"The other versions will disappear. Even the 35 million tapes of Star Wars out there won't last more than 30 or 40 years. A hundred years from now, the only version of the movie that anyone will remember will be the DVD version [of the Special Edition], and you'll be able to project it on a 20-foot-by-40-foot screen with perfect quality. I think it's the director's prerogative, not the studio's, to go back and reinvent a movie.[3]"
Indeed. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, it's beyond ridiculous they are still selling Star Wars of all of things with 11-year-old scans. You've got B horror movies getting new scans which blow these away. Something is wrong.
I know right.
You'd think that three uber successful, historically significant films would've been given the same high quality treatment but nope.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeavyHitter
Just reading through all of the changes over the years to the OT....wow. I knew there were a lot, but...crazy.
Re-Editing them the first time that he could improve the special effects etc I can completely understand.
Doing it a second time down the road so that he can make all 6 films consistent with each other I can also understand.
But doing it a third time for no apparent is beyond ridiculous especially considering the edits he did for the BD's were stupid and pointless.
He just felt like he had to tinker even more with them for whatever reason.
That is definitely OCD behavior.
There's many different types of OCD and the levels of severity.
His might not be as severe as others but he's definitely got some form of it.
It would explain a lot really tbh.
No, its not, and no he doesn't. Not even close. Alternative scenario: he watches the films once before their each release and comes up with a few new ideas each time. Or he thinks that making changes will get more people to buy it to see what's different. Or he just thinks that it's cool that he can CG new things into existing shots and likes to experiment. Or new opportunities present themselves (Hayden and Ian were available in 2004 filming ROTS, for example). Claiming that these special editions represent OCD is just really, really silly if you know anything about OCD.
No, its not, and no he doesn't. Not even close. Alternative scenario: he watches the films once before their each release and comes up with a few new ideas each time. Or he thinks that making changes will get more people to buy it to see what's different. Or he just thinks that it's cool that he can CG new things into existing shots and likes to experiment. Or new opportunities present themselves (Hayden and Ian were available in 2004 filming ROTS, for example). Claiming that these special editions represent OCD is just really, really silly if you know anything about OCD.
I'm not claiming that the Special Editions as a whole are because of OCD.
What I'm saying is that the constant, needless tinkering for the sake of tinkering because he feels like he has to and can't refrain from leaving stuff alone even though he claimed that the 2004 cuts were definitive is very OCDish behavior.
What I'm referring to is the tinkering he did with the BD's.
Before that it wasn't but all the BD's alterations were pointless and he just did it for no apparent reason.
It's like he couldn't help himself or something.
I do know about OCD because I have it myself, I was even diagnosed with it.
It's either that or he was just giving everyone the finger or he was bored.
Last edited by The Fallen Deity; 04-29-2015 at 01:32 AM.
I'm not claiming that the Special Editions as a whole are because of OCD.
What I'm saying is that the constant, needless tinkering for the sake of tinkering because he feels like he has to and can't refrain from leaving stuff alone even though he claims he was happy with the Special Editions is very OCDish behavior.
What I'm referring to is the tinkering he did with the BD's.
Before that it wasn't but all the BD's alterations were pointless and he just did it for no apparent reason.
It gives him a sense of control.
I do know about OCD because I have it myself, I was even diagnosed with it.
It's either that or he was just giving everyone the finger.
You're reading a lot into his motivations. It's much more likely that every seven years, he sinply has a new thought while watching the films and preparing them for a new format. Do feel the same contentment with a creative project you finished seven years ago? You wouldn't make any small tweaks if you were going to present it to an audience? You can argue that his changes were needless, but they're far from pathological.
You're reading a lot into his motivations. It's much more likely that every seven years, he sinply has a new thought while watching the films and preparing them for a new format. Do feel the same contentment with a creative project you finished seven years ago? You wouldn't make any small tweaks if you were going to present it to an audience? You can argue that his changes were needless, but they're far from pathological.
Tbf maybe I'm reading a lot into his motivations but it makes you wonder though doesn't it.
I'm just curious to know what the motivation was for the alterations that were done for the BD's.
Was it on an impulse or was he genuinely still not happy with the films?
Which is strange considering he thought that the 2004 cuts were the definitive versions of the films.
Like I said I can understand the reason for the alterations done to the 1997 & 2004 cuts but I have no clue regarding the 2011 cuts.
What's weird about the changes, which others have pointed out, is that there were things that could have been changed/fixed/whatever, and yet they were ignored. Instead, he had them add rocks in front of R2D2 and Vader yelling "no," which felt like afterthoughts. The quality of the transfers themselves aren't state-of-the-art, but they found enough time to make arbitrary tweaks. The OT may be incomplete in his eyes, but the more he changes, the more of a mess it becomes.
Hardly the work of a perfectionist, unlike Stanley Kubrick or somebody similar who pays attention to detail from start to finish. He's sort of a lazy control freak who has been lucky to find very talented collaborators over the years. He himself was also very talented in his heyday. The Special Editions and PT represent his attempt to recapture that spark of creativity, but he got more things wrong than he got right. I hate to say that, because I'm a die hard Star Wars fan and own all six films on DVD and BD. I wish the franchise was handled better over the last twenty years. But as imperfect as it is, I still love it. That's what makes us crazy. Heh
What's weird about the changes, which others have pointed out, is that there were things that could have been changed/fixed/whatever, and yet they were ignored. Instead, he had them add rocks in front of R2D2 and Vader yelling "no," which felt like afterthoughts. The quality of the transfers themselves aren't state-of-the-art, but they found enough time to make arbitrary tweaks. The OT may be incomplete in his eyes, but the more he changes, the more of a mess it becomes.
Hardly the work of a perfectionist, unlike Stanley Kubrick or somebody similar who pays attention to detail from start to finish. He's sort of a lazy control freak who has been lucky to find very talented collaborators over the years. He himself was also very talented in his heyday. The Special Editions and PT represent his attempt to recapture that spark of creativity, but he got more things wrong than he got right. I hate to say that, because I'm a die hard Star Wars fan and own all six films on DVD and BD. I wish the franchise was handled better over the last twenty years. But as imperfect as it is, I still love it. That's what makes us crazy. Heh
In the old days of photo-chemical color correction -- when the current digital tools were not available to correct part of the frame selectively -- the filmmakers attempted to brighten the Emperor's eyes without brightening the whole shot. Using the clunky and imprecise tools of the time, this also created a strange "blob" effect on the sides of the Emperor's face, wherever the brightening effect contacted the dark hood. Depending on the contrast of the transfer over the years, this effect varied in how noticeable it was (just like the traveling matte "boxes" around spaceships), but at its worst it was very distracting.
In the old days of photo-chemical color correction -- when the current digital tools were not available to correct part of the frame selectively -- the filmmakers attempted to brighten the Emperor's eyes without brightening the whole shot. Using the clunky and imprecise tools of the time, this also created a strange "blob" effect on the sides of the Emperor's face, wherever the brightening effect contacted the dark hood. Depending on the contrast of the transfer over the years, this effect varied in how noticeable it was (just like the traveling matte "boxes" around spaceships), but at its worst it was very distracting.
I've only ever seen them on photo stills that have the contrast turned up high.
Here is a better breakdown I found, of the Digital Release's Special Features.
The PhantomMenace:
Quote:
Eight deleted scenes:
- Trash Talking Droids (1 min.) which tries to mimic the C-3PO/R2-D2 banter from the original trilogy
- Anakin’s Scuffle with Greedo (1 min.), where, yes, Greedo is introduced fighting with a Skywalker
- Bail Organa of Alderaan (1 min.) also follows this line of introducing characters who will be important later on, but it’s interesting that this part was recast
- Complete Podrace Grid Sequence (7 min.) which extends the opening sequence of the set piece, and spends a lot of time introducing the racers in what seems to be a bid to sell more toys
- Battle on the Boarding Ramp (1 min.) shows a rough version of the scuffle between Darth Maul (Ray Park) and Qui-Gon Ginn (Liam Neeson)
- Podrace Lap Two (4 min.) and the theatrical cut of the podrace (12 min.), so there’s a lot of podracing material
- The Waterfall Sequence (2 min.) has Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best) and the Jedi almost going over a waterfall when first arriving at Queen Amidala’s
- Anakin’s Return (1 min.) just offers an incomplete effects sequence from the final battle.
Documentaries & Featurettes:
- The Beginning (66 min.) is here and it shows (sometimes painfully) what went into the making of the film.
NEW:
- Discoveries from Inside: Models and Miniatures (4 min.) has J.W. Rinzler going to the model shop and looking at one of the pod racers, Leia’s blockade runner, the Millennium Falcon, and C-3PO.
- Conversations: Doug Chiang Looks Back (5 min.) where Chiang talks about the design principles involved in his work.
Attack of the Clones
Quote:
Six deleted scenes:
- Anakin’s Nightmare (1 min.) where our hero (Hayden Christensen) has bad visions of his mom
- Dooku Interrogates Padme (1 min.) which gives Christopher Lee and Natalie Portman more time to negotiate
- Jedi Imposter at the Temple (1 min.) has Obi-Wan (Ewan McGreggor) investigating the Kamino dart
- Padme’s Parent’s House (2 min.) offers Padme and Anakin walking through their vacation house
- Obi-Wan & Mace – Jedi Landing Platform (2 min.) have those two talking about more business
- Raid on the Droid Control Ship and Extended Arena Fight (4 min.) offers some action, though it’s filled with unfinished effects.
Documentaries & Featurettes:
- Films are not Released, They Escape (26 min.) gets into the post-production process of the making of the film, with a look at the sound and dubbing stages, and it really does give you an appreciation for all the layers that go into sound design.
- State of the Art: The Previsualization of Episode II (23 min.) shows how the big set pieces, specially the chase sequence, were mapped out extensively before they were shot, and ends with some fun bloopers
- Episode II Visual Effects Breakdown Montage (4 min.) shows how so much of the film was created in computers
- From Puppets to Pixels: Digital Characters in Episode II (52 min.) gets even further into how much the film was plotted to be done with CGI
NEW:
- Conversations: Sounds in Space (6 min.) is a conversation between Ben Burtt and Mathew Wood about their work together, and how some of the sounds were found
- Discoveries From Inside: Costumes Revealed (5 min.) has Rinzler looking at the costumes and points out that Han Solo’s Hoth costume was brown, not blue.
Revenge of the Sith:
Quote:
deleted scenes:
- A Plot to Destroy the Jedi (1 min.) has Obi-Wan, Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) and Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz) discussing that they know something is afoot with Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), but don’t have hard evidence
- Anakin Kills Shaak Ti (1 min.) lives up to its title
- Seeds of Rebellion (1 min.) is another scene of people talking about what’s going on with Palpatine
- Yoda Communes with Qui-Gon (1 min.) shows what could have been a cameo from Liam Neeson
- Exiled to Dagobah (1 min.) makes obvious what is evident
- Grievous Slaughters a Jedi / Escape from the General (3 min.) is the best deleted scene, though it’s amazing how ham-handed Lucas became. There is so much over explanation in these deleted scenes, much as there is in the finished product.
Documentaries & Featurettes:
- Within a Minute: The Making of Episode III (78 min.) goes into the Mustafar duel sequence and all the layers that went into one minute of it. It’s a great idea for a featurette and it’s well executed as we see all of the work
- ILM Episode III: Siggraph Reel (4 min.) shows all the layers that went into the effects work
- The Journey (13 min.) is broken into two parts and reflects on the journey from the first film to the end of shooting Sith and all the premieres of the film, and how much fans love it.
NEW:
- Discoveries from Inside: Holograms & Bloopers (3 min.) has Rinzler hosting a look into the Lucasfilm film archives, and you get a brief look at some goofs from the first film
- Conversations: The Star Wars that Almost Was (5 min.) offers Rinzler and Pablo Hidalgo discussing changes that were made, including a sequence where Luke Skywalker hangs on a vine, and that Han Solo originally was a blue alien.
A New Hope:
Quote:
Eight deleted scenes:
- The Search for R2-D2 (1 min.) shows how they tried to use rear screen projection and how it didn’t work
- Tosche Station (5 min.) brings in Biggs earlier into the story and has them looking at the opening attack on Princess Leia’s ship
- Old Woman on Tatooine (1 min.)
- Darth Vader Widens the Search (1 min.) a small cut made from the film
- Aunt Beru’s Blue Milk (1 min.) a small cut made from the film
- Stormtrooper Search (1 min.) shows some unused creature design
- Cantina Rough-Cut (7 min.) shows that famous sequence in a rougher version
- Alternate Biggs & Luke Reunion (1 min.) offers a rebel leader talking about Luke’s father and how great a pilot Luke’s dad was.
Documentaries & Featurettes:
- Anatomy of a Dewback (26 min.) focuses on the changes made for the special edition as the Dewbacks became digital creatures
- Star Wars Launch Trailer (1 min.) is a period trailer.
NEW:
- Conversations: Creating a Universe (8 min.) which brings together Joe Johnston and second unit director Roger Christian to talk about the making of the first film and how they came to work on the original trilogy
- Discoveries from Inside: Weapons & The First Lightsaber (3 min.) has Rinzler and Roger Christian rummaging through the archives and looking at props from the original films
The Empire Strikes Back:
Quote:
Six deleted scenes:
- Alternate Han and Leia Kiss (2 min.) offers a different version of their first lip lock
- Yoda’s Test (1 min.) has Luke practicing his lightsaber play while Yoda hangs on his back
- Hiding in the Asteroid (1 min.) has Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford reacting to fake explosions
- Lobot’s Capture (1 min.) shows Lobot being taken by Stormtroopers
- Wampa Attacks (3 min.) shows that the Wampa was meant to have a larger role in the film but the creature didn’t work that well on film when seen in total
- Han and Leia: Extended Echo Base Argument (2 min.) offers a couple extra lines at the end of their first great exchange in the movie.
Documentaries & Featurettes:
- A Conversation with the Masters (25 min.) which gets director Irvin Kershner, co-writer Lawrence Kasdan and Lucas to talk about the making of the film. And I have to say, every time I see the late Kershner talk, I feel as though Yoda was partly modeled on him. Lucas takes a lot of credit for how the film was structured and works, which may make some fans annoyed.
- Dennis Muren: How Walkers Walk (2 min.) Recycled from the laserdisc. This shows behind the scenes footage of the stop motion work on the AT-AT’s
- George Lucas on Editing The Empire Strikes Back” (3 min.) from the film’s release. This looks to be an old TV interview with Lucas
- George Lucas on The Force (5 min.) comes from 2010, and it’s fairly standard Lucas talk.
NEW:
- Discoveries from Inside: Matte Paintings Unveiled (5 min.) which looks at a number of the matte paintings done for the film and are still very impressive
- Conversations: The Lost Interviews (10 min.) which offers audio interviews with Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, and John Williams from 1977.
Return of the Jedi:
Quote:
Five deleted scenes:
- Battle of Endor: The Lost Rebels (10 min.) shows reaction shots from assorted rebels, and it’s great to see Nien Numb speak with a British accent
- Vader’s Arrival and Reaching Out to Luke (3 min.) shows Vader in his resting chamber from The Empire Strikes Back calling out to Luke, and we see Luke preparing his new lightsaber as C-3P0 and R2-D2 head out to Jabba’s palace without him.
- Rebel Raid on the Bunker (2 min.) has additional footage from the first raid on the bunker and you can hear the production audio, with the director calling out what he wants
- Tatooine Sandstorm (2 min.) which shows Luke and company going to their ships after breaking free of Jabba
- JerJerrod’s Conflict (2 min.) shows the character not quite sure to follow the emperor’s more aggressive battle plans.
Trailers:
- Revenge of the Jedi teaser trailer
- Return of the Jedi trailer and two
- TV spot #1
- TV spot #2
Documentaries & Featurettes:
- Classic Creatures (48 min.) it’s hosted by Carrie Fisher and Billy Dee Williams, and explores the third film’s use of monsters and puppets. There’s some great behind the scenes footage here, along with footage from films like Godzilla.
NEW:
- Conversations: The Effects (10 min.) which brings together ILM creative director Dennis Muren, monster shop supervisor Phil Tippett, ILM chief creative officer and senior visual effects supervisor John Knoll, and visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett to talk about the franchise from start to where it is now, with stories about how supposedly prints of Empire went out with temp effects because of the time crunch, and the most challenging shots they worked on
- Discoveries from Inside: The Sounds of Ben Burtt (5 min.) which offers Burtt walking J.W. Rinzler through some of his initial sound ideas from the original trilogy, including how some of the lightning-esque sounds came from the actual props from the 1931 film Frankenstein.
Quote:
Also, every film has a newly cut trailer to promote this release. There are some new things, and those new things are actually thoughtful and interesting, but – as has been the case since these films hit DVD, you don’t get everything. There’s no Holiday Special, nor the animated Boba Fett sequence that was included on the Blu-ray. Perhaps when The Force Awakens hits Blu-ray we might get unaltered versions of the original films, and the exhaustive box set that fans would go nuts for, but until that happens, this is a great addition to the collection, at least for those who want digital copies.
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