Originally posted by: Mike O
The interesting thing is this: they're answering. They may be answering with what amount to a backhandedness or at worst a big "!@#$ you," but they are answering.
I don't think there was really any backhandedness in John Singh's response, but it does not seem so surprising that they are answering since we are so near the release date; there is likely nothing that could be done to change the release at this point anyway, so damage control seems plausible.
Then do. No one is denying Lucas's artistic intentions. We just want properly restored versions of the OOT.
It seems likely that Lucas is afraid that the market (read: "the fans to whom he's been a god all of these years") might prefer the OOT to his "artistic intentions" and deny the SEs in their choice of which version to buy. The issue seems to lie with Lucas alone.
Until you give them to us, we are not going to be satisfied.
The interesting thing is this: they're answering. They may be answering with what amount to a backhandedness or at worst a big "!@#$ you," but they are answering.
I don't think there was really any backhandedness in John Singh's response, but it does not seem so surprising that they are answering since we are so near the release date; there is likely nothing that could be done to change the release at this point anyway, so damage control seems plausible.
The source for the bonus material is the 1993 Laserdisc master, which represents the best restoration that has been possible on the original movies.
No, it does not. That is a bald-faced lie.
It may not be a lie from where Mr. Singh is sitting; consider the idea that Lucas has said that the LaserDisc source is the only one he is making available for the DVD. In that scenario, it is the best restoration available to the team that has pushed this idea this far. It seems that we have like-minded people within Lucasfilm but that they are being denied, too (even if they are only in it for the money, I'd see no reason that there wouldn't be people pushing for the best quality possible).
No, clearly you don't.
I don't see any reason to doubt that John Singh appreciates my enthusiasm. For all I know, he may be a bigger SW fan than I'll ever be, and it may kill him that these films aren't being made available in the highest quality fashion possible.
I hope you will be able to understand that we want to both honor George Lucas's artistic intentions as well as provide those first versions for DVD viewers.
No, it does not. That is a bald-faced lie.
It may not be a lie from where Mr. Singh is sitting; consider the idea that Lucas has said that the LaserDisc source is the only one he is making available for the DVD. In that scenario, it is the best restoration available to the team that has pushed this idea this far. It seems that we have like-minded people within Lucasfilm but that they are being denied, too (even if they are only in it for the money, I'd see no reason that there wouldn't be people pushing for the best quality possible).
There are no plans for further restoring those earliest theatrical versions.
Really? Like when the OOT would never be released on DVD or when the 1995 release was the last time?
This official statement is really disappointing, but, like you said, "Yeah, right!" Again, consider the fact that this guy is bound by his job.
The ones with the inverted sound and the miscolored video? As the SEs. Which is not what we want.
Isn't this also referring to the SEs only? Technical mis-steps aside, this is what bothers me the most: Lucas referring to the SEs as the REAL SW Trilogy.
I really do appreciate your enthusiasm for the movies.
Really? Like when the OOT would never be released on DVD or when the 1995 release was the last time?
This official statement is really disappointing, but, like you said, "Yeah, right!" Again, consider the fact that this guy is bound by his job.
You might be aware already, but in 2004 the three movies (Episodes IV, V and VI) were fully restored and released on DVD in beautiful digitally remastered prints.
The ones with the inverted sound and the miscolored video? As the SEs. Which is not what we want.
Isn't this also referring to the SEs only? Technical mis-steps aside, this is what bothers me the most: Lucas referring to the SEs as the REAL SW Trilogy.
I really do appreciate your enthusiasm for the movies.
No, clearly you don't.
I don't see any reason to doubt that John Singh appreciates my enthusiasm. For all I know, he may be a bigger SW fan than I'll ever be, and it may kill him that these films aren't being made available in the highest quality fashion possible.
I hope you will be able to understand that we want to both honor George Lucas's artistic intentions as well as provide those first versions for DVD viewers.
Then do. No one is denying Lucas's artistic intentions. We just want properly restored versions of the OOT.
It seems likely that Lucas is afraid that the market (read: "the fans to whom he's been a god all of these years") might prefer the OOT to his "artistic intentions" and deny the SEs in their choice of which version to buy. The issue seems to lie with Lucas alone.
Until you give them to us, we are not going to be satisfied.
Amen and amen. We can keep complaining here in the forum, or we can try to take this battle to Lucas by writing to the media.
I forget (sorry) who mentioned the idea of Lucasfilm getting bad press over the quality issue of the OOT, but I think that's the only angle we have: to point out the ridiculousness of the treatment of the OOT on the upcoming "limited time only" DVD release and to place the question square:
Why would one the most technologically innovative movie companies in the world settle for outdated, non-anamorphic transfers of three of the most popular movies of all time which are known the world over AND include them ONLY as BONUS FEATURES sold with the SE versions that have been sold multiple times in the last 5 years in various incarnations?
Of course, we'd need to state these points a little more succinctly to get anyone to pay attention. Who's up for making a list of points that we can write about to various magazines and/or TV shows?
If we could make some waves at the same time that the DVD rrelease comes out, we might be able to weaken Lucas' contention that this release will prove whether or not people want the OOT on DVD.