EDIT DETAILS:
Get immersed in Episode 1 in a way never possible with the original. The only version you’ll ever see that ends quicker than you intend, leaving you wishing for more… if only there had been more decent narratively relevant footage…
**CUTLIST: **
TECHNICAL INFO:
Sony Vegas 10
Dvd Fab 8
Windows 7
AMD Phenom II x4
SPECIAL THANKS
I would like to thank L8wrtr for all of his advice and encouragement in every stage of creating this.
Also, thank you to The Aluminum Falcon, who has been a wonderful test critic for multiple versions of this edit.
RELEASE INFORMATION
Single Layer DVD
Preferred Saga:
1/2: Hal9000
3: L8wrtr
4/5: Adywan
6-9: Hal9000
I really like this idea - I was actually thinking something similar the other day, based on an idea from the Prequel Radical Redux Ideas thread about showing an invasion of another planet at the start of TPM - that maybe some footage of the Gungan battle could be used to create the idea of a previous planet falling to the Trade Federation before Naboo. The Gungans could be from a different planet, with Jar Jar having escaped to Naboo or something.
^That idea really should be posted on the Radical Redux Thread too, it's potentially genius.
I'll make sure to post it over there. You wouldn't imagine what it does for the pacing :)
Preferred Saga:
1/2: Hal9000
3: L8wrtr
4/5: Adywan
6-9: Hal9000
I meant more in reference to putting all the Gungan scenes into a separate attack on a different world (possibly by another planet under Sith influence which will eventually join the Separatists).
But yes cutting the Gungan's altogether would be a radical redux so it's very welcome there also.
I wrote some notes down while I was watching the workprint - I know you're not really working on this anymore, but there is definitely potential in the idea - I hope that either someone picks it up, or at least that some of the ideas in it are adopted by other Prequel Trilogy fan editors, because as a proof of concept it really works :)
The opening is freed up so much by the removal of the Gungans, which makes for a much faster paced introduction to the movie, and means that Anakin actually makes an appearance much earlier. This also makes the first appearance of Anakin in the movie fairly comparable to the first appearance of Luke in the original, around the 17 minute mark (give or take) for each.
I know this is just a (very) rough cut, so the editing isn’t always going to be seamless but I thought I would mention one part that occurs around the 22 minute mark, when they are at Anakin’s house, specifically when it cuts from Qui-Gon talking to Obi-Wan to the dinner table explanation of how slaves have locator devices under their skin. Maybe by keeping the sandstorm establishing shot just before this it wouldn’t be as jarring, especially if a wipe could be created between the shot of Qui-Gon hanging up and the sandstorm shot. The sandstorm bit would help show a passage of time as well, IMO. Alternatively, another editor might just leave in the Sidious/Maul scene that comes between them, but that’s an issue of personal taste.
Another cut that could be reinstated is the introduction of Sebulba, given the prominence of his rivalry with Anakin. The Jar-Jar antics in that scene aren’t the most objectionable, either. If I was cutting more Jar-Jar wackiness, I’d personally try and remove the bit where he is messing around with the droid in Watto’s shop. Again, that’s more of a personal taste issue though.
The Pod Race might be cut a little bit too much as well, since it goes straight from the start to Anakin and Sebulba neck-and-neck – it makes it seem like there isn’t anyone else in the race. Cutting C3PO’s line at the end of the Pod Race might be an idea too, since his introduction has been removed.
Midichlorions - would you be planning on keeping them in a final cut, or would all reference to them be cut?
The reveal that Padme is actually Queen Amidala in disguise never happens in this version, which makes it seem like she really is just an ass kicking hand maiden... until the Nemodians inexplicably think that she is the queen, before the fake queen appears to make them think Padme is a decoy. Obviously there are little hints throughout the movie about which is the true Amidala, this aspect of the story seems to be the one which suffers the most through the removal of the Gungans.
Getting back to the main thrust of the edit, the removal of the Gungans – the Gungan/Droid battle is not missed in the slightest, and the removal of that story strand really helps make the ending a tighter experience. The four simultaneous battles going on at the end of the theatrical version was just way too much.
Bingowings: I will post that idea over in the Prequel Radical Redux thread as well, but am sort of hesitant to until Nightstalkerpoet posts his idea first, as I don't want to steal any credit or anything (moving the Gungan footage depends heavily on removing them from the rest of the Naboo scenes, after all).
EDIT: Thanks for posting both these ideas over there, Bingowings :)
Abe Simpson said:
Too small; didn't read!
Interesting idea you've got here nightstalker...
Abe Simpson said:
Too small; didn't read!
Sorry for the small text, when I copied my last response over from a PM it seemed to screw with the font size. Hopefully it's better now.
Coinilius: In my efforts to cut time to hit my "Hour" target, I did cut a few things that I would now put back in:
- "This is my apprentice, Darth Maul" scene- Deleted search droid scene on Tatooine (possibly in between the two scenes you found jarring)
- Amidala adressing the Senate (between Anakin being tested and the councils decision scenes. Once again, to show the passage of time)
For the podrace, my intention was to show the 3 Lap Lights as overlays at the beginning. A collage of the first lap would play with a translucent overlay with only one light lit, a collage of the second with an overlay with two of the lights lit, and then start where my cut is right as the three lights are lit to show the third lap.
As for Padme... I agree that it does take away the obvious reveal. However, I feel the benefits of everything else outweigh the loss.
And with Midichlorians... I really don't know which way to go. It isn't canon in the OT, which is very important, especially because most edits aim to be in line with them.
On the other hand, it gives people a stronger understanding of "The Force" and makes it logical and gives it a sense of realism. Without this concept, the force can be viewed almost as magic...
I'll leave it up to whoever picks it up to decide.
Smaller detail shots were impossible for me to fix in the editing program I was using, so a lot of Jar Jars antics were more bareable than the rough cuts that would have replaced them.
Thanks for watching and letting me know what you thought. Kinda sad that this movie can have 2/3's removed and make MORE sense and have a smoother pace.
Feel free to post your idea over on that thread. I'll post mine now.
Preferred Saga:
1/2: Hal9000
3: L8wrtr
4/5: Adywan
6-9: Hal9000
Sounds good....maybe less than an hour?
J
Kill the mini-Kerosenes, stupid idea introducing them in the first place, it turns the power of magic into a accidentally useful infection.
I think that both the additional Maul scene ideas and Amidala addressing the senate would be good to reinstate in some form. Maul is such a non-entity in TPM that while I was watching your edit I was wondering what a Maul free version of TPM would be like (that's not a critiscism of your edit, but more to do with Maul's role in the original version).
It leaves the Qui-Gon continuity error...
Preferred Saga:
1/2: Hal9000
3: L8wrtr
4/5: Adywan
6-9: Hal9000
Obi Wan told me you killed him...:-D
Just saw it and, man, I don't know. It works pretty good, but there are still too many Jar Jar "jokes", Anakin imbecilities and the whole midichlorian stuff annoys the hell out of me...
The movie now feels too rushed with just action sequences and lightsaber igniting all over the place. I didn't really understand what the whole story was about, although there wasn't much of a story to begin with. Qui-Gon now seems like the main character. Darth Maul, on the other hand, isn't even a background character anymore. XD The guy is in the movie for, like, 2 minutes.
Watching this I realized how much I hate Keira Knightley's voice... it's so slooooow and boooring...
I may go as far and say that I rather watch this edit than the original, but still - this doesn't feel like a Star Wars movie. I really appreciate the effort and this is one hell of an attempt at trying to fix this $hit, but there's just too much stupid stuff in this movie. I'm not sure if it's even possible to fix it.
One thing that I missed though was the scene where Obi and Qui Gon are approaching (swimming towards) The Gungan City. John Williams' music in that scene is just incredible. It's so mysterious and stuff, I love it! It made the whole scene for me.
Other than that, I have to say - great job, man! The source material sucks ass but you really tried and for that - KUDOS to you! XD
If you notice in the edit, I really just spliced whole scenes together without editing individual pieces. In a completed version of this edit, most Jar Jar antics would be gone, and probably the midichlorians.
If you take a look above, I did mention that upon further viewing (I've long since deleted anything but the avi from my pc) I would have preferred to reinsert 2 scenes with Darth Maul, and one senate scene.
I do feel though that oddly enough, most of the film narrative takes place during lightsaber/battle scenes.
Preferred Saga:
1/2: Hal9000
3: L8wrtr
4/5: Adywan
6-9: Hal9000
I think I've actually decided to attempt to complete this on my own.
Preferred Saga:
1/2: Hal9000
3: L8wrtr
4/5: Adywan
6-9: Hal9000
nightstalkerpoet said:
I think I've actually decided to attempt to complete this on my own.
Go for it! Cause I would love to see it finished. XD
I did my own edit of TPM, even more extensive than this edit. I cut the entire thing and find it fits much better with my original idea of what should have happened.
Being serious for a sec, the OP mentioned keeping Palpatine mysterious and that too much was given away too quickly. But surely most people knew he becomes the Emperor already? Certainly anyone who'd watched and paid attention to the OT would have known that back in 1999.
Lemonstein said:
Certainly anyone who'd watched and paid attention to the OT would have known that back in 1999.
Not true - the name "Palpatine" is never said once in the OT. Without things like the close up on Palpatine at the end of Qui-Gon's pyre, all the audience would have been able to guess is that Sidious and the Emperor are one in the same, but not that Sidious and the Emperor and Palpatine are.
Glad to hear that you're going to try and complete this edit, nightstalkerpoet!
So, I'm a good portion of the way through... I need to get ahold of ADigitalMan, because I decided to use his cut as my new basis for the film, and need permission to release it.
-I've added back in the introduction to Darth Maul, and the additional probe droid scene.
-I attempted a different cut of the podrace. Should smooth things up without jerking around too much.
-I added Amidala addressing the Senate. As was stated in reviews, this edit did have an issue with telling the story in non-action sequences, and this scene was a pivotal one narratively.
The Phantom Hour is now more like The Phantom Hour and 9 Minutes... but I think I can deal :P
New workprint will be out soon.
Preferred Saga:
1/2: Hal9000
3: L8wrtr
4/5: Adywan
6-9: Hal9000
nightstalkerpoet said:
The Phantom Hour is now more like The Phantom Hour and 9 Minutes... but I think I can deal :P
69 Minutes?
...
...
...
I'm out.
;-)
Honestly Frink, I'm frustrated because the MPEG I loaded into the program had AC3 5.1 audio. But for some reason, the program will only recognize it as stereo. Which WOULD count you out. And as you are the SW authority when it comes to edits... I am slightly annoyed.
Preferred Saga:
1/2: Hal9000
3: L8wrtr
4/5: Adywan
6-9: Hal9000
What program are you using? I'm quite sure there are others here (and on FE.org) who could help you export to 5.1.
Having said that, if you get your edit approved, I'm going to do a cutlist for it regardless of sound.
