Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by STARKILLER--1138

And that is the true mastery of Lucas. It's one thing to have those who love the movies talk about them, but to get the PT haters who claim to have no interest, and yet still can't stop talking about them is truly masterful. Poor bastards!



100% agreed!

You're exactly right. I will never stop talking about them. It's sort of like having a child that you're disappointed in, ultimately, because they've made bad decisions throughout their lives and you know they could have done so much better. You still love them for, you know, the good times. You have to hold on to the good times....

[Beast]

I've got the OT on Betamax, VHS, and Laserdisc Boxset (Definitive Collection), as well as the Special Edition Boxset ('97 Version) on Laserdisc. Sadly the E1 Laserdisc was cancelled in the United States. Then the '97 SE on VHS. Episode 1 and Episode II on VHS. Then both releases of the films on DVD, the first with the Empire of Dreams disc and the second with the DVD's of the OT. But yeah, about the only thing I watch anymore is the final versions on DVD. But the films that get the most spin time is always the PT. I tend to doze off watching the OT (Especially ANH), since I have seen them so many times.

[Mandalorian]

Originally Posted by tilapiah6

You're exactly right. I will never stop talking about them. It's sort of like having a child that you're disappointed in, ultimately, because they've made bad decisions throughout their lives and you know they could have done so much better. You still love them for, you know, the good times. You have to hold on to the good times....

How sweet. Yeah, I love the whole saga. People seem to forget how cheesy the OT can be.

[Show spoiler]the Stormtroopers with horrible aim always make me laugh

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

If Laurence Olivier can still look credible with a long white toga and with a gold crown on his head acting next to stop motion creatures, Portman could have tried to make Amidala a bit more convincing.

Portman could have done some amazing things with the role, if only Lucas had let her. Unfortunately, just like he is a terrible dialogue writer (do you know how many people rewrote the prequel dialogue, including Carrie Fisher herself, and it still couldn't be saved) he can't direct actors worth a darn. According to anyone who worked on the original films, the most specific he got was, "Go here! Move faster!" and spent his time worrying more about if people in space wore underwear or not (they don't, according to him and Carrie Fisher's chaffed breasts from the tape the ended up using to hold those suckers up).

By all accounts Portman's wooden acting was a direction from Lucas. In fact, it seems that on Episode II it was actually gone back and "worsened" on purpose, as there are shots from trailers and other sources with different dialogue (much more natural) that seem to have been looped in post. The one that sticks out in my mind is when Padme jumps out of the sand she fell into with the troopers. The line in the film is wooden, the one in the trailer was natural (though, didn't they change it again later for the DVD?).

Originally Posted by SellmeyourDVD

Btw, Amazon sells other things BESIDES movies; I buy everything I can from them; vacuums, lifting equipment, my kids toys, food, ect ect. Not only do they usually have the lower price, but their CS is amazing.

This is why I love my Prime. And I also get it for free (all you need is access to an .edu address - there are other ways to get it free as well). Example - batteries. A 20-pack of AA's are about $11 at Wal-mart with tax. Or I could order them for $6.50 from Amazon, pay no tax, and it shows up on my doorstep day after next. Love it.

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Does everyone believe that the original film elements are gone forever? Destroyed? If Lucas doesn't want the original films released in an optimum video format that is his choice, but it just seems like an excuse.

Unfortunately, it's largely true. For a detailed analysis, check out this site which is extremely accurate from my understanding.

Basically, the original camera negatives were barbarically cut up and reused to make the SE's, since the digital scanning technology wasn't up to par in the mid-90's (not that the CGI was, either, for what he was trying to do).

Now, unless they tossed away the parts they cut out, the original camera negative could be put back together. However, some frames would be lost forever - when you splice a film, you lose a frame on each side. Those frames of the original negative can never be recovered. They could obviously use another source, but the actual, original film that went through the camera, has lost frames that will never be recovered.

So while there are pristine copies out there (including color separated versions which no human should be able to distinguish from the original negative), the actual film that went through the camera on set no longer exists in it's original form. That said, still no excuse - there are good enough copies out there to scan for HD.

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Also, with Amazon Prime there is no minimum for free shipping. Non-prime members must spend $25 or more to get free shipping on their orders.

While I spend more at Amazon since I got free Prime, in some ways I spend less on "filler". When I wanted something around $15, I always looked around for something else to buy so I could hit that magic $25 (kind of like when you take a $20 out of an ATM and you need $12, that $8 just vanishes LOL). Now I just one-click and forget. $8 Blu-ray? Click. No, "Gee I better shop around so I get free super-slow shipping".

Originally Posted by Seretur

This has always made me wonder why Lucas made such a hullaballoo of discovering the elements in ghastly shape in time for the 1997 SE's. Either the NFR isn't doing anything to preserve its inductees, or LFL was working with completely different elements, and then the question is why.

There are pristine COPIES of the original film, but the original camera negative is what was in such horrid shape, and was literally cut apart to make the SE's.

Originally Posted by DaleDark

That brings up an interesting question, is the print of Empire in the National Film Registry the 1980,1997, or the 2004 version? If it is the 1980 version, then that does seem to suggest that it's more about Lucas not wanting his original versions released, than money/time needed to restore them.

BTW, I thought they did a massive restoration of the original negatives back in '95 so they could do the SEs in the first place. What, did Lucas have the negatives destroyed after they were digitally scanned?

1) The Film Registry versions of the SW films are the original versions. There is a tale that Lucas tried to get them to replace Star Wars with the SE and they promptly said no, but this has not been verified.

2) Check the link above, it describes the process as to how the negatives ended up how they did.

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Carrie Fisher singing HIGH AS A KITE was definitely the highlight from that presentation.

Fixed.

Originally Posted by Beast

The only actor I have ever heard really disgruntled over Star Wars was Alec Guiness. Who made children cry he was so bitter.

And he was an idiot for doing so.

Alec Guinness, like many of his generation, would be virtually forgotten today if it weren't for Star Wars. It's sad, but true.

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

i'm guessing 1 3 disc case for the prequel's, 1 3 disc case for the original's, and 1 3 disc case for the extras.

that would be perfect.....have 1 kind of artwork for the slip-cover/case, 1 kind for the prequels, 1 for the originals and 1 for the extras.

I just hope the heck they don't pull the "digibook" crap with sliding discs flush against cardboard. This is Fox we are talking about here...I hope Lucas insists otherwise.

Originally Posted by miller_time22

I can understand why he dislikes it and wouldn't make it a key bonus feature or something, but it would make for a cool easter egg buried on one of the discs.

I'm not as convinced as others he won't put it on. At this point, not much to loose, to be honest. Yes, it's atrocious, but even more atrocious is the quality of the bootlegs. He's actually gotten a sense of humor about it the last few years, and it really wouldn't shock me if it's there. I'd love for it with Carrie Fisher's commentary - now that would be a treat!

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

Seems to me that there are 3-4 prequel lovers who just kind of dominate all discussion in this thread. It is not, I assure you, the case elsewhere.

The real problem is the lovers/haters mentality. Most people who are critical (aside from the pithy, "Prequels, blech" people), don't "hate" anything. I know I don't. I actually enjoy a lot of the prequel content. And I really like the Clone Wars series.

With the SE's, I think my problem is more that I thought, at least with Star Wars itself, they were poorly done. The CGI work just looks bad. CGI just doesn't work for some things like living beings except in very limited circumstances (and in that particular respect, in my opinion the only one who has really gotten it right was the original - Jurassic Park). I have no problems to any of the space work, that was all effects to begin with. What stands out most in my mind is the poor way the CGI was integrated into scenes such as Mos Eisley and the troopers. It just looks...fake. The CGI in 1995/6 when these were being worked on wasn't good enough to do what he wanted, so that's why many of us feel it often looks like a cartoon inserted over the film.

Now, some of the SE's they got totally right. Bespin? Amazing. It was so closed and claustrophobic before, but now it really looks like a cloud city. And many of the minor things done to ROTJ aren't bad either (though the extra song at the Palace, my favorite portion of the film, is just horrid). I don't even mind the end changes to ROTJ, as it feels more fitting than the rather abrupt original.

As soon as we start labeling people "haters", or "apologist", or "lovers", the discussion descends into rhetoric and no one actually listens or has a discussion and it's just a mess.

There is a happy medium of discussion, there really is.

Originally Posted by greg_achen

This is a capitalism, remember. People vote with their pocketbooks.

It's not a vote when there is only one option. If you want Star Wars, you don't have a choice, unless you go to the bootleg route. Personally, I skipped out on the DVDs entirely because I had other options. Most consumers didn't.

[ahossein79]

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

Seems to me that there are 3-4 prequel lovers who just kind of dominate all discussion in this thread. It is not, I assure you, the case elsewhere.

Ironic because it seems quite the opposite to me, with prequel haters loving to shove their opinion in your face as if it is some absolute truth or fact. Honestly I am disappointed in Fox & Lucasfilm giving the consumer 3 options I believe only the saga box set should have been released their should be no OT or PT box set and I don't know why anyone who really loves Star Wars would not get the saga box set. I am so tired of PT haters going on bitter rants, nobody cares if it ruined your life, I am almost 32 and I grew up on the OT and I enjoy the prequels as much as the originals and NOBODY could ever change my opinion!

[octagon]

Originally Posted by BillieCassin

Alec Guinness, like many of his generation, would be virtually forgotten today if it weren't for Star Wars. It's sad, but true.

Okay, this whole internet thing was a nice little experiment but it's obviously time to shut it down.

[STARKILLER--1138]

Originally Posted by tilapiah6

You're exactly right.

I know...

Originally Posted by Beast

I've got the OT on Betamax, VHS, and Laserdisc Boxset (Definitive Collection), as well as the Special Edition Boxset ('97 Version) on Laserdisc. Sadly the E1 Laserdisc was cancelled in the United States. Then the '97 SE on VHS. Episode 1 and Episode II on VHS. Then both releases of the films on DVD, the first with the Empire of Dreams disc and the second with the DVD's of the OT. But yeah, about the only thing I watch anymore is the final versions on DVD. But the films that get the most spin time is always the PT. I tend to doze off watching the OT (Especially ANH), since I have seen them so many times.

Pretty much same here.

Originally Posted by ahossein79

Ironic because it seems quite the opposite to me, with prequel haters loving to shove their opinion in your face as if it is some absolute truth or fact. Honestly I am disappointed in Fox & Lucasfilm giving the consumer 3 options I believe only the saga box set should have been released their should be no OT or PT box set and I don't know why anyone who really loves Star Wars would not get the saga box set. I am so tired of PT haters going on bitter rants, nobody cares if it ruined your life, I am almost 32 and I grew up on the OT and I enjoy the prequels as much as the originals and NOBODY could ever change my opinion!

[m_burlock]

Yesterday I pre-ordered the "The Complete Saga" set and barring the unforeseen I'll get it 4 days before the official release date!!

[Beast]

Originally Posted by octagon

Okay, this whole internet thing was a nice little experiment but it's obviously time to shut it down.

He did say it's sad. But it's true that Alec Guiness is known more for Star Wars than just about anything.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Beast

He did say it's sad. But it's true that Alec Guiness is known more for Star Wars than just about anything.

Oh, there's no question about that but he's hardly Jonathan Frid.

(or Mark Hamill for that matter)

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by octagon

Okay, this whole internet thing was a nice little experiment but it's obviously time to shut it down.

I know, I know...it's sad, but it's so true.

Trust me, I am a classic movie fan - I am actually working on a book about a star from the era.

But, the vast majority of the public would have no idea who he was today, unfortunately. Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia are remarkable films that are remembered today, but most people have never seen them and when they do it's like, "Oh, that's Obi-wan!" since Guinness never achieved the level of stardom before Star Wars that, say, Bogart or Cagney did.

There are many dozens, if not 100's, of stars that equaled or surpassed his popularity during his heyday that are completely anonymous today. Those that didn't become a Davis, or Crawford, or Astaire, or Chaplin, are largely forgotten. Ask someone who Norma Shearer is and you'll be lucky outside of the classic film fan community to find anyone who thinks she's anything other than a hairdresser.

So yes, sad, but it really is true. Star Wars cemented Guinness's legacy, and it's a crying shame he had to be such a bastard about it (though in later years he did admit the money was nice). I can't stand people who distance themselves from their big successes like that, and I feel bad for them. I feel bad he didn't realize that he was a hero to a whole generation, one of the most iconic presences in what is arguably the most iconic film series of all time. And as he admitted, he certainly cashed the checks - it seems so self-defeating to be all dark and dreary about it, when he could have lived his final years in a much different state.

[goresnet]

Does anyone know if these releases will be BD exclusive? That would be awesome for the format! I haven't noticed that detail mentioned anywhere.

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by goresnet

Does anyone know if these releases will be BD exclusive? That would be awesome for the format! I haven't noticed that detail mentioned anywhere.

From everything released thus far, no, no DVD has been mentioned - it's all about Blu.

[goresnet]

Originally Posted by BillieCassin

From everything released thus far, no, no DVD has been mentioned - it's all about Blu.

Great news! Hope it remains that way!

[Blu-Jawa]

Originally Posted by Beast

I've got the OT on Betamax, VHS, and Laserdisc Boxset (Definitive Collection), as well as the Special Edition Boxset ('97 Version) on Laserdisc. Sadly the E1 Laserdisc was cancelled in the United States. Then the '97 SE on VHS. Episode 1 and Episode II on VHS. Then both releases of the films on DVD, the first with the Empire of Dreams disc and the second with the DVD's of the OT. But yeah, about the only thing I watch anymore is the final versions on DVD. But the films that get the most spin time is always the PT. I tend to doze off watching the OT (Especially ANH), since I have seen them so many times.

back in 2001 I found a Japanese LaserDisc of E1 that was before it was out on DVD. it was a cool find.

[Exalted]

If Lucas and crew can clean up Episode IV (1977), like Ridley Scotts crew did for Alien Blu-Ray (1979), I'd be very impressed!

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

I wonder if these movies are really good.
I mean I like sci-fi a lot, but maybe this is more of an action movie?

First of all: You have got to be kidding us , but anyway, here goes:

The Star Wars Saga consists of 6 movies, that tell the story of a family, the Skywalker family.

It's a series of films that contain universal moral messages, political intrigue, spiritual values, mystery, love, tragedies of epic proportions, redemption, insane action, the best music ever composed for film, .......
in short, if you love art house films, but like extravagant visuals, SW should be your big love.

Originally Posted by aiman04

There no special editions, just Star Wars, as it was in 2004. Nowhere on the DVD box/cover says "special edition". There is only one version. The ones on the individual DVD releases are just "bonus features" nothing more.

And obviously most prequel lovers also loves the original trilogy, hence the low pre-order figure for the prequel set. Either way the the majority loves the whole saga.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by goresnet

Does anyone know if these releases will be BD exclusive? That would be awesome for the format! I haven't noticed that detail mentioned anywhere.

I also really hope it's a BD exclusive!!!!
So far, no similar release on DVD has been mentioned.

[greg_achen]

Originally Posted by BillieCassin

It's not a vote when there is only one option.

That's because you are taking my quote out of context.

How do you account for the record-breaking profits of the theatrical and home-video releases of the prequels? I could maybe understand the success of the theatrical releases being a fluke, but if the prequels are so widely maligned it sure makes their success on DVD a mystery.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

John Knoll's "Creating the Worlds of Star Wars 365 days" answers those questions about whether or not Lucas just shot nothing but bluescreen and used computers to do the rest...blows a whole right through that argument of Lucas being lazy.

You won't believe the amount of model work that went into the Prequels.

Prime example. More model work done in Episode I than the ENTIRE ORIGINAL TRILOGY.

The podrace in Episode I has a lot more model work than even I realized...

I also seem to remember them saying that Episode III had the most model work out of any movie in the series. People who don't know what they're talking about just assume everything is CG, but in reality, it's a mix of all the techniques. They're all so well done, it's hard to tell much of the time.

[Bluyoda]

I wonder what the BD percentage will be for this set, especially if it's a BD exclusive?!?

100%?