logo Sign In

Info & Info Wanted: Godfather 1 and 2 Chronoligical version edit project?

Author
Date
Author
Time
 (Edited)
Post link

A few months back there was some talk in one of the old threads about someone starting a project of ripping the Godfather Saga/Epic laserdiscs which have the first two films re-edited into chronological order with additional scenes included. Whatever became of this project? I’d still love to see it done.

 

Mod Edit: See eliasbboy’s posts for a possible project release - though finished, it seems it was never made available / sent out?

Also see FanFiltration’s posts for a separate Godfather project - The Godfather: 1901-1980 Epic Edit (Released)

Author
Time
Post link
The original thread metamorphosized into something so far removed it was no longer recognizable. I tried resurrecting it here but once again it died in the water.

“I love Darth Editous and I’m not ashamed to admit it.” ~ADigitalMan

Author
Time
Post link
it was available in that edit for a while from Paramount as an offical release called the godfather legacy, I think done to promote GF3, at the very least it aired on TV but I don't believe it can be purchased offically in that form.

It would be cool to see either way.
And I dance. And I sing.
And I'm a monkey, in a long line of kings.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: Rebel Scumb
it was available in that edit for a while from Paramount as an offical release called the godfather legacy, I think done to promote GF3, at the very least it aired on TV but I don't believe it can be purchased offically in that form.

It would be cool to see either way.



Well that's what I'm referring to. The chronological edit that was released on VHS and laserdisc in the "Godfather Epic" or "Godfather Saga" box sets back in the late 80s and early 90s. It has also aired on TV a few times on the Bravo and Spike TV channels, sometimes referred to as "Godfather: A Novel for Television". I have a VHS copy of it on TV, but I'd like a nice quality commercial-free version ripped from the laserdiscs. I'd do it myself, but I lack the equipment and the laserdisc set. There was a lot of talk a few months back about someone acquiring the box set off Ebay and doing a nice fan-edit, but I guess those plans fizzled out.

Author
Time
Post link
I've just read through the ancient original post and it was indeed Eliasboy who was to undertake the transfer. Only problem was, his Laserdisc was a fossil, his wife had just fallen pregnant and he was trying to record via composite to a DVD recorder. Undeniably not the best of circumstance. I believe the last word was he had thrown in the towel. I'd love for him or someone else even to prove me wrong however.

“I love Darth Editous and I’m not ashamed to admit it.” ~ADigitalMan

Author
Time
Post link
I know everyone wants an LD transfer of this thing, but I seem to recall that in the other thread someone declared that the TV, VHS and LD versions of this thing were all slightly different. Anyway, there's someone on ebay who has an auction up: "The Godfather Saga 2 DVD Set Very Rare TV Version". Also, there are a few near-mint copies of "The Godfather Epic 1902-1959 3-VHS Set" on eBay at the moment. If either of those are worth looking into there you go.

To contact me outside the forum, for trades and such my email address is my OT.com username @gmail.com

Author
Time
Post link
Good point. I was considering bidding too.

“I love Darth Editous and I’m not ashamed to admit it.” ~ADigitalMan

Author
Time
Post link
Yeah, dfnyc, I realised after posting that link the amount of footage that must've been crammed onto those discs. I could've sworn that I'd seen another transfer on DVD on ebay a while back that was spread over several DVDs (not sure how many).

To contact me outside the forum, for trades and such my email address is my OT.com username @gmail.com

Author
Time
Post link
From that auction description I'm betting this is a VHS dub from a TV broadcast like I described above, from the Bravo channel or Spike TV. And that means its censored and potentially has sloppy editing from cutting out the commercial interruptions. The best way to do this project would be to use the GF Epic/Saga laserdiscs, perhaps even editing together an ultimate cut with the unique extra scenes that each version has, as well as the extra deleted scenes from the DVD that neither version implemented.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: shabbyblue
From that auction description I'm betting this is a VHS dub from a TV broadcast like I described above, from the Bravo channel or Spike TV. And that means its censored and potentially has sloppy editing from cutting out the commercial interruptions. The best way to do this project would be to use the GF Epic/Saga laserdiscs, perhaps even editing together an ultimate cut with the unique extra scenes that each version has, as well as the extra deleted scenes from the DVD that neither version implemented.


There are no scenes on the DVD's that neither version included. The only thing that has scenes not included on the DVD was the Saga airing. It has an alternate intro to part 2. All the DVD's included were the scenes from the VHS/Laserdisc sets. The DVD was pretty slippily put together, IMHO.
Author
Time
Post link

Unless I'm mistaken, everyone seems to be talking about a saga edit of the first two movies, but I have a saga edit of all three. Unfortunately, it's only on VHS
Author
Time
Post link
Well... Dark Jedi's volunteered to do the capturing. I'll do the DVD authoring and packaging. All we need now is some kind soul to front up with the actual discs.

“I love Darth Editous and I’m not ashamed to admit it.” ~ADigitalMan

Author
Time
Post link
This is paraphrased from the Godfather FAQ on http://www.jgeoff.com/godfather.html which explains the differences in all the video/laserdisc releases:

The Godfather Epic is the chronological version of Parts I and II released on VHS/laserdisc. It has more footage than the original two films. The Godfather Saga (aka: "Godfather: A Novel for Television" - not available for purchase on VHS/laserdisc) is the TV version of The Epic, but it has much more footage than the Godfather Epic. Most of this extra footage ended up in The Godfather Trilogy box set (Re-released in 1997), which is the chronological version of all three films, available on video/laserdisc. The Trilogy set is the one you should get if you want the most available footage. The Godfather Collection is simply the three original films in a box - no added footage, and not in chronological order, but remastered/widescreen in 1997 and later released in a similar box set on DVD in 2001.

Hopefully this helps anyone who decides to take up the project for us and needs to know what to look for on Ebay. Basically any of the extended versions wouldn't be complete, since each has scenes not in the other versions while at the same time missing some stuff that's included in the other versions. If anyone was to do an ultimate fan edit they'd need all the versions to combine all available scenes together. Personally I'd just be happy with a DVD of the Epic/Saga version since GF3 barely has anything different.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: digitalfreaknyc
There are no scenes on the DVD's that neither version included. The only thing that has scenes not included on the DVD was the Saga airing. It has an alternate intro to part 2. All the DVD's included were the scenes from the VHS/Laserdisc sets. The DVD was pretty slippily put together, IMHO.


I'm sorry, that's a little confusing with the use of double negatives there. Is what you're saying that all bonus footage from the Saga LD's are on the DVD collection?

“I love Darth Editous and I’m not ashamed to admit it.” ~ADigitalMan

Author
Time
Post link
Yeah he meant that all the extra scenes on the DVD set are taken from the additional stuff in the Epic and Saga versions, except for an alternate intro to part 2 that aired with the Saga version on TV.

Something else I just remembered is that many tv airings of Godfather 3 have a different opening which is a montage of scenes from GF1 and 2 to recap the story, but shown as flashbacks as Michael sits and ponders it all at the Lake Tahoe estate (the same shot we see of him at the end of the theatrical GF2). However it looks like they used extra unused GF2 footage of him from that scene for this alternate opening between the flashback moments.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: shabbyblue
Yeah he meant that all the extra scenes on the DVD set are taken from the additional stuff in the Epic and Saga versions, except for an alternate intro to part 2 that aired with the Saga version on TV.

Something else I just remembered is that many tv airings of Godfather 3 have a different opening which is a montage of scenes from GF1 and 2 to recap the story, but shown as flashbacks as Michael sits and ponders it all at the Lake Tahoe estate (the same shot we see of him at the end of the theatrical GF2). However it looks like they used extra unused GF2 footage of him from that scene for this alternate opening between the flashback moments.



Yup...i remember that as well. I think that was when they showed all 3 of them...as a trilogy...on some station. The extended G2 has something similar i believe...plus footage that was eventually used in 3 I believe...plus quiet moments of the Corleone estate early in the morning before the party.
Author
Time
Post link
Wow. This never really did die, did it. I have the Laserdiscs, and would be more than happy to help this project. Like was mentioned before, my prehistoric LD player is unfortunately not up to the task.

http://www.valflix.com/images/LYoungLasersGodFatherTrilogy1428.JPG

http://www.valflix.com/images/LYoungLasersGodFatherTrilogyA.jpg

Also, for the record, here is the differences between the Epic, Saga, and DVD versions:


The "GF Epic" is 1 and 2 edited in chronological order:

"THE GODFATHER EPIC 1902-1959:

Scenes added to The Godfather (1972):

Michael and Kay pretend to be in New Hampshire to get away, even though they're in New York. The scene is the two of them in a hotel bed, getting a wake-up call at 3 PM. They're supposed to go to the Corleone residence, but Michael doesn't want to go yet. He calls the mansion (Orchard-9-9539) and Kay pretends to be the long distance operator. Michael tells Tom that they're "stuck in New Hampshire." This scene occurs before Fredo gets the car for the Don.

When Michael is hiding in Sicily, there's a scene where Michael and his two bodyguards are laying down to rest. Fabrizzio wants Michael to tell him about New York. M:"How do you know I'm from New York?" / F:"We heard. Somebody told us you were real important" / M:"I'm the son of a big shot" / F:"Is America as rich as they say?" / C:"Stop bothering me [Calo] with this rich America stuff!" Fabrizzio asks Michael if he could be his bodyguard in America. This scene comes before their meeting Apollonia.

After Apollonia gets killed in the explosion, there's a short scene of Michael, in shock and in bed, muttering to Tommasino & Apollonia's mother: "Apollonia..?" / T:"Dead" / "Fabrizzio..? Get me Fabrizzio..."

When Michael returns to New York, before he meets up with Kay, he and his father talk in the garden. Michael: "Pop, what about Sonny? What about Sicily? ...You gave them your word about breaking the peace, I didn't. I take all responsibility."

(The Trilogy set adds even more footage!)
Scenes added to The Godfather Part II (1974):

After Paolo gets shot, 2 of Don Ciccio's thugs arrive at young Vito's home looking for him. She says she'll take him herself

There's a scene before Vito gets fired from Abbandando Grosseria: While Vito's delivering groceries, he sees three punks over on 9th Street assaulting Fanucci, and they cut his throat "from ear to ear...to scare him." Genco and Vito chat in the store. Vito says Fanucci's not a big shot. Genco says Fanucci has connections. The next time we see Fanucci, he's fine!

After the new carpet is installed, young Vito, Clemenza and Tessio meet up with a gunsmith, Augustino Coppola, and his young son, Carmine Coppola [sound familiar?]. This is where Clemenza sells his guns. The boy Carmine is the one playing the flute, NOT "young Vito" as the caption in the Soundtrack claims

We then see young Clemenza is hocking stolen dresses door-to-door for $5 a piece. He makes one married woman an offer (two for one), and even fools around with her. Clemenza tells Vito to bring the rest of the dresses to Dadine's Store, who'll turn it over the the wholesaler. While driving is when Fanucci hops aboard.

After Signor Roberto lowers Signora Colombo's rent, Vito sees Clemenza, who found a kid good with cars, to fix the truck. His name is Hyman Suchowsky, but Clemenza calls him "Johnny Lips." His name is then changed to Hyman Rothstien [sound familiar? Later it's Hyman Roth]

In a trip back to Sicily, young Vito finds and kills two of Don Ciccio's retainers (Strollo and ?) before he goes with Tommasino to kill Don Ciccio.

At the Communion party, Sonny's daughter, Francesca, comes to see Michael for his blessing to marry Gardner Shaw. He also asks how Santino's football is coming.

Then there's a scene in which Al Neri is talking to Michael (with Tom & Rocco) and they are looking at pictures of Fabrizzio. He was brought over illegally from Sicily by Barzini.

After Michael's meeting with Sen. Geary, we see Fabrizzio ("Fred Vincent"), leaving his pizzeria in Buffalo, NY, and getting firebombed in his car. He stumbles out of the car, before he dies.

Is this in Part II? Michael and his bodyguard take a train to Florida. [heh...a train?! I thought he was in a hurry!]

(The Trilogy set adds even more footage!)
Missing from The Godfather Epic (why?!):

The scene after Vito gets fired, when Abbandando offers him groceries to take home, is omitted

Not missing, but moved: The first scene of Part II (Rocco kissing Michael's hand) was moved to the beginning of the Epic




The "GF Trilogy" is all 3 edited in chronological order. Essentially, a slightly different edit of the "Epic" with GF3 tacked on to the end.

"THE GODFATHER TRILOGY: 1901-1980"


* Additional Footage! *


Added to The Godfather

Michael and Kay pretend to be in New Hampshire to get away, even though they're in New York. The scene is the two of them in a hotel bed, getting a wake-up call at 3 PM. They're supposed to go to the Corleone residence, but Michael doesn't want to go yet. He calls the mansion (Orchard-9-9539) and Kay pretends to be the long distance operator. Michael tells Tom that they're "stuck in New Hampshire." This scene occurs before Fredo gets the car for the Don. (This was also in the Epic)

When Michael is hiding in Sicily, there's a scene where Michael and his two bodyguards are laying down to rest. Fabrizzio wants Michael to tell him about New York. M:"How do you know I'm from New York?" / F:"We heard. Somebody told us you were real important" / M:"I'm the son of a big shot" / F:"Is America as rich as they say?" / C:"Stop bothering me [Calo] with this rich America stuff!" Fabrizzio asks Michael if he could be his bodyguard in America. This scene comes before their meeting Apollonia. (This was also in the Epic)

After Apollonia gets killed in the explosion, there's a short scene of Michael, in shock and in bed, muttering to Tommasino & Apollonia's mother: "Apollonia..?" / T:"Dead" / "Fabrizzio..? Get me Fabrizzio..." (This was also in the Epic)

After The Don tells Tom he's to go to California, Tom tells him that the hospital called and the dying Consiglieri Genco won't last the night

After Connie's wedding reception, The Don, his sons, and Johnny Fontane go to the hospital to pay their respects to Genco

Before Woltz and Tom start talking, Woltz presents his nymphette girl, Janie, with a birthday pony. Her mother is there. (We can see them in GF1, however)

After Tom leaves Woltz, he's walking to the exit and sees Janie, crying at the top of the staircase, being retrieved by her mother.

There's some short extra footage of Luca Brasi going to meet with the Tattaglia's

After the Don is shot, Sonny gets a phone call from a detective telling him about it. Sonny then tries to call Tom, but Theresa says he isn't home.

After Sonny gets the call from Sollozzo, he goes to tells Carmella that the Don's been shot. He then calls up Tessio to get 50 of his men over. He tries to call Luca, but he's not there

There's some short extra footage of Michael in the car arriving at the mall

After Michael meets Clemenza "he's gonna pull through, thank God," he asks Theresa about Tom. The two of them go in to see Sonny (who's with Tessio). Tom enters the room.

Before Clemenza leaves the house with Paulie, he and Rocco talk about Clemenza's car. Clemenza gives Rocco the gun he's to use to "make his bones" by killing Paulie.

After they leave Clemenza's driveway, we see them make a stop "to call Sonny." Clemenza eats a meal and buys cannoli while Rocco and Paulie wait in the car.

In Sicily, after Michael tells Tommasino that they're going to Corleone, Michael and his bodyguards see a procession of what appears to be Communists marching through the hills

There's some short extra footage of Michael and bodyguards walking through Corleone, before he says "where have all the men gone?"

Before they're on the road as the GIs pass by, Michael visits his father's birthplace (house) and he asks a woman if there are any family/friends of the Andolini's around. She says they've all left and gone overseas.

At Connie & Carlo's, after Connie hangs up the phone, she walks into the bathroom where Carlo is showering. She confronts him about the "whore" which he blows off, and tells her to make him dinner. The subsequent footage is slightly tailored to fit the standard scene, and a couple of extra lines are added where they weren't before.

Before Tom asks Michael "why am I out?" there's some short extra footage. There's also some after Michael says "you're out Tom." These two short scenes talk about Al Neri.

Added to The Godfather Part II

After Paolo gets shot, 2 of Don Ciccio's thugs arrive at young Vito's home looking for him. She says she'll take him herself (This was also in the Epic)

There's a scene before Vito gets fired from Abbandando Grosseria: While Vito's delivering groceries, he sees three punks over on 9th Street assaulting Fanucci, and they cut his throat "from ear to ear...to scare him." Genco and Vito chat in the store. Vito says Fanucci's not a big shot. Genco says Fanucci has connections. The next time we see Fanucci, he's fine! (This was also in the Epic)

After the new carpet is installed, young Vito, Clemenza and Tessio meet up with a gunsmith, Augustino Coppola, and his young son, Carmine Coppola [sound familiar?]. This is where Clemenza sells his guns. The boy Carmine is the one playing the flute, NOT "young Vito" as the caption in the Soundtrack claims (This was also in the Epic)

We then see young Clemenza is hocking stolen dresses door-to-door for $5 a piece. He makes one married woman an offer (two for one), and even fools around with her. Clemenza tells Vito to bring the rest of the dresses to Dadine's Store, who'll turn it over the the wholesaler. While driving is when Fanucci hops aboard. (This was also in the Epic)

After Signor Roberto lowers Signora Colombo's rent, Vito sees Clemenza, who found a kid good with cars, to fix the truck. His name is Hyman Suchowsky, but Clemenza calls him "Johnny Lips." His name is then changed to Hyman Rothstien [sound familiar? Later it's Hyman Roth] (This was also in the Epic)

In a trip back to Sicily, young Vito finds and kills two of Don Ciccio's retainers (Strollo and ?) before he goes with Tommasino to kill Don Ciccio. (This was also in the Epic)

At the Communion party, Sonny's daughter, Francesca, comes to see Michael for his blessing to marry Gardner Shaw. He also asks how Santino's football is coming. (This was also in the Epic)

Then there's a scene in which Al Neri is talking to Michael (with Tom & Rocco) and they are looking at pictures of Fabrizzio. He was brought over illegally from Sicily by Barzini. (This was also in the Epic)

After Michael's meeting with Sen. Geary, we see Fabrizzio ("Fred Vincent"), leaving his pizzeria in Buffalo, NY, and getting firebombed in his car. He stumbles out of the car, before he dies. (This was also in the Epic)

There's added footage at the beginning of the scene where young Vito and Clemenza are drinking coffee, talking about the carpet

There's added footage at the end of Fanucci's talk with young Vito in the truck. This leads directly to the following:

There's added footage at the beginning of the scene where young Vito, Clemenza and Tessio are eating spaghetti and Vito's house

There's added footage at the beginning of young Vito's meeting with Signora Colombo

There's added footage at the end of young Vito's talk with Signor Roberto

There's added footage before we see Signor Roberto at young Vito's office. We see him enter through the garage area.

At the beginning of Anthony's party, we see Fredo and Deanna in the parking lot. Deanna is already drunk and Fredo doesn't want Michael to see her that way

There's added footage leading up to Pentangeli drinking from the garden hose we see him doing before he sees Fredo

There's added footage of singing on the grandstand, and in the parking lot. We also see Anthony walking up to the buttomen, and stopping as Kay calls after him

We see Pentangeli sitting and drinking wine with Anthony. He gives Anthony a $100 bill

We see Al Neri visiting Klingman at the casino, and kicking him out


Added to The Godfather III:

[nothing noted]

Missing from The Godfather Trilogy (why?!):

When Michael returns to New York, before he meets up with Kay, he and his father talk in the garden. Michael: "Pop, what about Sonny? What about Sicily? ...You gave them your word about breaking the peace, I didn't. I take all responsibility." [from The Epic]

Anthony's First Communion ceremony in the church

The very first few lines of Michael's Senate testimony: "New York City"/"Would you mind speaking up please"/"New York City"
"I don't know where we're goin, but we're makin good time!"
Author
Time
Post link
eliasbboy:
I'm sure there's a trustworthy individual on these forums that has a decent LD player that you could negotiate with about getting a transfer done. Also, do you have a decent scanner? I'd love to use the front of that box set as a jewel case cover for the soundtracks/scores for the films.

To contact me outside the forum, for trades and such my email address is my OT.com username @gmail.com

Author
Time
Post link
Quick question: Why not edit The Godfather Part III into this as well?
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: klokwerk
eliasbboy:
I'm sure there's a trustworthy individual on these forums that has a decent LD player that you could negotiate with about getting a transfer done. Also, do you have a decent scanner? I'd love to use the front of that box set as a jewel case cover for the soundtracks/scores for the films.


I've already spoken to Dark Jedi about this. He's keen to undertake the transfer and, if there's no objections, I'll author the DVDs and design the packaging.

“I love Darth Editous and I’m not ashamed to admit it.” ~ADigitalMan

Author
Time
Post link
Sounds good to me. Just let me know where I should send the discs. I'm sure my wife will be happy to not look at them anymore. lol.
"I don't know where we're goin, but we're makin good time!"
Author
Time
Post link
Cool, I've already bought some DL DVDs in anticipation. Eliasboy You have a PM.

“I love Darth Editous and I’m not ashamed to admit it.” ~ADigitalMan

Author
Time
Post link
I have the Godfather Trilogy LD set and would dearly love a DVD transfer of this. The doc on the extra LD is pretty much the same as the on for the DVD I believe. But I wonder what extras and docs eist out there for this?
There's good in the Original Trilogy, and it's worth fighting for.
"People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people."
http://www.myspace.com/harlock415
Author
Time
Post link
My Chronological Godfather project is done, I just need to get it out there.

It's on 5 single layer DVD-Rs at this point, and includes an edit version of Godfather III, removing the death of Fredo flashback.

If I remember, I used the Trilogy LD Set, The Godfather II LD, The DVD Box Set (out-takes), and The Epic VHS set.

Also, I placed the birthday party flashback from the end of GF:2 before the wedding.

I wanted to keep all the Italian overdubs with the English subtitles as used in the film version, and not the original English production soundtrack as seen in the T.V. / Extended cut. Something I felt I had to do was to keep the extended version's scene where the landlord comes to GENCO to pay his respects, but still include the theatrical version's Italian soundtrack with subtitles. It was a very tricky edit/wipe, but I got it done.

It's Pan and Scan...

FF


P.S. And, I also include the out-take from the DVD box of that first fight between Connie and Carlo, and it was a real bitch to insert that one!


“First feel fear, then get angry. Then go with your life into the fight.” - Bill Mollison