Complete Comparison of Special Edition Visual Changes — Page 35

The pod window may well have been recomped, but the "cloudy glass dome" look of the "before" pic is actually another artifact of our old friend DVNR. The stars were a lot brighter and more visible prior to the DC/GOUT transfer. Look at the JSC and SWE, for example.

Another 1997 SW wipe redone, when searching for R2, transition of Luke getting his gun to looking through the binoculars at the Banthas.  The feathering on the wipe is less in the SE.  (and weird green in the 2004)

*EDIT*

Here's something completely minor.  In the GOUT look above Ben's head.  There's a black ellipse sticking down.  Seems to have been straightened in the 2004.

*EDIT 2*

This looks like a frame stabilization, you'll need to step through the first few frames of the 2004 and anything prior.  On the DS, the commander's meeting, the first 3 frames have some flexing before they settle down.  The second frame jumps right, then the third frame squooshes a tad.

This may just be a transfer thing.  The GOUT wobbles in the scene.  See a little wobbling in the 97SE.  I'm noticing much of the wobble in the lights thru the doorway.

*EDIT 3*

Another 1997 wipe redone.  Luke leaves Ben and the droids at the sandcrawler to go find out what's happened to his uncle and aunt.  Notice how the 1997 wipe is a little faster, 3po gets wiped a frame early.

Also this entire shot seems to be shifted 5 frames.  Look at the background dirt/grass squat 'z' on the left of frame:

minus 5 frames .................. plus 5 frames

See in the 2004 (-5) the dirt pattern right behind the engine, that shows up 5 frames later in the GOUT (+5) pic.

In this pic the landspeeder is differently centered in frame, but exists at the same point in time, start with the 2004 above the engine is a zip dirt strip, in the 1977 it's above the nose of the landspeeder.

Which then means that the exit wipe was also redone in 1997:

*EDIT 4*

for this shot (Luke, Ben 3po & R2 landspeedering to Mos Eisley), might want to mention how the top half of the background is also replaced.  I think they've taken a guide line where everything above 3po's head was cut and then stretched vertically.

http://picasaweb.google.com/102542760950977079734/StarWarsSpecialEditionChangesHD?gsessionid=VIEttb8ACbc2-jJMrZ3D_Q#5514975447138093666

Look at rock outcropping just in front (and above in 77) of the speeder, looks the same except in 2004 it's twice at vertical and now right in front.

*EDIT 5*

In addition to the Wolfman to Melas change the exit wipe out from the Feltiperrn Trevagg and M'iiyoom Onith shot is 1997 new.

Intro wipe.........................exit wipe

*EDIT 6*

Another 1997 revised wipe.  Cantina interior to exterior 3po and r2 hanging out.  The original wipe was a little busy, so in the SE they seem to have added a third wipe to remove Chewie's back and when moved the previous wipe close to Chewie's body.  This allows the landspeeder engine to show up a frame earlier.

*EDIT 7*

In addition to the nonsense with Greedo shooting first, the pre-explosion Greedo, in the 2004 the background is well much darker devoid of all the previous details.  (also added some in explosion weirdness, these are for the color debate of lightsabers and laser blast cores, how they've isolated a certain spectrum of white and heavily tweaked it.)

*EDIT 8*

The wipe into the SE Jabba scene, should the 2004 be added as it's a new Jabba?  Or as it was all digital at that point....

Also the Chewie shot, during the SE Jabba sequence, seems to have been shifted a few frames earlier in the 2004.  (on second review, this is wrong)

The exit wipe of the SE Jabba sequence is also redone in 2004, look at the relationship of Boba's rocket pack to Obi's cloak.

I am sorry, I'm not sure if the prequel changes were mentioned before, but this page has interesting information about the BluRay changes of Episode I :

http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=123195

Episode II

http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=929191

Episode III

http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=879092

Did they release for a very first time the THEATRICAL version on a digital video format ? Or have they done some audio changes ?

Plus the old trilogy, but that one was pretty much covered already

Episode IV

http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=17542

Episode V

http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=913207

Episode VI

http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=403598

Thanks for the links, pittrek. I hadn't heard of some of those small changes in Episodes I and II before that. I suppose we tend to focus on the original trilogy changes more. Episode I's changes don't really seem harmful, nor do Episode II's.

As for audio changes in Episode III, I vaguely remember someone claiming they heard them during the Greivous sequence but not sure whether it was established or not.

Submitted for your approval:

This is the last shot of the DS approaching Alderaan.  The right side of the Death Star looks to be darkened but more importantly extended.  In the 2004 (bottom) follow the trench south until you get to three stars which are almost vertical.  Now find those stars in the GOUT, and there's a whole bunch more to the left.  Would classify this as a 97 change.  (also kind of humorous that they've left the stars which show through the Death Star.  around the trench on the right there are all these lights which look more like stars to me.  there's two on the north grey trench line which look out of place.)

*EDIT 1*

The window mullion and transparency which was more of an issue in ESB's Hoth battle, seems similar to the Hyperspace in SW.  In 2004 you can see they're still there, but there's been some significant digital tweaking.  Guessing this is a 97 thing:

Aside: The Wookiegroomer split goes off as the MF approaches the destruction of Alderaan, anyone know how long this one frame off goes?  (ok seems to have righted ship by the time the MF enters the DS bay)

*EDIT 2*

1997 change.  After stealing the Stormtrooper armour, the Gantry Officer just opened the door and the first Stormtrooper (Han) blast has been added to the explosion and the next frame laser has been redone.  (this is the shot before the officer which got shot less shot)

core added ............. blaster laser redone (then in 2004 recolored!)

*EDIT 3*

The wipe change from 3po in DS gantry to mouse droid in hallway, moved the mouse droid shot one frame forward in 1997.

In: http://picasaweb.google.com/102542760950977079734/StarWarsSpecialEditionChangesHD?gsessionid=0ihDjrSWBGxdpa-92H18rw#5520076099266908722  the description is a tad vague, says I should be looking for lights on the right side.  The difference which is standing out to me is (...on the right) between the two vertical light patterns is a dark vertical band with a thin light band inbetween and that in GOUT changes thickness while in 2004 it's more uniform.  But still would like to know where the blinking lights are.  (ok think I found them, it's two and they only turn on once in the shot, about a quarter down, and very close to the frame edge?)

doubleofive, order thing with the pics.  the Gantry officer shot which was shortened to remove the blaster hit, occurs after the elevator change before the 3po wipe change.

Today's slogging through the movie brings us the following:

1997 change: Detention center blaster fire.  They've added a new core to the original blast, and the laser has been redone in this shot.  the angle is changed.  (the shot before the laser is noticably 'weaker' (more transparent) and I would conjecture, not redone)

As with the last one, this is a shot which was extended to fill in the frames left vacant by the removal of the Imperial Officer getting hit.  They probably were working from a blank SFX canvas so they've redone the laser.

This Hero Blaster laser fire looks improved in 1997.  It's wider and the right pointy end is unusual.

1997 wipe redone.  Detention Leia to Vader

2004 change.  When Leia shoots the garbage grate, there's a new animation, the grate deforms and the blasts vary, then leaves behind new melted edges.

start the garbage compactor after I mow the lawn...

Here is a category to consider.  Lower Frame Brightness Before Explosion.  On the mthr, GOUT and some of the 97SE, the frame before an explosion the bottom frame goes bright.   Think i've seen some of these fixed in the 2004.  (but didn't keep track, as i've just recently put the pieces together)  I guess generally when there is a full white frame, film can't suppress the bleed over? 

And is a general clause mentioning how frame jitter was removed, notated somewhere?  (this only occurred since the 2004 as it was the first all digital transfer?) 

Additional note on the Luke/Leia rope swing background matte.  The change removed all the color from the drawbridge controls on the left side.  (a blue and red dot)

In the escape from the DS sequence.  The fake shake's, for Han (in gunner cockpit) seems to be a frame off.  Think this is a 1997 change.  Same thing happens for the Luke one in the next shot.

The first sequence of General Dodonna showing off the Death Star plans is shifted 8-9 frames.  Watch Leia on right.  Can also see in the posted picture how Dodonna is turned differently: http://picasaweb.google.com/102542760950977079734/StarWarsSpecialEditionChangesHD?gsessionid=6HhIuXJdrn8mS-hPu22h0g#5568042904743562610

More 97 modified wipes.  Post Rebel Death Star briefing, and the next wipe after seeing what Tarkin and Vader are up to:

During the DS attack, Luke goes in a little too close and there's an explosion haze which Luke emerges from.  (Luke pull up!)  This shot seems to be shifted a few frames as Luke doesn't match.  The original is much more zoomed in at the beginning of the shot.

*EDIT 1*

Here's a 2004 fix.  There was a vertical line on the right stormtrooper which existed through the whole shot.

1997 change, the shot of the X-Wing going through the explosion of the TIE Fighter, that shot is extended a few frames.  Those frames were taken out of this shot, this frame is the last of this shot.  You can see how the X-Wing doesn't rotate as much.

*EDIT 1*

(request, title change "Yet Even More Completer Comparison...")

The Humdinger shot, the garbage mattes disappear, not sure if it's 97 or 04.  (The Wookiegroomer splits goes 1 frame off during this sequence, will wait until tomorrow to figure out when this one frame shift fixes itself....)

A 2004 fix.  For the last 3 or so frames of this shot of Luke, there was an over exposed line thru his head.  Fixed in 2004.  (note: the Wookiegroomer splits are still a frame off for this capture)

Garbage Matte fix.  Assuming 1997.  (WG still off)

Same shot, there's a red/orange ""frame rip"" fixed in 2004. (WG still frame off)

(Note: Wookiegroomer splits fix themselves somewhere in the next 10-20 shots)

2004 change.  There's a large star which gets blinked out in 2004.

1997 recomposite and background shifted two frames:  (Blue/Red Ten's death?)  Ah you've already got a pict.

Another cosmetic 2004 fix.  When Red Leader fires, there's a one frame over exposure line which got fixed.

Most of the laser blasts during the DS attack you can see them as being mostly the same, but this one looks enhanced to me.  Can see the old shape, but the new rounded front edge and that it's much thicker may mean this is a 1997 enhancement.

and I think this shot proves it as the double blast has changed it's relation from above to below the X-Wing top wing.

Another 2004 cosmetic change.  During this whole shot, there is a hair above the TIE on the far right.  Also that white blob which shows up for a frame is 2004 gonedalagoo.  Second pic can see the hair better.

doubleofive wrote: Are you literally going through WG frame-by-frame? Because that's incredible.

Nah more like none's Believe It or Not!  Mostly watching at half speed these four, but pausing at random things or scenes w/ SFX and flitting thru those.  Double checking/filling out the shot list along the way. 

These laser blasts in 2004 look redone.

Not sure, but the Death Star explosion the star field looks reused but in a different location and shifted somewhat.

!And now the best part!

George's 1997 'Executive Producer' credit:

James Earl Jones was given higher billing:

John Williams credit, the 'Original Music' is moved to the first line:

The CAST has been moved before Panavision and Dolby (Visual Audio companies):

James Earl Jones is given another credit in the Cast:

They've added a Special Edition category:

Added INDUSTRIAL LIGHT AND MAGIC category:

Revised spacing of locations: (notice how they returned to the pre-81 rerelease spacing)

The Copyright has been changed from 1977 to 1997 and moved down a few, also added are the Soundtrack and Novelization:

Added some AV credits:

Added the THX credits:

fini

The removal of the blue and red lights on the left side of Greedo to me say that they went in and purposely manipulated the background to put Greedo in a silhouette. 

Generally overall SW 2011 is brighter but not Greedo:

no sign of any background elements.

Here's the GOUT/2004 comparison brightness maxed and contrast min'd:

The lights seem to have been painted out, and the whole right side is not recognnizable.

doubleofivewrote: I got the email too! None should be the only contributor, though he can only add and comment on his own pictures and can't even organize them!

Does the system e-mail update for every pic added or just once until you view the page.  It's going to take me a week or so to add the ones which were just posted in this thread.  So question away on any of them.

I'm doing a version where all the pics are named to match the scene/shot spreadsheet, i've been putzing with, and i'm a little behind getting those numbers to the place i'd like them.  Having the spreadsheet will also help you organize the pics as you can just follow the Changes in 97/04 column and scroll down till the change color shows up next and read the scene or change description column.  I notice another out of order, there are two of the Tantive in the bay of the SD next to each other but they are actually multiple scenes apart.

msycamore said:

I think it's quite clear that they removed the wall-lights to better match the set that was used for the pickups at the end of the shoot. All close-ups of Greedo except this one was pickups with a different set and a different set of Greedo-fingers compared to the Greedo we see in the original shoot with Ford in the wide-shots.