# The Godfather: which version to buy **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 15, 2015, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680 "2015-10-15T01:33:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/1 "2015-10-15T01:33:00Z")
I’d like to know which DVD or BluRay version of _The Godfather_ includes scenes that weren’t in the theatrical release. How many versions \*are \*there, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/2 "2015-10-15T01:51:11Z")
I think the only alternate version was _The Godfather Saga_, a seven hour version that edits _The Godfather_ together with _The Godfather, Part II_, scenes all presented in chronological order. I don’t think there was ever a _Godfather_ version analogous to Coppola’s _Apocalypse Now: Redux_. _The Godfather Saga_ always seemed like a novelty to me. I think I heard it was all just done for money. The films as originally presented are the definitive versions. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/3 "2015-10-15T01:57:03Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > I think the only alternate version was _The Godfather Saga_, a seven hour version that edits _The Godfather_ together with _The Godfather, Part II_, scenes all presented in chronological order. It also has scenes that appear in neither theatrical release. > [@bienville](#): > > I think I heard it was all just done for money. If it was done for money, you’d think they’d put it out so I could give them some. It was done for TV, and there is no DVD or Bluray, alas. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/4 "2015-10-15T02:55:05Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > If it was done for money, you’d think they’d put it out so I could give them some. You got me questioning whether I was just remembering having heard just some blowhard’s opinion or if I had read something a little more substantive. Looking at [the Wiki page:](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Godfather_Saga) > [@](#): > > Coppola reportedly did this project to raise money for Apocalypse Now, which was severely over-budget at the time. You are correct that it included previously cut scenes. Now, whoever wrote the Wiki article does slip in the word “reportedly” so it’s _possible_ it wasn’t just a cash grab. Perhaps Coppola in the midst of the hell that was the production of _Apocalypse Now_ thought to himself, “Y’know, I think I’d like to have _one more thing_ that needs my attention right now!” but the money explanation makes more sense to me. As to why, if it were done for money, you can’t buy a Bluray of it right now …well, it seems they did end up completing _Apocalypse Now_ so apparently they got the money they needed. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/5 "2015-10-15T16:01:39Z")
That was fast and easy. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![NeonMadman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58f4c7/32.png) [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/6 "2015-10-15T16:42:03Z")
I have a VHS copy (on 5 VHS cassettes) of _The Godfather Trilogy_ that presents the story in chronological order and includes most or all of the deleted scenes from the _Saga_, plus some deleted scenes from _GFIII_. I would probably consider repurchasing it on Blu-Ray, but as far as I know, that version has never been made available after the VHS edition. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/7 "2015-10-15T16:49:53Z")
Stay away from the one where Vito shoots first. ---
**Author:** ![northporlarbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7bcc69/32.png) [@northporlarbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/northporlarbear)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/8 "2015-10-15T16:51:47Z")
Deleted scenes tend to be boring & pointless though. I felt this especially on Blade where I had to see a long chase scene at a stairway. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/9 "2015-10-15T16:56:26Z")
> [@NeonMadman](#): > > I have a VHS copy (on 5 VHS cassettes) of _The Godfather Trilogy_ that presents the story in chronological order and includes most or all of the deleted scenes from the _Saga_, plus some deleted scenes from _GFIII_. I would probably consider repurchasing it on Blu-Ray, but as far as I know, that version has never been made available after the VHS edition. I was thinking that The Godfather Part III was surely released after the end of the VHS era, but I just looked it up and it was a 1990 movie. I didn’t realize it was that long ago. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/10 "2015-10-15T17:45:48Z")
Just a heads up that the “Coppola Restoration” versions of the films are brighter and have different color timings than the previous releases. They did a great job cleaning up the prints and making a very pristine transfer, but the films look different than you may remember them. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/11 "2015-10-15T20:58:59Z")
One change they made in recent releases is they got rid of the odd reflection in front of Mama Corleone during the funereal. A very nice little goof that even Ebert didn’t spot on multiple viewings. I wonder if they also fixed the horrible errors in the scene where Sonny is supposedly beating the crap out of Carlo. Personally, I find the extra scenes in the _Saga_ version to be worthwhile. Genco’s death scene, the extra stuff about Woltz, Carmine Coppola as a boy playing the theme on a recorder, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/12 "2015-10-16T07:08:47Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > One change they made in recent releases is they got rid of the odd reflection in front of Mama Corleone during the funereal. A very nice little goof that even Ebert didn’t spot on multiple viewings. > > I wonder if they also fixed the horrible errors in the scene where Sonny is supposedly beating the crap out of Carlo. What are some of the ‘horrible errors’ in the Carlo - Sonny fight scene? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/13 "2015-10-16T11:50:41Z")
Sonny throws a punch that misses Carlo by a good 6 inches, yet Carlo acts as if he was punched. You can see it here @ 1:13: [The Godfather - Pelea Sonny Corleone y Carlo Rizzi 1080p - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OEhiTHJ0EA) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/14 "2015-10-16T14:29:38Z")
What are some of the deleted scenes? The only one I remember is the pizza place bombing, in retaliation for Mike’s Sicilian wife’s death. ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/15 "2015-10-16T17:54:20Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Stay away from the one where Vito shoots first. Or the one where Vito’s ghost is portrayed by Oreste Baldini instead of Marlon Brando. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/16 "2015-10-16T22:05:38Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > What are some of the deleted scenes? The only one I remember is the pizza place bombing, in retaliation for Mike’s Sicilian wife’s death. They put Jabba the Hutt in part 1, but with really bad CGI, and the scene pretty much tells us nothing that the scene with the shooting in the restaurant already told us. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/17 "2015-10-16T22:40:30Z")
There was another deleted scene that made clear that the Hollywood producer was a pervert. (Tom Hagen was visiting the producer’s house, and the young actress from the earlier scene at the studio was looking down at him from a balcony in the bedroom part of the house. The implication is that the producer, an older man, is sleeping with the actress, who I think just turned fourteen.) ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2015, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/18 "2015-10-17T00:31:29Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Sonny throws a punch that misses Carlo by a good 6 inches, yet Carlo acts as if he was punched. > > You can see it here @ 1:13: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_OEhiTHJ0EA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OEhiTHJ0EA) There’s little mystery about why James Caan threw wide and poor fake punches at actor Gianno Russo. [Gianni Russo was involved in the Colombo crime family in real life. He acted as a negotiator between Coppola and Paramount Pictures and Joseph Colombo.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Rizzi_%28The_Godfather%29) [Additional article detailing the story.](http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/films/the-mob-vs-the-godfather) [Apparently James Caan didn’t think much of the small-time hoodlum-cum-actor](http://entertainment.time.com/2012/03/15/the-anniversary-you-cant-refuse-40-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-godfather/slide/a-too-realistic-fight/). ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/19 "2015-10-17T01:55:29Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > There was another deleted scene that made clear that the Hollywood producer was a pervert. (Tom Hagen was visiting the producer’s house, and the young actress from the earlier scene at the studio was looking down at him from a balcony in the bedroom part of the house. The implication is that the producer, an older man, is sleeping with the actress, who I think just turned fourteen.) That was made clear, well beyond implication, in the book. I’ve got to say, I see no particular gain in adding deleted scenes to a classic movie. (Or book, for that matter.) There’s a reason it’s classic; it didn’t need those scenes to be so. The deleted scenes may (probably will) detract from it. They may make it a lesser movie. Directors have never got the exact movie they’re trying to get. It just doesn’t happen. When they get a classic movie, it doesn’t make it better by adding what the director would have wanted it to have. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2015, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-godfather-which-version-to-buy/734680/20 "2015-10-17T11:27:10Z")
This is not always the case. Woody Allen has retained Final Cut throughout his entire career. His hand has never been forced by a studio to release a film that he was not entirely satisfied with. In this day in age, he is a remarkable exception.