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I want my kids to see the unaltered Original Trilogy in a real theater

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Is this even possible?  Is there a theater that has the original 77mm film version?  I don't care about dirt on the film, I want them to see it in a theater like I did, and the original version.

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Unfortunately, Lucas usually issues a cease and desist on all public showings of an original print. Technically, the prints should have been sent back to Fox, so they're basically stolen anyway.

Some manage to slip through, but they're usually not widely advertised. There isn't like a "midnight screening" party every week in old theaters like there is of Rocky Horror or The Room.

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doubleofive said:

Unfortunately, Lucas usually issues a cease and desist on all public showings of an original print. Technically, the prints should have been sent back to Fox, so they're basically stolen anyway.

Some manage to slip through, but they're usually not widely advertised. There isn't like a "midnight screening" party every week in old theaters like there is of Rocky Horror or The Room.

Well that really sucks!  But there are copies of the original 77mm out there?  Has anyone transfered that without any changes/edits?  I know there was a version from the 35mm.  There are so many fan versions out there and I just want them to see what I saw in a theater like I saw it.

There is a theater near me that I could most likely have access to play video from a computer.

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You hear about screenings of original prints every now and then, but as 005 said, Lucas' thoughtpolice try to shut them down.

It's almost like the original cuts of the films have become 'unfilms', as Orwell would put it. They never existed.

My advice? Put Star Wars to bed and get your kids into the Lord of the Rings films instead.

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Thanks for the correction.  So the 35mm is 16:9 and the 70mm is 2.35:1?  I am comfused as to what I should be looking for.  I know there is a 9mm transfer too.  

So is there a good transfer of the 35mm availiable?

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I'm not sure I have all the facts 100% correct, but here goes.  70mm and 35mm have the same aspect ratio.  For SW and ROTJ, I believe the 70mm print is visually just a blow-up of the 35mm print.  The 70mm version of ESB has some slight visual differences from the 35mm/home video version.  All of the 70mm prints have surround sound mixes which the 35mm didn't.

All screenings would pretty much have to be private non-commercial deals.  If you live in Southern California, Mike Verta plans to do private screenings of his personal restoration project.  I'm considering letting my local hippie independent theatre know about Harmy's reconstructions (I know they do private screenings and have a AVCHD-capable Blu Ray player, so it's no stretch).  But seriously, just get into backyard projection.  It's fun, cheaper than you'd think, and you get to know your neighbors.  Be your own private screening theatre. 

 

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I hope you have a time machine.

“Grow up. These are my Disney's movies, not yours.”

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CatBus said:

I'm not sure I have all the facts 100% correct, but here goes.  70mm and 35mm have the same aspect ratio.  For SW and ROTJ, I believe the 70mm print is visually just a blow-up of the 35mm print.  The 70mm version of ESB has some slight visual differences from the 35mm/home video version.  All of the 70mm prints have surround sound mixes which the 35mm didn't.

All screenings would pretty much have to be private non-commercial deals.  If you live in Southern California, Mike Verta plans to do private screenings of his personal restoration project.  I'm considering letting my local hippie independent theatre know about Harmy's reconstructions (I know they do private screenings and have a AVCHD-capable Blu Ray player, so it's no stretch).  But seriously, just get into backyard projection.  It's fun, cheaper than you'd think, and you get to know your neighbors.  Be your own private screening theatre. 

 

 

That is really helpful! So is there a raw transfer of the 35mm?  What is Mike Verta's?  Where can I get it?  There are so many versions on this site.

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You can't get Mike Verta's version--this is a point of contention for many.  He's restoring the movie but not distributing it, for legal reasons.

I love the work DarkJedi's done (GOUTv3, Project Blu), and it's the most faithful thing you can actually get, but it doesn't scale nicely to the size of screen you're talking about.  Your best bet is Harmy's projects (Despecialized Editions), which aren't quite as faithful but scale to large sizes much better.

None are as good as a real 35mm version.

Project Threepio (Star Wars OOT subtitles)

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CatBus said:

You can't get Mike Verta's version--this is a point of contention for many.  He's restoring the movie but not distributing it, for legal reasons.

I love the work DarkJedi's done (GOUTv3, Project Blu), and it's the most faithful thing you can actually get, but it doesn't scale nicely to the size of screen you're talking about.  Your best bet is Harmy's projects (Despecialized Editions), which aren't quite as faithful but scale to large sizes much better.

None are as good as a real 35mm version.

 

Thanks!  I don't even care if it is restored, a direct transfer would be fine with me.  Dirt, scratches, and dots are all fine!  That is what it was like in the theater! ;-)

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In my mind, there's little doubt we are going to get reissues of the trilogy as it played in theatres originally. Lucas has turned out to be a fan of doubledipping, and with the release of the deleted scenes, we're close to reaching a point where there's nothing to gain by re-releasing the Special Editions.

Yes, the sales figures for the Blu-rays were astronomical even though some of the changes were way more controversial than back in 2004, but the fact that so many people bought it will also mean that there are less people who'll be buying a re-release that doesn't actually bring anything new to the table. I'm sure the 2006 DVDs mainly sold that good because they contained the original versions. Sure, 3D may be a factor, but personally, I've only been underwhelmed by 3D films so far. And I can't be alone.

Sooner or later, George Lucas just has to swallow his pride and release these films. There is a demand for it, and that would mean money right down his pocket. The longer he holds it off, the more money he'll have. Till then, the restoration projects mentioned in this thread are more than satisfactory.

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FrederikOlsen said:

In my mind, there's little doubt we are going to get reissues of the trilogy as it played in theatres originally. Lucas has turned out to be a fan of doubledipping, and with the release of the deleted scenes, we're close to reaching a point where there's nothing to gain by re-releasing the Special Editions.

Yes, the sales figures for the Blu-rays were astronomical even though some of the changes were way more controversial than back in 2004, but the fact that so many people bought it will also mean that there are less people who'll be buying a re-release that doesn't actually bring anything new to the table. I'm sure the 2006 DVDs mainly sold that good because they contained the original versions. Sure, 3D may be a factor, but personally, I've only been underwhelmed by 3D films so far. And I can't be alone.

Sooner or later, George Lucas just has to swallow his pride and release these films. There is a demand for it, and that would mean money right down his pocket. The longer he holds it off, the more money he'll have. Till then, the restoration projects mentioned in this thread are more than satisfactory.

 

Well, maybe when he kicks the bucket Fox will release the originals and destroy all the later edits! ;-)

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timdiggerm said:

You could also look at Puggo Grande, a 16mm transfer. It has a different aspect ratio, with some cropping, and the colors are slightly funny, but it does have dirt!

I am not looking for dirt, just the original film like i saw it.

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My advice: find someone with a really nice home theater, and give him Harmy's Despecialized edition.

You know of the rebellion against the Empire?

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Doesn't really matter if you go for Harmy or DarkJedi, either way you'll get HairyHen's awesome 70mm sound reconstruction, which is pure gold.

Project Threepio (Star Wars OOT subtitles)

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Tighe said:

Thanks!  I don't even care if it is restored, a direct transfer would be fine with me.  Dirt, scratches, and dots are all fine!  That is what it was like in the theater! ;-)

That is what it was like in the theater AFTER the films had been played hundreds of times and got worn.  The best prints in the best theaters on opening day would have looked sharper than blu ray, and sounded better too.

I would suggest spending some time reading the various threads in the preservation section.  There are many different versions depending on what you're looking for.

"Close the blast doors!"
Puggo’s website | Rescuing Star Wars

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Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:

Tighe said:

Thanks!  I don't even care if it is restored, a direct transfer would be fine with me.  Dirt, scratches, and dots are all fine!  That is what it was like in the theater! ;-)

That is what it was like in the theater AFTER the films had been played hundreds of times and got worn.  The best prints in the best theaters on opening day would have looked sharper than blu ray, and sounded better too.

I would suggest spending some time reading the various threads in the preservation section.  There are many different versions depending on what you're looking for.

I was born in 1975, so I didn't see Star Wars when it was first run anyways.  I saw it just before ESB with my older brother.

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Tighe said:

Thanks for the correction.  So the 35mm is 16:9 and the 70mm is 2.35:1?  I am comfused as to what I should be looking for.

The size of the film and the aspect ratio are completely seperate.

 

Also, 16:9 is 1.78:1

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Showing a print of the unaltered Original Trilogy in a real theater would be vary dangerous. To the safety of the print that is.

But if unaltered Original prints where scanned to digital, in HD 1080P copy’s could be made. And a copy could be shown in a real theater with out risk to a Original print. And if Lucas came in to stop the screening some one could simply destroy the hard drive.

To make it better do not have a free sceening. Have a charity screening.

Give all the money to a charity so that if Lucas comes in and stops it he looks like an @$$.

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Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:

Tighe said:

Thanks!  I don't even care if it is restored, a direct transfer would be fine with me.  Dirt, scratches, and dots are all fine!  That is what it was like in the theater! ;-)

That is what it was like in the theater AFTER the films had been played hundreds of times and got worn.  The best prints in the best theaters on opening day would have looked sharper than blu ray, and sounded better too.

I would suggest spending some time reading the various threads in the preservation section.  There are many different versions depending on what you're looking for.

 

Not according to George Lucas:

The audience will get a brand new print(1997 special edition) that’s very clean and actually better than the original release(1977 print) in terms of technical quality. It’s less grainy, it’s less dirty, and it’s just a better print.(than the 1977 print)

Regarding the sound:

Now we’re able to deliver  even better than the seventy-millimeter quality with the new digital release in a range of sound that was not possible before.

http://starwarssuperfans.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

I saw Star Wars in 1977. Many, many, many times. For 3 years it was just Star Wars...period. I saw it in good theaters, cheap theaters and drive-ins with those clunky metal speakers you hang on your window. The screen and sound quality never subtracted from the excitement. I can watch the original cut right now, over 30 years later, on some beat up VHS tape and enjoy it. It's the story that makes this movie. Nothing? else.

kurtb8474 1 week ago

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danny_boy said:

Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:

Tighe said:

Thanks!  I don't even care if it is restored, a direct transfer would be fine with me.  Dirt, scratches, and dots are all fine!  That is what it was like in the theater! ;-)

That is what it was like in the theater AFTER the films had been played hundreds of times and got worn.  The best prints in the best theaters on opening day would have looked sharper than blu ray, and sounded better too.

Not according to George Lucas:

The audience will get a brand new print(1997 special edition) that’s very clean and actually better than the original release(1977 print) in terms of technical quality. It’s less grainy, it’s less dirty, and it’s just a better print.(than the 1977 print)

Regarding the sound:

Now we’re able to deliver  even better than the seventy-millimeter quality with the new digital release in a range of sound that was not possible before.

http://starwarssuperfans.wordpress.com/

My best technical response to that is: yeah, right.

"Close the blast doors!"
Puggo’s website | Rescuing Star Wars

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Tighe said:

I was born in 1975, so I didn't see Star Wars when it was first run anyways.  I saw it just before ESB with my older brother.

I understand that is why, to you, original means all scratched and dirty. But that is part of the reason why so many people confuse the SE as restoration versus the SE as revision.  Many Lucas apologists say that we should be happy with the GOUT because that's how it was in the theater - low res and cruddy.  The truth is that the ORIGINAL release was not low-res and cruddy, it was sharp and clean and spectacular.  So when we say there should be a proper restoration of the OT, we mean restored to its original form AND its original brilliance.

Now having said that, my version (the Puggo Grande) is made from a 1977 16mm print.  So it's original.  And it's scratched up the way some people saw it in theaters after years of abuse, so you might find it nostalgic.  But just to be clear I must insist that that's not how it looked when I saw it in theaters in 1977.

"Close the blast doors!"
Puggo’s website | Rescuing Star Wars

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Someday, we need to band together, rent out a theater or auditorium, and have an OT weekend or something.

It's more fun seeing these movies with a few hundred fellow fans. :)

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Where were you in '77?