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Screening of the Original Version of STAR WARS July at Stockton, CA — Page 2

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It’s the only road that exists at the moment. Besides total apathy, that is.

“That Darth Vader, man. Sure does love eating Jedi.”

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What is cussing Lucas out supposed to accomplish?

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Where were you in '77?

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Temporary effacement of anger at the state of affairs his war on the history of his own works has led to.

“That Darth Vader, man. Sure does love eating Jedi.”

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SilverWook said:

Because that’s really taking the high road. 😕

Well, George Lucas is the one who charted this course for Lucasfilm. He is the sole reason for Lucasfilm’s current stance. So him not being there anymore doesn’t change the fact that he is the one who caused this mess. If he wasn’t so petty and insecure, he would have given the originals a proper release long ago. I can forgive him for making subpar prequels (people make bad movies all of the time…It’s unfortunate, but no big deal). I can even forgive him for the special editions (they’re just bad director’s cuts). When I saw them in theaters, I thought some of the changes (and especially some of the horrible added scenes) were bad, but who cares because they were obviously just adding every little bit of cut footage and the other bits just to have new Star Wars content in movies that everybody had already seen. But then George hears a bit of criticism about the changes and instead of just letting it go, he up and decides to double down on the changes and proclaim them gospel and the originals just unfinished rubbish to be not just discarded but actively suppressed.

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Yet we just had a 70mm screening of an original print just last weekend. That was inconceivable not so many years ago. Something is in the air, not sure what, but it’s something. ANH is even airing on Turner Classic Movies this month. TCM has never aired any SW film before.
And even if the Academy screening was a one off fluke, the preservation projects around here have circumvented George’s stubbornness.

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Where were you in '77?

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That’s pretty lame about the screening being the SE version as I only live about an hour away. Though I guess I’m glad now to not have a reason to visit a shithole like Stockton.

With all the fan preservations floating around I do find it hard to complain about George Lucas withholding the original versions of the film. Anyone who cares enough about seeing the theatrical release probably has found a way to watch it thanks to the internet and forums like this.

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Can we not insult anyone’s hometown while we’re at it? I think at least one member lives there if not nearby…

However, if they agree with the sentiment, then all bets are off.

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Where were you in '77?

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Sorry, not my intention to insult anyone. Though I have yet to meet a person from Stockton who disagrees with that assessment.

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Wait, Lucas allowed this?! That’s interesting…

“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”

Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death

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SilverWook said:

We don’t know the bigger picture on this though. I doubt George was even texted on this one.

And I seriously doubt Criterion would touch the SE unless they could include the original version as well. If any company respects film fans, it’s them.

I think in this case they’re talking about Criterion Pictures USA, which as I understand it is in no way connected with the Criterion Collection, just for clarification.

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okay did some checking, looking at criterion usa, it seems they specialize in film licensing for non theater screenings, like universities and the whatnot, and the theater in question seems to be largely volunteer based. I’m guessing its just easier than dealing directly with fox, or buena vista, or the other big distrubutors. my best guess.

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Do they deal in film prints and DCP’s, or just get clearances to project a DVD or Blu-Ray? That might be the key difference between this and the Academy screening. It’s a safe bet there aren’t any 35mm prints that can be rented of the OT currently from Disney or Fox and certainly not a DCP.

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Where were you in '77?

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pleasehello said:

Sorry, not my intention to insult anyone. Though I have yet to meet a person from Stockton who disagrees with that assessment.

Seriously. I live in Sacramento, and I’ve never met anyone proud to be from Stockton.

So yeah, I drove an hour today to get to the theater, only to discover they’re showing the 1997 version. Disappointing, but not terribly unexpected.

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Cthulhunicron said:

So yeah, I drove an hour today to get to the theater, only to discover they’re showing the 1997 version. Disappointing, but not terribly unexpected.

Are you saying that you didn’t read the July 5th post on this thread that told you that the '97 version was the one that the Fox Theatre was screening?

Laserschwert said:

Just when we thought they’ve turned around:

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Specifically the 1997 theatrical, or the SE with the extra tweaks added for DVD and Blu-Ray?

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Where were you in '77?

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alexp120 said:

Cthulhunicron said:

So yeah, I drove an hour today to get to the theater, only to discover they’re showing the 1997 version. Disappointing, but not terribly unexpected.

Are you saying that you didn’t read the July 5th post on this thread that told you that the '97 version was the one that the Fox Theatre was screening?

Laserschwert said:

Just when we thought they’ve turned around:

No, I haven’t been on the forums in a couple weeks.

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Cthulhunicron said:

It’s not even the 1997 version, this is the blu ray.

Can you describe to us what things that stood out in the screening that would make you think that it was the Blu Ray cut that projected?

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Going out on a limb here, I know, but I’d say some 2011 changes like the rock in front of R2 would be a pretty good indicator.

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And now I have to use a Neuralyzer on myself again to forget I ever saw that enhancement. 😉

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Where were you in '77?

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Well, the actual movie shown was a disappointment but it was cool finally checking out the Bob Hope Theater. It was absolutely gorgeous on the inside. I’ll probably be heading back next month for a screening of Bullitt.

There was a guy there named Tim Donaldson, who played one of the Jawas when he was 5. He said he and several other kids from his school were chosen to be in the film. Apparently the film crew had to shoot a few insert shots in Death Valley. I think he said his father worked as a park ranger at Death Valley…not sure how the other kids got selected. He said he’s in one of the shots where Artoo is being carried to the sandcrawler. I also thought it was interesting that he said he was fitted for a Tuskan Raider costume. Makes me wonder if there was a plan at one point to film a sandpeople village or something. I think he must live in the Sacramento area; I’ve seen him at a few comic book conventions.