The Godfather Part III (1990)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  162 Minutes (Director’s Cut: 170 Minutes) (CODA Edition: 158 Minutes)

Rated: R

Genre: Crime, Drama

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Andy Garcia, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, Geogre Hamilton, Bridget Fonda, Franc D’Ambrosio, Enzo Robutti,

IMDB Rank: 7.6/10

Part 1 Time: N/A (Director’s Cut: 98 Minutes) (CODA Edition: 88 Minutes)

Part 2 Time: N/A (Director’s Cut: 72 Minutes) (CODA Edition: 70 Minutes)

Where does the first part end?  Don Altobello (Eli Wallach) speaks to Vincent Mancini/Corleone (Andy Garcia) and introduces him to Don Licio Lucchesi (Enzo Robutti).

Final line of dialogue on the first part: Don Altobello leaves Vincent Mancini/Corleone and Don Licio Lucchesi speaking together, while he speaks to himself “Blessed is the peacemaker, for he can be called the child of God.”

First line of dialogue on the second part: 

Original/Director’s Cut: A car drives down a driveway, an assistant helps Don Tommasino (Vittorio Duse) out of the car. “The wheelchair, for Don Tommasino”

CODA Edition:”I trusted this business arrangement with the archbishop,” Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) speaks with Cardinal Lamberto (Raf Vallone)

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, at this point in the film we already know that Don Altobello has attempted to kill Michael Corleone unsuccessfully and is the puppeteer of this conspiracy. Vincent’s trustworthiness and loyalty comes into question since audience is unsure of his motives.

Which part is better? Part one, by far. The beginning of the film brings a modern feel to the Godfather universe. The start of the film brings the audience up to speed on current events effecting the Corleone family in respective fashion through a papal order ceremony. During the reception, we see Michael’s son Anthony (Franc D’Ambrosio) not wanting to complete his law degree, in addition to Vincent Mancini and Joey Zasa’s (Joe Mantegna) heated exchange. But the icing on the cake has to go to the hotel helicopter scene!

Academy Awards: Best Picture (Nominated), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Andy Garcia- Nominated), Best Director (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Nominated), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated), Best Music- Original Song (Nominated).