MovieChat Forums > The Godfather Part II (1974) Discussion > So, who decided..?

So, who decided..?

posted 6 years ago by vitocorleone08 (37)
8 replies | jump to latest

Coppola's rough cut ran almost six hours in length. Vito's storyline extended into the Prohibition Era, including a gang war with Al Capone and Luca Brasi's exploits as Vito's hatchet man. Michael's story continued, gaining political influence in 1960s Washington through his connections with Senator Geary (implying a role in the Kennedy assassination, among other things). Little of this footage survived, aside from the handful of deleted scenes used in the television reedit, and one or two stills showing Robert De Niro as middle-aged Vito.

My question is, who decided to cut this movie from 6 hours to 3 hours and 22 minutes? Copolla or the studio?

[–] TheUltimateHippo (2250) 6 years ago

I think the film is great as it is, over six hours is just too long no one is going to want to sit through that.

[–] strntz (12675) 6 years ago

Not first run, no.

But as an extra laden DVD? Sign me the eff up for a copy!

[–] vitocorleone08 (37) 6 years ago

Most of that footage is unfortunately, more than likely, lost forever, aside from few scenes, they are included in The Godfather: A Novel for Television..

[–] strntz (12675) 6 years ago

Figured that. One of my favorite movies is Gone With The Wind. Already three hours in length, supposedly it was twice that in it's first edit. Back then, when they said that many scenes ended up on a cutting room floor, they were being quite literal.

[–] vitocorleone08 (37) 6 years ago

So, wait, rough cut of the Gone With The Wind was 8 hours?

[–] strntz (12675) 6 years ago

I can't recall where I read the original edit was over 6 hours, or at least that's how much unique footage was shot.

In any case, I just found a link that said that one of the three directors showed an earlier edit that was about 40 minutes longer than the one that eventually made the theaters. That one ran four and half hours.

I'll see if I can find the other reference.

[–] johnnm58 (545) 6 years ago

I saw a part in which Al (bodyguard) went into a casino and ran off the manager or owner. He beat the guy's ass all over the place.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

Really? The film and Michael's story was intended to continue after Fredo's murder which was the big finale? That doesn't sound right given the film's narrative and themes. Perhaps the source got confused between oringinal script ideas and actual deleted scenes.

For example, in regards to an appearance of a middle aged Vito - the oringinal script had called for that during the final birthday flashback with Brando in mind to briefly reprise his role. But Brando was asking for too much money to make a cameo so Vito was relegated off screen during that scene. There was never any intention for De Niro to actually play Vito very close to the age that Brando had played him. That would just been odd.