I definitely prefer the look of the 1997 35mm prints, as we’ve seen with 4K97_V. The more consistent color timing (which was still respectful to the source material) was an improvement. It sucks that ESB came out in one of the worst years for film stock, when Eastmancolor was your only mainstream option with minimal alternatives (Fujicolor and Agfacolor, IIRC).
I agree on all these points. Pre LPP Eastman prints are terrible. At least with Star Wars you got a LPP reissue and there were IP tech prints made in 77. Maybe there is a reissue print of Empire that just hasn’t surfaced in LPP. But since Technicolor was dead there was no Empire Strikes Back print.
And you would think fading isn’t possible after LPP was introduced but my 70mm film cels for ROTJ say the opposite. At least Team Blu had a show print. As for Empire the 16mm dupe retained its color.
The only stable color 35mm print to show in a theater is the 1997 print.