rockin
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I know lots of people here like their various different versions/releases of the Star Wars movies, so I thought it would interesting to hear which versions/release they prefer to watch of each film.
For example, here is my preferred choice:
ANH - Ady's Revisited because I like the balance of good effects and improvements, but at the same time staying true to the spirit of Star Wars.
ESB - 1997 laserdisc. Surprisingly, and I don't know exactly why, but I prefer the 1997 edition of ESB. It's weird, but I didn't mind the the changes in this, as much as other people - I found the 2004 changes more offending. I think the main reason for liking it was the new effects.
ROTJ - Ok, here I am a bit torn, as I really, really love my old VHS taped copy of the original version, but I also loved Moth3rs 16:9 laserdisc capture as well. But, I think my new most liked version is Harmy's PDE, with Hairy_hen's 5.1 mix - awesome!
This will all no doubt change over the course of this year though. We've got d_j's GOUT V3 coming soon, LeeThorogood's preservation set, and Ady's ESB:R by the end of the year (I think). Plus there are the blu-rays... and whatever changes they may bring... ::shudders::
DuracellEnergizer
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Ce n'est pas DuracellEnergizerANH : 1995 VHS - because it's better than the SE 97 copy I have.
TESB : 1995 VHS - because it's better than the SE 97 copy I have.
ROTJ : SE 97 VHS - because it's - unfortunately - the only copy of the film I have.
God doesn't think in terms of black or white - or even shades of gray - but in big, bright, bold hues of blue and orange.
none
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I try on some level to never watch the same version twice. The story varies slightly between them all, so why not experience the variations and give up on the definition that there is one all mighty version which defines a personal canon experience of 'The Star Wars'.
The Aluminum Falcon
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Slayer of DeaditesWith all the new releases coming out, it constantly changes for me. However, please note that I really don't watch the prequel trilogy often no matter what version. Here's my current list.
So there you have it, those are my favorite versions. Although to be honest, I expect that by the end of the year, my favorites will change. I'll definitely love Spence's ROTJ edit which looks like a vast improvement of story. I also probably may start preferring ESB: Revisited or Harmy's improved De-specialized editions (if they come out this year).
ChainsawAsh
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aka PancakesI feel that, to answer this question, a range of sorts would be a better way to answer. These are ordered by the frequency I choose each version - #1 is most often, #2 is less, so on and so forth.
Star Wars
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
The Phantom Menace
Any other versions I pretty simply never watch. I refuse to ever put the 2004 DVDs in, I have no reason to ever put in the official GOUT discs when I have DJ's restorations, I never have any desire to watch Clones or Sith, and I never have any desire to watch the official DVD cut of Phantom.
I really only put the SE VHS tapes on the list to illustrate what I'm willing to watch before any of those things I just mentioned.
LexX
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Son of the SunsPretty surprising that people are watching different versions between the films.
For me, GOUT or sometimes something on VHS, rarely the Special Editions. Also Puggo's releases are fun. After GOUT v3 is released I think I'm going to retire official DVDs for good.
And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.
rockin
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Some interesting versions people have listed so far. What I think is most interesting, is the appreciation of the 1997 SE releases - they seem to be more tolerated than the 2004 SE and I can understand why. For example I liked the enhancements in ROTJ 97SE but could not stand the changes in 04SE version - it just went too far.
The Aluminum Falcon, I find what you say about the ROTJ SE interesting, especially about colour timing. I too thought the 2004 version was just horrible - way too saturated and the Vader vs Luke scenes too dark and muted. In the 1997 version I thought it looked improved over the original in places regarding colour timing.
Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda
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legendary but little-known Jedi MasterWhen suggesting that the colors in the 97 version were improvements over the original, remember that you're comparing 1997 video against older video versions. There has never been a decent video transfer of the original FILM using today's video technology. To me, the 97 version isn't an improvement on the original, it is just a better quality copy of the original, with some unfortunate changes. In fact, watching the 1997 version in the theater was the closest I ever saw to what I saw in 1977 in the theaters, because everything I saw between 1978 and 1996 had degraded.
The ideal version would be a modern high quality copy of the original film, which in my opinion would look better than every version out there today, including the 1997 SE and every fan version.
rockin
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Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:
When suggesting that the colors in the 97 version were improvements over the original, remember that you're comparing 1997 video against older video versions. There has never been a decent video transfer of the original FILM using today's video technology. To me, the 97 version isn't an improvement on the original, it is just a better quality copy of the original, with some unfortunate changes. In fact, watching the 1997 version in the theater was the closest I ever saw to what I saw in 1977 in the theaters, because everything I saw between 1978 and 1996 had degraded.
The ideal version would be a modern high quality copy of the original film, which in my opinion would look better than every version out there today, including the 1997 SE and every fan version.
Well, of course. I have never seen a high quality original print to compare, so on that basis like you say, compared to the other lesser quality versions that currently exist of the originals, I do prefer the 1997SE colours, in one particular film, ROTJ.
Quackula
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If I'm just watching the original films, I just watch the official GOUT. My tv is 4:3 anyhow so the non-anamorphic doesn't bug me too much.
If I'm watching the prequels, it's generally going to be Phantom Edit, Attack of the Phantom, and Spence's ROTS edit. I've seen Stankpac's ROTS edit, but I still prefer Spence's. I guess it might have to do with how Stankpac's feels a little TOO trimmed down to me, maybe.
When I am in the mood to watch all 6 together, it's usually the above followed by ANH Revisited, and then I don't know... never actually watched all 6 at once.
msycamore
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Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:
When suggesting that the colors in the 97 version were improvements over the original, remember that you're comparing 1997 video against older video versions. There has never been a decent video transfer of the original FILM using today's video technology. To me, the 97 version isn't an improvement on the original, it is just a better quality copy of the original, with some unfortunate changes. In fact, watching the 1997 version in the theater was the closest I ever saw to what I saw in 1977 in the theaters, because everything I saw between 1978 and 1996 had degraded.
The ideal version would be a modern high quality copy of the original film, which in my opinion would look better than every version out there today, including the 1997 SE and every fan version.
Exactly, the reason the 1997 SE looked good in the cinema was because they didn't alter the original color pallette of the films for the most part.
The 1997 SE - video telecine is another thing though, don't know how the sequels fared, but the first film had many technical problems when it got released on video.
We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions.
Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com
The Aluminum Falcon
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Slayer of Deadites
rockin said:
The Aluminum Falcon, I find what you say about the ROTJ SE interesting, especially about colour timing. I too thought the 2004 version was just horrible - way too saturated and the Vader vs Luke scenes too dark and muted. In the 1997 version I thought it looked improved over the original in places regarding colour timing.
On the subject of Return of the Jedi, I have no issue with the 1997 version's coloring which is a vast improvement over the GOUT's decidedly bland and washed-out colors. However, in my opinion, ROTJ suffers the worst from the 2004 color timing, from the awful lightsabers that went through each other to the sterile, unmajestic, and annoying feel of the too-blue color timing. Even before I found out about the whole color timing fiasco and the original unaltered trilogy, I couldn't bring myself to watch the DVD of ROTJ and would always turn to the 1997 SE VHS, my only other alternative at the time. On a seperate note, I've always disliked the SE of ROTJ. ROTJ was the first theatrical version I watched, and I've always thought that the SE changes ruined it. From the Sarlac to the unnecessary celebrations, I simply didn't like the Special Edition, so before Harmy's edition, I always watched the GOUT. When I eventually watched Harmy's magnificent reconstruction, I was overjoyed since his color timing made everything feel so right, majestic, and epic. ROTJ was now the movie I wanted it to be, with no trade offs of bland color, bad SE changes, or horrible color timing.
Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:
When suggesting that the colors in the 97 version were improvements over the original, remember that you're comparing 1997 video against older video versions.
Puggo, I also agree with you about the '97 editions having fairly accurate color timing when in theaters. I actually think that the '97 SE color shown in the G'Kar, Reivax, and Flunk release is actually what was intended for Star Wars to look like. Star Wars always struck me as a colorful saga and definitely not the washed out, bland films that the GOUT makes them look like. Your Puggo Grande shows this with it's pretty vivid colors, which were probably more vivid when the print you were working from was first made. In fact, I'm surprised no one has tried a theatrical version reconstruction with the GOUT combined with the G'Kar, Reivax, and Flunk releases (with their awesome colors).
Baronlando
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Padawan LearnerGOUT, but only to see if I'm drunk and/or tired enough to not care how bad it is. Success rate varies.
TheBoost
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Better a bad bomb than a bombadSTAR WARS- ANH:R
EMPIRE- SE DVD (Hardly notice the changes)
JEDI- GOUT (I really hate the ROTJ SE changes to the degree I cant enjoy the movie)
dark_jedi
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Dark Jedi KnightI actually watch the Blu-ray set I put together a while back, the SE stuff really does not bother me much, especially when the V3 set looks SO damn good, and I can go to that when I don't want SE LOL, I also like the new "Bonus" set I just whipped up, now watching Star Wars from that set yesterday was really cool, takes me back LOL, but this thread is an interesting read.
Team Blu Projects Released:
Conan The Barbarian 1982 US Theatrical (126 min), Conan The Barbarian 1982 Extended Edition (130 min), Night of The Living Dead 1990 Special Edition, The Ninja Trilogy.
Team Blu Projects Coming Soon:
Fright Night Part II 1988, Star Wars 1977, A New Hope 1997 Special Edition, The Black Hole, True Lies, The Terminator, Terminator 2 Judgement Day, Swamp Thing, Feast, The Neverending Story.
TV's Frink
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Ointment FlyANH: adywan's Revisited
ESB: adywan's AVCHD
ROTJ: Harmy's PDE AVCHD (though I haven't watched the 1.2 yet)
TPM: L8wrtr's edit
AOTC: JasonN's edit
ROTS: JasonN's edit, although kerr's edit is pretty interesting (haven't finished it yet)
LexX said:
Pretty surprising that people are watching different versions between the films.
I fail to see why this would be surprising, given all the choices available.
rockin
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Seeing as we are mentioning the prequels I'll mention my favourite versions of those:
TPM: Ady' theatrical reconstruction. I hated the DVD new additions and colours and Ady's version takes me back to when I saw TPM at the cinema.
AOTC: IMAX version. There was a bootleg copy of the IMAX version circulating around the time AOTC was out which I consider to be the better version but unfortunately no longer have it. 8(
ROTS: I don't really have a favourite right now. I haven't watched it properly since I saw it at the cinema, and have been waiting for the ultimate edit of this movie, as I feel it had a lot of potential wasted. Currently patiently waiting on bobgarcia's "Reign of the Dark Side" fanedit.
Personally can't wait to see if people's lists change over this year with so many preservations,edits and then finally the blu-rays coming out. 8)
Sluggo
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is automatic for the people.rockin said:
AOTC: IMAX version. There was a bootleg copy of the IMAX version circulating around the time AOTC was out which I consider to be the better version but unfortunately no longer have it. 8(
This may be the only version of AOTC I'd be interested in watching. Other than trooperman's Shroud of the Dark Side.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish memes.
Check out my reconstruction of the ROTJ Shooting Script
TV's Frink
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Ointment FlySluggo said:
rockin said:
AOTC: IMAX version. There was a bootleg copy of the IMAX version circulating around the time AOTC was out which I consider to be the better version but unfortunately no longer have it. 8(
This may be the only version of AOTC I'd be interested in watching.
:-(
Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda
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legendary but little-known Jedi MasterRight now, my favorite version of the OT to watch are Harmy's. In my opinion, it is the closest to what I remember experiencing in 1977.
As far as the PT, I haven't found a fanedit that makes any of them watchable. So I don't have a favorite, and only watch out of morbid curiosity.
captainsolo
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Tauntaun herder-Damn Fool Idealistic CrusaderSW: As much as I watch others, I still reach for the Puggo Grande. This has really brought the movie back to life for me. Saturation, pops, scratches, reel changes, grain, hiss, warts, MONO!, and I feel like a 7 year old. Brilliant. And the Krieg is really fun too.
ESB: Ady's Theatrical Reconstruction.
ROTJ: GOUT or DJ's V1.
Otherwise I still like to pop in the 97SE LDs for old times sake. Need to clear up HD space to check out Harmy's.
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MrPvlmichalek
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I think Adywan´s improved version of OT is the only one I´m intended to watch, though I still like the unchanged versions most, especially Episode VI.
ChainsawAsh
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aka PancakesUpdated list, since I now have the preliminary release of DJ's V3 ...
... all 3 movies are DJ's V3. Ady's and Harmy's theatrical reconstructions are the secondary options after the V3.
What Plans?
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IV: Revisited
V: Will be Revisited. SE DVD for now.
VI: I'm sure it will end up being a personal Revisited/SE mix (Depending on how much Ady changes the ending).
Darth Bizarro
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Mmmmmeeeeeeeoooooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwww!For me, it kinda depend on whether I'm in prequel mood or not. Sometimes I watch all six and I stick to the official DVD versions but when I'm in original trilogy only mode I watch either Adywan's SW Revisited or the Lucasfilm Pwnage Edition, Adywan's ESB Theatrical Restoration, and Harmy's Jedi Theatrical Restoration.
I also some times like to watch the original Star Wars on its own without any of the sequels or prequels and imagine that Vader really did kill Luke's Father, the Emperor really was just a powerless figurehead under the influence of officials like Tarken (as the Novel prologue implies), Han used his reward to pay off Jabba right away, Luke and Leia aren't brother and sister, and the senate came back together on it's own without the Death Star to keep them in fear. It actually makes for a completely different movie experience that way.
On a side not, my favorite version of Star Wars period is the Radio Drama since it goes into so much more detail about the Empire as well as the full Biggs Darklighter subplot which I feel is sorely missed from the movie because I feel it adds so much to Luke's character and motivation. Star Wars from the Adventures of Luke Skywalker is a close second followed by the Manga adaptation.
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