The Godfather Part III (Blu-ray)

Great movies for the price!!

After watching I and parts of II when first shown in theaters I'd had enough in-person gore - however, with age comes knowledge and III was the history within this superb film, a real classic. Retaining the original cast was paramount. All excellent in their own movements & delivery. I have no idea why III was not complimented by as many if not more awards as I & II. With Catholic experiences of the 60s and an existing decision in my own mind for more than 50 years that John Paul I was indeed murdered by insiders of the Vatican financial system - the truth is played out honestly and with precision. The going-clean by the Family has been and will always be a goal of today's own. Tit-for-tat in any circle is indeed the come-uppens for anyone. Forgiveness is relished in III in such a way it's absolutely believable as well as transparent. Stumbling thru family, years of deliberate pain for gain and dying alone happens everyday, III is everyone's history. Coppola must have developed this film with forced energy resulting in an unexpected gracious, smooth, and passionate structure. Truly a classic. Those who love history will understand - those who don't will of course dislike the film - they alone are the dis-belivers. I recommend this extraordinary film to graduate level students passionate in fact-finding as well as the older generation who lived in the life.

THE GODFATHER: Part III opens with 62-year-old Michael Corleone seeking redemption and a way to expunge the many crimes and personal failings of his past, but as we learn, he will never be "legit," can't buy a spotless soul nor will his own nagging conscience ever allow this tortured man some peace. He makes, and with the help of step-nephew Vincent Mancini, breaks a vow to "never sin again," and it's suggested that Michael's day of reckoning when he doesn't keep his word to God is the result. (semi-spoiler ahead)No, it's not equal to parts I and !!, yet despite this third Godfather film's few shortcomings, it can't be denied that its climactic scene is truly gut-wrenching, because unlike other murders throughout the 9-hour series, there is loud wailing on all sides as soon as this one occurs, crying and shouts of woe that really get to a viewer (it does to me, at least!). The "crime pays only to a certain extent" subtext is clear, and when some years later he passes away, all alone on a sunny Sicilian day, this is a mere footnote to Michael's true demise, which happened on the steps of a Palermo opera house that terrible night.Director Francis Coppola originally considered having Michael fatally wounded in this sequence, then he'd roll down the stairs. Ex-wife Kaye comes to his side and asks, "Michael, are you dying?" He'd answer, "No," and then expire. Coppola preferred instead to have the ex-Don Corleone suffer for his sins, and suffer mightily he does. That forlorn, delayed scream he lets out when the tragedy is done can only scratch the surface of Michael's grief. You clearly see it in his eyes: although still breathing Michael Corleone has ceased to exist.Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 IMDb viewer poll rating.(7.6) The Godfather: Part III (1990) - Al Pacino/Diane Keaton/Talia Shire/Andy Garcia/Eli Wallach/Joe Mantegna/George Hamilton/Bridget Fonda/Sofia Coppola/Raf Vallone/Helmut Berger/Don Novello/John Savage/Al Martino/Catherine Scorsese (uncredited: Ron Jeremy/Carmine Coppola)

On time and in mint condition.

Those who claim it was boring, or not as good as the others are kind of missing the point. The Godfather trilogy is about Michael Corleone. It's HIS story, and the third movie *had* to be more introspective than the first two. He chooses the life of the Mafia "family" to save and protect his own family. And the irony is––by choosing that life, he dooms himself to losing the people he loves. And Sophia Coppola isn't THAT bad as people say she is. The original actress cast, Winona Ryder–––would have TERRIBLE in that role. Winona overacts, and that's far worse that Sophia being "awkward"It HAD to end this way, and Coppola was wise enough to echo the earlier movies, but not try to "out–wow" the audience. This movie is necessary viewing in my opinion.

My favorite of the Godfather series, but I know I am in the minority for saying so. Okay, I confess that the assassination attempt was pretty cheesy, but the passing of the torch plot line, and the way the story comes full circle is pure art. I don't remember who, but someone argued that Godfather III is important because it establishes the series as a tragedy, and I believe this is true, which I think brings the story line more into the realm of art, which I believe this series clearly qualifies as.Plus that silent scream in the closing is just incredible. One of Pacino's best scenes ever.

THE GODFATHER, PART III is a highly underrated film. THE GODFATHER, PART III stands alone in many ways. The stage is set with PARTS I and II, but THE GODFATHER, PART III builds upon that as its foundation. THE GODFATHER, PART III has a unique operatic quality to it setting it apart from its predecessors. There is this idea of redemption for pasts deeds where duty to family existed, but without honor and lack of moral fiber from beliefs from the divine entity from whom they were created. That is the conundrum. That is the sadness. that is the setting from which there is no escape. THE GODFATHER, PART III is an operatic epic.