This year marks the 50th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, a special milestone that prompted a complete restoration of all three films in the trilogy. That restoration is coming to both theaters and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Digital in the near future.
Update: The Godfather Trilogy Collector’s Edition in 4K is up for pre-order at Amazon.
The Godfather Trilogy 4K Box Set is also available for pre-order at Amazon.
The Godfather will be presented with Dolby Vision at Dolby Cinema at AMC Theatres in the U.S., as well as in international territories around the world, beginning February 25th, 2022.
The Godfather Trilogy with Dolby Vision is coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and 4K Digital on its March 22nd, 2022 release date. This box set includes The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II, and Coppola’s recently re-edited version of the final film, Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone.
A separate 4K Ultra HD Limited Collector’s Edition of The Godfather Trilogy will also be available the same date. It is housed in deluxe packaging and includes a hardcover coffee table book with photographs, as well as portrait art prints on archival paper.
Paramount has offered the following statistics and notes regarding the extensive restoration effort.
- Over 300 cartons of film were scrutinized to find the best possible resolution for every frame of all three films.
- Over 4,000 hours were spent repairing film stains, tears, and other anomalies in the negatives.
- Over 1,000 hours were spent on rigorous color correction to ensure the high dynamic range tools were respectful of the original vision of Coppola and cinematographer Gordon Willis.
- In addition to the 5.1 audio approved by Walter Murch in 2007, the original mono tracks on The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II have been restored.
- All work was overseen by Coppola.
All-new bonus content includes the following.
- Introduction to The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola
- Full Circle: Preserving The Godfather—Paramount Pictures archivists detail the incredible restoration process with archival footage showing the evolution of the film through various home entertainment incarnations as picture and audio technologies make quantum leaps over the decades.
- Capturing the Corleones: Through the Lens of Photographer Steve Schapiro— In this reflective and frank discussion, special photographer Steve Schapiro shares his unique perspective and cherished memories as a witness to the making of this seminal film. Commentary on curated archival images makes for a fascinating, never-before-seen addition to the production’s history.
- The Godfather: Home Movies— An assortment of 8mm home movie footage shot in 1971 offers a candid glimpse into the production of The Godfather. Shot on location at the Norton family estate on Staten Island’s Emerson Hill, this is the first time it’s been made available to the public.
- Restoration Comparisons— Before and after highlights showcase extensive picture quality improvements to The Godfather.
Extensive legacy extras will also be packed into this set on inclusive Blu-ray discs, including The Godfather: Part III – newly remastered and restored versions of the original theatrical cut and Coppola’s 1991 cut.
