Do you think the color problems in the 1997 special edition have anything to do with how several faded the negative was. I know they did a complete photo chemical restoration. This was done by Pacific Title and YCM labs. The final color was done by matching it to a technicolor 3 strip dye transfer print in Lucas private collection.

Until someone gets there hands on a 35mm print of the special edition the color problem only being a symptom of the home videos releases will never be solved or proven.

The gout colors are so washed out im not even sure they are a proper source for saying this is how the films should look and looked in cinemas way back when. Especially when you consider the DVNR.

I think the colors on the japan special collection are more acurate. Too bad the image is soft and interlaced and is from a grainy old master again with washed out colors several generations away from the original.