Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by DrunkenPumpkin

You can rest assured, that if the day comes that they will release the original cuts there will be fanfare from on high and it will be trumpeted at Celebration, ComiCon and D23 Expo.

We'd probably hear about a re-release of the UOT years in advance too. It would maybe start with rumors, then eventually solidify into an official announcement like you said. It would be quite the buzz-worthy news story.

[Mandalorian]

On another note, I received my $50 set courtesy of a suspicious ebay seller. It arrived via Best Buy with 2nd Day Shipping.

[Chiyo_chichi]

Originally Posted by agentalbert

I'm with you. I bought the Star Wars SE dvd's, but am glad I've resisted since. Every now and then there is some price drop on the blu-ray's and I think about it, but I'm not buying them. I'd just be disappointed after one viewing. Other than a few parts (Greedo shooting first, Hayden in ROTJ), I don't hate them, and like some of the extra effects. I'd like a set that has both. But I'm just not buying any more Star Wars until they're released right.

You're doing the right thing, it's gonna get worse before it gets better. Hayden in ROTJ was a headache for many fans on dvd, but now you have to deal with Vader's Nooo and other things on top of the old dvd edits on top of the special edition edits.

I think we'll see something of the UOT around episode 7. Gotta build hype from the ot fans, and re-releasing the current bds won't do it. The classic stuff certainly will make Star Wars fans warm and fuzzy inside, especially for movies that build on the ot.

And if not, there's always the STAR WARS COMPLETE (for serious now) SAGA EPISODE I-IX BOXSET.

If that doesn't include the uot to some extent....damn....

[hewylewis]

Originally Posted by DrunkenPumpkin

It is called a cash in.
They are riding the hype for Episode VII and beyond, keeping it fresh and also making it more affordable.
It is also mainly just to release the trilogies in separate bundles with dvds included.
You can rest assured, that if the day comes that they will release the original cuts there will be fanfare from on high and it will be trumpeted at Celebration, ComiCon and D23 Expo.

Amen to that!

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

We'd probably hear about a re-release of the UOT years in advance too. It would maybe start with rumors, then eventually solidify into an official announcement like you said. It would be quite the buzz-worthy news story.

There was already talk about bringing the Theatrical Cuts to Blu-Ray during this years Comic-Con. Although it was purely talk, there's no indication that anything will actually happen though.

[RyanPom]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

There was already talk about bringing the Theatrical Cuts to Blu-Ray during this years Comic-Con. Although it was purely talk, there's no indication that anything will actually happen though.

There was? I never heard that. All I heard was about some line of cheap figures coming out.

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by RyanPom

There was? I never heard that. All I heard was about some line of cheap figures coming out.

Bill Hunt mentioned it on Digital Bits.

They basically just talked about if it's possible to bring them to the format.

It's a start I guess.

Something will probably happen in the build up to Episode VII.

[RyanPom]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

Bill Hunt mentioned it on Digital Bits.

They basically just talked about if it's possible to bring them to the format.

It's a start I guess.

Something will probably happen in the build up to Episode VII.

Will never happen. They're so wound up tight about the original films right now, we'll never see them again.

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by RyanPom

Will never happen. They're so wound up tight about the original films right now, we'll never see them again.

You're probably right unfortunately.

[TDSOTM]

Originally Posted by AmusedToDeath

See secrethistoryofstarwars.com/savingstarwars.html for more info about this, but basically the original negative was discovered to be in bad shape when they got it out to do the Special Editions in 1994 and all their energy (and money) went into restoration for the purpose of the SE. So there is apparently no suitable negative available of the original film from which to scan without major restoration. It's unlikely anyone including Disney will ever spend the millions required to restore the original prints.

There was some kerfuffle a few years ago when it was discovered the National Film Registry copy of the film which was purported to be the 1977 version was actually the Special Edition. Lucas apparently had a line in his contract with Fox that the original prints were to be destroyed if discovered.

So basically, the last version of the OT ever likely to be seen by the public in the future is the 2006 DVDs, which were just ports of the 1995 Laserdiscs and non-anamorphic.

You seriously believe that the interpositives of the first three films don't exist?

Even 2nd generation prints would do good.

[Rambaldi47]

Originally Posted by RJ Smoove

Obvious: to capitalize on the recent resurgence of SW-related news, and change up the artwork (like they always do), meanwhile adding DVDs to make the set more enticing to the average savvy shopper. It has nothing to do with unaltered cuts.

Fox probably wants to rerelease the films as much as possible before Disney gets the rights (except for A New Hope)

[Mandalorian]

Originally Posted by Rambaldi47

Fox probably wants to rerelease the films as much as possible before Disney gets the rights (except for A New Hope)

They're the worst for that, as well as MGM. I expect the SW teets to be barren before Disney starts to put their stamp on it.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by TDSOTM

You seriously believe that the interpositives of the first three films don't exist?

Even 2nd generation prints would do good.

Some technicolor dye transfer prints undoubtedly exist at screening venues & private collections, but likely nobody wants to own up to having them for fear they will be recalled.

[TDSOTM]

Originally Posted by thebard

Some technicolor dye transfer prints undoubtedly exist at screening venues & private collections, but likely nobody wants to own up to having them for fear they will be recalled.

My point is that if the studio really wants to release these films, they can just scan low generation prints or interpositives. Absolutely no need for this "multi million dollar restoration of the negatives".

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by thebard

Some technicolor dye transfer prints undoubtedly exist at screening venues & private collections, but likely nobody wants to own up to having them for fear they will be recalled.

I'm not an attorney, but I don't see how the studio can recall something that is privately owned.

[TDSOTM]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

I'm not an attorney, but I don't see how the studio can recall something that is privately owned.

The studio itself has the interpositives.

Did you guys buy into this "the LD transfer is all we've got" bullshit?

[RyanPom]

I thought the first 3 movies were in the National archives or something?

[moviecriticsonline]

I'm happy with my Complete Saga Collection, minus the stupid changes of course. I have no reason to purchase the re-release set, even if it's just for the new artwork.

The only time I'll purchase the trilogy is when they release the original theatrical cuts of the films on Blu-ray. Which will never happen.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

I'm not an attorney, but I don't see how the studio can recall something that is privately owned.

The idea being that prints are technically loaned out to the venues and remain property of the studio.

Prints from the original version were recalled from circulation, and Lucasfilm only lent out 35mm prints of the Special Edition. There has been at least one documented instance where a theatre tried to screen a print sourced from collectors, as Lucasfilm refused, only to have official reps waiting to confiscate the print and shut down the screening. When American Cinemateque screened the film with a Q&A with model-maker Lorne Peterson as part of their tribute to ILM's pioneering FX in the mid-2000s, they were forced to screen a version of the film that only contained roughly 30% of that original groundbreaking work!

http://savestarwars.com/howthegrinchstolestarwars.html

Originally Posted by TDSOTM

The studio itself has the interpositives.

Did you guys buy into this "the LD transfer is all we've got" bullshit?

Not at all:
http://savestarwars.com/technicoloribscreening.html

[thebard]

Originally Posted by RyanPom

I thought the first 3 movies were in the National archives or something?

http://savestarwars.com/lucas-nfr.html
http://savestarwars.com/righttoculturalheritage.html