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Originals not lost

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In the site's FAQ page it says, "George Lucas doesn't plan on releasing the original theatrical cuts of the first Star Wars trilogy on DVD--or any other home video format for that matter. They're gone forever. The point of the petition is to try and change his mind."

Um, you cant get the original unaltered trilogy in a 3 VHS pack. I have it myself. It's remastered and cleaned up, but it is the original trilogy.
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You can't buy it in stores anymore in any format. That's what he's saying. The majority of consumers around the world don't sit around searching eBay and collector sites trying to find it. They go with what they are familiar with... bricks and mortar stores, bestbuy.com, amazon.com, etc. You cannot find the original trilogy in its unaltered state (or in it's pre-SE THX-remastered state) in any format in these places. We are fighting to make the OT available in common places where everybody can easily find and purchase them. To have to enter a bidding war on eBay or buy a bootleg from someone whose reliability is questionable at best is not how consumers should have to find the original copies of one of the highest grossing series of movies of all time. If this were some B movie, it would be understandable. But not Star Wars.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
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Originally posted by: Bossk
You can't buy it in stores anymore in any format. That's what he's saying. The majority of consumers around the world don't sit around searching eBay and collector sites trying to find it. They go with what they are familiar with... bricks and mortar stores, bestbuy.com, amazon.com, etc. You cannot find the original trilogy in its unaltered state (or in it's pre-SE THX-remastered state) in any format in these places. We are fighting to make the OT available in common places where everybody can easily find and purchase them. To have to enter a bidding war on eBay or buy a bootleg from someone whose reliability is questionable at best is not how consumers should have to find the original copies of one of the highest grossing series of movies of all time. If this were some B movie, it would be understandable. But not Star Wars.


Well said, Bossk.

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plus how long do you think those VHS tapes will last...
not forever!

I have 2 different sets of the OT on VHS myself and both are starting to show wear and tear...
so give it about 10 more years and its almost safe to say that no one will have a nice looking copy on VHS....
"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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Even if you use them lightly, and then keep them on the shelf for that ten years without watching them, they won't look that great. And besides, most of the VHS copies manufactured were in fullscreen (at least, I've never seen a widescreen VHS set with my own eyes), so think of all you're missing!
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I don't have the Pre-THX set in widescreen, but I do have the THX (faces) edition in widescreen VHS. Muahahahahahahahahhahahahha.

Myyyyy pressshuusssssss...
"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
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Originally posted by: Luke Skywalker
plus how long do you think those VHS tapes will last...
not forever!

I have 2 different sets of the OT on VHS myself and both are starting to show wear and tear...
so give it about 10 more years and its almost safe to say that no one will have a nice looking copy on VHS....



Every VHS copy I have is on its way down the drain. Fast. The newest release is almost ten years old. Like a previous poster said, for a B-Movie yes, but not for Star Wars. The lack of regard to all of the things that make the theatrical versions unique outside of this board is deplorable. For films so strong, every version should be available from the theatrical versions (I'm exlcuding the incidentals like the Pre-ANH) to whatever concoction Lucas whips up in the coming years.

"It's not good business!"
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But DVDs can be backed up with no concern for generational loss.
"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
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well thats why bootlegs will always prosper...

i think we gotta get Jay to get some sort of marketing campaign in order to draw some attention to this site...
i dunno if im the only one who thinks people are blind to this or not... but today it's Star Wars... but who knows what tomorrow holds...
i was thinking about starting some sort of chain email??
sometimes people just delete them but every now and then someone will send it on just for the fact of keeping it alive...
maybe i should put this under suggestions but you know how fast word spreads....
"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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Originally posted by: Luke Skywalker
well thats why bootlegs will always prosper...

i think we gotta get Jay to get some sort of marketing campaign in order to draw some attention to this site...
i dunno if im the only one who thinks people are blind to this or not... but today it's Star Wars... but who knows what tomorrow holds...
i was thinking about starting some sort of chain email??
sometimes people just delete them but every now and then someone will send it on just for the fact of keeping it alive...
maybe i should put this under suggestions but you know how fast word spreads....


Anyone else have any other ideas, short of hacking into Lucasfilm databases or setting Skywalker Ranch on fire? Not that the e-mail idea is a bad idea, Luke, but I'm not too sure how well it'll go over. Those of us that have blogs and websites have banners up and links all over the place, I know, but so far, I only know of one person that I know that has signed the petition. We need something creative and cunning, yet legal.... Hmmmmm....

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hehe i know what you mean...

i think 50 000 signatures is good and all but come on... are you telling me that theres only 50 000 star wars fans in the world...
peh!!
"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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Originally posted by: Luke Skywalker
hehe i know what you mean...

i think 50 000 signatures is good and all but come on... are you telling me that theres only 50 000 star wars fans in the world...
peh!!


I know...but how do we reach a larger audience when Lucas and McCallum control Star Wars fandom? Many would sign if we could come up with something cool to do to promote ourselves.

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hrm.... how bout we have a game on here called "smack the Lucas"
lol

we could have a highscore board for the person who hates Lucas the most..
hehe
what do you think?
anyone good at creating flash games?
"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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Originally posted by: Luke Skywalker
hrm.... how bout we have a game on here called "smack the Lucas"
lol


Kinda like the old Whack-a-Mole game where Lucas' head would pop up from one of 8 or 9 random holes on the Skywalker Ranch and you can club him over the head?
"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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Originally posted by: Luke Skywalker
hehe i know what you mean...

i think 50 000 signatures is good and all but come on... are you telling me that theres only 50 000 star wars fans in the world...
peh!!


You assume that all Star Wars fans support this effort. I assume a large percentage support the effort. I have one of those signatures. But you must be realistic.
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Realistic, schmealistic. If we were being realistic none of the films would be on DVD until after episode III was finished. That was Lucas' original plan. I seem to recall that he changed his mind after so many people bitched and moaned about it.

Look at it like a snow ball. The more we roll it around the larger it's going to become. I wish I had a good idea to get the word out more, but so far I haven't had much luck. I happen stumble upon this site while researching the bootlegs.

As for my VHS copies. I only have the Faces box set and it's pan and scan. While I do have one set that I have only watched once, just due to age and the nature of VHS tapes they are going down the drain fast.
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He was always planning to release the movies on DVD. Making him release something earlier is completly different then making him change his mind on releasing something at all. There is a chance but like the bits says it will be on his own terms. No fans will ever convince him to change his mind. Personally I highly doubt he will ever release the originals but I will egknowledge the possibility. Don't hold your breath though.
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You assume that all Star Wars fans support this effort. I assume a large percentage support the effort. I have one of those signatures. But you must be realistic.


i dont see why people wouldnt want the originals released though...
if its because they just want to spite those who prefer them to the SE or the PT than thats just childish and stupid... those people dont deserve to be a star wars fan...

give me one good reason jimbo why it is a good idea not to release the OT?
this should be good
"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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1. People who prefer the originals are prequel haters. Those who prefer the Special Editions are prequel likers.

2. Fans of the original trilogy have done nothing but bitch at Lucas and then ask Lucas to repect them. Its absolutly sick. After how wonderful Attack of the Clones was I can understand Lucas's frustration. There is simply no pleasing these people.

3. Releasing the originals in the same pack would result in either higher price, less extras, or both.

4. The original versions are work prints in manys mind. Why not release ten versions to show how the movies evolved. Or just show the final version.

Those are the arguements
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Originally posted by: jimbo
1. People who prefer the originals are prequel haters. Those who prefer the Special Editions are prequel likers.


False. I enjoy the prequels. I don't know where your skewed vision comes from, but liking/hating the prequels has nothing to do with the SE. I'm sure there's fans that love everything about the SEs but dispise the PT. You're being overly general. This is also opinion that you state for fact.

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2. Fans of the original trilogy have done nothing but bitch at Lucas and then ask Lucas to repect them. Its absolutly sick. After how wonderful Attack of the Clones was I can understand Lucas's frustration. There is simply no pleasing these people.


Again, your being general. The world is much vaster than your experiences. Most people don't care what he does, as long as he releases both versions. That's common practice. While slightly founded, this statement of your's is also opinion, as is your evaluation of AotC
. While I liked it, some may not have found it "wonderful".

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3. Releasing the originals in the same pack would result in either higher price, less extras, or both.


Bull, a DVD costs very little in production cost. One copy of Terminator 2 contained not one, but three versions of the film. Including on more disc is peanuts.

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4. The original versions are work prints in manys mind. Why not release ten versions to show how the movies evolved. Or just show the final version.


Something that has existed for 20 years on film and video is in no way a workprint. A workprint is a copy that has no intention of being seen by the puplic. The originals don't fall into this clause. Also, have you ever looked up the phrase, "Special Edition". It basically mean, "A limited version, different from the regular edition". By all meanings, the SE should be workprint. A rare chance to see it differently. Its not a replacement. The two should exist side by side, and there's no reason otherwise.

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Those are the arguements


Vague, petty, and worthless though they may be. Those are opinions, not arguements. Only as opinion do they have value. They're yours, so I respect them, but I disagree with them completely.


Made for IE Forum's Episode III theme month - May 2005.

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The original versions are work prints in manys mind. Why not release ten versions to show how the movies evolved. Or just show the final version.


I don't know who first stated the originals were 'work prints' but that is just bogus. Sounds to me like Lucus blowing smoke to justify in his own mind that it's acceptable to butcher these movies.

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People who prefer the originals are prequel haters. Those who prefer the Special Editions are prequel likers.


I for one, have never said I hate the Special Editions or the Prequels. I did like most of the stuff in the Special Editions and there is some parts of the Prequels that I like. I would have liked the Prequels to have been better. I certainly could live without that awful romantic dialogue in ATOC.

So, if by your opinion, because I love the originals, therefore I hate the Special Editions and Prequels answer me this: Why then did I pay $10.00 each time to see TPM four times and ATOC six times? There must have been something in those films that I liked or I wouldn't have spent $100.00 in movie tickets to see them now would I? Nor would I have gotten up at 5am to get into line to see the Special Edition of ANH the day it came out. And to further drive my point home, nor would I have watched the Special Editions and the Prequels at least 20 times on DVD and VHS. Of course, I've seen the originals many, many, many more times than that but that is irrelevant. And I am planning on buying the DVD set when it comes out (in spite of the fact that I think it's gong to be even more dreadful than what has already been done to these films).

I think, at least in my mind, that it's safe to assume that I am a Star Wars fan and always will be. However, that still doesn't erase the bad taste in my mouth that Lucas refuses to give me the chance to own my favorite movies they way that I saw them in the theatre when they came out. What Lucas and some people don't seem to realize is that these films, while 'owned' by Lucas, are also owned by a much larger group of people. The audience. These films in their original versions, are a part of film history and have long since become the property of time. They are a part of our pop culture. The collective consciousness of the movie audiences that saw them in 77, 80 and 83. No matter what Lucas does to them, they will always belong to us. Period. I'm sorry, but enough is enough. You can call me a Special Edition hater or a Prequel basher. I rightfully don't give a tinkers damn.

Is that going to stop me from helping see that the original versions are released on DVD? No. Not by a long shot. In fact, I think the Star Wars fan base has proven (at least to me) that no matter what Lucas does or does not do with these movies in the future, they will preseve the original versions on DVD as best as they can. So, to all of those out there who have bucked the system and Lucas by producing the bootlegs I say BRAVO! More power to you and keep up the good work. If there is one truth in this life (besides death and taxes) it's the only way to get people to sit up and listen is to hit them in their wallet. By not releasing the original versions on DVD Lucas has already lost tons of money and it looks like he stands to loose more. So let the bootlegging continue. I don't care what kind of spin you put on it, there is NO, I repeat, NO excuse for the originals not to be available on DVD. The only reason that I can come up with for this is the stubborn ramblings of a fat, rich old man who doesn't seem to realize that WE (the Star Wars buying public) are the ones who make sure that he has money in his pocket, clothes on his back, food on his table and a roof over his head. And we can take it away just as easily as we gave it to him.

Do I really see that happening? Sadly no. However, I believe that if the public can't force Lucas to release the originals on DVD, then he certainly can't force the public to buy the versions that he does release. It's really that simple. Some people will refuse to be fed the crumbs off his table. I personally applaud them.

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Fans of the original trilogy have done nothing but bitch at Lucas and then ask Lucas to repect them. Its absolutly sick. After how wonderful Attack of the Clones was I can understand Lucas's frustration. There is simply no pleasing these people.


Yeah, there is a way to please these people. Release the originals as well as his new versions. It's that simple.

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Releasing the originals in the same pack would result in either higher price, less extras, or both.


Perhaps. Perhaps not. I don't recall paying that much for the 2 disc Terminator 2 DVD and it had three versions of the film and a second disc of bonus stuff. If that is the case, then here's a HUGE money making idea for Lucas. Release a box set for each version. The originals and his new versions. Let the public decide. Now before you attack that, this can be done just like when they release a widescreen version as well as pan and scan version. So it can't cost that much to release two different versions of the same film on DVD with all of the same extra features. So I say....(raspberry). That's just blowing smoke up my ass and I'm not buying it for a minute. Or here's another HUGE money making idea. Just release the orginal versoins in a widescreen movie only disc set. It would still sell big time. The only reason that this is not happening is, again, the stubborn ramblings of a fat, rich old man.

The more that you look at this scenario, it becomes clear (at least to me) that Lucas is either really stupid or he's on drugs. I can't decide which. Most people are saying, 'Here George. Take my money please!' and the idiot is refusing. It just makes no sense to me. Especially from a marketing point of view. He's just cutting is nose off to spite his face.

And before you say it, no I don't give a damn about Lucas' 'vision of how he sees the films.' I saw his vision 20 years ago and I didn't need all of the bells and whistles then and I could live without them now. If Lucas wants to finish or improve the films to better fit his 'vision' then fine. I'm all for letting him do it and I will certainly support him in that venture. He also needs to acknowledge the fact that I among millions of others, deserve, that's right deserve, to have the originals available to us on DVD. I know you'll say Lucas doesn't owe me or anyone else anything. Yes and no. In the broader scheme of things perhaps he doesn't. He's the artist and it is his 'vision.' And yes he does owe us something. Again, these movies belong to the audience just as much as they belong to him. We made them successful. And in all honesty, how would it hurt him to release them? From what I can see, it would only continue to line his pockets with those liitle green pieces of paper with the pictures of the presidents. From what I can see he seems to like money.

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That is one excellent post, R2.

I hope someday that someone will put those views to him, personally...

A little patience goes a long way on this old-school Rebel base. If you are having issues finding what you are looking for, these will be of some help…

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… and take your time to look around this site before posting - to get a feel for this place. Don’t just lazily make yet another thread asking for projects.

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Wouldn't that be nice.
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