Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Persianimmortal

With respect, it is not the only way to show the film to newcomers, and it doesn't matter how old the suggestion is - doesn't make it any more or less valid than anything else.

I personally think 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6 is OK for people who already know the story, but it makes the saga a disappointment for newcomers. Viewing 4 and 5 before 1 gives away the whole Anakin/Vader/Luke's Father plotline before you even see Anakin as a child

But Anakin as a child has no real bearing, since Lucas scuttled the "Anakin created by the Sith" plot line, which was the whole reason for the midichlorian breadcrumbs to begin with.

Lucas himself said Episodes 1 and 2 comprised about 20% of what he wanted to say with his backstory, but when he reached the third, he realized he did not have the screentime to fill in the remaining 80%, and he filled in what he could. Since it DOESN'T MATTER anymore what Anakin's midi count is, or that he has a mysterious birth, there really is no reason to watch Episode 1 to begin with.

and hence creates an anti-climax when watching 1, 2, 3. You don't see Anakin evolve, you already know his fate, which is a common problem with prequels anyway.

Godfather II...old tragedies leading to new ones...that's what the saga was going for. That's why a flashback structure works.

You also know that Obi Wan and Yoda can't be killed in 1, 2 or 3, as well as the outcome of the Clone Wars.

I'll take knowing the victor of the Clone Wars over knowing the identity of Darth Vader. Biggest sucker punch in modern film history this side of Tyler Durden...you want to lose that for the victor of a video game cut scene?

Then jumping from 3 to 6 at the end only gives an even more jarring change of pace.

No...everything ties together, as we see Luke face the same horrible choice given to Anakin, only instead of choosing to fight, he chooses to believe in the love of his father, and he lays down his sword and is ready to die. That moment is amplified by Sith, especially watching it directly after.

[aiman04]

I told my neighbor in 1997 to watch in 451236 order when we have the complete saga. But we just didn't bother to post it on the internet at that time.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by worldwide11

I wish they would get rid of the matte lines from the SFX in Empire. Also, the strange variations in the size of the snow speeders in relation to the walkers is a bit distracting. Other than that, this film is glorious.

I didn't notice any mattes in the Hoth battle on the Blu-Ray.

And aside from the odd revisions for blu ray, the original/revised ie lowry star wars looks great.

Agreed, except for the very obvious TIE fighter mattes in "New Hope". There's some others in "Empire" and "Jedi", but those TIEs are the worst, by far.

[Persianimmortal]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Godfather II...old tragedies leading to new ones...that's what the saga was going for. That's why a flashback structure works.

Your arguments regarding the way in which Anakin's background is irrelevant are flawed. You're not thinking of a new viewer, you're thinking about yourself and existing Star Wars fans. I'm not sure why you think Star Wars and Godfather II are the same, because they're not. The Star Wars saga has much more than just the theme of "old tragedies leading to new ones". Also, Godfather II didn't stretch its flashback sequence for over six continuous hours, which is what your order proposes.

The 4,5,1,2,3,6 order quite simply doesn't work for a new viewer, because it nullifies a whole range of surprises and destroys any suspense in the saga. Just because the saga was originally released as an OT then the Prequels, doesn't mean newer viewers need to be forced to have all the surprises revealed in 4 & 5 before trudging through 1, 2 and 3 knowing pretty much everything that's going to happen.

You're also ignoring every minor storyline thread in Star Wars to focus on the Anakin storyline. Apparently every other character in the movie is irrelevant, and we should know what happens to them right from the beginning, just so we can sit through a flashback-type tragedy for the Anakin/Vader storyline? This might be how we older Star Wars viewers received the series, but there's no need to pass it on to younger viewers like that.

Finally, you ignore the fact that many newer viewers quite simply don't like the original trilogy because it looks dated to their eyes. By letting them watch 1,2,3 first, they get involved with the characters and the concepts, which naturally makes them much more curious about 4,5,6 and wanting to find out what happens to these characters despite the older look of the OT.

Anyway the point is that 4,5,1,2,3,6 is most definitely not the best way to present the series to younger viewers, it's just what you and several others prefer. I prefer 4,5,6,1,2,3 for Star Wars fans, and 1-6 for new viewers.

[Nicolawicz]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Add Ridley Scott, James Cameron, Peter Jackson and Martin Scorsese to your list of "video hacks".

Digital is the future of all filmmaking. Lucas was one of the first. Get used to it and stop with the petty name calling.

That's what you digital fanboys like to think. The fact is, for every Lucas there's a Spielberg (or for every Rodriguez there's a Tarantino, whatever). Real filmmakers who would never work with inferior mediums like digital. And at least those directors you mentioned have the excuse of 3D; they wouldn't be shooting a normal movie on video. Well, maybe Jackson and Cameron would, but they've been prostituted beyond recognition anyway.

[Gold Ranger]

1,2,3,4,5,6
- or -
4,5,6,1,2,3
- or -
1,4,2,5,3,6

[Kryptonic]

Hell with you guys. I rock it hardcore.

6, 2, 4, 1, 3, 5

[Illy Scorsese]

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Illy Scorsese

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Just curious as to what that means

[Nicolawicz]

Originally Posted by therainberg

Film is laced with artifacts that break down image quality like grain,

Grain isn't an artifact, it's what makes the picture itself.

not to mention film projection is the equivalent of 720p HD content.

Nonsense.

We are at a point now where there is no real discernible difference between digital and film, we are at a crossroads where digital is now becoming the superior medium in its own way.

Sorry, but the difference is discernible enough for them not to look nor feel like real movies to me. No matter how high the resolution of digital gets, it will always look cheap compared to film.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Lucas himself said Episodes 1 and 2 comprised about 20% of what he wanted to say with his backstory, but when he reached the third, he realized he did not have the screentime to fill in the remaining 80%, and he filled in what he could.

I'm glad you point that out. I remember reading an interview during the lead up to Sith where he said that but can't remember the source (Rolling Stone or Empire, I think) and would love to re-read the interview.. I was gobsmacked when I read it. It wasn't shocking that it was true, but it was shocking he stated it so plainly. Likewise, on the original Jedi DVD commentary he indicates that much of that film is filler because he'd run out of story (apologies if immexaggerating, but that's how I remember it). In both cases I would think he wouldn't really want that "on the record".

As to a single viewing order, whether you do. 1-6, OT->PT, 451236, or other approaches you are robbed of some surprises. Where kids are concerned its also a matter of are you sharing the films or bonding over your personal experience? For many who grew up with the films that is why sharing OT first makes more sense. Me, I'd want to bond and would therefore start with OT or 451236 since I find it a reasonable compromise. I also wouldn't be aghast at those who did otherwise.

[watzcoc]

Originally Posted by aiman04

I told my neighbor in 1997 to watch in 451236 order when we have the complete saga. But we just didn't bother to post it on the internet at that time.

i have never read so much crap in my life!

ever since watching the OT as a child i have always wondered how Obi Wan, Anakin and the clone wars would have been?
I used to try to imagine Anakins downfall and the clone wars along with the Obi Wan/ anakin fight.

Telling someone to watch them 451236 is rediculous, it's like skipping to the middle of the film, skip back then skip to the end.

The proper way to watch these films is 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6 end of, no more no less.

I watched them in this order when they came to blu ray and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Everything made sense especially the Anakin downfall and redemption.
I must point out that this was the first time i watched them back to back even though i had all six on DVD as soon as they became available.

1 2 3 4 5 6 the only way.

[P@t_Mtl]

I still say the best way to show the series to someone who as never seen it is

IV V VI I II III

this way you preserve the "big surprise in V"

If you seen it before then in order is the best way to go now

[octagon]

People make too much of the various reveals.

The real problem with starting with the prequels is you gut them of all the foreshadowing (postshadowing?) that actually worked halfway well.

I liked Clones and Sith pretty well overall and I don't even hate TPM as much as I used to but they're definitely not long on dramatic tension and what little genuine emotional punch that do have is due to the fact that you know where all this is going.

It's almost like Hitchcock's bomb on the bus. The audience knows it's there but the people on the bus...

[HarcourtMudd]

Originally Posted by watzcoc

Telling someone to watch them 451236 is ridiculous, it's like skipping to the middle of the film, skip back then skip to the end.

I's called non-linear storytelling.

The proper way to watch these films is 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6 end of, no more no less.

I'm glad this order works for you,and that it maximizes your enjoyment. But, at the end of the day, it is merely your opinion, no more, no less.

[budious]

Originally Posted by watzcoc

1 2 3 4 5 6 the only way.

Fixed. And if viewing from my 95' THX VHS boxset.

[HarcourtMudd]

Originally Posted by budious

Fixed. And if viewing from my 95' THX VHS boxset.

Thank you....

[fat_rancor_keeper]

Great - everyone is giving out different viewing orders and when they do so they seem really, really sure that's the ONLY way to watch.

Whose opinion on this matter is right?

I need to know!

SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO THINK!!!

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by fat_rancor_keeper

Great - everyone is giving out different viewing orders and when they do so they seem really, really sure that's the ONLY way to watch.

Whose opinion on this matter is right?

I need to know!

SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO THINK!!!

Just watch them ~ 4 5 6 1 2 3 Or maybe 1 2 3 4 5 6 Or who cares.....

Just watch them & enjoy the movies

[fat_rancor_keeper]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Just watch them ~ 4 5 6 1 2 3 Or maybe 1 2 3 4 5 6 Or who cares.....

Just watch them & enjoy the movies

LoL, I hear ya.

Actually for me since I've seen the movies all so many times I personally prefer 1-6.

For my kids I'd probably go 4-6, 1-3 though. Or maybe the non-linear GF2 viewing order to preserve the surprises.