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[Azar]

I'm surprised Gary hasn't stormed one of our campuses yet.

I don't really know the relationship between ILM/Lucasfilm and how all the Star Wars changes have been made over the years, but I find them really confusing. The fact that they're in such bad taste isn't confusing--I'm sure ILM doesn't deserve any blame for that--it's more than they kind of suck. Bad CG edits and fucked up color correction seem strange coming from the best special effects house in the world.

 

[Gary Whitta]

.

 

[SpacedCadette]

This.

Technicolor prints, unlike the 35mm prints that most theatres in the world received, can pretty much last forever without fading/turning pink. That's what happens to 35mm film over time.

In 1977 when Star Wars was released, Technicolor had closed down in North America. Printing films on 35mm was cheap, easy and quick. And besides, at the time, audiences and directors alike enjoyed the look grain gave to the film, which Technicolor lacked.

However, in Britain, Technicolor was still barely alive. A couple of technicolor prints of Star Wars were made for showings, and one was given to George Lucas. How many? No one knows for sure, but it is estimated to be no higher than 10. Technicolor closed down in Britain soonafter, so Empire nor Jedi were printed in the format.

Fast forward to 2010. Some collector lends a technicolor print of Star Wars to The Senator theatre on it's last night. The thing looked PRISTINE. Basically, this is what we want on Blu Ray, folks:

http://petergaultney.smugmug.com/Mo...at-The-Senator/K7PG2373/948683030_EtQfE-L.jpg
http://petergaultney.smugmug.com/Mo...t-The-Senator/K7PG2439/948700127_HWb8n-X2.jpg
http://petergaultney.smugmug.com/Mo...t-The-Senator/K7PG2471/948710091_APpYJ-XL.jpg

It looks fantastic. Unfortunately, if this collector steps up and allows someone to scan the film/release it in HD to the masses, George would send his stormtroopers to confiscate the film. Someone played a 35mm print of the original Empire Strikes Back on it's 30th anniversary and Lucasfilm actually confiscated the print.

Thanks for sharing these, although it only makes the current predicament with the Blu-rays all the more disappointing. That CU of Luke in particular is striking.

 

[Medalion]

I don't really know the relationship between ILM/Lucasfilm and how all the Star Wars changes have been made over the years, but I find them really confusing. The fact that they're in such bad taste isn't confusing--I'm sure ILM doesn't deserve any blame for that--it's more than they kind of suck. Bad CG edits and fucked up color correction seem strange coming from the best special effects house in the world.

Are you saying ILM intentionally fucked up shots to spite George for these changes?

I wouldn't necessarily doubt if some of that was going on but also maybe ILM is not perfect.

 

[fizzelopeguss]

Tested podcast today is going out LIVE today at 1:30pm. I am going to tear the shit out of Lucas and these fucking Blu-rays. My nerdrage runneth over.

I want much yub nub love.

 

[UrbanRats]

Scumbag Lucas, smells like a new meme but it would be very 1 dimensional...and CGed

Yeah, but 5 years later, the meme would look something like this:

 

[Medalion]

The "real" George Lucas died after ROTJ so yeah I could see that...

 

[Rentahamster]

Yeah, one of the other Indy rapes was from Deliverance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9FjVWMWXmQ (I can only find a decent quality version in German)

They have the entire episode for free on their website.

http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s12e08-the-china-probrem

 

[Azar]

Are you saying ILM intentionally fucked up shots to spite George for these changes?

I wouldn't necessarily doubt if some of that was going on but also maybe ILM is not perfect.

Uh, no. I wasn't saying that at all. Some of the mistakes just seem slipshod for ILM. Like I said, I don't even know how involved they are in the process.

 

[Island]

So I have some DVD's that I picked up but never opened. They say special edition on them but they have a 2nd disc that says Original 1977 Theatrical Release. Is this really what I think it is? The originals with no meddling?

If they have been changed does someone know the changes? Am wondering if they really are the real thing.

 

[BattleMonkey]

So I have some DVD's that I picked up but never opened. They say special edition on them but they have a 2nd disc that says Original 1977 Theatrical Release. Is this really what I think it is? The originals with no meddling?

If they have been changed does someone know the changes? Am wondering if they really are the real thing.

Yes those are the original untouched movies

 

[Island]

Yes those are the original untouched movies

Really? With Han shooting first and everything. Wow.

I'm going to watch them now when I get home.

Who needs the Blu-ray now? I have what I need.

 

[mattp]

they're just shitty transfers of the laserdisc versions
not anamorphic
just fucking letterboxed 4:3


i refused to buy them out of principal. you're not gonna please your fans by half assing it

 

[mattp]

The "real" George Lucas died after ROTJ so yeah I could see that...

he only half existing while making jedi

the current george was breaking out.
see: ewoks

 

[shantyman]

Regarding the 1988 comments, everyone posting them is conveniently ignoring that he talking about someone other than the creator of the works altering them. Specifically, the colorization of films without the filmmakers consent is what Lucas was speaking about.

He never said the creator of a work cannot alter it. There is no hypocrisy here.

 

[ultron87]

How do people reconcile disliking Ewoks but preferring the Ewok song at the end to the much less Ewok-ey song they added in the Special Edition?

 

[Island]

they're just shitty transfers of the laserdisc versions
not anamorphic
just fucking letterboxed 4:3


i refused to buy them out of principal. you're not gonna please your fans by half assing it

Oh my joy has deflated.....

But no shitty CG or edits? 4:3 was all I had when I first watched them... just have to grab an old CRT and it will be just like when I was a kid.

 

[apana]

I just saw some changes on you tube, is this shit for real? They added Darth Vader "nooo" and Obi Wan Kenobi turning into a dragon, is that all? Someone should edit the OP to make note of all the additions.

 

[Medalion]

How do people reconcile disliking Ewoks but preferring the Ewok song at the end to the much less Ewok-ey song they added in the Special Edition?

This is what I asked before... I like the Ewoks but hated the Yub Nub song, I still like the SE ending better

 

[richiek]

This is what I asked before... I like the Ewoks but hated the Yub Nub song, I still like the SE ending better

It basically boils down to "This wasn't what I saw when I watched the film as a kid, therefore it's automatically inferior to the original."

 

[WillyFive]

How do people reconcile disliking Ewoks but preferring the Ewok song at the end to the much less Ewok-ey song they added in the Special Edition?

The lyrics were written by John Williams' son.

But yeah, the new music was far better.

 

[Dead]

The SE ending was fine until they added Naboo and an audible gungan

 

[Count Dookkake]

The SE ending was fine until they added Naboo and an audible gungan

Then it was awesome.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Ewok song in the original was great! Loved the Ewoks :/

 

[Barberetti]

How do people reconcile disliking Ewoks but preferring the Ewok song at the end to the much less Ewok-ey song they added in the Special Edition?

It's a catchy tune with a tribal sound that perfectly fits the location that the end of the film is set in, and it doesn't have Jar Jar fucking Binks yelling "Meesa free!" in it.

 

[BattleMonkey]

Oh my joy has deflated.....

But no shitty CG or edits? 4:3 was all I had when I first watched them... just have to grab an old CRT and it will be just like when I was a kid.

They are untouched versions, and really look just fine. They are not pristine digitally remastered DVDs or going to be Blu Ray HD, but they look fine. The only real crappy part is that it's non anamorphic, but still better than the alternate of being stuck with VHS copies that will degrade

 

[Salmonax]

He never said the creator of a work cannot alter it. There is no hypocrisy here.

Though not hypocritical, many of his cautionary statements still resonate. He was talking about heartless copyright owners clumsily wreaking havoc on classic films, which is precisely what's been happening to Star Wars.

 

[tuffy]

Oh my joy has deflated.....

But no shitty CG or edits? 4:3 was all I had when I first watched them... just have to grab an old CRT and it will be just like when I was a kid.

They're not pan & scan which makes them an upgrade over what people saw on VHS back in the day. And they're a slight upgrade over the various Laserdisc transfers fans have made over the years. Far from ideal, but better than nothing.

 

[Zabka]

Regarding the 1988 comments, everyone posting them is conveniently ignoring that he talking about someone other than the creator of the works altering them. Specifically, the colorization of films without the filmmakers consent is what Lucas was speaking about.

He never said the creator of a work cannot alter it. There is no hypocrisy here.

He did not make these movies by himself in a dark room. Hundreds of people were involved in their creation and he is destroying their work as well. His argument that movies should be preserved because they are a cultural artifact of the time they are produced runs exactly counter to his mucking about with the Original Trilogy.

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.

 

[Count Dookkake]

Though not hypocritical, many of his cautionary statements still resonate. He was talking about heartless copyright owners clumsily wreaking havoc on classic films, which is precisely what's been happening to Star Wars.

Context strongly suggest that he was referring to companies that acquire copyright of films, not creators who retain copyright.

 

[megashock5]

It basically boils down to "This wasn't what I saw when I watched the film as a kid, therefore it's automatically inferior to the original."

Surely, even if someone prefers the new ending, you can see why they'd want the option to see it in it's original form, no?

He did not make these movies by himself in a dark room. Hundreds of people were involved in their creation and he is destroying their work as well. His argument that movies should be preserved because they are a cultural artifact of the time they are produced runs exactly counter to his mucking about with the Original Trilogy.

This is a pretty interesting point. If you were one of the ILM crew on the original SW, pioneering new ways to do effects, painstakingly creating miniature models, etc., it would suck to have it replaced by some new CG stuff. Again, not so much if both versions are made available, but when that's not the case it's almost like erasing the work that was done.

 

[JB1981]

They are untouched versions, and really look just fine. They are not pristine digitally remastered DVDs or going to be Blu Ray HD, but they look fine. The only real crappy part is that it's non anamorphic, but still better than the alternate of being stuck with VHS copies that will degrade

any suggestions on where to buy the set? i want to get it

 

[fizzelopeguss]

If you don't like ewoks then you have no hope and you're dead inside.

It's a catchy tune with a tribal sound that perfectly fits the location that the end of the film is set in, and it doesn't have Jar Jar fucking Binks yelling "Meesa free!" in it.

Bingo, i couldn't give a flying fuck about coruscant or naboo, the struggle at the end of the movie was entirely on and in space above endor.

 

[mattp]

They are untouched versions, and really look just fine. They are not pristine digitally remastered DVDs or going to be Blu Ray HD, but they look fine. The only real crappy part is that it's non anamorphic, but still better than the alternate of being stuck with VHS copies that will degrade

the biggest issue is, that release is sort of insulting
he can't be bothered to put any effort AT ALL into doing something for his fans

 

[BattleMonkey]

any suggestions on where to buy the set? i want to get it

If your in the US probably check out any major retailers that sell DVDs, they possibly still have it in stock. Seen copies earlier this week at an FYE (they suck yea yea).

But online resellers have gone crazy with the prices because of this blu ray fiasco it seems. Prices have doubled to tripled on the OOP set in the past week it seems.

the biggest issue is, that release is sort of insulting
he can't be bothered to put any effort AT ALL into doing something for his fans

Ok, but people still want these discs, prices are sky rocking on them now, and it could be the last chance to have copies of the untouched trilogy.

 

[megashock5]

If you don't like ewoks then you have no hope and you're dead inside.



Bingo, i couldn't give a flying fuck about coruscant or naboo, the struggle at the end of the movie was entirely on and in space above endor.

But with modern technology, they would now be able to text about the Emperor's demise to all of the galaxy in seconds!

 

[fizzelopeguss]

But with modern technology, they would now be able to text about the Emperor's demise to all of the galaxy in seconds!

yeah, they should all be looking down at their galaxy phones reading the text "EMPS IZ DED!!1, OMG!"

 

[mattp]

If your in the US probably check out any major retailers that sell DVDs, they possibly still have it in stock. Seen copies earlier this week at an FYE (they suck yea yea).

But online resellers have gone crazy with the prices because of this blu ray fiasco it seems. Prices have doubled to tripled on the OOP set in the past week it seems.



Ok, but people still want these discs, prices are sky rocking on them now, and it could be the last chance to have copies of the untouched trilogy.

fuck george lucas

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Hoo boy...

George Lucas Speaks Out Against Altering Films in 1988

What happened to this man?

Love or hate what George does, alterations like he does to Star Wars aren't what he's complaining about there. There he's talking about copyright-holders taking old works they originally had nothing to do with, and replacing them with altered versions. George IS Star Wars, though. If this were 2050 and General Electric was releasing their own modified version of Empire Strikes Back, that would be what 1988 George is bitching about.

 

[BattleMonkey]

eh
fuck george lucas

Yea despite Lucas not being liked, that still is frowned upon here, I would edit that

 

[ultron87]

But with modern technology, they would now be able to text about the Emperor's demise to all of the galaxy in seconds!

Just think of the trending Twitter topics!

 

[Gary Whitta]

I want much yub nub love.

I'm going to ask Will to make that this week's intro music.

 

[mattp]

Yea despite Lucas not being liked, that still is frowned upon here, I would edit that

thanks, haha

 

[BattleMonkey]

yeah, they should all be looking down at their galaxy phones reading the text "EMPS IZ DED!!1, OMG!"

Lame ending to the saga was lame. Cartoony dance number in a little party around a fire in the trees.... you have this giant galactic empire that has been under the thumb of the Emperor for almost 2 decades and it's demise is boiled down to a corny little after party with teddy bears shitty music.

 

[Salmonax]

Context strongly suggest that he was referring to companies that acquire copyright of films, not creators who retain copyright.

I understand... it's just uncanny that he could just as easily be talking about his own treatment of his films. It's like poetry - it rhymes.

 

[Zabka]

George IS Star Wars

George is shitty Star Wars. Good Star Wars was the work of hundreds of talented people.

Modern day George Lucas is as disconnected from the Original Trilogy as Ted Turner was from the MGM movies he purchased.

 

[Gary Whitta]

Does anyone know if it's still possible to get a good-quality version of the original "Yub Nub" Ewok victory music? Used CDs or something? I just checked my ROTJ CD set and it's the fucking SE version, and of course they didn't include the original version.

 

[Zombie James]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF4YGIg-lZA

 

[mattp]

Does anyone know if it's still possible to get a good-quality version of the original "Yub Nub" Ewok victory music? Used CDs or something? I just checked my ROTJ CD set and it's the fucking SE version, and of course they didn't include the original version.

i have the soundtrack somewhere at home. i'll look for it

 

[fizzelopeguss]

Lame ending to the saga was lame. Cartoony dance number in a little party around a fire in the trees.... you have this giant galactic empire that has been under the thumb of the Emperor for almost 2 decades and it's demise is boiled down to a corny little after party with teddy bears shitty music.

it was natives celebrating getting rid of assholes that took over their forest. Now lets fly half way across the galaxy and see some dorks that had absolutely nothing to do with the battle we just saw.

Nice avatar though, your empire is shit.

Booyah, helmet drums.