Transforming this thread from a specific credit issue to a General topic on things like the Credits. Suggested was to include Leader and other ephemeral film specific elements. Feel free to toss out idea for other things which are not part of the main film but could help identify print variations and sources.
Credits Film & 'Versions'
Star Wars
'Draft' - 1977 opening day prints
pre-ANH widescreen bootleg (mthr)
pre-ANH bootleg 'PS77-78?' (AntcuFaalb)
16mm English (PuggoGrande)
16mm English (Catnap)
'Refined' - 1977 June? wider release prints
16mm Swedish (Puggo Stjärnornas Krig)
1982 CED (Starkiller) (negative1)
1982 LaserDisc (Starkiller)
1982 Video Rental Library VHS (Starkiller)
U.S. 1988 Star Wars Trilogy VHS
1989 Derann Super8
U.S. Star Wars LaserDisc (DJFS)
U.S. Star Wars Standard Play Collection LaserDisc (DJ_Std_Play)
U.S. 1993 Star Wars Trilogy Definitive Collection LaserDisc (DJDC)
1994 Widescreen VHS (Effy11)
U.S. 1995 Star Wars Widescreen Edition THX "FACES" (DJ_Faces)
U.S. 1995 VHS Star Wars Fullscreen Edition THX "FACES" (DJ_Faces_FS)
2006 DVD (GOUT)
pre-ANH cropped bootleg (MeBeJedi, Starkiller, Treadwell)
TV UK ITV - 1980's Credit Fade Change
http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Early-print-variations-X-Wing-takeoff-End-Credits-etc/post/605211/#TopicPost605211
'Special Edition' - 1997
UK Satellite TV Digi Betacam (Flunk)
2004 DVD
2007 German HDTV Broadcast
'super8 simplified' - First five credits, '1977 TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX FILM CORPORATION, 'The End'
1978 super-8
'Special Edition revised font' -
U.S. 1997 Widescreen SW Trilogy Special Edition Box Set (JFSE) Preservation
Empire Strikes Back
'Original' - 1980
2006 DVD (GOUT)
ESB_TP (VideoCollector)
'Special Edition' - 1997
2004 DVD
'super8 simplified' - Credits split, moved before film except one image 'THE END LUCASFILM LTD. (LFL) 1980' [new font]
1978 super-8
'Special Edition revised font' -
U.S. 1997 Widescreen SW Trilogy Special Edition Box Set (JFSE)
Return of the Jedi
'RotJ Original' - 1983
2006 DVD (GOUT)
RotJ_TP (VideoCollector, Treadwell)
'Special Edition' - 1997
2004 DVD
'Special Edition revised font' -
U.S. 1997 Widescreen SW Trilogy Special Edition Box Set (JFSE)
The Phantom Menace
Attack of the Clones
Revenge of the Sith
Leader Film & 'Variations'
Star Wars
16mm English (PuggoGrande)
Empire Strikes Back
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:: Previous First Post ::
As Star Wars's initial popularity grew and new prints were being created to meet the demand, LFL modified the credits. This thread is to discuss possibilities for the reasoning behind when and why. (and whatever else comes to mind along the way)
Because we haven't done a full accounting of the credit this change is being identified by a modification to John Williams' credit. We've noticed two versions a 'tight' and 'spaced' version.
JW 'tight' Credit shows up in the english 16mm and a widescreen pre-ANH bootleg:
PuggoGrande english 16mm
JW 'spaced' Credit shows up in most other versions of SW. The following versions have been confirmed as 'spaced': Swedish 16mm, CED, english LaserDisc, 1988 VHS, Derann super8, 2004 DVD, 2006 DVD, cropped pre-ANH bootleg.
2006 DVD
- If you can confirm a different version from the ones listed above, please let us know.
When did the credits get changed?
This change could have existed as a variation on opening day. To meet the requirements of different theaters, 3 different audio versions were available. (35mm Dolby Stereo, 70mm Dolby Stereo, Academy Mono)
Article: http://www.in70mm.com/news/2003/star_wars/index.htm
Because the creation of 70mm and 35mm prints had different lead times, there is the possibilty that the credit change could only be incorporated into one of them for opening day. Uncertain how to verify this.
LFL had many opportunities after first-week engagements to make changes. New prints were added to the continuous run of the film in this first year. Michael Coate has researched/documented the number of theaters and number of prints from publicity and news reports:
http://www.fromscripttodvd.com/star_wars_a_day_long_remembered_trivia.htm
Release schedule/total number of engagements during weekend beginning…
May 27: 43
Jun 03: 2 (45)
Jun 10: 3 (48)
Jun 17: 109 (157)
Jun 24: 203 (360)
Jul 01: 136 (496)
Jul 08: 81 (577)
Jul 15: 51 (628)
Jul 22: 183 (811)
Jul 29: 145 (956)
Aug 05: 88 (1,044)
Number of engagements at widest point of distribution: 1,098 (original); 1,756* (1978 re-release)
The 1981 re-release because of the addition of the 'Episode IV' has been the baseline for all home versions since, and they contain the 'spaced' version.
This credit change shows up in both versions (tight and spaced) in the 16mm and pre-ANH bootleg variety, meaning it took place prior to the 1981 re-release. Since the bootlegs are nebulous, the production time frame of the 16mm versions (english and swedish) are a possible clue to when this change occurred.
A second hypothesis would have to do with the creation of the foreign language prints. (as the 16mm english/swedish prints differ) According to Rinzler's Making of Star Wars book (pg 299) the foreign language dubs were completed 'By October 13, 1977'. (book mentions 20 sound mixes)
Another thought is they created a special trailer for the 1978 re-release which mentioned the Academy Awards, maybe while creating that new celluloid they also updated the credits? This is a similar time frame to the foreign language dub prints...
Since we haven't fully digested all the credit revisions, we're also looking to find resources which have full credits and were published early on. For instance:
- Star Wars: 1977 Theatrical Program (page 18)
http://www.theforce.net/image_popup/image_popup_global.asp?Image=timetales/misc/arcana/program18.jpg
- The Art of Star Wars, 1979
Previous places this topic was discussed:
http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Complete-Comparison-of-Special-Edition-Visual-Changes/post/508632/#TopicPost508632
http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Star-Wars-coming-to-Blu-Ray-UPDATE-May-4th-2011/post/509688/#TopicPost509688