Godfather: Michael's Opus, The

I left a review on the first part of this and I said how incredible it was. The second part is even more impressive, fully fleshing out all the various aspects to Michael's rise and poisonous fall into cynicism and coldness. The deleted scenes add so, so, so much to your understanding of who Michael is and what he becomes, and in addition it adds so much to our appreciation of what Coppolla and Puzo were trying to tell us. It's beautifully done.

Wraith, you have created THE definitive version of these films.

There are now two eras for film fans who love The Godfather films - before this version and after it, because no-one who sees this version will ever get the same pleasure out of the Coppolla versions again. This isn't just definitive. If there was room in the world for one and ONLY one version of these films, this would be it, accept no substitutes.

Magnificent man. Magnificent.

Just...wow.

(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.

Much like Don Vito’s Opus, this edit by Wraith is a masterpiece. My only minor issue was that my personal preference was for The Godfather Coda version of the movie over part 3, particularly the ending where Michael does not die. I always liked the concept of the audience watching a violent killer live his final days completely broken and suffering. I do understand also that these edits are meant to be extended editions with nothing removed.

Other than that, I absolutely loved all the extra footage added in. They really enhance the character development. The audio and visual quality was spot on, but I can also acknowledge I am not the best at spotting those issues unless something stands out and is jarring.

I would recommend anybody who loves the trilogy to watch Wrait’s Opus edits. If someone prefers the movie non-chronological versions, then those are available as well.

These comments will be posted in both the Opus 1 and 2 IFDB pages.

I laughed, i cried i was wrapped up in the world of the Corleone family again for a while and it was a marvel. I have personally never seen a chronological edit before and shoot me down in flames i think i actually preferred it. To concentrate on the ascendance of Vito Corleone without being pulled into Michael's story in part 2 was so much more engaging. Robert De Niro is a master. The inserted scene when Fannuci is trying to marry off his daughters to Vito while helping himself to the dresses was a masterclass in acting and thank god you reinserted this scene into your Opus...just beautiful.

As i am not up to date with the scenes that were reinserted in the various cuts over the years - i can't comment fully but i did look at the supplement disc of my bluray boxset after i watched these edits to jog my memory on what scenes had been omitted from the theatrical versions, and i am thrilled that they now have full pride of place in Opus 1 & 2 . More Clemenza - what is there not to love - but far less (none) Tom Hagen in part 3 was a mistake and i wonder if Copolla regrets the decision not to pay Robert Duvall the wage he wanted.. after all i think he is integral to the story and could have been a real focal point in the culmination ..maybe even taking a bullet for the boss.

I only found a couple of things that pulled me out of the edits and that was your inserted Vegas footage, the first scene of the three looked like the cars were from the 60's or 70's . I could have sworn i see a Dodge hatchback...i maybe wrong and will take another look. I noticed a lot of loud popping and crackling during GF 3 - especially when the helicopter is massacring the Don's , underbosses and soldiers at the hotel meeting. I watched the MP4 versions - i am not sure if this is the case with blurays.

Anyway - thanks for all the hard work you put into making these - they are definitely my new go to versions and bluray's will be burned and placed on the shelf next to my Copolla restoration boxset....i imagine a new 4K set will be released for next years 50th Anniversary.

I love the chronological structure -and dare i say it - as an alternative -someone could probably turn this epic into 10 one hour episodes in a series format or am i taking it too far by saying that. It might appease a less patient audience.

Now "Drop the Gun, grab the Canolli" and contact Wraith for a copy of this masterpiece.