Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[The Fallen Deity]

Whilst Lucas has done some questionable things in recent years, a lot of people have been completely over the top and ridiculous about all of it.

[MPeriolat]

Originally Posted by rodneyfaile

Those DVDs are not a legitimate release of The OUT.

http://savestarwars.com/gout.html

OK, they are the laserdisc version from 1993. They are non-anamorphic. The image quality is not great. But given they were released by Fox, I'm not sure how that makes it an illegitimate release. It is what it is and what we want isn't here yet, so accepting that we have anything at all is something. I'd rather take that than give money to pirates or an imperfect product.

[The Fallen Deity]

They're legitimate releases, just not very good ones.

[Caseyscott]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

They're legitimate releases, just not very good ones.

Those releases are also no longer in print which to a certain extent makes them unavailable. I want the theatrical versions released on blu ray for the same reason I want the early films of Costa-Gavras released on blu ray, they're unavailable on any current format that I can view them. The UOT admittedly less so, but that is balanced out by their stronger cultural significance.

[KMFDMvsEnya]

I am in favor of quality releases of UOT but there is a prominent contingent who have long abandoned reasonable discourse about this subject and choose to always devolve the discussion into caustic circular bickering which serves no purpose in advancing the agenda or conversation.

Those that are currently in charge of Lucasfilm and properties are keenly aware of the this contested subject and they are clearly not communicating anything until they decide to.

Nothing new has been said, just the same pathetic relentless sadism of getting folks riled over something that will not be changed until it is officially decided.

So, to paraphrase: "Hardcore SW UOT fanatics, let it go..."

[ambient_indie]

I won't stop advocating for an official release of the original theatrical versions, but I also don't mind having the special editions together in the same set. Those are Lucas' director's cuts. Great. Some interesting inclusions. I love the Biggs scene at the rebel base. It makes his death more tragic.

What is disappointing is the suppression of the versions that won Oscars, that were requested for archival at the National Film Registry, and that the world was first introduced to Star Wars. The original trilogy is as important to American cinema as Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, and Casablanca. Only releasing the revised versions is a slap in the face to fans and American cinema history.

I do think at some point Disney will rerelease the originals. Until then, I'm not buying anymore original trilogy rereleases unless they are the unaltered original films with a new modern transfer (2k/4k/8k whatever just look good.)

I have the blu-rays that collect dust and Harmy's Despecalized Editon (which are beyond fantastic and my go to copies) and Team Negative One's film to digital copies that I watch. I don't care if they're bootlegs. The 2006 DVDs are terrible.Those bootlegs are the best way to watch the original versions. And I'm ready if Disney wants my money.

[Geoff D]

Yep. The version of Star Wars that won 7 Oscars should not be lost to history.

[Member-167298]

I make it a point to only show the original theatrical version of Star Wars in my film class. I think it is the most important thing I have done and can continue to do for the new generation.

[Rodney-2187]

Originally Posted by ambient_indie

I won't stop advocating for an official release of the original theatrical versions, but I also don't mind having the special editions together in the same set. Those are Lucas' director's cuts. Great. Some interesting inclusions. I love the Biggs scene at the rebel base. It makes his death more tragic.

What is disappointing is the suppression of the versions that won Oscars, that were requested for archival at the National Film Registry, and that the world was first introduced to Star Wars. The original trilogy is as important to American cinema as Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, and Casablanca. Only releasing the revised versions is a slap in the face to fans and American cinema history.

I do think at some point Disney will rerelease the originals. Until then, I'm not buying anymore original trilogy rereleases unless they are the unaltered original films with a new modern transfer (2k/4k/8k whatever just look good.)

I have the blu-rays that collect dust and Harmy's Despecalized Editon (which are beyond fantastic and my go to copies) and Team Negative One's film to digital copies that I watch. I don't care if they're bootlegs. The 2006 DVDs are terrible.Those bootlegs are the best way to watch the original versions. And I'm ready if Disney wants my money.

Great post.

[Geoff D]

Probably best not to feed. Already gone on ignore, just like Elvis before him. Must be a coincidence, surely....

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Whaaa why'd you get rid of it? Just cuz of the OT?

Dude, I sold it like 18 months ago. The extra round of changes (not just the OT, he fudged Attack of the Clones too) along with the 2004 remaster being revealed in all its frozen-grained over-saturated glory ended up annoying me no end. I've still got me DVDs of all six films and several homebrew versions of the OT including the despecialised versions of Star Wars and Empire.

I would actually like to give the BDs another viewing, I just don't wanna pay too much for it. I'll stretch to £25, but that's it!!

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by octagon

I would love to look at the old family pictures but pops got drunk one weekend and photoshopped his new wife into all of them. And then he told us the original negatives had been lost or destroyed or something.

Fortunately, he sold the house (and everything in it) a few years ago so there's hope - a new hope, if you will - that the new owners will be a little cooler about the whole thing.

Yeah, the new owners have had a rummage around in the basement and who knows what might turn up one of these days.

[ambient_indie]

Yeah it's really not complete without the original cuts.


And Empire of Dreams and From Star Wars to Jedi and so on.


Oh and I will say this "The Beginning" documentary on The Phantom Menace DVD is too good for its own right. That masterpiece should've been ported over.

"I may have gone a bit too far in places"

[ambient_indie]

I think Disney and Lucasfilm with each effort I'm seeing (and maybe I'm totally wrong) is trying to bring back the original trilogy.

Slowly.

I'm seeing the original trilogy soundtracks on iTunes/CD/vinyl all are the original soundtracks and not the expanded versions from the special editions.

The fact they have Yub Nub and Lepti Nek is a sign.

And Star Wars merchandise either have a retro vibe or a classic look from the older posters. Again why I believe we'll see the theatrical cuts.

Both TFA and RO have a classic Star Wars feel (with modern aspects. No side burns)

I know it's not definitive but it's a sign. We've seen franchises co-exist just fine with multiple versions- Alien, Terminator 2.

I'm a fan. That's why I'm here. I love Star Wars. Only I have a preference on which versions. Just like, I like my ice tea. unsweetened.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

You want an In-n-Out burger, but you're in Tennessee, you're hungry, and there's a Steak and Shake across the street and the only restaurant open within 100 miles.

Go Hungry until your flight lands in LA in 36 hrs or compromise?

Austin has an In-N-Out now...it's closer than L.A., if that helps.

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

I make it a point to only show the original theatrical version of Star Wars in my film class. I think it is the most important thing I have done and can continue to do for the new generation.

Which one do you show? The 2006 bonus DVD, Despecialized, or something else?

[Geoff D]

"All we are is dust in the wind, dude"

[octagon]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

...then hit In-n-Out when it's available.

From your lips to Bob Iger's ear. Or Kathleen Kennedy's or whoever's in charge of such things these days.

Originally Posted by hariseldon

Maybe listen to a little Stones while picking up the order

Yes, cause that song doesn't have anything but calming, positive associations now

[Bobbyjoe766]

I'll take the OOT remastered (4/8K) with every existing deleted scene restored (A/V) with the option to branch. Every documentary on the trilogy ever produced. Isolated scores/all the different audio tracks, new cast & crew commentaries and the Holiday Special along with Mr Davis' Ewok movie - plus those two sh*t 1984/5 adventures thrown in as Easter eggs.

My idea of the perfect box-set.

[ambient_indie]

Originally Posted by octagon

Thanks but no thanks. I'm not going to get on some ethical high horse about piracy but I'm not really interested in illegally procuring a fan edit.

I might break down at some point in the future but for the time being I'm content to wait in the hopes that Disney will someday do the right thing.

I was a skeptic. Then again these movies I watch probably more than most. And those 2006 DVDs with the non anamorphic transfers really were annoying to watch on my HDTV. I surely hope Disney does right. But for right now, it is amazing what is possible...It is absolutely seamless. And Bill Hunt from the digital bits raves about them. It's not just some fan-edit. Yes made by them (because there's no alternatives), but it raises the bar.