Cow Mengde
Banned
Wait... what? Are you serious?
Disney, release the original Star Wars movies already!
- Thread starter Charles Foster Kane
- Start date
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Wait... what? Are you serious?
Yes, I attribute the whole OT destruction to an absurd midlife crisis that he's still in denial about.
angular graphics
Banned
It's a bit (or quite a bit) of work to reassemble them, but nothing that can't be done. Not to mention they can use existing prints as a shortcut.
The conclusion from this very long and detailed article (seriously an excellent read!): http://secrethistoryofstarwars.com/savingstarwars.html
Bobby Roberts
Banned
They're worse. They're media executives.
Prequels? What prequels? There are no prequels.
Sectorseven
Member
It would most likely be executives in charge of the home video divisions which aren't even the same people.
matrix-cat
Member
Star Wars is crying out for a Criterion Collection release, or something of that calibre; it's cinematic history that needs chronicling. If you start delving into which bits to enhance, which additional scenes to include, you start missing the forest for the trees. Personally, I'd prefer to have them in all their late '70s, early '80s glory, with big ugly matte lines, vaseline smears and Wolfman costumes. These movies are closing in on forty years old, and I am 100% OK with that. Those old effects look dated to our 2014 eyeballs, sure, but it's OK for 40 year old things to look dated. In 2034 it's going to look even worse, and in 2114 only future-hipsters are going to bother unplugging from the Matrix to watch non-interactive, meatspace, two-dimensional 'movies'. "You mean I have to use my eyeballs?"
It's this thought that we're hot shit with our 2014 CG technology that led to the Special Editions in the first place. Lucas was so smitten with these new-fangled computers that he went hog wild and started attacking the original negatives. That stuff looks laughable today, and ludicrously out of place with the rest of the effects in those movies, but in the fullness of time that's going to be true for any era in which we try and enhance these movies. These are the thoughts that lead to Yoda being replaced with CG because the puppet can't backflip, or entire battle scenes being redone because kids today need more excitement, or all the human characters being redrawn to match up with our own self-images when we all evolve gills or whatever. No thank you. I will take an unenhanced, totally faithful digitisation of an existing film reel, if you please.
Bucket Mouse
Member
I think the Blade Runner model would be the ideal situation; a Blu-ray boxset that includes all significant cuts and versions. It's interesting how people welcome Ridley Scott's revisionism yet revile George Lucas for his - in fact, I think a sizable number of fans regard The Final Cut to be the definitive version of Blade Runner, including myself. The key difference is that Scott has allowed for the original theatrical cut to be readily available to the masses - even if he himself finds it to be unrepresentative of his vision - and that is to be respected. Consumer choice is important; I think if Lucas had offered an unaltered version for purists and film preservationists alongside a special edition from the beginning, there would have been a lot less controversy about the changes.
Now, a really cool Star Wars special edition would be some sort of customizable Blu-ray where you could manually turn on/off individual changes in the menu, effectively allowing you to create your own version.
Now, a really cool Star Wars special edition would be some sort of customizable Blu-ray where you could manually turn on/off individual changes in the menu, effectively allowing you to create your own version.
funkystudent
Member
It will happen eventually.
Maybe next xmas. I have a feeling Episode VII will get pushed out of next year for some reason.
Maybe next xmas. I have a feeling Episode VII will get pushed out of next year for some reason.
XANDER CAGE
Member
I really love the space-chamber music the palace has, and then that happens.
I thought the dying lightsabers were intentional as a kid.
Regardless, I would prefer they not muck around with updated effects. I don't think films should be treated like video games; they shouldn't be "patched" or modded, unless we're talking about instances where studio interference ruined the original cut (like Blade Runner). Wiping over flaws is essentially rewriting interesting history.
It's not that interesting. The theatrical cut of Star Wars was a massive cultural phenomenon, loved by audiences and praised by critics of the time. The theatrical cut of Blade Runner was met with a mixed response from critics and audiences, and all the major players who worked on the film hated the studio-ordered additions.
Scooter155
Member
Has anyone mentioned George Lucas's passionate campaign before congress a few decades back to prevent companies making changes to older films? It's probably common knowledge, but it's worth posting.
Here's an article with details on the case in question - http://savestarwars.com/doasisay.html
I wonder why his opinion changed?
Here's an article with details on the case in question - http://savestarwars.com/doasisay.html
I wonder why his opinion changed?
$$$$$$
Lucas is not a hypocrite because he was railing against film studios altering films without the director's permission. Lucas was free to do with his own films as he pleased.
And before people say that he didn't direct ESB & ROTJ, Lucas got Irvin Kershner's permission to alter Empire. And Richard Marquand was just a director in name only.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
This isn't really true. Marquand directed most of Jedi - it's just Lucas didn't really like a LOT of that direction, and heavily re-edited the film into the shape he wanted it in once Marquand turned in his cut.
But Marquand did direct Return of the Jedi. You can't just say he "doesn't count" for the purposes of making Lucas look a little less hypocritical for altering Jedi like that.
97 special editions are shit. Come on. You guys must be high. CG Jaba looked awful, even back then. Plus it ruins the mystery and allure as to who or what he is. No surprise, no build up. He just shows up. All of the added effects and changes were unnecessary too. I hate em
Fox needs to stop being assholes and just let it go. Give the people what they want: The original, theatrical, unedited, unchanged, unaltered version that we all grew up watching as kids.
Fox needs to stop being assholes and just let it go. Give the people what they want: The original, theatrical, unedited, unchanged, unaltered version that we all grew up watching as kids.
Scooter155
Member
You're not wrong. The lines I highlighted were more my point - that these pieces of culture belong to the American public and that altering them for profit is barbaric.
I know that Star Wars technically/legally/intellectually belongs to George and he's technically permitted to do whatever he wants, but I still disagree with it personally and I think it's at least a little hypocritical to alter them for profit after railing against that exact thing before congress in the past.
moltonasty
Member
Yeah, but if we take into account the PT, there's no need to have any mystery around Jabba, since he's already in Episode 1.
But yes, original unedited versions are way overdue.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
I don't know if this is a "Fox are being assholes" situation at all, really.
Sectorseven
Member
I think December is a lock regardless of how the film turns out. It already got pushed back from May, and Disney is pretty adamant on a 2015 release as they've basically promised investors a return on that acquisition.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
December 18th is happening. They're opening up the purse-strings to make sure the post-production gets done on time. It's not going to be cheap.
bigwinnerx
Member
Thanks to whoever put me onto the Despecialized Editions in another thread, those are really fantastic.
I'd love the original versions - or as others have said, the og versions with updated FX but no awful new shit. But really, what I want right now are digital downloads of the OT. iTunes is the only place where I ever really buy music or videos and I'd much prefer that over a blu ray that I'll lose. I was pretty shocked to find out recently they aren't available digitally anywhere.
If you ask me, I'm pretty sure we won't to be denied a proper DVD/Blu-Ray release of the original theatrical cut of Episodes IV, V, & VI. Especially since that opportunity is one that the Disney Corporation will use to get the same fan base on board to promote the upcoming Episode VII.
Auto-Reply
Member
Such a shame, everytime i think about it or read about it somewhere i want to sit and watch the original versions, i don't have a VHS anymore and no DVDs of the originals. I want them on bluray.... i have not seen these movies since Episode 1 was released in '99 and the were a big part of my life growing up.
It will be a glorious day when i can finally see them as i have seen them when i was a kid/teen, but that day maybe will never come. I even changed my mind about any fx enhancements at all. I now want the janky ass stop motion, the original music at the end of RotJ and Alec Guinness as Obi Wans ghost.
I've bought a lot of movies from the 80's that got transferred to HD, the last one was Robocop 1 a few months ago, i love watching these movies again and having something missing as big as Star Wars is just sad.
It will be a glorious day when i can finally see them as i have seen them when i was a kid/teen, but that day maybe will never come. I even changed my mind about any fx enhancements at all. I now want the janky ass stop motion, the original music at the end of RotJ and Alec Guinness as Obi Wans ghost.
I've bought a lot of movies from the 80's that got transferred to HD, the last one was Robocop 1 a few months ago, i love watching these movies again and having something missing as big as Star Wars is just sad.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
Checked out a bit of that despecialized version. It looks so beautiful.
Also, I gotta say it's pretty damn impressive how good the special effects looked (specially during the trench run).
Also, I gotta say it's pretty damn impressive how good the special effects looked (specially during the trench run).
Scooter155
Member
Are we permitted to talk about where to find these?... I've only ever found the IV Despecialized Edition and I'd love to get my hands on V and VI, but is that frowned upon here?...
Also, any recommendations on how to watch them on a tv? My blu-ray player has a usb slot, but I don't have a USB stick big enough to hold the movie...
I was hoping this got bumped with news. A rumor will do for now. It's better than nothing.
If Disney gave us Blu-rays of the original cuts, maybe with some of the basic cleaned up effects, I would forgive for anything/everything else. JJ Abrams can do his worst (or is that his best?) and I won't care if I can have those original cuts.
If Disney gave us Blu-rays of the original cuts, maybe with some of the basic cleaned up effects, I would forgive for anything/everything else. JJ Abrams can do his worst (or is that his best?) and I won't care if I can have those original cuts.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
the rumor is bullshit tho, because it's part of the same rumor that says Lucasfilm is gonna de-canonize the Prequels, which is absolutely not happening.
Fox & Disney will likely come to a financial arrangement at some point in the next few years, I'm sure. But this rumor is not proof of those machinations getting underway.
Fox & Disney will likely come to a financial arrangement at some point in the next few years, I'm sure. But this rumor is not proof of those machinations getting underway.
I agree...the singing part on Jabba's palace and the nooo at the end are the worst additions in any of the OT movies. Complete travesty.
no, dont fix anything. just put it all back to how it should be
...and then release a 2nd version with cleaned up effects and matte lines and THATS IT
I think all these rumors are based on fanboy hopes since JJ Abrams is going to pump Episode VII with too much fan fiction. People get these crazy ideas in their mind and probably misheard someone saying it be cool to re-release them since Lucas is gone, cause people believe Lucas is the only reason they don't exist.
It is proven that a lot of the saved film reels were in bad shape and they had to take multiple different reels to create one good reel to edit (and they had to edit them to restore them to original as well).
Also, Fox.
It is proven that a lot of the saved film reels were in bad shape and they had to take multiple different reels to create one good reel to edit (and they had to edit them to restore them to original as well).
Also, Fox.
To be honest, I feel like no matter what, a blu-ray release of the originals will be a disappointment.
I want the originals, restored, with the improvements done to the visuals (like the Blade Runner final cut) minus all the additional scenes.
I feel like what we will get will be a blu-ray release of the originals with all the original mistakes, etc, prior to the 97 SEs
I want the originals, restored, with the improvements done to the visuals (like the Blade Runner final cut) minus all the additional scenes.
I feel like what we will get will be a blu-ray release of the originals with all the original mistakes, etc, prior to the 97 SEs
Bobby Roberts
Banned
But that's the whole POINT of releasing the Originals.
Most people consider the final cut of blade runner the definitive cut...
I dont care to have the original movies as they were shown in theaters on blu-ray. I want them restored, remastered, with all all visual fuckups cleaned up. Just leave it at that, and leave out all the added scenes.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
Yes.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
That's completely beside the point. People don't want The Originals because they want a "definitive cut"
They want the originals because they want The Originals.
Hell, a lot of people bought that Blade Runner set not for the Final Cut (which isn't even that different from the "Director's Cut") but for the Workprint Cut, which wasn't even restored. And even more people bought it to get the theatrical and the European cuts, because those didn't exist on blu OR dvd up until that point, either.
People want the originals because they want The Originals.
styl3s
Member
Disney bought Marvel for 4 bill, Star Wars for 4 billion and that shitty youtube makers whatever for like 500 million all in a what? 4-5 year period?
I think they can afford to buy A New Hope.
Mortimer Brewster
Member
Fox will never sell the distribution rights to Star Wars. If anything they will sign deals allowing Disney to use it in OT box sets in which Fox gets a hefty cut of the profits. Fox will probably even be able to get a cut of all revenue derived from OT merchandise in general in such a deal.
Because they're literally unable to, Fox owns it forever. You can't buy what won't be sold.
Fox definitely has tables and charts of what income the original Star Wars would give them over X amount of years vs what Disney would offer. Disney would have to essentially pay more than the film would bring in, based off Fox's own research, meaning they'd legitimately lose money buying the original film.
Extra Sauce
Member
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