Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by quetzalcoatl

Yet if you read his testimony before congress in 1988 about the colorization of movies to what he is doing now it is just scary.
http://savestarwars.com/lucasspeecha...aledition.html

And wholly irrelevant as views change over time.

[nmycon]

Some screens from the first few minutes of ANH

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[Aragorn the Elfstone]

Attention should be paid to this question of our soul, and not simply to accounting procedures. Attention should be paid to the interest of those who are yet unborn, who should be able to see this generation as it saw itself, and the past generation as it saw itself.

That really is the damning part of his speech right there. He can go on and on about how they're "his" films to do with as he pleases, but he can't ever erase this statement.

[Moviefan2k4]

Attention should be paid to this question of our soul, and not simply to accounting procedures. Attention should be paid to the interest of those who are yet unborn, who should be able to see this generation as it saw itself, and the past generation as it saw itself.

Well, I think it really depends on what context you're reading into these words. For example, what do you suppose Lucas could've meant by "this generation"? Was he referring to the adults of the 1970s who made the films, or the kids who grew up watching them? It could easily be read either way, and only Lucas knows what he meant for sure. He's said so many times over the years, that his idea for "Star Wars" was so much bigger and grander than what he was originally able to do, so he's doing what he thinks is best to bring it closer to what he wanted. He's obviously not doing it for monetary reasons, or else every version would be released at the same time.

I think one potential problem nowadays, is that some folks are just plain spoiled. With few exceptions, studios have been releasing multiple versions of their films for decades, and over time, folks got so accustomed to it that they developed an "entitlement" attitude. Someone comes along who decides to make different choices instead of following trends, and immediately gets condemned by those with a steadfast "Me, first!" mentality. Now, to be fair, all of us have our preferences, but ultimately we're not owed anything. The distribution of a product is mainly decided by whoever owns the appropriate rights (usually the studio), but in the case of "Star Wars", Lucas has the final say. Legally, he can't release the films through another company, because Fox has first dibs...but he's free to alter them as much as he wants, before submitting them for another release. Like it or not, these choices are his to make, so constantly screaming, "Me, me, me!" or hurling insults won't have any kind of positive effect.

[georgec]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

That really is the damning part of his speech right there. He can go on and on about how they're "his" films to do with as he pleases, but he can't ever erase this statement.

Sure about that?

Once the technology matures...

[Indyjones]

I picked up new copies of the 2006 LE Dvd's of ANH, ESB and ROTJ tonight. Who knows when the heck, if ever, we'll got a proper release of UOT. Yeah, they look like crap, but I now have them, which I had not owned previously. I gave away my Dvd's earlier this year, but now I'm looking to get them back, because the extras didn't carry over. Since I no longer own the UOT on any format, I went with the LE's this time around.

[frogmort]

Wow, I just looked up the Limited Editions on Amazon, and they have skyrocketed like crazy. They are going for up to $36 used, per movie!

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

Well, I think it really depends on what context you're reading into these words. For example, what do you suppose Lucas could've meant by "this generation"? Was he referring to the adults of the 1970s who made the films, or the kids who grew up watching them? It could easily be read either way, and only Lucas knows what he meant for sure. He's said so many times over the years, that his idea for "Star Wars" was so much bigger and grander than what he was originally able to do, so he's doing what he thinks is best to bring it closer to what he wanted. He's obviously not doing it for monetary reasons, or else every version would be released at the same time.

I think one potential problem nowadays, is that some folks are just plain spoiled. With few exceptions, studios have been releasing multiple versions of their films for decades, and over time, folks got so accustomed to it that they developed an "entitlement" attitude. Someone comes along who decides to make different choices instead of following trends, and immediately gets condemned by those with a steadfast "Me, first!" mentality. Now, to be fair, all of us have our preferences, but ultimately we're not owed anything. The distribution of a product is mainly decided by whoever owns the appropriate rights (usually the studio), but in the case of "Star Wars", Lucas has the final say. Legally, he can't release the films through another company, because Fox has first dibs...but he's free to alter them as much as he wants, before submitting them for another release. Like it or not, these choices are his to make, so constantly screaming, "Me, me, me!" or hurling insults won't have any kind of positive effect.

I just don't see this as an entitlement issue. It's film history. I feel that's bigger than what version I want to see OR what version George Lucas wants me to see.

In 1977, "Star Wars" changed the course of movies forever. It won 6 Academy Awards for work not fully represented in the Special Editions - most epecially the awards for Best Film Editing and Best Visual Effects. The film that was represents a pivotal moment in the history of cinema that should never be forgotten.

[Falaskan]

yeah, it sucks

[FC4L]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

I just don't see this as an entitlement issue. It's film history. I feel that's bigger than what version I want to see OR what version George Lucas wants me to see.

In 1977, "Star Wars" changed the course of movies forever. It won 6 Academy Awards for work not fully represented in the Special Editions - most epecially the awards for Best Film Editing and Best Visual Effects. The film that was represents a pivotal moment in the history of cinema that should never be forgotten.

In 1978 Annie Hall won 'Best Picture' over Star Wars and nobody gives 2 shits about that movie today. You need to get off your high horse.

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

Originally Posted by FC4L

In 1978 Annie Hall won 'Best Picture' over Star Wars and nobody gives 2 shits about that movie today. You need to get off your high horse.

Film lovers disagree.

[Indyjones]

Originally Posted by frogmort

Wow, I just looked up the Limited Editions on Amazon, and they have skyrocketed like crazy. They are going for up to $36 used, per movie!

That's insane! I paid little more than that for all 3 combined and they're sealed!

[nathan_393]

Originally Posted by FC4L

In 1978 Annie Hall won 'Best Picture' over Star Wars and nobody gives 2 shits about that movie today. You need to get off your high horse.

You're right. I give more than two.

Yes, there were better films than Star Wars in 1977.
Keep in mind I said better, not "more revolutionary", so stay calm.

And I'm not sure the guy was on much of a high horse. Relaaax. It's the Internet.

Back OT: I liked the screencaps posted on the last page.

[indy7solo]

Originally Posted by FC4L

In 1978 Annie Hall won 'Best Picture' over Star Wars and nobody gives 2 shits about that movie today. You need to get off your high horse.

Or it is considered one of the best comedies of all time. You should give it a shot.

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Originally Posted by FC4L

In 1978 Annie Hall won 'Best Picture' over Star Wars and nobody gives 2 shits about that movie today. You need to get off your high horse.

I can't tell if you're being ironic or not. Annie Hall is one the great films of the 20th century.

The American Film Institute rankings of "Annie Hall":
100 YEARS…100 LAUGHS #4
100 YEARS…100 MOVIES – 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION #35

http://www.afi.com/100years/movies10.aspx

[Guitar Joe]

Originally Posted by FC4L

In 1978 Annie Hall won 'Best Picture' over Star Wars and nobody gives 2 shits about that movie today. You need to get off your high horse.

LOL, wut?

[ckyrico]

So what ends up being important in my mind is what the DVD version is going to look like, because that's what everybody is going to remember. 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' by 40' screen with perfect quality. I think it's the director's prerogative, not the studio's to go back and reinvent a movie.

George Lucas, 1997

I'm real curious to hear what he really thinks of this now. If he was this passionate about erasing the original cuts of the film, then putting them on the 2006 DVDs was a total cop-out, in his book.

What a fascinating dude. I'd love to know if there's even a real tug-of-war going on in his head about all of this, or if he's on cruise control with just changing it every few years until he dies.

In my opinion, all the controversy goes away if he follows the Blade Runner model - put out a set for each film with the Original Cut, Special Edition, DVD Edition, and Blu-Ray Edition, all equally restored and remastered, all equally available to its fans.

But that quote above is a great reminder of his prerogative. He truly wants the original cuts erased from the Earth. He seems like a history buff - doesn't he know how futile that attitude is, even if you are richer than God?

[quetzalcoatl]

Originally Posted by JLTucker

And wholly irrelevant as views change over time.

I can't disagree more that what he said is irrelevant. He was arguing that Ted Turner was destroying films by adding color to them so that he could make more money off them. Yes people can change thier views but it says much about a person when they change their views depending on the position they are in. And I was on his side when he was against destorying those works of art as much as I am now against him trying to destroy these works of art.
I have no problem with him making the changes but the fact that he is trying to erase the previous version from history is what bothers me. And I think you would be hard pressed to find very many people that are in the entertainment industry that would not agree with this statement he made.

A copyright is held in trust by its owner until it ultimately reverts to public domain. American works of art belong to the American public; they are part of our cultural history.

[Panama Jack]

I've read perhaps 85-90% of the pages of this thread... most have speculated, based on the LucasFilm promo shots, that the US version of the Saga set will not have any disc art like the European/UK sets. Does anyone know if that speculation has been 100% confirmed as true?

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

I just don't see this as an entitlement issue. It's film history. I feel that's bigger than what version I want to see OR what version George Lucas wants me to see.

Well, seeing as the "film history" that is "Star Wars" was largely Lucas' own work, I think his version of the saga should be treated with a certain level of respect. After all, its not like he's erasing everyone else's work with the changes; even folks like Joe Johnston, Dennis Muren, Frank Oz, and Ben Burtt have chimed in to voice their views on the subject. I think if anyone had a moral right to be upset, they would.

In 1977, "Star Wars" changed the course of movies forever. It won 6 Academy Awards for work not fully represented in the Special Editions - most epecially the awards for Best Film Editing and Best Visual Effects. The film that was represents a pivotal moment in the history of cinema that should never be forgotten.

Not to be rude, but do you think a few minutes' worth of (mostly minor) changes are going to tarnish that fact? It's probably safe to say that about 90% of the original editing is still intact; Lucas hasn't changed that much of it. Most of what he's done ha been on a very small scale, except for a few moments like the Jabba scene in ANH, or the musical number in RotJ.