‘The Godfather’ series collected, restored

“The Godfather” never looked better — and that includes in theaters, director Francis Ford Coppola says in the new DVD set’s extra features.

After his first look at the digital restoration done for the DVDs and Blu-rays of “The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration,” Coppola says, “I was astounded at how beautiful it was, how rich the photography was. It’s even more beautiful-looking than I ever remembered.”

Viewers used to previous “Godfather” releases by Paramount will be surprised to see so much of the first movie set in golden tones. The color scheme directions came straight from the legendary cinematographer Gordon Willis, who consulted on the new “Godfather” box set.

Viewers also will be pleased to see some relief in the darkness so evident on previous releases — but of course these are dark movies, intended to be seen that way. The “Godfather” on Blu-ray is like watching a new film.

“There is only one way to print the ‘Godfather,’ and that is dark,” says Hollywood’s top restoration guy, Robert A. Harris, who reworked the first two films.

In addition to the director’s fine commentaries that appeared on the older DVDs, many extras have been ported over from “The Godfather Collection” of 2001. They’re terrific, no problem.

The new extras are on a separate disc: The best is a documentary, “Emulsional Rescue: Revealing The Godfather.” The restorers explain how the original negative of “The Godfather” had long been destroyed, and so they created a beautiful Frankenstein from elements rounded up from around the globe.

Read the DVD Spin Doctor review of the DVD and Blu-ray versions of “The Godfather” collection.

Perfect gift for: Anyone who ever quoted a line from these American classics. That’s about everyone over the age of 30. Gangster movie lovers. Francis Ford Coppola fans.

Buy “The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration Giftset” at Amazon now.