Airs today, Sunday, January 17th, on HBO from 3 pm - 10:10 pm EST. Seven hours of all things Corleone!

The description...

"The entire saga of the Corleone crime dynasty re-edited in chronological order from The Godfather I, II and III, including scenes originally deleted from theatrical versions."

It's HBO so no reason for cutting / editing scenes or dialogue. My DVR is set!

Enjoy!

Double check that time..... It's on 5:00 p.m. Eastern until 12:10 a.m.

My bad. You are correct, SC. Apologies and thanks for the correction

The "Saga" yes, but that doesn't include any of Part III. This originally aired on television back in the '70s (over the course of four nights). That was long before Part III was even made.

Here in NYC it starts at 5 pm eastern time.

Good something long to watch

I fall a sleep on stuff like this. I will dvr it

Thanks for the heads up. It's showing at 2:00 here. Don't know if I'll be able to watch it all but we'll see.

Am I the only one who actually prefers the chronological version?




TIS

Madonne! Just when my Steelers are battling for the Superbowl.

I need to watch this version one day, unfortunately i don't have this channel..

I've watched a little over an hour of this and I'm up to the part when Vito returns to Corleone to fulfill his vendetta.

Really great stuff. I've never seen all the old stuff in HD and the details in the background of many scenes are terrific.

The street scenes of old New York are outstanding. Pay attention to the windows, store signs, logos and names that appear prominently but missed because one is busy reading the subtitles.

I agree with SC, there's no way the 7 hour run time can accommodate any of GF III. The original description HBO detailed is inaccurate.

Also, enjoying the added scenes that were cut from the original theatrical release. Fanucci being attacked, Carmine Coppolla playing his flute, the introduction of Hyman Roth to Vito by Clemenza, etc.

Will this be airing again?

It's on HBO On Demand.

Sadly, I don't have On Demand.

:cheapskate:

Are you sure? I thought HBOD was available to anyone who subscribed to HBO.

I downloaded the "Epic" from my DVR to my PC and put it on three dual-layer DVD blanks. Looks great. No "new" or undiscovered deleted scenes. But, it's still good to have the entire thing in chronological order with all the deleted scenes in place.

With this storm coming up the East Coast, they're going to have extraordinary viewership on this this weekend.

I also prefer the chronological version. That's my 1st choice, over watching the theatrical releases.

I stumbled upon it on HBO by accident. I was thrilled to see it's airing multiple times. I have recorded it and will hopefully burn it to disc when I have some spare time.

No TIS, you are not the only one who prefers the chrono version. It is my favorite way to experience the two films. I especially enjoy the extra scenes in the aftermath of Vito being shot.

I'm watching The Godfather Epic again and I'm curious as to how Vito knew Tommasino and decide to go into the olive oil exporting business together?

Admittedly, I am not as familiar with the novel as some of the more knowledgeable BB members. Is the origin of Vito and Tommasino's relationship detailed anywhere?

I don't think the book specifically covers how Don Tommasino fit into these things. The book does say that Genco Abbandando was actually in charge of the operations of the import business. His family had the experience and contacts. Vito, Tessio, and Clemenza were in charge of marketing.

Thanks, pete.

Before Vito killed Fanucci, Clemenza was sort of the leader of the Vito/Clemenza/Tessio crew. As Fanucci put it to Vito, "Your friend Clemenza understands these things".

However, notice how humbled and respectful Clemenza is in the presence of "Mr. Corleone" when he is introducing Hyman Roth?

Clemenza even takes off his hat when Vito and Genco come out to the garage.

Pete, all the novel says is that Tommassino was indebted to Vito for some past service.

My DVR wouldn't even record it all. For some reason Comcast's DVR would only record this as a channel, and not a program, and you can only record a channel for six hours. Anyhow, I saw most of it. It was cool to see everything in chronological order, but I still like the originals better. A review I found on the epic version put it best, stating that in the original Godfather II, by flashing back and forth to young Vito and young Mike, you get a contrast of Vito's rise to power and Mike's fall. That could be the difference. Also, as with most deleted scenes, you realize why they were deleted in the first place. Showing Vito killing the Sicilian mob boss's associates before killing him was overkill. The scene with the boat oar was almost comical. Anyhow, the epic version is still a must to see at least once for all Godfather fans. It's long. Feels like watching a mini-series.

Just watched the rest of it. The deleted scenes from GF 1 were overkill, but the ones from season 2 were great, and should have been in the original movie. The scene where Neri goes to the casino to push Klingman around and then tells the showgirls to continue performing has shades of Fanuci. Contrasts the power Fanuci once had with what the Corleone family now has. Mikes conversation with Sonny's daughter and her fiance about how the wealthy explained what separates his family and their "thing" from the country's traditional barons and tycoons. The Godfather 2 makes so many important political points. The entire narrative of the franchise changes the very second Mike says to Hyman Roth of the Cuban rebels, "they could win." At this point, not only does the Corleone family look weak, but so does the mafia. The Cuban revolution sent the dignitaries and mobsters fleeing for life boats, reduced to the same vermin they once viewed the rebels as.

In the flashback scene when Genco is telling Vito about Fanucci's throat being slit, you can see a stack of these biscuit boxes in the background of the grosseria. Anybody remember these?

Sure do Mark. My grandmother always had them in the pantry!

One scene that I feel is not overkill and should have never been deleted in the first place is the scene when Sonny goes to his father's office after The Don is shot. Watch very closely and you will see that Sonny just can't seem to bring himself to sit in his father's chair behind the desk.

As Mark correctly pointed out in one of his other posts " this was such a little thing that spoke so loudly"

While there is no actual dialogue in that scene, it still speaks volumes!

Never saw this wedding pic of Connie & Carlo before. Not sure how rare it is but I found it by accident.

That's a huge Boutonniere Carlo's wearing

In Sicily when Michael, Calo and Fabrizio are visiting the abandoned Andolini house, they pass a woman who is splashing water from a bowl outside her front door onto the ground.

Why is this? Is it an old Sicilian tradition, wives tale or something to ward off evil?

I've often wondered about this... does anybody know anything about this?