Do I really need to submit a review which showcases these timeless classics?
Who could possibly be buying these on Blu-ray that hasn't already seen them?
I'll keep it brief, this is classic cinema at its finest. If you can find a fault with these productions then you are a better man than me. Everything is an A plus. The acting, script, cinematography, direction, pacing, characters, everything is top notch.
Each shot is beautifully orchestrated and is never wasted with such precise framing.
Part III gets a rough deal in my opinion, I'm fully aware that you can't class this on the same level as the first two instalments, but that said it's still a good movie. Its problem is the sheer brilliance of I and II with which it will always be compared.
The most important part of my review will be to try and inform the buyers of the HD transfer.................................
Paramount have granted each instalment with an MPEG-4 AVC encoded, 1.78:1 framed, 1080p transfer each onto a 50GB Blu-ray disc of truly epic proportions.
I was positive when I heard of Coppola's involvement in both the restoration and transfer that these would look every bit as good as they undoubtedly do.
Obviously do not expect these to look like they were made last year.
Part I
Firstly the restoration is incredible with no white popping, scratches or visible damage.
Colour contrast has been re-worked from previous releases and is spot-on, the movie carries a beautiful golden hue which remains consistent throughout giving each shot a warmth and glow.
Skin tones appear accurate and lifelike. Detail, which isn't as strong as more recently made films, is a vast improvement on previous standard def versions. Some close-ups do look remarkable though with great sharpness.
Grain haters beware, we do have an abundance of filmic grain, but this enables us to appreciate the cinematic beauty of each scene. Remember it is supposed to look like that and is not a fault of the transfer, this is exactly how it would have looked in theatres 40 years ago.
The Godfather trilogy has one vital requirement with its HD transfer, detail and delineation in the blacks and darks and thankfully this is where the transfer comes up trumps again. Detail is tremendous in these areas and I for one was surprised at the clarity harboured with them.
You will not find any edge enhancement, DNR, haloing, banding, delineation issues or compression artifacts.
Glorious.
Part II
This holds parity with the first movie, the colour fluctuates when we have the moments covering the early life of Don Vito from Sicily to New York, here we are met with a hint sepia to give it a differential from the rest of the movie. The golden hue is back which was a fantastic look from the first film.
Once again it is the darks which are fundamentally important and again these are fantastic.
The grain is back of course but like I've said this adds to the feel and cinematic quality of the presentation. It's never too obtrusive on either parts I or II.
Wonderful.
Part III
Slightly more robust than the previous two, with more natural colouring. Detail is also an improvement.
Skin tones are again accurate with fine object detail. Outlines are refined and strong.
Perfect.
The Godfather's have never looked as good as this since they were screened 40 years ago. This is a no brainer.
Movies 5/5 Transfers 5/5.
An absolute must buy.