- Database
- Fanedit Listings
- FanFix
- Godfather: Michael's Opus, The
Godfather: Michael's Opus, The
Updated
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Genre:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1974
Original Running Time:
298
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
322
Time Added:
24
Available in HD?
Additional Links:
Brief Synopsis:
The Godfather, The Godfather Part 2 and 3 are monumental masterpieces. This Godfather Magnum Opus will over two movies restore all available HD material to a total run time of 602 min. A few minutes never seen in HD, making it the longest possible chronological version ever seen and UNCENSORED! PLUS, the original ending of Part 3, which MUST be in full and not truncated as it was in Coda, has been restored (together with the 14 mins removed from Coda).
Intention:
In 1992, The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) was released. It features "The Godfather Saga" edit (Part 1 and 2) and The Godfather: Part III (1990) edited in chronological order with additional scenes. This was a VHS release rt 588min. This has never been available in HD and when televised, was heavily censored and in Standard definition only. A few years ago, AMC claimed to have restored it IN HD, but in fact 22 mins were taken up by credit rolls and synopsis and a further 25 min were cut for violence and run time. That over 40 minutes removed. The AMC version ran 580 min in total. I wanted to restore all the cuts AND go in and clean up poor transition, bad music timing on crossfades and even errors in the original which persist in all official versions.
Additional Notes:
The Godfather movies contain many errors which are persistent in all official versions. Apart from restoring all HD censored material to the chronological version, I have also corrected many errors and made a few minor narrative changes to improve the flow.
Other Sources:
The Godfather Trilogy Limited Edition CDs
The Godfather Coda: The death of Michael Corleone
Special features from all Blu ray versions
The Godfather Epic 720 p (unknown source)
The Godfather Coda: The death of Michael Corleone
Special features from all Blu ray versions
The Godfather Epic 720 p (unknown source)
Special Thanks:
Gbeditsmovies, jswert123456, Moe_Syzlak, jrWHAG42, Heavysyde, stferguson78, flaminio, asterixsmeagol, sgp1428, grabaham, subjectzero, TheUltimate, Mako and morrigan for following my tortuous thread on this, their feedback, encouragement and support.
Release Information:
Digital
Special Features
Making of videos that were posted in the forum thread on request (since they will not be available on YouTube for much longer)
Editing Details:
As a starting point, I used The Trilogy VHS 580 min version to inform the structure. I then used The official blu rays and the AMC Novel for television for source material. Once the overall 10 hour structure was laid out, I chose to break the movie naturally at what is the end of The Godfather. I then had to rebuild all transitions to create the young Vito chronological flow, with improved music timing, better cross fades and removed all add break fade to blacks. Additional changes are listed below. All captions, subtitles and opening credits are in the correct consistent font throughout.
The Godfather movies contain many errors which are persistent in all official versions. Apart from restoring all HD censored material to the chronological version, I have also corrected many errors and made a few minor narrative changes to improve the flow.
The Godfather movies contain many errors which are persistent in all official versions. Apart from restoring all HD censored material to the chronological version, I have also corrected many errors and made a few minor narrative changes to improve the flow.
Cuts and Additions:
FILM 2
ADDITIONAL CHANGES over and above added scenes (which are spoilers if you have not seen them, so they come after this, which is spoiler free):
- All new Paramount Logo
- Fanedit Logo
- All new flicker free opening titles (using actual font grabs from the onscreen version) cleaned up and stabilised
- All new subtitles across all movies in a consistent and the correct font
- Expanded subtitles where translation is either missing or incorrect
- New establishing shot of Vatican added and 1 min restored to Cardinal. Michael discussion
- All material removed from Coda (13 minutes in total) is restored. All additional Coda shots included.
- Opening montage for Part 3 and original more dramatic ending, restore.
- 3 secs removed for better continuity in the climax.
- All Subtitles replaced for Part 3 and expanded where Italian was not transalated.
- 17 Traveling crop mattes used to create new end titles roll from Part 2 and Part 3 with music re-ordered from both films end credit rolls to match timing.
- New end credit roll composed of 19 travelling crop mattes with re-sequenced music from credit rolls of Part 1 and Part 2
- Fanedit thanks card at the end of the credits
SPOILERS FOLLOW
FILM 2
ADDIITIONAL SCENES MICHEAL’s OPUS from The Godfather Part II
- footage of Michael walking on a pier in Lake Tahoe playing with a dog.
- Lake Tahoe caption added in consistent font
- Caption “The day of Anthony Corleones Holy Communiion” added
- There is footage of Anthony's First communion. (NOT in AMC, bizarrely)
- Anthony's party, there is added footage of singing on the grandstand, and in the parking lot.
- Anthony walking up to the button men, and stopping as Kay calls after him.
- Added scene of Fredo and his wife Deanna in the parking lot.
- Added scene of Deanna drunk with Fredo
- Sonny's daughter comes to see Michael for his blessing to marry Gardner Shaw
- After Francesca and Gardner leave, scene about Santino Jr.and football.
- Extra material of Al Neri talking to Michael (with Hagen and Lampone)
- Fabrizio ("Fred Vincent"), leaving his pizzeria in NYC,
- Footage leading up to Pentangeli drinking from the garden hose added and repositioned
- Pentangeli sitting and drinking wine with Anthony.
- Al Neri visiting Meyer Klingman,
The Godfather Part III additional scenes/Shots
- 6 shots newly added to the CODA version of Part 3 are retained
- Additional dialogue between Michael and the Cardinal NOT SEEN IN ANY OTHER VERSION in HD!! (audio from and SD DVD special feature, visuals are re-purposed shots from Part3)
- Corrected continuity establishing shots error
- More thorough translation of subtitles
- all 13 minutes removed for Coda are ratained
- Kay lighting a candles in remembrance (used under the credits for the Novel for television)
- An in Memoriam sequence during the end credit from The Trilogy version
MIchael's Opus v8.03
A dozen or so minor micro audio transition teaks that should be unnoticeable to most.
A new bridging montage between part 2 and 3 ( prior to the INTERMISSION) now created an effective setting up for Part 3, suggested from an observation by @tylrsmmrs about the shots of Connie and Michael eacting on the pier.
A shot of George Hamilton in the newly created opening scene could be seen that he was speaking (albeit a long shot)…when in fact he was not speak.ing on the audio. This has been corrected without removing any of the new audio recovered from a low res extra that had clean audio.
The Don Altobello chopper shot is reinstated as it was for La Fine 1.08. Sourced from and extra in bonus discs of the 4K edition.
The audio clipping issue has been resolved throughout the second half of Michael's Opus. This occured due to an incorrect audio setting in the previous version down mix during the rendering and would only be noticeable on some 6 Ch systems. Only about 4 or 5 people seem to have had this issue.
Credits THANKS updated to include @spence and @tylrsmmrs
ADDITIONAL CHANGES over and above added scenes (which are spoilers if you have not seen them, so they come after this, which is spoiler free):
- All new Paramount Logo
- Fanedit Logo
- All new flicker free opening titles (using actual font grabs from the onscreen version) cleaned up and stabilised
- All new subtitles across all movies in a consistent and the correct font
- Expanded subtitles where translation is either missing or incorrect
- New establishing shot of Vatican added and 1 min restored to Cardinal. Michael discussion
- All material removed from Coda (13 minutes in total) is restored. All additional Coda shots included.
- Opening montage for Part 3 and original more dramatic ending, restore.
- 3 secs removed for better continuity in the climax.
- All Subtitles replaced for Part 3 and expanded where Italian was not transalated.
- 17 Traveling crop mattes used to create new end titles roll from Part 2 and Part 3 with music re-ordered from both films end credit rolls to match timing.
- New end credit roll composed of 19 travelling crop mattes with re-sequenced music from credit rolls of Part 1 and Part 2
- Fanedit thanks card at the end of the credits
SPOILERS FOLLOW
FILM 2
ADDIITIONAL SCENES MICHEAL’s OPUS from The Godfather Part II
- footage of Michael walking on a pier in Lake Tahoe playing with a dog.
- Lake Tahoe caption added in consistent font
- Caption “The day of Anthony Corleones Holy Communiion” added
- There is footage of Anthony's First communion. (NOT in AMC, bizarrely)
- Anthony's party, there is added footage of singing on the grandstand, and in the parking lot.
- Anthony walking up to the button men, and stopping as Kay calls after him.
- Added scene of Fredo and his wife Deanna in the parking lot.
- Added scene of Deanna drunk with Fredo
- Sonny's daughter comes to see Michael for his blessing to marry Gardner Shaw
- After Francesca and Gardner leave, scene about Santino Jr.and football.
- Extra material of Al Neri talking to Michael (with Hagen and Lampone)
- Fabrizio ("Fred Vincent"), leaving his pizzeria in NYC,
- Footage leading up to Pentangeli drinking from the garden hose added and repositioned
- Pentangeli sitting and drinking wine with Anthony.
- Al Neri visiting Meyer Klingman,
The Godfather Part III additional scenes/Shots
- 6 shots newly added to the CODA version of Part 3 are retained
- Additional dialogue between Michael and the Cardinal NOT SEEN IN ANY OTHER VERSION in HD!! (audio from and SD DVD special feature, visuals are re-purposed shots from Part3)
- Corrected continuity establishing shots error
- More thorough translation of subtitles
- all 13 minutes removed for Coda are ratained
- Kay lighting a candles in remembrance (used under the credits for the Novel for television)
- An in Memoriam sequence during the end credit from The Trilogy version
MIchael's Opus v8.03
A dozen or so minor micro audio transition teaks that should be unnoticeable to most.
A new bridging montage between part 2 and 3 ( prior to the INTERMISSION) now created an effective setting up for Part 3, suggested from an observation by @tylrsmmrs about the shots of Connie and Michael eacting on the pier.
A shot of George Hamilton in the newly created opening scene could be seen that he was speaking (albeit a long shot)…when in fact he was not speak.ing on the audio. This has been corrected without removing any of the new audio recovered from a low res extra that had clean audio.
The Don Altobello chopper shot is reinstated as it was for La Fine 1.08. Sourced from and extra in bonus discs of the 4K edition.
The audio clipping issue has been resolved throughout the second half of Michael's Opus. This occured due to an incorrect audio setting in the previous version down mix during the rendering and would only be noticeable on some 6 Ch systems. Only about 4 or 5 people seem to have had this issue.
Credits THANKS updated to include @spence and @tylrsmmrs
User reviews
26 reviews
Overall rating
9.9
Audio/Video Quality
9.7(26)
Visual Editing
9.9(26)
Audio Editing
9.8(26)
Narrative
9.9(26)
Enjoyment
10.0(26)
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
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.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
B
Overall rating
9.9
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
9.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
(This review is also posted under Vito's Opus..)
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.
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.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
P
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
10/10 edit. Best way to watch the godfather.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
J
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
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.
(As a sidenote, Godfather 2 felt even more heartbreaking with the addition of GF3 feeling like a beautiful, somber conclusion to Michael's story and the Godfather Saga. So I thank Wraith for that simple edit.)
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!
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.
(As a sidenote, Godfather 2 felt even more heartbreaking with the addition of GF3 feeling like a beautiful, somber conclusion to Michael's story and the Godfather Saga. So I thank Wraith for that simple edit.)
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!
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
A
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
Wraith's fanedit of The Godfather Trilogy has been lovingly rebuilt to showcase the linear narrative. As with his other creation - The Godfather: Don Vito's Opus - the misery and suffering of the protagonist, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), is shown in its full clarity. Like his father before him, Michael's attempts at living a peaceful and honest life were thwarted by the corruption of every other powerful man around him. In the end, despite his best efforts at living an honest life, the scheming, craven and abhorent behaviour of other families eventually robbed Michael of his own daughter.
Wraith's inclusion of the numerous deleted scenes add to the character development of this gut-wrenching and heartbreaking story, but by far the most moving of all the added scenes was the final one - the coda - showing Michael as an old man. As a 77-year-old, he sits in his wheelchair outside in the garden, triumphantly living in the residence of his last adversary/victim. He possesses all the wealth and power that he could possibly desire, but is nevertheless an empty and broken man, with nothing to live for... haunted by the murder of his older brother (that he arranged), the disintegration of his marriage, and the loss of his ownly daughter. Only his son, who left the crime 'business', survives... he alone survives because he rejected the legacy of his father...
That coda, with a duration of only one-minute, effectively summarises the entire epic movie masterpiece. (If the coda had been included in the original cinema cut back in 1990, The Godfather: Part III might have won the academy award for best picture... but now, we will never know.)
Lastly, despite her lack of acting skill, I still found Sofia Coppola's performance as least passable. Certainly, the acting heavyweights all around her and their sterling performances overshadowed her own efforts. Regardless, she conveyed the necessary innocence and fragility that was necessary for the role - you could believe that she actually was Michael Corleone's daughter... a naive young woman lacking the strength and experience of her father (just as Sofia Coppola lacked the acting experience and charisma of Al Pacino).
This is a brilliant fanedit of a wretched family's tormented existence in the criminal underworld.
Well done Wraith!
Wraith's inclusion of the numerous deleted scenes add to the character development of this gut-wrenching and heartbreaking story, but by far the most moving of all the added scenes was the final one - the coda - showing Michael as an old man. As a 77-year-old, he sits in his wheelchair outside in the garden, triumphantly living in the residence of his last adversary/victim. He possesses all the wealth and power that he could possibly desire, but is nevertheless an empty and broken man, with nothing to live for... haunted by the murder of his older brother (that he arranged), the disintegration of his marriage, and the loss of his ownly daughter. Only his son, who left the crime 'business', survives... he alone survives because he rejected the legacy of his father...
That coda, with a duration of only one-minute, effectively summarises the entire epic movie masterpiece. (If the coda had been included in the original cinema cut back in 1990, The Godfather: Part III might have won the academy award for best picture... but now, we will never know.)
Lastly, despite her lack of acting skill, I still found Sofia Coppola's performance as least passable. Certainly, the acting heavyweights all around her and their sterling performances overshadowed her own efforts. Regardless, she conveyed the necessary innocence and fragility that was necessary for the role - you could believe that she actually was Michael Corleone's daughter... a naive young woman lacking the strength and experience of her father (just as Sofia Coppola lacked the acting experience and charisma of Al Pacino).
This is a brilliant fanedit of a wretched family's tormented existence in the criminal underworld.
Well done Wraith!
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
D