not sure how much of this will make it in but this is the original.. oh and sorry I couldn't fit your quote Bossk, the limit was 900 words
“Greedo shoots first”
Website pushes Lucasfilm to release Original Star Wars trilogy on DVD
For over 20 years now children and adults alike have been marveled by one of history’s most exhilarating, groundbreaking and memorable movie trilogies in existence. After numerous awards, record breaking box office sales and a prominent place in pop culture, the original Star Wars trilogy may just become a memory to us if creator George Lucas gets his way.
George Lucas, the creator of the phenomenally successful Star Wars saga and owner of Lucasfilm, celebrated the twentieth anniversary of Star Wars in 1997 with updating each film of the Trilogy to bring it closer to his original vision. The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition was released theatrically worldwide with digitally re-mastered soundtracks, restored prints, enhanced visual effects and newly added footage.
Just recently Mr. Lucas has stated that the original versions of the classic Star Wars Trilogy would not be released to DVD at any time in the future. Replacing those films would be his “original vision”, The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition.
In the August 2002 edition of Star Wars Insider Magazine, Mr. Lucas is quoted as saying, "I think of the film as The Special Edition. I don't think of it as the early version, any more than I would put early rough cuts on. I could put four or five rough cuts onto the thing and say, 'This is how it advanced.' I consider The Special Edition as being the final version at this point. I don't even worry about the other ones, because it went through a lot of incarnations to get to the final stage." He recently reiterated this position in comments made during the American Cinematheque tribute to ILM and Skywalker Sound in Hollywood.
This decision has outraged fans from all over the world. Not only would this prevent anyone from preserving this piece of cinematic history on the medium of DVD but it would also throw away all the time and hard work people put into these films. Preserving the award-winning work of the many artisans, sound technicians, craftsmen, and special effects artists is to do justice to their priceless contributions.
Not releasing these movies in their original form is to re-write history. These movies paved the way for today’s filmmakers and special effects artists.
There’s no problem with directors or artists revisiting their work in hopes of improving it, but to destroy the original piece of art afterwards makes no sense. It’s like Leonardo da Vinci repainting the Mona Lisa, and then throwing the original away. How is there any logic in that?
However movie fans are not going to let this happen. Star Wars and movie fanatics from all over the world have rallied together on an internet site to protest and petition this shocking decision in hopes of Mr. Lucas reconsidering his action.
The site originaltrilogy.com created by Jason Sylvester, a Web Producer from Bangor, Pennsylvania, was launched on March 10, 2003 and has since been receiving great response. “I created the site because I love film, both past and present, and I didn't want to see some of my favourite films of all time fade away into obscurity. Star Wars should be preserved in its original form so future generations can experience it as we all have. Many people say online petitions have zero effect, but I'd rather know that I did all I could to gather fans and let their voices be heard.” Jason says.
He continues, “I'm obviously not happy that George Lucas has decided to offer only finalized Special Editions of Star Wars on DVD. I hope Mr. Lucas understands that we're not a bunch of rabid fan boys trying to push him around. We're just trying to get him to understand that Star Wars is film history, and it should be preserved--not in a vault somewhere, but in a public format that the fans can enjoy.”
Currently originaltrilogy.com has 25 major websites who have also joined with them in their fight to preserve a piece of cinematic history as well as approximately 30,000 individuals. The site also offers a spectacular forum which is a great place to converse with other Star Wars fans as well as film enthusiasts.
It would be great if people from Hamilton would help out with such a cause because I know we come from a city which believes in bringing about change. I am proud when I see the name of my city up on the petition. It shows that Hamilton is full of believers and people who want to make a difference. I remember the line ups at Cineplex Odeon theatres at Center Mall when the Special Editions were released. People waited outside in the pouring rain on opening day, many of them to find out that the show they wanted tickets for was sold out. But they did not pack up and leave when they heard this news. They sat there in line, soaking wet to assure they got tickets for a movie which was more than just 2 hours of spaceships and popcorn; it was a trip back to their childhood when they were wide eyed children staring up at their heroes on screen. These were more than just movies. They gave us reasons to dream.
Lucasfilm is aware of the petition so we welcome and appreciate the help and support of every signature we receive. Please join our fight to preserve a piece of motion picture history.
(visit www.originaltrilogy.com)