VHS : The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980

Rating: - the godfather trilogy
I first saw these films when they were aired on channel 5 a while ago but only saw about half of the first film, all of the second and none of the the third one. So the incentive was there to buy them, after what i had seen of them i thought it would make a great addition to my dvds. I wasnt wrong either. Though to be honest i couldnt see some of my friends either watching them or buying them, as these films aren't mindless action and explosion fests. They take time to watch, literally and mentally. If you really want to get the best from them, set aside a night where you can watch them in peace to soak up the class of them directing, script, acting and story.They are completely different to the more modern gangster/mafia films. The time is taken for you to get to know the characters, and it is held together by great performances. (Take your pick!) Im not sure as to whether 1 or 2 is my favourite, part 3 is a good film to as it shows Michael Corleone trying to legit, but things get in the way. Only Sofia Coppola's acting was the poor part in the film, but with Andy Garcia taking up his part well as a young Sonny (Who was actually his dad). Like I said not a film for everyone, but film fans alike should watch them and take in what great and iconic films are all about.

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Rating: - Good but not the one
The Godfather parts one and two are two of the best movies ever. Dont really see the point in part three my self but hey what do i no. The point aint the films, at least thats not why im doing the review, its to let the fans no about the TV virsion that was done and then released as the anniversary edition. This was done at the end of the video period and is the only format that this comes in. It contains all the deleted scenes in there right place and has parts one and two cut into one long film wich you have to beleave me is the only way to watch this marterpeice. In part tow when Vito goes back to the villa where his mum was shot and kills don Ciccio it continues and we see him kill the rest of the men that forced his departure to America and we get a real sences of the rise of the don. I cant belive that this is not avalibe on DVD. I have the DVD as a colector and lover of the movies but trust me the only way to watch it is with the first to cut together.

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Rating: - the greatest films of all time, and theres so many reasons why
the first godfather stars marlon brando as an experienced don and his old ways clashing with the new ideas of rising gangsters and dealers, it becomes evident that his power must soon pass on to his reluctant but brilliantly talented world war veteran son, michael. However, this plot is only part of the appeal, the acting, score, dialogue even lighting is so precise and accurate and the real story is the underlying theme of michaels new world, all starting with lies and murder, michael was a good man, but he has now sealed his own fate. Marlon brando as vito is on the cover, but it is al pacino who embodies the real story.

part two is my personal favourite, it centers on michael as the don of the family at a peak of its powers, ofcourse the family is strong,but michael is weakening, his life revolves around lies, murder, betrayal and the fact his family who he loves dearly is slipping away, his father's empire was built on respect, michael's is built on fear.
Like the first one, the acting is incredibly good, there are so many great scenes like the argument between fredo and michael, michael and kaye, and tom hagens talk with frankie pentangeli. The final twenty or so minutes is really breathtaking.
How al pacino didnt win an oscar for his portrayal of michael i'll never know, i have never seen a greater performance.
part two also sees the appearance of another new brilliant actor, robert de niro as a young vito corleone begining to build the greatest crime family in america, in fact the world. this part of the film could be considered uneccessary to michaels story, but the way these stories interwieve shows the comparisons of michaels world and how it differs from the seemingly happier life of his fathers. De niro is nothing short of amazing as vito, he has this silent power and confidence and it works so well

part three as you will most likely know has many mixed opinions, it is true it does not compare to the other two, but it's story is important to the trilogy, coppola wants it to be clear that now an aged michael is trying to repent, that doesn't mean he should not still suffer. the main reasons of dislike for this film is sofia coppola's acting, its not great but she was very young and she doesn't have a lot of screen time anyway.
Also, michael is not how you will remember him for the first two, if you are expecting the man of stone you will be perhaps unpleasently surprised.
aswell as some uneccessary characters the only thing that fails is the love story of mary and the rising corleone don, vincent, it never really takes off and very little of it is shown, so the love theme of the film does not really get the relevance it deserves, i tend to associate it with michael and kaye.
basically i feel you wil enjoy this film more if you want to see michael suffer for his crimes, i personally like michael, i shouldnt but i do, so the third film didnt appeal to me as much as it should.

overall these films are incredibly layered, every time you watch them you will learn something new and you will always be more amazed, these films actually do get better and better the more you watch them, if you finish them thinking it is just about a crime family you need to watch it again, and maybe take notes

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Rating: - 'I'll make him an offer he can't refuse' - immortal words - trust me, this it just that
The Godfather Trilogy based on a best-selling novel by Mario Puzo is a cinematic legend. It charters the turbulent life of mob boss Vito Andolini Corleone and his family from childhood to death and beyond. Forced to flee Sicily due to danger posed by a regional mafioso Vito finds himself an immigrant in 1920s New York City. Through loyalty, respect and determination Vito gathers around himself his Sicilian family and quickly establishes his nefarious crime organisation. The film, despite being based on a ruthless cosa nostra family, who use extortion, fear and murder to achieve their desires, the viewer cannot help but admire and respect the loyalty shown. Indeed, it was the loyalty of the Sicilian mafia to their family which made the organisations so hard to prosecute, and this film displays this fact perfectly. Certainly the authenticity with which these films are acted, directed and shot is but one of the reasons why The Godfather is widely considered as one of the best, if not the best movie of all time.

The tragedy of Vito and especially Michael Corleone is that their burning desire to protect and keep their family from harm was the prime motivator for all their wrongdoing, and paradoxically it was only ever their wrongdoing that caused this harm. The second film sees Michael beset by problems; personal, political and business-related. The result is a man who loses himself in his own monster: the old axiom 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' applies perfectly.

It is said that Part III of the Godfather trilogy was reluctantly directed by Francis Ford Coppola and that it was merely a request of the production company to produce a money-spinner at the box office to alleviate growing financial strain. It is, in truth, a far inferior film. It seems uninspired and slightly lackadaisical filmmaking to a degree and it fails to capture the same authenticity of plotline, acting and directing of Parts I and II. The ending is somewhat anti-climactic, however, it does go some way to underpin the moral of the entire trilogy: crime doesn't pay.

Simply put, The Godfather Trilogy is a movie experience that must not be missed.

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Rating: - ALL IS AMAZING!
This box set is amazing! All 3 films are great, GF1 and 2 are the best films ive ever seen but remember it's not 3 seperate films, its one story but split into three parts so you have to watch the 3rd so you no the whole story. Its very clever and an amazing watch!!