Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Riddler95]

Were the restorations performed on the Star Wars Trilogy in the 1990's done photochemically or digitally? Because once again, before any changes could be made all three of the movies had to undergo a restoration.

[bobbyh64]

I bet George has remastered versions of the unaltered OT that he screens for himself and his closest friends.

[Riddler95]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

I bet George has remastered versions of the unaltered OT that he screens for himself and his closest friends.

Years ago, I read on a website that when the Special Edition of Star Wars was made George Lucas apparently kept a 35MM Film Print of the Theatrical Cut of the movie for himself.

[shinobipopcorn]

Isn't his ex-wife an editor? I'll bet she has a copy, especially if the original film got her an Oscar.

[Martoto]

What I was meaning was that George was trying to convince us that in 97, the special edition became the original negative in order to discourage any further inquiries to the "original". In which case you would have thought he'd replace the negative with each new iteration. But in fact we now we actually have on Blu Ray is a Special Edition of the '97 original.

[Bobbyjoe766]

Would the silent, b&w workprint of STAR WARS (“The Lost Cut”) have more chance of getting a home video release than the 1978 Holiday Special?

[Martoto]

Originally Posted by Bobbyjoe766

Would the silent, b&w workprint of STAR WARS (“The Lost Cut”) have more chance of getting a home video release than the 1978 Holiday Special?

Silence in original mono or I cancel my order.

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by Martoto

Silence in original mono or I cancel my order.

Silent Dolby Atmos surely

[Martoto]

Originally Posted by drush9999

Silent Dolby Atmos surely

If the silence comes in Dolby Digital it will be just the biggest F U the fans have ever received. They might as well just splurge green milk right in our faces.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Riddler95

Were the restorations performed on the Star Wars Trilogy in the 1990's done photochemically or digitally? Because once again, before any changes could be made all three of the movies had to undergo a restoration.

It was photochemical, as was clearly stated above. But the restoration and the Special Edition were not two entirely separate things, one was instigated to provide the best quality for the other.

Originally Posted by Riddler95

Years ago, I read on a website that when the Special Edition of Star Wars was made George Lucas apparently kept a 35MM Film Print of the Theatrical Cut of the movie for himself.

You make it sound like he's destroyed all available prints or something, when in actuality there are plenty out there in the hands of private collectors. Besides, the colour reference they used for the Special Edition was George's own Technicolor print of the movie from 1977 and I kinda doubt he threw it in the trash after they were finished with it.

Originally Posted by Martoto

What I was meaning was that George was trying to convince us that in 97, the special edition became the original negative in order to discourage any further inquiries to the "original". In which case you would have thought he'd replace the negative with each new iteration. But in fact we now we actually have on Blu Ray is a Special Edition of the '97 original.

They did it that way in '97 because film was still the state of the art at the time, they did not want to do the Special Edition on an IP, a dupe neg or whatever. It wasn't about making a statement, it was about getting the very best possible quality. But with digital tools - to which Lucas is no stranger - having transformed restoration processes in the interim there was no need to further violate the original negative for the subsequent versions when they could be completed off-line.

[tylergfoster]

What I've always heard is that the UCLA Film and Television Archive also has Technicolor IB prints of the original cuts of the trilogy.

[bobbyh64]

I wish an interviewer would ask Lucas why he didn’t release the original versions along with the “Nooooo!” versions. In the Blade Runner Blu-ray set there are little intros to each version that have Ridley Scott saying he doesn’t prefer some of them but he knows each cut has its fans and wanted to include them for the sake of completion. The only reason I can think of is that Lucas is afraid that most people will prefer the theatrcial cuts and not want to purchase the special editions. That is a very strange mindset in my opinion.

[crissrudd4554]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

I wish an interviewer would ask Lucas why he didn’t release the original versions along with the “Nooooo!” versions. In the Blade Runner Blu-ray set there are little intros to each version that have Ridley Scott saying he doesn’t prefer some of them but he knows each cut has its fans and wanted to include them for the sake of completion. The only reason I can think of is that Lucas is afraid that most people will prefer the theatrcial cuts and not want to purchase the special editions. That is a very strange mindset in my opinion.

He’s been asked and he’s given the same response. ‘Cost too much money to restore’’they don’t match my vision’ etc.

I read an article once that supposedly some asked Lucas why the originals weren’t restored and he responded with ‘Grow up!’

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

I wish an interviewer would ask Lucas why he didn’t release the original versions along with the “Nooooo!” versions. In the Blade Runner Blu-ray set there are little intros to each version that have Ridley Scott saying he doesn’t prefer some of them but he knows each cut has its fans and wanted to include them for the sake of completion. The only reason I can think of is that Lucas is afraid that most people will prefer the theatrcial cuts and not want to purchase the special editions. That is a very strange mindset in my opinion.

Stubbornness. He put himself in that situation by creating the SE’s, when all that was needed was a straightforward restoration of the trilogy - without the additional CGI crap.

Just my opinion, but I don’t think the added CGI was needed to wow audiences back into the theatres to see a (then) 20-year old saga. This was a chance to see the trilogy on the BIG SCREEN again - and an opportunity for newer fans that missed it first time round.

The films would have played the crowd just fine as they are.

[Geoff D]

They would have played fine, but the numerous additions were a test for the CG as much as anything (hence the continued revisions after that), bearing in mind he was deep in pre-production on the prequels at the time.

[Takeshi666]

Originally Posted by crissrudd4554

I read an article once that supposedly some asked Lucas why the originals weren’t restored and he responded with ‘Grow up!’

That reminds me of something else he said, about art never being finished and simply abandoned and how he didn't like that, that's why he keeps tinkering with them.

Well I think maybe he should treat them like children; eventually they'll take on a life of their own whether you want it or not, and then you really do just have to let them go.

Instead he's more like that one mom I once read about that kept drugging her child to keep him wheelchairbound and thus dependent on her.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by crissrudd4554

He’s been asked and he’s given the same response. ‘Cost too much money to restore’’they don’t match my vision’ etc.

I read an article once that supposedly some asked Lucas why the originals weren’t restored and he responded with ‘Grow up!’

I remember him saying once "the originals are out there, you can watch them on VHS." He actively does not want the originals to be restored and seen, because he considers them "unfinished."

That's why I think Disney will bow to his wishes until he's gone.

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I remember him saying once "the originals are out there, you can watch them on VHS." He actively does not want the originals to be restored and seen, because he considers them "unfinished."

That's why I think Disney will bow to his wishes until he's gone.

While he considers them unfinished, I bet he also knows most people would prefer the them over the special editions given the option.

[phobicsquirrel]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

While he considers them unfinished, I bet he also knows most people would prefer the them over the special editions given the option.

I really like many additions done except the rotj band. Jabba is a little odd since he's so small to rotj.

The noooo in rotj with the blu isn't that bad though I prefer not having it just like hayden replacing prowse.

The unaltered looks a bit funny especially the lack of x wings and vehicles, and troopers throughout Acton scenes.

[Riddler95]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It was photochemical, as was clearly stated above. But the restoration and the Special Edition were not two entirely separate things, one was instigated to provide the best quality for the other.


You make it sound like he's destroyed all available prints or something, when in actuality there are plenty out there in the hands of private collectors. Besides, the colour reference they used for the Special Edition was George's own Technicolor print of the movie from 1977 and I kinda doubt he threw it in the trash after they were finished with it.



They did it that way in '97 because film was still the state of the art at the time, they did not want to do the Special Edition on an IP, a dupe neg or whatever. It wasn't about making a statement, it was about getting the very best possible quality. But with digital tools - to which Lucas is no stranger - having transformed restoration processes in the interim there was no need to further violate the original negative for the subsequent versions when they could be completed off-line.

I wasn’t making it sound like George Lucas destroyed all available prints of the Theatrical Cuts of the Original Trilogy. I know that there are lots of prints of the Theatrical Cuts owned by private collectors. There are probably prints stored in Film Vaults too. Film Preservationist Robert Harris said that he knows where an excellent source is.

I appreciate you mentioning that George Lucas brought in his own Technicolor IB Print of the original film from 1977 to do the Colour Correction because that was what I meant when I said that George kept a print of the Theatrical Cut.