Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Falaskan

I guess I'll sell my "old" SW blu-rays!

Your avatar is just the best.

[imagazzell]

Originally Posted by Lentulus Batiatus

My hope would be both the originals and the ultimate versions. I don't mind new changes to make things better. Fix all the lightsabers so they look bad-ass prequel like. Up the CGI of the space battles and get rid of every garbage matte ... Touch up those items and all other little issues that many have pointed out (mattes, goofs etc) and I'm happy.

In my wildest of dreams, I imagine the option to order fully customized SW discs, with an extensive checkbox list of all alterations made since the original incarnations. 'Uncheck all' and you've got the bare bones originals (with a lovely, fresh 4K remastering, of course). 'Check all' and you've got GL's latest revision. Or pick and choose. Me, for example, I want the updated space battles, the cleanup of the garbage mattes, the (finally) 100% corrected lightsaber colors... but I also want Han shooting first, Boba's better (original) voice, and Sebastian Shaw as ghost Anakin. Go down the list, check what you want, hit "Submit Order", and boom, a week or two later, you've got YOUR definitive version of your favorite sci-fi fantasy saga, on dazzling hi-def Blu-ray (or DVD, if that's the market you're still in).

If we lived in a time of top tier service and efficiency of product, it could absolutely be done. And with all the mixed opinions across the vast spectrum of Star Wars fandom, to provide perhaps the only way for EVERY Star Wars fan to be happy, I can see it being very lucrative to the supplying studio as well... Even at 2 or 3x the cost of a normal Blu-ray, it would be worth it to me (and to others as well, I reckon).

But again, such magic and satisfaction (sadly) only currently exist in my most outlandish of dreams...

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by tylergfoster

Also, again, can't anyone confirm that there is a Technicolor print stored at the UCLA Film and TV archives of the unedited trilogy that would be a great source? I believe there are only two prints of the unaltered version in existence; the UCLA one and one in the hands of a private collector.

Oh, there are certainly other prints - but if you mean just Technicolor dye, then yes, we know that Lucas has one in his personal storage as well. And although some folks laughingly assume he "wouldn't let Disney see it", of course he would. They just gave him 4B, LOL - he'd lend them the copy.

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Gawd this is so ridiculous. It's like there's a Special Edition talking points FAQ for the internet.

As if there are "no men" on a movie financed out of one man's pocket. "Gee, I'm spending $100 million of my own money, better get people that can't carry out my vision the way I want it"

Gawd why do you care? LOL

Here's the difference: people care about the unaltered OT because it's not available. Folks getting that now isn't going to take away the CGI'd up versions - they already exist.

That's been the issue from the very beginning, of not giving folks the choice of which version to watch - the classic, Academy Award winning/nominated films that enchanted an entire generation and changed the film industry, or the revisionist versions with cartoons laid on top of them which, frankly, given the resources of Lucasfilm at the time(s) they were made (as we've had how many versions now?) aren't very impressive. That's always been to me the very crux of the issue - the SE's just weren't done very well - some of the background stuff is done OK, but any character-based CGI sucks. I defy anyone to say that Jabba, even in the 2011 version, looks even marginally good, in ANH, for example.

In any case, I think he was not referring to "yes men" as in folks that pay for it or anything (that's not what the term means) but sycophantic folks who say "oh good idea George!" about everything. After ROTJ, Lucas pretty much stopped deferring to the expertise of other folks - in some ways, after ESB - and the quality difference has been obvious. He's a brilliant man, but the smartest folks realize that they don't know everything - he had a lot of help on the first few films that challenged him, but when no one challenges you with new ideas or different takes, it often turns out an inferior product when it's solely "one man's vision".

Originally Posted by imagazzell

In my wildest of dreams, I imagine the option to order fully customized SW discs, with an extensive checkbox list of all alterations made since the original incarnations.

I actually have actually said that almost verbatim numerous times in this thread - and considering the current track Disney as a company is on (customization of experiences, including Star Wars collectables already) I think it's very possible in the future (not anytime soon, but eventually). This is a company that currently is selling customized vacations where folks can schedule certain rides three months in advance - it's certainly the direction they are going.

Originally Posted by Riddler95

What I meant was if they used Lowry's ten year old scans that would mean that these new 4K Transfers are the Special Edition Versions and not the Original Versions.

If it is a restoration it obviously means that they had to locate Film Elements to use as a source for the scans. Film Restoration Technology has vastly improved during the last decade. This could very well be a restoration of the Theatrical Cuts. I remember reading on The Digital Bits a few months ago that Robert Harris knows of an excellent source that could be used to create beautiful HD Masters of the Theatrical Cuts. Only time can tell and let's hope that more information gets released soon.

It is. This isn't up-rezzing of the old scans - in fact, if you go to their website, they have an entirely different category for Up-rez projects. This is a film restoration. It's the OT, as has been rumored for quite some time.

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

And you still have no proof that it's going to be the GOUT. I'm betting we'll get even MORE changes.

LOL.

You are right. I don't have a letter from Disney. You'll just have to wait for the announcement for that. Which hey, totally understandable. I do know what I have been hearing, on and off for awhile, and then again in the past day or so - which is why I posted, because what I am hearing independently corroborates with what another poster is reporting.

You'd lose that bet, though, depending on what you mean. If you mean this is going to be the 2011 cuts with even more changes on top of it, you'd be wrong. Those only exist digitally. They have already been released; they were Lucas' last version and will remain such. There is no "restoration" to be done on those.

Now, if you mean "changes" to the restored OT - which is what this is, a restoration of the original film - it also depends on what specifically you are saying. If you think they are going to do a SE Part II, in the manner Lucas did by adding all kinds of crap that isn't there - no, that's not going to happen, either.

What I think may be possible is they "clean up" some stuff. The matte boxes around the TIE Fighters, stray saber issues, etc. - stuff that will be much more visible in HD - that is entirely possible. I have no information about that. But all but the fringe of the fringe of the fringe would have a problem with that - in fact, I've never met, spoken, or even read a post from someone who thought stuff like that was an issue - it's making Han shoot first, adding CGI characters where there were none before, etc. that folks don't care for. Cleaning up some existing visual effects (not replacing, but cleaning up) for HD would actually be welcome by most.




Overall, what I think some folks are missing is the big picture here - and they are just going to be shocked as hell when they realize what is really going on. Disney is nothing short of brilliant on this front - the prequels did money, but they were critical flops, and, most vitally, only marginally successful in terms of product sales compared to the days of the OT - and Disney's vast marketing of Star Wars products for years before they actually owned LucasFilm has shown them that the OT stuff is by far the best selling.

Disney is exploiting that to the fullest advantage - they know that in order to make the next few decades of Star Wars happen, they have to go back to the beginning and bring everyone into the fold. This forum is quick to dismiss the folks that care about the OT as fringe, but even if so - that's the fringe that spends thousands of dollars a year on Star Wars products. Disney is intent on satisfying them, as well as bringing back the older folks that may not be big fans but to whom there hasn't been a Star Wars film made since the 1980's.

I understand folks are going to be skeptical, that's cool - and completely valid. But all corners of the franchise and evidence from toy manufacturers, to video games, to comic books, to theme parks, and obviously the big one - Episode VII - are indicating a massive return to OT focus, and this restoration is a big chunk of that.

[comicgeek]

Ugh and I was going to purchase the already released sets for my birthday. Do I wait or just say screw and buy the current versions because I was not even alive to see the original editions.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Lentulus Batiatus

My hope would be both the originals and the ultimate versions. I don't mind new changes to make things better. Fix all the lightsabers so they look bad-ass prequel like. Up the CGI of the space battles and get rid of every garbage matte. Not many of the changes that were made post special editions bother me (like it seems to have destroyed so many weak minds) but the giant door to Jabba's palace didn't seem to fit and Vader's 'No" much to forced. Loved seeing the Ewoks blink which gave them more life, however having Wicket blink mid-head turn as he's looking down at Leia looks more anamatronic than natural. Touch up those items and all other little issues that many have pointed out (mattes, goofs etc) and I'm happy. Even better if they sit down the OT cast over in London, get them some beers and have them watch the films while being recorded. That would be awesome.

As I've said many times:
There are so many versions of Star Wars and anyone can pick what he likes.
The only ones that aren't available are THE ORIGINALS WITH NO ALTERATION WHATSOEVER!

So, I hope it's that. No fixes, and no alterations whatsoever!
I don't need half measures here with some fixes here and there. i need the original thing!

[svenge]

Originally Posted by comicgeek

Ugh and I was going to purchase the already released sets for my birthday. Do I wait or just say screw and buy the current versions because I was not even alive to see the original editions.

One thing to consider is that when it comes to Star Wars, the bonus features are almost never recycled for the next release.

As such, it's unlikely that the 3 original vintage documentaries ("The Making of Star Wars", "The Empire Strikes Back: SPFX", and "Classic Creatures: The Return of the Jedi") from the current BD set would be on any proposed O-OT release, just like "Empire of Dreams" documentary didn't make the jump from the 2004 DVD set to the 2011 BD set.

In short, if bonus features are a big deal to you then the current "Saga" 9-disc set is worth it even if it is going to be superseded by a future O-OT release. If not, and if you can wait however long it takes for Disney to put out the original versions, then you might want to pass.

[comicgeek]

Originally Posted by svenge

One thing to consider is that when it comes to Star Wars, the bonus features are almost never recycled for the next release.

As such, it's unlikely that the 3 original vintage documentaries ("The Making of Star Wars", "The Empire Strikes Back: SPFX", and "Classic Creatures: The Return of the Jedi") from the current BD set would be on any proposed O-OT release, just like "Empire of Dreams" documentary didn't make the jump from the 2004 DVD set to the 2011 BD set.

In short, if bonus features are a big deal to you then the current "Saga" 9-disc set is worth it even if it is going to be superseded by a future O-OT release. If not, and if you can wait however long it takes for Disney to put out the original versions, then you might want to pass.

The only movies where I spend hours on the bonus features are Disney releases (animated films). I am more worried about the wait. I have wanted these blus for a while now. And being born in the second half of the 90's, I grew up with the prequels and the edited movies on tape and dvd. I feel for the people who want them unaltered, it just wouldn't change my perceptions of the films as I don't know them any other way than altered.

[Thomas Guycott]

So if this gets confirmed/announced, new thread?

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

So if this gets confirmed/announced, new thread?

I hope not.

I'll be waiting for official confirmation before I join the rest of the hive getting all worked up. Hopefully this new is legit, if for anything, just to shed a few naysayers.

[Geoff D]

It'd still be awesome to get ALL the versions of these movies in one set. Restored original on one disc, the 1997/2004/2011 versions on another by way of branching, and a third disc collating all the extras for that movie, in HD where appropriate. If buying the full trilogy set, you'd also get a bonus disc with Empire of Dreams on it.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by svenge

One thing to consider is that when it comes to Star Wars, the bonus features are almost never recycled for the next release.

As such, it's unlikely that the 3 original vintage documentaries ("The Making of Star Wars", "The Empire Strikes Back: SPFX", and "Classic Creatures: The Return of the Jedi") from the current BD set would be on any proposed O-OT release, just like "Empire of Dreams" documentary didn't make the jump from the 2004 DVD set to the 2011 BD set.

In short, if bonus features are a big deal to you then the current "Saga" 9-disc set is worth it even if it is going to be superseded by a future O-OT release. If not, and if you can wait however long it takes for Disney to put out the original versions, then you might want to pass.

if they indeed restore the originals they can give them to me barebones, wrapped up in a newspaper!
As long as they are the unaltered originals!
I won't care about extras, cases, vudu, hulu, zulu, sulu, ultraViolet and ultraDaisy!

[DCW]

But as others have said, I'll wait for official word. Exciting news though for sure, I've thought for a while now that Disney will put these out leading up to the release of episode VII.

[klauswhereareyou]

I'd be cool if they these remastered in 4K got a theatrical release.

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It'd still be awesome to get ALL the versions of these movies in one set. Restored original on one disc, the 1997/2004/2011 versions on another by way of branching, and a third disc collating all the extras for that movie, in HD where appropriate. If buying the full trilogy set, you'd also get a bonus disc with Empire of Dreams on it.

I'm pretty confident EoD will make it out this time - I think that's why it was held back last time. If one goes to the beginning of the thread (please, leave a trail of breadcrumbs behind, anyone who dares - in case you don't make it back so we know how to rescue you) you can see where some of us pointed out the seeming lightness of the extras on the 2011 set compared to what was known to exist - and many folks got their pitchforks out and swore we were wrong and were nitpicking, LOL.

Especially when you consider how much padding was in the set on top of the omissions (the parody stuff, the 401st doc) - it seemed odd at the time, but then once Disney bought Lucasfilm it made perfect sense. Doing the release at the end of it's ownership allowed Lucas to make a "final" version under his own control, proved yet again the relevance of the franchise on home video, but leaving some major extras on the table for a future release was the smartest thing to do during sale negotiations. It proved you can still sell a box set of Star Wars every few years, even on a new format, and gave them some significant content for new owners to have unique to a future set.

That said, I'm pretty sure it's been noted in the past that seamless branching of even two versions would be impossible, let alone 3 - practically every scene has some differences, and you just can't fit that much varying video on even a Blu-ray.

[Gaius Marius]

Remaining cautiously optimistic about this....

I don't mind the revisions overall, but some do irritate me (Greedo shooting first, the redundant Jabba scene, Jedi Rocks, "Nooooo" and the Hayden froce ghost). Mostly, I like the updated effects (the Battle of Yavin and Cloud City being the stand outs).

However, I really, really want a good transfer of the theatrical versions as those are what I grew up watching. I think a set having the original/1997/2011 versions via seamless branching (if possible) would be great. Load it up with all of the available extras (From Star Wars to Jedi and Empire of Dreams would be great ), and they have my money day one, regardless of price

New commentary would be icing on the cake with the cast together again!

[Cobra Kai]

Don't get your hopes up about this being the theatrical versions.

• Those lightsaber shots in the reliance video look like the 2004 recompositing.

• A Reliance/Lowry staffer apparently did work on this back in 2012, starting on it before Disney took over, so I doubt Lucasfilm would have been working on theatrical restorations at that time: "Restoration, Mapping, Dirt Picking : Star Wars 4K Blu-Ray Release" - 9/2012-12/2012
http://www.creativecow.net/interstit...-services&id=0

• There is a new 4k DCP screening of Star Wars in Atlanta on July 18. It has been confirmed to be the special edition. I would bet it is from this same lowry 4k print. http://plazaatlanta.com/new_website2...ary-screening/

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by Cobra Kai

Don't get your hopes up about this being the theatrical versions.

• Those lightsaber shots in the reliance video look like the 2004 recompositing.

• A Reliance/Lowry staffer apparently did work on this back in 2012, starting on it before Disney took over, so I doubt Lucasfilm would have been working on theatrical restorations at that time: "Restoration, Mapping, Dirt Picking : Star Wars 4K Blu-Ray Release" - 9/2012-12/2012
http://www.creativecow.net/interstit...-services&id=0

• There is a new 4k DCP screening of Star Wars in Atlanta on July 18. It has been confirmed to be the special edition. I would bet it is from this same lowry 4k print. http://plazaatlanta.com/new_website2...ary-screening/

There always has to be at least one party crasher!

[The Fallen Deity]

This is excellent news if it's actually happening!

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by Cobra Kai

Don't get your hopes up about this being the theatrical versions.

• Those lightsaber shots in the reliance video look like the 2004 recompositing.

• A Reliance/Lowry staffer apparently did work on this back in 2012, starting on it before Disney took over, so I doubt Lucasfilm would have been working on theatrical restorations at that time: "Restoration, Mapping, Dirt Picking : Star Wars 4K Blu-Ray Release" - 9/2012-12/2012
http://www.creativecow.net/interstit...-services&id=0

• There is a new 4k DCP screening of Star Wars in Atlanta on July 18. It has been confirmed to be the special edition. I would bet it is from this same lowry 4k print. http://plazaatlanta.com/new_website2...ary-screening/

There is no 4K Lowry print.

They were scanned at 2K not 4K.

Also the lightsabers look closer to the original compositing and not the 2004/2011 versions.

[Galactus123]

Originally Posted by Cobra Kai

Don't get your hopes up about this being the theatrical versions.

• Those lightsaber shots in the reliance video look like the 2004 recompositing.

Didn't the Vader's lightsaber look pink also in the 2004 version?

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/3625/vadersaber.jpg

The colors look like they did before the Lucas's color correction.