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Film & TV on DVD - John Doe Film News & Reviews

Greetings Film Fiends and welcome to John Doe's Film Blog. 30 years of dedicated celluloid obsession has meant that I have seen a few films. Drawing attention to some of the lesser discussed gems that I love. Cult classics, obscure curios and quality genre pictures. This blogs purpose is to translate some of my passion for these films and with luck, inspire you the reader to go check em out.

Crime Drama Thriller - Film & TV on DVD

The Godfather – The Coppola Restoration (1972, 1974 & 1990)

The Life and Times of the Corleone Family

The Godfather - The Coppola Restoration DVD

Last week an all new digitally restored and enhanced box set of The Godfather Trilogy was released in Australia. A favourite of JD’s and most cinephiles, the question is how does one begin a review for what is one of the most analysed, dissected and worshipped film sagas in the history of cinema. Do you just repeat the endless accolades already heaped upon it? Perhaps a list of trivia or the much told epic story of the “against-the-odds” making of a masterpiece. Maybe comparisons between the original release and the new super high quality transfer available on DVD.

Johnny Doe has decided on a little bit of all the above.

The Corleone family that sins together stays together

“My father is no different than any powerful man, any man with power, like a president or senator.” – Michael Corleone

Carrying a class and prestige few films are afforded and unprecedented for a 3 part series, the first Godfather released in 1972 took home the Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando) and Best Adapted Screenplay and scored 8 other nominations at the Oscars. The equally successful sequel of 1974 nabbed Best Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro), Best Picture, Best Director, Best Music, Art Direction and Screenplay. The final instalment made nearly 20 years later was nominated for 7 more awards but was ravaged by critics.

A brief synopsis for those select few that have never seen the movies seems appropriate about now. The Godfather Trilogy tells the story of the Corleone family, an American brood of Sicilian Mafioso whose own quest for power and wealth is easily comparable to the capitalist corporate greed that has driven the US to dominate the world market. Unforgettable lines like “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse” becoming part of the vernacular in big business ever since.

A microcosm of brutal loyalty, murky morality and a complex code of honour, the Corleone’s are a self serving family unit that struggles to survive and change with the times.
“I knew Santino was going to have to go through all this and Fredo... well, Fredo was... But I never wanted this for you. I live my life, I don't apologize to take care of my family. And I refused to be a fool dancing on the strings held by all of those big shots. That's my life I don't apologize for that. But I always thought that when it was your time that you would be the one to hold the strings. Senator Corleone. Governor Corleone. Something.” – Don Corleone

The Godfather DVD

Chapter 1 in the saga deals with Don Corleone’s (Marlon Brando) final years as Godfather. Tracing the tragic ascent of his most loved son Michael (Al Pacino) into the role as head of the organization.
“I understand. You found paradise in America. You had a good trade, made a good living, the police protected you and there were courts of law and you didn't need a friend like me. But, now you come to me and you say "Don Corleone, give me justice." But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me Godfather. Instead, you come into my home on the day my daughter's to be married and you ask me to do murder for money.” – Don Corleone

The Godfather 2 DVD

Chapter 2 picks up where the first one concludes with Michael as the new Godfather having to adapt to modernising. Simultaneously in flashback tracking the young Don Corleone’s (Robert De Niro) forced immigration to America from his native land and the actions that shape him to rise to the top of the underworld mob.

“It made me think of what you once told me: "In five years the Corleone family will be completely legitimate." That was seven years ago.” - Kay Corleone

Godfather 3 DVD

Chapter 3, a tale of retribution and redemption was modelled on the Shakespeare tragedy King Lear. Michael, now in his twilight years tries to amend for the sins of the past and protect his family from the cycle of violence and betrayal he himself created.
“Goodbye my old friend. You could have lived a little longer, I could be closer to my dream. You were so loved, Don Tommasino. Why was I so feared, and you so loved? What was it? I was no less honorable. I wanted to do good. What betrayed me? My mind? My heart? Why do I condemn myself so? I swear, on the lives of my children: Give me a chance to redeem myself, and I will sin, no more.” – Michael Corleone

John Doe says:
Exquisitely crafted, dramatically paced and completely immersive The Godfather films have a timeless quality that is enhanced with each passing year. The primordial ooze that redefined the genre, from the memorable Nino Rota score, to the ensemble casting and daring Gordon Willis cinematography each instalment follows a refined recipe that is pure cinema.

To this day the debate still rages as to which is superior the first or second, personally JD sees the two as one giant epic, unable to distinguish which is in fact “the best”. The much maligned 3rd part, no where near as disappointing when viewed without comparison to the mythical earlier parts.

Drawing heavily on his Italian American genealogy and European style Francis Ford Coppola (The Conversation, Apocalypse Now) injects ever scene with an authentic atmosphere that is realised through the culmination of numerous little details. The carefully planned visual motifs that arise like Oranges symbolising death now considered masterful.

Tapping out rich human emotion and drama while still maintaining a unique tension, the screenplay based on Mario Puzo’s best selling novel consciously avoids the use of the phrase “Mafia”. Precisely worded, the settings and interactions almost suffocate the viewer as you are drawn in to this moody tales conflicts and sudden brutal blood shed.

Michael passes the point of no return

So many classic scenes, it is impossible to single out one favourite. The movies themselves almost able to run in the head of fans after endlessly repeated screenings, here are a few monumental moments that JD still gets affected by in the first film. The opening wedding scene is as fine a set up as anything ever conceived on celluloid. The dark shadows of the Don’s office, the multitude of extras just outside and Luca Brazi’s congratulations all establish a steady tone. Michael committing his first murder in the restaurant is intense, the sympathetic death of the Don in the orange garden and offcourse the hospital scene all standout.

Marlon Brando returns to stature

It is amusing now to look at the some of the major creative differences between the unproven filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and Paramount studios. Choosing his idol Marlon Brando for the role of the Don in hindsight was perfect casting, yet at the time it was considered an extreme gamble to hire him. So the story goes that Paramount was adamantly opposed to his participation until Coppola shot a screentest and let the studio heads view it before revealing that the unrecognized star was in fact Brando. (Coppola faking a heart attack in front of the executives when they refused also helped)

Robert de Niro as the young Don Corleone

Francis’ expert eye for talent launching the careers of virtual unknowns, at the time he had to go to the mat for Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. James Caan as the volatile and destructive Sonny, Robert Duvall as the loyal Consigliari, John Cazale as the black sheep brother and Diane Keaton as the outsider who falls in love with Michael all recruited on the faith of the Director.

Damn, over a 1000 words written and Johnny doesn’t even feel like he has scratched the surface of what this sweeping trilogy has to offer. A part of filmmaking folklore now, the effect this film had on the industry is immeasurable. Launching so many stellar careers and announcing the arrival of one of the most influential Directors of the modern age The Godfather is essential for film lovers and this new edition certainly gets the John Doe stamp of approval. The sublime picture and sound quality making for a fresh screening experience and the informative, anecdotal extras packed in the set are an “offer we can’t refuse”

Here is a list of the DVD details for the 5 Disc new edition, thankfully now the Godfather Part II is all on one disc and we get a new commentary track on each film plus:

Disc 4: (previously released special features)
-Making of The Godfather
-Additional Scenes
-Filming Locations
-The Corleone Family Tree
- The Music of The Godfather
- The Godfather Historical Timeline
- Profiles on the Filmmakers
- Photo Galleries and Storyboards

Disc 5: (new special features)
- Godfather World
- The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't
- ...when the shooting stopped
- Emulsional Rescue: Revealing The Godfather
- The Godfather on the Red Carpet
- Four Short Films on The Godfather
--- The Godfather vs. The Godfather, Part II
--- Cannoli
--- Riffing on the Riffing
--- Clemenza

The Italian trailer for the new The Godfather Coppola Restoration DVD