Originally posted by: Commander Courage
Ok, I've reviewed the file. First off I must say you did an excellent job of picking scenes and accompanying music for the flashbacks, and even tried to work in an explanation for Obi-Wan's ghostly voice. However, seeing this test reinforces my idea that is is not the way to go. Maybe if we had Alec and Mark to refilm things for us here and there, but (to me at least) it's not looking like it's going to work. It's an interesting experiment, but think about that in the context of the film; flashbacks are NOT Star Wars style. And then there's the rest of the saga to consider; Luke's further discussions about Vader with Obi-Wan and Yoda, Luke first confronting Vader. I just don't see this scenario working. If only Lucas would release the deleted/extended scenes of the OT; the conversation between Luke and Obi-Wan in RotJ has much more to it. A key line there would be, "I was going to tell you when you completed your training," along with several others that might make Obi-Wan's "explanation" a lot more plausable.
EDIT: Here's the version of the duel I was talking about. I DID NOT DO THIS; This is from Darth Qui-Gon at TF.N. The picture quality is poor (from a SE VHS), and events shortened a little too much for my liking, but the music choices and transitions are excellent: http://rapidshare.de/files/6796739/Anakin_vs._Obi-Wan_ANH_edit.mpg.html
Ok, I've reviewed the file. First off I must say you did an excellent job of picking scenes and accompanying music for the flashbacks, and even tried to work in an explanation for Obi-Wan's ghostly voice. However, seeing this test reinforces my idea that is is not the way to go. Maybe if we had Alec and Mark to refilm things for us here and there, but (to me at least) it's not looking like it's going to work. It's an interesting experiment, but think about that in the context of the film; flashbacks are NOT Star Wars style. And then there's the rest of the saga to consider; Luke's further discussions about Vader with Obi-Wan and Yoda, Luke first confronting Vader. I just don't see this scenario working. If only Lucas would release the deleted/extended scenes of the OT; the conversation between Luke and Obi-Wan in RotJ has much more to it. A key line there would be, "I was going to tell you when you completed your training," along with several others that might make Obi-Wan's "explanation" a lot more plausable.
EDIT: Here's the version of the duel I was talking about. I DID NOT DO THIS; This is from Darth Qui-Gon at TF.N. The picture quality is poor (from a SE VHS), and events shortened a little too much for my liking, but the music choices and transitions are excellent: http://rapidshare.de/files/6796739/Anakin_vs._Obi-Wan_ANH_edit.mpg.html
Rats, because I had the opposite reaction. The issue to me was exactly HOW to make this clip from InfoDroid into a more Star Wars-like sequence because all the other issues you bring up only get better with this change. The next discussion about Vader with Obi Wan and Yoda is in ROTJ -- those scenes improve by being trimmed. Luke doesn't need to say "I can't fight my father" and other lines which are forced and awkward because he didn't just learn his father's identity.
Instead, "Ben, why didn't you tell me" refers to why Ben didn't admit he killed Anakin. Not that it will be easy to pull off, but it's a much smoother arc as Luke decides to go redeem his father. He has now had the time to hope for redeeming his father since he first learned the truth. He tried destroying him-- now he'll try something else.
Flashbacks haven't appeared in Star Wars -- but if they ever did, it would be in Episode IV -- the one that covers a 20 year gap. And Episode III (and SOTD) have Flash-FORWARDS. I believe a similar visual treatment for this Ben's Hut sequence could make it more organic.
As to the edit itself -- I love the one underpinning change: Obi Wan does not lie.
To massage it, I would comment that the flashbacks cover too much material -- Luke shouldn't seem to see/hear that Obi Wan killed Anakin. I think the visuals need Vader. I wish there were less flashback -- I'll have to look at the material more closely to see what I can come up with.
I agree in concept with Commander Courage -- if this scene were done perfectly, there wouldn't be any flashback. But I guess we better know exactly what issues this scene creates, and how to solve them ALL, before you go a whole lot farther, InfoDroid.
That'll take us into discussing ROTJ with a lot of detail -- I love the ideas that are mentioned so far (although, I personally dislike the Jabba's palace sequence greatly. I'd want to massage it until it made some kind of sense because as it stands-- it makes Luke, Lando, Leia and Chewie into morons. What kind of plan did they come up with? ("Then, after Jabba catches you and makes you into his sex-slave, you choke him with your chain. Then get to the deck and I'll swing over and pick you up." Gah.)
But what a way to start off a thread, huh?