Money Well Spent
Here, for now, is the definitive restoration-of-The Godfather story, written by L.A. Times contributor Bill Desowitz for the Monday, 7.14 edition.
"Fans who pick up the recently announced The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration,, due out from Paramount Home Entertainment on DVD and Blu-ray on Sept. 23, are likely to see things in the 1972 Mafia saga and its two sequels they've never noticed before," Desowitz begins. "The differences could be subtle to the casual observer, but the improved color and clarity give new visual punch to some of the most cherished sequences in recent cinema history.
"'We wanted the blacks to be truly black, and the first image of Bonasera [Salvatore Corsitto] was to appear out of that,' said Francis Ford Coppola, speaking via e-mail about the opening scene of his landmark drama.
"The restoration was a sizable undertaking that required a team of technicians, several hundred thousand dollars and two years of effort, largely because the negative for The Godfather had been nearly destroyed by overprinting and mishandling.
"'I believe that there were only five or six shots in the first 20 minutes that were still original,' said restoration supervisor Robert Harris, who previously had worked to restore films including Vertigo and Lawrence of Arabia. 'Virtually every splice was held together with Mylar tape. Tears went into image in hundreds of frames. Sections were totally without perforations.'"
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 13, 2008 at 6:59 PM
comment #1
Mgmax, le Corbeau
says ...
So I guess we think it's a good thing that it looks better, which of course means different, than it ever looked in 1972? I guess that boat has already sailed on lots of movies.
Seriously cheesy cover art, though. Makes it look like an Ashley Judd thriller, especially with the inevitable baby blue blu-ray case.
Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau
at July 13, 2008 7:25 PM
comment #2
BurmaShave
says ...
Damn straight nobody cares about GODFATHER III. I'd be much more interested in a Coppola Blu-Ray collection with I&II, THE CONVERSATION, and APOCALYPSE NOW. I would throw down serious money for that.
Posted by BurmaShave
at July 13, 2008 7:41 PM
comment #3
EOTW
says ...
I'd only thrown down serious money for that, Burma, if FFC would release AN in the original aspect ratio. Also, in the original cut, not that fucking Redux cut. God, what is with directors mucking up their good stuff?
Posted by EOTW
at July 13, 2008 7:50 PM
comment #4
Caustic712
says ...
Amen, EOTW. I believe Vittorio Storaro was upset about the original aspect ratio not being suitable for home video. However, unlike Kubrick, he's lived to see home video presentation approach a much closer approximation of the theatrical experience, so I hope the inevitable Blu-Ray isn't mucked up again.
Let's hope when it happens, they give it the BLADE RUNNER treatment and put both versions in the original aspect ratios along with HEARTS OF DARKNESS all into one package. 30th anniversary is coming up quick...
Posted by Caustic712
at July 13, 2008 7:58 PM
comment #5
MathewM
says ...
BS, you wouldn't throw down serious money because you don't have it to begin with. The main thing that hurts G3 is Sophia's amateurish acting. Coppola should of went with some unknown italian actress who at least had some acting chops.
Posted by MathewM
at July 13, 2008 8:03 PM
comment #6
mutinyco
says ...
Storaro will NEVER approve a transfer of AN in its original aspect ratio. He is intractable. That doesn't mean it would never be released, it simply means he won't participate.
Here: http://filmmakermagazine.com/webexclusives/2007/06/storaro-talks-shop-by-jamie-stuart.php
Posted by mutinyco
at July 13, 2008 8:19 PM
comment #7
Bob Violence
says ...
Amen, EOTW. I believe Vittorio Storaro was upset about the original aspect ratio not being suitable for home video. However, unlike Kubrick, he's lived to see home video presentation approach a much closer approximation of the theatrical experience, so I hope the inevitable Blu-Ray isn't mucked up again.
Redux has been shown on cable/satellite HD and it's always been 2:1 there as well. I honestly think the whole "television doesn't have the resolution for 2.40:1" thing was a smokescreen and Storaro is just (ab)using his old work to push his "2:1 as the ONE TRUE ASPECT RATIO" craziness.
Posted by Bob Violence
at July 13, 2008 9:57 PM
comment #8
D.Z.
says ...
I'm kind of surprised no one wants that Godfather compilation movie.
Posted by D.Z.
at July 14, 2008 2:19 AM
comment #9
Bob Violence
says ...
There were two, actually -- the 1977 made-for-TV Godfather Saga (incorporating I and II) and the 1993 Godfather Trilogy 1901-1980. (To make things more confusing, Coppola re-edited the Saga for home video and retitled it 1902-1959: The Complete Epic.) There are plenty of people calling for DVD/Blu-ray releases of one or the other -- check out the IMDb boards for starters -- but I recall reading somewhere that there are no film masters for the alternate cuts, just standard-def video masters that aren't up to contemporary standards and aren't suitable for HD. But then I wouldn't be too shocked if Coppola goes back to the editing room one of these days and whips up yet another chronological version.
Posted by Bob Violence
at July 14, 2008 4:27 AM
comment #10
Rich S.
says ...
I'm not cracking on this particular remaster, but this once again points to the multiple dip problem. I bought the last remastered Godfather DVDs because it was represented at the time that they had done a definitive job on them.
Now, I know that Blu-Ray changes that equation somewhat, but come on. It's like TV commercials touting something as "new and improved." Does that mean you were lying to us the last time when you told us your product was the best it could be? And, if so, why should we believe you now when you say this is as good as it gets?
And now they're even throwing in, "even better than it was in theaters." So now I don't even need to see something theatrically because you're going to improve on it when it hits home video?
I really want to see this new transfer, but a person can only go through this so many times.
Posted by Rich S.
at July 14, 2008 7:40 AM
comment #11
Bob Violence
says ...
I bought the last remastered Godfather DVDs because it was represented at the time that they had done a definitive job on them.
Bad news: PR flunkeys lie. This isn't the definitive job either. Restoration technology moves on, Blu-ray will be superseded someday, the world keeps on spinning. And of course the previous release was widely dismissed as inadequate even at the time (Harris himself was particularly vocal), so the fact a proper restoration is finally happening seven years down the line should hardly be shocking.
Posted by Bob Violence
at July 14, 2008 8:31 AM
comment #12
saranie
says ...
This is not bad. And I remember that I have ever viewed many sexy videos of those mature women on ~~tallmeet*com~~ , it is an online dating site on which the tall people seeking friends. you also can see many famous models and sports stars hanging out there.
Posted by saranie
at July 14, 2008 7:20 PM
comment #13
luck
says ...
We have all sufficient strength to endure the misfortunes of others.Wealth Trigger Review
Posted by luck
at May 13, 2011 6:02 PM
comment #14
janee
says ...
Si vous etes interesses par le dossier, ou desirez en savoir plus, contactez-moi par mail, et je vous mettrai en contact.
Best regards,Jane, CEO of high availability server
Posted by janee
at May 17, 2011 6:17 AM