The Godfather Trilogy Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

The Godfather Trilogy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 13, 2017

In celebration of the 45th anniversary of 'The Godfather,' Paramount has re-released the beloved trilogy to Blu-ray in a new "Omerta Edition" four-disc set. The discs are identical to those that comprise the highly regarded "Coppola Restoration" released in 2008. This set adds new packaging and a handful of cardboard and magnetic trinkets. Read on, and see the images in this review, for more.

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The Godfather Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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The Godfather Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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The Godfather Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Paramount's lightly colored, white-dominant "Omerta Collection" Blu-ray release of The Godfather trilogy visually stands in contrast to the much more darkly colored, black-dominant Coppola Restoration boxed set released in 2008, a package that was, and still is, a Blu-ray standard-bearer. This set brings nothing new to the table in terms of on-disc supplemental content, but it does bring a new look and some new physical trinkets for hardcore collectors or anyone who missed the 2008 set (and by extension years of enjoying The Godfather at its current Blu-ray best).

The set comes housed in a box that measure approximately a smidgen under 7" tall (essentially a basic Blu-ray case), 5.75" wide, and 2.25" deep. It's (slightly crudely) painted on its top, right side, and bottom edges to resemble a thick novel or wooden keepsake box, depending on one's view of the design, though the latter is probably the intended appearance. The box is otherwise simply presented with light decorative accents around each of the four front corners, The Godfather title and "Omerta Edition" labeling center, and the exclusive number to 45,000 on the bottom (this review copy is number 16,877. Perhaps some lucky fan will receive a meaningful number such as 1972). The spine is similarly elegantly clean, with the small Paramount logo at the top, a Blu-ray disc logo at the bottom, and the film's familiar title and logo centered. The back features a center-positioned logo and a Michael Corleone quote. A basic info/spec sheet has been inserted along the back and is not glued to the box.

Opening the box reveals another clean surface. The rear flap features the same logo found on the back of the box and another quote, this one from Don Corleone. The box proper houses a number of interesting trinkets, not the least of which, at the top, is the packaging holding the four-disc set. It's similarly classy and simple, following the outer box design cues, with the front of the main package replicated on the front. A pair of quotes appear on the inside flaps, and a trio of basic credits cluster boxes are printed on the back. This is the set's weakest link. Whereas the rest of the box is sufficiently sturdy, this piece is comparatively flimsy and the discs take a fair amount of effort to remove from their plastic hubs; quite a bit of give and bend is required to take them out, even pressing down on the plastic.

All of the other content can be found in the main box underneath. First is a fold-open collection of five attached cards, each with a color image from a key sequence from The Godfather. On the flip side is text entitled "Anatomy of a Scene" that recreates the shooting script for the sequence depicted on the front. It's held together with a small cardboard sleeve emblazoned with a red movie seal. The cardboard slip is difficult, but not impossible, to put back on once it's been removed. Up next is a collection cards, these individually cut and held together with the same slip as the cards prior. These feature character portraits and movie stills on the front with character quotes on the rear. Next is a perforated magnetic sheet featuring a number of phrases. Each word can be removed and fans can make their own mini-Godfather stories on the refrigerator. Phrases include "I know it was you Fredo," "Leave the gun take the cannoli," and "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse," amongst several others. Next up is a glossy and fairly fancy fold-open advertisement for many things Godfather, including Pop! vinyls, a wristwatch, the films on digital HD, board games, and more. Finally, offset in a smaller cut-out at the bottom of the box, are 10 Godfather trivia cards with the question on the front and the answer on the back. These too are bundled together with the (smaller version of the) cardboard slip and seal.

The Godfather Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Omerta Collection doesn't redefine the movies on Blu-ray -- there's nothing new in terms of on-disc content -- but the presentation is fun, a nice contrast against the many black-dominant releases from the market over the years, going all the way back to the six-tape VHS sets. The box is sturdy and the included trinkets are fine. There's nothing particularly display worthy, save, potentially, for the magnets, but there are some fun pieces to flip through and enjoy a couple of times per year when the mood strikes to watch the movies. It's probably not enough to warrant a double-dip unless one is a true die-hard Godfather collector and fanatic, but first-time buyers should definitely opt for this version. The movies, of course, come with my highest recommendation.