The Godfather Trilogy 4K Blu-ray Review
Don't ask me about my business ...
If you travelled on public transport in the early 2000 it was extremely common to see commuters reading books, either Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings or Rowling’s Harry Potter; the success of their respective film adaptations spawned a renewed interest in their literary counterparts and the books sold in their millions. Back in the early 70’s it was much the same, only the books were different, and were already incredibly famous before their own film adaptations were made. The first was William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist, which, with the fiery temperament of William Friedkin in the director’s chair and the bombastic relationship he had with the author, created, perhaps, one of the greatest horror films of all time. The second was Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, whose success cannot be understated, and whose subsequent film adaptation, somewhat ironically, became the Godfather of mafia films.
Francis Ford Coppola took the director’s chair, somewhat reluctantly, but his involvement, alongside that of the author, faithfully and assiduously crafted an adaptation that would be as much about family as that of nefarious gangsters. The level of improvisation around the scripting, the passion which everyone brought to the production, the hitherto unseen lighting techniques, that of emphasising the darkness, from cinematographer Gordon Willis, the perfect casting of every actor and actress in their respective roles and the sheer gumption of the film assured its success. It is eminently quotable, and so chock full of classic scenes that the whole thing is seen as a reference point; indeed by the time The Sopranos came along, the show was actively quoting it! Awards were lauded upon it and its success guaranteed a sequel, a sequel that falls into that very rarest of breeds, a film that equals or betters the original.
The Godfather Part II came along two years later, in 1974, and was perfect. Simultaneously telling the story of how and why Don Corleone came to America and built his two families, that of his own and that of the criminal empire, juxtaposed against Michael and the consolidation of his grip on the crime syndicate as his own family falls apart. Reuniting just about everyone from the first film’s production, Coppola crafted another tight family drama against the backdrop of the mafia and their dealings, this time with Robert De Niro taking over from Marlon Brando as the young Don and becoming that character. Just like the original, it was a huge success winning multiple awards and accolades and has the distinction of being both an origin and conclusion story – if only it had stayed that way.
It goes to show that belated sequels are nothing new; it took 16 years for The Godfather Part III to come to theatres and a further 27 for the Coda cut to make it to disc. Reuniting many of the same for this third outing, and concentrating on legitimising the family business, Part III, loses something in the family aspect that drove the originals forward. A newer cast of younger actors and the controversial choice of his own daughter in a lead role, director Coppola and writer Puzo, nevertheless did craft a fitting ending to the saga, by rounding off story lines and giving a real sense of closure. Perhaps it is that very sense, the delivery of loss and regret, that gives the third instalment its feeling of inadequacy? Nowhere near as bad on a rewatch as many critics suggested it was first time around, it is nevertheless a weaker film in every regard and, presumably, Coppola knew this, as he tried to readdress the balance, with his Coda cut; and whilst that has a slightly different emphasis and is now more streamlined and on point, the backbone is the same, so it unfortunately doesn’t quite make it.
Taken as a whole, this film trilogy can still be regarded as a masterpiece, certainly the first two instalments outweigh perceived shortfalls in the conclusion and elevate it to such a status.
The Godfather Trilogy 4K Blu-ray Video
The Godfather and The Godfather Part II were shot using Arriflex 35 IIC and Mitchell BNCR cameras, while The Godfather Part III used Panavision Panaflex Gold II, all on 35mm film, and all three have been through an all new 4K scan, clean-up and colour correction, under the watchful eye of Coppola, using the original camera elements, to form a new 4K DI from which this UHD is sourced. Coppola is a master at this restoration game, Apocalypse Now and The Outsiders are a testament to that; and the work completed on this Godfather Trilogy is in exactly the same vein, in short, remarkable.
The discs present native 3840 x 2160p resolution images, all with the widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio, use 10-bit video depth, High Dynamic Range (HDR), a Wide Colour Gamut (WCG) and are encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec for Dolby Vison and HRD10.
We reviewed the Region free UK Ultra HD Blu-ray release of The Godfather, The Godfather Part II and The Godfather Coda on a Panasonic TX-65HZ1000B Ultra HD 4K OLED TV with a Panasonic DP-UB450 Dolby Vision HDR10+ 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player.
Beyond Sublime
The Godfather
Glorious. This superb filmic image is a combination of spectacular detail, lush colouring, sublime blacks and an organic grain structure. Detail has never been better, skin texture and clothing weaves are clearly discernible, fruit skins (oranges!), brickwork of buildings, vegetation in Sicily, street signs, trees against the skyline – simply stunning. the occasional softness that rarely creeps in is from the original source, the stock footage (of New York and Vegas), and aesthetic choices of focus.
The WCG and HDR, in Dolby Vision flavour, gives a naturalism and intensity to the colours, skin tones are terrific, reds pop (dresses at the wedding, the rose on Vito’s lapel), greens are lush (in Sicilian hillsides), while the more aesthetic sepia tones grade perfectly. Check out the wedding, how vivid the many costumes are, or the gold in the churches, the coolness of the New York streets against the boldness of the Sicilian vistas, the heat from the car explosion – all the while giving a strength but keeping the aesthetic of the original palette.
The black level is stunning, it needs to be due to the use of black in the film; deep penetrating, holding shadow detail when needed, being pitch as required. Check out Vito’s dinner suit in the darkness, see how there is form, shape and definition in the darkness. There was the very occasional increase in grain in the gloom, but this was intentional and in the source. The white scale is just as intense, giving a real pop to the image, whether in the hills or in New York.
There are no digital issues and the original source is pristine, maintaining the well resolved grain structure that simply makes the film – a stunning transfer.
The Godfather Part II
How does one improve on perfection? Slot disc II into your player. Detail is, once again, magnificent; skin texture, clothing weaves, street grime, crumbs of cake, dusty Sicilian roads, vegetation, brickwork, car exhaust, worn pistol handles, dancing flames – right from the closest close-up to the distant horizon, a stunning representation.
WGC and HDR, in Dolby Vision, gives a life to the colour palette that SD cannot handle, while maintaining the look and feel of the source. The stylistic sepia toning is more apparent in Part II, yet the natural skin tones remain perfect; colours pop and shine; the various dresses at the opening party and in Cuba, flowers, the green of the lawns, the blue of the sky, the drabness of early New York juxtaposed against the vividness of the late; the bright burst of colour from fireworks or neon lighting.
Black level is once again incredible, depth of frame and shadow detailing are increased with no expense to the grain structure, when it is meant to be impenetrable it truly is. White scale is just as on point, the aforementioned fireworks pierce the night sky, as do torches, searchlights and car headlamps – there is penetrating glow from the bright lights, as well as seen in fires and gas lighting.
The original source is clean and free from issues, digitally there are no compression problems, and the grain structure is beautifully realised, giving a simply wonderful film like image.
The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone
Is it possible to improve on perfect perfection? Spin disc III, the Coda cut. Crisp detailing is very apparent, pores, hairlines, unshaven chins, strands of loose hair all are well defined, clothing weaves are clearly discernible (the ornate embroidery of the cardinals’ robes for example), while flowers, grasses and trees in Sicily are beautifully defined as is brickwork, wood panelling and marble in the Vatican. Establishing landscape shots are wonderful.
The WCG and Dolby Vision HDR bring out the natural aesthetic of the colouring, from skin tones to the lush greens of vegetation to the vivid reds of flowers, robes and Vatican wall coverings. Colours are rich and vibrant but maintain a natural elegance.
The black level is deep and rich, there is a strong depth to frame, holding shadow detail, when needed and being pitch when required. The white scale gives some tremendous pop, and never clips, even on the pigeons.
There or no digital issues, and the original source is near perfect with an organic and rich grain structure that shows the organic nature of the film.
The Godfather Trilogy 4K Audio
The Godfather
There are two English tracks, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 found on previous releases and a new for this release Dolby Digital 2.0 mono track. The surround track is a tad front heavy, but with good separation, not only stereo but within the layering of the mix. The surrounds are used to provide ambience, such as weather, bird song and street noise that opens up the 3D environment. Dialogue is clear and precise and well layered into the mix, the score too makes good use of all the speakers. Bass, whilst not limited, uses sparse LF effects, with the major hit coming from the car explosion which is wonderful in its surprise and used to add punch to the gun shots. A very naturalistic track and pinpoint accurate in its delivery. The 2.0 mono track is, again, clear and well layered, but separation is limited due to its nature, nothing, however, is lost and, as a close approximation of the original, it's terrific to have it included.
The Godfather Part II
There are two English tracks, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 found on previous releases and new for this release, a Dolby Digital 2.0 mono track. What is immediately apparent is the wide separation afforded the 5.1 track, from the opening party to the streets of Cuba, and from the confines of the theatre and narrow streets of old New York to the music playing at the New Year’s party, there is a wide expanse given to the surround field opening up the 3D environment, yet still maintaining an organic, naturalistic track. Dialogue is clear and precise with some directionality, effects are more in line with ambiance, while the bass, is tight and controlled adding to the low end of the surround field even if discreet LF effects are limited. The 2.0 mono track loses the wider feel separation, but retains the organic, naturalistic nature and clean delivery.
The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone
The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track is the same as adorned the previous releases, and is rich, dynamic and well separated. Effects are well catered for with the surrounds providing plenty of ambience, from the parade to the party to the hills of Sicily. Dialogue is clean and clear with some directionality, sounds perfectly natural and well layered into the mix so nothing is missing. The score too makes good use of the surround environment. Bass is deep and vibrant, used to fill out plenty of effects, the helicopter set piece is room shakingly intense, and thunder rattles the windows. Decent separation and an overall sense of surround environment are standouts.
Review System: Denon AVR-X4300H, MK Sound LCR750 and SUR55T, XTZ S2 Atmosphere ceiling mounted, SVS PB-12 Ultra.
The Godfather Trilogy 4K Extras
The Godfather UHD
Introduction to the film - With Francis Ford Coppola
Audio Commentary – With Francis Ford Coppola (legacy)
The Godfather Part II UHD
Audio Commentary – With Francis Ford Coppola (legacy)
The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone UHD
Introduction to the film - With Francis Ford Coppola
Bonus Disc 1 UHD
Theatrical Cut of The Godfather Part III – Restoration in keeping with Coda.
1991 Re-cut of The Godfather Part III – Restoration in keeping with Coda.
Audio Commentary – With Francis Ford Coppola (legacy)
Bonus Disc 2 Blu-ray
Full Circle: Preserving The Godfather – 16 minute feature examining the restoration process of the trilogy during the pandemic, plenty of contributors including Gordon Willis and Robert A. Harris.
Capturing the Corleone’s: Through the Lens of Photographer Steve Schapiro – A 13 minute piece with the photographer as he discusses his take on the films, their themes and legacy.
The Godfather: Home Movies – 9 minutes of 8mm footage taken during the filming of the original film.
Restoration Comparisons – If viewing the films wasn’t revolutionary enough, here you can see the clear differences and the work done; titled The Godfather: Scan Element Comparisons, and The Godfather II: Scan Element Comparisons, 5 minutes each.
The rest of the features are legacy material from previous releases of the films.
The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't
Godfather World
Emulsion Rescue - Revealing The Godfather
...When the Shooting Stopped
The Godfather on the Red Carpet
Four Short Films on The Godfather
GF vs GF Part II
Riffing on the Riffing
Cannoli
Clemenza
The Corleone Family Tree
Crime Organization Chart
Connie and Carlo's Wedding Album
Behind the Scenes
A Look Inside
On Location
Francis Coppola's Notebook
Music of The Godfather
Coppola & Puzo on Screenwriting
Gordon Willis on Cinematography
Storyboards -- Godfather Part II
Storyboards -- Godfather Part III
The Godfather Behind the Scenes 1971
Additional Scenes - Scenes (1901-1927), Scenes (1945), Scenes (1947-1955), Scenes (1958-1979)
Galleries
Trailers
Photo Gallery
Rogues' Gallery
Acclaim & Response
Additional Material
James Caan Screen Test
The Sopranos
Puzo "For the Money"
The Godfather Around the World
Cosa Nostra & Coppola
The Filmmakers: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo, Gordon Willis, Dean Tavoularis, Nino Rota, Carmine Coppola
Godfather Chronology
Conclusion
The Godfather Trilogy 4K Blu-ray Review
The Godfather trilogy, taken as a whole, can be regarded as a masterpiece. Part I and Part II easily fit that description and remain essential viewing for any film fan, and whilst Part III, even in its newest, director favoured cut, doesn’t manage to reach those lofty heights, it does nevertheless maintain the gravitas and brings to a close a legacy that continues to endure. When picture, sound, design, story, casting and themes come together, a truly special film therein lies; to do that twice is practically unheard of – Coppola managed it with The Godfather, little wonder it continues to enthral to this day.
The set from Paramount has lavished that adoration and is quite simply a must have. All the films have had a meticulous restoration, meaning their native 4K images are second to none; with incredible detail, stunning colouring and delicious black levels. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround tracks are well separated, organic and create a wonderful atmosphere, while the extras package covers everything (including the previous two cuts of Part III) and even manages to add some new material into the set. Incredible.
The Godfather Trilogy available on 4K UHD and Digital now.
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