Best way to view the Godfather films

As we all now there is more then one way to view the Godfather films, Theater Versions, TV Version, Chronological Order, Deleted Scenes Added etc. Which is the favorite way to view the films.

asuming the theatrical version is the one we see on the DVD, I voted for that


I wish I could research the effect of someone new to the series seeing them in reverse order:

GF III > GF II > GF

I think it will add another dimension, a new perspective to the whole trilogy and turns it more into an interesting mystery-drama instead of a factual gangster-drama, as you would find out later on the who's and why's. also, in that order, you get to see the "lesser one" first, AND the whole thing ends with Michael on it's top being handkissed Don Corleone.

Pherdy:
That could be a whole new poll

Off the top of my head, I would think a person could see GFII first without too much problem, since it has both Vito and Michael as main characters. If someone saw GFII without first seeing GFI, while they would miss some of the more informative storys, such as the passing of power, they could still follow the story line. Of course once they see GFI, the story would be complete.

It would be interesting to hear someones comments about GFIII that didnt see the previous two. Most of the criticism of GFIII, is basically due to the fact, that it had "a hard act to follow"

one thing that would be ruined though is the 'surprise' of Fredo's death near the end of GF II, because of Michael's confession to Lamberto

but otherwise everything you won't understand after seeing GFIII first, you will find out one or two movies later as if it was a murder-mystery


by the way, what did you vote yourself in your original poll?

In my excitment about making up my first poll, I forgot to vote Thanks for the reminder.

I voted to watch it in chronological order with the deleted scenes. Of course this only works if you have around 7 hours free Since I have, like most on the board, have seen the films countless times, I like watching in chronological order, something along the lines of a soap opera. In all honesty I do this in many sittings and not all at once, unless its a rainy Sunday after football season

I would advise someone that has never seen any of the films, to view them one by one in order of release [GFI, GFII, GF III]. I would think watching GF II, while being most enjoyable, might be a little confusing to the first time viewer.

The first time I watched it was in chronological order with deleted scenes. And then when I bought them on video I was disappointed to find that Part II was not in chronological order (I had assumed that Part I had De Niro in it). But now I prefer to watch them separately, (I haven't seen it chronoligcally since the first viewing) as I feel that the Cuban sequences lose their interest without the anticipation of wanting to go back to the Young Vito scenes.

Oh, and Pherdy, you know I love you idea of a Memento style viewing of the Godfather! Do you mean the films themselves, or watching them backwards scene by scene too? That would be even better!

Mick

Memento Style? I assume thats a term applied to films that more or less start at the end and work backwards? Seinfeld did an episode like that, the one where I think he went to India for a wedding. It was somewhat interesting, but really made you pay attention to what was going on. I dont think that style would work too well with the GF films, since character developing is so important to the success of the film. The going back and forth in GFII was a stroke of genius. The switches between young Vito and Michael as the don, was just about perfect.

Theatrical Of Course!

Its how it was made to be.

Theatrical Version...lickety split, no shit.

The theatrical version of course is special to me, because it's the original. However, for me, there is something about the chronological version that wins me over. I like the story told in that order.

Ideally, I wish they'd re-release the chronological version, with the deleted scenes in the theater.


TIS

I've always liked the chronological order with deleted scenes one the best.

But since the Godfather trilogy is so damn good there is no wrong way to watch it.

I saw that episode last week from Seinfeld, it was hilarious. however, backwards scene by scene was not what I meant, that only worked with Memento due to his condition.

Pherdy,

Thanks for the tip, Im going to rent "Memento", sounds like and interesting film...

9 Hours 30 Minutes LONG!

MAJOR ASS NUMBING! Nope. I think the trilogy works. Gives you an end of a chapter each time a film ends just so you can rest.

Didn't see theatrical. So I couldn't choose that one. Then I voted for Chrono with deleted scenes.

Chronologically without deleted scenes. Then watch the deleted scenes seperate. They are good, but deleted for a reason.

TV version I assume has the deleted scenes. I like that because they are not on the DVDs (which I watch mostly) so its nice to see those scenes. Its really not even a votable poll. I'll watch any of them, any time, in any sequence, part of them, all of them, backwards, who cares its all "The Godfather." I don't even need the distinctions of I, II, III.

I really enjoy the "chronological order with the deleted scenes" included. But a close second is the theatrical version. What makes the chronological with deleted scenes so great is that it provides all of the little background that the theatrical version was forced to leave on the cutting floor. It makes the whole story appear more complete. For example, two key deleted scenes come to mind that would have put the first film in sharper focus: when Sonny does the inquiry about whether Clemenza or Paulie "sold out the old man" and the scene in which Michael decides to get involved. The notion that Clemenza was considered a traitor in the deleted scene would have given the theatrical version a different twist.

Ok ,...... I've seen the deleted scenes on the bonus disc from the DVD trilogy........How the heck do I get my hands on a version (either DVD or VHS , who cares??) that actually incorporates those scenes into the movie ???

chronological order

Best way to view the Godfather films you ask? I would have to say-with your eyes open, and glued to the screen

I would have to say Theatrical Version for now, but if a Godfather Part IV came out that filled in the rise of the Corleone Family in the 30's AND provided a suitable ending to the Godfather Saga with the end of the Corleone Family, then I would have to change it to Chronological, without deleted scenes. Check out my Basic GF IV Outline I've started writing in the GF IV section of the site to start getting an idea of what I'm talking about.

either way, i like to watch them with the subtitles on, you just catch so much more, i think it changes alot

I watched The Godfather Part II first then The Godfather then Part III because that was the order that they were checked in/out of the library. I was a little confused during Part II but after seeing The Godfather it made a more complete story, and Part III of course was seperated. But I enjoyed The Godfather better than my first viewing of Part II becuase it was difficult for me to follow the storyline with Michael but after repeated viewings I like both about the same

I prefer the theatrical version w/ deleted sences. I prefer the perspective you gain (and it cuts down on having to rermember the book) However I haven't watched it in about 6 months because it had lost it's feeling.

I would say watching it on a big LSD screen while smoking a nice 'blunt.'