Godfather: Michael's Opus, The

This one is loooooooong overdue.
You will find this Review in Michaels Opus as well, as i have watched both of them, for 3 times now.

There is no point in me telling you, what Wraith did, in detail. What i want to share in short is this:
WRAITH´s Versions did something to me, they Reopened those Movies, that i have watched countless times.
triggered by my father (italian heritage) i was watching The Godfather 1&2 many times freom a young age.
Everytime, while i grew up, more and more opened up - i understood more of the meanings and feelings of the characters, and in the movementes of the older version of Don Vito, i saw my (than aged) dad.

I am emotional about these movies, since they have played a big part in my youth and still do.
The "new" Versions are the best i have ever seen. I experienced some scenes like never before.
Dialouge hit me more, cuts and sound and chronology are flawless.

I strongly recomend these versions to everyone that just feels a shrad love for the OG Cuts -
Wraith teleports The Godfather on a pedestal that might stand forever !!!!

thx for sharing, i really appreciate it!

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.

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.

(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.

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!