One of the problems with the petition

Author: Janskeet
Time: 23-Sep-2008 5:38 AM (Edited)
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I think one of the problems we had with the petition is we were not specific enough on what we wanted. To my memory all it said is we wanted the OOT on DVD, nothing else. No detail on what we wanted as the source, restoration, and transferring. We assumed that they would do their best to give us the OOT in the best quality possible. George Lucas took advantage of the loop holes in our petition. Perhaps we should make a new petition that is very specific in what we want as far as source, restoration, and transeffing as possible so this time George Lucas has no excuses. Does anybody have an image of the petition we had posted on the site until May '06? I would like to see it because I forgot what it looked like.

Author: Moth3r
Time: 23-Sep-2008 5:51 AM
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Original petition:

George Lucas
Skywalker Ranch
Marin County, California

Dear Mr. Lucas:

In recent public comments, you have stated that the original versions of the classic Star Wars Trilogy would not be released to DVD at any time in the future. This letter is an open plea on behalf of your devoted fans for you to reconsider your position regarding the release of your wonderful films.

In the August 2002 edition of Star Wars Insider Magazine, you are quoted as saying, "I think of the film as The Special Edition. I don't think of it as the early version, any more than I would put early rough cuts on. I could put four or five rough cuts onto the thing and say, 'This is how it advanced.' I consider The Special Edition as being the final version at this point. I don't even worry about the other ones, because it went through a lot of incarnations to get to the final stage." You recently reiterated this position in comments made during the American Cinematheque tribute to ILM and Skywalker Sound in Hollywood.

While we appreciate your creative viewpoint on the evolution of the films, we respectfully submit that there is tremendous importance in the original theatrical prints of the Star Wars Trilogy. Above and beyond the nostalgic value that they hold for millions of fans the world over, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi are landmark films that represent watershed moments in motion picture history. To preserve the original, award-winning work of the many artisans, sound technicians, craftsmen, and special effects artists is to do justice to their priceless contributions.

Undeniably, these movies are also cultural placeholders for millions of film fans. The impact that the original Star Wars Trilogy made on countless numbers of children, young people, and grownups everywhere is indisputable. Preserving the unaltered theatrical release forms of these movies and making them available to your public is of utmost importance.

Those of us who love your movies and even those who are only casual film fans admire your drive to perfect your vision of the Star Wars experience. We know that you constantly push your creative companies to blaze new frontiers of digital filmmaking and that you are also an artist who is never satisfied and strives for perfection. We, the film-going public, benefit from your vision and embrace the ever-growing Star Wars universe.

Furthermore, we understand that you have commercial concerns and that you need to consider the financial viability of any home video product that you release. Perhaps a Limited Edition run of the original films along with a Special Edition release would be in order. This approach would sate niche market demand, while still targeting the general public and no doubt breaking home video sales records. We want it to be known that there is enormous demand for the original theatrical versions of the films. Your devoted fans would more than likely purchase both an Original Trilogy release as well as any Special Edition versions.

An entire generation grew up with these movies and loves them dearly. They have created treasured memories and will always hold a place in our lives. We hope that you take to heart the hopes and wishes of the undersigned as well as the countless others who feel the same.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

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...and the individual Star Wars fans who have signed this petition.

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Author: Janskeet
Time: 23-Sep-2008 6:18 AM (Edited)
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See this doesn't state how we wanted them. There is way too much ass kissing in this petition and you even labled GL as a perfectionist??? You guys even suggested a limited edition run with the special editions included? Huh? I don't remember that? You guys encourage him to include the special editions and have it as a limited release. Way to go. It should've been requested as permanent release and no SE included. It wouldn't have hurt to request deleted footage, old documentries too. You probably blew your only chance to have this happen by not being specific enough. I don't think LFL is going to take another petition seriously and outsiders are going to think we are just being unreasonable, too picky, and need to get a life.

Oh well, thank god for people like Adywan.

Author: Yoda Is Your Father
Time: 25-Sep-2008 11:34 AM
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Janskeet said:
think we are just being unreasonable, too picky, and need to get a life.

That's exactly what I was thinking as I read your post.

I'm not happy with the way Star Wars has been treated by it's creator, but we have them on DVD, albeit in a less than satisfactory way, and it's time to move on man.

War does not make one great.