Godfather: Don Vito's Opus, The

What can I say, sat down to watch a sample of my favorite scenes from the first Godfather along with a quick scan of the extended scenes not realising the amount of work Wraith has put into this extended version (along with his opus versions as well). Picture quality was excellent without any of the crazy dnr and color timing shenanigans of the newer uhd transfers. Can't wait to check out the second part..

This is a monumental work. Period. It will be the ONLY way I view this stuff going forward. Absolutely stellar!

I am in awe.

I would never have expected that it was possible to make the The Godfather even better. I'm amazed by the way everything strings together in this version. There is so much more context and logic in the storytelling. The way you start with a young Don Vito and you slowly see the rise of Micheal into the man he becomes. The fact that is all happens in one single movie puts more emphasize on the roles of both Don Vito and Michael.

Thanks to Wraith, who put in an incredible shift here. I have a new appreciation of one of my already favorite movies. Can only recommend.

This review is a comparison between Godfather’s theatrical version and a version made by Wraith that consists of two parts with additional footage incorporated.

I am a huge fun of Godfather Part 1. When I am tired, I put it on (blue ray edition) and spend time blissfully looking at the screen. However, I always had unanswered questions about storyline.
Godfather Part 2 had another problem for me. I always had a problem with two stories that developed at the same time. I found this ‘switching’ distracting.
Godfather Part 3 also had many unanswered questions for me.

Godfather with additional footage took me by great and pleasant surprise. I realized that cutting between stories of young Vito and middle-aged Michael in Part 2 of theatrical version was to establish what is called ‘rhymes of prose’ – repeats in stories that displayed reoccurring patterns in lives of two characters uniting their stories together into single pattern. I also realized that with additional footage it was no longer necessary to switch between two storylines, because extra material was able to create repeated ‘rhymes’, patterns in life of each character without need of ‘switching’. One example is to trace how idea of ‘making an offer you cannot refuse’ germinated and was established in mind of young Vito. This development (while crucial for ark of the Godfather) is missing in theatrical version.
I always loved older Vito. But now I realized that young Vito is much more multidimensional figure than older Vito. Older Vito comes across shallower and pettier than brooding and reflecting young Vito. I find now I prefer that same actor (De Niro) who played young Vito would play older Vito also.

Part that tells story of young Vito (and lasts one hour and fifteen minutes) became now a movie in its right. It reminded me of great works of Italian cinema such as ‘Leopard’.

Video and audio quality of version made with additional footage incorporated is superb.

Musicians cover songs of others (that is - record another version of original) all the time. Often their covers accede musical value of originals. Musical industry values contributions of cover musicians as high as contributions of original creators. Video industry should consider Wraith's update of Coppola's masterpiece to be on par with his original cut.

The HD quality is good (unfortunately there is a lot of video noise but just decrease the brightness to enjoy it more Or set Video Gamma on Limited . the sound is excellent and I also like the subtitles with the "old style" silent movie font. A few small defects in a couple of points but are only few seconds. It would be ideal to have it in 4k . I read that Paramount has modified the colors "normalizing" them. in 4K BR version. I'm happy to be able to see it in 16:9 (in the '90 I bought the Complete Epic boxset on VHS) on my Oled LG and G. Willis' cinematography fascinates me every time. very good work , Great Cinema indeed