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35 out of 42 people found the following review useful: If Only They Deleted Part III & Included the 55 minutes of Outakes!, 9 October 2002 Author: jbirtel (jbirtel@bluefrognet.net) from United States
The final image in PART 2 said it all! After that, it was just 'more of the same'. And it's still missing about 20 more minutes (deleted from the theatrical versions) of great footage from the broadcast of "A Novel for Television" (or the retitled "Godfather Saga") that combined 1 & 2. Most notable is James Caan's 'Sonny' that was more prominent following the Don's assassination attempt. Plus...why take out scenes that were in the theatrical release. No matter what version is shown, it's either censored (for TV) with added scenes that further fleshes out the story and characters, or the theatrical release seems edited.Coppola has said that he doesn't mind taking out scenes (according to his whim) because he can always put them back. What a way to keep the cash cow forever flowing. And...at the expense of depriving movie lovers the definitive version of 'The Godfather Saga'.Just look at how many versions of 'The Godfather' there is...1)'Godfather', 'Godfather PART II', 'Godfather Part III' (546 minutes)2)'The Godfather: A Novel for Television' (1977) (434 min. not including the 171 min. of Part III) [434 + 171 = 605 min.]3)'The Godfather Epic: 1902-1959' (3 tapes on VHS) (402 min. not including Part III) [402 + 171 = 573 min.]4)'The Godfather Trilogy' (laser disc) (583 min)Every version has some scenes that the others don't have. I think I'll wait till all the footage that the viewing public has been exposed to is all included in the film from beginning to end because all that footage is great cinema. For once, it'd be nice to sit back and enjoy the entire story without your concentration being interrupted by missing scenes (you know exists) that causes gaps in the narrative.
26 out of 29 people found the following review useful: As long as you've seen the others, you know this one, 24 May 2002 Author: Jerry Smith from USA
This is just practically all of the Godfather movies rolled into one big one just in chronological order. There is nothing really to say about this except that all of the other Godfathers were wonderful and I liked it in chronological order instead of all jumbled up. Still wonderful, same great acting and same wonderful direction.Overall the movie is just normal Godfathers in one big movie. Still like it a lot though. Rating 10 out of 10.
18 out of 20 people found the following review useful: A truly fascinating and well-devised saga., 14 August 1999 Author: "boz" from London, England
In 1972 and 1974 Francis Ford Coppola in association with novel-writer Mario Puzo created two of the most critically acclaimed films in motion picture history, and either of them being strong contenders for the best picture ever made. Sixteen years later, Coppola and Puzo teamed up again to create an intriguing third installment, continuing the incredible saga set around 20 years after the events portrayed in the first two films. Now we can see all three superb films combined, carefully and effectively edited and containing scenes previously cut from original theatre versions. "The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980" is one of the finest pieces of cinema art.The truly epic and grandness of the saga can now be appreciated in its full when the whole 9hrs and 32mins can be seen at once, what's more, it is in perfect chronological order.The trilogy begins with The Young Vito Corleone (Robert DeNiro) and his rise to power in New York, this originally being a prologue to "The Godfather, Part II" is now placed right at the start of the saga, making the later flashbacks of DeNiro much more effective and it sets the scene beautifully for the following wedding scene at the beginning of the original "Godfather" film. Instead of being plunged into exposition far too quickly, as in the original cut of the first film, the exposition here is much more effective. The scene takes place at the wedding of the ageing Vito's (Marlon Brando) daughter Connie (Talia Shire) and it introduces his three sons, Sonny (James Caan), Fredo (John Cazale) and Michael (Al Pacino) along with Vito's adopted son and lawyer Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall), soon we are presented with the familiar though very interesting plot, including severed horse's heads, a lot of gunfire and various questions of morality. The final scene of the first film is immediately followed by the continuation of the same plot in "The Godfather, Part II," this being another masterful act of editing. The consequences at the end of the second film (particularly the death of Fredo) are therefore a lot more harrowing and effective.Soon, we are elegantly taken to the events surrounding the ageing Michael Corleone, including the surviving members of the original films and also introducing a whole new generation of people including Sonny's illegitimate son Vincent (Andy Garcia) and Michael's own daughter (Sofia Coppola), and there is another opposition character in the form of Joey Zasa (Joe Mantegna) and so the story continues, this with an even more grim and equally powerful finale.On a whole, this is simply a masterpiece, the story exceedingly effective (being based from Mario Puzo's successful novels) and the acting (particularly in the first two films) impeccable. To see it is more of an experience than anything else.
22 out of 32 people found the following review useful: Alongside Star Wars, this is the best saga in motion picture, 6 May 2000 Author: kallah
The first two episodes of The Godfather have already been critically acclaimed. There's not much of a point in adding to these praises. There have been so many negative critiques of Part III that a commentary in favor of the final episode is due.Here it is. The last of the trilogy can be appreciated for its consistency with the first two, particularly with the film's loyalty to the recurring theme of the entire saga: family.Once lineless and rendered obscure to the plot, Lucy Mancini (original actress and all) has returned to the saga after being left behind in Part I. And she has brought a not-so-little remnant of her affair with Santino Corleone with her. Recall the scene in Part I when Sonny leaves Lucy's apartment with his henchmen to pick up his sister. That was perhaps the very moment after which the last Don Corleone was conceived.Another one of Santino's remnants has returned to the saga in Part III: his twins (Francesca and the other one). They are now grown and still identical, and still adorable too. Remember their line in Part II, Mommy, Daddy's fighting again!" and their inclusion in the Corleone family portrait taken at Connie's wedding.Also returning are Al Neri, Calo (the Sicilian bodyguard), Tommassino, Johnny Fontaine (voice still intact), and Sofia Coppola even though she posed as Connie's baby in Part 1. Speaking of Sofia, she arouses a touching appreciation of the scene in Part II that shows little Mary Corleone running in a hotel hallway while her parents argue inside the room. And Anthony becomes a paradox to the boy in Part I who is ostensibly imminent to be the next Godfather.As usual, the political intrigue makes the film exciting if you're paying attention. And the very title of Part III presents a double meaning: third episode, third Godfather. Andy Garcia is perfect for the part (remember him in The Untouchables). As they say in the mob, Vincent Corleone "wears it" when he is ordained Don Corleone, Neri and others acknowledging his throne in the proper fashion. The scene chills you with nostalgia and images of Bonasera kissing Vito's hand, and Clemenza and Rocco Lampone kissing Michael's.To be honest, Part III is rude to newcomers to the Corleone family. It's presumptuous that viewers will appreciate what's occurring without realizing that this will be the first time many even see a Godfather flick. This is also why so many critics bashed Part III. They critique it as an individual feature instead of an integral episode to a classic saga. Okay, okay...The shortcomings of Part III comprise the main reason why the Trilogy version must be viewed to appreciate the Godfather saga. Like Phantom Menace, The Godfather Part III is empty without the rest of the story (even though Menace can stand alone better). Yet, like Star Wars, The Godfather is a classic of classics in literature, performance, and cinema: the best in motion picture history.
14 out of 17 people found the following review useful: An offer you can't refuse!, 27 September 2005 Author: MovieAddict2009 from UK
Everyone knows the "Godfather" movies. If you don't by now, you probably don't belong on this site. (Just kidding...everyone is welcome!) In 1992, Francis Ford Coppola assembled together the entire footage from all three of his "Godfather" movies and spliced them back together again in chronological order...along with about 30 minutes of deleted scenes, making the outcome clock in at about 530 minutes altogether (astounding!).The movie compilation was released on VHS and played on TV as part of a mini-series type deal, but I never got around to seeing it back then. Watching it now it really adds a new aspect to the familiar story and truly compliments the original films - it doesn't seem like an unnecessary cash-in.Part of what I enjoy about the first sequel is its non-chronological passage of events...flashbacks to Don Vito's days really contrasted Michael's conflicts in a superb way... but I don't really have any beefs with Coppola changing that for the sake of a new and unique narrative. It makes it more interesting for this particular project.It starts off with scenes from "The Godfather Part II" - a young Vito Corleone emigrates from Corleone, Sicily (and no, the film wasn't actually shot there...I went to the real town of Corleone and it's nothing like in the film) to Ellis Island at the turn of the century. Once there he eventually opens his own business, gets a wife and births children - including Michael, his beloved son.Vito becomes a Mafia Don and after many years Robert De Niro transforms into Marlon Brando, whose son Michael (now played not by a baby, but rather a baby-faced Al Pacino) is reluctant to join the "business." He's in the military and all is going well with him and his girlfriend (Diane Keaton) but then an assassination attempt leaves his older brother dead and his father in intensive care.In order to defend his family he must kill a corrupt cop and Mafia kingpin. He does this and then flees to Sicily (and, if you've read the book "The Sicilian" by Mario Puzo, you'll be aware of what fate awaits him there).This stuff goes on forever and I could give a detailed plot description but I'd be ruining whatever you might not have seen.Overall there's nothing I can really say about this other than that it's an interesting spin on the movies. If you want my opinion on the other films you'll have to search my archive here on IMDb, they'll all available if you care so much as to read them (which I highly doubt).Suffice to say Coppola's remix of his movies is a refreshing twist on the saga...I enjoyed it and although it's something of a monster to sit through (I recommend an hour or two per night, which I don't ever usually like to do with other films), you'll find the time passes by pretty quick at times.
4 out of 5 people found the following review useful: All time favourite with excellent acting and a marvelous script tightly composed between Coppola and Puzo, 27 July 2003 Author: Vagus from sweden
This is my all time favourite suite of movies. The Godfather trilogy has bedazzled me time after time. The best thing is to see them all in a row with at the most one day between.In part one Marlon Brando totally owns the screen and takes all the attention. And this isn't an easy task if you look at the casting! Al Pacino himself makes it worth while, as well as James Caan, Diane Keaton and Robert Duvall. Together they blend a perfect mix.If you see the movies first and then read the original book by Mario Puzo, you will probably find that the characters in the movies perfectly suits the ones in the book. It's such a perfect match. Maybe this if because of the fact that Francis Ford Coppola worked together with Puzo on the movies.I first saw the movies and then read the book, and even if I knew the movies very well I sat glued to the book from the first page to the last! And after I finished the book I felt a strong urge to see the movies again. This is because you get so much more information on all the characters in the book, so when you watch the movies again you will understand so much more! It's almost like seeing the trilogy for the first time again!Enjoy!
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Amazing, 25 February 2006 Author: kh1247 from United States
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
This version of the film (sometimes known as the Godfather Novel version) is much closer to FFC's original vision of the film. With the re-addition of several deleted scenes and the reordering of the story to move chronologically, you truly see the development of Vito Corleone as Godfather, and smoothly move on the Michael's rise as the head of the family. I think my favorite feature of this film is that it moves chronologically. This really lets you parallel some of the things that happen reflecting the similarities and differences of Vito and Michael, as well as some of the fear that the original Godfather creates; for example, now you have the apartment super. scene before the Woltz scene, a brilliant parallel. One thing you lose, though, is the parallel of Vito's view of family and Michael's. The dynamics between husband and wife are very different between them, as the GF2 film shows much better than this. But, overall, it's truly amazing!
6 out of 11 people found the following review useful: "The best trilogy of films ever to be made", 3 April 2006 Author: galileo3 from United Kingdom
The Godfather- 1972 3 Academy Awards- Including Best Picture"A flawless piece of cinema""This film immediately makes Coppola one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of cinema"-10/10-The Godfather Part II- 1974 6 Academy Awards- Including Best Picture and Best Director"The Godfather Part II is the finest sequel ever to be made, one of the greatest films of all time, and possibly finer than its own superb predecessor. A Cinematic Masterpiece""As close to perfection as movies get"-10/10-The Godfather Part III- 1990 7 Academy Award Nominee- Including Best Picture and Best Director"Inferior to the first 2 parts of the trilogy, but still a major cinematic achievement""Part III is a great film, a further study of the Corleone family and the Italian mafia, while not lacking the ingredients of the first 2 parts"-8.0/10-"A breathtaking trilogy"
2 out of 4 people found the following review useful: The Goof is on you, 9 June 2007 Author: dixie-18 from Danville, Virginia
The GOOF listed on this page is not even a goof. The writer or editor of this site made the goof.The house that was for sale as the family moved to Lake Tahoe, (not Las Vegas) was the family compound. That place was for sale as commercial property. The house Michael met Pentangeli in was the Don's old house in Queens. After the Don moved to the family compound, he sold the house to Peter Clemenza. On the day Paulie Gatto got whacked, we see Paulie and Rocco pick up Clemenza at that same house. Later, Michael tells Pantangeli he was always glad he had the house, "First Clemenza, and now you." It was all explained right there. The only goof is IMDb not following the dialogue here.
0 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Coppola is my God, Pacino is my Jesus, The Trilogy is my bible, 12 June 1999 Author: Bjørn Stenvold (stenvold@c2i.net) from Tromsø, Norway
It`s only one way to watch this creative work. All 10 hours on a row during a Friday night. Only then will you understand this extravagant work of art, this amazing pyramid of human physical and mental effort that has been used doing this enormous cinematic piece. You can`t give a list of what is best with it, cause everything with it is beyond anything that has been made. See it, and give a moment of respect to such a brilliant talent and genius that has been invested in this film.
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