The Godfather is returning to limited theaters in Dolby Cinema to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary film. Additionally, Francis Ford Coppola and Paramount Archives have restored the trilogy in 4K Ultra HD.
The Godfather was written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, the latter of whom also directed the gangster crime epic. The film was released in 1973, based off of Mario Puzo’s best-selling 1969 novel of the same name. Two sequels, The Godfather Part II and The Godfather Part III. A potential fourth film was discussed, but Mario Puzo passed away in 1999, resulting in the cancellation of that project. Another novel, The Family Corleone, and two video games, which Francis Ford Coppola openly denounced were also released.
The Godfather stars Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone, a ruthless crime boss, Al Pacino as Michael, Vito’s youngest, James Caan as Sonny, Vito’s eldest, and Richard Castellano as Clemenza, Sonny’s Godfather. The Corloene crime family’s story is told over the course of several years, detailing Michael’s evolution into the head of the Corleone family.
FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’S MASTERPIECE IS REMASTERED IN 4K
The Godfather and The Godfather Part II are widely regarded as two of the greatest and most important American films ever produced, especially within the gangster genre. While The Godfather Part III has its fans, critics did not appreciate the third installment nearly as much as the first two, generally speaking. The 4K Ultra HD remaster of The Godfather trilogy includes Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, which is a recut version of The Godfather Part III which Coppola considers to be definitive.
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“I am very proud of ‘The Godfather,’ which certainly defined the first third of my creative life…With this 50th anniversary tribute, I’m especially proud of Mario Puzo’s ‘The Godfather’,’ Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone’ is included, as it captures Mario and my original vision in definitively concluding our epic trilogy…It’s also gratifying to celebrate this milestone with Paramount alongside the wonderful fans who’ve loved it for decades, younger generations who still find it relevant today, and those who will discover it for the first time.”
-Francis Ford Coppola
One significant element included in this alternate version of The Godfather Part III is an expanded role for Coppola’s daughter, Sofia Coppola, who played Mary Corleone. At the time of release, critics of the threequel were particularly harsh of Sofia’s performance. Coppola believes that Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, which features an alternate intro and conclusion, “vindicates” the casting of Sofia. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the director described the recut as “…like pulling on the thread of a sweater that annoyed you, and you end up re-knitting the whole sweater.” The harsh response from detractors of Part III clearly ate away at Coppola, but if it resulted in the recreation of a superior Part III, all’s well that ends well.
OWN THE NEW SET OF THE BELOVED GODFATHER TRILOGY THIS SPRING
The remastered version will stream in Dolby Cinema at select AMC Theatres starting February 24th, 2022. The restored 4K Ultra HD version of iconic trilogy, which featured 1,000 hours of color correction and 4,000 hours of repaired stains and tears will be released on March 22.
Fans of The Godfather and moviegoers unfamiliar with the franchise should mark their calendars, because who knows when there will be another chance to see this crime classic on the big screen? Are you excited to see Francis Ford Coppola trilogy restored? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media!
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