The Godfather Part II - The Coppola Restoration |  | Actors: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro
Studio: Paramount
List Price: $19.99
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Rating:  166 reviews
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Restored, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English (Unknown)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Running Time: 200 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.5
MPN: 097361329246
UPC: 097361329246
EAN: 0097361329246
Theatrical Release Date: January 1, 1974
Release Date: September 23, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Continues the saga of the Corleone family, tracing the rise of Don Vito as a young man in Italy, and that of Michael as the new Don, reigning from his
Francis Ford Coppola took some of the deep background from the life of Mafia chief Vito Corleone--the patriarch of Mario Puzo's bestselling novel The Godfather--and built around it a stunning sequel to his Oscar-winning, 1972 hit film. Robert De Niro plays Vito as a young Sicilian immigrant in turn-of-the-century New York City's Little Italy. Coppola weaves in and out of the story of Vito's transformation into a powerful crime figure, contrasting that evolution against efforts by son Michael Corleone to spread the family's business into pre-Castro Cuba. As memorable as the first film is, The Godfather II is an amazingly intricate, symmetrical tragedy that touches upon several chapters of 20th-century history and makes a strong case that our destinies are written long before we're born. This was De Niro's first introduction to a lot of filmgoers, and he makes an enormous impression. But even with him and a number of truly brilliant actors (including maestro Lee Strasberg), this is ultimately Pacino's film and a masterful performance. --Tom Keogh
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 166
 Ordered: The Godfather Part II August 6, 2010
Mary Katherine Catalano (Smyrna, Tennessee, US)
The order was processed well and in a timely manner. I give it four stars.
M. Catalano
One of the best films ever... August 3, 2010
H. Jin (Melbourne, Australia)
'The Godfather Part II does not so much continue the story of 'Part I' as expand it in different directions. Instead of being a sequel in the true sense, 'Part II' tells two parallel stories. Firstly, we follow the young Vito Corleone as he rises from child immigrant to small time crook to local criminal kingpin. Secondly, we witness a continuation of the events of 'Part I', with Michael Corleone aggressively pushing into Nevada and Cuba, while battling internal betrayal and political investigations.
As many have noted, 'Part II' is a film of contrasts, both within itself and with the original film. The relatively warm, close-knit family structure of Part I has started to disintegrate into a divided, treacherous collection of individuals by Part II. And the "honourable" motivations of Vito's time have been replaced by a blind pursuit of money and power at all costs. Even the setting is a complete contrast from Part I; I can think of no better way to demonstrate the betrayal of everything Vito stood for than to shift the Family from the cultured, dignified New York to the capitalist wasteland of 1950's Nevada.
As before, the acting is impeccable. This is hands down the best ensemble cast you are likely to see in a movie. Al Pacino gives a very intense performance as the now cold and emotionless Michael, which is paralleled by Diane Keaton's more assertive Kay. Robert Duvall is again excellent as Tom, who begins to question Michael's increasingly violent and punitive methods (apparently this was supposed to be a plot point for Part III). And Robert De Niro is completely believable as the younger Vito, a cocky young criminal who still has respect for his friends and family. But you can pick any role: John Cazale as the weak and insecure Fredo, Lee Strasberg as the physically wasted but still-ruthless Hyman Roth, Talia Shire as the flaky Connie, and Michael Gazzo as the conflicted Pentangeli all deliver outstanding performances. The consistent excellence on display here means that Marlon Brando is never missed, which some people feared might be the case.
'The Godfather Part II' is often regarded as being that rare sequel that's superior to the original, and I would have to agree. While retaining nearly everything that made 'Part I' great, this film is even more ambitious than its predecessor, and every risk it takes pays off. The exceptional performances do justice to the film's multi-layered story, and the direction and production are of the highest quality. Quite simply, one of the best films ever made..... I'd give it six stars if I could.
Superior to the first July 10, 2010
Marianne (KINGWOOD, TX USA)
This is like the best sequal ever and possibly the best film ever.
I Have 4 words to describe this Powerful emotional Collosal and superior sequal .
this is twice as good as the orignal It blew the first to bits .
In english it surpased its big brother it won 6 oscars including .
Best picture
Best director [Francis ford Coppala]
Best screenpaly
Best score
Best art direction
Best supporting actor Robert De niro
thier are two parts to this film its a sequal/prequal set in the early 20th century
where Vito Corleone [Robert De niro] Starts his crime empire. The other is in the 50s where Vito's son Michael [Al Pacino and his stepbrother Tom Hagen [Robert Duvall]. Continue the legacy of Vito Corleone [Marlon Brando from the film].
Something to do with Business May 14, 2010
Goofus (Brentwood, CA United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The Godfather Part II has the rare distinction of being arguably the best sequel ever made, and one of the very few that is every bit on par with its corresponding original film in the franchise. The two films compliment each other by having a little something the other does not. For classic scenes and an inspired storyline, something that comes to someone in a dream perhaps once in a lifetime, the original rightly excels as an iconic masterpiece; for a dark political web of intrigue, a distinct, duplicitous villain and acting from Al Pacino that positively drips with subtext, Godfather II sticks in the craw in the best possible way.
The young Al Pacino was often exemplary, and his performance here should be required viewing in acting school. Pacino's take on Michael's muted mental and emotional turmoil and the subtle power of his projection of this on to the screen is a special magic rarely achieved by others. One can't help but suspect that the presence of Pacino's mentor, Lee Strasberg - of The Actor's Studio - had somehow fueled his protégé to greater heights than he had thus far reached. Indeed, the final confrontation between Michael and a lecturing Hyman Roth illustrates this beautifully, and is perhaps one of the greatest examples of an actor really performing while saying nothing.
Great performances abound: Robert De Niro is of course perfectly cast as a young Don Vito, and the supporting roles are all so well played that it's difficult to find one that shines above another. Character acting abounds in a locomotive of a plot that gorgeously showcases some of the darker side of human nature, as Godfather II might, just might, be a smidge more noir than the original.
A worthy sequel/prequel April 20, 2010
Irfan A. Alvi (Towson, MD USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you liked The Godfather, you should like Part II as well. It doesn't quite have the punch of the original, but it's still a worthy and gripping continuation of the story, taking us both backward and forward in time.
By looking at the past, we learn about Vito Corleone's origins, and I found the portrayal of immigrant Italian life to be particularly interesting. Vito comes across not as a naturally aggressive or cunning person, but more as someone who's circumstances steered him towards his eventual life as a mobster.
When looking at the future, we see how Michael Corleone's story evolves. What I found most interesting here is that Michael, like his father, comes across more as a serious and disciplined businessman rather than a violent person eager to physically intimidate (or harm) people. We also see that, in exchange for his power and wealth, Michael pays a dear price in terms of deeply strained or severed family relationships; "lonely at the top" indeed.
Finally, I'd like to emphasize that, unlike other mafia movies (and The Sopranos), there isn't really a great deal of machismo or violence in this movie. It's more about the stories of people trying to find their way in life, struggling to define their values and allegiances and goals, trying to figure out how to work with people or oppose them, etc. In that sense, this movie is layered with themes, and some of them are fairly subtle.
Overall, highly recommended, especially to fans of the original movie.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 166
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