The Godfather - The Coppola Restoration [DVD] [1972]

Exelant service and value for money.

`I am in blood stepp'd in so far'Perhaps Michael Corleone might have quoted, `I am in blood stepp'd in so far' (Shakespeare: `Macbeth' 3,iv,135) as he contemplates his fate in the Godfather trilogy as it approaches its full circle. I can never decide whether Part 1 or Part 2 is the greatest crime film ever. Certainly the whole trilogy is so rich it deserves several viewings. Here are some suggestions of things to consider.Is the trilogy a study of how power corrupts or how fear corrodes an individual? To the end Michael insists he did everything to PROTECT his family, but did he? The films display a maelstrom which sucks VIRTUALLY everyone into the world of violent crime - Kay Corleone nee Adams is an exception. Their world becomes a mausoleum imprisoning them from normality. Michael Corleone first appears as an outsider looking in on this world (G1) but by G3 he is a prisoner desperately looking out. In this world ethics and values become distorted: so for Tessio (G1) treachery is just `business'; the murder of mafia boss Don Cicci is a matter of `honour'; individuals are valued for their role in the family and not for their qualities. Most of the characters exist within a bubble of frustration - see the outbursts of Fredo in G2 and of Michael himself in G3. In sum, the trilogy is a study of FAILURE.In all three films the Corleone family is challenged by rival gangsters - Sollozzo (G1), Ola (G2) and Zasa (G3). However, far more dangerous are the hidden manipulators from the outside who threaten to destroy the Corleone family - Barzini (G1), Roth (G2) and Altobello (G3). These use weaker individuals within the Corleone structure to set up the collapse - for example, Carlo and Tessio (G1), Pentangeli and Fredo (G2). Of course, there is also loyalty (unto death!) such as Luca Brasi (G1), Tom Hagen (G1 & G2), Don Tomasino (G2 & G3). Within this world of violence the Corleone family SEEM to go far - contrast Vito's gift of an orange to his wife (G2) with Michael's gift of $500m. to the Catholic Church (G3): but not in all things - contrast the enthusiastic intrusion of a Sicilian folk-song into a party in G1 and Pentangeli's pitiful attempt in G2.The main female characters tend to be overlooked but they are, without exception, tough and resilient. From Vito Andolini's mother who sacrifices her life to save him (G2) to Kay Adams who forces husband, Michael Corleone, to recognise their son is going to be a musician and not a gangster(G3). Vito's wife remains resilient whatever life can throw at her, whereas his sister, Connie, overcomes tearful protests in the first two films to be prepared to wreak havoc on the family enemies in G3. Even Michael's daughter, Mary, summons up enough courage to defy her father over her relationship with her cousin, Vincent.Examine the characters closely. Is Vito Andolini aged 9 really slow-witted as his mother insists (G2) because he grows to be the shrewd Vito (played by de Niro) and the master strategist (played by Brando)? Is Michael the arch-schemer in G1 or the cold-blooded gangster of G2 or the guilt-ridden creature desperate to escape back into `legit' as in G3? Or is he all three - and masterly played by Pacino? Is Fredo really the `runt' of the family, doubting his own legitimacy, scorned by his wife and hating being cocooned by the shadow of a younger brother? Yes he is and John Cazale should be noted for his performance. Note the contrasting gene of uncontrolled violence which passes from Vito Andolini's murdered brother (G2) to Sonny Corleone (G1) and Sonny's bastard child, Vincent Mancini. Consider how the bloody hands of violent interlace with the worlds of politics and religion, feeding off each other and producing rivals in hypocrisy. Contrast the idyll of Sicily in G2 and the murkier undertones revealed in G1, G2 and G3 - and then compare all that with the glitz of Las Vegas and the vitality of Havana with their equally squalid undertones.The films are very violent - and that's ignoring the infamous horse's-head sequence - but for me there is a clear difference. The 1970's productions have a number of close-up, shocking moments - the murder of Brasi is the worst for me - whereas the `highlight' of G3, the machine-gunning of the mobsters' conference, left me quite cold. The masterpiece of this violence is surely the montageof a series of killings with the Michael's promises as godfather to `renounce the works of Satan', Even so, for me, the most telling murder is that of Fredo, in a boat saying his prayers to help with catching fish. In contrast there are several quieter moments, such as the death of Vito Corleone amidst the beans (G1), or happier scenes, such as the wedding opening G1.So what are the weaknesses? The latter two films stray into the arena of REAL events - Cuba in 1959 and the Vatican in 1978 - and get muddled as a result. Some of the plot of G3 is somewhat confusing, especially with the intricacies of Vatican finance. Not all performances are strong - Sofia Coppola (Mary Corleone in G3) has become a particular target, but then her character is very `flat'. And, of course, much of the `shortcomings' will arise from taste - e.g. when does violence become unacceptable?In conclusion, I would recommend you see the films IN ORDER (else you will get lost!) and, preferably with a small gap in between, in order to absorb the undercurrents of the films. I can assure you you'll be in for a treat.

This was a good box set.

Always loved the Godfather trilogy so i thought I'd buy the set, mainly for somethinv to watch over christmas as i kmow most of whatever is on tv channels or streaming will probably be rubbish. I tried all of them out in the dvd just to check and they are all perfect although i think the picture could be a bit sharper and the box is a bit bashed about but for a second hand set at that price i'm not that bothered really. Pretty happy all round with these.

Item in good condition on arrival.

If you don't already own 'The Godfather' box-set on DVD, this Blu-ray edition (which features all three films in individual cases along with a disc of bonus material, housed in a lovely embossed box) is the one to go for. If you do, it is NOT worth parting with your hard earned cash as the improvement in sound and picture quality over standard definition is miniscule.The original 'Godfather' is the most disappointing, with sound that is merely OK and picture quality that varies from passable to poor (The scene where Michael meets Enzo the baker at the hospital has more grain than a corn silo). How Paramount could allow this masterpiece of a film (a strong contender for greatest movie ever) to fall into such a state of disrepair is baffling. Parts II and III look and sound slightly better, but ultimately are about the same as an upscaled DVD.The only real advantage this blu-ray box set has is that the bum-numbingly long 'Godfather Part II' now fits comfortably on one disc as opposed to the 2 dvd's of old, saving you the hassle of having to get up and change discs midway through the film. Whether this alone is enough to warrant purchasing these movies again is questionable.The problems with the negative for the original 'Godfather' are well documented and unless some revolutionary new technology allows for a pristine restoration in the future, this is sadly as good as it's going to get.