Paramount to re-do "Godfather" DVDs - Page 2

I am happy at the moment with the dvds I have so no need to upgrade unless some additional features make it worth it

I'm torn. I was going to buy the set that's out now, but now I'm not sure. I wonder what kind of extras will be included on the new restored discs, or if it will be similar in content to what we have now.
I am glad I put off buying it for so long.

Same here.




Crawdaddy

Finally, a decent version of The Last Emperor as well.

I'm happy enough with the current sets. I watch these films maybe twice a year, so it's really not worth it to double dip.

I'm not much of a big fan of the movies to begin with. I got the boxed set because I felt as a film buff it was important to have some historically significant works especially with all the supplementary material. But as far as having to have the ultimate picture transfer, it's not necessary with me.

In a similar vein, I still haven't gotten the Superbit Lawrence Of Arabia, which I'd be more inclined to get all things considered.

I had the current set in my hands at Tower, and was going to purchase it until I saw the price they wanted for it(99.95!). Just the other day, I saw the set in Target for 59.99, but didn't have that much cash on hand so I purchased APOCALYPSE NOW REDUX for less than fifteen bucks instead.
Now I'm glad I didn't bother to get the current set. But it is a downer for those who did buy the current box, and I would be fuming if I did buy it.

The most interesting thing about the article for me is that John Lowry concedes that he went too far with grain removal on Citizen Kane.

DJ

Gordon "This is very unexpected. I think the current transfers are excellent. I didn't expect new transfer until HD-DVD."


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Actually thats what I think this is. They are doing the new transfers for HD-DVD, but of course they'll downconvert them to make some money by re-releasing the movies first onto regular dvd. I expect most top films have HD-DVD ready transfers by now, it makes sense to give them to Lowry so that this trilogy is ready for release on HD-DVD in approx 2006. I won't be upgrading my regular-def dvd boxset - my next godfather trilogy upgrade will be HD-DVD. It should be a top release - Lowry do excellent work.

Why? There is nothing wrong with the current set. It accurately represents the look of the film. The re-releases will probably just clean it up some and remove film grain and such, which should be there. But there is nothing defective with the orginals. On my setup, they look great and am happy that I've been able to enjoy them for two years.

Because I wouldn't be too thrilled that I purchased the current DVD's two days before an announcement was made that a superior remastering was in the works.

There'd have to be some really impressive new extras to get me to double-dip. And given how extensive the current bonus material is, I can't imagine anything they could add to make me consider it.

The best news from this Times piece, which only one other member seems to have noticed: THE LAST EMPEROR, one of the all-time worst DVDs, is being redone, with Bernardo Bertoluccui's full involvement (and from his "personal print," which one trusts is in good shape..).

Excellent news for me. I didn't buy the original Godfather set, and have always wanted a single disc version of the first film.

The Godfather and The Godfather Part II are my two favorite movies of all time, so I will be extremely tempted to buy these since Lowry Digital is going to be involved. I can say right now that if the movies are sold individually, I will definitely pick up Part I and Part II. However, I never had any serious problems with the video of the current set, so if they are going to make me buy another boxed set in the price range of the old one when it first came out, I might have to take a pass on it.

No, way. Not until HD-DVD. The current set is good enough for now.

I hope they don't get rid of the ghost face, it's true to the original film.

Don't own the current box and it still seems too expensive at $60. But I did see the discs and have no problem with the transfers.

Hopefully this new release has some more features too and a better price.

Exactly. No point in paying for a DVD I'm not going to watch.

I would fear that the "cleanup" they are going to do will remove the fully intended grain that is readily apparent.

I see no reason to be upset about this, as I love the Godfather set I currently own, and thus see no reason to upgrade.

The more I think about it, I really don't have a problem with the current transfers. I mean they don't look as good as I would hope, but they are decent. I think I will hold onto my box set and wait until the new versions are released. If the reviews claim they are better, then I will consider.

I too hope they don't make these versions look too "videolike." The current versions have some rough spots, but are very filmlike.

I'm perfectly satisfied with the current set. I've never noticed any glaring flaws with the transfers that would justify a re-release. The only reason I'd EVER double-dip and buy them again is if they release the "Novel for Television" version of Godfather 1 and 2 edited together in chronological order as one big epic. I'd love to have that on DVD since it's my preferred version to watch. Aside from that, I doubt they could add enough new extras to make me want to buy the movies again.

I bought the box on day one and have been happy with it ever since. if they make it look better....I'll buy the set again. if they dont...then I wont. until the final write-ups are in...there is really no point in me freaking out. for those who already regret buying the current set...it can easily be dumped on just about anyone lookin' for it. most people dont yet have a clue about the possible upgrade for next year. mine will stay in my library, for now.

Looking through the posts something came to my mind. Prior to mastering the films on DVD, there were three versions out on Laser Disc ( Theatrical PCM and then a remastered AC-3 version and the Trilogy boxed set) Perhaps there is a Trilogy version in the works. This would support the hype and a new transfer with the addition of new elements.

Anyway, it was just a thought

Good thing I didn't buy the trilogy, being that I only liked the 1st and 2nd ones, individual disc's with good masters is welcome by all means. By the way, Lowry knows what they are doing and I wouldn't be too concerned about it being too video like.

I bought the boxset the day it came out, at what was (and still probably is) a very good price. I don't remember exactly what I paid, but I do remember it being the lowest price in any of the stores I checked by far.

I happened to rewatch them a couple weeks ago (before this thread), and I really don't see anything terribly wrong with them. I remarked to my roommate that it's one of a dwindling number of DVDs where the image actually looks like film instead of video.

The movies aren't supposed to be bright and vibrant and overly sharp. The DVDs seem an accurate representation to me of what the film is supposed to look like. Francis Ford Coppola contributed full-length commentaries for the entire set, and he seemed pleased with the transfer. Yeah, there were a couple scenes that might have been a little overly dark, but every time I thought so, immediately FFC on the commentary mentioned that was how it was shot, or he felt when he shot it that he went to far with this look or that - in other words, if there any faults with the contrast or brightness levels, those are faults with the original movie and how it was made.

The only way I could be remotely persuaded to rebuy The Godfather I & II on DVD again would be if FFC recorded all-new commentaries, as he is an incredibly engaging speaker. But if FFC's going to be recording anything, I'd rather it be for Apocalypse Now - now there's a film that could use a reissue, with both the original and redux version included, the 'Hearts Of Darkness' documentary, and a new commentary.

The Godfather, as is, works just fine for me.

I personally thought the quality sucked. I did A/B test to what I would see on digital cable. Cable looked much, much better. So I sold my box set. I am happy to hear these movies are getting the proper treatment. Anyone know when they are coming out?

The funny thing about the current DVD set is that to my eyes, GF3 is the worst looking one in the lot. GF2 looks the best to me.

You must have really good cable channels. The current dvd's look pretty spectacular on my setup. A panasonic XP30 on a Pioneer Elite 530 HDTV.

I'm surprised to hear so many people express acceptance of the current set. To my eyes it looks awful. I realize that the look of the films is not supposed to be crisp, but the video quality just looks terrible to me. After paying $90 for three movies I feel ripped off by sub-par transfers. I will be extremely unhappy if there is not some kind of rebate offer for current box set owners.

I don't get this. Why would they do a rebate when there is nothing wrong with the current set? Just because you aren't happy with the video quality does not make it defective. You're probably going to be unhappy because I don't think you'll get a rebate offer.