Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[earmullet]

The blacks are crushed in the DVDs because of compression, not because of bad transfers.

[JasonWard]

Originally Posted by adywan

well here are the charts from both amazon.com & amazon.co.uk. As you can see the complete saga is first, with the original trilogy coming second and the prequel trilogy last

AMAZON.CO.UK BESTSELLING CHART
AMAZON.COM BESTSELLING CHART

That makes sense because if you like the prequels, chances are you like the originals therefore the saga set makes sense. The flow doesn't go both ways. Generally people like all six or they only like IV-VI out of nostalgia.

[nmycon]

Originally Posted by JasonWard

We're talking DVD. Not every release ever, that would be absurd. The sales figures were published a little while after the prequel and original trilogy sets were released.

That's kind of "unfair" to the OT isn't it?

In this case, your comparing films that have been out for at least 20 years with films that have been on DVD for no more than 4 years (assuming the year 2005)

Your taking the sales of ANH in it's 23rd year, ESB in it's 21st year and ROTJ in it's 19th year and comparing them against TPM in it's 4th year on DVD, AOTC on it's 3rd year and ROTS as a new release.

It's very impressive that the OT is 25 000 units ahead of the PT in terms of sales.

Why not compare the VHS for the first year of each of the OT films against the first year DVD sales for each of the PT films or something like that.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by wormraper

not really, lucas DOES have a vision... happens everytime he smokes something and decides to re-edit his movies

[earmullet]

Here is a video by a panel of professionals that talk about the technology. Maybe some should seek this as means of employment since they know so much.

http://www.theblurayblog.com/2011/07...ray-dvd-panel/

[adywan]

Originally Posted by earmullet

The blacks are crushed in the DVDs because of compression, not because of bad transfers.

No amount of compression would crush blacks in a transfer. Only adjusting the colour in the transfer would cause this

[JasonWard]

Originally Posted by nmycon

That's kind of "unfair" to the OT isn't it?

In this case, your comparing films that have been out for at least 20 years with films that have been on DVD for no more than 4 years (assuming the year 2005)

Your taking the sales of ANH in it's 23rd year, ESB in it's 21st year and ROTJ in it's 19th year and comparing them against TPM in it's 4th year on DVD, AOTC on it's 3rd year and ROTS as a new release.

It's very impressive that the OT is 25 000 units ahead of the PT in terms of sales.

Why not compare the VHS for the first year of each of the OT films against the first year DVD sales for each of the PT films.

Comparing initial releases would not hold strong data at all. The Empire Strikes Back only sold 250,000 units upon its first release. So looking at modern sales is the best way to even begin to have this conversation.

[Cowboy]

Originally Posted by riverbelow

Well I can't keep up with this feeeckin thread. I try and I must have too much of a life.

My opinion--

The 3D versions will be the ONLY versions to get a new remastering for bluray. These saga set(s) will be recycled 2004 lowry with some color timing fixes and additional CGI where applicable.

The 3D releases displayed theatrically will have changes to all previous CGI efforts since 1997, to bring them to a current consistency base and complete the lucas vision. And each year we will see the 3D/2D(default inclusion) appear on bluray.

Then in like 2015 when the original trilogy begins to come out theatrically and on blu we will get the UOT set remastered and released - selling for 50-70$ targetted at the hardcore fan market. And if they don't buy it citing price they are then to be considered huge trolling losers.

There will only be one film that makes it to 3D and thats TPM and when it tanks and does less than 100 Million you wont see the others released in that FAD format. There was no reason on gods green earth that we should be seeing 8 year old transfers in a HD medium. I love it now that Lucas went cheap on us in a much awaited HD format and all his apoligist fans can say is "wait til next year" so to speak. Man If I were a fan of the PT and this set that is coming out I would be seeing red right now!

[JasonWard]

The transfers didn't look 8 years old. They looked unbelievable and they are above and beyond the HDTV releases from Cinemax and SkyTV.

[greg_achen]

Originally Posted by Cowboy

There will only be one film that makes it to 3D and thats TPM and when it tanks and does less than 100 Million you wont see the others released in that FAD format. There was no reason on gods green earth that we should be seeing 8 year old transfers in a HD medium.

I don't know how well TPM will do when its rereleased in theaters, but it's a safe bet it won't tank at the box office. TPM has the added benefit of being the first Star Wars film converted to 3D. That novelty alone will get people to theaters, IMO. However, Attack of the Clones is the film I am most worried about to sabotage the other releases. Easily the most forgettable entry in the Saga amongst mainstream fans (aside from the Yoda duel), I don't expect it to do anywhere near as well as TPM. Hopefully if there is a drop off, it won't deter them to go forward with the others and ultimately the OT.

[adywan]

Originally Posted by JasonWard

The transfers didn't look 8 years old. They looked unbelievable and they are above and beyond the HDTV releases from Cinemax and SkyTV.

I guess you haven't seen the superior German PremierHD versions then. Knocks the spots off the other broadcast versions, especially Cinemax

[JasonWard]

With The Clone Wars swinging between 2 and 4 million viewers, the film will probably do well enough.

[nmycon]

Originally Posted by JasonWard

Comparing initial releases would not hold strong data at all. The Empire Strikes Back only sold 250,000 units upon its first release. So looking at modern sales is the best way to even begin to have this conversation.

Okay, first 5 years then... you get the point.

Looking at modern sales of a 20 year old movie?! It's unlikely that any of the OT movies will sell as many copies nowadays in the same timeframe as they did during their initial VHS release.

So comparing the 2005-2010 sales of say Empire Strikes Back vs ROTS... of course ROTS will have sold more copies. The OT fans will have bought their 2004 DVDs and ROTS is a new release. Perhaps the 2006 re-releases will help ESB regain some ground, but not nearly enough to be representative of the sales difference between one trilogy and another.

[JasonWard]

I have both sets of subs, actually. I can swap on the PS3 but not the Xbox. The subs were fixed for they left a few lines in German when aliens speak. The first time I got that set, that didn't happen. But I lost a hard drive and had to get them again and that's the way its been since.

Anyways, this release of the 2011 Blu-rays blows all of those out of the water. The blacks are not crushed and most people will be more than happy with the look of this set. It looks fantastic. I'm critical of the past releases and while they weren't deal breakers for me, they weren't as good as they could have been. None of those problems are seen on the new Blu-ray.

[JasonWard]

Originally Posted by nmycon

Okay, first 5 years then... you get the point.

Looking at modern sales of a 20 year old movie?! It's unlikely that any of the OT movies will sell as many copies nowadays in the same timeframe as they did during their initial VHS release.

So comparing the 2005-2010 sales of say Empire Strikes Back vs ROTS... of course ROTS will have sold more copies. The OT fans will have bought their 2004 DVDs and ROTS is a new release. Perhaps the 2006 re-releases will help ESB regain some ground, but not nearly enough to be representative of the sales difference between one trilogy and another.

I see what you mean, but its more complicated than that. They weren't sold as a set until 1989. A New Hope was supposed to be a rental only and it cost over a hundred bucks. The viability of the comparison is jeopardized by all these random historical differences in the market.

Its the same as the theatrical releases in that movies used to run for years rather than weeks so its hard to make a financial comparison in some regards. That fact also alters the VHS sales, I'm just not sure if it made people more rabid to own the movies at home or less willing to plop the cash down when you could see it for $3 at a theater instead of $120+ to own it.

That said, the recent DVD releases are the only comparable data that we can use. Also, IV-VI have had years to become classics and household titles that make them a no brainer for home libraries.

My greater point is that the DVD sales tell us that today, the sales are not that disparate as people would make them sound and most people prefer to buy them all rather than just stick to IV-VI. In fact, if I remember correctly, Attack of the Clones was the fastest selling release of 2002. There is a definite disconnect between the internet discourse and the sales figures.

[greg_achen]

Originally Posted by JasonWard

I have both sets of subs, actually. I can swap on the PS3 but not the Xbox. The subs were fixed for they left a few lines in German when aliens speak. The first time I got that set, that didn't happen. But I lost a hard drive and had to get them again and that's the way its been since.

Anyways, this release of the 2011 Blu-rays blows all of those out of the water. The blacks are not crushed and most people will be more than happy with the look of this set. It looks fantastic. I'm critical of the past releases and while they weren't deal breakers for me, they weren't as good as they could have been. None of those problems are seen on the new Blu-ray.

Am I missing something? You have seen the Blu Rays in their entirety!? Have the lightsabers been fixed?

[JasonWard]

At Comic Con, I went to the presentation inside three times. That was kind of wonky though.

Outside the Blu-ray booth, there was a TV playing scenes from all six movies. I watched it several times. After watching the HD rips for the last three years, seeing the Blu-ray was stunning. The quality will knock you out. Several other scenes were also shown on a screen above the Star Wars area but that was not the best presentation to base much off of.

They did not show any sequences from IV-VI that had lightsabers which was annoying. The Pod Race looked great and it wasn't pink like the old DVDs. Hoth was still blue though.

[Indyjones]

Originally Posted by JasonWard

Lucas? He's not an expert on that. That's Burtt but from what I understand, Matthew Wood is the one overseeing this audio release as Burtt has left Lucasfilm.

Might as well be Burtt doing the new mix. Can we please get Rydstrom back??? Or Randy Thom? Someone who knows what the heck they're doing in a mixing booth!!!

I don't know if Burtt left Skywalker permanently. He is still listed on Skywalkers design/mixing staff. He did go to Pixar after ROTS was released, but did return to work on Munich and Indy 4.

[opticzar]

I'm sure this has been discussed to death, but I still want to know what you guys think.

Does anyone else feel like the Star Wars universe is more technologically advanced in the prequels? It's always bothered me... I'm not talking about the graphics. The tech and gadgets themselves are more advanced. Bah. It's late.

[JasonWard]

He could be working on it, as no one has ever said he wasn't, but only the guys who work on The Clone Wars have acknowledged their work on the Blu-ray set or re-releases.

I actually hope Matt Wood does a great job. I think he does a great job with The Clone Wars and he's probably the closest thing to Ben Burtt's heir at this moment at Lucasfilm. Hopefully he pulled it together.