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50th Anniversary of the original Godfather this year...
What are the chances we'll finally get expanded scores for the 3 films? Do the masters still exist? Which label would get it?
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Posted: |
Jan 23, 2022 - 12:25 PM
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By: |
DS
(Member)
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Considering that the first two "Godfather" films are among the most famous/beloved/worshipped films in the history of cinema, it's sort of stunning how long it has taken for expanded/remastered releases of these scores to happen. Does anybody know exactly what has held these up, especially since it has been quite a few years since Paramount opened their doors to film music labels?
The available CDs sound fine considering how old they are, but they are rather "hissy" and akin to listening to a very clean cassette tape (in fact, if memory serves me correctly, both CDs have a note on the back cover that addresses how they sound like cassette tapes due to the source). I imagine there is potential for them to sound immeasurably better, not to mention that both could use a healthy expansion (especially the first, which conspicuously leaves out at least one amazing musical highlight - the horse head scene).
Regarding the third "Godfather" score - an adaptation score by Carmine Coppola featuring Nino Rota's themes - I don't know if I've ever heard it outside of the film. I'm guessing it could sound better, but is there anything missing? In the film, I personally consider it a rather uninspired effort and the use of "Cavalleria Rusticana" by Pietro Mascagni feels like a mistake, only bringing to mind "Raging Bull" (I was surprised to learn that the latest cut doesn't drop it).
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Considering that the first two "Godfather" films are among the most famous/beloved/worshipped films in the history of cinema, it's sort of stunning how long it has taken for expanded/remastered releases to happen.
I feel the same way about Apocalypse Now
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Posted: |
Jan 23, 2022 - 1:16 PM
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By: |
SchiffyM
(Member)
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Considering that the first two "Godfather" films are among the most famous/beloved/worshipped films in the history of cinema, it's sort of stunning how long it has taken for expanded/remastered releases of these scores to happen.
There isn't a whole lot that isn't on those albums, though. Yes, the horse head scene as you point out, a few other snippets, but they're pretty short. I love these films and scores, and I'd certainly buy a new edition, but I've never felt a lack in what exists.
(It's worth noting that John Mauceri conducted a recording called "The Genius of Film Music: Hollywood Blockbusters 1960s–1980s" that has a fifteen minute suite from the two Rota scores, and it includes a few previously unreleased cues, including the horse head.)
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And the "horse head" cue is actually two cues playing on top of each other!
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And the "horse head" cue is actually two cues playing on top of each other!
How so? Very curious about this.
I forget which one, but it was revealed in one of the featurettes on the 2008 Blu-ray set
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What's missing from "Apocalypse Now?" This release seems quite comprehensive to me:
https://www.discogs.com/master/46935-Carmine-Coppola-Francis-Coppola-Apocalypse-Now-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack
Can the sound be improved?
That release is a terrible representation of the score; half of it is dialogue excerpts.
A bunch of stuff is missing, such as the rest of the "Dossier" cues, film versions of cues, and several cues underscoring Willard's time at Kurtz's compound
A lot of that stuff along with Shirley Walker, Nyle Steiner, Aierto Moriera and Flora Purim's contributions along with all the work that Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead did as well. He put out an album in 1989 called "Apocalypse Now Sessions" which is OOP now and has some pretty interesting music but there's a boat load missing from that.
The big cues for me missing from Apocalypse Now when they ride up River in the Boat which I believe was Steiner's music on the EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument) and the Aftermath of when Williard is at the bridge at night looking for the commander of the soldiers at the bridge which has a great coda to it.
I'd definitely welcome a remaster/expanded Apocalypse Now and it would be great to see The Godfather Trilogy expanded also.
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Posted: |
Feb 26, 2022 - 11:15 PM
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By: |
SchiffyM
(Member)
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There isn't a whole lot that isn't on those albums, though. Yes, the horse head scene as you point out, a few other snippets, but they're pretty short. I love these films and scores, and I'd certainly buy a new edition, but I've never felt a lack in what exists.
…said I about a month ago.
Today, I listened to the album again, and I'd forgotten about the chorus embellishment added to the album version of the Love Theme. (I guess I'd gotten used to the Muti recording, which I often turn to.)
So yeah… there's definitely room for improvement here. Despite my declaration in January.
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