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George Lucas to host showing of Star Wars "1977" for AFI's 40th anniversary. — Page 2

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"I've brought a film print of the original release to screen for all of you tonight. There's an anamorphic dvd enhanced for 16:9 television sourced from a high definition restoration that's available, but this particular version I'm showing tonight is only available to buy in a non-anamorphic dvd that is not enhanced for 16:9 television sourced from a transfer done in 1993."

Seriously folks, you know why I'm not ruling out the possibility of the OOT getting nicely remastered someday? The Graduate only just got an anamorphic Region 1 dvd release last week, and in this past year we've seen several other notable films receive anamorphic transfers for the very first time (Dune, Brazil, The Doors). There's even a rumor that The Abyss won't get remastered until it hits blu-ray, and the same probably goes for a lot of the other movies still on dvd without an anamorphic transfer (Conan the Destroyer, I'm looking squarely at you).

Perhaps all the GOUT ultimately boils down to is LFL's desire to make a quick dollar. It's sad and petty, but not impossible.

The big question in my mind is whether LFL and Fox might decide to accelerate their plans, so to speak, now that Paramount has gone hd-dvd exclusive. If Paramount starts releasing some of their really big catalog titles on hd-dvd within the next year and half (after which they are expected to go format neutral again), the blu-ray exclusive studios will need to fire back with their own titles. As some of you people have said, even a high definition disc release of the holy Star Wars trilogy would need more selling points than simply owning a 1080p transfer of the '04 SE. With the original versions of Close Encounters and Blade Runner, films from the OT's very same era, now being faithfully preserved for all eternity in 1080p24, maybe it's time LFL stepped up to the plate and really deliver something amazing. The '06 release gave us absolutely nothing that hadn't already been released. If they're going to release anything worth hyping, they should go all out and wow us.
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Originally posted by: Fang Zei


The big question in my mind is whether LFL and Fox might decide to accelerate their plans, so to speak, now that Paramount has gone hd-dvd exclusive. If Paramount starts releasing some of their really big catalog titles on hd-dvd within the next year and half (after which they are expected to go format neutral again), the blu-ray exclusive studios will need to fire back with their own titles. As some of you people have said, even a high definition disc release of the holy Star Wars trilogy would need more selling points than simply owning a 1080p transfer of the '04 SE. With the original versions of Close Encounters and Blade Runner, films from the OT's very same era, now being faithfully preserved for all eternity in 1080p24, maybe it's time LFL stepped up to the plate and really deliver something amazing. The '06 release gave us absolutely nothing that hadn't already been released. If they're going to release anything worth hyping, they should go all out and wow us.


Not to derail this thread, but I don't expect any SW movies, SE, PT, OOT, on BlueRay or HD-DVD for a couple of years. And the answer is simple: The mass market. The reason Lucas & Spielberg held back many of their films in the early years of DVD was the market was not big enough, and they didn't want to release their movies to a niche market, and that is what HDDVD is right now. They want to release their movies when the 'average' consumer is in, so they can make the maximum dollar, not just to theater junkies like ourselves.

I am watching the list of movies that are coming out in the first two years of HDDVD, and it is almost exactly the list of DVD titles in 1997/98/99. A slew of newer movies that are easy to remaster, then a couple of A-Titles to keep it moving. Not until about the 4th year of existence of DVD, meaning 2000, did we really see the A-Titles like Jaws, Jurassic Park, The Abyss, Braveheart, etc, cause the market took off that year. The problem is we have this format war and the market is not going to take off til it is solved, and people like myself who are dying to upgrade are waiting so I don't buy the wrong player.

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Originally posted by: COI am watching the list of movies that are coming out in the first two years of HDDVD, and it is almost exactly the list of DVD titles in 1997/98/99.


Yea I noticed that also, Dune and The Thing being the most obvious. This brings up something else I was going to say, and that is Star Wars didn't hit dvd in any form until 2004. The same kind of thing happened back in the vhs/beta days, but that was because home video hadn't nudged theatrical exhibition aside as much. Jedi, for example, was re-released in '85 before it first hit home video in '86. LFL only reissued the SE vhs once and that was 2000, but then again it was getting plenty of revenue from the first two prequels between then and '04. So, as has been said, with no more Star Wars movies on the way LFL will need something special to sell us next time around.

In regards to the AFI thing I think the 121 minute running time may just be them trying to be consistent in their lies, although we've already pointed out the incorrect title of "Episode IV: A New Hope" from 1981 and not 1977, so who knows.
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Perhaps all the GOUT ultimately boils down to is LFL's desire to make a quick dollar. It's sad and petty, but not impossible.


The GOUT was a test for George Lucas to prove nobody wants the OOT and his SE has virtual mainstream approval. Sure, he cheated by making the OOT horribly outdated to justify his logic, but Lucas can afford a loss in money. Heck, he made $1 billion in domestic grosses for the PT alone. He considers it a minor sacrifice to lose a few million dollars to make an additional hundreds of millions of dollars.

BTW, based on the whole HD/Blu-ray predictions, we may get an even more extensively altered DVD of the OT by 2013, and then a really, really bad copy of the OOT by 2015. Imagine a 4:3 laserdisc on a possible 64:27 TV ten years from now!
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Originally posted by: generalfrevious
Perhaps all the GOUT ultimately boils down to is LFL's desire to make a quick dollar. It's sad and petty, but not impossible.

The GOUT was a test for George Lucas to prove nobody wants the OOT and his SE has virtual mainstream approval. Sure, he cheated by making the OOT horribly outdated to justify his logic, but Lucas can afford a loss in money. Heck, he made $1 billion in domestic grosses for the PT alone. He considers it a minor sacrifice to lose a few million dollars to make an additional hundreds of millions of dollars.

BTW, based on the whole HD/Blu-ray predictions, we may get an even more extensively altered DVD of the OT by 2013, and then a really, really bad copy of the OOT by 2015. Imagine a 4:3 laserdisc on a possible 64:27 TV ten years from now!


People DID want it. They bought it.

Just pointing it out, kid. I'd like to think the AFI would at least know how long a film is when it's a one-of screening.


It's probably just the listed time that LFL gave them.

“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”

Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death

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To whom it may concern,

It has come to my attention that you are sceening Star Wars. However, you have listed the release as 1977. While the original version was released in 1977, George Lucas made extensive restorations to this version in 1997 and 2004, as wel; retitling it "A New Hope" in 1981. Moreover, the DVD releases indicate 2004 as the release date on their packaging. Unless you are showing the 1977 version, which of course Lucasfilm, despite intense criticism, will now allow, then then the date shold be changed to reflect this. Revisionist history of this magnitude should simply not be allowed.

Thank you for your time,
Michael O'Connor

“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”

Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death

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I emailed AFI and asked which version of Star Wars they are showing.
The response was "STAR WARS EPISODE IV A NEW HOPE (1977)"
I guess the guy thought I was asking which of the six movies was showing and probably has no idea there is more than one version. It's a good thing he doesn't work for some kind of film institute.
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I've been lurking this thread every so often, and it sounds like AFI might actually show the original. The title given does say "1977". Unless the'yre lying, the only one from '77 is the original.

And don't they hold one of the only copies which Lucasfilm has no legal right to? I seem to remember someone saying that back when the forum was fighting to get an anamorphic OUT DVD release. And that a British film group has a copy as well. Is that right?
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Originally posted by: darkhelmet
I've been lurking this thread every so often, and it sounds like AFI might actually show the original. The title given does say "1977". Unless the'yre lying, the only one from '77 is the original.

And don't they hold one of the only copies which Lucasfilm has no legal right to? I seem to remember someone saying that back when the forum was fighting to get an anamorphic OUT DVD release. And that a British film group has a copy as well. Is that right?


Yeah, but even if they did, I doubt that Lucas would let them show it.

“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”

Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death

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Originally posted by: Guy Caballero
It's a good thing he doesn't work for some kind of film institute.


LOL

You know of the rebellion against the Empire?

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Originally posted by: Mike O
To whom it may concern,
It has come to my attention that you are sceening Star Wars. However, you have listed the release as 1977. While the original version was released in 1977, George Lucas made extensive restorations to this version in 1997 and 2004, as wel; retitling it "A New Hope" in 1981. Moreover, the DVD releases indicate 2004 as the release date on their packaging. Unless you are showing the 1977 version, which of course Lucasfilm, despite intense criticism, will now allow,


Hmm, rather important typo there... I think you mean "not allow".

"Close the blast doors!"
Puggo’s website | Rescuing Star Wars

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Originally posted by: Guy Caballero
I emailed AFI and asked which version of Star Wars they are showing.
The response was "STAR WARS EPISODE IV A NEW HOPE (1977)"


As far as I'm concerned, this is proof that AFI is not a film institute, and/or they are utterly incompetent.

"Close the blast doors!"
Puggo’s website | Rescuing Star Wars

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To Whom It May Concern:

I’m writing in an effort to establish which version of Star Wars you are showing for your 40th anniversary celebration. In case you are not aware there are different versions of the film each of which we nerds complain about at various levels. Naturally the original unaltered version as shown in 1977 is the preferred version while each subsequent version released thereafter is bemoaned upon more and more resulting in emails such as this. If said emails fail to result in our desired outcome an online petition will be created and signed by every nerd at my disposal. The last time we did this it resulted in an unsatisfactory bonus disc release suitable only for the knob operated television set my father used to watch the Honeymooners on. But I digress.

So getting back to my initial reason for contacting you, please know that only the original version of Star Wars is accepted by true Star Wars fans. Anyone that accepts poorly rendered Jabba the Hutts and odd muppet-like musical numbers is clearly not a fan but rather a sheep crawling wherever George Lucas points his Shepard’s stick.

Thank you for your time,
JediRandy
"Among many things I have to be thankful for are you, the fans. I know that some of you haven't liked every single thing that I've done with the saga, and that you have a strong sense of ownership over all things Star Wars. But take that passion and devotion and channel it into a creative project of your own."
-George Lucas
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I hope this makes it through. I agree with you Mielr, I have had enough of Lucas' crazy revisionism. Maybe if the original theatrical is shown and everyone has a great time, it may get the message through to Lucasfilm that we prefer the original to the SE.
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Originally posted by: JediRandy
To Whom It May Concern:

I’m writing in an effort to establish which version of Star Wars you are showing for your 40th anniversary celebration. In case you are not aware there are different versions of the film each of which we nerds complain about at various levels. Naturally the original unaltered version as shown in 1977 is the preferred version while each subsequent version released thereafter is bemoaned upon more and more resulting in emails such as this. If said emails fail to result in our desired outcome an online petition will be created and signed by every nerd at my disposal. The last time we did this it resulted in an unsatisfactory bonus disc release suitable only for the knob operated television set my father used to watch the Honeymooners on. But I digress.

So getting back to my initial reason for contacting you, please know that only the original version of Star Wars is accepted by true Star Wars fans. Anyone that accepts poorly rendered Jabba the Hutts and odd muppet-like musical numbers is clearly not a fan but rather a sheep crawling wherever George Lucas points his Shepard’s stick.

Thank you for your time,
JediRandy


Did you notice that most of the letters published here have been intelligent and polite? None of us have deluded ourselves into thinking that we can get them to show the 77 version (as if Lucas would let them anyway). We simply want it to be known that they're not labeling what they're showing properly, so as to avoid revisionism. That's all. By the way, Lucasfilm's officially packaged 2004 DVD release says "2004" on the back of all three films. Just worth noting.

“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”

Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death

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I guarantee you that if anyone at the AFI bothered to read JediRandy's email, they didn't make it past the first 2 sentences.



On a saner note, has anyone received a reply to their email?

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Soemthing tells me JediRandy wrote a satirical letter just to entertain us
anyway, nope!

A Goon in a Gaggle of 'em

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Now, I'm a little out of the loop, but what did RandyJedi do wrong that everyone hates him?

 

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I don't hate him. He simply doesn't hold the same feelings about the OOT as we do. He believes, correctly, that Lucas owns the film and can do what he wants with it. He also believes that the fans should just shut up and that there is something wrong with wanting a high quality release of a version of a movie which we like. THAT is what make him unpopular.

“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”

Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death

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finding an anamorphic film print on the collectors market of the original 35mm version in good condition from 1977 is truly like a holy grail of sorts.

and film institutes and libraries around the world that actually own one cannot show it for fear of lawsuit.

lucas has gone out of his way to track down the original remaining film prints and have them destroyed.

i heard a theater was going to show the original 1977 version for a fan convention a couple of years ago and the print was confiscated and replaced with the 1997 version.

the original prints from a legal standpoint shipped to theaters were either to be cut up and destroyed after their runs or in the case of several 70mm versions returned to lucasfilm.

according to the revenge of the sith documentary produced by 60 minutes lucas is a billionaire. why cannot we get a restored 1977 version into theaters for everyone of all ages to enjoy for the grand 30th anniversary which came and went it was in may now it is september.

never mind actually getting a decent home video release on dvd or now HD formats, he has made it so the film can never be enjoyed or watched again. now only people have those memories of the 1977, 1980, and 1983 screenings of the trilogy.

i never had the lexury of having seen star wars in 1977, or empire in 1980. hell i only saw the original version of jedi in its 1985 re-release and not in 1983.

their are three films i wish i could see on the big screen that i never got to see, star wars, empire strikes back and raiders of the lost ark in the original versions.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

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I wasn't even born until 1985 so I'm one step ahead of you there, sj. It's for that reason above all that I want a high definition transfer of the OOT. At least a whole lot of you older folks actually got to see it in the highest quality possible.

As for the unending rumors that Lucas destroyed every original print he could get his hands on, do we even know if this is true? The form response letter to all of our GOUT complaints back in May of '06 said "existing prints are in bad condition." So while they probably did try to get their hands on every O-OT print, would they really have a good reason to destroy them?
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JediRandy is just a troll, and I find his posts hilareous sometimes, and we shouldn't take offense to him, cause you have to put it in context: He is taking time out of his day to write a post for something he doesn't care about just to mock us, I feel pretty sad for him, cause he could be doing something more constructive with his life.

I have debated JediRandy on TFN and ORS, and he actually isn't this PT gusher that he comes off as, as he is pretty reasonable, but he is just the type of guy who just doesn't hate Lucas the same way we do for the suppression of the OOT, and thinks were a bunch of whiners. So in a sense, he agrees with us on our assessment of the movies, he just isn't as passionate about it as we are, and he is trying to goad us with his posts.

I say to everyone, enjoy his posts with a grain of salt, and if nobody replies to him and he believes he isn't getting us, he will go away.
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AFI Star Wars

They seem to have updated the webpage, it now says Special edition and they removed the (1977).

No big surprise, it's good though that the message got through.


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"Come see the landmark film that started it all, although you won't see the mindblowing effects that revolutionized movies in 1977 cause you are going to see updated effects from 1997."

Frauds!