Bold Approach! An Abbreviated Classic!

Rating: 10/10 (16 October 2002)

Seeing this at the theater in 74' was beyond everyone's expectations. It's intelligent, beautifully shot and a perfect 'bookend' to the original. Now here comes a problem that turns into a major compliment!
Many viewers (like myself) are spoiled with the recent broadcasts of the 'Godfather Saga' (originally shown in 1977) on various cable channels that incorporates about 54 minutes of deleted footage and places the 'Godfather 1 & 2 story in chronological order. As excellent as PART II is, I'd prefer an uncensored version of the saga.
The reason: there many more scenes lifted from the book and the characters are further explored. The irony of the rise and fall of the Corleone Family would still have an impact after 7 hrs 15 min's. Long...but very rewarding.
Still PART II gets a 10!
But now it feels 'edited'.