Godfather Coppola Restoration DVD vs. Restoration Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Jon Baker]

I've been looking online for comparisons of both the SD and HD of the Coppola Restorations of the Godfather series, but only finding the Blu-ray vs. the original SD (not the Coppola Restoration). I'm wondering if anyone who has both DVD and Blu-ray of the Coppola Restorations could tell me if there is a major difference between these versions. The reason I ask is because I'm thinking about picking up Godfather 1 & 2 on Blu-ray which are currently on sale at Best Buy, but not sure if it's worth the upgrade since I already have the Restoration collection on DVD.

 

[Robert Harris]

I've been looking online for comparisons of both the SD and HD of the Coppola Restorations of the Godfather series, but only finding the Blu-ray vs. the original SD (not the Coppola Restoration). I'm wondering if anyone who has both DVD and Blu-ray of the Coppola Restorations could tell me if there is a major difference between these versions. The reason I ask is because I'm thinking about picking up Godfather 1 & 2 on Blu-ray which are currently on sale at Best Buy, but not sure if it's worth the upgrade since I already have the Restoration collection on DVD.

Six times the resolution in addition to proper color and black levelsRAH

 

[McCrutchy]

Six times the resolution in addition to proper color and black levelsRAH

To quote a strange man in a dark parking garage: "You're missing the overall".

You can spout off technical jargon at me all you want, but at the end of the day, I just want to know if I should upgrade my VHS of this film that I bought in 1981. That one was called The Complete Epic, and you can't get much more definitive then that, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[John Sparks]

...uh oh!

 

[Michel_Hafner]

To quote a strange man in a dark parking garage: "You're missing the overall".

You can spout off technical jargon at me all you want, but at the end of the day, I just want to know if I should upgrade my VHS of this film that I bought in 1981. That one was called The Complete Epic, and you can't get much more definitive then that, as far as I'm concerned.

You are talking to the man who restored it...

 

[Cees Alons]

The Godfather, the Complete Epic was a TV miniseries, created basically by moving the child period of the second movie in front of the first movie. The third movie is missing from that one. The telling of the whole story is more chronologically, therefore. Some people like it more than the original movies, many don't.
If you want to own the original movies, you'd better buy them.

As mr. Harris said, the DVD of the restored versions is of course lacking in PQ compared to the BD-version. I bought the DVD first, when it came out (I already own all the previous versions) and replaced it with the BD when that one arrived. Content wise they are equal, (picture-) quality wise: see Mr. Harris's reply.
Once I had the BD, I gave my DVD-version of the restored Godfather to my (27 years old) son who is very happy with it.


Cees

 

[Jari K]

"I just want to know if I should upgrade my VHS of this film that I bought in 1981."Is this a joke post?Anyway, here's some info if you want it:http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2566http://splicetoday.com/moving-pictures/interview-robert-a-harrishttp://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/dvdreviews41/godfather_coppola_restoration_blu-ray.htmOlder:http://www.avclub.com/article/robert-harris-13642http://mobile.thedigitalfix.com/site/film/content/id/248/interview-with-film-restorer-robert-a-harris.html

 

[OliverK]

To quote a strange man in a dark parking garage: "You're missing the overall". You can spout off technical jargon at me all you want, but at the end of the day, I just want to know if I should upgrade my VHS of this film that I bought in 1981. That one was called The Complete Epic, and you can't get much more definitive then that, as far as I'm concerned.

not sure if serious?

 

[Persianimmortal]

Finally, some people brave enough to question the massive Blu-ray "high definition" conspiracy perpetrated on an unsuspecting public by monolithic Hollywood.

 

[Sumnernor]

Six times the resolution in addition to proper color and black levelsRAH

I certainly do not see any "technical jargon" in the above statement!

 

[willyTass]

he must be removing the urine

 

[Lord Dalek]

I own both. The SD is notably softer and has some macro blocking here and there from the compression used.

Blu-ray has the best color reproduction (Pt. I and II are meant to have incredibly inky blacks since they're dye transfer) however it does have entirely player generated subs for the Italian dialogue (which never seem to be in synch on my copy).

Still look way better than the old set. The sound on the 5.1 remixes is also vastly improved as the music tracks appear to be taken from the original session masters.

 

[Jacksmyname]

The Godfather, the Complete Epic was a TV miniseries, created basically by moving the child period of the second movie in front of the first movie. The third movie is missing from that one. The telling of the whole story is more chronologically, therefore. Some people like it more than the original movies, many don't.
If you want to own the original movies, you'd better buy them.

As mr. Harris said, the DVD of the restored versions is of course lacking in PQ compared to the BD-version. I bought the DVD first, when it came out (I already own all the previous versions) and replaced it with the BD when that one arrived. Content wise they are equal, (picture-) quality wise: see Mr. Harris's reply.
Once I had the BD, I gave my DVD-version of the restored Godfather to my (27 years old) son who is very happy with it.


Cees

The only versions I've ever had are this version and the Copolla Blu Ray set. The VHS version of the Epic is, to me, a great way to watch the first two movies. I still have my copy. The Blu Ray set is, again, to me, terrific.

 

[Charles Smith]

Well, as long as we're on the subject...

Is "The Godfather, The Complete Epic" different than "The Godfather Trilogy"? And isn't there a "Godfather Saga"? Are these actually different things, or one and the same?

I have the one called "Trilogy" in the laserdisc box set, and I don't believe I've ever watched it! I should at least skim through it sometime, to get the flavor...

I did, coincidentally, just watch all three of the restored films -- er, on Blu-ray, which should go without saying, but not necessarily in this thread! It was a wonderful return to the films, none of which I'd seen halfway decently since the first two in their first runs. What great storytelling all around, and I even find the third really growing on me now.

 

[FoxyMulder]

VHS all the way, forget the blu ray editions, the VHS are fantastic, who needs resolution and better colour when it looks this good.

 

[jcroy]

VHS all the way, forget the blu ray editions, the VHS are fantastic, who needs resolution and better colour when it looks this good.

Nein.

8-track cassettes are even better!

 

[Lord Dalek]

Heh, silly luddites... *goes back to watching The Godfather on the original wax cylinders.*

 

[TravisR]

Well, as long as we're on the subject...

Is "The Godfather, The Complete Epic" different than "The Godfather Trilogy"?

The Complete Epic was a TV re-edit of the first two movies putting them into chronological order & adding deleted scenes and I believe that the trilogy is just the three movies in their regular form in one set. The Complete Epic is neat to see once or twice but the movies were made separate and work better separately.

 

[jcroy]

Let's go back to stone tablets!

No. Even better! Let's draw pictures on cave walls!

 

[davidmatychuk]

Let's go back to stone tablets!

No. Even better! Let's draw pictures on cave walls!

Despite the wonderful Criterion release, I'm still keeping my cave wall picture edition of "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World".