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New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

#1
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8/16/07 at 5:48am
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I have been hearing "rumors" for the past year that THE GODFATHER
was undergoing major restoration for a (possible) new theatrical
release and then on to DVD and (possibly) HD-DVD/Blu-Ray.

Those rumors seem to have been solidified by a post in this blog

You need to go down about 11 or more posts to read the exact
information being posted, but it shouldn't be difficult to locate the
information pertaining to Coppola.

All I can say is that it looks very promising that we will be hearing
some news about this film in the very near future.
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#2
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8/16/07 at 11:15am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

On a Netherland DVD realese list Godfather 1+2 are listed for December 6.

06-12-2007 Godfather 1 (Newly Restored)
06-12-2007 Godfather 2 (Newly Restored)
http://www.dvd-home.nl/release/nieuw.asp
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#3
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8/16/07 at 11:29am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Well, that's good news to hear. I recently realized that there's no good reason that I don't own The Godfather films and started looking to purchase the old set. It's relatively inexpensive, but if a new set's coming I may as well wait for it. Just hope it isn't too expensive. My wallets already looks like it'll be taking a hurting this fall/winter.

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#4
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8/16/07 at 12:53pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

I know it's the red-headed step-child of the saga, but I hope that The Godfather Part III is being restored as well, as it was the one that had the poorest transfer on the 2001 DVD release.
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#5
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8/16/07 at 12:56pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Sounds terrific! I also haven't gotten around to buying the Godfather movies yet so this is a very welcome piece of news.
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#6
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8/16/07 at 2:59pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

The current box set was selling last year over the holidays for an astonishing $40 CAN. I almost picked it up, but had to assume that at that price, surely something greater was on the way.

Hopefully Parts I and II are offered together in a nice looking package, without having to buy the third movie.
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#7
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8/16/07 at 3:09pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Yay!
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#8
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8/16/07 at 4:03pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

wow really interesting news.

seems like Coppola is very busy getting his old films out like Dracula.

Cannot wait for this

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#9
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8/16/07 at 4:49pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarcoBiscotti
Hopefully Parts I and II are offered together in a nice looking package, without having to buy the third movie.
That seems extremely unlikely (if not impossible). I think your only hope is that they release them as singles in addition to a trilogy set.
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#10
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8/16/07 at 6:41pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

I guess it's too much for me to hope that we'd finally get a release of the "Novel for Television" chronological re-edit of GF 1 and 2 together? With the remastering of both films, this seems like a perfect opportunity to ALSO remaster all the deleted scenes and offer the Novel version on DVD either as its own seperate release or with seamless branching.

The recent announcement of the new Close Encounters special edition featuring all 3 versions of that film through seamless branching reminded me that Paramount could potentially offer the Saga and/or Novel versions of Godfather in a new DVD set too.
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#11
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8/16/07 at 6:49pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Haden
I guess it's too much for me to hope that we'd finally get a release of the "Novel for Television" chronological re-edit of GF 1 and 2 together? With the remastering of both films, this seems like a perfect opportunity to ALSO remaster all the deleted scenes and offer the Novel version on DVD either as its own seperate release or with seamless branching.

The recent announcement of the new Close Encounters special edition featuring all 3 versions of that film through seamless branching reminded me that Paramount could potentially offer the Saga and/or Novel versions of Godfather in a new DVD set too.



i hope not. i love one and two just the way they are.
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#12
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8/16/07 at 7:22pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dailW
i hope not. i love one and two just the way they are.

Well then, you've already got your preferred version on DVD, so why would you *hope* that the rest of us don't get what we want too? Opinions differ on the matter, and many GF fans WANT the Novel and/or Saga versions on DVD. They were released on VHS and laserdisc, so many of us would like to see them released on DVD too. Don't be so quick to shoot that idea down just because it's not your personal preference.
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#13
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8/16/07 at 7:36pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

I would be very surprised if "Godfather III' needed any true restoration work as it is a much younger film than the first two and was produced in an era in which film stocks were significantly more stable than certain previous periods in color film-stock. And since it was not nearly as popular, it would never have been subjected to the amount of printing and use as the first two installments.

Any deficiencies in the video transfer can probably be traced to other links in the transfer chain. It's quite possible to make a lousy transfer from mint-condition film elements.
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#14
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8/16/07 at 8:58pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

I alluded to this a few months back.

And you do know which individual is restoring this, right? Take a guess...yep.
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#15
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8/16/07 at 9:04pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarcoBiscotti
The current box set was selling last year over the holidays for an astonishing $40 CAN. I almost picked it up, but had to assume that at that price, surely something greater was on the way.

The individual discs are part of the 2 for $20 CDN sale at HMV right now.
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#16
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8/16/07 at 10:25pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Haden
I guess it's too much for me to hope that we'd finally get a release of the "Novel for Television" chronological re-edit of GF 1 and 2 together? With the remastering of both films, this seems like a perfect opportunity to ALSO remaster all the deleted scenes and offer the Novel version on DVD either as its own seperate release or with seamless branching.

The recent announcement of the new Close Encounters special edition featuring all 3 versions of that film through seamless branching reminded me that Paramount could potentially offer the Saga and/or Novel versions of Godfather in a new DVD set too.
I'd love to see the "Novel for Television" version released on DVD. But I can understand if it isn't. It'd be something of a logistical nightmare to even attempt to do it with seamless branching at least on standard definition. Consider the current DVD configuration. One disc for The Godfather and two discs for The Godfather Part II. The Godfather would be easy enough provided there's enough space for the film and the new content. But The Godfather Part II features the young Vito and Michael storylines intercut with each other and split over two discs as well. So in order to watch the Chronological version of the movie with extra footage, you'd need to insert the first disc of The Godfather Part II and play it for about 45 minutes. Then you'd need to switch to the second disc and play it for maybe another 45 minutes. Then switch to The Godfather disc. And then switch over to the first disc of The Godfather Part II again and then to the second again. They could probably handle this on HD (heck, they could probably put the whole "Novel for Television on one disc if they wanted to). Even if they included it without seamless, it'd probably need to be spread over three discs or so and this'd drive up the price of whatever set it was included in. Otherwise, maybe they could release it on its own.

But anyway, I'd love to see the "Novel for Television" version get a release. Otherwise, hopefully they restore the deleted footage and include every last second in the supplements.

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#17
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8/16/07 at 10:31pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

I was there too. Coppola showed up two weeks ago, Monday August 6th, after a screening of Godfather III at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn theater. He didn't arrive until about an hour into a six person q and a with a variety of people in or attached to the film. He said it was a bit surreal to be there after we've been watching part III because he had just come from the first viewing of the new restoration of Part I, I think he said 'it looks incredible.'

He also mentioned that the negative was basically going to dissolve, or very close to complete loss and it would have cost millions of dollars to restore. paramount was not going to foot the bill for it (editorial comment: presumably content with their digital masters rather than making a full film restoration, but that's my own biased speculation and has nothing at all do with what he actually said), but that after Paramount bought Dreamworks Spielberg himself made sure they knew they had to restore the Godfather--and the restoration went forward. There was absolutely no mention of a DVD release.

But like the poster in that thread, I'm sure they'll want to capitalize on their restoration with a new DVD and HD release within the next year or two. I would also think it's likely that they may try to distribute new prints around the country, much like was done for Lawrence of Arabia in 2002. I think the Godfather could actually do well for a wide re-release as well, but you keep it a special event if its more limited.
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#18
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8/16/07 at 10:31pm
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas J.
I alluded to this a few months back.

And you do know which individual is restoring this, right? Take a guess...yep.

dont be so cryptic, who is it?

RAH?

i would very much like a saga/novel for tv versionin addition to the theatrical version.

there are other who would like to see it too.
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#19
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8/17/07 at 5:51am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

This is just great news. All Godfather-films should be remastered. The older releases are good, but not great, IMO. Seeing these in a pristine form via HD is a dream come true.. This trilogy would sell the whole HD-concept.

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#20
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8/17/07 at 6:59am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyD
RAH?
They must have made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
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#21
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8/17/07 at 7:07am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Yeah, they must have, considering RAH has gone on record in these very forums, when many people were less than satisfied with the treatment The Godfather had received on DVD, and said The Godfather didn't needed a restoration.
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#22
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8/17/07 at 7:24am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

What Mr Harris said, from memory, was that the DVD of The Godfather looked as it should, it was a great transfer replicating the original theatrical look.

This was despite the poor state of the film elements at the time, in no small part due to the botched 25th anniversary restoration that took part a decade ago.

Neither G II or III currently need film restoration, a new 4K transfer that can take advantage of modern colour-correction and clean-up is all that's required to make them look even better.

M
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#23
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8/17/07 at 8:32am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Haden
Well then, you've already got your preferred version on DVD, so why would you *hope* that the rest of us don't get what we want too? Opinions differ on the matter, and many GF fans WANT the Novel and/or Saga versions on DVD. They were released on VHS and laserdisc, so many of us would like to see them released on DVD too. Don't be so quick to shoot that idea down just because it's not your personal preference.

I personally wouldn't want them to include "The Novel" in the same DVD set as the proper cuts, because it would force the set to be much more expensive, and I'm getting tired of studios releasing multiple cuts in the same package because multiple cuts market better than deleted scenes. There are scenes in "The Novel" which I love, but there are scenes (like the scene with the old dying consigliere) which I think slow the film down like a French plantation scene.
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#24
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8/17/07 at 9:05am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Well if it looked as it should, it didn't need a restoration, to which most of us -- and obviously now, Mr. Harris, would disagree. If the film elements were in a poor state, than the movie did not look at is should and did not replicate the theatrical look. Regardless, I'm glad Mr. Harris is on board to restore the film. And yes, Godfather 2, needs restoration as well, being only two years younger than The Godfather.
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#25
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8/17/07 at 9:10am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

I absolutely LOVE The Godfather and The Godfather, Part II and would buy another box set in a heartbeat.

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#26
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8/17/07 at 9:53am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

I don't think we ever got confirmation that RAH is doing this. Did I miss something?
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#27
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8/17/07 at 10:43am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Williams
Well if it looked as it should, it didn't need a restoration, to which most of us -- and obviously now, Mr. Harris, would disagree. If the film elements were in a poor state, than the movie did not look at is should and did not replicate the theatrical look. Regardless, I'm glad Mr. Harris is on board to restore the film. And yes, Godfather 2, needs restoration as well, being only two years younger than The Godfather.

It looked as it should because of the wonders of digital manipulation, to use another example given the almost pristine (at the time) dvd of North by Northwest you'd be forgiven for thinking the film elements were equally wonderfull, when in fact they were suffering from shrinkage, wear and the yellow layer almost totally gone. A good-looking or accurate dvd is no indication of the need of film restoration.

Why does GII need film restoration? To paraphrase yourself, on this very board RAH has stated the O-Neg (that's the final negative) of GII is not currently in need of it...the age of the film, post-nitrate and certain years of film production not-with-standing, is not a basis for it's need

M
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#28
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8/17/07 at 10:45am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff_CusBlues
I don't think we ever got confirmation that RAH is doing this. Did I miss something?
No, there hasn't been any confirmation. Hopefully, it's happening though.
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#29
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8/17/07 at 10:59am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

I do hope Gordon Willis, the director of photography, now retired in upstate New York, will be invited to participate in the restoration. His methods for lighting and exposure on the set of The Godfather films. and subsequent specialized lab work, were unorthodox, and can be easily mis-understood. To avoid problems, get the best results, and make these films look the way they were intended to look, it is important that Gordon Willis be consulted.

RAH is just the man for the job.
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#30
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8/17/07 at 11:22am
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Re: New restoration of THE GODFATHER heading to DVD soon?

RAH said G2 is not in need of restoration. He also said G1 is not in need of a restoration, but if they truly did offer him the job as this post suggests, he doesn't seem to have told them that. We can argue about it all day, but to what end? He DID say it wasn't in need of a restoration. I remember that very clearly. It would seem that he is now restoring it. I, for one, am delighted. If you are also delighted, then why argue about it?

If they can make G2 look as good as it can look, would you actually be opposed to that?
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