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an idea...Star Wars Trilogy as a SUPERBIT release

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I think an idea wold be to have the Star Wars Trilogy (original trilogy) get the SUPERBIT DVD treatment.

The release for the set could be September 20, 2005. If it was released this way, and on this date, it would be almost like a second chance at birth for Star Wars on DVD. I think SUPERBIT technology could bring the Trilogy up a level in regards to sound and picture quality. It would also be a first for SUPERBIT DVD's (I believe) to release a boxed set (making the DVD release special again.)

Would this be a format the fans/devotees would be interested in?

If this release was possible, and didn't offer andy 'extras' or 'bonus materials' except maybe trailers and tv spots, would fans/devotees find this release acceptable?

For more about SUPERBIT DVD's go to this site:

http://www.sonypictures.com/cthe/superbit/
I will cultivate patience to such a degree, that time itself will grow tired of waiting.
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Superbit is Sony, but I see your point. I think many here would buy the discs if they were movie only, high bitrate discs of the OT. I know I would.
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I also heard about this new technology just yesterday called BluRay.

Here is the address if you're interested in knowing about it:

http://www.blurays.info/

I think the fans/devotees next move should be to take their frustrations about this and focus it into the next DVD incarnation of Star Wars Trilogy(the original of course). I remain hopeful that the original versions will be released, fans must continue to exercise their faith. If we lose faith, then Lucas' misunderstood vision of film preservation prevails.
I will cultivate patience to such a degree, that time itself will grow tired of waiting.
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I would buy them in a heartbeat. I've always said that all I want is the original versions of the OT on DVD. I could care less about extras.
"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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Same here; if they want to put all the extras on GL's new spiffed-up versions, fine. Just give me my OT on a bare-bones but high quality release.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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Originally posted by: GundarkHunter
Same here; if they want to put all the extras on GL's new spiffed-up versions, fine. Just give me my OT on a bare-bones but high quality release.


what he said!
"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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Fox is big on D-VHS, surely they'd love to get Lucas to give them a killer-app like Star Wars to help it along. Just a thought.


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

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KJ, SHHHHHHHHH!

We need DVD before we worry about D-VHS.
"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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I think SW Criterion would be more likely than SW Superbit.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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I actually wrote to Criterion about Star Wars. Never got a reply.

I think they'd provide a better box set than Lucasfilm ever could. I'd be concerned about the image quality though. Criterion is wildly inconsistent in that regard. The Rock is a reference transfer in every respect--no edge enhancement, no noticeable artifacts, nothing. Then you look at The Royal Tanenbaums, and you have to wonder what the hell they were thinking when they mastered it.
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I suspect that Criterion didn't have much to do with the actual mastering of Tenebaums, as it was distributed by Touchstone and carried a Touchstone-level price point.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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Anyone have any more info (maybe a link) on this Criterion thing?
"What is best in life Conan?"
"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!"
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What was wrong with the Royal Tanebaums?

Criterion's site is here.

Superbit's normally hit and miss... I'd go with Criterion. Plus, as it's already been stated, Suberbit couldn't get the rights for Star Wars, and probably neither Criterion.

Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here, this is the war room!

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Thanks for the link!!

EDIT--

I went to that site and there was an address to send suggestions/requests for titles for Criterion to release, so I thought I'd send an email on behalf of us. I haven't sent it yet, I thought I'd post it here first in case anyone here thinks I made too direct of a mention of bootlegs, although I tried very carefully not to reference them directly. If you think any part of this could be damaging tell me and I will re-word or excise that portion in question. Anyway, here is the email I wrote (but, I repeat, have not sent yet):

==========

Jon,
I, and many fans of the original Star Wars Trilogy want to be able to watch those films in their original form before George Lucas began altering them in 1997 with his "Special Editions" and now with the new 2004 DVD set.

I, and many other film enthusiasts (not just Star Wars fans) feel that the original cuts of those original three Star Wars movies are an important part of film history as well as being plain brilliant films. Unfortunately, George Lucas, who in the past, has spoken in favor of film preservation has indicated in recent interviews that he doesn't feel that the original cuts of these movies are worth preserving saying that "to him" those original cuts "no longer exist" and whatever new version he has currently come up with is the "real movie." I and many other Star Wars and film fans are very disturbed by this. Not only is a part of our childhood being suppressed and (the VHS and LaserDisc copies being) erased by time, but an important part of film history is being suppressed and erased. Numerous film experts have stated that apart from being great films, the (original) Star Wars films changed cinema and the way movies are made forever. And now Lucas is denying future generations seeing those movies in their original industry-changing forms.

George Lucas owns the rights to the Star Wars movies outright and, legally, can single-handedly determine their fate, so in this case the rights are in the hands of a single individual rather than a studio or corporation. I know it is a long shot, but I, and many other Star Wars fans, film enthusiasts and, really anyone against revisionist history would all be very appreciative if you could try to get the rights to release the original cuts of these three groundbreaking films on DVD (and hopefully on HD-DVD). If you want to see how passionate some are about this issue go to this website: http://www.originaltrilogy.com
The people there are all united in a common cause to preserve the original Star Wars Trilogy in it's original form. Some are making truly heroic efforts to preserve the trilogy. However, compared to an officially released DVD of the original cut of the original trilogy our efforts are quite inadequate as amazing as they are under the circumstances.

We know that there is little chance that Mr. Lucas will change his mind, but maybe he would listen to you, as you guys are authorities on film preservation. We would appreciate any effort you could put into talking to him about this issue. It would be criminal for these films to disappear in this age of digital preservation, especially when their creator has total control of them and is noted as a technological pioneer and film preservationist.

Lastly, I read the FAQ, so I know you can't keep us updated on your efforts if you undertake this quest to convince Lucas, so all I ask is that you confirm receipt of this message. Thank you very much, and good luck should you choose to accept this impossible mission.

===================

The dude that they direct you to email is named Jon in case anyone was wondering about that. And, of course, no insult was intended to those who have done beautiful work here on the bootlegs. I hope that is obvious. Please let me know what you think of this email. Did anyone else email them?
"What is best in life Conan?"
"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!"
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As it was noted in the second post, Superbit is a Sony/Columbia brand. It's also nothing special in terms of technology; all they do is maximize bitrate (which isn't always the case anyway) and minimize the vertical filtering found on many DVDs that destroys detail (which they don't always do either). As someone else said, it's hit-or-miss. Some Superbits are consistently held up as reference quality (The Fifth Element), but some aren't.

Basically, it's a crock. There are plenty of studios releasing reference-quality DVDs without any special fanfare or silly marketing gimmicks like Superbit.

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Originally posted by: bad_karma24
What was wrong with the Royal Tanebaums?


Halos out the yingyang and, if memory serves, a very unnatural graininess--much worse than typical film grain. Both halos and excessive grain are often the consequences of excessive sharpening applied during the mastering process.

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Originally posted by: GundarkHunter
I suspect that Criterion didn't have much to do with the actual mastering of Tenebaums, as it was distributed by Touchstone and carried a Touchstone-level price point.


I didn't know it was a Touchstone job. That would explain things.
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Yep, it was, but that's no excuse. The Beastie Boys Criterion was distributed by EMI and carried none of the problems of Tenenbaums.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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Has anybody seen that Beastie Boys set? I've been intrigued by it for well over a year now, but have yet to get it, rent it, whatever.
"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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Why not stick it in your Netflix queue?

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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There's a novel idea. Duh. Yeah, I'm thinkin'.
"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
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kapgar.com
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Ive got that Beasties DVD. Its great. I'dhave to look it over again for the edge enhancement,b ut I never noticed it before.
What do you mean there's no ice? I gotta drink this coffee hot?!