Idea: Prequels - The Instrumental Cut

Hey, I’ve grown more and more disenchanted with the prequels over time, but especially since the Episode 1 re-release from a while back. Still, I think the prequels have several redeeming virtues. Specifically, the music and the visuals.

Related to that, I’m starting to think the prequels work best only in vague, abstract terms. Any attempt to define the trilogy’s back story is ultimately destined for disappointment, I think.

Because of this stuff, and because Lucas has said again and again, that his films work best as “silent films” where the music and the visuals carry the majority of the story, I thought it might be worthwhile to throw prequel footage together set to music but with all other sound stripped out. The results have been kind of interesting. The themes and story points come across as clearly as they can under the circumstances but it’s been really amazing to watch the movies without getting bogged down in George’s trademark overly lyrical dialogue, his boner for deleting all exposition from his scripts, midichlorians, Jar Jar, all that stuff.

It doesn’t work perfectly for all of the movies (especially significant chunks of Attack of the Clones) but it’s better than I would’ve thought at first blush. But this isn’t really a “fan edit” in my mind. Still, were I to toss this stuff on YouTube or Vimeo, would any of you be the least bit interested?

Also, I realize other people have done “silent movie” editions as well. But I think they mostly combined all three prequels into one movie and they also went for some kind of black and white approach. What I’ve done is stick with the original DVD video but only put in music. So this is slightly different from what those other editors are up to.

TheBoost said:

I would. Sounds fun.

Seconded

Working to put some stuff together right now. I originally made these things just for me so there's probably not going to be a Torrent for this... unless someone feels like making one from my Live Moviemaker files anyway.

One thing that's become abundantly clear through this thing is that the trademark Lucas boner for nonstop tweaking isn't exclusive to the SE's. When these edits cut like butter, it's obvious that Lucas left well enough alone after Williams did the score. But when they don't, it's equally apparent that Lucas fiddle-fucked these scenes into absolute oblivion in the editing room after Williams had finished his work. I now have a fresh appreciation for all the complaints people have about the use of music in these films. It's tough to say which movie's score Lucas screwed over the worst in this respect.

I should add that my intention isn't to "fix" these films so much as remove the most flagrant problems (ie, the storytelling and the dialogue). But one editorial change I did make concerns the love story in Episode 2. There's no "conflict" over it. They get together, end of love story. In fact, I did all in my power to imply that Anakin and Padme bumped uglies on Naboo in the "Across the Stars" video.

Okay, here's one.

EDIT- Link deleted because YouTube blocked the video worldwide.

What hits me is how well that track fits the arena sequence... up to a point, at which time I guess Lucas started screwing around either with the timing of the cuts, the sequence of them or other things.

Yes, it is supposed to be silent at first. The music comes in eventually.