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Return of the Jedi - A Minimalist Edit (Released)

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 (Edited)

This edit gets rid of most, but not all Special Edition changes.

Background: my definitive editions of the original trilogy are Adywan’s versions of ANH and ESB, however, it looks like its going to be a long time until he finishes his ROTJ edit. So originally this was meant to be a placeholder for that. I always liked the approach that not all of the special edition changes are bad.

Basically I prefer neither the theatrical release nor the special edition releases, so this edit is a happy medium.

Sources:
4K83 1.6 (an unaltered 4K scan of an original ROTJ film reel)
2020 Blu ray

Changes:

  • 98% of this edit just unaltered 4K83, so the unchanged original film.
  • Vader’s improved eyebrow removal from 2020 blu-ray.
  • Yub Nub removed, replaced with Ending Celebration sequence with Hayden Christensen also from 2019 blu-ray.

That’s it.

In the future I may reincorporate the SE sarlacc pit and possibly Oola’s scenes, but I’m kinda indifferent about them.

I’m actually done with the edit, so if you’re interested in it lmk and I’ll try and figure out the best way to share.

Edit Nov 2023:

Adding this edit since I am still getting messages about this. After I watched the final product I was quite dissatisfied as lots of rotoscoping issues from the original release bothered me. I am now of the opinion you should either just watch the special edition or 4K83. All or nothing. I deleted the edit a long time ago.

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Interesting. I’m glad to see there’s a version that reinserts Hayden Christensen.

I would also definitely recommend using the special edition version of the Rancor scene and the scene in which the Emperor sends Vader to the command ship to get rid of terrible black lines around the Rancor in the entirety of its scene and Vader in one of the shots.

My Star Wars Fan-Edits

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 (Edited)

I will definitely keep this in mind, as admittedly…I haven’t actually seen 4K83 all the way through aside from the parts I edited. I know the all the original cuts have all sorts of matting, transparency, and rotoscoping issues like this.

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 (Edited)

Does this have Vader screaming no? If not could I get a link please?

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Hi,

Could I get a link to your edit please?

Thanks

😊

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Could I get a link please? This is exactly what I’ve wanted in a ROTJ edit for awhile.

“You will find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view” — Obi-Wan Kenobi

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Hey,

Just wondering if I can get a link to your edit please?

Thanks 😊

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I have since deleted the edit due to dissatisfaction with the original rotoscoping issues in 4K83.