I’ve watched the entire Vader/Emperor scene in ESB very carefully, shot for shot, and below I’ve listed the differences in dialogue and camera angles between the original 1980 version and the 2004 DVD version. I’ve also listed my own recommended changes to the scene which I believe would make this part of the movie look much better and not look so ridiculous as it does at present.
Vader
-1980: What is thy bidding my master? (camera side view of Vader and Emperor)
-2004: dialogue and camera view unchanged
Emperor
-1980: There is a great disturbance in the force. (camera front view of Emperor)
-2004: dialogue and camera view unchanged
Vader
-1980: I have felt it. (camera front view of Vader kneeling)
-2004: dialogue unchanged (camera front view of Emperor)
Emperor
-1980: We have a new enemy, Luke Skywalker (camera front view of Vader kneeling)
-2004: We have a new enemy, (camera front view of Emperor) the young rebel who destroyed the Death Star. (camera front view of Vader from the shoulders up) I have no doubt this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker. (camera front view of Emperor)
Recommended Changes: Delete the underlined dialogue and camera views. These new lines add nothing and are just stupid. Vader and the Emperor obviously already know who Luke is. Use a camera view that’s facing Vader for the entire shot while the Emperor is speaking so we don’t notice the cuts.
Vader
-1980: Yes, my master. (camera side view of Vader and Emperor)
-2004: How is that possible? (camera view unchanged)
Recommended Changes: Delete the underlined dialogue and restore the original dialogue from 1980. Again this new line is just retarded. Vader definitely knows Luke is his son and even speaks Luke’s name at the start of the film when the Empire finds the Rebel base on Hoth.
Emperor
-1980: He could destroy us. (camera side view of Vader and Emperor)
-2004: Search your feelings, Lord (camera side view of Vader and Emperor) Vader, you will know it to be true. (camera front view of Vader kneeling) He could destroy us. (camera front view of Emperor)
Recommended Changes: Delete the underlined dialogue and camera views. Same explanation as before, the new lines are unnecessary and don’t make any sense.
Vader
-1980: He’s just a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him. (camera front view of Vader kneeling)
-2004: dialogue unchanged (camera front view of Vader from the shoulders up)
Emperor
-1980: The force is strong with him. The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi. (camera front view of Emperor)
-2004: dialogue and camera view unchanged
Vader
-1980: If he could be turned, he would become a powerful ally. (camera front view of Vader from the shoulders up)
-2004: dialogue and camera view unchanged
Emperor
-1980: Yes (camera front view of Vader from the shoulders up), yes, he would be a great asset (camera front view of Emperor). Can it be done? (camera side view of Vader and Emperor)
-2004: Yes (camera front view of Vader from the shoulders up) , yes, he would be a great asset. (camera view unchanged) Can it be done? (camera view unchanged)
Recommended Changes: Add the underlined dialogue and camera view so this shot more resembles the original. I'm sure McDiarmid has said 'yes' several times throughout the saga.
Vader
-1980: He will join us or die (camera side view of Vader and Emperor) master. (camera front view of Vader bowing)
-2004: dialogue and camera views unchanged
These are just my opinions of course, but I think most will agree this greatly improves the screwup that Lucas did to this part of ESB.