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Changes in 2004 DVDs

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Its official that the 2004 DVDs will not be the original versions. They will also not be the final Ultimate Editions. But there is much talk about them having some additional changes to the 1997 Special Editions. Lucasfilm has put changes in just about all of its previous DVDs.

The Phantom Menace - 3 minutes of new effects footage cut into the movie
Attack of the Clones - added 30 seconds of extra footage to Anakin and Padme dialog.
Indiana Jones Trilogy - 14 production equitment removeal changes
American Graffetti - Digitally enhanced sky

Today we got first word on what changes there will be from Lucasfilm. Heres the text from the digital bits below.

I spoke with Ben Burtt recently. He mentioned the upcoming Star Wars DVDs. It seems that they were able to go back and digitize all of the original tracks and rebuild the show from scratch. For the previous Theatrical Special Editions they were only able to go back and re-mix and edit from the pre-mixes which were sonically limited by the analogue recording and reproduction systems of the time. Since Ben was responsible for archiving all of the sound on A New Hope, all of the sounds were able to be found except for a couple of foley tracks which I'm assuming will be re-done. So it seems that we will be hearing Star Wars in a way we've never heard it before. He did not mention if Empire and Jedi would be receiving the same treatment.

There is a rumor that the Han and Greedo scene will be restored as well but there is no word from Lucasfilm on that change.
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Stupid #$%.
I always hit the enter key after typing my username/password.
Result: Blank message.

Just forget about it. I misread something in jimbo's post, and that renders my own post completely nonsensical and probably foolish.
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what changes did they make to the Jones Trilogy? what do you mean by "production equitment removeal changes?"
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Various small things I never really noticed - a metal rigging arm, or something attatched to the boulder which Indy escapes from at the start of Raiders... the famous reflection in the glass between him and the Cobra when he falls into the pit... I didn't know there were 14 changes, though.
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I don't think Lucas will change the Special Edition anymore, because he said that the "definitive" version was released in 1997. I seriously don't think he will change it anymore, but only time will prove me right or wrong. I only wish he would release the Theatrical Cuts!
"Mola Ram, sudaram!! Mola Ram, sudaram!!"
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Lucas has actually stated that the Special Editions were only experimental versions. To see if the movies with effects would sell well and they did. He never stoped working on the original three Star Wars movies. He marketed the 1997 versions as definitive just for marketing. In 2007 we are getting Ultimate Versions. The statement above is from Ben Burtt. That he is working on remixing the audio. Thats all we know of but it is almost certain the 2004 DVDs will not be exactly like the 1997 versions.
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I think the changes in the sound for the star wars trilogy on dvd will be minor I mean yes it will be dolby digital 5.1 surround ex but the only sound effects ben burtt and skywalker sound are going to re-do is some foley sound effects. But other than that I'm sure the sound for the dvd's will be great.
Kenneth Kraly Jr.
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In the Indiana Jones DVDs the 5.1 mixes contained no new surrounds. In the new Star Wars DVDs new surrounds will be added. Other changes have not yet been confirmed but it is very likely there will be more.
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jimbo are you saying the sound mix for the dvd's will take away from what had been done originaly?
Kenneth Kraly Jr.
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What I understand him to be saying is that they will be changed for the DVD, some of the audio.
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But, it's going back to the original audio stems, which means that even if they have to redo some of the sound effects, the audio will be truer to the original presentation, which is kinda cool.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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That's a start. Now if we can only convince him to do the same with the video...
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
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Originally posted by: Luke30
jimbo are you saying the sound mix for the dvd's will take away from what had been done originaly?


Off course not in my opinion the more changes the better.
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GundarkHunter what do you mean by original audio stems?
Kenneth Kraly Jr.
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Original audio stems means going back to the original recorded tracks prior to mastering. Burtt says they will have to rerecord something like a minute and a half of sound effects that were lost, but what this really means is that we will get truly digitally remastered audio that will take the fullest possible advantage of dynamic range and frequency response. Simply put, crisper sound with lower lows and higher highs, and a much greater range between loud and soft.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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Heres a new transcript from the digital bits Rumor mill.

Yeah, we know this is going to get some people's undies in a bunch again... but we can say with some confidence now that when Lucasfilm and Fox release the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD in September, the films ARE going to include new footage. We've confirmed "unofficially" with three separate sources, each in positions to know, that at least SOME new footage is being added to the films, and that more special effects enhancements, tweaks and fixes are being done. We're also told that Lucasfilm MAY include additional deleted scenes for the trilogy on the bonus disc, separate from the material added into the films themselves (rather like they've done with Episodes I & II). We've been told of at least a few changes that have been made, but we're going to wait to confirm them better before we post anything. So, okay... we're now officially intrigued. We'll post more when we can.
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I'll bite my tongue for now.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
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I just saw this on the bits myself...
I so hope Lucas butchers these as much as he already has so that maybe some of the SE lovers will see what it feels like when he screws with the version you enjoy the most...

oh ya... and for all you SE lovers... dont think he's ever going to release the SE as it was.... that is no longer his vision...
he considers those dated and just a work in progress...

hehehe
"Never. I'll never turn to the darkside. You've failed your highness. I am a jedi, like my father before me."
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hehehe


*imagines Luke, imitating Palpatine's laughter and shudders*
Fight the dark side Luke, it's not too late yet!
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Also biting tongue...

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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I doubt any Special Edition lovers will be against the additional changes that Lucas will I repeat will but in the 2004 DVDs. While it has not been confirmed by Lucusfilm the digital bits has three reliable sources which I believe are right. Still these changes will most likely be minor. Similar to the changes on the Indiana Jones DVDs. The majority of changes will probably come in the final 2007 Ultimate Edtions.
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i wish these changes included...

making han shoot first... erasing the whole jabba/han scene... well i could go on... lol
but u get the point
"Never. I'll never turn to the darkside. You've failed your highness. I am a jedi, like my father before me."
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Actually Lucas restoring the Han and Greedo scene back to normal is a strong rumor. I hope its true since I very much disliked this change.
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I hope he mucks with them so much that he completely ruins them. Unfortunately, most DVD review sites will express so much joy at the release of "Star Wars" on DVD (in quotes because it's not really Star Wars anymore), they'll conveniently ignore the fact that the movies are seriously starting to suck.
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