Originally posted by: Go-Mer-Tonic
They say the original negatives were permanantly altered when they created the special editions. They also say the prints they do have are all in poor quality.
They say the original negatives were permanantly altered when they created the special editions. They also say the prints they do have are all in poor quality.
While it really seems that the O-NEG was permanently altered when the SE was created, they NEVER said the prints they have are all in poor quality.
Quite the contrary, Lucas prided himself with the fact that he owns a Technicolor dye transfer of STAR WARS, which was used as a reference when they retimed the colours in the SE. We also know form various sources that many UK prints of STAR WARS are also Technicolor dye prints, since the UK had the last Technicolor lab which could create such high quality copies.
The original 35mm master for the OOT release was apparently a 35mm copy, NOT the negative. The differences in burning marks and framing between the PAL and NTSC version proves this.
Other than that, there are films which have been in much worse condition and were much older than Star Wars which could be restored in excellent quality on DVD.
Lots of PR talk going on.