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jwuk45

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23-Apr-2012
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1-Jun-2012
Posts
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Post
#575843
Topic
The Godfather Saga - HD Restoration (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/575843/action/topic#575843
Time

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.

Post
#575812
Topic
The Godfather Saga - HD Restoration (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/575812/action/topic#575812
Time

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.

Post
#575413
Topic
The Godfather Saga - HD Restoration (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/575413/action/topic#575413
Time

Excellent, can't wait! I was eager to check out the saga in 720p in the meantime, I've previously only seen a bad quality version cobbled together from laserdisc/vhs, etc. Mainly wanted to see how good the picture is (seems excellent at just 720p, compared it to my blu-ray and aside from a slight colour difference it seems comparable) and how much has been edited for TV (as I expected, some minor cuts to some overly violent scenes like Don Ciccio being murdered, nudity and the one use of the "f" word, although thankfully Michael killing Solotzo and McClusky has been left totally intact).

I'd be quite interested in replacing any edited scenes with the ones from the blu-ray if I get time, there seems to be very little difference in the picture aside from a slightly more greenish tint to the AMC version (ditto with the DVD) which is barely noticeable unless you compare screens side to side, so switching between the two wouldn't be jarring.

There is also a Godfather Chronology fan edit (some of you may know about it) which compiles every known piece of footage (including from part III) into one 10-hour film. It's taken from laserdisc/dvd/vhs, etc though so quality is average and at times quite poor.

Post
#575177
Topic
The Godfather Saga - HD Restoration (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/575177/action/topic#575177
Time

Here is an example of the difference between the DVD deleted scene, the laserdisc version of the Saga, and the AMC HD version:

 

 

There's a noticeable green tint on the HD, also more information at the sides, but less top and bottom. Generally an improvement, moreso when seen up closer as you can see below:

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/5208/de1bl.jpg

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/651/de3b.jpg