ChainsawAsh said:

Which is what you'd use the AMC shots for, right?  You could even use the AMC audio, just replace any censored parts with the Blu-Ray audio when necessary.

Well, then it wouldn't be a preservation and would move into "fan edit" territory, no?

That's an entirely different thread.

I'm here to preserve the original Godfather Saga as it aired.

...well, how would that be a fan edit?  It's just un-censoring the extended TV cut.  I don't know who would be interested in watching a censored version.

I, for one, would be interested in maintaining the integrity of the 'A Novel For Television' version, as it aired.

If you're going to make changes to the dialogue and add all the language as it appeared in the theatre version, you might as well move the last scene of the mini-series (Vito's birthday where Michael announces his enlistment). But, then, with those changes -- as digitalfreaknyc pointed out -- it's no longer the 'A Novel For Television', but a fan-edit.

Perhaps the HD restored footage from this project could be added to a newer Chronological edit.

ChainsawAsh said:

...well, how would that be a fan edit?  It's just un-censoring the extended TV cut.  I don't know who would be interested in watching a censored version.

Most people would. The Saga is just a curio, a chance to see the films edited in a different way from the theatrical versions, with those added scenes, and in this case in HD. The minor edits to violence, etc. aren't a big deal, if you're that desperate to see those few seconds of violence/nudity, watch the original cuts. I doubt the Saga is going to be the definitive version for anyone, most people will be going back to the original films as that is how they were intended. There's not that much cut anyway, there was only one use of the f-word in the entire first two films, one instance of brief nudity, and they've cut a few seconds off some violent scenes. The dinner murder scene is left intact, at least. If you want an uncut version so badly, make it yourself.

jwuk45 said:

ChainsawAsh said:

...well, how would that be a fan edit?  It's just un-censoring the extended TV cut.  I don't know who would be interested in watching a censored version.

Most people would. The Saga is just a curio, a chance to see the films edited in a different way from the theatrical versions, with those added scenes, and in this case in HD. The minor edits to violence, etc. aren't a big deal, if you're that desperate to see those few seconds of violence/nudity, watch the original cuts. I doubt the Saga is going to be the definitive version for anyone, most people will be going back to the original films as that is how they were intended. There's not that much cut anyway, there was only one use of the f-word in the entire first two films, one instance of brief nudity, and they've cut a few seconds off some violent scenes. The dinner murder scene is left intact, at least. If you want an uncut version so badly, make it yourself.

Exactly. This compilation was made FOR TELEVISION in the 70's. If anyone wants to change it or do something different beyond that, have at it. But that's not a preservation anymore. It's a fan-edit.

Adding the violence wouldn't hurt the integrity. I'm talking about 3 shorts snippets here and there. It's about making a 95% thing a 100%.

The De niro burning towel scene is a big loss. But I can live without it of course. I just thought it would be nice to restore that and some other small snippets since digitalfreaknyc was already adding stuff from the blu-ray. but I see your point about this turning into a fan edit.

Oh, and the saga is the definitive version for me. Not just a curio. I'm just happy it's finally avaliable in HD.

does anyone know why the amc version is so censored anyways? Amc shows show much more violence then this all the time and use language that is censored on the novel for television 

Probably the print they used is the same one that was put together back in the late 70s for NBC. Keep in mind that the Saga was specifically made for network television, not for theatrical or video release. Wouldn't be worth them making a brand new cut just to show on AMC.

From wiki:

[In 1977] Francis Ford Coppola asked his editor Barry Malkin to make a 7-hour version for television. .....Malkin also toned down the violence, sex and language for a television audience

There are, however, two other versions which were uncensored

The Godfather 1902–1959: The Complete Epic

The Godfather 1902–1959: The Complete Epic is a reduced, 386 minute version of The Godfather Saga (434 minutes) that was released to video in 1981.^[5][6] Lucia Bozzola wrote of this version, "With the freedom of home video, The Complete Epic reinstated the violence that had been edited for television; free of commercial breaks, the narrative drive of Part I was mostly restored, but the impact of Part II was still muted by the separation of Vito's rise from Michael's descent."^[7]

The Godfather Trilogy: 1901–1980Following the release of The Godfather Part III in 1990, Coppola, Barry Malkin, and Walter Murch edited the three Godfather movies into chronological order to make the film The Godfather Trilogy: 1901–1980. As had the earlier compilations, this film incorporated scenes that are not part of the theatrical releases.^[8] It was released on VHS and laserdisc in 1992; it has not been released on DVD, and is now rare.^[8] The total run time for this version is 583 minutes (9 hours, 43 minutes). Reviews of this version of the film were favorable.^[9][10] An unsigned Time review reads, "This trilogy has a novelistic density, a rueful, unhurried lyricism and a depth that, singly, the films could not achieve. Altogether glorious."^[10]

 

Be nice if the last one got an HD or Blu-ray release. That would pretty much be the definitive chronological version since it also includes Godfather III.

Patching is done.
Might anyone, by chance, have the DVD for "Rediscovering John Cazale?" I'd like to include the commentary and the bonus interviews from that.

This is going to be a VERY loaded BD-50.

At this point, I'm not sure if I should include the John Cazale documentary or some other stuff that I have. I have an E! documentary celebrating the 25th anniversary and some Entertainment Tonight news reports. I think I might have to include that instead of the Cazale thing.

It's one or the other. Unfortunately, I can't include both. :(

digitalfreaknyc said:

At this point, I'm not sure if I should include the John Cazale documentary or some other stuff that I have. I have an E! documentary celebrating the 25th anniversary and some Entertainment Tonight news reports. I think I might have to include that instead of the Cazale thing.

It's one or the other. Unfortunately, I can't include both. :(

definitely include the television opening of GF3 though

badboy1997 said:

digitalfreaknyc said:

At this point, I'm not sure if I should include the John Cazale documentary or some other stuff that I have. I have an E! documentary celebrating the 25th anniversary and some Entertainment Tonight news reports. I think I might have to include that instead of the Cazale thing.

It's one or the other. Unfortunately, I can't include both. :(

definitely include the television opening of GF3 though

That's not a question. That's definitely going to be in there.

For those of you interested, it seems like this version of the saga is not the same as the one aired i 1977. It's missing about 5 minutes and it's a combination of the saga and the trilogy version.

I found a good page illuminating the different versions, and this was said about the 2012 AMC version:

Read more about it here:

http://godfathermuseum.blogspot.com/

 

PelleTheConqueror said:

For those of you interested, it seems like this version of the saga is not the same as the one aired i 1977. It's missing about 5 minutes and it's a combination of the saga and the trilogy version.

I found a good page illuminating the different versions, and this was said about the 2012 AMC version:

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Godfather films, AMC airs their version of The Saga. The AMC Cut is notable for being the first time any of the chronological edits have appeared in a widescreen format. It was also broadcast in HD, another first. 

In 2008, while sourcing footage for the Coppola Restoration, Dreamworks came across a pristine copy of the original 1977 NBC print for The Godfather Saga. This was then matted to a widescreen ratio and the footage was synched up with the 2.0 Stereo mix from The Trilogy². (For scenes that were in the Saga but not the Trilogy², the soundtrack reverts back to its original mono). Some of the scenes that were unique to the Trilogy² were also flown in for this cut. 

While this cut, on the surface, appears to be the ultimate merging of The Saga and The Trilogy, it suffers from several minor trims and lifts throughout. A line of dialogue here, a minor scene there, etc, all add up to make a cut that is almost five minutes shorter than the original Saga, despite having the extra scenes from The Trilogy²! Some of the scenes that were exclusive to the original airing of The Saga are missing, like Michael asking Santino Jr. how his book is coming along. 

Overall, it was great to finally see (most) of the original Saga in a cleaner format, but thankfully we held on to our 35 year old Betamax recording of the initial airing. 

Read more about it here:

http://godfathermuseum.blogspot.com/

 

thanks for this link it was a very interesting read, never knew there was EVEN MORE than what the saga, epic, or trilogy had to offer.

Wow, shame that scene of Michael killing Fabrizio is lost. Great to see pics of it though.

shit, according to that link the AMC version isn't even the real saga! still a fantastic cut though.

Guys,

I'm making the John Cazale documentary its own AVC-HD disc. It's about 7 gigs. Should I upload that separately? Does anyone have any interest?

Btw...all 45 gigs are being authored as we speak! :)

Perhaps we could do a PiF system on this? Anyone interested? I'll be torrenting but it might be good if you guys could jump on. It's going to take FOREVER to get 45 gigs to people.

So here's the info:

Part 1: 93 minutes
Part 2: 93 minutes
Part 3: 93 minutes
Part 4: 140 minutes

Godfather 3 opening: 14 minutes

NBC Promo's (1978): 2 minutes

Godfather Trilogy VHS Trailer: 3 minutes

Entertainment Tonight 20th Anniversary News Report: 2 minutes

E!'s Godfather Anniversary Gala: 44 minutes

digitalfreaknyc said:

So here's the info:

Part 1: 93 minutes
Part 2: 93 minutes
Part 3: 93 minutes
Part 4: 140 minutes

Godfather 3 opening: 14 minutes

NBC Promo's (1978): 2 minutes

Godfather Trilogy VHS Trailer: 3 minutes

Entertainment Tonight 20th Anniversary News Report: 2 minutes

E!'s Godfather Anniversary Gala: 44 minutes

 that's pretty sweet man, is that john cazale doc any good?

badboy1997 said:

digitalfreaknyc said:

So here's the info:

Part 1: 93 minutes
Part 2: 93 minutes
Part 3: 93 minutes
Part 4: 140 minutes

Godfather 3 opening: 14 minutes

NBC Promo's (1978): 2 minutes

Godfather Trilogy VHS Trailer: 3 minutes

Entertainment Tonight 20th Anniversary News Report: 2 minutes

E!'s Godfather Anniversary Gala: 44 minutes

 that's pretty sweet man, is that john cazale doc any good?

It's excellent. I've made my own separate disc for that, at this point, with all the extras from the DVD.

Unfortunately, I'm having to split Part 3 into two parts on two different discs. I tried burning a DL BD and every player I tested it on had a problem with it. So I'm going with two single layer discs. The break comes right after Michael wakes up from the car bomb in italy and right before Vito has the meeting with the 5 families. It's a perfect place.

digitalfreaknyc said:

The break comes right after Michael wakes up from the car bomb in italy and right before Vito has the meeting with the 5 families. It's a perfect place.

 

it certainly is. splitting it into two single layer discs is perfectly fine, i figured it'd be part 4 that needed splitting. when do you think we'll see this?

badboy1997 said:

digitalfreaknyc said:

The break comes right after Michael wakes up from the car bomb in italy and right before Vito has the meeting with the 5 families. It's a perfect place.

 

it certainly is. splitting it into two single layer discs is perfectly fine, i figured it'd be part 4 that needed splitting. when do you think we'll see this?

I'm hoping to have it done by the end of the week. I keep pushing it back because I'm wasting blank BD's on it, unfortunately. I keep seeing sync problems with the audio. :( I edited it using videoredo and it clearly is having issues with how many cuts are in each part. Anyone ever have this problem?

Hey, I just came across this forum / thread and wanted to say thanks for doing all this! I can't wait for a chance to see your restoration!