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The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration Giftset
(Paramount Home Entertainment- $69.99 to $62.99 for DVD, $124.99 to $61.95 for Blu-ray)By Jacquie Kubin
A movie fan from an early age, I have seen some great films.
But it was The Godfather (1972) that had me totally head over heals in love with the art of moviemaking.
I learned that a great leading man could make the movie, and life, much more interesting.
The Godfather blends many stories into one multi-layered epic. Family responsibility, love, betrayal, a father’s legacy, the need for respect and the corruption that comes when a man thirsts for more power, more money, more, well, just more.
• It also gave us a movie genre by which all future movies would be judged.
• One of the greatest movie lines ever, Don Vito’s "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse".
• Sweeping soundtracks.
• A collective cultural memory.
Mario Puzo’s novel is about families and the individuals and drama within them. It is about feeling forced to not follow your dreams in order to live up to the families’ expectations.
It’s about guys – tough guys -- who find them selves in position that make them want to cry, but can’t.
It’s about power and morality in America - circa 1940 and 2008.
It’s about the women who watch, silently, as their emotional worlds whirl around them, yet they are powerless to make change. Because you just can’t change another person.
Puzzo’s novel is about how we, as individuals, can only make decisions for ourselves.
It is the story of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino).
What is interesting is that each Godfather plot point could be the basis for a movie on its own. Director Francis Ford Coppola wove all those plots into one cohesive thread that he maintained over three films spanning seventeen year.
To bring them together without overburdening the viewer was artful. The movies were collectively nominated for twenty-eight Academy Awards, winning nine including two best-picture Oscars for The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. All for a film that Coppola did not want to do, for a studio that did not want the film done.
All that adoration aside, I have not entirely watched the Godfather since those early days. I tried. I popped in the disappointing discs that somehow lacked the brilliance I remembered from those nascent years.
But now it is time to gather the girlfriends and once again watch the powerful Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, and James Caan, as the impulsive, and hot-tempered Santino “Sonny” Corleon.
Lest we forgert, there is the reluctant Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) who finds that the family business will overcomes his desire for a “normal life,” but never really destroy the core of who he is.
The role of Michael Corleone is rated as the eight greatest movie characters of all time (Total Film Magazine) and the 11th most iconic villain in film history (The American Film Institute).
With the release of The Godfather, The Coppola Restoration movie viewers will once again watch Michael return from Italy a very changed man ready to take helm of the family business. There is joy in watching a very young Al Pacino, pre Serpico and rather restrained, on the same screen as Marlon Brando, and James Caan.
Then there is the Godfather II, and we can hold our collective breath as once again, Michael Corleone keeps the family in the business, In this film, the players in Michael’s life all vie for the position that will lead to the greatest gain.
Here the story becomes Michael Corleone's as Don Corleone, Godfather in his own right, and how cruel family can be to one another. Particularly when big brother has a team of assassins at his command.
Then there is The Godfather III and if we have not quite gotten the idea yet, we now know that The Godfather is the story of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) and how the family business has affected his life and his family.
In this film, Michael is approaching 60, an age that is reminiscent of the age of his father, Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) in the first film.
This time it is Don Corleone’s nephew, Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia), Sonny (who was murdered in movie one) and Lucy Mancini’s illegitimate son, that battles for control of the family business.
Vincent is another iconic bad boy and he combines his grandfather and uncles’ better attributes to become a ruthless, cunning crime boss.
If we remember, Michaels goals where to not be a part of the family business, and now as he looks back at his life, guilt for his ruthless ambition as Don Corleone, head of the Italian Mafia, begins.
The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration Giftset was released this week as a five-disc collection (DVD), four-disc collection (Blu-ray) of the three films along with bonus features.
The first two films were, frame-by-frame, digitally stored under the guidance of director Francis Ford Coppola while The Godfather Part III was digitally remastered.
There are many hours of bonus features that provide an “insiders view” of the movies and the process – from scriptwriting to final editing – of making the film.
Interesting to watch is “The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn’t.” This feature delves into the events and allegiances that married the then unknown director Francis Ford Coppola with what is termed the “unwanted cast.”
However how someone could not want Pacino, Brando and James Caan, our leading men in the original film, I cannot imagine anymore than I can imagine the landscape of film had this epic not been made in 1972.
Equally interesting is “Godfather World” that looks at the movies influence on popular culture and movie making today.
Director Coppola provides a commentary to each film that provides additional insight and insider information on the films.
All in all, and I can’t help but say it, for fans of film, filmmaking and great leading men, this is an offer you can’t refuse!
EXTRAS ON THE BLU-RAY
The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration
Blu-ray four-disc set is presented in 1080p
high definition with English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD,
French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby
Digital and English Mono (except The Godfather:
Part III) and English, English SDH, French,
Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The following
special features are presented in high
definition as noted:
Disc 1:
- The Godfather feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 2:
- The Godfather, Part II feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 3:
- The Godfather, Part III feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 4:
- Godfather World (HD)
- The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't (HD)
- ...when the shooting stopped (HD)
- Emulsional Rescue: Revealing The Godfather (HD)
- The Godfather on the Red Carpet (HD)
- Four Short Films on The Godfather
--- The Godfather vs. The Godfather, Part II (HD)
--- Cannoli (HD)
--- Riffing on the Riffing (HD)
--- Clemenza (HD)
- The Family Tree
- Crime Organization Chart
- Connie and Carlo's Wedding Album
2001 DVD Archive:
-Behind the Scenes
-- The Godfather Family: A Look Inside
-- On Location
-- Francis Coppola's Notebook
-- The Music of the Godfather
-- Coppola & Puzo on Screenwriting
-- Gordon Willis on Cinematography
-- Storyboards from The Godfather, Part II
-- Storyboards from The Godfather, Part III
-- The Godfather: Behind the Scenes 1971
- The Filmmakers
-- Francis Ford Coppola
-- Mario Puzo
-- Gordon Willis
-- Dean Tavoularis
-- Nino Rota
-- Carmine Coppola
- Additional Scenes
- Acclaim & Response
- Trailers (HD)
- Photo Gallery
- Rogues' Gallery
Disc 1:
- The Godfather feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 2:
- The Godfather, Part II feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 3:
- The Godfather, Part III feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 4:
- Godfather World (HD)
- The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't (HD)
- ...when the shooting stopped (HD)
- Emulsional Rescue: Revealing The Godfather (HD)
- The Godfather on the Red Carpet (HD)
- Four Short Films on The Godfather
--- The Godfather vs. The Godfather, Part II (HD)
--- Cannoli (HD)
--- Riffing on the Riffing (HD)
--- Clemenza (HD)
- The Family Tree
- Crime Organization Chart
- Connie and Carlo's Wedding Album
2001 DVD Archive:
-Behind the Scenes
-- The Godfather Family: A Look Inside
-- On Location
-- Francis Coppola's Notebook
-- The Music of the Godfather
-- Coppola & Puzo on Screenwriting
-- Gordon Willis on Cinematography
-- Storyboards from The Godfather, Part II
-- Storyboards from The Godfather, Part III
-- The Godfather: Behind the Scenes 1971
- The Filmmakers
-- Francis Ford Coppola
-- Mario Puzo
-- Gordon Willis
-- Dean Tavoularis
-- Nino Rota
-- Carmine Coppola
- Additional Scenes
- Acclaim & Response
- Trailers (HD)
- Photo Gallery
- Rogues' Gallery
EXTRAS ON THE DVD
In addition to the films there are plenty of
bonus features. The DVD box set features: The
Godfather: The Coppola Restoration DVD
Collection enhanced for 16:9 TVs, with Dolby
Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1
Surround and English Mono (The Godfather and
The Godfather, Part II) and English, French and
Spanish subtitles.
Disc 1:
- The Godfather feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 2:
- The Godfather, Part II feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 3:
- The Godfather, Part III feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 4: (previously released special features)
- Making of The Godfather
- Additional Scenes
- Filming Locations
- The Corleone Family Tree
- The Music of The Godfather
- The Godfather Historical Timeline
- Profiles on the Filmmakers
- Photo Galleries and Storyboards
Disc 5: (new special features)
- Godfather World
- The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't
- ...when the shooting stopped
- Emulsional Rescue: Revealing The Godfather
- The Godfather on the Red Carpet
- Four Short Films on The Godfather
--- The Godfather vs. The Godfather, Part II
--- Cannoli
--- Riffing on the Riffing
--- Clemenza
Disc 1:
- The Godfather feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 2:
- The Godfather, Part II feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 3:
- The Godfather, Part III feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola
Disc 4: (previously released special features)
- Making of The Godfather
- Additional Scenes
- Filming Locations
- The Corleone Family Tree
- The Music of The Godfather
- The Godfather Historical Timeline
- Profiles on the Filmmakers
- Photo Galleries and Storyboards
Disc 5: (new special features)
- Godfather World
- The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't
- ...when the shooting stopped
- Emulsional Rescue: Revealing The Godfather
- The Godfather on the Red Carpet
- Four Short Films on The Godfather
--- The Godfather vs. The Godfather, Part II
--- Cannoli
--- Riffing on the Riffing
--- Clemenza
FOOD TO VIEW BY - Pasta Fagioli Soup
Pasta Fagioli Soup
Ingredients*1/2 cup dried white beans
*1 bay leaf
*1/2 cup maltagliati (flat squares) or small tubular pasta
*2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
*1 small carrot, diced
*1 celery, stalk, diced
*2 tablespoons diced onion
* 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
*Freshlygroundblackpepper
Instructions
Place beans and bay leaf in a medium saucepan, cover with water by 1.5 inches, and soak at least 8 hours. Bring beans (in soaking liquid) to a simmer and cook until tender, about 50 minutes (older beans require longer a cooking time. If necessary, add water to keep beans covered by 1 inch, and continue cooking until beans are tender).
Reserving cooking liquid, drain cooked beans and discard bay leaf. Puree the beans in a food processor, adding reserved cooking liquid by the tablespoon, as necessary, until puree is smooth. Set whole beans aside.
Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to boil. Cook pasta to al dente; drain.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add carrot, celery, and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 7 minutes. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Add bean purÈe, stir to combine, and return to a simmer. Stir in pasta and reserved beans, and remove from heat. Serve hot, drizzled with remaining tablespoon oil and sprinkled with pepper.
FOOD TO VIEW BY - Cheese and Wine
Cheese and Wine
Create a cheese tray with flair using a variety of Italian cheeses. Visit a maitre fromager, or cheese expert at a quality store such as Whole Foods for help in choosing cheeses such asAsiago - a mild, sweet cheese when young, when aged Asiago can become sharper tasting and smelling. Asiago is a dryer cheese so serve with olives in oil and a mild cracker.
Pair Asiago Cheese with a Valpoliecella wines made from Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara, red grapes that are relatively tannin-free.
Try: Brigaldara Valpolicella – a medium bodied wine with a fresh strawberry and cherry scent it should compliment the salt and sweet of the Asiago and fruit.
Casciotta d’Urbino – this is a sweet, milky cheese with a history that takes it back to the 13th century. A semisoft cheese it is crumbly and slightly acidic in taste. Serve with lightly salted almonds.
Pair Casciotta d’Urbino with a medium bodied red wine so as not to overpower the cheese.
Try: Castello di Monastero Chianti Superiore Montetondo which blends sangiovese, merlot, sauvignon blanc grapes and is from the Tuscany region. This Chianti Superiore is an all-meal wine with a dry bouquet that shares hints of vanilla.
Scamorza - a pasta filata (spun cow's milk) cheeseScamorza is pear shaped as a result of being hung to cure, the same way as mozzarella. This cheese is aged for a couple of days, has a chewey, stringy texture and is drier than mozzarella.
It is available in smoked (affumicate) or plain (bianca). Scamorza is excellent for sauces but also excellent served on a dish. Pair the smoked Scamorza with slivers of procutto, pickled mushrooms and vegetables, while if you find the biance, or plan, Scamorza, serve it next to grapes, tomato wedges, basil leaves or “ensalata” drizzled with olive oil and tossed with tomato and basil.
Add a crusty, Italian bread to your cheese plate for a finishing touch.
Pair Scamorza with a rich, noble grape, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Try: Bolla Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has a rich bouquet of fruits and you might smell blackberry, plus and raspberries along with some black tea and cassis. The wine looks and smells rich and should be allowed to breath well before drinking. Additionally, it is dry and medium bodied wine which means it will pair nicely, without overpowering or being overpowered, by your cheese plate.
FOOD TO VIEW BY - Pumpkin Ravioli
Pumpkin Ravioli
Serves 4 to 6
* 1 3-pound sugar pumpkin, butternut squash, or red jewele
* 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 2 teaspoons light-brown sugar
* 1 large egg
* 1/4 cup Locatelli cheese
* 3 large or 6 small amaretti cookies, crushed
* 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
* 1 teaspoon shallots, chopped
* Pinch of nutmeg
* Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
* 1 1/2 pounds store-bought fresh pasta sheets
* 1 tablespoon semolina flour
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
* 1 tablespoon freshly chopped sage leaves
* 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a work surface, cut pumpkin in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds; discard and peel. Cut flesh into 1-2” square cubes and place in bowl
2. Drizzle olive oil evenly over cubes and then sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg (mix to personal tasted). Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.. Roast until pumpkin is easily pierced with a paring knife, about 1 hour. Let cool.
3. When cool enough to handle, transfer cubes to a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth; wring excess liquid into a bowl. Place flesh in the bowl of a food processor, along with egg, Locatelli, amaretti, ricotta, shallot, and additional spices to taste. Process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Lay 1 pasta sheet on work surface. Place 1 tablespoon filling every 3 inches. Brush water around filling. Place another sheet on top, pressing around filling to seal. Using a fluted pastry wheel, cut each ravioli into a 3-by-3-inch square. Repeat with remaining pasta sheets and filling. Transfer ravioli to a parchment-lined baking sheet sprinkled with semolina; freeze for at least 30 minutes/
5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; season with salt. Add ravioli; cook until it just floats, 3 to 4 minutes.
6. In a large sauté pan, melt butter over high heat. Add sage; cook until butter begins to brown and sizzle, about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat; whisk in balsamic. Using a slotted spoon, transfer ravioli to pan, tossing gently to combine. Serve immediately with cheese, if desired.