American Cinematographer magazine has published a fantastic article, in it's entirety, regarding Paramount Pictures restoration of perennial classic The Godfather trilogy.

Whilst it's a fascinating look at film restoration, film nuts will be horrified to read the terrible condition the films, especially the first, was allowed to degrade to. The article notes that the first film, made in 1972, was being 'held together with tape... was filthy and riddled with scratches, rips and tears... parts of the image had actually been torn away'.

The restoration was spearheaded by Hollywood restoration expert Robert A. Harris will be released to DVD later this year, and will almost certainly be released on Blu-ray also before the end of the year.

Film buffs should definitely check out the article; it can be found here.