Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[svenge]

Originally Posted by dubious

Spielberg did give E.T. that abomination of a special edition, but he later came to his senses, and disowned it, citing the theatrical as his preferred vision.

Even when the E.T. "Special Edition" was initially released on DVD in 2002, there was at least the solace that the original version was also included and had a modern anamorphic video transfer (instead of the insult of using a circa-1993 Laserdisc master like the OT got in 2006).

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by happydood

Maybe once the originals are finally released (a thing I'm ALL for btw) people will maybe stop treating Lucas like an abusive father and enjoy what he created for what it is minus a whole heap of unnecessary drama that treats him like an idiot savant that got lucky to happen upon a whole mythology that he crafted over several years. I would think film purists would want the originals (again which I'm all for) but also be respectful of the artists' intentions- however misguided. I don't like most of the changes Lucas made to the original incarnations of these movies, but I like the entitled approach of 'It's my right to have the versions I want the way that want them, so let's wrest them away from him like he's a senile grandpa' even less.

Why would it change anything? At the end of the day, it wasn't Lucas who gave them to us. It was Disney. It doesn't change a damn thing about who Lucas is or the way he's acted over the last (almost) two decades.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

Why would it change anything? At the end of the day, it wasn't Lucas who gave them to us. It was Disney. It doesn't change a damn thing about who Lucas is or the way he's acted over the last (almost) two decades.

Despite this, Lucas clearly softened on releasing the UOT at some point after the DVD versions were released. He went from "those versions will deteriorate on old VHS tapes" to "okay, I won't attempt to erase their existence, I'm just not interested in putting money into versions I'm not interested in: here, have a laserdisc port."

I'm not excusing his attitude towards them, as it was egotistically selfish and totally hypocritical from his Ted Turner speech. But in a way he did give them to us when he sold Star Wars to Disney. He could have said "forget it: Star Wars dies with me. It's my vision and I don't want anyone else in control of it."

But he didn't. Plus he got a crap-ton of money, I'm sure that helped

[Muyfa666]

http://www.ginza.se/Archive/Images/i...rge/337045.jpg

This one is marketed now, and the old box seem to be all but gone. Anyone knows if this is just a re-packaging?

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by Muyfa666

http://www.ginza.se/Archive/Images/i...rge/337045.jpg

This one is marketed now, and the old box seem to be all but gone. Anyone knows if this is just a re-packaging?

It's a repackage; same discs, new box.

[Muyfa666]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

It's a repackage; same discs, new box.

Might as well get it if I can get a good price then... :-)

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by happydood

Maybe once the originals are finally released (a thing I'm ALL for btw) people will maybe stop treating Lucas like an abusive father and enjoy what he created for what it is minus a whole heap of unnecessary drama that treats him like an idiot savant that got lucky to happen upon a whole mythology that he crafted over several years. I would think film purists would want the originals (again which I'm all for) but also be respectful of the artists' intentions- however misguided. I don't like most of the changes Lucas made to the original incarnations of these movies, but I like the entitled approach of 'It's my right to have the versions I want the way that want them, so let's wrest them away from him like he's a senile grandpa' even less.

To some extent these films our owned by our culture, and are an important part of our lives. I do think he owes it to the world to preserve them as we all fell in love with them, and now that responsibility has transferred to Disney. I don't agree with the "raped my childhood" hyperbole, but I do think we all kind of own Star Wars, and have a right to see it as it was despite the wishes of (one of) the creator(s).

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

At this point I'd be pretty indifferent to Disney re-releasing the 1997 versions along with the UOT. For me it would be like how I have the option to watch the 1992 Director's Cut version of Blade Runner in my set. Cool that it's there for posterity, I guess, but I pretty much just watch the Final Cut or watch the theatrical version for the completely different experience.

For Star Wars I'm pretty much in the same place-- I'd watch the UOT 90% of the time, but if I occasionally wanted to revisit the Lucas altered versions, I'd just go balls out and watch the "Complete Saga" Blu-rays to see the movies in all their ridiculously wonky glory.

I get what you're saying but, do you really want to see Haydan Christiansen in Return of the Jedi?

[happydood]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

Why would it change anything? At the end of the day, it wasn't Lucas who gave them to us. It was Disney. It doesn't change a damn thing about who Lucas is or the way he's acted over the last (almost) two decades.

Yeah, I guess you're right. It's much more satisfying to hold a grudge we can wallow in.

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

Why would it change anything? At the end of the day, it wasn't Lucas who gave them to us. It was Disney. It doesn't change a damn thing about who Lucas is or the way he's acted over the last (almost) two decades.

What annoys me the most about Lucas, he's changed every single one of his movies, and never releases the original.

Want THX 1138 or American Graffiti on Blu-ray? Well then you'll have to live with the edited version. Lucas will never release the original.

[Machine Gun Willy]

Originally Posted by Scarface32

What annoys me the most about Lucas, he's changed every single one of his movies, and never releases the original.

Want THX 1138 or American Graffiti on Blu-ray? Well then you'll have to live with the edited version. Lucas will never release the original.

Disney is rumored to be interested in buying THX 1138 and American Graffiti with the hopes of creating new installments of each by 2020. Perhaps we will finally get the original, unaltered versions of both along with a series of Marvel comics and CGI prequel shows.

[ChoppedUp]

I own the complete saga bluray 1st edition. I've decided I want to swap out the dvd discs with the unaltered dvds. When I go on ebay there are so many versions that I'm having trouble figuring out which ones I want and which ones are fakes. Also, do I only need to swap out the entire series or just the original trilogy? I'd prefer widescreen version.
I'd prefer not to start a debate about vhs vs laser disc, etc. I only need help with the dvd versions.

Can somebody help me out by either posting pics and/or links?

[D2Girls]

My theory is that this Disney is going to do a 4K remaster of all the movies at once after Fox's distribution rights expire in 2020. Most likely they will include an unaltered release and the special editions. This could happen a bit later, perhaps after the release of episode IX, in 2022 or whenever it comes out.

[Scarface32]

2020 is so far away

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by happydood

Yeah, I guess you're right. It's much more satisfying to hold a grudge we can wallow in.

There is no "wallowing," my friend. I'm despecialized. I couldn't care LESS about the versions he's released. I have never and WILL never watch them again.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by Scarface32

I get what you're saying but, do you really want to see Haydan Christiansen in Return of the Jedi?

Sure, if you're incorporating the whole thing with the prequels-- it changes the tone of the ending to match Lucas' desire to make the original films sequels to the prequel trilogy, and not vice-versa. Does that mean I think it's a good alteration? Hell no. Lucas could have at least actually shot a bit with Hayden for it instead of using whatever outtake footage he had on hand from RotS.

But I see the movies like this at this point: The UOT stands alone. It represents Star Wars as a complete trilogy as it existed for nearly 20 years before the Special Editions and prequels. And it's better for it, IMO-- when Disney releases these this is mainly how I'll watch Star Wars (besides the new stuff, of course).

The "Complete Saga" is George Lucas' version of Star Wars. It consists of Episodes I-VI and should be watched that way (Or using Machete order, which is actually an awesome way to do it). The original trilogy doesn't function on it's own in this version, but meshes a bit more with the style and tone of the prequels.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

The original trilogy doesn't function on it's own in this version, but meshes a bit more with the style and tone of the prequels.

Can you please explain exactly what "style" and "tone" was altered to fit the Complete Saga?

[Geoff D]

That's what I've done before, when watching the OT on its own I default to the original versions but on a Saga run-through I use the SEs because they're the ones that are more sympatico to the prequels.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

That's what I've done before, when watching the OT on its own I default to the original versions but on a Saga run-through I use the SEs because they're the ones that are more sympatico to the prequels.

How so?

[al cos.]

More tone-deaf animation from the '90s across the board. Consistency!