronze satin suit in GIII matched the mahogony panneling. I think the intent was to lend a sepia cast like an old photo. It was striking and inovative. The big problem I had with GIII was the change in Michael's character. After all the personally cruel things he did, he finally got religeon. Not believable to me. The most unbeleivable item for me was the last scene. How in heaven's name did they take this ivy league college boy and alter him into an ethnic stereotype. I hated his haircut. Older men with this hair style wear their hair this way because it was the style in the 1950s and they never changed. This was not Michael. To top it all off, he is wearing that silly hat which would have been worn by a fruit peddler in 1900. The story line didn't run true and I think they should have stopped with GII if they couldn't come up with a better story.
Rating:
Summary: An American Fairy Tale
Review: THE GODFATHER is a phenomenon, commercial and artistic, and is proof that art can influence life. Its a mythic contribution to the search for the perfect American fairy tale, about greed, ambition, family, and guilt. Only in its soap-opera-esque potrayal of the multi-faceted world of organized crime does the film have its strength and weakness. By simplifying this world using iconic characters it makes the mafia approachable, but it also avoids the ugly, inconvenient details. Each film has its own quality. Part I and II compete in most viewers' hearts for favorite status, and Part III is universally regarded as substandard. But, as the documentary shows, all three are flawed, due to artistic compromises. Scenes in the first two films are now iconic, such as Santino's Assassination in Part I and the epipany in Part II. Each film is story-driven, but, like the "Abortion" scene in Part II demonstrates, it is also a story with characters, something disappearing from film in general. However substandard Part III may be, it is necessary, because the movie, as a whole, is not about gangsters, but Michael. Numerous other films, inspired by THE GODFATHER and starring Al Pacino, have portrayed organized crime more realistically, but THE GODFATHER is the simple tale of one man trying to be an American. The deleted scenes provided in the fifth disc are gems that flesh out characters even more. The documentary also inserts the movie in the corporate politics of the movie industry that is a part of the American fairy tale. This is the second time (later, in APOCALYPSE NOW) Coppola's wife has examined a film by her husband, and almost outdoes him for clarity and succinctness. What makes the film so engaging is also so disturbing. That viewers indentify with characters only proves the power of the American fairy tale on Americans. THE GODFATHER is a mirror on our souls.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Brilliant
Review: The Godfather series was done brilliantly. You really can't ask for any more from the I and II. There is a little more to be desired of Part III - but it puts closure to the whole family and the business, so it is necessary. The presence of Robert Duvall is missed as well. It is interesting to see the kids of all the family (Sonny, Tom Hagen, etc).
Anyway. Part I is amazing. Brando does a magnificant job as Vito Corleone. He plays the part perfectly. The other characters are able to play very well off of the prestige he brings to the set. Part II is another incrediable movie. You see how Vito Corleone (DiNero) rose to power in NYC in the 1920s and you see Michael (Pacino) further solidify the power of the family in Nevada. I find the 1920's portion to be very fascinating because you also see characters such as Clemenza and Tessio and how they aided Vito and how he helped them. It just shows you the depth of the characters that are in the triology.
The Godfather DVD set is a must for anyone who appreciates movies. The actors are amazing in them: Marlon Brando, James Caan, Al Pacino, Robert DiNero, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Andy Garcia, and Bridget Fonda.
The DVD set only enchances what Cappola has done. The special features disc is very interesting as well. It is great for those who love the movie.
Rating:
Summary: The quintessential Italian movie set
Review: Pull up a bowl of pasta, a nice cabernet and prepare to be impressed!
Rating:
Summary: Well, it's The Godfather isn't it?
Review: What can I say about these films that hasn't been said already? The first two are undeniably classics, the last disappointing in it's mediocrity. Everyone who loves watching films should own these, there are few better. Long, but never slow, always intelligent, never too obvious, understated (for example, there is surprisingly little gore in these films when compared to the more recent mob films) and gorgeously shot. Characters that you'll remember forever. Buy them! And this box set? Excellent. Clear transfers, retaining the sepia tinge of the films, excellent 5.1 sound for that famous theme, and very nice packaging. Lots and lots of extras, including what seems like dozens of deleted scenes, and a nice family tree, useful if you're having trouble keeping track of the family (what's wrong with you?), not to mention the excellent documentary. One word of caution though, there are director commentaries on all three films, although you might not know it immediately as it is only mentioned on the tiny label on the bottom of the box, and the films start automatically on entry to your player, so it is necessary to stop the films to get to the commentaries. The price is perhaps a little steep, but it's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Truly amazing!
Review: The Godfather DVD Collection is a beautifully produced, carefully remastered and nicely priced set of some of the most amazing movies of all time, The Godfather I, II and III. The special features DVD is a great addition to the set although most or all of the additional scenes in it are already there in The Godfather Trilogy. I would recommend this set to any die hard GODFATHER fan.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movies, Except for Part III
Review: The Godfather I and II are perhaps two of the greatest movies ever made, a fact which is clear from watching them. Godfather III, however, is a movie that, while not quite being horrible, is far from good. Pacino's performance is excellent in I and is perhaps the best part of II but, in III, there is very little interesting plot for him to work with so his performance falters. The best performance of the trilogy, however, comes from Marlon Brando, who makes Vito Correleone one of the greatest characters in movie history. On the whole, these three movies are exellent. Overall, the sound and video quality is excellent, although there were a few scenes where you could see the wear and tear on the video and where the sound degraded. Other than that the DVD series was excellent and I would highly reccomend purchasing it.
Rating: 
Summary: Where are the extras?
Review: I bought this collection hoping for some excellent bonus material. What I got was a few deleted scenes, some behind the scenes material and a LAME "family tree" that briefly tells you about the family, but nothing more about them that could be learned by watching all 3 movies. Where is the background on the other important characters in the movie? Where is the background on the book? I was looking for a story or information about the real family. Even network TV took the trilogy and pieced it together into chronological order. I thought that version may have been one of the extras. I expected so much more from a box set that was supposed to be so good.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: These movies are Beautiful. Pure, pefect art. Great Music also.
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