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Well... we've known that this news was coming for months now, but we're thrilled today to say that it's FINALLY official: Paramount has just announced the DVD and Blu-ray Disc release of The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration Collection on both DVD and high-definition Blu-ray Disc on 9/23! The 5-disc DVD set (SRP $72.99) and 4-disc Blu-ray set (SRP $119.99) will contain all three films in the series, along with an archive of the previous DVD extras and all-new bonus material as well (the new material will be in high-def on Blu-ray). The remastered films will also be available individually on DVD only (SRP $19.99 each). And let me tell you... this new restoration looks simply FANTASTIC.

Remember last year, when Jahnke and I had that amazing movie experience, except we were sworn to secrecy about it, but we promised that you would all get to experience it yourselves eventually? THIS is what we were talking about. We've seen the first two restored films (a restoration personally supervised by The Digital Bits' own Robert A. Harris), presented on the big screen. The result is just breathtaking. You may recall that there was a lot of talk, back when these films were first released on DVD, that the image quality was underwhelming, and how sad it was that the films had deteoriated so badly. Simply put, they've now been saved. The films haven't looked this good since their original theatrical release. If you're a fan of The Godfather Trilogy, trust me - you're going to LOVE these discs.

We should note that the restoration effort will soon be the topic of one of Robert's new Yellow Layer Failure columns here at The Bits, so be sure to watch for it.

Here's a look at the final U.S. packaging for the DVD version (now available for pre-order on Amazon.com). The art is close - but not the same - as the European packaging we've posted previously. You'll also find Paramount's official press release below. We'll post the final Blu-ray art as soon as it's available. Here you go...

DIRECTOR FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA'S EPIC TRILOGY
DEBUTS ON DVD AND BLU-RAY IN ALL
NEWLY-REMASTERED VERSIONS

THE GODFATHER: THE COPPOLA RESTORATION

Cinematic Classics Return to their Original Pristine Glory with All-New Special Features

Must-Own Collections Arrive September 23, 2008

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (June 30, 2007) - More than three decades after they won the Academy Award® for Best Picture, director Francis Ford Coppola's classic films The Godfather and The Godfather, Part II will once again be enjoyed by audiences as they originally were meant to be seen, thanks to a meticulous restoration by Paramount Pictures, overseen by Coppola himself. On September 23, 2008, both fully restored films will debut on DVD and Blu-ray, along with a newly remastered version of The Godfather Part III, to be included as part of The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration Collection. All three films will be available individually or in a five-DVD collection or four-disc Blu-ray collection, which are loaded with a host of all-new special features.

The Godfather and The Godfather, Part II underwent extensive frame-by-frame examination and restoration utilizing state-of-the-art digital technology in this historic preservation effort, which required more than a year to complete. Robert A. Harris of the Film Preserve supervised the restoration under the direction of Coppola and cinematographer, Gordon Willis. Harris' restoration credits include Lawrence of Arabia, Spartacus, Vertigo and Rear Window among others.

The new special features created by Kim Aubry, founder of Zoetrope Aubry Productions, explores the complexities of the restoration process and provides new insights and perspectives about how the film almost didn't come to pass as we know it. The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't relates the unlikely events, intrigue, allegiances and luck that put together the unknown director with the "unwanted" cast and contains interviews with most of the living players and many of the film' admirers. Other featurettes include �when the shooting stopped and Godfather World, which take a look at The Godfather's influence on popular culture today. Each film includes a commentary by Coppola.

THE GODFATHER: The Coppola Restoration DVD Collection

The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration DVD Collection, enhanced for 16:9 TVs, with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and English Mono (The Godfather and The Godfather, Part II) and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The DVD disc breakdown is as follows:

Disc 1:

- The Godfather feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola

Disc 2:

- The Godfather, Part II feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola

Disc 3:

- The Godfather, Part III feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola

Disc 4: (previously released special features)

- Making of The Godfather
- Additional Scenes
- Filming Locations
- The Corleone Family Tree
- The Music of The Godfather
- The Godfather Historical Timeline
- Profiles on the Filmmakers
- Photo Galleries and Storyboards

Disc 5: (new special features)

- Godfather World
- The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't
- ...when the shooting stopped
- Emulsional Rescue: Revealing The Godfather
- The Godfather on the Red Carpet
- Four Short Films on The Godfather
--- The Godfather vs. The Godfather, Part II
--- Cannoli
--- Riffing on the Riffing
--- Clemenza

THE GODFATHER: The Coppola Restoration Blu-ray Collection

THE GODFATHER: The Coppola Restoration Blu-ray four-disc set is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Mono (except The Godfather: Part III) and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The following special features are presented in high definition as noted:

Disc 1:

- The Godfather feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola

Disc 2:

- The Godfather, Part II feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola

Disc 3:

- The Godfather, Part III feature film
- Commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola

Disc 4:

- Godfather World (HD)
- The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't (HD)
- ...when the shooting stopped (HD)
- Emulsional Rescue: Revealing The Godfather (HD)
- The Godfather on the Red Carpet (HD)
- Four Short Films on The Godfather
--- The Godfather vs. The Godfather, Part II (HD)
--- Cannoli (HD)
--- Riffing on the Riffing (HD)
--- Clemenza (HD)
- The Family Tree
- Crime Organization Chart
- Connie and Carlo's Wedding Album

2001 DVD Archive:

-Behind the Scenes
-- The Godfather Family: A Look Inside
-- On Location
-- Francis Coppola's Notebook
-- The Music of the Godfather
-- Coppola & Puzo on Screenwriting
-- Gordon Willis on Cinematography
-- Storyboards from The Godfather, Part II
-- Storyboards from The Godfather, Part III
-- The Godfather: Behind the Scenes 1971
- The Filmmakers
-- Francis Ford Coppola
-- Mario Puzo
-- Gordon Willis
-- Dean Tavoularis
-- Nino Rota
-- Carmine Coppola
- Additional Scenes
- Acclaim & Response
- Trailers (HD)
- Photo Gallery
- Rogues' Gallery

About Paramount Home Entertainment

Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. PHE is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Studios, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS, PBS and Hasbro and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

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