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Info: Star Wars Unaltered Original Trilogy in HD (Edited with 2004 HD Broadcast Material) (* unfinished project *)

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 (Edited)

Hi!

I’m new to this site, so I haven’t had a chance to check every posting to find out if the version I am thinking about, already exists.

I have the 2004 Special Edition Versions on DVD and as 720p HD Broadcast Versions, and I own the official unaltered DVD-Version from 2006 (ported from the Laser-Discs).

Since we know, that the upcoming Blu-Rays won’t include the original Versions, they will probably never be seen in true HD.

So I (and probably many others) are usually confronted with the choice to either watch the Special Editions with great quality and bad new CGI or the Original Cuts in bad quality.

So I wanted to create an edit, were I take the HD-Material from the Special Editions and only insert the original SD-Material, were it was changed. Furthermore I would restore the original length and timing (using the Soundtrack from the 2006 original version DVD).

I’m not so much against the colorcorrection of the special editions, so I would rather lightly color correct the original footage, to match with the HD-Version.

I would come out with an HD-Version of the original Cut, with some jumps in Picture Quality, were the Scenes from the original Version are put back in. In the editing decisions I would stay completely true to the original cut.

I already started with the project, so my question is:

Does an (HD)edit like this already exist?

Would anyone be interested in this version?

Best!

Topper

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I just saw, that there is the "partly despecialized" edition that does that... well... partly.

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First off, welcome to the site :-)

Topper Harley said:

I'm not so much against the colorcorrection of the special editions, so I would rather lightly color correct the original footage, to match with the HD-Version.

I lost interest right here.  The SE color is terrible, especially the lightsabers.

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The SE color is terrible, especially the lightsabers.

 

The lightsabers are definitely just bad and annoying. I was alredy thinking about restoring those scenes too...

But since already so much work has been done, like in the "partly despecialized" edition, it probably only would make sense to build on that, for a completely despecializied edition in HD...

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It's a nice idea but Harmy has done most of all of this in his edits and Adywan to some extent with his theatrical versions. Unless you are prepared to go all the way, and roto most things back more than these two, I don't see how it's going to be much different.

As for colour correction, you'd need to at the very least, either colour correct specific scenes with the lightsabers or roto replacements, as I'd imagine leaving this intact would infuriate most die hard fans of the OOT.

I am certainly interested in your project though. The more of these the better.

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It's a nice idea but Harmy has done most of all of this in his edits and Adywan to some extent with his theatrical versions. Unless you are prepared to go all the way, and roto most things back more than these two, I don't see how it's going to be much different.

 

Yes, I agree. I just wanted to do this for myself and startet also looking on the web till I found this page.

I would like to see Harmy's version soon, but as far as I can tell, he still left some of the Special Edition VFX in.

Like I said before, probably the only thing that would be worthwile, is to take his version and restore it to completely original.

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Just throwing this idea out. What about working together? If you both share the same skills to do this type of work, you could make it considerably easier for yourselves helping each other. I know Harmy said he wanted to keep trying in terms of making each version of his closer to the original.

Two people on the job at the same time would be a great benefit to not just youselves, but your audience here. 8)

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Yes, maybe ;)

I'm more of a Filmmaker and editor, and also know quite a lot about color correction. But I am no VFX-Artist, so rotoscoping, etc, is not where I can serve.

I wrote a PM to Hamy. So let's see...

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 (Edited)

 

I think this idea sounds great. I'm amazed that a simple idea like this hasn't been executed successfully for SW yet. Color-correction would be great, but don't let the naysayers stop you -- there really just needs to be an edit that simply gets rid of the CGI nonsense.

If you're looking for inspiration, I'd check out Adywan's Empire Reconstruction. It's pretty close to perfection and the edits are seamless. Harmy's ROTJ reconstruction rocks too.

And if you're looking for a cautionary tale, I'd recommend checking out ocpmovie's Classic Edition, which attempts exactly what you're describing. Unfortunately, the cuts were so jarring that it ruined the whole thing.

The Partially Despecialized versions are wonderful, but you're right, a lot of the VFX are still there. The scenes in Mos Eisley -- with the extra creatures and annoying little robots flying around -- need to be replaced. In his defense, the GOUT versions of those scenes are pretty horrendous, so replacing them without being too disruptive would be a challenge. But there's a lot of great work being done with the GOUT, like Darkjedi's work. I wonder how seamless it'd be match those up?

My two cents: between Adywan and Harmy, Empire and Jedi are pretty well taken care of. SW is the only one that really needs some love and care.

 

 

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Usually I would only need two Versions of Star Wars: The Speical Edition, like George Lucas sees his movies now, and the Original Version, as I have seen it back in the day.

I appretiate much of the work that has been going on here, creating the different versions, and I have looked at some of them, since I "arrived" here.

But frankly, the one version I was looking for and thinking about, does not yet exist: The original unaltered Trilogy with as much HD-Footage as possible.

Yes, Adywans and Harmy's Theatrical Versions of Empire and Jedi do definitely a good Job at recreating the versions on a DVD-Quality Scale (havent looked at Jedi yet).

With the partly despecialized Editions, Harmy recreated the exact edit of the old versions (Greedo shots first, no Jabba in ANH, etc..) but left a lot of the special edition shots in it. While a version like this is really nice quality-wise, it's edit is dependent on personal choices and with every cgi-shot I think I am watching the special edition again.

The question is, what is your main goal you want to achieve: Is it important for you, that you never see a quality-jump? Then probably you will be better served with a theatrical reconstruction in DVD-resolution or the partly despecialized edition. For me on the other side it would be the main goal to watch a movie that is completely despecialized with as much HD footage as possible.

I wouldn't mind so much, when the GOUT shots, are revealed as being lower quality. Sure, they would need to be color corrected, to fit in. I am also not so sure about all the cleaning for the GOUT that has been going on, because if done too excessive, the picture can appear very lifeless and too clean.

There should basically be a HD version of ANH, were Wolfman is back were he belongs, and even the original model shots have been inserted back into the Death star battle.

Well... we'll see about that.. ;)

 

 

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Topper Harley said:

While a version like this is really nice quality-wise, it's edit is dependent on personal choices and with every cgi-shot I think I am watching the special edition again.

The question is, what is your main goal you want to achieve: Is it important for you, that you never see a quality-jump? Then probably you will be better served with a theatrical reconstruction in DVD-resolution or the partly despecialized edition. For me on the other side it would be the main goal to watch a movie that is completely despecialized with as much HD footage as possible.

I wouldn't mind so much, when the GOUT shots, are revealed as being lower quality. Sure, they would need to be color corrected, to fit in. I am also not so sure about all the cleaning for the GOUT that has been going on, because if done too excessive, the picture can appear very lifeless and too clean.

Exactly, I'd like to see something like this as well. I wouldn't mind at all if there would be GOUT or even straight LD quality between shots but if there's even one CGI shot then I'm not interested. That's why I haven't watched Ady's or Harmy's work yet, hopefully some day there's a possibility to realize this idea. If people can watch the GOUT as is then I don't see a problem using it along with HD quality.

And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.

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Judging from some recent clips, I think Harmy's considering some new HD versions that will remove just about every SE change.

You know of the rebellion against the Empire?

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Like LexX, I wouldn't mind an HD version of Star Wars that dipped into GOUT quality occasionally. It's still a nice temporary version before the glorious day in the far future when the original versions will be released in Full HD, completely restored. Although, I see how other people can watch the GOUT and watch the HD versions but not be able to stand the quality change in a project like yours. I have one suggestion though. Instead of using the raw, awful GOUT as a basis for the OT footage, perhaps you can use a cleaned up version like DJ's V3 or Moth3r's Pwnage Edition (with the respective maker's permission of course).

Also, Erikstormtrooper is right; Harmy seems to be moving towards a project that has all SE changes removed. Perhaps you should work together?