On the Bonus DVD there's an alternative opening to Part III. It's similar to Part I in that the camera zooms until it reveals the Godfather in a chair listening to someone. I think it's a much better beginning - "we've sold all the casinos" etc, at the start of the film, is more effective as it adds intrigue and you're wondering why he's done it after he worked so hard for it. Much better than a scan of the deserted compound, which is simply a rehash of A Novel for Television's final episode's opening.

another similarity between the openings of GF1 & 3 is the services that the "client" recieves, such as Bonasera getting a drink and the Archibishop gettin his cigarett lightened.

Still another similarity: Archbishop Gilday says, "I trust too much...mea culpa." Bonasera said, "I went to the police...like a good American."

Excellent alternate opening. Isn't it sad how one mistake can ruin a movie. Seeing that, now I know that this had the potential to be a much better movie. Who knows what else is in the vaults. I think time got the best of Coppola and he just couldn't focus like he wanted to because he was working against the clock. But he also added back those horrid scenes of Micheal & Mary talking over breakfast in the video & DVD release. It clarifies some things but the scene is so badly executed it diminshes what it's supposed to be getting across.