The Godfather Part II - The Coppola Restoration

I was 15 years old when the Godfather Part II was filming on the streets of NY. I knew that the Godfather Part I was a huge success, but I hadn't seen it yet. I know I never saw it in the theater and back then they didn't put films like that on TV for a while, plus home video did not exist yet.Back in 1973 grandmother heard from a friend that the producers of the Godfather Part II were advertising in the Italian neighborhoods for extras, and given that she was a full blooded 66 year old Sicilian and up for a fun time with a friend, she managed to get cast as a non-speaking extra in the film. I remember that she spent several weeks going way downtown to the street in lower Manhattan where they had set up their very elaborate and true-to-period street scene circa 1915, complete with pushcarts. It's a scene that would have been familiar to her from her youth, as she and her mother used to shop on the Lower East Side all the time.Grandma had a great time during the filming, but she complained about not being able to wear makeup as the production staff said that it would not look authentic enough for the time and place. One evening, toward the end of filming, my parents, (who worked in Manhattan at the time) went to have dinner with her on the set. The extras were lined up to get food from an outdoor food truck that was specially arranged for them, from which my father said he had the best sausage and pepper sandwich he ever had and probably ever will have (he is now 85). My only regret is that I somehow was unable to come with them that day, and because of that I have been kicking myself for 40 years ever since. It would have involved getting on the subway and meeting them there as we lived in the Bronx. If I knew then what I know now about what a huge classic this film was going to become in the future, I definitely would have made that trip!For years, my grandmother downplayed her role in the film (probably because she was hung up on being on the screen without makeup, LOL). She never told me that her face is as large as life right behind Vito and Genco in the vaudeville theater scene where "Peppino" laments leaving Naples and his mamma for a "no good tramp". I didn't see the film until years later on VHS on a 20 inch tube TV so I never noticed her. Then one day 7 or 8 years ago I was flipping channels and found myself watching the theater scene. Of course, by then I had a much larger tube TV and I was able to see my grandmother's unmistakable face with no problem. Because the dialog went on for a while I kept seeing her face again and again. There was a moment of recognition where I could not believe my eyes - There she was, immortalized forever in one of the most classic films of the 20th century! Of course, by then my grandma had been dead for 20 years.I don't know why, but it's taken me until now to actually own a copy of the film, but I'm actually glad I waited. This restoration is so good that grandma is larger and crisper than I have ever seen her. I compared this version with my friend's older, non-restored DVD, and this one is far superior, especially on a HDTV. If I ever get a blu-ray player I will definitely get that version as I am all about seeing better quality versions of this film.I was never into the gangster movie genre. I appreciated the Sopranos from a distance but was never able to really get into it. Same thing with the Godfather trilogy. I suppose that because I am half Sicilian it somehow bothers me that Sicilians are always identified with organized crime and boneheaded "tough guys", when most Sicilians are not like that at all nor have anything to do with organized crime. That said, after so many years I am finally appreciating the Godfather films for the masterpieces that they are, and as period pieces depicting another time and place. I suppose being a teenager when they came out, I was not ready for them yet. Now that I am, I am totally amazed at their authenticity and greatness as works of cinematic art. I am proud that my grandmother is "immortalized on the silver screen". She was a beauty when she was young and in my mind and heart still beautiful in this movie with or without makeup. It's a shame that I never knew just how prominently her face appeared in the film until many years after her death. Thanks to the "miracle of modern technology", I am able to appreciate it now for the rest of my life.

A GREAT MOVIE

Of the 3 movies in the Godfather Saga, this one is my favorite. I like this one because it shows how Vito became the Godfather. This movie also stars in my opinion two of the greatest actors ever- Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro. DeNiro won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a young Vito Corleone, and Al Pacino was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Michael Corleone. My siblings and I usually get together once a year to watch the Godfather Saga. Now we will have The Godfather Saga on Dvd, as I have also purchased The Godfather III also. So if you are a fan of the Corleone family get this dvd. The price was nice also.

One of a kind movie!! Parts one and two!! Third... So so!!

The Best Sequel of all time because most of the time when they make a sequel it really sucks and nothing can beat the original but it is the best sequel of all time one of the only few good ones like Lord of the rings sequels Star Wars Sequels Star Trek Sequels Harry Potter Sequels but this scored no. 32 on America's Film Institute List of the top 100 movies of all time. But Make sure you see the Astonishing Original Francis Ford Coppola / Mario Puzo's The Godfather (1972) Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall , Talia Shire and , Diane Keaton.

I read the Godfather over 30 years ago when I was in high school. Francis Ford Coppola is the rare director who can make a book burst to life on the movie screen. The perfect casting forever embeds the images of these great actors into these unforgettable characters for both the movie viewer and the reader. It is a great book made into a great movie. I have shared my love of this movie with my daughter, Bethany. We watch it every time it comes on t.v. This was her favorite Christmas gift.

Bought this to complete my collection of godfather movies, this one goes back and forth from past to future to explain how veto got his name and came to this country and became the Godfather

Good quality, arrived fast

As usually,Amazon met all expectations.

always loved this film. unfortunately this one wasn't compatible with our dvd player so no there was no watching it for me---DOH

bought for Christmas present DVD does not play

Useless.Incompatable with my player. I should have been advised about thi