The Godfather 50th Anniversary trailer reveals theatrical re-release and 4K debut for the restored version of the classic film and trilogy. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and originally released in 1972, The Godfather is often referred to as the "greatest film of all time," finding its way onto countless best-of lists for fans and critics alike. Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall and Talia Shire, The Godfather took home three Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor (for Brando). The trilogy is based on the books by Mario Puzo, which traces the legacy of the Corleone crime family, from Italy to New York City, throughout decades of struggle.
The sequel, The Godfather: Part II, released in 1974, was even more acclaimed than the original, with many calling it the best of the trilogy, taking home six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (for Robert De Niro). The Godfather: Part III came much later, releasing in 1990, and was received much less favorably than the first two films. Coppola recently released a director's cut of the third film, which even sports a new title, The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone.
Now, Paramount Movies has released a trailer in celebration of The Godfather's 50th Anniversary, which announces that the film is being re-released in select Dolby Cinema and AMC theaters on February 24 in a fully restored format. In addition, on March 22, the entire trilogy will be released for the first time in 4K, although only the new director's cut of The Godfather: Part III will be with the set. As Variety reports, 1,000 hours of color correction and restoration of the original mono tracks went into the restoration. Additionally, 4,000 hours went into repairing stains and tears with over 300 cartons of film scrutinized to find the best possible resolution for each film. Coppola oversaw the restoration, which has taken over three years to complete. Coppola stated, “I am very proud of ‘The Godfather,’ which certainly defined the first third of my creative life.” Noting the inclusion of his new cut of Part III, he said, “With this 50th anniversary tribute, I’m especially proud of Mario Puzo’s The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone is included, as it captures Mario and my original vision in definitively concluding our epic trilogy." Check out the trailer below:
Coppola also says that he looks forward to the newly restored films finding their way to the next generation, saying, “It’s also gratifying to celebrate this milestone with Paramount alongside the wonderful fans who’ve loved it for decades, younger generations who still find it relevant today, and those who will discover it for the first time.” The legacy of The Godfather will live on not only in the restored versions and theatrical re-release, as Paramount+ is also set to debut their new series, The Offer, on their streaming site this April, which features the never-before-told story of how The Godfather was made. The mini-series stars Miles Teller, Matthew Goode, Giovani Ribisi, Juno Temple, Dan Fogler, and Colin Hanks, each playing one of the many talented people who brought the film to life.
The Godfather has been restored once before, but as technology advances, new avenues have opened up to present it in the best possible condition, which is a win for fans. Knowing that Coppola oversaw the entire process makes this a can't-miss experience, whether audiences are watching it at home or on the big screen. With all the pomp and spectacle of big-budget filmmaking today, it's a pleasure to revisit a restored classic that set its own standard and continues to live and breathe as a testament to stellar filmmaking. For those who can't make it out to the theater to catch the fully restored film, The Godfather trilogy debuts on 4K Ultra HD and digital on March 22.
Source: Paramount Movies, Variety