Godfather: Don Vito's Opus, The

Recently just finished this fantastic edit! Picture and sound work great. I especially enjoyed the whole feature in sequence. Loved the way this approach worked with Part III. Wraith is a master!

Wraith is an artist, offering a perfect two-part Godfather Epic. The editing is flawless in terms of video and audio, and the choice to chronologically depict the Corleone family provided me with a narrative that I didn't know I needed. While I was never initially fond of Godfather Part II, reorganizing the plot into a direct sequence allowed me to appreciate the plot and find in more captivating. Vito's origin now serves as a bookend to Part III, where we see the Corleone family rise and fall in power. The original theatrical cuts are masterpieces in their own rights, and Wraith has optimized that experience.

I created this account to watch this Opus and it did not disappoint. Like most American fans of cinema, I grew up with the Godfather ever present, a classic from the day it was released. Seeing this cut was like seeing it with new eyes.

The story of the Corleone family through the years is perceived differently as one ages. Watching an extended chronological cut (with deleted scenes improved and inserted masterfully) allowed for an even slower pace, a somber, tragic tempo --like the funeral band in the very first scene. I saw secondary characters and their story more clearly: Rocco Lampone joining Clemenza's crew, Willie Cicci the button-man ending up in a federal court, Johnny Lips becoming Hyman Roth. Sonny is fleshed out beyond being a hothead; his mistress Lucy Mancini and her bastard son Vincent carry more weight now. I could continue, but it's best to watch it yourself. This is the most enjoyment I've ever gotten out of part III, and a wonderful accomplishment by Wraith.

With the exception of a few brief moments where a transition was slightly less than perfect, I forgot completely what I was watching was not an official studio release. I'd long heard of but never seen the chronological cut of The Godfather, and I can't imagine there being a better version.

Hands down the best way to watch the trilogy. Make sure to watch the Godfather: Michael's Opus after this edit.

My reviews of the Opus 1 and 2 will be posted in both IFDB pages.

I loved both Godfather 1 and 2 (and even Godfather 3) a lot more in these edits compared to other versions of the movies. I was wrapped up in the world of the Corleone family once again and it was a sight to behold. I have never seen a chronological edit before and many may still prefer the nonchronological structure of the original versions (or the separate movies GF1 - GF2) but I loved the chronological structure more. By concentrating first on the ascendance of Vito Corleone and his inevitable end without being pulled into it all of a sudden from Michael's story in part 2, it made the story flow (at least for me) better and it felt more engaging as a result of that. Godfather 3 was more enjoyable thanks to the restoration efforts of Wraith and it felt more of an expansion of Godfather 2 while at the same time feeling like a unique story all of its own.

Thank you so much Wraith for making this version of the Godfather movies. In my opinion you have made Coppola proud and enhanced his and Puzo's creation!