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[Tenguman]

Or should I wait for a Super-Ultra-Deluxe-Kiss-Your-Ass-Goodbye version that may or may not come in the future?

 

[tedtropy]

Unless George decides to CG himself in to replace Luke, I suspect this will be the definitive version for awhile to come...

 

[Scrow]

Apparently there'll be another DVD release in 2007 for Star Wars' 30th anniversary. I can't be bothered waiting that long.

 

[themadcowtipper]

Wait for "Star Wars Snake on the Plane", Iam sure it is coming

 

[WordofGod]

How long before the HD-DVD version Star Wars comes out? 2005 or 2006? I ask because the Lord of the Rings HD-DVD's come out in 2005 so it could be right around the corner.

 

[Error Macro]

That's only if HD-DVD/Blu-Ray even go to market in 2005. I have serious doubts that they will.

Anyway, /me hugs my 1995 THX Laserdiscs.

 

[ManaByte]

Apparently there'll be another DVD release in 2007 for Star Wars' 30th anniversary. I can't be bothered waiting that long.

Lucasfilm said over and over at the press event for the DVDs that this release is THE version for this home video format and any new versions of the set won't appear until the next format. However, that doesn't mean they aren't going to do a I-IV box set containing all six movies with the same special features that the existing releases have. There IS a reason Episodes I and II are out of print right now...

 

[BuddyC]

There IS a reason Episodes I and II are out of print right now...

A blessing in disguise

 

[IAmtheFMan]

Lucas on the DVD's

AP: Why not release both the originals and special editions on DVD?

Lucas: The special edition, that's the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it's on VHS, if anybody wants it. ... I'm not going to spend the, we're talking millions of dollars here, the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn't really exist anymore. It's like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I'm sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I'm the one who has to take responsibility for it. I'm the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they're going to throw rocks at me, they're going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished.

Take what you will from it.

 

[Error Macro]

What a total cop-out. Reading that just makes me feel that Lucas is a bigger asshole than I previously thought, if that's even possible.

 

[ManaByte]

It's a good interview.

Lucas: To me, the special edition ones are the films I wanted to make. Anybody that makes films knows the film is never finished. It's abandoned or it's ripped out of your hands, and it's thrown into the marketplace, never finished. It's a very rare experience where you find a filmmaker who says, "That's exactly what I wanted. I got everything I needed. I made it just perfect. I'm going to put it out there." And even most artists, most painters, even composers would want to come back and redo their work now. They've got a new perspective on it, they've got more resources, they have better technology, and they can fix or finish the things that were never done. ... I wanted to actually finish the film the way it was meant to be when I was originally doing it. At the beginning, people went, "Don't you like it?" I said, "Well, the film only came out to be 25 or 30 percent of what I wanted it to be." They said, "What are you talking about?" So finally, I stopped saying that, but if you read any interviews for about an eight- or nine-year period there, it was all about how disappointed I was and how unhappy I was and what a dismal experience it was. You know, it's too bad you need to get kind of half a job done and never get to finish it. So this was my chance to finish it.

AP: After "Episode III," will you ever revisit "Star Wars"?



Lucas: Ultimately, I'm going to probably move it into television and let other people take it.

Boba Fett: The TV Series.

 

[themadcowtipper]

It's a good interview.





Boba Fett: The Search for More Cash .

I fixed it for you.

 

[Warm Machine]

If you've ever done something like make a small movie or a take photos or write a story or anything complex you'd probably understand Lucas' viewpoint. In many of the projects I've been associated with, when they are done all I can see is the flaws. I know every beat and the way everything was put together and the seams just show. I wish I had the chance to fix those mistakes or have done a better job.

That is all he is doing, fixing the mistakes. I don't begrudge him that oppurtunity because I can feel for him.

 

[Spectral Glider]

AP: Do you pay much attention to fan reactions to your choices?

Lucas: Not really. The movies are what the movies are. ... The thing about science-fiction fans and "Star Wars" fans is they're very independent-thinking people. They all think outside the box, but they all have very strong ideas about what should happen, and they think it should be their way. Which is fine, except I'm making the movies, so I should have it my way.

Then why was there a reduced role for Jar Jar in episode II? Why Boba Fett's father as the basis for the clone army? Why a needless Yoda light saber fight? Perhaps when it comes to the original three he turns a deaf ear, but for Episode II he seemed pretty intent on adressing wishes of some fanboys. If only he'd listen to those concerned about acting and plot.

 

[ManaByte]

Then why was there a reduced role for Jar Jar in episode II? Why Boba Fett's father as the basis for the clone army? Why a needless Yoda light saber fight? Perhaps when it comes to the original three he turns a deaf ear, but for Episode II he seemed pretty intent on adressing wishes of some fanboys. If only he'd listen to those concerned about acting and plot.

Jar Jar had a single role in the PT and he fullfilled it in Episode II. He didn't need 30 minutes of screen time to hand over the keys to the kingdom. He's in Episode III even less as he's served his purpose.

Boba Fett (or Mandalorians to be more precise) has been known to be tied to the Clone Wars for years before the PT was even started. If Lucas DIDN'T put a Fett in the PT, fans would've lynched him.

 

[Nintendo Ate My Children]

There IS a reason Episodes I and II are out of print right now...

Are they out of print? I work at Best Buy and we just got a metric assload of both movies in anticipation for the Trilogy release.

 

[ManaByte]

Are they out of print? I work at Best Buy and we just got a metric assload of both movies in anticipation for the Trilogy release.

They went out of print on December 31st of last year. They still have copies to stock, but they aren't being produced anymore.

 

[Scrow]

That's only if HD-DVD/Blu-Ray even go to market in 2005. I have serious doubts that they will.

Anyway, /me hugs my 1995 THX Laserdiscs.

can you like... torrent those or something? thanks

 

[ManaByte]

can you like... torrent those or something? thanks

1995 Laserdisc:

2004 DVD:

1995 Laserdisc:

2004 DVD:

 

[Scrow]

i just want the unedited originals in DVD quality... is that too much to ask?

 

[ManaByte]

i just want the unedited originals in DVD quality... is that too much to ask?

Putting a Laserdisc transfer on DVD isn't going to make it look any better.

 

[Error Macro]

1995 Laserdisc:

2004 DVD:

1995 Laserdisc:

2004 DVD:

Yeah, and the one thing that any DVD or HD-DVD/Blu-Ray version will never have? That's right, the original versions of the movies.

 

[ManaByte]

Yeah, and the one thing that any DVD or HD-DVD/Blu-Ray version will never have? That's right, the original versions of the movies.

That's OK. I have the Definitive Collection LD set, the Superior Edition LD set, and I'll have the DVDs on Monday night. When I want to watch the trilogy, I'll watch the DVDs.

 

[Spiritreaver]

Wow, I really didn't have a clue about the visual difference between laserdisc and DVD since I don't own anything on LD, but that's is pretty shoddy in comparison. Look at the lasers coming off the snow speeder, blech. Better than VHS though, which is all I have.

I'm with ManaByte here though, I'm going to stick with the DVD copies of the films which I do feel to be superior in quite a few ways. The changes and added scenes from SE don't bother me one bit. Sure, I don't enjoy the ending to ROTJ as much as I did before, but I got over it and that's only about a minute or so out of hours of enjoyment.

 

[BojTrek]

This is pretty good from Aint It Cool News

WHY NOW?
Didn’t George Lucas say he’d only release these movies after the prequel trilogy was behind him? Jim Ward acknowledged this, but claimed there was an opening in Lucas’s schedule and it was just perfect timing. I have a guess as to the real reason why they’ve chosen to release these DVDs now instead of later, and this is pure speculation on my part, nothing more. I think this is exactly the same situation they were facing when the Special Editions were released on laserdisc and VHS. DVD was on the horizon and they knew there was only a small window of opportunity to make money with the old formats. Right now, High Definition is creeping up, so this is probably the last time they’ll be able to release these movies on regular DVD. I wonder how this release will eventually stand up next to High Def. Will they look like our VHS copies do now by comparison?

So it is basically saying DVD will be replaced shortly by better/higher quality and this is Lucas's way of making huge cash before making us wait a little while for HD-DVD... kleegamefan can answer that better than I can...

 

[DarienA]

i just want the unedited originals in DVD quality... is that too much to ask?

Yes it is so you and the other whiners should stop f'n asking.

 

[EviLore]

http://www.salon.com/comics/knig/2004/07/28/knig/index.html

 

[ManaByte]

This is pretty good from Aint It Cool News

WHY NOW?
Didn’t George Lucas say he’d only release these movies after the prequel trilogy was behind him? Jim Ward acknowledged this, but claimed there was an opening in Lucas’s schedule and it was just perfect timing. I have a guess as to the real reason why they’ve chosen to release these DVDs now instead of later, and this is pure speculation on my part, nothing more. I think this is exactly the same situation they were facing when the Special Editions were released on laserdisc and VHS. DVD was on the horizon and they knew there was only a small window of opportunity to make money with the old formats. Right now, High Definition is creeping up, so this is probably the last time they’ll be able to release these movies on regular DVD. I wonder how this release will eventually stand up next to High Def. Will they look like our VHS copies do now by comparison?

So it is basically saying DVD will be replaced shortly by better/higher quality and this is Lucas's way of making huge cash before making us wait a little while for HD-DVD... kleegamefan can answer that better than I can...

From the Yahoo interview:

AP: Why did you change your mind and decide to put the original three movies out on DVD now?

Lucas: Just because the market has shifted so dramatically. A lot of people are getting very worried about piracy. That has really eaten dramatically into the sales. It really just came down to, there may not be a market when I wanted to bring it out, which was like, three years from now. So rather than just sit by and watch the whole thing fall apart, better to bring it out early and get it over with.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

they are Lucas' movies so let him do whatever the EFF he wants to them. To him, what he is doing is creating a definitive version that he had in his mind all along, and his opinion is all that matters on that subject so just stop whining.

 

[jett]

http://www.salon.com/comics/knig/2004/07/28/knig/index.html

That's Manabyte right there in the second panel.

 

[tedtropy]

With as much tweaking as Lucas has been into these movies, I don't know why he didn't just go all the way and completely reshoot them. Start from the base up using a proven story and flesh it out 100% with the more advanced CG shown in Episodes I and II. As is we have modern CG juxtaposed against some now fairly cheesy 20-year old special effects and sets. Granted, it'd be difficult to replace some of the original's actors, but come on, Hamill was hardly a stellar actor throughout the three films. Having someone fill Han's boots as well would certainly prove troublesome though. Ah well, whatever, it's not something that'll ever happen.

 

[COCKLES]

Over 20 years of spoofs. Documentries. Commentries.

An ULTIMATE SW DVD would span 20 discs...

The new one out is shit...for the movie that changed movie going as we know it, it's a pretty limp wristed affair from Lucasfilm. Sadly with Georges analness, we'll never get the ULTIMATE version with SW Holiday Special ect on.

 

[tedtropy]

Over 20 years of spoofs. Documentries. Commentries.

An ULTIMATE SW DVD would span 20 discs...

The new one out is shit...for the movie that changed movie going as we know it, it's a pretty limp wristed affair from Lucasfilm. Sadly with Georges analness, we'll never get the ULTIMATE version with SW Holiday Special ect on.

He's waiting for Blu-ray to become final. Then he'll bone us again with the uber-one disc Star Wars Legacy release.

 

[ManaByte]

Sadly with Georges analness, we'll never get the ULTIMATE version with SW Holiday Special ect on.

The Holiday Special almost made it onto this set.

 

[Swordian]

Sadly with Georges analness, we'll never get the ULTIMATE version with SW Holiday Special ect on.

You don't want the Holiday Special. It hurts.

 

[Spiritreaver]

You don't want the Holiday Special. It hurts.

Wookie masturbation innuendo is great! I want EVERYONE to see that!

Seriously though, it's a nice comparison of something with and without Lucas' direction when you compare the acting of the actors in the films witht he movies and holiday special. My god none of them could act for shit in that.

 

[Tritroid]

I have yet to actually see this infamous holiday special, I've only read about it.

They SHOULD have put it on the DVD version as an extra. Come on.

 

[teepo]

i don;t think many people realize that the 1995 version isn't even the original version to begin with.

 

[FortNinety]

If you've ever done something like make a small movie or a take photos or write a story or anything complex you'd probably understand Lucas' viewpoint. In many of the projects I've been associated with, when they are done all I can see is the flaws. I know every beat and the way everything was put together and the seams just show. I wish I had the chance to fix those mistakes or have done a better job.

That is all he is doing, fixing the mistakes. I don't begrudge him that oppurtunity because I can feel for him.

I most certainly cannot.

When you create a film (which I too have done in the past) not only are you creating a moment in time, often for the express purpose of producing a narrative (which has no regard to "real life"), you are also capturing a very real moment which records what all the actors, the writer, the director, basically everyone involved are doing at that precise moment.

When I see a film that I helmed, not only do I see the movie by itself, but who I was as a filmmaker and a person at that exact moment. Not only am I seeing the story, but how I, and others, handled the creative process. When I see a mistake in my films (and trust me, there's plenty there) I recall the circumstances surrounding that mistake, as well as the what measure I took (or couldn't take) to address it. When you make a movie, regardless of the format or sitatuation, you are recording a moment, and to go back and attempt to change it is simply ridiculous.

I know Lucas hated the films as they were. Well they got him to where he is right now, so they should be respected as such. I know he loathed the Cantina scene, but what he managed to get is a testament to what he was able to do, which was no easy feat, in light of all the heavy pressures he had to deal with.

By doing what he has done, it's not so much that he's not just disrespecting the films and its fans, but himself as an artist.

 

[Grimlock]

I have yet to actually see this infamous holiday special, I've only read about it.

They SHOULD have put it on the DVD version as an extra. Come on.

No, you don't. I saw it when it aired and I can still remember JUST HOW HORRIBLE IT WAS. They actually made up lyrics for the Star Wars theme. Why, God? Why?

 

[Warm Machine]

I guess it is just a differen't mindset. Everything I've ever done I wanted to make as perfect as possible to reflect exactly what the original intention was. I hate making concessions, I think George does too. The artistic process is different for everyone and there is not any one proper way of going about doing something.

 

[DDayton]

The problem is that changing a work of art often destroys it... in the literary world, it's not entirely uncommon to find a book with an alternate ending -- one the author preferred, but the general public did not. The fact that George Lucas won't even CONSIDER releasing the -actual- Star Wars films is really rather annoying... do we have to wait for him to die before we can buy the real movies again? I don't wish death upon the man, but I somehow doubt anyone else in his family or the company would hesitate to release the original films (or a DVD with the option of choosing either version).

 

[ManaByte]

do we have to wait for him to die before we can buy the real movies again? I don't wish death upon the man, but I somehow doubt anyone else in his family or the company would hesitate to release the original films (or a DVD with the option of choosing either version).

No, because while the franchise will be a Lucasfilm item, the movies will be still owned and controlled by Lucas' estate. If he says to only release the version he was happy with, that's what the estate will do.

Kubrick was the same way. There's a Kubrick movie that is held by the Kubrick estate and will never be officially released. The only way to see it is via a bootleg.

 

[Error Macro]

i don;t think many people realize that the 1995 version isn't even the original version to begin with.

The closest anyone's ever going to get. And you're talking about really minor things anyway.

Here's a gargantuan (I like that word, I just never get the chance to use it in a sentence) collection of practically every change ever made to every version of every Star Wars film.

 

[DDayton]

No, because while the franchise will be a Lucasfilm item, the movies will be still owned and controlled by Lucas' estate. If he says to only release the version he was happy with, that's what the estate will do.

Eh.. that depends... is Lucas the sort to will his rights to his kids, or to create a Lucas drone to do his bidding from the hereafter?

 

[Prine]

Yes it is so you and the other whiners should stop f'n asking.

IAWTP

 

[Fowler]

Got mine today, no Battlefront demo in the Region 3 version sadly (have to wait for my copy of Battlefront to ship from the US). The box also sucks.

 

[Scrow]

Putting a Laserdisc transfer on DVD isn't going to make it look any better.

duh

Yes it is so you and the other whiners should stop f'n asking.

ah, screw you.

 

[dskillzhtown]

All this whining and complaining, but everyone in this thread is going to buy the box anyway. Also, what if youwatch the remastered, re-edited movies and you actually enjoy them more? Will you come back here and take back all your curses directed at Lucas?

 

[Spiritreaver]

Ah, oh well! All I can say is, "Too bad, so sad!" and other childish remarks to the people who are still concerned with these newer forms of the old films. Some thing they're getting the last laugh witht heir laserdiscs and bootlegs, but hey, I'm comfortable with all the changes, I like what's on the DVDs and I like the prequels. No gripes are coming from me. So I guess that makes things all the more better since I'm going to enjoy these movies to the full experience in video and sound. All 6 of them.

To put it short and sweet. I'll be happy.