GOUT DVD vs VHS

Author: Slart
Date: 27-May-2015, 5:36 PM

Author: Slart
Time: 27-May-2015 5:36 PM
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Hi all. I've been reading the forums here for a while but just joined.

I'm planning to introduce my 8 year old to the OT over summer vacation, so she'll be prepared for Force Awakens when it comes out. First, though, I need to figure out what format to watch it in. I have my trusty VHS tapes, and I have a friend with a VCR--but I'm not sure how that will look on a modern TV.

There's also the GOUT, which I *should* have picked up when it came out... but of course I didn't. I could get it, but it looks like it's not cheap, and from what I know the quality is pretty disappointing. The question is, is it worth it? Which is going to look better on an HDTV: VHS or the GOUT DVD? Has anybody compared the two?

Thanks!

Author: Leonardo
Time: 27-May-2015 6:08 PM (Edited)
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You could get one of the preservations, Gout won't look good on an HDTV anyway. Looks decent on a crt, but that won't do anymore.

If you've been reading the forum for a while you have no doubt seen there are quite a few impressive fan preservation projects, with different sources, and results. There are even a couple, IIRC, that are actually GOUT-based and look impressive considering the source.

Author: towne32
Time: 27-May-2015 6:12 PM
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Leonardo said:

You could get one of the preservations, Gout won't look good on an HDTV anyway. Looks decent on a crt, but that won't do anymore.

If you've been reading the forum for a while you have no doubt seen there are quite a few impressive fan preservation projects, with different sources, and results. There are even a couple, IIRC, that are actually GOUT-based and look impressive considering the source.

Yep. If you want something GOUT-based, do a Team Blu project. Their "V3" is all three original films. Still looks like the GOUT but cleaned up, anamorphic, etc. For the first film, they've got a newer Blu Ray version. Much improved image quality, though I like the color scheme a bit better for some scenes in the V3.

Author: CatBus
Time: 27-May-2015 7:01 PM
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Harmy's Despecialized Editions are how I've introduced the complete three-film Star Wars saga to my kids*. No need to explain why things don't look as sharp as an official release, because it does.

Also, FWIW, a fan preservation is the ONLY way to watch the theatrical version of Star Wars. VHS releases have the "A New Hope" crawl, and the GOUT has the 1993 revised audio. If you're not so much of a purist to care much about those distinctions, then Harmy's Despecialized Editions are definitely the way to go. It's actually quite difficult for your average fan to tell it's not the real thing.

* And if they get curious about Star Wars beyond the Original Trilogy, I've got the Holiday Special too.

Author: Slart
Time: 27-May-2015 7:16 PM
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CatBus said:

* And if they get curious about Star Wars beyond the Original Trilogy, I've got the Holiday Special too.

Haha. :)

That would be next on the list, I guess. I don't plan on going there though.

Thanks for the info, everybody. I had a feeling I would be getting into the world of fan edits for this venture. Personally, I haven't even watched Star Wars since I retired my CRT and VCR a few years back. Sad, really. I used to re-watch the OT every once in a while.

Hopefully my daughters will love it and it will be the beginning of a new era, and (extra hopefully) maybe someday Disney will decide to clean up and release the unaltered trilogy. Hard to tell. Always in motion is the future...

Author: CatBus
Time: 27-May-2015 7:49 PM
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Slart said:

Personally, I haven't even watched Star Wars since I retired my CRT and VCR a few years back. Sad, really. I used to re-watch the OT every once in a while.

I'd gone about 10 years Star Wars free before I found this place.

Hopefully my daughters will love it and it will be the beginning of a new era

That's what did it for me. To quote another forum member, it's all fun and games until little Timmy comes home wearing a Jar Jar backpack. The movies really are magical, and they come right back to you just the way you left them. Except, you know, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher look like these young kids now, and you're positive they used to look like grownups...

and (extra hopefully) maybe someday Disney will decide to clean up and release the unaltered trilogy. Hard to tell. Always in motion is the future...

Have to go with Tom Petty over Yoda on this one. The future ain't what it used to be.

Author: crissrudd4554
Time: 27-May-2015 8:15 PM
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Yep I would go with Harmy's version if you're able to obtain it. It's anamorphic widescreen and about as close as you'll ever get to an HD version of the original film.

Author: Baronlando
Time: 27-May-2015 8:25 PM
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Despecialized, for sure.

Author: Knightmessenger
Time: 25-Aug-2015 12:36 PM
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You're probably better off getting a preservation. But of the two you mentioned, the official non anamorphic dvd will still blow the official non anamorphic vhs tapes out of the water, especially if you have an HDMI connection on an upscaling dvd/blu-ray player.

Take back the trilogy. Execute Order '77

http://www.youtube.com/user/Knightmessenger

Author: Slart
Time: 25-Aug-2015 1:25 PM
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Thanks for the advice everybody. We've been watching the despecialized editions and they're amazing. Thanks Harmy!

She loved SW and Emprire, although she got a bit stressed out because she was worried that Luke would turn to the dark side. She wanted him to listen to Yoda and stay on Dagobah!

So, just ROTJ to go, as soon as we get the chance. The experience has been a success so far, and I have to give Harmy (and everybody who contributed to the DE) some of the credit for that. Thanks.

Author: Daltonkbarrett
Time: 27-Nov-2015 3:30 AM
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hi i was was wondering if you wanted links to the despecialized edition download…i saw your post wanting to see about the GOUT or VHS for your kids to watch… in this day and age that just wont cut it. if you decide you want the DE i can send you a link just reply…i want your kids to be able to enjoy this movie in a way i never could as a child. Have a good day and may the force be with you.

Now, May That There Force Be with y’all… Ya Hear.

Author: imperialscum
Time: 2-Dec-2015 4:00 PM (Edited)
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CatBus said:

And if they get curious about Star Wars beyond the Original Trilogy, I’ve got the Holiday Special too.

What if they find out about PT from friends in school? Will not let them watch it? 😃

真実

Author: CatBus
Time: 6-Dec-2015 11:31 PM (Edited)
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imperialscum said:

CatBus said:

And if they get curious about Star Wars beyond the Original Trilogy, I’ve got the Holiday Special too.

What if they find out about PT from friends in school? Will not let them watch it? 😃

They already know the whole story – there’s three Star Wars movies and a bunch of poor-quality extra movies like the Holiday Special that are just marketing cash-ins. If they enjoy the Holiday Special, there’s a chance they’ll enjoy Caravan of Courage and some of the other worse-quality movies that they might hear about from friends in school. But Holiday Special is the only one of the inferior set that I’ll watch with them (and also the only one we have on-hand). They can watch the others, but they watch them alone.