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I got a response from Leonard Maltin.....

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I wrote a letter to Mr. Maltin about the DVD controversy, and I just got a response:

"I'm sure the folks at LucasFilm are aware of the outcry from diehard fans, but if you know anything about George Lucas, then you know that he tends to do exactly as he pleases.

Leonard"

Not exactly what I was hoping for- but there you go.

I'm still waiting to hear from Roger Ebert. He's been sick, so it might be a while if he does decide to respond.

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Hey at least he answered, which is more than I can say for most. Perhaps you planted a seed in his mind, one that will germinate and ultimately help us in our endeavor. I’m just happy you’re making the effort. I waste most of my correspondence riding the ass of my elected leaders.
"Look, going good against bashers/gushers is one thing. Going good against the living? That's something else."
- Darth-Adroit

“I also thought George could be turned back to the good side. It couldn't be done. He is more CGI now than story. Twisted and evil.”
- Darth-Adroit
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Good of you to write to him.
Nice of him to respond.

..and still some people try to claim that George Lucas' attitude isn't known beyond these pages. Yeah. Right.

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Neat! What was the original letter you sent him?

"Now all Lucas has to do is make a cgi version of himself.  It will be better than the original and fit his original vision." - skyjedi2005

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Originally posted by: Ozkeeper
Good of you to write to him.
Nice of him to respond.

..and still some people try to claim that George Lucas' attitude isn't known beyond these pages. Yeah. Right.


You yourself said that people just don't care and that we are a minority. Remember, in you depressingly honest "dead horse" post in the "first viewing of the OOT DVDs"

I think that if he were to gather up some help from other critics and Hollywoodites then he could have some clout, but what do I know?

“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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knowing and caring are two different things

I really didn't mean to depress you in what I said on the other thread.

I think the response from Leonard confirms what we have said before though...that what we (or anybody else) want doesn't matter to him at all. He hated being told what to do by a studio, and built himself a world where noone could dictate to him . Including us.

It must have really pissed him off when his lawyers told him he HAD to give his ex-wife some bucks ..but thats a post for another thread.
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"I'm sure the folks at LucasFilm are aware of the outcry from diehard fans, but if you know anything about George Lucas, then you know that he tends to do exactly as he pleases.

a.k.a.

Oh well.
"Among many things I have to be thankful for are you, the fans. I know that some of you haven't liked every single thing that I've done with the saga, and that you have a strong sense of ownership over all things Star Wars. But take that passion and devotion and channel it into a creative project of your own."
-George Lucas
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Originally posted by: JediRandy
"I'm sure the folks at LucasFilm are aware of the outcry from diehard fans, but if you know anything about George Lucas, then you know that he tends to do exactly as he pleases.

a.k.a.

Oh well.

No, a.k.a., there's nothing I can do.

Its not your movie, never was, never will be.


I never said it was. Thanks for reminding me for the 63rd time though.

I really didn't mean to depress you in what I said on the other thread.


I'm an optimist who sees pie in the sky. You just told the truth, and it was hard to hear. It's not your fault. But the battle is not over yet.

“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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Originally posted by: Mike O
Originally posted by: JediRandy
"I'm sure the folks at LucasFilm are aware of the outcry from diehard fans, but if you know anything about George Lucas, then you know that he tends to do exactly as he pleases.

a.k.a.

Oh well.

No, a.k.a., there's nothing I can do.

Its not your movie, never was, never will be.


I never said it was. Thanks for reminding me for the 63rd time though.

I really didn't mean to depress you in what I said on the other thread.


I'm an optimist who sees pie in the sky. You just told the truth, and it was hard to hear. It's not your fault. But the battle is not over yet.


64

"Among many things I have to be thankful for are you, the fans. I know that some of you haven't liked every single thing that I've done with the saga, and that you have a strong sense of ownership over all things Star Wars. But take that passion and devotion and channel it into a creative project of your own."
-George Lucas
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Well, at least Leonard Maltin was honest. We can all see this is how George Lucas behaves cause it's been his way in the past/present.
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I'll make sure it never happens again.


Please do, Zion!


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No wonder! he even interviewed Lucas during the 95 faces VHS release
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Originally posted by: Tiptup
Neat! What was the original letter you sent him?

This is what I sent (I sent a similar one to Roger Ebert):


Dear Mr. Maltin,

As you're probably aware, for the first time the original versions of the original Star Wars Trilogy will be released on September 12th, packaged along with the Special Edition versions. However, as will all things Star Wars, there is a lot of controversy surrounding them, because of the fact that the original version DVDs will be non-anamorphic, made from 13-year-old laserdisc masters. The release is seen as a feeble attempt on the part of George Lucas, to placate fans who have been clamoring for a DVD release of the original, pre-Special Editon films. When the news about the non-anamorphic release started to leak, Lucasfilm publicist Lynne Hale sent out a press release stating, disturbingly, that “The negatives of the movies were permanently altered for the creation of the Special Editions, and existing prints of the first versions are in poor condition”, hence, the use of letterboxed laserdisc masters for the upcoming release.

I would imagine that not only Star Wars fans would be upset by this statement, but ALL film-lovers and preservationists as well.

I have forwarded to you a letter which I sent to Ms. Hale, protesting this sub-standard September 12th release. I've sent it to you, because I thought you would be the best person to inform consumers about this release, and help put pressure on Lucasfilm/Fox to reconsider the manner in which these much beloved films are being treated (I've also forwarded the letter to new Lucasfilm VP Jim Ward).

I look forward to seeing your review of these newest Star Wars DVDs.

Best wishes,
M. R.

P.S. Please visit originaltrilogy.com run by Jay Sylvester. Over the last few years, his site has collected over 75,000 signatures to get the original Star Wars Trilogy released on DVD. The forums are just full of disappointed fans these days.

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Originally posted by: Mike O
Its not your movie, never was, never will be.


I never said it was. Thanks for reminding me for the 63rd time though.


Uhh, that's his signature. It's in every post of his until he changes his signature.

"Now all Lucas has to do is make a cgi version of himself.  It will be better than the original and fit his original vision." - skyjedi2005

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Originally posted by: JediRandy
Originally posted by: Mike O
Originally posted by: JediRandy
"I'm sure the folks at LucasFilm are aware of the outcry from diehard fans, but if you know anything about George Lucas, then you know that he tends to do exactly as he pleases.

a.k.a.

Oh well.

No, a.k.a., there's nothing I can do.

Its not your movie, never was, never will be.

I never said it was. Thanks for reminding me for the 63rd time though.

I really didn't mean to depress you in what I said on the other thread.


I'm an optimist who sees pie in the sky. You just told the truth, and it was hard to hear. It's not your fault. But the battle is not over yet.


64


OK, I get. I never said that the movie was my. Why the heck are you attacking me?

Uhh, that's his signature. It's in every post of his until he changes his signature.


I know. But JR's attitude on this board makes sure that he reminds us of that in every post, even if it wasn't in his signature.

“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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Originally posted by: Ozkeeperd.

..and still some people try to claim that George Lucas' attitude isn't known beyond these pages. Yeah. Right.

His stubbornness has become the stuff of legend.

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Originally posted by: Mielr
Originally posted by: Ozkeeperd.

..and still some people try to claim that George Lucas' attitude isn't known beyond these pages. Yeah. Right.

His stubbornness has become the stuff of legend.


Unfortuately, it doesn't seem that there is a blessed thing that anyone can do about it.

“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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Originally posted by: Mielr
His stubbornness has become the stuff of legend.

Yeah, that's just who we're stuck with - who we have to deal with to get an anamorphic unaltered version, it looks like.

Truthfully, I'm not terribly concerned with it anymore because I honestly don't think it will ever be released. I don't think Lucas is testing the waters, or will have a change of heart, or is waiting for the mega-box set, or will come to his senses, or any of the other theories floating around. This is the only original version he's going to release. Christ, he doesn't really want to release this sub-standard version. Something else is driving this. My guess is that it has something to do with leaning on bootleggers or something as simple as just having a different "released version" of the SE movies to sell.

Man, there's millions of fans, of all sorts of films, that collect every shred of something that's released - different boxes, cover styles, collector tins, extras on the accompanying discs, versions of THX, with commentary or without, etc. There's no conspiracy here, no grand plan, no surprise awaiting everyone next year. This is either a legal or business-driven decision.

Just because Lucas made a film we all really really like - that doesn't automatically make him a good guy or a caring guy. History is replete with artists, geniuses, and visionaries that all had a nut loose.

Even Mark Hamill mentioned it in the interview someone posted here. When anyone gives Lucas even the slightest bit of constructive criticism or advice - he sees it as some sort of threat or challenge that must be defeated and he digs his heels in and prepares for battle.

That's just who he is, man.

I'm holding out for the XO version myself.


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Truthfully, I'm not terribly concerned with it anymore because I honestly don't think it will ever be released. I don't think Lucas is testing the waters, or will have a change of heart, or is waiting for the mega-box set, or will come to his senses, or any of the other theories floating around. This is the only original version he's going to release.


Thanks. That sure makes me feel great . I guess that we should wait and see. What makes you so pessimistic? I think that this attitude has come about because of this announcement and the ComiCon presentation, and other things which have happened lately. But I think there is so much pessimism on this board that it is becoming depressing. Cheer up, Anchorhead. This isn't the end, it's the begining. I feel so much pessimism too, but maybe some good will come of all of this. Lets not lose our hope yet. And by the way, Anchorhead, I must point out something. Lucas has pretty much admitted that he is testing the waters with this release in the MTV interview. Didn't he say that it would never be released? And now its come out. Who's to say that this is the last release. I find your lack of faith disturbing. And incredibly depressing.

“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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I think money and sales may have been a reason of this release.


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Originally posted by: Mike O
What makes you so pessimistic?

I'm not pessimistic at all, nor am I depressed - far from it. I'm apathetic. Honestly, I don't care what version Lucas releases, what his motives are, or what he's said about it before now.

Lucas doesn't control how I see Star Wars. When I want to see Star Wars, I put in a bootleg copy(or the XO version when it is available), I push play and I go on an adventure. I don't care about features, menu screens, commentary, documentaries, behind the scenes pieces, interviews, or anything else. I skip that stuff on nearly every DVD I own.

The story is the only thing I'm interested in. The bootlegs are very watchable and future versions will be as well. I can already watch Star Wars the way I want to - I don't care what Lucas does or says. When he gives interviews, or talks about how things were in the 70s and starts with his lying and revisionist history crap - he might as well be burping the alphabet. His words are that meaningless.



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Originally posted by: Anchorhead
Originally posted by: Mike O
What makes you so pessimistic?
I'm not pessimistic at all, nor am I depressed - far from it. I'm apathetic. Honestly, I don't care what version Lucas releases, what his motives are, or what he's said about it before now.

Lucas doesn't control how I see Star Wars. When I want to see Star Wars, I put in a bootleg copy(or the XO version when it is available), I push play and I go on an adventure. I don't care about features, menu screens, commentary, documentaries, behind the scenes pieces, interviews, or anything else. I skip that stuff on nearly every DVD I own.

The story is the only thing I'm interested in. The bootlegs are very watchable and future versions will be as well. I can already watch Star Wars the way I want to - I don't care what Lucas does or says. When he gives interviews, or talks about how things were in the 70s and starts with his lying and revisionist history crap - he might as well be burping the alphabet. His words are that meaningless.


I'm just saying that I don't understand why you think that the OOT will never see a proper release and why you are being so negative. I'm not attacking you or anything-quite the contrary-you just caught me off guard and made me really depressed. I do think that there will be a proper OOT release, and hopefully soon. Perhaps we read the signs differently. I'm a romantic. You're very pragmatic. I just wondered why you had such an attitude, especially given Lucas's comments of late. I was wondering why you had scorned so many of the theories popping up here. Again, understand, I mean no offense, and certainly don't want to attack you. I just wondered why you felt the way that you did, rather than more optimistic. There is, of course, a point at which you don't care anymore, but even so, that shouldn't necessarily affect your feeling about the future, should it? I'm just hoping you're wrong, that's all

If he can get enough money out of it he will release anything, no matter what he has said.


I feel that same sort of perverse optimism.

“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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I'm an optimist, but I'm still beginning to think along similar lines to Anchorhead. And I think maybe you're putting a bit too much stock in Lucas's bitter words on MTV. After all, it was an interview, not a press conference. He hadn't planned what he was going to say in advance. Someone asked him a question, and he made it his point to bash the OOT. Maybe, "It will all come out in the end," doesn't really mean, "I'll be watching closely to see what the fans want." It might be more, "I'm extremely confident that no one will care about these movies, and I'll get to laugh in the geeks' faces when I'm right."

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.

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I know. I'm just bitter. I just want a proper release of three of my favorite movies at some point before I die, and doesn't look like I'll bet it anytime soon. The one odd bit is Darth Fist's comments about the preparation of a new transfer. I just don't know anymore.

“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