Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Vlad Draculi]

So who thinks they are waiting unti Episode 9 comes out so they can do a 9 movie box set for $250 that will include exclusive untouched theatrical versions of the OT?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

So who thinks they are waiting unti Episode 9 comes out so they can do a 9 movie box set for $250 that will include exclusive untouched theatrical versions of the OT?

This was my bet if they didn't do anything for the 40th anniversary.

[Stanis]

I dunno, I think if they make people buy all 9 to get 3 OUT, there will be people upset at this. Hopefully they follow the model already established and release them as special features with it's own special edition trilogy.

[Rodney-2187]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

So who thinks they are waiting unti Episode 9 comes out so they can do a 9 movie box set for $250 that will include exclusive untouched theatrical versions of the OT?

That seems likely.

Originally Posted by Stanis

I dunno, I think if they make people buy all 9 to get 3 OUT, there will be people upset at this. Hopefully they follow the model already established and release them as special features with it's own special edition trilogy.

I wouldn't want to have to purchase them all again, but I'm pretty sure I would. They know a lot of people would and that's why it's probably what they will do. It's what I would do if I were them.

[Porco Azzurro]

Originally Posted by Stanis

I dunno, I think if they make people buy all 9 to get 3 OUT, there will be people upset at this.

If there is one thing we can be sure of, then whatever they do or don't do about anything there will be people upset about it!

[ElvisForever]

Oh the devious powers that be. They are keeping the holy UOT from us to force us to buy more...buhaaaaa!!!

...of course maybe it is respecting George Lucas wishes were in the end before final sale? Gee anyone ever think of that one?

[svenge]

Originally Posted by ElvisForever

...of course maybe it is respecting George Lucas wishes were in the end before final sale? Gee anyone ever think of that one?

In that case we'd be back to the pre-sale status quo of waiting for George Lucas to die before the vandalism his washed-up and creatively-bankrupt later self inflicted on cinematic history can be restored to its rightful state.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

So who thinks they are waiting unti Episode 9 comes out so they can do a 9 movie box set for $250 that will include exclusive untouched theatrical versions of the OT?

Hey, I paid for that just for the Original Trilogy THX Remaster on CAV LaserDisc...in 1993 dollars to boot (which today is about $420.00)!

[ElvisForever]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Hey, I paid for that just for the Original Trilogy THX Remaster on CAV LaserDisc...in 1993 dollars to boot (which today is about $420.00)!

For those that were around at the time, we came we saw, and we don't cry about it.

You can now get those box sets for a fraction of the cost.

I for one remember what it was like to pay tons for the quality and to see how they go now? ...*shudder*.

xxxxx

svenge,

creatively bankrupt vandalism? oooh boy. I think you have really set a new standard of low at this point.

[svenge]

Originally Posted by ElvisForever

creatively bankrupt vandalism? oooh boy. I think you have really set a new standard of low at this point.

Vandalism doesn't necessarily involve one's intentions, but the result is the same nonetheless. In many ways, the SE is like the amateur "restoration" of the Ecco Homo fresco.



And yes, Lucas has been creatively bankrupt since the early 90s. Everything he's been heavily involved in since then (e.g. the SEs, the PT, Indiana Jones 4, Red Tails, and Strange Magic) all attest to this undeniable fact.

[Lionel Horsepackage]

Originally Posted by svenge

And yes, Lucas has been creatively bankrupt since the early 90s. Everything he's been heavily involved in since then (e.g. the SEs, the PT, Indiana Jones 4, Red Tails, and Strange Magic) all attest to this undeniable fact.

Wow, thanks for speaking universal, objective truth on behalf of the whole, entire human race, there...

[KMFDMvsEnya]

Good grief. reductio ad absurdum. *Cough * Cough *GAAG*

[BladeRunner2007]

I prefer the unaltered theatrical versions but Lucas actually made some changes to the original trilogy that improve the films quite a bit imo.

1. Showing the Wampa in Empire was a great addition
2. Cloud City windows in Empire makes the city look much more beautiful and gives it way more life.
3. Replacing the cut outs with real people during the throne room scene in ANH
4. Showing the entire galaxy celebrating the defeat of the empire in Return of the Jedi plus the new song.
5. I'm glad that Lucas replaced the English text used on sets and props in Episode IV with the Aurebesh text from the rest of the Star Wars canon

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by svenge

And yes, Lucas has been creatively bankrupt since the early 90s. Everything he's been heavily involved in since then (e.g. the SEs, the PT, Indiana Jones 4, Red Tails, and Strange Magic) all attest to this undeniable fact.

It was his idea to add aliens to the movie.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Scarface32

It was his idea to add aliens to the movie.

Because angry religious figures striking down our enemies happen all the time?

[B72]

Originally Posted by svenge

And yes, Lucas has been creatively bankrupt since the early 90s. Everything he's been heavily involved in since then (e.g. the SEs, the PT, Indiana Jones 4, Red Tails, and Strange Magic) all attest to this undeniable fact.

Ok, here goes.

I ... like ... the Prequels...somewhat.

I'll be the first ( or one millionth ) to admit they are flawed.
But creatively bankrupt ? I think not.
They are chock full of artistry and imagination along with a great story underneath it all.

I am not a fan of the Special Editions but I accept them for what they are.
The creator's vision.
However, I saw the originals upon their initial release and have strongly preferred
(obsessed over ) them for, like what is it ? 40 years now I guess.

I'm not trolling or what not.
I respect everyone's opinion here.
I simply want to defend the man that has given so much.

That said,
George giveth and George taketh away.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by shinobipopcorn

Remember when Disney used to charge 79.95 for its VHS tapes? They could always try that out again... "The original, unaltered STAR WARS... Bring it home for the holidays at a special price of only one kidney! While supplies last."

That wasn't necessarily a rip-off. Tape was expensive. Making tape copies was an expensive, time consuming process. The duplication plants were still in the U.S. Tape was relatively heavy, so shipping was expensive. And films still had perceived value. And there was much work on most films in order to get home video rights which weren't in most contracts at the time because it wasn't perceived it would ever be necessary. Disney was always getting sued by some saxophone player who was on the soundtrack and who maintained that they never gave away home video rights.

I've posted this before, but way back in 1959, Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine used to offer a 50-foot 8mm silent version of The Phantom of the Opera (and I suspect a pretty poor quality print) for $4.95 (or for $5.95 in 16mm). That works out to about 4 minutes of footage, depending upon the projection speed. That $4.95 in 1959 is $41.48 today and that $5.95 for the 16mm version is $49.86 in today's dollars. All for what amounts to a poor quality silent trailer and things you could see on YouTube today for free.

Back in the 1960s, decades old used 16mm prints of b-movies used to cost around $200 from places like Peerless-Willoughbys. Using 1965 as the baseline, that's $1544 per movie in today's dollars. For movies that were the equivalent of what's in the $7 bin today.

A $35 laserdisc in 1980 is $103.25 in today's dollars.

Yes, we've gotten very spoiled (including myself). There are times when I hesitate to spend even $10 on a BD. And now people complain about streaming services that charge $12 a month for unlimited viewing of large libraries of films. We're spoiled indeed. Movie fans should really be kissing the feet of studio executives and the technology experts who made mass distribution of very high quality home video possible.

----
As for Star Wars, my personal opinion is that I don't think we're seeing the unaltered original in George's lifetime. Even though Lucas has no ownership of the films anymore (aside from the power he has owning 40 million shares of Disney stock, assuming he didn't sell it), Disney will not insult him by releasing it (and for purposes of this discussion, ignoring the rights that Fox still has in the first film.)

And even if they did and also as I've posted before, there will still be complaints either because it will have to be scanned from a still existing print or there will be inevitable errors if it's "re-created" from the parts of the negative still used for the later editions, plus the material replaced from the original. Fans will analyze it frame-by-frame to look for differences, people will swear the color timing is different from what they "remember" seeing in a crappy theatre 40 years ago and they'll complain that the surround is mono.

By the time Lucasfilm/Disney/Fox is willing to release the originals, there probably won't be physical home media anyway.

I think the fans who hang onto any possible thread of hope ("She didn't say no.", "Disney wouldn't announce it in advance of when they're ready anyway", "It's not the end of the 40th anniversary yet", etc.) are living in denial.

As someone else once posted on here, the general public doesn't know the difference. Therefore, this wouldn't be a big money-maker for Disney and it would probably sow confusion. Personally, the only way I could see this happening is as part of "extras" in a giant new and expensive boxed set released after home video sales of Episode IX are complete. It could potentially contain the unaltered, the special editions, the BD editions, a new set of extras and a hardcover comprehensive book and sell for $300 or more to the fanboys. Maybe it also contains all the stand-alone films released to that point as well. However, even in that case, a run of 50,000 units @ $300 and sold only directly by Disney so they get to keep all the money only generates $15 million gross, which really isn't that much in the overall scheme of things.

[ElvisForever]

Comparing Lucas to the recent abomination of the Fresco from 80 years ago?

Does anyone else see the irony of the proclamation of svenge about the "creatively bankrupt".

Dude at this point you have reduced yourself to Monopoly paper with your incoherent example.

[crissrudd4554]

I'm not living in denial. I definitely don't think we're getting them this year or anytime by 2020 at the earliest. But I also keep in mind studios are always looking for excuses to resell stuff and ultimately when the rights to all the other films aside from ANH goes to Disney in 2020 they'll want to cash in on those films as well as the new films. Repackaging the same BD masters isn't gonna cut it eventually. Likely they'll be redone in 4K and rereleased. Whether they will be the original cuts or not is anyone's guess but I'm putting my money on they will not be. Yes I know there's been reports(?) that the SE of ANH has been done in 4K. That doesn't necessarily mean that's the version getting a release. Don't forget that Lucas had story ideas for TFA which were ultimately never used so I'm only half believing this 'out of respect to George' notion that people keep throwing around. Also intended or not the OUT was not brought up in the interview with Kathleen Kennedy so we still have not gotten a direct yes or no yet. Let me just put it like this. Until Kathleen Kennedy says otherwise or LF releases a press statement giving us that yes or no, I'm not saying it will happen but I'm not saying it won't happen.

[B72]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

I think the fans who hang onto any possible thread of hope ("She didn't say no.", "Disney wouldn't announce it in advance of when they're ready anyway", "It's not the end of the 40th anniversary yet", etc.) are living in denial.

Ah, c'mon we gotta wait 'til May the 4th at least.

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

It could potentially contain the unaltered, the special editions, the BD editions, a new set of extras and a hardcover comprehensive book and sell for $300 or more to the fanboys. Maybe it also contains all the stand-alone films released to that point as well. However, even in that case, a run of 50,000 units @ $300 and sold only directly by Disney so they get to keep all the money only generates $15 million gross, which really isn't that much in the overall scheme of things.

I would join the Disney Movie Club for that.