Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Geoff D]

They actually used ProMist filters to soften up what they were getting on Ep II because it looked so unforgivingly sharp. HD circa 20 years ago may be regarded as having the resolution of a potato, yet 2K is still considered good enough for theatrical exhibition all these years later. Heh.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by Nitroboy

Imagine 100GB UHD discs with branching for every version of Star Wars. 1977, 1981, 1997, 2004, 2011

Ha! Probably not, although I can imagine you could reasonably use seamless branching for all three of the altered versions of the movie (Special Edition, DVD, and Blu-Ray releases).

Then the UOT would get their own discs, though I guess for the original Star Wars they could give you the option of original '77 or '81 versions (I think the only difference is the "Episode IV: A New Hope" title in the crawl, right?) Then there's the whole sound-mix issues too, which I have no idea if one mix or another is widely considered the best. I know my 4K77 has an embarassment of audio options to choose from, though I just end up going for the 5.1 usually.

[s_har]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

I would rebuy the prequel trilogy in a new UHD set if they went back to the original masters and left out all the weird tinkering that was done for the Blu-Ray transfers.

+1

I'd give anything for this to happen.

[welcometothepartypal]

Originally Posted by Brutalizer79

Can anyone comment on the quality of the Despecialized Blu Rays of the OT that I keep seeing on Ebay? I know they are unofficial boots, but if this is the only way to get the OT with out all the added stuff, I may take the plunge.

I own them and I love them. After watching the special editions so many times I didn't realize the total nostalgia I would feel watching these OT versions. I went back man, I went back to the little guy I was at each age of the three films. Seeing them on my set up in HD was pure bliss. Do it. I just have to say, only the menu would play on my Samsung 4K player (I have the first one they came out with). Thankfully I had a region free player and they worked fine on that. I thought they looked and sounded great. Hope that helps.

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by Brutalizer79

Can anyone comment on the quality of the Despecialized Blu Rays of the OT that I keep seeing on Ebay? I know they are unofficial boots, but if this is the only way to get the OT with out all the added stuff, I may take the plunge.

It's not the only way. The 2006 special editions will give you uncut versions as well. Granted the quality is nowhere near as good as the despecialized editons but they aren't that expensive either if you want to own official releases on a still viable medium. This is the route I went a few years back. Now I have all six Lucas era movies that are all the least altered post theatre launch versions available to watch on DVD.

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by Hatter

The 2004 special editions will give you uncut versions as well.

Do you mean the 2006 release? Because the 2004 editions weren't the originals.

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by Arawn

Do you mean the 2006 release? Because the 2004 editions weren't the originals.

Yeah, 2006. So many releases over the years that I ways mix a few up. Post corrected.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Originally Posted by Arawn

Just as Peter Jackson always intended, amirite?

I honestly question whether Jackson was at fault there; it’s sounds more like the mastering department at WB just messed up, and then didn’t want to have to fix two discs.

[crissrudd4554]

Originally Posted by Hatter

Yeah, 2006. So many releases over the years that I ways mix a few up. Post corrected.

To be fair the same Special Edition discs in those 2006 sets were the same as the 2004 discs.

[Stanis]

Buying the Despecials makes Harmy cry, don't do it

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

They actually used ProMist filters to soften up what they were getting on Ep II because it looked so unforgivingly sharp. HD circa 20 years ago may be regarded as having the resolution of a potato, yet 2K is still considered good enough for theatrical exhibition all these years later. Heh.

I wonder how the sharpness of the image would be viewed now? Digital has developed a lot over the years and many films shot this way can look pin sharp. Hell ROTS was only 3 years later and it looked sharp as a tack.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the promist filters were applied in-camera. That means there is no chance that a future BD or UHD release could go back to the digital files and remove these filters. Only thing I can think of is if they blast it with EE, but that would just create a whole other set of problems.

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by hanshotfirst1138

I honestly question whether Jackson was at fault there; it’s sounds more like the mastering department at WB just messed up, and then didn’t want to have to fix two discs.

Green tint should only be applied in situations where it's absolutely necessary, like when you need to help morons understand what's going on in the Matrix films.

[rexcrk]

Originally Posted by Stanis

Buying the Despecials makes Harmy cry, don't do it

The only reason I bought the Despecialized Editions on eBay is because I lack the time, tools, and talent to make my own artwork and disc art. I have no problem paying someone to do that. (And it’s so much easier for me to pop a disc into my player than hook up my laptop to the TV).

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

I wonder how the sharpness of the image would be viewed now? Digital has developed a lot over the years and many films shot this way can look pin sharp. Hell ROTS was only 3 years later and it looked sharp as a tack.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the promist filters were applied in-camera. That means there is no chance that a future BD or UHD release could go back to the digital files and remove these filters. Only thing I can think of is if they blast it with EE, but that would just create a whole other set of problems.

It's not strictly about getting it looking "pin sharp" though, it's about whatever look is desired, and it's not like those same filters used on Ep II existed in a vacuum; netting and filters and diffusion are part of any cinematographer's toolset whether they're shooting on 2K or 8K, film or digital.

The lenses themselves also have a huge part to play, something that gets overlooked all too often when people start comparing pixels, and I've mentioned before the issues that they ran into on Ep II with the glass. In a way it was too sharp and too clear with too much depth of field, there just wasn't anything cinematic about it which is why they took the edge off with the filtration (and which is why people love to pair anamorphic lenses with digital cameras today, unfortunately anamorphics for tiny 16:9 sensors weren't really a thing two decades ago).

[steel_breeze]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It's not strictly about getting it looking "pin sharp" though, it's about whatever look is desired, and it's not like those same filters used on Ep II existed in a vacuum; netting and filters and diffusion are part of any cinematographer's toolset whether they're shooting on 2K or 8K, film or digital.

The lenses themselves also have a huge part to play, something that gets overlooked all too often when people start comparing pixels, and I've mentioned before the issues that they ran into on Ep II with the glass. In a way it was too sharp and too clear with too much depth of field, there just wasn't anything cinematic about it which is why they took the edge off with the filtration (and which is why people love to pair anamorphic lenses with digital cameras today, unfortunately anamorphics for tiny 16:9 sensors weren't really a thing two decades ago).

For what it's worth (meh, prob'ly nothin'), I still use Tiffen Black ProMist and old 70s lenses on every single frame of digital I shoot... even on Arri Alexa, which is by far the most "film-like" modern camera, to my eyes. Apart from softening the razor-sharp digital-ness of it all -- which is an absolute MUST, for me -- filters like ProMist help highlights look much more photochemical; instead of simply clipping into "video yuck", there's a bit of halation that really smooths the transition. And if you want that Bob Richardson glowy look, ProMist is a must!

[CinemaFirst]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It's not strictly about getting it looking "pin sharp" though, it's about whatever look is desired, and it's not like those same filters used on Ep II existed in a vacuum; netting and filters and diffusion are part of any cinematographer's toolset whether they're shooting on 2K or 8K, film or digital.

The lenses themselves also have a huge part to play, something that gets overlooked all too often when people start comparing pixels, and I've mentioned before the issues that they ran into on Ep II with the glass. In a way it was too sharp and too clear with too much depth of field, there just wasn't anything cinematic about it which is why they took the edge off with the filtration (and which is why people love to pair anamorphic lenses with digital cameras today, unfortunately anamorphics for tiny 16:9 sensors weren't really a thing two decades ago).

I've watched Ep II back then on film in the cinema, ánd on a very early digital projection, in another cinema.

The strange thing is, the digital projection had softish life-action and razorsharp CGI (e'thing else basically). If I remember correctly, the film version seemed more cohesive.

[Geoff D]

I'm not surprised, as a film print would have its own fine layer of grain unique to that version and that would've helped to add some literal filmic texture to this inherently digital looking film. Someone posted some scans of a print and it looked lovely.

[PeterTHX]

I saw a 35MM print opening midnight show of Episode II, it was soft & mushy looking.

Everything looked sharp and colorful on the digital projection I saw the very next morning.

[Agent Kay]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

I saw a 35MM print opening midnight show of Episode II, it was soft & mushy looking.

Everything looked sharp and colorful on the digital projection I saw the very next morning.

That's the joy of release prints as I saw it twice in the same screen and was sharp lovely and the CGI blended better.
Some are good some are bad

[JediKnight2]

I know they won't do this, but it would be pretty awesome if they scanned a release print for the UHD release and included the original DTS mixes for all the prequels. Thankfully fan projects are doing this, thanks Poita