*** Official Discussion Thread: Star Wars Trilogy - September 21, 2004 - Page 3  

Are you kidding???

There is enough supplemental material for these films to fill up 10 DVD's each! If past history is any indication, I firmly believe that this will be the first of many DVD releases of these films.

And I also believe that the original theatrical versions WILL be released many years from now.

I'll probably buy all of them.:b

Guess you just have to wait untill Lucas checks in and some greedy corporates take over to get the originals on DVD. But then it'll probably be in the way Ricardo_C mentioned.

It sounds to me like there will in fact be some differences between this set and the '97 SE's. I really curious as to whether or not some of the newly shot scenes (Bail Organa) designed to integrate the two trilogies will make it onto this set. I'm guessing yes.

Anyone know when we can expect details?

Edit: To answer my own question the press release is "several weeks away" according to dvdfile so I guess we'll know in about two months.

For all of the people talking about the infamous revision in the Han/Greedo scene, I can recall vaguely reading from a couple of sources that Lucas had changed his mind on that alteration and that the original Han-shoots-first scene would be used in the DVDs. Does anyone else recall reading this? I doubt that will change any minds here about buying or not buying, but I think most fans would be happy if this is true.

As for me, the special editions were the first real viewing of the trilogy for me, (I was too young to see the first two movies in the movie theatre) so I'll be pleased to buy these. I can still remember the viewing parties in college that went to a theatre 40 minutes away to see the movies when they were re-released. Happy times. Afterwards, I asked a number of the more devoted long-time fans if there were any changes they found bothersome (I had read about the Han-Greedo controversy). Nobody mentioned it and all were surprised when I pointed out the change!

well,
i was going to post a few witless bon-mots like
"well,
on the bright side...this may just be sign from above-
disappointment, disillusionment, building to a non-dramatic disinterest
that causes me to finally put away childish things. "
or something like that .
but probably in that same, wind-baggy style.

see,
( attempting sincerity for a moment)
this is a transitional year for me.
friends are moving, more responsibility at work, etc
and in the past i've always gone thru times like this very reluctantly.
the heels of my feet making tracks in the sand,
it's usually unseemly, and it doesn't serve me well in the long run.
gracefully transitioning into the sperate and distinct phases of your life
is now something i look at & admire in other people,
(kind of the same way i used to admire beauty, vigor, etc now that i come to think of it)
so this might be one of those times where i can look back
and judge how i handle it
and ultimately if i'm better or worse off because of how i chose to react.
somewhere between now and September,
i may finally be to the point where i look back
all red-faced at all the time i've squandered
trying to bludgeon other people over the head
with my prescient insight to this grave matter of our age.
i'll look back and get sick to my stomach
that i put so much thought,
got so worked up and frustrated
over what amounts to a trifle...a piece of dust.
at a time that may require me to take an unpopular side
in a matter of grave moral dispute
i'm devoted instead, to taking a stand over 4 discs instead of 6.

i remember my feelings when the towers went down,
after you got past the "wow this is surreal, rewind it again" feeling
and you step back and see
(briefly it seems)
this crystalline dream world that we were living in.
Oj's and Bj's, and kidnapped interns.
[shoulder shrug]who knew there may have been other equally important things to get a handle on?[/shoulder shrug]
instead of squandering precious time feeling disappointed
and sprinkling my frustration over everyone else's parade,
maybe this is the opportunity i need to take a good look at myself.

one day i may look back and think
"funny, at the time i was all pissed off,
but that was actually a blessing in disguise."





but then i realize that i'll be out there in the parking lot of BB probably a week later
with the other 1/2 shaven career-less 32-50 somethings
waiting to snatch up the EEs of that other movie.

and that, my friend, restores perspective.

Damn it, why couldn't you guys have educated me on widescreen when the original versions were being sold on VHS for the last time? I wouldn't have had a problem with this as long as I had the original versions in widescreen in VHS or Laserdisc. Guess it's time to go to eBay...

I won't be buying this until all 6 movies are released in a box set, because I already have the SEs in widescreen VHS. I found out about widescreen too late.

To all who complain about no Original Theatrical Version, let me remind you of one little fact: Back in 1995 when the THX releases hit, the marketing materials that went with that release stated:

"THE ORIGINAL STAR WARS TRILOGY ON VIDEO - ONE LAST TIME..."

I know because I have a TON of that stuff - posters, standees, buttons, etc.

I don't know how much more clear that Lucas can be that you will NEVER see the originals on video again. DEAL WITH IT!!! For every whiner on this topic who refuses to buy the SE, there will be 10,000 more people who will buy it...

I can't WAIT till September 21st!!!!

I am disappointed, HOWEVER...

(and I have probably said somewhere in this forum's archives that I would not buy the SE's)

HELL YEAH!

I will be at Best Buy that night at midnight and then home to watch all three in succession (followed by a relaxing day off and probable re-watch).

Only 33 more weeks to go!!!

I too am disappointed but in the end, like Ron predicted on the last page, when it comes down to a buy/no buy I'll end up buying. I just can't get past my love for these films even if they aren't being released in my favorite versions.

These DVDs are a total disappointment - the image isn't good enough, the sound isn't good enough, there aren't enough extras and the packaging stinks !

Oh - wait a minute - I don't actually have them yet.

This is great news! Now, I know a lot of fans here hate the fact that it's only the SE's but I say if Lucas wants it that way I'll respect that.

However, having only one disc of extras for this much awaited set is unforgivable! As others have mentioned there is enough material out there to easily exceed 10 DVDs! Factor in new material for retrospectives and such and this release should have *at least* an extra disc for EACH film!

I think that no matter how much people whine about the originals it is clear that Lucas will not let it happen. But perhaps with the release still months away and the specs still not confirmed we might be able to convince them that more extras are in order? I want a set more in the lines of LOTR (or at least Alien Quad, which is more realistic) NOT the Indy trilogy. (excellent but lacking in extras). Anybody else agree?:b

Awesome!!! Thanks for the news!

And don't forget that the "Definitive - HA! - Collection" LD set included commentaries. Not very good ones, but commentaries do already exist for all three films. Hope this set doesn't just port them over, though...

Ditto!

I have absolutely zero desire to buy these mutilated versions. I grew up with and loved the original versions. I was completely underwhelmed by the SE changes and haven't watched any of the first three Star Wars movie since the SEs were released. My desire was completely drained. Then came Episode I & II, and I won't even comment on what I thought of those, except to say, I won't be paying to see Episode III.

Star Wars
R.I.P.

So the die has finally been cast! Seems somewhat underwhelming doesn't it now?

Cast commentaries? Wonder if Mark Hamill will be participating?

Good timing though as my 4 year old son will eat these up!

anybody catch this yet?

new quote from the big Kahuna himself from the article at the VDBA site (video dealers business daily)




just kidding.
the real quote was
"this is not a democracy!"

Let me be one of the few in this young thread to say that I'm psyched regardless. I'll be happy just to get these movies in my collection. I agree that it would be nice to have the original versions, but that's the way it is.
We still have the laserdiscs. No use crying over things that we have no control over, because clearly the public outcry has had no effect. I think that this announcement can be viewed as "half empty" or "half full." I'd rather be in the half full camp, but I guess that's just my personality.

I'll bet dollars to donuts, however, that we will see a 2-disk version of each movie in the boxset after Episode 3. History is bound to repeat it's self, and Lucasfilm is notorius for the re-re-re-release. Those that have not learned from history are doomed to repeat it.

Regardless, I'll be first in line in September.

You took the words right out of my mouth, Dave. I have plenty of non-anamorphic dvds that look fine on my 106" screen and my faces LD's look fine as well. No sale here until I get the real Originals.

yeah, that would be a real shame to see in a package that will most likely end up costing 1/6th what that set cost when it was released.
i would laugh long and hard if he did though.
One 2 hr documentary and a few odds and ends should tell you how much thought is going into this set.
contrast this with the enthusiasm with which Fox put into its first announcement of the Alien Quad-
or the enthusiasm that Anchor Bay tries to stir in its fans with Special Editions-
or Blue Underground.
or Warner.
and contrast that with Lucasfilms announcement.
my disappointemnt with Jedi always boiled down to the fact that the film seemed more perfunctory to me than anything.
and that's probably going to be the perfect word to describe the box set.

I am very excited about this set!! I would've preferred the original versions, but Lucas did say they would never be released again. So I can't say I'm shocked!! I am buying this set as soon as it comes out, and I will be proud of it.

Ben

Although I don't think this will be the "definitive" DVD release for Episodes IV-VI, it will do nicely.

What's a better way to be able to get ready for Episode III than to be able to watch the remainder of the Saga in the best available presentation?

I'll definitely be buying these even though they're the Special Editions, as I own four different VHS/LD editions of the original cuts anyway. I certainly won't be denying myself the chance to own the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD, complete with brand new extras. If folk don't wanna buy them, fair enough, but personally I can't wait!

I'm rather looking forward on these. Having bought Lord knows how many VHS incarnations (including the UK PAL VHS Executor metal box set), the NTSC SE box set and the Japanese Phantom LD, these new DVD editions are gonna be way cool. And if the extra disc is similar to that of last years Indy set, I will be feeling the width and not the length

It is a touch disappointing to not have the original 77-83 versions, but a quick trip on eBay should net me the Definitive Collection on laser.

Whilst not the solution for anyone wanting the original 77-83 films on DVD, a 2nd hand laserdisc player and either the Definitive or Face laserdiscs makes for splendid consolation prize. Both hardware and discs can be picked up for very respectable prices, especially if you are passionate about

And if you think the DD 5.1 mixes of the SE trilogy are good, you'll die when you here the Dolby Stereo/Pro Logic mixes via PCM on laserdisc - rich, rich sound!

The Star Wars trilogy and the extended Rings trilogy being completed on DVD in the same year ? Colour me highly delighted!

Roll on September!

Brendon

Geez, a guy goes to bed for a few hours and wakes up to see this.

I think it's quite sad that there are so many of you out there that sound like a broken record about how much you despise George Lucas, and his new movie versions, and his money, blah blah blah.

Whether you like it or not for the time being, this is what we're getting; petitions galore (i.e. complaining) hasn't gotten anyone anywhere on this matter, so I doubt more complaining here will do it.

That said, I'm absolutely pumped. Just can't wait until the actual specs are announced. And speaking of announcements, I understand there are a lot of newspaper links, but I still see nothing on the official site...

-Bryan

I have to express extreme disappointment that the original Star Wars movie that enthralled millions in 1977, and for twenty years thereafter, will not be included with this set.

However, I *will* be purchasing this box.

And I will continue to hold out hope for the originals to be released at some future date.

As I recall, it was stated that when the "Archive" Editions were to be released in 2006 and/or 2007 (the 30th Anniversary of the original Star Wars movie), that Lucas (in an interview in Germany in late 1999) stated that he would like to include some "Working Copies" of the films. Since he now considers the original theatrical cuts to be "Working Copies", well .... Hmmm ....

Well its already been hashed out for years so I think the point about PUBLICALLY released art and the integrity behind perserving it is well-documented.

After all, who wants to tell Robert Harris to back off when he is restoring work HE DIDN'T EVEN CREATE to....it's original theatrical condition. How dare he touch someone else's art, and what the hell is the point anyway, who cares about original theatrical condition, those days are long gone.


And this is where the hypocrisy comes in. Film preservation/restoration, not to mention the fight for OAR, are in DIRECT OPPOSITION to the thematic and moral values behind validating Lucas' right to WITHHOLD the original theatrical versions.

Creating new, SEPARATE versions is entirely different, and it is a disservice and insulting to the film arts when you intentionally grey the line between artistic license and film history, and I mean "you" in terms of people here defending Lucas' moral right to withhold historically relevent films.

Consider this, what if Michael Jackson decided that there would be no more Beatles albums as we know them. He owns the rights, so I guess you would defend his MORAL right to reek havoc upon those works?

It's not about ownership rights, its about the right MORAL choice in terms of artistic integrity. He doesn't owe me a damn thing, but he certainly does owe the world of the film arts a hellava lot, including a ton o cash that he's made by utilizing not only the medium but also the paradigms created by classical Hollywood, paradigms he is able to point to as influences because they have NOT been kept from public viewing as he would do.


I can put my LD versions onto DVD, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. I would have some interest in the DVDs as replacements for my SE LDs, but quite frankly I have far less interest now than if he was releasing both versions. A double dip makes much more sense since there are effectively at least 2 different versions of each of these films.



It would be easy for Lucas to test the artistic integrity and challenge the vocal minority...put out both versions and let them sell against each other. Sell one as "the original version" and the other as "Lucas' true vision". Frankly I'm not so sure that only the vocal minority would be skipping the true vision.

It's rather telling to me that unlike Apoc Now and E.T. there will be no "competition" between the original and the new. Even Brazil comes in both versions on the Criterion disc with Gilliam's knowledge and consent as I understand it, and that's not even his own other version.


And before we sidebar into it, I realize that films like CE3K are altered from their original release year version, but such things are far more difficult to manage. We are talking about a multitude of distinct changes here that mark two unique variations of the film, independent of smaller alterations for theatrical release.

Here's what I have to say about the whole thing.

If you don't like it, DON'T BUY IT.

I'm 36. I saw SW in 1977. I own a 35mm print of the film without "Episode IV" on it. I'm a big, big fan.

However, I don't care WHAT you people say, there are flaws in the film. I hated the plastic Vader lightsaber after he killed Ben. I hated the bad effect of Ben's saber when he pointed it at the camera. I hated the fact that the TIE fighters were tilted a bit in the trench. The audio is anorexic by today's standards and with THAT said, short of Greedo and the changes to reel 6 of Empire, I liked the SEs.

When you're 9, you don't notice these things. When you're 14, you start to notice them. By the time you're in your 20's, they start to distract you from the film.

Now, I don't agree with absolutely everything GL did to these movies, but it's a compromise. We get better sound and some fixed effects, but he gets to tweak the movies. Don't tell me that everyone here hated the shot of the Falcon blasting out of Mos Eisley. That got SO many applauds at the sneak preview at the Ziegfeld. Split surrounds, updated effects. The only thing out of all three movies I didn't like was Greedo. Bad, GL, BAD! We're not morons. Greedo's 6 inches away and he shoots to the side? Come on...stop being politically correct to the point of absurdity. Even the shots of the guards in the detention center getting shot were slightly trimmed.

Like I said, the SE's are a tradeoff. He gets a little of what he wants, we get a little of what we want. I have a feeling that what's going to happen is people will be so ticked off by this that they'll start making videos similar to "The Phantom Edit" where you have the SEs with Greedo NOT shooting first because it's so easy to insert the shot and audio from the LDs, color correct it, and keep the rest of the movie the same.

Mike

Awesome, nothing like the validation of the masses to verify the moral value of a choice. Kinda like saying "you may think he's a jerk but for every person who refuses to vote for Hitler there will be 10,000 who do".


Somehow I would like to think that we can diffentiate between sales and doing the right thing, ESPECIALLY when those 10,000 sales would still happen if he only put out the ORIGINAL versions on DVD. Gee, does that make "whiners" correct then, that for every 1 person who refuses to buy until the SE comes out that 10,000 would buy the originals that were released.

That point makes the sales figures angle utterly worthless as a defense for what George is doing. Star Wars will sell REGARDLESS, so why not ensure for the sake of film history and film preservation that the original version is available to audiences still.

I thought letting "Greed" get to a state where much of it was lost was a bad thing, but now I see that it only cleared the way for "Greed SE".

While I am one of those that are disappointed that the Original versions will not be released soon, I am glad to have Star Wars Trilogy in any form on DVD. I will buy it in September 2004.

I think that the Original Versions will get released on DVD some time in the future. Maybe after Lucas is no longer alive. When he does pass on, does anybody know who gets the rights to the Star Wars films. Fox, LucasFilm...who? I would not be suprised to see a box set of all films sometime when all films are released on DVD. I also wouldn't be surprised to see a 30th Anniversary Edition DVD release in 2007.

I am also with those that believe that the Star Wars films will be re-released multiple times on DVD. Just as it was on VHS and LaserDisc and even Beta and CED. How many different releases were released on these formats? Lucas will continue to milk every dollar he can from what is his only major money-making saga, except for the Indiana Jones films.