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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.