Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[octagon]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

Even in the theatre back in '77 it didn't look that good due to the technology of the time.

The technology of the time was film and lightbulbs and they worked pretty damn well. Star Wars looked fantastic in 1977.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

My point is that everyone keeps asking for the original because that was part of their childhood but they want it in the best condition possible which is a contradiction. I get that people want a nice and fully remastered version, so do I, but that copy on dvd is the best anyone has seen the original version of those films yet no one seems happy about it. Even in the theatre back in '77 it didn't look that good due to the technology of the time.

Plus you missed something in your example - I am asking you to make a copy of something I own. Lucas owns(owned) Star Wars and you are asking him to do all the work so you can have a copy you like. It is his film, not yours. If I asked you do make me a copy and you did all that, yeah I would be mad but how could I be mad if you did that to something you owned? I may not like it but doesn't really matter what I think, it is yours to do with as you like. This is his film and he is under no obligation to release the original version even if we would like it any more than any other studio would be required to release a rough cut or deleted scenes just because we want to see them.

1 - If you think a 70mm blow-up, or even a 35mm theatrical print, looks worse than a non-anamorphic dvd, you're in the wrong forum.

2 - In my analogy, I took the photo. I own it. It may be your family, but it's my photo.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

My point is that everyone keeps asking for the original because that was part of their childhood but they want it in the best condition possible which is a contradiction. I get that people want a nice and fully remastered version, so do I, but that copy on dvd is the best anyone has seen the original version of those films yet no one seems happy about it. Even in the theatre back in '77 it didn't look that good due to the technology of the time.

You're being silly. We want the cuts of Star Wars we grew up on looking as good as every other movie in existence, that's all.

[BladeRunner2007]

It'd be a dream come true if the original theatrical cuts were released one day on blu-ray, but I saw Star Wars the other day on VHS and I loved it to death. So no matter how shabby the quality, the movie magic that is Star Wars always prevails!

[judremy]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

My point is that everyone keeps asking for the original because that was part of their childhood but they want it in the best condition possible which is a contradiction. I get that people want a nice and fully remastered version, so do I, but that copy on dvd is the best anyone has seen the original version of those films yet no one seems happy about it. Even in the theatre back in '77 it didn't look that good due to the technology of the time.

Plus you missed something in your example - I am asking you to make a copy of something I own. Lucas owns(owned) Star Wars and you are asking him to do all the work so you can have a copy you like. It is his film, not yours. If I asked you do make me a copy and you did all that, yeah I would be mad but how could I be mad if you did that to something you owned? I may not like it but doesn't really matter what I think, it is yours to do with as you like. This is his film and he is under no obligation to release the original version even if we would like it any more than any other studio would be required to release a rough cut or deleted scenes just because we want to see them.

The Despecialized Editions you can download for free says different. Where there is a will, there is a way. When one doesn't want to do something, you get poor results.

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

It'd be a dream come true if the original theatrical cuts were released one day on blu-ray, but I saw Star Wars the other day on VHS and I loved it to death. So no matter how shabby the quality, the movie magic that is Star Wars always prevails!

I'd argue that in some cases watching childhood favorites on older formats you grew up with just adds to the nostalgia.

[al cos.]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

My point is that everyone keeps asking for the original because that was part of their childhood but they want it in the best condition possible which is a contradiction. I get that people want a nice and fully remastered version, so do I, but that copy on dvd is the best anyone has seen the original version of those films yet no one seems happy about it. Even in the theatre back in '77 it didn't look that good due to the technology o. .

I don't think you know how movies work. Or blu-rays. Or contradictions.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by judremy

The Despecialized Editions you can pirate.

What it is in reality.

[Thoix]

I recently had a marathon of the compete saga while house sitting for my uncles. Watching them all back to back helps me realize even more that I love all six films equally, but some are certainly better than others.

On average, all six films get a 9/10. But personally, I give the saga a 10/10.

[blonde_devil]

Originally Posted by al cos.

I don't think you know how movies work. Or blu-rays. Or contradictions.

why? Just because people are asking for it, it will be released? We have been waiting for a proper version of T2 on blu-ray for years yet it hasn't been done and there are no indications that it will be anytime soon. How many sequels never get made despite there being a ton of fans wanting them? How many shows get cancelled despite there being a huge fanbase? The studios don't go "oh people still want to see it so we should keep making it or let someone else keep making it". People get the idea that because they want it, someone will sell it but forget one basic thing - the seller needs to want you to have it. If they don't want you to have it, don't really matter how much money there is to be made. Lucas didn't want you to have his original versions after the special editions were made - how do you know that part of the deal with Disney was that those versions never get released? As far as he is concerned, those version no longer exist.

As for the contradictions, I understand how they work. People want the original version but they want all the benefits of today - perfect picture, perfect sound even though you never had those before. Plus they want the dialogue they remember even though there are a few different versions of it out there depending if you saw a mono or stereo version, a 35mm or 70mm version, etc. So you want the version you remember even though no version actually existed as you remember. Sounds like a bit of a contradiction to me. I have seen the version of Star Wars that judremy mentioned - even they admit it isn't a restore to the original version but to what you think the original version was. And they are making revisions to it to so you can't even hold that up as an example of fans fixing it - it is okay for them to make changes because they do it out of love but not for Lucas to? I would love to see the original version all cleaned up and looking great but I am not holding my breath until I turn blue waiting for them to release it on Blu-ray. Enjoy the dvds for now and hope they release them but accept the fact that they are under no obligation to do that. Right now, if you want to see Star Wars in HD, this is your only option - may not be perfect but it is sure better than not having them at all.

[frogmort]

Originally Posted by octagon

I'm not a big Ep II fan but the audio really is excellent.

A few weeks ago I watched it with whiskey and a cigar in one hand and a remote in the other and I'll be damned if a little (okay, more than a little) booze and skipping the Anakin/Padme chapters didn't make for a fairly entertaining hour or so

Ep I & II have absolutely amazing audio in every respect, but III is a bit anemic overall with much less pinpoint accuracy. I'm pretty sure it's because they didn't have Gary Rydstrom on III.

Originally Posted by tomcar

I know I'm about to open a can of worms, but I think they should be seen IV, V, VI, I, II, III.

I grew up with the originals and as crazy as it sounds, I have watched them IV, V, VI, I, II, III, IV, V, VI several times before, but I just don't have it in me to do that anymore. Whenever I watch them now, I always do it in episodic order and in pairs: I & II, then III & IV, then V & VI. I really like watching III & IV immediately back to back.

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Enjoy the Marathon Joe

Thanks Brent.

Just watched I & II tonight. Tomorrow afternoon will be III & IV.

[ChainsawJedi]

Episode III does seem to be lacking in the audio department. There's a documentary on the DVD where they're mixing the sound for the duel between Anakin and Obi-wan and there's some old guy there complaining about it being too loud. Whatever the reason, there's a serious lack of oompf in the audio mix.

Visually, though, ROTS looks spectacular. Probably the best looking out of all six films.

[RazorwireRyan]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

What it is in reality.

Then call me the happiest pirate in the galaxy. Watched the Despecialised Editions this week. It was a real come to Jesus meeting over my love of Star Wars. I've learned to live with it, I've learned to love it, but at the end of the day, the original unaltered trilogy is just far superior to any of the changes. Even the matte lines I find a certain charm with(crazy, I know) and it just transported me back to being 7 years old. I wasn't conciously thinking about it too much, but it really made the whole trilogy a lot more impactful and emotional.

I don't think I'll ever watch the Blu-ray of Jedi again. Empire is a different story and thankfully the least tampered with.

[ChainsawJedi]

Originally Posted by Elvis

They want EVERYONE on board with this new release and that includes us original entitled fans.

Entitled to what exactly? Sorry, you're entitled to sweet f.a.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by frogmort

Ep I & II have absolutely amazing audio in every respect, but III is a bit anemic overall with much less pinpoint accuracy. I'm pretty sure it's because they didn't have Gary Rydstrom on III.

I still like the mix for ep III, but it does have a leaner overall sound than the bass-crazy mixes for ep I and II. I actually like that about it, because it's not as fatiguing to listen to as the other prequels and it actually ties in with the more anaemic-sounding 5.1 mixes for the originals. (As does the distinctly yellow colouring on the title crawl which is more of a yellowy-orange on the other two.)

[Takeshi666]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

So you want the version you remember even though no version actually existed as you remember.

If you still think this has anything to do with "childhood", you're dead wrong.

Just because I watched Ghostbusters and Indiana Jones countless times as a kid, on pan & scan VHS, doesn't mean I want to see them that way now.

[fahrenheit290]

Originally Posted by ChainsawJedi

Visually, though, ROTS looks spectacular. Probably the best looking out of all six films.

I always wanted to see Empire Strikes Back in 35mm. It's gorgeous and vivid, especially from a color/cinematography standpoint. Reminds me of the tradition of Black Narcissus, with stellar production design and matte paintings.





The scenes in the Carbon Freezing Chamber, the contrasts of cool and warm lighting, are some of the most gorgeous of all the SW films.

I wish I could have found stills of Luke's departure from Dagobah. I always loved that scene. The use of colors on Yoda is fantastic.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

why? Just because people are asking for it, it will be released? We have been waiting for a proper version of T2 on blu-ray for years yet it hasn't been done and there are no indications that it will be anytime soon. How many sequels never get made despite there being a ton of fans wanting them? How many shows get cancelled despite there being a huge fanbase? The studios don't go "oh people still want to see it so we should keep making it or let someone else keep making it". People get the idea that because they want it, someone will sell it but forget one basic thing - the seller needs to want you to have it. If they don't want you to have it, don't really matter how much money there is to be made. Lucas didn't want you to have his original versions after the special editions were made - how do you know that part of the deal with Disney was that those versions never get released? As far as he is concerned, those version no longer exist.

As for the contradictions, I understand how they work. People want the original version but they want all the benefits of today - perfect picture, perfect sound even though you never had those before. Plus they want the dialogue they remember even though there are a few different versions of it out there depending if you saw a mono or stereo version, a 35mm or 70mm version, etc. So you want the version you remember even though no version actually existed as you remember. Sounds like a bit of a contradiction to me. I have seen the version of Star Wars that judremy mentioned - even they admit it isn't a restore to the original version but to what you think the original version was. And they are making revisions to it to so you can't even hold that up as an example of fans fixing it - it is okay for them to make changes because they do it out of love but not for Lucas to? I would love to see the original version all cleaned up and looking great but I am not holding my breath until I turn blue waiting for them to release it on Blu-ray. Enjoy the dvds for now and hope they release them but accept the fact that they are under no obligation to do that. Right now, if you want to see Star Wars in HD, this is your only option - may not be perfect but it is sure better than not having them at all.

You basically replied and answered none of the questions and comments that were posed to you. Tell us again how the film at the theater (1977) does not look as good as today's films. Were you there in 77 watching on the big screen? As has been stated Disney would not have paid almost 4 Billion dollars and not had complete control. As far as other editions are concerned do you have any first hand knowledge? I am just asking because you commented on them. If that were really the case you would know how accurate they are.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit290

I always wanted to see Empire Strikes Back in 35mm. It's gorgeous and vivid, especially from a color/cinematography standpoint. Reminds me of the tradition of Black Narcissus, with stellar production design and matte paintings.

The scenes in the Carbon Freezing Chamber, the contrasts of cool and warm lighting, are some of the most gorgeous of all the SW films.

I wish I could have found stills of Luke's departure from Dagobah. I always loved that scene. The use of colors on Yoda is fantastic.

Agreed. Empire is a gorgeous movie in that regard. If the originals do get restored, I really hope it matches the original color timing. To me, that is as important as anything else.

It's a damn travesty what happened to the color of these movies on DVD and Blu.

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by ChainsawJedi

Episode III does seem to be lacking in the audio department. There's a documentary on the DVD where they're mixing the sound for the duel between Anakin and Obi-wan and there's some old guy there complaining about it being too loud. Whatever the reason, there's a serious lack of oompf in the audio mix.

As I remember (it's been a while) the "old guy" has something to do with the music score and he's complaining because the Mustafar sound effects are drowning out some of John Williams' most dramatic music.

It could be worse, but I still feel like the music is holding back a bit in the final reel of ROTS.