Godfather Epic on HBO, Blu-ray Coming??

[Rayjaymay]

I just saw that HBO is showing The Godfather Epic (in HD) on Sunday, January 17th. This is the version that cuts GF2 around GF1 so that the story plays out in chronological order.

Could this (hopefully) mean that a blu-Ray release might be in the works? Has anyone heard anything on this?

[MifuneFan]

I don't see it happening, but it would be cool if it did.

[Walts Ghost]

I've always wanted to see this version in HD, and hopefully on blu. Will it happen? Probably not. But I'd sure love if it was.

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

That sounds pretty awesome. IMO they could cut half of Godfather 3 and add it to the cut have it be one big epic.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Rayjaymay

I just saw that HBO is showing The Godfather Epic (in HD) on Sunday, January 17th. This is the version that cuts GF2 around GF1 so that the story plays out in chronological order.

Could this (hopefully) mean that a blu-Ray release might be in the works? Has anyone heard anything on this?

I would assume it would it have to get Coppola's approval. What was his take on the TV version?

[warrian]

I don't find a chronological version very tempting, but if they remastered the deleted material from the 'novel for television' version and reintegrated all that back into the program (minus the commercial break edits) I likely couldn't resist.

Still no substitute for watching the theatricals though IMO.

[warrian]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

I would assume it would it have to get Coppola's approval. What was his take on the TV version?

He was bullied into it because he needed the money and he doesn't like it.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by warrian

I don't find a chronological version very tempting, but if they remastered the deleted material from the 'novel for television' version and reintegrated all that back into the program (minus the commercial break edits) I likely couldn't resist.

Still no substitute for watching the theatricals though IMO.

It's quite possible that's what they're doing. I'm hoping it'll be the full version. Vulture is making it sound like it's possibly the original version, restored in HD.

The Godfather Epic is the TV version of Francis Ford Coppola’s famous gangster movie saga, in which The Godfather and The Godfather Part II are cut together chronologically with additional footage left out of the films. It aired on NBC in 1977 and was later released (in shortened version) on video in 1981. The result is a jumping-off point for debates about the differences between film and television, and even streaming content. Or, you know, you could just hang out with Al Pacino for a while.
Available January 17.

[happydood]

Originally Posted by warrian

He was bullied into it because he needed the money and he doesn't like it.

He actually supervised that original tv epic cut for that reason if I remember right. It sounds like an interesting idea on paper. In execution it completely robs Godfather II of its poetry and is best ignored, imho.

[Walts Ghost]

Apparently AMC actually aired this four years ago for the first time in HD...Don't know how I ever missed that:

Imagine you’re Francis Ford Coppola. The year is 1977. You’re the director of one of the most successful franchises ever but your current project, Apocalypse Now, is in danger of being shut down for being over budget. What do you do? Capitalize on the success of your former masterpieces to raise funds for your future one, of course. And in doing just that, Coppola created a whole new experience for Godfather fans: The Godfather Saga.

Also dubbed “The Novel for Television,” The Godfather Saga tells the story of the first two movies in chronological order and includes 75 minutes of previously deleted scenes — among them are Vito Corleone’s first meeting with Hyman Roth and Sonny taking over the family after his father is wounded.

Now you can see this epic in honor of the 40th Anniversary of The Godfather, when AMC airs The Godfather Saga all day (and then again all night) on Sat., Mar 3. The best part? It’s the world premiere of the saga fully restored and offered in HD. Consider it an offer any self-respecting Godfather fan shouldn’t refuse.

AMC

HBO must be using that, so it'll be the full version.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by happydood

He actually supervised that original tv epic cut for that reason if I remember right. It sounds like an interesting idea on paper. In execution it completely robs Godfather II of its poetry and is best ignored, imho.

I agree - the order they were released in is perfect, IMO. Nothing wrong with this alternate showing but I have zero interest in this.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by JeffTheMovieGuy

That sounds pretty awesome. IMO they could cut half of Godfather 3 and add it to the cut have it be one big epic.

They just need the add the shot of Pacino

[Show spoiler]keeling over dead

to the end of Part II to any 3-film epic - the rest can be chucked

[happydood]

Originally Posted by cine74

They just need the add the shot of Pacino

[Show spoiler]keeling over dead

to the end of Part II to any 3-film epic - the rest can be chucked

Oh, now. III has its problems, but

[Show spoiler]the whole assassination attempt in the opera house

is some of the best direction of Coppola's career.

[Guydowood]

Godfather Part III certainly isn't nearly as classic as the first 2, but it does have some good performances. Pacino and Andy Garcia when he was younger and hungry! Sadly Robert Duvall is missed in this. They should have paid him accordingly.....

[I KEEL YOU]

Sounds about as stupid as a chronological cut of Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs.

[GohanX]

I think I'd rather keep the movies as they are. Part of what made part 2 great was the contrast of the two Corleones at the same age and how they handled business.

[WinkDinkerson]

I've seen that version about 10 or 15 years ago (maybe more). I think it was one of the Canadian channels that aired it, but I absolutely loved it especially the extra scenes not in the originals.

[Bates_Motel]

Considering that the theatrical discs available now went through an extensive restoration, I can't imagine those extra 75 minutes looking very good in comparison, if they weren't also supervised by Coppola and the same restoration team. Unless it's just a non-restored HD copy somehow.

Either way, I think I had this on Laserdisc and the theatricals are better.

[movielib]

The chronological 1+2 with added material does nothing to negate either film. They're still there. The "Epic" cut works very well, I had it on VHS and on LD (still have the LD but the players have been in the basement a long time).

The Epic plays very well. It's nothing like what was done to Once Upon a Time in America, for example, in its first American release.

I love it both ways and I have long hoped the Epic would be released on DVD (well, now on BD). Still hoping.

Thanks, OP, my DVR is set!

[BaerGriggs]

I'm really hoping that this will be available on HBO NOW/GO after it airs. I have HBO streaming but I'd have to subscribe my parents back to HBO if I wanted to DVR it. And obviously it'd be great to have a Blu-ray release as well. My DVR cut out halfway through the AMC airing back in 2012 and unfortunately I never got to finish all of it since it hasn't aired again until now.