Info Wanted: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind - a preservation?

Author: Art_Vandalay
Date: 13-Oct-2005, 2:32 PM

Author: Art_Vandalay
Time: 13-Oct-2005 2:32 PM (Edited)
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Did Spielbergs “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” 1977-release-version ever came out on LaserDisc? And if so, anybody ever thought about a DVD-transfer? Couldn’t find anythimg here with a search.

Author: Sluggo
Time: 13-Oct-2005 3:32 PM
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I know that the current DVD release is closer to the 1977 release than the Special Edition was. (boy, that's a weird sentence)

Aside from the bizarre idea of showing Roy go up into the ship, the only real differences were a few new FX shots and some new musical cues. Shouldn't be tough to restore if you knew what you were doing. I for one would love to watch it.

Author: hiphats
Time: 13-Oct-2005 3:50 PM (Edited)
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Actually, as has been explained time and again on the internet, the original 1977 release version was never officially released on home video until recently (and last year it was part of a 40th anniversary edition that contained the three major theatrical edits of the film), although Criterion’s edit, which substitutes 30 seconds of footage with UFO fly-by shots from the 1980 Special Edition (this particular edit has been shown in syndication) did at one point in time come close to the original as possible.

Incidentally, if you do have a working Laserdisc player and you can find the Criterion edition on eBay, play it. It will be worth it if not for the sake of comparison.

“Hear you nothing that I say?”
-Yoda

Author: Art_Vandalay
Time: 28-Oct-2005 9:14 AM
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Thanks for the info. All I remember is that in the late 80s/early 90s I saw two different versions of the movie in a german video rental store. One cover said "Special Edition" and the other had nothing added to the title, and the owner told me it was supposed to be the original release version. But then again, maybe he was full of crap

So, if the original was never released on home video and as it would be kinda difficult to get hands on a 1977 35mm print ... how exactly would it be possible to recreate the original CE3K?

Is there a good site on the web dicussing the different releases and their availability?

Author: Ash595
Time: 28-Oct-2005 10:23 AM
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I know, some will say that I am a Criterion maniac, but I am working on a DVD Cover for CE3K. I am waiting for the Hiphats DVD to complete the back cover.

Hiphats, your DVDs will be shipped on monday.

http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/80/close29hi.jpg

Author: THX-1138
Time: 29-Oct-2005 12:47 PM
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Criterion had two versions of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind.
One in the "CAV" format and another in "CLV" format.

Does any one know how these two releases differ besides the format?

THX-1138

Author: SilverWook
Time: 29-Oct-2005 4:34 PM
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IIRC, the CAV had more extras. Also the "special edition" scenes were present at the end of each side. Programming your Laserdisc player to play certain chapters in sequence would recreate the SE cut. (Criterion also did this with Halloween.) The CLV is pretty much the non-SE movie only. (No inside the mothership scene at least.)

Where were you in '77?

Author: Rikter
Time: 23-Nov-2005 8:50 AM
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I just finished a VHS transfer of the SPECIAL EDITION (from the 1988 Goodtimes VHS) & Dark Jedi also completed a transfer of the SE (from the 1993 Columbia Tristar VHS) - Full Details after the holiday weekend

BLAX26 - CE3K.SE - Scan Sample

http://home.comcast.net/~newmexicoufo/BLAX26_-_CE3K_-_Goodtimes_VHS_by_Blaksvn_-_SAMPLE.jpg

Dark Jedi - CE3K.SE - Scan Sample

http://home.comcast.net/~newmexicoufo/CE3K_-_Columbia_VHS_transfer_-_SAMPLE.jpg

Diggity!

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

Author: Rikter
Time: 23-Nov-2005 8:51 AM
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HipHats - SO do you mean that yours is another Composite Edit? (COOL!)

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

Author: Ash595
Time: 23-Nov-2005 9:05 AM
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the Hiphats DVD is a longer edit (162 minutes) with all the deleted scenes back on the film.

Author: Rikter
Time: 23-Nov-2005 9:11 AM
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So it is an edit... SWEET!

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 23-Nov-2005 1:46 PM
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HIPHATS, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER SUBMITTING YOUR CE3K EDIT INTO THE FAN EDIT CONTEST.

-PSYCHO_DAYV--FAN EDIT CONTEST JUDGE

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: Mitch
Time: 23-Nov-2005 11:07 PM
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Rikter I just sent you the full TV cut 143 mins and the "Original Theatrical Version" which I caught on TCM in a few years back. It's in that first box... I remeber the Tv listing clearly as it specified Original theatrical version - maybe you can do a good transfer as it may be never shown again. Yes it is the original theartrical version folks.

Remember, Highlander, you’ve both still got your full measure of life. Use it well, and your future will be glorious.

Author: Rikter
Time: 23-Nov-2005 11:26 PM
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Mitch - Thanks man, I will do my best to get these out but based on how much stuff there is it may take a bit of time

I just ordered the Special Edition Letterboxed Laserdisc and it should be here in a week so I will have a NEW transfer on Dual Layer for this in about 2-3 weeks

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

Author: Mitch
Time: 23-Nov-2005 11:52 PM
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BTW!!! the CE3K original theatrical cut is in Widescreen ;-)

Remember, Highlander, you’ve both still got your full measure of life. Use it well, and your future will be glorious.

Author: Ash595
Time: 28-Nov-2005 11:03 AM
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my cover for the Hiphats DVD.

http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/7138/close5jj.jpg

Author: MeBeJedi
Time: 28-Nov-2005 5:42 PM
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The original movie poster of the highway leading up to the lights will always be my favorite cover.

MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.

MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.

JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.

Author: Ash595
Time: 29-Nov-2005 5:13 AM
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Originally posted by: MeBeJedi
The original movie poster of the highway leading up to the lights will always be my favorite cover.

I planned to use it for the front cover at first (see my first draft above) but the official criterion covers do not use poster artwork. And I like the richard dreyfuss pic.

Author: Rikter
Time: 8-Dec-2005 6:24 AM
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Ash, since HipHats version is a Fan Edit why does it have the Criterion Banner? - I REALLY dig the cover but it's not a Criterion LD transfer

AND on another note....

I should have the SPECIAL EDITION LD transfer done this weekend

(well it's done but I need to do the menu

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

Author: Ash595
Time: 8-Dec-2005 11:20 AM
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because the Hiphats DVD includes all the special features from the criterion LD and they are very rare.

Author: Mitch
Time: 8-Dec-2005 8:32 PM
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RIK what about the original theatrical cut I sent you of CE3K in Widescreen ;-) are you going to transfer that?

Remember, Highlander, you’ve both still got your full measure of life. Use it well, and your future will be glorious.

Author: Rikter
Time: 9-Dec-2005 4:02 AM
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Originally posted by: Mitch
RIK what about the original theatrical cut I sent you of CE3K in Widescreen ;-) are you going to transfer that?

- Sadly, it had errors and I was unable to copy it...

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

Author: Rikter
Time: 9-Dec-2005 4:39 AM
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Originally posted by: Ash595
because the Hiphats DVD includes all the special features from the criterion LD and they are very rare.

Again I really love cover that you’ve done and it would be great for the Criterion transfer...but to be very honest; I'm not sure that simply since the Hiphats DVD has includes SOME of the features that it would qualify it for the most honorable title of Criterion. And I think that most DVD collectors would find it very misleading, since your cover has the Criterion name on it - one would assume that it is indeed a Criterion Laserdisc transfer and also expect that to be on the DVD, not a Fan Edit.

Have you consider keeping the layout but calling it THE HIPHATS COLLECTION instead?? As that would honor Hips far greater then mislabeling it a Criterion disc. Then you could work on a whole collection of similar covers for his DVD’s.

The Criterion label, brand and definition is simply not something to just throw about lightly

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

Author: Ash595
Time: 9-Dec-2005 10:01 AM
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In fact, I didn't know before I received the DVD that it was a new cut. I would have prefer to have the original Criterion Cut. Maybe some day I will try to do my own transfer of the criterion cut.

Author: Rikter
Time: 9-Dec-2005 7:13 PM
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Originally posted by: Ash595
In fact, I didn't know before I received the DVD that it was a new cut. I would have prefer to have the original Criterion Cut. Maybe some day I will try to do my own transfer of the criterion cut.

- I'll do it if you'd like, if I have to I'm going to buy it after Christmas

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK