GL said:On the Internet, all those same guys that are complaining I made a change are completely changing the movie,” Lucas says, referring to fans who, like the dreaded studios, have done their own forcible re-edits. “I’m saying: ‘Fine. But my movie, with my name on it, that says I did it, needs to be the way I want it.
Lucas pretends not to understand what the issue is. nightstalkerpoet, you don't seem to appreciate the issue either. It's the same old debate but the facts are:
1. George Lucas altered a historic and beloved movie.
2. George Lucas refused to release the original version of it (which exacerbated the reaction to Fact 1).
3. After years of outcry, George Lucas released an original version in slapdash condition (which continued to build a narrative that Lucas didn't respect his fans that much).
4. George Lucas claimed he had destroyed the ability to release the original movies in better condition because of the work done on them for the SE.
And you want us to thank him?
The problem is not that some people made mean comments. Lots of fans have not made rude, hyperbolic comments. Plenty of fans were probably disillusioned and walked away. You're focusing on a relative minority of people and pretending they created Lucas's attitude toward preserving and releasing the original movies - rather than a reaction to his attitude, which they obviously are.
nightstalkerpoet, asking meekly does not change a person's mind who believes, as you assert, that the original movies were merely first drafts. Does Lucas not already know the original versions are part of cinematic history that should be preserved? Of course he does. Does Lucas not already know that the original versions are beloved by many? Of course he does. Every statement he has made on the matter pretends the opposite.
It's too bad that Mr. Lucas doesn't read the many many civil comments posted on this site. That he doesn't hear the basic frustration of his fans. You posted what you assert to be a "negative tone" in the OT petition:
culminated with the release of the 2006 limited edition DVDs, which contained substandard transfers from 1993
That is a statement of fact. The transfers were technically substandard. It's not a judgment about Lucas's character.
as the steward of one of the most recognizable and beloved film series of all time, you have a responsibility
That is an assertive statement and there is nothing negative about it. The hope, of course, is that Lucas agrees that as steward he has a responsibility (to his fans, society, history, what have you). If his feeling is simply, 'shut up, it's my movie, I don't care about cinematic history or you twits...' well it didn't matter how meekly it was worded, did it? You act like Lucas will burst into a rage unless we show complete subordinance. There is nothing wrong with being assertive.
The deliberate destruction of the original elements demonstrates such disrespect for film history that many of us find it hard to believe,
Lucas claims that the original elements were destroyed in making his digital alterations. Fans honestly feel this shows disrespect to cinematic history. It's not an endearing thing to say and of your three examples, this does fall on the negative side. Is this the sort of comment that perturbs Lucas and prevents him from wanting to satisfy those who love the work he created?
Are you claiming that Lucas is so proud and ill-tempered, that when fans present him with an assertive petition asking to buy his original creations, he ignores it and lashes out? I don't appreciate that implication. George Lucas did create Star Wars, after all.