So as stand alones The GF and GF2 are at the top of my all-time list. Seen each literally 20+ times probably.
I had however never seen "The Complete Godfather Epic" before which I had heard plenty about. It's basically 1 and 2 re-edited to chronological time order (so the entire movie starts with young Vito and there are no flashbacks save for Michael's flashback to Vito's bday dinner at the very end). Plus there are some interesting deleted scenes.
My initial thoughts as I just wrapped it up after watching the 7+hrs in bits and pieces over the last week from my DVR are (some spoilers ahead as far as the deleted scenes and anyone who hasn't seen the entire movie obviously):
Best Deleted Scenes:
1: Easily number one is Genco on his death bed post wedding. FFC and Puzo do a masterful job showing the kind of power VIto has when Genco begs Vito to stay with him to scare away the angel of death. Powerful scene, and not sure why FFC left it out of the final cut because its so damn good.
2: Just prior to that, Vito tries to talk to Michael in the hall about his future and Michael just brushes him off.
3: Before Paulie is rubbed out, Clemenza goes into the alley saying he has to call Sonny. Instead, he sits down and scarfs down a big bowl of pasta secretly.
There's a few other deleted scenes that are more minor, but still cool to see like the intro to Hyman Roth and Michael's revenge on Fabrizio.
One thing I really came away with watching the epic and some of its deleted scenes was that FFC really at first wanted to put an emphasis on what a bad don Sonny woulda been. There are several instances within the final cut and the deleted stuff where its clear Sonny just isn't boss material.
Anyway, glad that after all these years I was finally able to get this on DVR and watch it. If you're a Godfather nut like myself, and haven't seen this version I highly recommend it.
I had however never seen "The Complete Godfather Epic" before which I had heard plenty about. It's basically 1 and 2 re-edited to chronological time order (so the entire movie starts with young Vito and there are no flashbacks save for Michael's flashback to Vito's bday dinner at the very end). Plus there are some interesting deleted scenes.
My initial thoughts as I just wrapped it up after watching the 7+hrs in bits and pieces over the last week from my DVR are (some spoilers ahead as far as the deleted scenes and anyone who hasn't seen the entire movie obviously):
Best Deleted Scenes:
1: Easily number one is Genco on his death bed post wedding. FFC and Puzo do a masterful job showing the kind of power VIto has when Genco begs Vito to stay with him to scare away the angel of death. Powerful scene, and not sure why FFC left it out of the final cut because its so damn good.
2: Just prior to that, Vito tries to talk to Michael in the hall about his future and Michael just brushes him off.
3: Before Paulie is rubbed out, Clemenza goes into the alley saying he has to call Sonny. Instead, he sits down and scarfs down a big bowl of pasta secretly.
There's a few other deleted scenes that are more minor, but still cool to see like the intro to Hyman Roth and Michael's revenge on Fabrizio.
One thing I really came away with watching the epic and some of its deleted scenes was that FFC really at first wanted to put an emphasis on what a bad don Sonny woulda been. There are several instances within the final cut and the deleted stuff where its clear Sonny just isn't boss material.
Anyway, glad that after all these years I was finally able to get this on DVR and watch it. If you're a Godfather nut like myself, and haven't seen this version I highly recommend it.