Anyone who’s ever found themselves on the couch post–Thanksgiving dinner and -football and avoided getting sucked into the Godfather movies on TV is a better person than most. Francis Ford Coppola’s classic Italian mafia trilogy is one of the greatest trio of films ever produced—and next to impossible not to binge watch.
While the director was filming the first movie, he dove into it like any true master would, reading and re-reading Mario Puzo’s original novel, annotating it, and then transferring those notes into a bigger “Notebook.” That piece of handmade literature would become a daily reference point for Coppola on set; and has also become a highly sought-after collector’s item for the rabid film buff.
(Courtesy of Regan Arts)
And while Coppola will likely never part ways with the original (unless Julien’s Auctions or Sotheby’s makes him an offer he can’t refuse), he is now releasing all of these notes and pages in the form of a book being published this month by Regan Arts. What you get in the box set is an exact replica of the tools Coppola used during the directing of the film: an introduction to “The Notebook,” written by Coppola himself; a three-ringed binder of his meticulous notes on The Godfather; a set of “notecards” Coppola used on set; and more.
The “Notebook” boxed set is available in two versions: a deluxe edition ($50); and a special edition, signed by the director ($500).
Below, take a look at additional pages (like the one above) from Coppola’s “Notebook.” At the very bottom, watch a 10-minute video, where Coppola shows off the original and discusses how he used it during filming.
(Courtesy of Regan Arts) (Courtesy of Regan Arts) (Courtesy of Regan Arts) (Courtesy of Regan Arts)
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