The Godfather: A Novel for Television

I understand that this version runs contrary to the vision of the writers, director, and producers.

However, for these movies, the format also works well. It is admittedly a less sophisticated way to absorb the story, but some of us are fine with the give and take to see it chronologically.

I wish the option was available for seeing both versions.

I also prefer seeing the deleted scenes. I know they had been deleted by the film makers for a reason, but who didn't love seeing some of the villains get their comeuppance?

The story is unbelievable, the vision was unprecedented, however, I would love to have the option to stream this version.

The Godfather saga is the combined version of The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part 2 (1974), recut into chronological order by director Coppola and Barry Malkin, with deleted scenes. This version contains a near 8-hour story from the rise of the Corleone empire to the corruption of Michael Corleone. The long length is daunting, but it feels less than half that. The smallest shots removed from the theatrical versions are beautifully restored and included. However, if you watch this version before watching the first two movies prior, you may not have a great time, as this "film" is a celebration of the films, and cannot be fully enjoyed if not deviously understood the meaning if the scenes.

Both The Godfather and The Godfather Part 2 were monumental films when they were each released in 1972 and 1974. No one thought cinema could get any better. Fast forward a few years and Francis Ford Coppola is financially struggling to create his newest masterpiece, Apocalypse Now. A deal is struck where he is funded for his current project, but he has to re-edit the two Godfather films. It was a risky move that made Coppola into the Hollywood legend he is today.

There are several different versions of the edited films, most notably the one broadcast for television in 1977, which added a few deleted scenes, but also edited out any grotesque violence or language. It was a compromise that Coppola made, probably hoping for a theatrical re-release at some point in the future. The 1977 edit of the two films in chronological timeline order was a huge success, and the audience loved the films. I believe this is why Coppola decided to make The Godfather Part 3.

Well, part 3 came out, and it was panned by critics and the audience just wasn't there like they were nearly twenty years before. The films were again edited, but the audience still enjoyed the first two films far more than they did the third. Finally, the uncensored and reconstructed version of the first two films was released on cable in 2016 as the complete epic. That edit is the best one there is, with a running time of 7 hours and 3 minutes, including everything from the two movies and deleted scenes. However, these days, this version is hard to come by, which is a shame because Paramount should release to DVD and Blu-ray. This version is the best and rarely seen. Seek it out and watch, you will not be disappointed.

In this cut, the Corleones are served in one long, deliciously slow-cooked feast. It drops the fancy timelines and gives you the whole saga straight-more heart, more drama, and plenty of mob-family spice. I really enjoyed this edited version of both The Godfather films. Two of my favourite movies of all time, stitched together with some deleted sequences. Great!

Wish I could buy it on DVD! I have watched the original movies 100's of times over many years. Really enjoy seeing the deleted footage and the movie played in chronological order.