A New Version Of A Classic Trilogy!
One of cinema’s greatest achievements, “The Godfather” trilogy has been released on blu-ray in many different configurations, but now, “Cult Movie Monday” tackles the most controversial question of the series:
Is “The Godfather Part III” A Masterpiece? Or A Debacle?
There are many reasons to feel frustration for “what could have been” – what if Coppola had paid Robert Duvall what he asked for to come back as Tom Hagen, the trusted family Attorney…but they didn’t, so George Hamilton showed up as a new Advisor…
And what if Wynona Ryder hadn’t dropped out of the film at the last minute, leading the Director to put his own daughter, Sofia, into a main role – her first ever?
A New “Godfather III” Is On The Way!
Well, Director Francis Ford Coppola is going back to re-cut the film so we can decide for ourselves!
The “Godfather” trilogy is widely acclaimed, but for two reasons: “The Godfather” won Best Picture in 1972, and “The Godfather Part II” won Best Picture in 1974…the only time a sequel has ever been awarded that honor.
But when “The Godfather Part III” was released in 1990, the reaction was much more polarizing: even though it was nominated for Best Picture, many were massively disappointed in the final film of the trilogy…well, it’s time to re-assess!
Paramount Pictures has announced it will release a new edit and restoration of Francis Ford Coppola’s third and final film in his epic “Godfather” trilogy, “The Godfather: Part III.”
The film will be rebranded as “Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone”, Paramount says, and announced that it:
“achieves director/screenwriter Coppola and screenwriter Puzo’s original vision for the finale, which has been meticulously restored for the finest presentation of the Corleone saga’s last chapter.”
Here is the trailer for the original film:
The original film was maligned by critics as not living up to the standard set by the first two films in the franchise. Will this change minds?
The new version will have a limited theatrical release in December, then will be released for the home market.
Here’s what Coppola says:
“Mario Puzo’s The Godfather: The Death of Michael Corleone is an acknowledgment of Mario’s and my preferred title and our original intentions for what became The Godfather: Part III,” Coppola said in a statement. “For this version of the finale, I created a new beginning and ending, and rearranged some scenes, shots, and music cues. With these changes and the restored footage and sound, to me, it is a more appropriate conclusion to The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II and I’m thankful to Jim Gianopulos and Paramount for allowing me to revisit it.”
The press release notes:
Coppola and his production company American Zoetrope worked from a 4K scan of the original negative to undertake a frame-by-frame restoration of both the new Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone and the original The Godfather: Part III. Zoetrope and Paramount’s restoration team began by searching for over 50 original takes to replace lower-resolution opticals in the original negative. This process took more than six months and involved sifting through 300 cartons of negative. American Zoetrope worked diligently to repair scratches, stains, and other anomalies that could not be addressed previously due to technology constraints, while enhancements were made to the original 5.1 audio mix. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, midway through the project all work—even the search for the negative—shifted to the San Francisco Bay area and Los Angeles and was completed remotely.
Coppola’s “Hands On” Approach!
The press release makes clear that Coppola is taking charge of this “new” cut of the film.
“Mr. Coppola oversaw every aspect of the restoration while working on the new edit, ensuring that the film not only looks and sounds pristine, but also meets his personal standards and directorial vision,” said Andrea Kalas, SVP, Paramount Archives.
Well, I cannot wait to see if the third film in the trilogy will get a fresh re-evaluation…
There is no doubt that the first film is a masterpiece – with lines that still resonate today: “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse” just one of them – and of course, THIS SCENE:
Yes, that horse head is real! It’s just one of the many fascinating bits of trivia about the greatest film ever made – and you can read them all by clicking on my story here:
One other thing I love about the film is the food – yes, the food!
When the families “go to the mattresses”, Michael Corleone gets a lesson on cooking for a bunch of holed-up Mobsters.
Well, I’ve made “Clemenza’s meatballs” and they are delicious! You can see the entire recipe here:
If you enjoy these posts, why not subscribe and never miss out? It’s easy, and there are NO ads of any kind, just stuff I like…click on the main page and “follow” me on the upper right…
Thanks so much for reading and if you like this story, share on social media!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Academy Awards, Action Films, Art, Awards, Books / Media, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, James Caan, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities
Please review The Magic Railroad Parody
LikeLike
I hadn’t seen the original Godfather 3, so I’m excited to watch both! I’m sensing a marathon around the corner. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are planning the same one weekend!
LikeLike
I never saw The Godfather 3 much of time too many sequels don’t bode well …I loved 1 & 2 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is exciting news! We all have a “l remember where I was when moment.” When the book came out in the 70’s I was at the beach in Nags Head, NC. What a great read. I must say there is more in the book than in the movie, like the man with the Panama hat. While the movie is one of my absolute favorites, the book is better. The second movie is perhaps my favorite of the three. Going back to the past – brilliant. The third was so-so. I look forward to the new movie. Thank you, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a perfect review of the third film and I am looking to see if he can improve it, because the first two are so brilliant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hear, hear!
LikeLike
I liked the Godfather III. Never understood the hatred. It is more like an epilogue than a final chapter in a saga. It does have a fatal flaw: Sofia’s inept performance (too bad Winona Ryder was unable to play the role!). I’m curious to see the new cut.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really liked it but the fatal flaw is Sofia…because it was his daughter, and she wasn’t up to the demands of the role, it was a double whammy…we’ll see what he tweaks – always great to hear from you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember being horribly disappointed in gf 3, and am curious to see the new cut, but skeptical
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s SO polarizing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it is funny, hard to find anyone in the middle on this one –
LikeLike
Still haven’t gotten to these.
LikeLike
It would be nice if he could take what is good and replace what is bad, but it is hard to put the toothpaste back in the tube.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The fatal mistake of casting Sofia is impossible to fix, right? Still, some great stuff in it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right. I always felt sorry for Sofia. I am glad she did so well after she grew older.
I have always said nepotism is alright as long as you keep it in the family. It didn’t work out in this case.
And I have never been a fan of George Hamilton either. I do agree there was some very good things in it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually liked the Godfather III.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really liked it but see the problems, and the Sofia casting has cast a dark shadow over it – thanks for commenting, love hearing from you!
LikeLike
I have actually only seen the first of them….
LikeLiked by 1 person
To me, “The Godfaterh” is the greatest film ever made…the second one is also a masterpiece and so worth watching as it tells the story both BEFORE the first film AND after!
LikeLike