Best Version Of The Godfather (1972) On Home Media

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Introduction

This article is part of a series where we investigate which is the best version of particular movies on home media. In this article, we will look at the different releases of The Godfather (1972) on Blu Ray, UHD Blu Ray – and streaming if available – and look at the specs and quality of each release to determine the best way to watch The Godfather (1972).

The Godfather (1972) Summary

The Godfather (1972) is a crime drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the novel by Mario Puzo. The story is set in the late 1940s and follows the powerful Corleone family, one of New York’s most influential Mafia organizations. Vito Corleone, the family patriarch, oversees their criminal empire while maintaining a deeply rooted sense of family loyalty and tradition.

As Vito ages, his sons are forced to navigate the complexities of their father’s legacy and the dangerous world of organized crime. His youngest son, Michael Corleone, initially reluctant to become involved in the family’s illicit operations, slowly finds himself being drawn deeper into the family’s affairs. The film explores themes of power, family, and morality, with intricate relationships both within the family and with rival Mafia families. The story unfolds over several years, highlighting the conflicts and personal choices that shape the Corleone family’s future.

The Godfather (1972) Cast Summary

Actor’s Name	Character’s Name	Character Summary
Marlon Brando	Vito Corleone	The aging head of the Corleone family, a powerful Mafia don respected for his leadership and loyalty to family.
Al Pacino	Michael Corleone	Vito’s youngest son, initially an outsider to the family business but increasingly drawn into its operations.
James Caan	Sonny Corleone	Vito’s eldest son, known for his hot temper and impulsive nature, poised to inherit the family’s business.
Robert Duvall	Tom Hagen	The Corleone family’s adopted lawyer and consigliere, providing legal and strategic counsel.
Diane Keaton	Kay Adams	Michael’s girlfriend, later wife, who struggles with his increasing involvement in the family’s criminal activities.
Richard S. Castellano	Clemenza	A loyal capo (lieutenant) in the Corleone family, handling many of the family’s operations and enforcements.
Talia Shire	Connie Corleone	Vito’s daughter, whose marriage plays a central role in family dynamics and tensions.
John Cazale	Fredo Corleone	Michael’s older brother, weaker and less capable than Sonny or Michael, often overlooked in family matters.
Sterling Hayden	Capt. McCluskey	A corrupt police officer with ties to the Mafia, complicating matters for the Corleone family.
Richard Conte	Barzini	A rival Mafia don who challenges the Corleone family’s power and influence.

The Godfather (1972) Home Media Releases (Blu Ray and Streaming)

The Godfather (1972) was published on the following contemporary home formats.

Table 1: Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray Releases – General Info

Release Name / Format	Release Date	Video Codec	Audio Codec	Video Bitrate	Audio Bitrate	Director’s Cut
The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration (Blu-ray)	September 23, 2008	AVC / MPEG-4	DTS-HD MA 5.1	27.00 Mbps	Lossless	No
The Godfather Trilogy (Omerta Edition Blu-ray UK)	March 5, 2019	AVC / MPEG-4	DTS-HD MA 5.1	27.00 Mbps	Lossless	No
The Godfather Trilogy (UHD Blu-ray)	March 22, 2022	HEVC (H.265)	DTS-HD MA 5.1 / Dolby TrueHD 5.1	59 Mbps	Lossless	No
The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone (Blu-ray & UHD)	December 8, 2020	HEVC (H.265) / AVC	DTS-HD MA 5.1	64 Mbps	Lossless	No
The Godfather iTunes (4K Ultra HD)	October 22, 2013	HEVC / H.265	Dolby Vision, HDR10	15 Mbps	384 Kbps	No

Table 2: Video & Audio Scores and Mastering Info

Release Name / Format	V Score	A Score	DI Res	DNR	AI
The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration (Blu-ray)	5.0/5	4.5/5	4K	Yes	No
The Godfather Trilogy (Omerta Edition Blu-ray UK)	5.0/5	4.5/5	4K	Yes	No
The Godfather Trilogy (UHD Blu-ray)	5.0/5	5.0/5	4K	No	No
The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone (Blu-ray & UHD)	4.5/5	4.5/5	4K	No	No

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Summary and Explanation:

Key Points:

• V Score = Video Score (assigned by Blu-ray.com reviews)
• A Score = Audio Score (assigned by Blu-ray.com reviews)
• DI Res = Digital Intermediate Resolution (original scan resolution)
• DNR Used = Indicates whether Digital Noise Reduction was applied.
• AI Used = Indicates whether AI technology was used in the remastering process.
• The 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration received widespread praise for its stunning visual restoration, bringing the 1972 film into high-definition with a 4K scan as the basis. However, some DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) was applied, though it wasn’t seen as excessive.
• The 2022 UHD Blu-ray release coincided with the 50th anniversary of the film and further enhanced the visual and audio quality by minimizing the use of DNR, providing stunning HDR capabilities, and maintaining the natural film grain. It is considered the definitive release, receiving perfect video scores.
• The 2020 “Coda” version refers to a re-edit of The Godfather Part III by Francis Ford Coppola and is available in both Blu-ray and UHD formats. Video and audio remastering is strong, with no DNR or AI involvement.

For customers seeking the finest presentation, the 2022 UHD Trilogy version stands out based on review scores and comments on video quality from forums like AVSForum and Blu-ray.com.

Please note that we have tried to make sure as much as possible that this information is correct by referencing multiple sources but still keeping it simple and accurate across release regions. Please let us know in the comments if you find any errors.

The Godfather (1972) Legacy Formats

The Godfather (1972) was also published on the following legacy formats:

Table: The Godfather (1972) – VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, D-Theatre Releases

Format	Release Date	Widescreen or Pan & Scan	Director’s Cut
VHS (USA, Paramount Home Video)	1980s (early)	Pan & Scan	No
VHS (USA, Widescreen Collection)	1997	Widescreen	No
VHS (The Godfather Trilogy Box Set)	October 9, 2001	Pan & Scan & Widescreen (2 Versions)	No
Laserdisc (USA, Standard Edition)	1982	Pan & Scan	No
Laserdisc (USA, Widescreen Edition)	1992	Widescreen	No
Laserdisc (Japan, Paramount Home Entertainment)	1991	Widescreen	No
DVD (USA, Paramount Home Entertainment)	October 9, 2001	Widescreen	No
DVD (The Godfather DVD Collection)	October 9, 2001	Widescreen	No
DVD (The Coppola Restoration)	September 23, 2008	Widescreen	No
D-Theatre (No known release)	N/A	M	No

Summary Notes:

• Widescreen or Pan & Scan:
  • Pan & Scan: Common in earlier VHS and Laserdisc releases, these versions were cropped to fit 4:3 screen formats, resulting in parts of the original cinematic image being removed.
  • Widescreen: Later releases, especially on Laserdisc and DVD, used the original theatrical 2.35:1 aspect ratio, preserving the film’s intended framing. Wide availability of widescreen began in the 1990s, particularly from 1997 onward for home releases like VHS and Laserdisc.
• Director’s Cut:
  • There is no official director’s cut of The Godfather (1972), so none of the listed releases include additional or altered scenes. Every release houses the theatrical cut as intended by Francis Ford Coppola.

Which version of The Godfather (1972) should you watch?

Based on review scores and extensive forum discussions (such as Blu-ray.com, AVSForum, and other home theater communities), the best disc version of The Godfather (1972) is widely considered to be the 2022 UHD Blu-ray (4K) release included in The Godfather Trilogy 50th Anniversary Edition. This release provides the best overall quality for both video and audio in the history of The Godfather‘s home media releases.

Recommended Version:

The Godfather Trilogy (2022 UHD Blu-ray, 4K Restoration)

Key Reasons to Choose This Version:

1. Best Video Quality (4K HDR):
   • The 2022 UHD release benefits from a 4K restoration using state-of-the-art techniques supervised by director Francis Ford Coppola.
   • It maintains the original film grain and texture while avoiding excessive use of DNR (Digital Noise Reduction), which is a common complaint with older transfers.
   • This version introduces HDR10 and Dolby Vision, significantly enhancing the dynamic range of brightness and color, leading to deeper blacks and more vivid colors while respecting the film’s original cinematography.
2. Best Audio Quality:
   • This release’s audio quality is top-tier, maintaining DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and adding a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track, which provides rich, detailed sound.
   • The work on the audio ensures that iconic moments, from dialogue to Nino Rota’s legendary score, are delivered with greater clarity and immersion.
3. Faithful to the Original Look:
   • The release has been praised in forums for preserving the original 1972 visual aesthetic as intended by cinematographer Gordon Willis, known for his use of shadowy compositions.
   • There is little to no evidence of AI manipulation during the restoration, with the transfer ensuring the film retains a filmic, natural feel without introducing artificial smoothing or enhancements.
4. Director-Approved Restoration:
   • Francis Ford Coppola personally oversaw the 50th Anniversary remastering, assuring fans that this is currently the most definitive version of the film.

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Alternatives (For Specific Circumstances):

1. Do You Prefer Blu-ray Without 4K Setup?
   • The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration (2008 Blu-ray) – This release also offers excellent quality and is still highly regarded if you don’t have a 4K setup. Though not as pristine as the 2022 UHD disc, it was the first major restoration of the film, enhancing picture detail and audio significantly compared to earlier DVD versions.
2. Don’t Have a 4K Player?
   • If you don’t own a 4K Blu-ray player, the 2022 Blu-ray (found in the 50th Anniversary Edition box set) is still a very strong option. While it lacks the full brilliance of HDR and 4K, it uses the same remaster as the UHD version and thus provides the highest-quality picture and sound available in 1080p.

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Versions to Avoid:

1. Pre-2008 DVD Releases:
   • The earlier DVD releases (such as the 2001 DVD) are considered inferior due to their outdated transfers. The video quality has noticeable flaws, such as color deterioration and weaker black levels. Avoid these earlier editions unless you’re only interested in expanding a collection.
2. LaserDisc and VHS:
   • Given the state of restoration and remastering technology in the 80s and 90s, these formats suffer from significant degradation in image and sound quality, compounded by standard-definition limitations. They are not recommended unless for nostalgic or collector’s purposes.

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Frequently Mentioned on Forums:

• Blu-ray.com and Reddit (r/movies, r/Blu-ray) often highlight the 2022 4K release as the “ultimate” version, especially in terms of color correction, shadow detail, and contrast improvements due to HDR and the remastered 4K image.
• AVSForum discussions consistently emphasize the fidelity of the new transfer, with significant praise for how natural the restored footage looks without compromising on detail or introducing excess digital interference like edge enhancement or noise reduction.

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Conclusion:

For most viewers with a modern home theater setup, The Godfather Trilogy (2022 UHD Blu-ray) is the definitive version, offering the best visual and audio presentation. For those without 4K capabilities, the Blu-ray Coppola Restoration (2008) or the 2022 Blu-ray version will still satisfy without the advancements of HDR or 4K resolution.

However, if you’re looking for the highest quality, future-proof experience, the 2022 UHD Blu-ray is the best option.

Why Audio and Video Calibration is Important?

Movies only play accurately on home systems if both the display and audio system are calibrated to reference. Here at Simple Home Cinema, we are fanatic about accurate playback to the way the director intended. This is why we created both free and premium calibration guides, so you can calibrate your audio and video for optimal playback.

Audio Calibration	Video Calibration
Audyssey – Dirac Live – YPAO – All	Free Guides
Premium Guides	Premium Guide