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Star Wars film versions and best DVD sources
Star Wars film versions and best DVD sources :: 1 > 5
SKot
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Lighting the Sky on FireFor the purpose of information and research, I threw together a list of all the versions of the Star Wars films that have been released, and what is currently the best known DVD source for each film.
Note: I am only including visual differences here - a list including all the different audio versions would be substantially longer. Also, I have not taken into account all the various different non-English releases.
Star Wars film versions:
Star Wars (original theatrical version)
Best source: widescreen bootleg telecine transfer
Best simulated source: official 2006 [G]OUT DVD (original crawl spliced into 1981 version)
Star Wars (1981 version)
Differences: "A New Hope" subtitle added to crawl
Best source: various laserdisc transfers
Star Wars Special Edition (1997 version)
Differences: various added scenes and digital alterations
Best source: TB digital broadcast transfer
Star Wars Special Edition (2004 version)
Differences: further digital alterations added
Best source: official 2004 DVD
Best HD source: WookieGroomer's 1080p WMV files
Star Wars Special Edition (2011 version)
Differences: even further digital alterations added
Best source: official 2011 Blu-ray
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The Empire Strikes Back (original theatrical version)
Best source: official 2006 bonus DVD
The Empire Strikes Back (70mm version)
Differences: various minor scene and editing differences
Best source: [none known]
The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition (1997 version)
Differences: various added scenes and digital alterations
Best source: TB digital broadcast transfer
The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition (2004 version)
Differences: further digital alterations added
Best source: official 2004 DVD
Best HD source: WookieGroomer's 1080p WMV files
The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition (2011 version)
Differences: even further digital alterations added
Best source: official 2011 BD
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Return Of The Jedi (original theatrical version)
Best source: official 2006 bonus DVD
Return Of The Jedi Special Edition (1997 version)
Differences: various added scenes and digital alterations
Best source: TB digital broadcast transfer
Return Of The Jedi Special Edition (2004 version)
Differences: further digital alterations added
Best source: official 2004 DVD
Best HD source: WookieGroomer's 1080p WMV files
Return Of The Jedi Special Edition (2011 version)
Differences: even further digital alterations added
Best source: official 2011 BD
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The Phantom Menace (press screening version)
Differences: Darth Maul does not split in half when falling down the shaft
Best source: [none known]
The Phantom Menace (original theatrical version)
Best source: TB digital broadcast transfer
The Phantom Menace (extended DVD version)
Differences: various extended scenes
Best source: official DVD
Best HD source: WookieGroomer's 1080p WMV files
The Phantom Menace (extended BD version)
Differences: various extended scenes plus further digital alterations
Best source: official BD
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Attack Of The Clones (original theatrical film version)
Best source: bootleg camcorder transfer
Attack Of The Clones (digital theatrical/DVD version)
Differences: various digital alterations, Anakin takes Padme's hand at wedding
Best source: official DVD
Attack Of The Clones (IMAX edit version)
Differences: various scenes edited down to fit IMAX running time
Best source: [none known, VCD bootleg rumored]
Attack Of The Clones (2011 version)
Differences: order of some scenes changed
Best source: official BD
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Revenge Of The Sith (original theatrical film/theatrical digital version)
Best source: official BD
Revenge Of The Sith (DVD version)
Differences: diagonal wipe to Anakin crawling up the volcanic slope is now a straight cut
Best source: official DVD
Best HD source: WookieGroomer's 1080p WMV files
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The Star Wars Holiday Special
Best source: KCCI broadcast recording
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The Ewok Adventure
Best source: various laserdisc transfers
Caravan Of Courage (aka The Ewok Adventure)
Differences: "The Ewok Adventure" title card changed to read "Caravan Of Courage"
Best source: official DVD
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The Battle For Endor (aka Ewoks: The Battle For Endor)
Best source: official DVD
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For a detailed rundown of the differences between movie versions (with screenshots), see Chris Gould's articles here.
--SKot
Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the...*cringe*...Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project
Darth Mallwalker
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THC-1138 meets TK-420Revenge Of The Sith (original theatrical version)
Source: workprint copy
I liked adywan's better (no timecode) and Zion's better still.
However, in practice you must take into account the "fuckwit factor". Just talk to Darth Mallwalker...
-Moth3r
zombie84
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Jedi KnightAlso, according to your list there is an HD version of the 1997 SE's--where the hell can i download this???
And the ROTS bootleg is not necessarily from the "workprint," which implies the rough cut, but rather a timecode print of the final version.
Also, regarding the 1977 bootleg--I don't believe this is a camcorder bootleg, but an actual telecine.
The Secret History of Star Wars -- now available on Amazon.com!
"When George went back and put new creatures into the original Star Wars, I find that disturbing. It’s a revision of history. That bothers me."
--James Cameron, Entertainment Weekly, April 2010
Darth Mallwalker
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THC-1138 meets TK-420Also, regarding the 1977 bootleg--I don't believe this is a camcorder bootleg, but an actual telecine.
I pondered that question before uploading The Starkiller's capture @demonoid.
In the end I chose to call it a Cam because a) demonoid didn't have telecine as a choice on the drop-down list, and b) because I thought "VHS Rip" would be misleading to potential downloaders who might have expected retail VHS quality.
However, in practice you must take into account the "fuckwit factor". Just talk to Darth Mallwalker...
-Moth3r
SKot
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Lighting the Sky on FireRevenge Of The Sith (original theatrical version)
Source: workprint copy Do you mean the workprint with timecode ?
I liked adywan's better (no timecode) and Zion's better still. I listed the timecoded copy, but intended to change it later since I know there were better sources. I nearly forgot I had a non-timecoded copy long before the official DVD came out that had German/English audio tracks, and the quality was amazing. I don't know where the source came from, but somebody must have had access to a digital copy. I assume it's the theatrical version, but I'll have to double-check that. I have no idea if there's a name for that particular release.
What are adywan and Zion's versions like?
I like that that site included the PT, although they neglected to include the original establishing shot of Palpatine's office (which was a very beautiful shot); interesting that they noticed the deletion of BG traffic from AOTC--apparently there are over a hundred such minor edits, which were included on the digital version of the film but not the 35mm version (hence these are not actually DVD changes). Yes - I know there are more of those kinds of changes, but spotting them all would be both difficult and mind-numbingly tedious. Also, the poor quality of the only available copies of the theatrical version of AOTC confound this even further. We got lucky on the traffic deletion shot because ILM actually mentioned that particular one during a seminar.
Also, according to your list there is an HD version of the 1997 SE's--where the hell can i download this???
And the ROTS bootleg is not necessarily from the "workprint," which implies the rough cut, but rather a timecode print of the final version.
Also, regarding the 1977 bootleg--I don't believe this is a camcorder bootleg, but an actual telecine.
Thanks for the comments and corrections, guys.
--SKot
Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the...*cringe*...Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project
Darth Mallwalker
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THC-1138 meets TK-420Also, according to your list there is an HD version of the 1997 SE's--where the hell can i download this???
(Regardless of source, the released DVDs are SD PAL.)
However, in practice you must take into account the "fuckwit factor". Just talk to Darth Mallwalker...
-Moth3r
SKot
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Lighting the Sky on FireAlso, according to your list there is an HD version of the 1997 SE's--where the hell can i download this???
(Regardless of source, the released DVDs are SD PAL.)
I'm trying to gather more info about the various bootleg digital copies of the theatrical ROTS. I can only assume since the 35mm and digital theatrical versions were around at the same time in the the theaters (like AOTC), and the digital theatrical version supposedly had no changes this time around, that the bootleggers somehow got hold of a digital theatrical copy as their source. Then later the official DVD version came out, with the single change to that version being the diagonal wipe just before the scene of Anakin clawing his way up the volcanic slope.
I know of the adywan version, Zion's version, and the German/English version I have (the 'GTR Presents' version, which is actually missing the end credits). Can anyone provide screenshots for comparison?
Here's mine - using the same frame that is in the comparison guide, to show it's the theatrical version:
GTR Presents version
--SKot
Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the...*cringe*...Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project
Darth Mallwalker
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THC-1138 meets TK-420
adywan's NTSC version
Zion's version
However, in practice you must take into account the "fuckwit factor". Just talk to Darth Mallwalker...
-Moth3r
SKot
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Lighting the Sky on FireWhat are the differences between the adywan version and the Zion version? I know mine (GTR version) is missing the credits. Are both of these complete?
--SKot
Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the...*cringe*...Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project
Mentasm
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Padawan LearnerI like that that site included the PT, although they neglected to include the original establishing shot of Palpatine's office (which was a very beautiful shot); interesting that they noticed the deletion of BG traffic from AOTC--apparently there are over a hundred such minor edits, which were included on the digital version of the film but not the 35mm version (hence these are not actually DVD changes).
If anyone knows of stuff that I haven't listed in those articles then just let me know and I'll try to include it in a future update. I included most of the major changes, but I never really expected the articles to get as big as they have, so the little things didn't make it. What establishing shot are you referring to, and in which film is it in?
zombie84
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Jedi KnightI like that that site included the PT, although they neglected to include the original establishing shot of Palpatine's office (which was a very beautiful shot); interesting that they noticed the deletion of BG traffic from AOTC--apparently there are over a hundred such minor edits, which were included on the digital version of the film but not the 35mm version (hence these are not actually DVD changes).
If anyone knows of stuff that I haven't listed in those articles then just let me know and I'll try to include it in a future update. I included most of the major changes, but I never really expected the articles to get as big as they have, so the little things didn't make it. What establishing shot are you referring to, and in which film is it in?
In TPM. The new air taxi sequence replaces the original establishing shot that followed qui gons "the situation is much more complicated," which was a shot of Palpatine's office tower at sunset.
The Secret History of Star Wars -- now available on Amazon.com!
"When George went back and put new creatures into the original Star Wars, I find that disturbing. It’s a revision of history. That bothers me."
--James Cameron, Entertainment Weekly, April 2010
Mentasm
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Padawan Learner
Never noticed it, but then I don;t have a copy of the theatrical release of TPM myself. I'm still waiting ont he TB release of that and the 97 SEs. I'll add it when I get five minutes.
Darth Mallwalker
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THC-1138 meets TK-420What are the differences between the adywan version and the Zion version? I know mine (GTR version) is missing the credits. Are both of these complete?
adywan released three ROTS DVDs.
The first was mostly sourced from two "scene" releases by TUN & METEOR of (same?) Russian telecine, which had crawl & credits in Russian.
adywan recreated both crawl & credits in English. Not pictured above (I don't have it) but mentioned here because he would later use the same recreated credits in subsequent releases.
adywan's second was mostly sourced from an XviD released to the "scene" by aAF group. XviD lacked credits, so adywan added his own.
XviD audio was distorted with L/R channels reversed and video showed some color banding, which led some to theorize it was an analog capture (with levels set too high) from a digital projection source.
adywan's third is the NTSC screencap above (first two were PAL,) mostly from a DVD released by aAF (likely same source as their XviD.)
aAF's first DVD (they would later release another after adywan was done) was missing everything after Vader's NOooooooooooo! line.
adywan patched in the final scenes from the aAF XviD and his own recreated credits to complete it.
Zion's DVD was also mostly sourced from the aAF XviD. He generated new opening logo and crawl, as well as credits.
Both adywan's & Zion's feature motion menus, scene selection, and covers in a DVD-ROM directory.
Zion also included an Easter egg of the fan spoof trailer "A Lost Hope" which keeps getting more and more hilarious each time I watch it.
I'd guess your GTR version is from the aAF XviD. "KKi" also made a DVD (not listed on VCDQuality, but mentioned in their forum) presumably from the same XviD.
However, in practice you must take into account the "fuckwit factor". Just talk to Darth Mallwalker...
-Moth3r
SKot
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Lighting the Sky on FireWhen you say "recreated" crawl and credits for both adywan and Zion, do you mean they were created from scratch, or cribbed from another video source?
My GTR version is NTSC (which surprised me), has a menu with animated scene selection, English/German audio, and the credits cut off just as they start (which points to the XviD as the source).
I also found that I have a copy of a telecine version, easily identifiable by the typical on-screen noise (white speckles occasionally). It's also a tad dark. I'll have to check it later to see what is has for crawl and credits (if anything).
I gather that Zion's version is the best copy of the theatrical version we know of at this point then, with the third adywan release being a close second.
--SKot
Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the...*cringe*...Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project
Darth Mallwalker
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THC-1138 meets TK-420When you say "recreated" crawl and credits for both adywan and Zion, do you mean they were created from scratch, or cribbed from another video source?
It is NOT just the workprint edited into the beginning but i have fully recreated the opening crawl to match the real one. I am really pleased with the results of this especially when the crawl finished and the camera pans down to the ships the starfield pans down and seemlessly merges into the telecine. I also recreated all of the end credits so this is the full film from start to finish.
From Zion's .NFO file:
I have generated new opening logos, crawl, and credits for this release.
Yes, I typed out the whole damn credits by hand. Don't ask.
However, in practice you must take into account the "fuckwit factor". Just talk to Darth Mallwalker...
-Moth3r
Moth3r
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I don't believe itStar Wars Special Edition (1997 version)
Source: TB digital broadcast transfer
SKot
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Lighting the Sky on FireWhatever happened to the version sourced from a digi-beta tape that was posted to the newsgroup? How did that compare to the TB version?
--SKot
Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the...*cringe*...Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project
Darth Mallwalker
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THC-1138 meets TK-420Whatever happened to the version sourced from a digi-beta tape that was posted to the newsgroup?
I think maybe that digi-beta tape has been through the wringer. Or else his digi-beta player needed its head cleaned.
Might be useful for de-SE projects, but it's not my first choice for standalone viewing.
However, in practice you must take into account the "fuckwit factor". Just talk to Darth Mallwalker...
-Moth3r
SKot
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Lighting the Sky on FireI think maybe that digi-beta tape has been through the wringer. Or else his digi-beta player needed its head cleaned. Ah, now that's a crying shame. Even sadder is the missing SW movies from the same source where the tape was too bad to even use. Such a great potential resource lost there.
Might be useful for de-SE projects, but it's not my first choice for standalone viewing.
--SKot
Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the...*cringe*...Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project
Darth Enzo
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I am ready for the trials!
SKot
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Lighting the Sky on FireI was reminded of this while reading Rikter's edits listing here. The listing mentions a supposed early cut where Darth Maul falls apart much later down the shaft than in the version we're used to, but this is too rumoristic for me to include. There is pictorial evidence of the unsplit Maul/splitting Maul (no pun intended) versions. I have never seen any for this other rumored cut.
--SKot
Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the...*cringe*...Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project
Sluggo
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is automatic for the people.
Heck, someone just ought to animate it themselves.
"Maybe my brain just shut down temporarily to prevent harm to it when it saw the Lucasfilm logo, kind of like the Windows message that Windows will close explorer to prevent damage to the system". -Oldfan
Check out my reconstruction of the ROTJ Shooting Script
SKot
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Lighting the Sky on FireThat's the first two versions of the cut, folks - Darth Maul, split and unsplit.
--SKot
Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the...*cringe*...Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project
Zion
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Hopeless Situation Warrior"Ratio Tile, the wish power are together with you." - Allah Gold, Backstroke of the West
TheCassidy
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Just when you think you're out, they pull you back in...So, for what it's worth, I'm probably one of many who were impressed by the screenies and wanted it, but could never get it.
Now, I guess it's the closest thing at the best possible quality of the theatrical version, what with the original scene transition etc...
Star Wars film versions and best DVD sources