Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Beast]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Read the making of the OT films.

FX was clearly on his mind all along, the stories would not have changed.

Empire & Jedi are wall to wall FX films.

But they're not "EVIL CGI". Heh.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Read the making of the OT films.

FX was clearly on his mind all along, the stories would not have changed.

Empire & Jedi are wall to wall FX films.

Right. It was the fact that he didn't directly control every aspect of the films that they turned out well, in my opinion. The prequels have some fantastic special effects, though I think a better blend of practical with cgi would have been ideal. But the storytelling and characters are terrible (again, in my opinion).

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by odin09

I think that if todays technology was available the original films would have suffered greatly. Lucas would have done exactly what he did on the Prequel films, focused on the effects rather than story and character. What made Star Wars great was what they did with the technology that was afforded to them. Lucas also created memorable characters and an awesome story.

NOT.....TRUE

Originally Posted by Jay444

"Hokey special effects and a huge budget are no match for a good story and characters at your side kid."

Absolutely! We are so lucky to have "The Complete Star Wars Saga", where awesome stories meet amazing VFX! A match made in heaven and a very rare exception.

[Bluyoda]

Over 1000 votes for The Complete Saga with the latest and greatest VFX!!!!

Take that you SE and PT haters!

[Uxi]

"Easy?! You call that easy?"

[Jay444]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I'd love to see some sort of deleted scene showing the AT-ATs landing on the planet though. I can't help but think that if Lucas had done that in the prequels ('that' being not showing how the walkers make planetfall) then that'd be cited as yet another example of how damnably incompetent he is as a filmmaker. But it's in one of the Holy Trilogy so hey! That's fine!

I wouldn't mind 'seeing' this but ONLY as a deleted scene and not as part of the movie. It would ruin of 'Oh F#$#!" moment of the rebel looking at that first AT-AT via the binoculars. Some scenes are all about impact and seeing the Empire landing the AT-ATs would ruin the impact of seeing them on the horizon and how fn huge they are later on. Some scenes are deleted for a reason (i.e. Jabba in ANH). They serve as redundant.

Plus, we kinda get the idea the Empire is going engage the Rebels on the ground when Vader says: "General Veers, prepare your men for a surface attack." Would have been a needless addition. I don't need to see them land on Hoth. Sorta like I got the idea Vader was going back to the Executor when he said "Bring my shuttle!" (the line I prefer) or "Alert my Star Destroyer to prepare for my arrival." I sorta know that means: Darth Vader is going to his ship. I don't need to see him actually leave, get there, and walk on to the bridge. Say what you will but it ruins the pacing at the end of Empire.

Anyway, enough of the OT stuff (which I do prefer). I am actually quite interested in seeing some of the deleted footage from the PT. I just hope he doesn't add them to the actual films. Leave well enough alone.

[Jay444]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

Over 1000 votes for The Complete Saga with the latest and greatest VFX!!!!

Take that you SE and PT haters!

I guess that is an achievement... Or you could go with what over 1/2 the forum wants.

The Ultimate Box Set, including all 6 movies and all versions (SE and Unaltered) 1,341 = 52.46%

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Right. It was the fact that he didn't directly control every aspect of the films that they turned out well, in my opinion. The prequels have some fantastic special effects, though I think a better blend of practical with cgi would have been ideal. But the storytelling and characters are terrible (again, in my opinion).

You're wrong if you don't think he controlled every aspect of those films as well. Ladd at Fox took a gamble on him and let him do Star Wars (IV) his way, even though Fox was paying the bills. Empire & Jedi were done with Lucas' own money so there was no oversight at all.

Lucas approved every shot, every line of dialogue, every little VFX element down to a laserbolt.

The ONLY thing different about the PT was he directed them from start to finish and the technology.

[GuruAskew]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

The ONLY thing different about the PT was he directed them

With all due respect I think Kirchner and Marquand are given more credit for their contributions than they deserve. Starting with "Empire" Lucas basically started running the series like a showrunner or Executive Producer on a TV show and delegated things to others and that continued on through "Jedi" and the PT regardless of how the credits read. Lucas had a "coach" on the PT movies that essentially directed the actors in their performances and obviously the effects were all sent off to different entities.

There are a few other situations like this in movies. The Bond series is similarly-handled and Robert Rodriguez basically oversaw "Predators" and "Machete" simultaneously with other credited directors.

As it stands the original film was the last traditionally-directed movie in the Star Wars series and in Lucas's directorial career.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

Over 1000 votes for The Complete Saga with the latest and greatest VFX!!!!

Take that you SE and PT haters!

That's ridiculous. I'm going to buy The Complete Saga even though I'd rather have the original editions and even though I think the PT is flawed. You take what you can get.

The real test would be if they were going to sell both the PT with OT and the PT with the SE's and to see who would buy each (and not both). The other interesting number (for which there is no way to tell) is if they are losing sales by not offering the OT.

[GuruAskew]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

That's ridiculous.

No it's not. Those are numbers that clearly show that even though most people would like the option there are actually more people who want the SE's than the original. The OT purists are a very vocal minority and I've said that for years.

I'm going to buy The Complete Saga even though I'd rather have the original editions and even though I think the PT is flawed. You take what you can get.

Except for the fact that you can vote for whatever you want in the poll.

The real test would be if they were going to sell both the PT with OT and the PT with the SE's and to see who would buy each (and not both).

They put out the individual DVDs with the original releases and they didn't sell all that well. Isn't that enough? Most people were satisfied with the DVD box set. The OT purists like to act like the old non-anamorphic laser transfers sunk it but how many people even know what a non-anamorphic transfer is? How many people in '06 even had 16x9 displays? Consumers just didn't want them.

The other interesting number (for which there is no way to tell) is if they are losing sales by not offering the OT.

Lucas has been in childhood-rapist mode for 14 years by now and I think the mountains of money he continues to make year after year proves that the die-hard OT-purists are a small drop in the bucket. Furthermore, how many of these people who "refuse" to buy the SE versions are secretly buying and enjoying them while maintaining online that they're fighting against the Evil Lucas Empire? A lot I'm sure.

[Cook]

Originally Posted by GuruAskew

They put out the individual DVDs with the original releases and they didn't sell all that well.

I wouldn't call myself a purist as I like all versions, but considering that most people already owned the 2004 set I would say the 2006 sells numbers were not indicative of the actual demand for the ubaltered originals. You lost sales due to the fact some people just didnt want to rebuy the SE on dvd again. Had the 2006 set been the first DVD set they would have sold like hotcakes. Or had the 2004 set had the Unaltered Trilogy they would have sold like hotcakes also. Either way, the sales of the 2006 set was a result more of the fact that they came to soon after the release of the 2004 set. Lucas should have included them in the 2004 set. And there in lies the flaw in your point. Had he included the unaltered films in the 2004 set the purists would have said that the great sales were.indicative of the demand for the unaltered films. So you see, the argument would be the exact opposite of what your saying. Its all circumstantial and guess work. The truth is that most fans whether they want them or not or would ever watch them wouldn't mind having them if they were included in the bluray as an extra option. I am sure you wouldn't mind. Look at Blade Runner. Most fans weren't asking for all five versions of that films, but having them is nice. As a star wars fan I want the unaltered films for my collection. I probably wouldn't watch them much at all, but its nice to have them.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by GuruAskew

They put out the individual DVDs with the original releases and they didn't sell all that well. Isn't that enough?

All of them are out on DVD.

Is that enough?

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

And that's quite a scary thought. I like the Hoth battle exactly the way it is, thanks.

Originally Posted by odin09

I think that if todays technology was available the original films would have suffered greatly. Lucas would have done exactly what he did on the Prequel films, focused on the effects rather than story and character. What made Star Wars great was what they did with the technology that was afforded to them. Lucas also created memorable characters and an awesome story.

All true guys, all true. But just imagine a remake...tech-wise only, same story, same everything

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by Cook

Look at Blade Runner. Most fans weren't asking for all five versions of that films, but having them is nice. As a star wars fan I want the unaltered films for my collection. I probably wouldn't watch them much at all, but its nice to have them.

Exactly. I have the 5 disc Blade Runner collection, and I have only watched the Final Cut.

Why should Lucas invest in something that people wouldn't want to watch much at all to begin with, just to own it??? I have heard this from many a UOT fan. They just want them on BD, but admit that they would probably end up watching the SE most of the time, or only watch the UOT once!
That's ridiculous, and therefore Lucas is right not to release them.

Also, if the fans had really wanted the UOT on DVD, they would have bought the 2006 set, because I doubt too many people had the LDs already.
LD wasn't very popular with the masses, so to say that just because the transfers were the same people didn't bother isn't true.

Fact is most people just don't care and are perfectly happy with the SE.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

You're wrong if you don't think he controlled every aspect of those films as well. Ladd at Fox took a gamble on him and let him do Star Wars (IV) his way, even though Fox was paying the bills. Empire & Jedi were done with Lucas' own money so there was no oversight at all.

Lucas approved every shot, every line of dialogue, every little VFX element down to a laserbolt.

The ONLY thing different about the PT was he directed them from start to finish and the technology.

He did not control every aspect of Empire (there's a reason he says it's the worst Star Wars movie). Lucas also did not like the "I know" line from Han Solo. Even on the original Star Wars, he had trouble with his actors not cooperating with him and constant tech problems, etc. Although he basically ghost-directed Return of the Jedi himself.

He actually said in an interview when the 2004 DVDs were coming out, that even with his enhancements, the OT represented about 30% of what he wanted.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

Why should Lucas invest in something that people wouldn't want to watch much at all to begin with, just to own it???

Whether we're willing to watch it is irrelevant to the seller. All the seller needs to know is whether we're willing to buy it. Speaking for myself: I am willing to pay for theatrical releases. In a perfect world they would be released individually and I would be spared the indiginity of buying a third copy of Jedi that will never see the light of day but you can't have everything.

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

He did not control every aspect of Empire (there's a reason he says it's the worst Star Wars movie).

Except, you know, that comment was a joke. Why would he say that to someone he was giving an Award to?

Anyway I have no interest in seeing the theatrical cuts of the OT on Blu-ray. I really like the 2004 special editions, even with the added creatures and whatnot.

[Jumpman]

I don't think people really understand how much Empire really is Lucas' film.

Yeah, Kershner and Kasdan get all the credit but the actual structure and plot developments of Empire all came from Lucas' draft of Empire after Brackett's draft...and yet, he only took a story credit and give the screenplay credit to both Kasdan and Brackett.

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by GuruAskew

No it's not. Those are numbers that clearly show that even though most people would like the option there are actually more people who want the SE's than the original. The OT purists are a very vocal minority and I've said that for years.

The poll indicates that the option that is voted for most contains both versions. How is that a vocal minority?

Originally Posted by GuruAskew

They put out the individual DVDs with the original releases and they didn't sell all that well. Isn't that enough? Most people were satisfied with the DVD box set. The OT purists like to act like the old non-anamorphic laser transfers sunk it but how many people even know what a non-anamorphic transfer is? How many people in '06 even had 16x9 displays? Consumers just didn't want them.

Are you serious? Do you consider a DVD with anamorphic enhancement not a standard? How would you feel if Lucas released the Star Wars set non-anamorphically? Would you still say it's not a big deal? Wouldn't you mind if he used masters used for VHS for the upcoming Blu-ray? Because hey, how many people even have Blu-ray players? How many people even know what HD means?
The fact that it sold poorly (if it even did that, I don't know the numbers) is because of the fact that the original versions were shoddy Laserdisc masters that were not anamorphic, and the fact that that the SEs were included, which most people already owned.

Originally Posted by GuruAskew

Lucas has been in childhood-rapist mode for 14 years by now and I think the mountains of money he continues to make year after year proves that the die-hard OT-purists are a small drop in the bucket. Furthermore, how many of these people who "refuse" to buy the SE versions are secretly buying and enjoying them while maintaining online that they're fighting against the Evil Lucas Empire? A lot I'm sure.

Great, another of the "childhood raping" posts, we hadn't had those for at least a couple of pages .