The legendary classic The Godfather has been re-released in India to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Paramount has released this Francis Ford Coppola masterpiece exclusively in Dolby Cinema at AMC Theatres in U.S. and international territories including India. Fans across the world were excited to watch the movie on the big screen. So then why are audiences in India disappointed?
That is because Paramount Pictures has not released the 4K Ultra HD restored print for theatres in the country. For the 50th anniversary of “The Godfather”, Paramount, Coppola and his studio American Zoetrope have produced a new restoration. This latest edition was created with higher-quality sources of the film, improved digital technology and some 4,000 hours spent repairing stains, tears and other flaws. It took over three years to restore the movie in 4K high dynamic range. However, for reasons not known, the print released in India on 25th February is not the improved 4K version.
Movie-goers have reported that the print shown in India is the same old digital version of the original movie with the censored scenes still missing. This led to discontent among those who had hoped to catch the movie on the big screen in 4K resolution with no cuts.
This latest effort to remaster the entire trilogy was done in preparation of the 50th anniversary of the movie. It was overseen by the director of the movie, Coppola, himself. Released on March 24, 1972, the movie was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won 3 awards – Best Actor (Marlon Brando), Best Adapted Screenplay (Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola) and Best Picture (Albert S Ruddy).
The 4K Blu-ray box set and digital copies are set to be launched on March 22nd. The box set will include The Godfather and The Godfather Part II alongside The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, which is a recently released director’s cut of The Godfather Part III. It also includes the theatrical and 1991 cuts of Part III. It will also consist of a bonus Blu-ray with new special features, three commissioned illustrated portraits, and a hardcover book that features “extensive photography and an introduction from Francis Ford Coppola, housed in a beautiful foil-embossed box”.
Fans in India will now have to wait for the Blu-ray box set to catch the movie in 4K Ultra HD. Paramount and cinema chains in India should have disclosed the version that is released in India rather than fans spending their time and money only to be disappointed.