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Post #600763

Author
msycamore
Parent topic
Print variations in '77 Star Wars
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/600763/action/topic#600763
Date created
9-Oct-2012, 9:41 PM

I decided to move our discussion that started in the comparison thread to a separate thread. The topic at hand is a very subtle print variation I discovered in the original film, see here: http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Complete-Comparison-of-Special-Edition-Visual-Changes/post/594949/#TopicPost594949

Comparison...

first frame of the shot:

The most obvious sign that they are two different versions is the timing of the ships as seen by their different positions.

fourth frame:

In the version shown at the top, an additional optical oddly appears on the fourth frame - wisps of clouds.

The "cloudy composite" version can be seen in:

  • 35mm Widescreen bootleg (Moth3r)
  • 35mm Widescreen bootleg (AntcuFaalb)
  • 16mm (PuggoGrande)
  • 16mm (Catnap)
  • Super 8 Derann
  • NTSC home video versions '82 - '92
  • PAL home video versions '82 - '91
  • UK ITV Broadcast version (1982)

 

The 35mm & 16mm sources above shares another trait, a different end credits roll, see here: http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Credits-Leaders-Thread/topic/12960/

These bootleg sources with the "cloudy composite" and more rarely seen credit roll are Dolby Stereo prints, no bootleg with mono mix and these variations have appeared as of yet. Why this "cloudy composite" reappeared on the early home video releases is a question mark but with more than one Interpositive around and with such a subtle variation it probably just went through by mistake.

The "cloudless composite" version can be seen in:

  • IB Technicolor prints
  • Starkiller / MeBeJedi / TWC326 Fullscreen bootlegs
  • US Special Letterbox Collector's Edition VHS '92 / SWE LD (Technidisc)
  • DC LD / Faces / 2006 Bonus DVD
  • French "Pyramid" LD ('94 pressing) '89 source?
  • UK PAL Digitally Remastered Widescreen VHS '94
  • PAL Digitally THX Mastered LD & VHS '95

 

The most logical conclusion based on the sources that's been examined so far, is that it's a difference that can be traced to the initial batch of prints vs. later batch of prints shipped out in June '77, (sort of what happened with 70mm vs. 35mm versions of ESB, where several tweaks was made to the film a few weeks after its premiere) the expanded release began June 15 and that is also the time when prints with the Mono mix started to appear. But everything is possible of course and we cannot nail it down yet, hence this thread. Will continue to update the list when we find out more from other versions and if more subtle tweaks are discovered.

 

Update:

Another subtle print variation but this time in reel 5. As I suspected, the credit roll and X-Wing matte shot were not the only things revised.

The extremely subtle difference is in the matte shot of the rebel base - while the live-action footage utilized for the shot is exactly the same, the timing of it is slightly different, causing us to see five frames less of it from the beginning and five more frames of it at the end in the Special Collection print.

Top: Special Collection LD Below: '06 Bonus DVD

First frame:

See the different position of the rebel trooper in the middle of the frame.

Last frame:

 

So why the heck did they bother to revisit this shot? that's a good question but the reason for it may have been the blue streaks that appear across the frame at the end of the shot:

As with the X-Wing matte shot, the same pattern follows...

Blue streaks:

  • 35mm Widescreen bootleg (Moth3r)
  • 35mm Widescreen bootleg (AntcuFaalb)
  • 16mm (PuggoGrande)
  • 16mm (Catnap)
  • Super 8 Derann
  • NTSC home video versions '82 - '92
  • PAL home video versions '82 - '91
  • UK ITV Broadcast version (1982)

 

No blue streaks:

  • IB Technicolor prints
  • Puggo Krig (Swedish 16mm print)
  • Starkiller / MeBeJedi / TWC326 Fullscreen bootlegs
  • US Special Letterbox Collector's Edition VHS '92 / SWE LD (Technidisc)
  • DC LD / Faces / 2006 Bonus DVD
  • French "Pyramid" LD ('94 pressing) '89 source?
  • UK PAL Digitally Remastered Widescreen VHS '94
  • PAL Digitally THX Mastered LD & VHS '95

 

2nd Update:

Another print variation can be seen in reel 3 - in the shot where the Stardestroyer is chasing the Falcon before it goes into lightspeed. Special Collection LD at the top and the 2006 Bonus Feature DVD (GOUT) at the bottom.

GOUT-Frame 77593:

In the Special Collection print there are several of these crude marks which appears to be intended for laser impacts, they are absent in the GOUT print. You could almost mistake them for dirt.

GOUT-Frame 77604:

The left laserbolt are drawn all the way to the end of the screen in the Special Collection print, in the GOUT it disappears behind the ship.

GOUT-Frame 77607:

As you can see there is a clearly defined matteline where the laserbolt meets the Destroyer in the GOUT print. The laser fire throughout the sequence have been changed so that it appears to come from above or straight from the front of the ship instead. Or more accurately described, the Destroyer was layered on top of the laserbolts instead of vice versa.

The timing and intensity of the flash frames differs, the flash frames are quite muted in the Special Collection print where the ship is still visible whereas in the GOUT print there's a solid white one in all cases except one.

GOUT-Frame 77594:

GOUT-Frame 77601:

GOUT-Frame 77610:

GOUT-Frame 77614:

GOUT-Frame 77615:

GOUT-Frame 77640:

GOUT-Frame 77641:

GOUT-Frame 77649:

I've only checked Moth3r's 35mm bootleg so far but I'm pretty sure the same pattern follows as for the previous differences.