The Godfather DVD Collection [DVD] [1972]

`I am in blood stepp'd in so far'Perhaps Michael Corleone might have quoted, `I am in blood stepp'd in so far' (Shakespeare: `Macbeth' 3,iv,135) as he contemplates his fate in the Godfather trilogy as it approaches its full circle. I can never decide whether Part 1 or Part 2 is the greatest crime film ever. Certainly the whole trilogy is so rich it deserves several viewings. Here are some suggestions of things to consider.Is the trilogy a study of how power corrupts or how fear corrodes an individual? To the end Michael insists he did everything to PROTECT his family, but did he? The films display a maelstrom which sucks VIRTUALLY everyone into the world of violent crime - Kay Corleone nee Adams is an exception. Their world becomes a mausoleum imprisoning them from normality. Michael Corleone first appears as an outsider looking in on this world (G1) but by G3 he is a prisoner desperately looking out. In this world ethics and values become distorted: so for Tessio (G1) treachery is just `business'; the murder of mafia boss Don Cicci is a matter of `honour'; individuals are valued for their role in the family and not for their qualities. Most of the characters exist within a bubble of frustration - see the outbursts of Fredo in G2 and of Michael himself in G3. In sum, the trilogy is a study of FAILURE.In all three films the Corleone family is challenged by rival gangsters - Sollozzo (G1), Ola (G2) and Zasa (G3). However, far more dangerous are the hidden manipulators from the outside who threaten to destroy the Corleone family - Barzini (G1), Roth (G2) and Altobello (G3). These use weaker individuals within the Corleone structure to set up the collapse - for example, Carlo and Tessio (G1), Pentangeli and Fredo (G2). Of course, there is also loyalty (unto death!) such as Luca Brasi (G1), Tom Hagen (G1 & G2), Don Tomasino (G2 & G3). Within this world of violence the Corleone family SEEM to go far - contrast Vito's gift of an orange to his wife (G2) with Michael's gift of $500m. to the Catholic Church (G3): but not in all things - contrast the enthusiastic intrusion of a Sicilian folk-song into a party in G1 and Pentangeli's pitiful attempt in G2.The main female characters tend to be overlooked but they are, without exception, tough and resilient. From Vito Andolini's mother who sacrifices her life to save him (G2) to Kay Adams who forces husband, Michael Corleone, to recognise their son is going to be a musician and not a gangster(G3). Vito's wife remains resilient whatever life can throw at her, whereas his sister, Connie, overcomes tearful protests in the first two films to be prepared to wreak havoc on the family enemies in G3. Even Michael's daughter, Mary, summons up enough courage to defy her father over her relationship with her cousin, Vincent.Examine the characters closely. Is Vito Andolini aged 9 really slow-witted as his mother insists (G2) because he grows to be the shrewd Vito (played by de Niro) and the master strategist (played by Brando)? Is Michael the arch-schemer in G1 or the cold-blooded gangster of G2 or the guilt-ridden creature desperate to escape back into `legit' as in G3? Or is he all three - and masterly played by Pacino? Is Fredo really the `runt' of the family, doubting his own legitimacy, scorned by his wife and hating being cocooned by the shadow of a younger brother? Yes he is and John Cazale should be noted for his performance. Note the contrasting gene of uncontrolled violence which passes from Vito Andolini's murdered brother (G2) to Sonny Corleone (G1) and Sonny's bastard child, Vincent Mancini. Consider how the bloody hands of violent interlace with the worlds of politics and religion, feeding off each other and producing rivals in hypocrisy. Contrast the idyll of Sicily in G2 and the murkier undertones revealed in G1, G2 and G3 - and then compare all that with the glitz of Las Vegas and the vitality of Havana with their equally squalid undertones.The films are very violent - and that's ignoring the infamous horse's-head sequence - but for me there is a clear difference. The 1970's productions have a number of close-up, shocking moments - the murder of Brasi is the worst for me - whereas the `highlight' of G3, the machine-gunning of the mobsters' conference, left me quite cold. The masterpiece of this violence is surely the montageof a series of killings with the Michael's promises as godfather to `renounce the works of Satan', Even so, for me, the most telling murder is that of Fredo, in a boat saying his prayers to help with catching fish. In contrast there are several quieter moments, such as the death of Vito Corleone amidst the beans (G1), or happier scenes, such as the wedding opening G1.So what are the weaknesses? The latter two films stray into the arena of REAL events - Cuba in 1959 and the Vatican in 1978 - and get muddled as a result. Some of the plot of G3 is somewhat confusing, especially with the intricacies of Vatican finance. Not all performances are strong - Sofia Coppola (Mary Corleone in G3) has become a particular target, but then her character is very `flat'. And, of course, much of the `shortcomings' will arise from taste - e.g. when does violence become unacceptable?In conclusion, I would recommend you see the films IN ORDER (else you will get lost!) and, preferably with a small gap in between, in order to absorb the undercurrents of the films. I can assure you you'll be in for a treat.

Everyone seems to have reviewed the Steelbook Amazon Exclusive version of this. I actually prefer this version and it is the one I bought. For one thing I feel that cramming all the discs into one small case means that it gets lost on the shelf. A substatntial box means that it has more of a presence up there, and also it's not AS big as the original 2001 release due to the slimline individual cases, which I prefer than having all discs in one case because each story gets its own front image and synopsis on the back. The combination of shiny black outer-box with blood splattering gives a very stylish finish to the collection.My only complaint would be that the box itself is probably the least durable out of the three (ie. this one, the 2001 release and the steelbook), but not if you take good care of it.This is probably my number one film saga. Beautiful, dark, stylish. And not only that but compared to the 2001 release you are provided with the ultimate picture & sound quality and colour giving you the ultimate film-viewing experience. Truly the films could not have been more restored than they are here, and the Supplements Disc goes into detail on how this was achieved. Also Part II is on only one disc, which avoids the need to get up half-way through to switch discs, although it's worth noting that even though it's on one disc the word 'Intermission' appears for a brief moment in between where the the two dics would have to have been swapped. Presumably that's how it was shown in the cinema.People always slate Part III but I think that when taking the three films as an entity it serves it purpose superbly. I love all three, and take them as one story - so trying to single one out is like saying I prefer the beginning or the middle or the end of the story. Parts I and II form the bulk of the Godfather story, and Part III serves as the epilogue. Part I begins with the introductions and then chronicles the end of Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) and the rise of Michael (Al Pacino) as the new Godfather, as well as his transformation from someone who wants nothing to do with his father's business, to being far more ruthless than his father ever was. Part II serves as prequel and sequel showing the beginnings of Vito (Robert De Niro) and how he arrived at the beginning of Part I, as well as Michael at the height of his powers, his continued descent deeper into corruption as he takes the path he began in Part I to its inevitable end. Part III then is all about the guilt, regret and pain Michael feels because of his past sins and the man he became. The 9-hour long epic that is "The Godfather" then culminates in one of the most powerful film endings ever.The ultimate film trilogy and restoration, with 4 hours of special features, provide the ultimate DVD collection.

I purchased the Coppola Restoration over the 50th Anniversary for my first ever viewing of The Godfather Trilogy because usually newer releases are worse / lazy, There's nothing inherently bad about the picture quality of Godfather and Godfather Part 2 of course there's a bit of up and down when it comes to picture quality with a few blured scenes but its to be expected due to the nature of the films, But something that's very disappointing is the audio quality even on a decent system (Proper Amp and Speakers) not an all in one home cinema junk, The mixing of the audio is very poor: the voices are much too quiet so you turn the volume up to compensate and then get blown back in your seat when music or shooting starts, many films suffer from these problems but they're often rectified with a decent sound system but unfortunately in this case it must be pretty bad, Its a real shame that this trilogy suffers so badly and I believe what makes it worse is the 5.1 mixing with no option for an original Stereo track.Because the Audio Quality/ Mixing for the voices is so poor it makes it very difficult for the story to be coherent unless you're playing very close attention to what everyone is saying.

Prompt delivery , item as described.