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There was a different cut of Empire shown in Canada (Edmonton, Alberta @ The Paramount in 70mm) I saw on May.25th, 1980 & also on June.1,1980 (at 4 p.m. both times, same theatre).
Many films for some reason during the 70s & 80s shown in theatres here during their initial first runs were indeed different cuts. Some others: Logan’s Run, Star Trek:TMP, ST2:TWOK & Aliens and the Jedi cut (during first run/saw it the first day at old & gone Westmount twin in 70mm) here did have the Vader’s miff with the emperor’s guards.
I’m guessing that Canada had (we did at least until the late 80s I think) the right to cut the films as they see fit because our rating classification system was different than the U.S. during that period. I believe that they usually didn’t bother with any editing and just
rated the film as it was sent. Maybe that isn’t the reason at all. Who knows?
Maybe a test cut?
Sometimes these alternate cuts or a similar cut would turn up on television (I’ve heard the reason for this longer=more commercials), but not on videocassette or when the film was re-released later in theatres.
I did not imagine these parts being in the movie. My brother & some friends at the time also complained that some cuts had been made when Empire was re-released again in 1982. The speeder crashing into the walker’s head was the biggy that everyone (here) remembered that signaled some snips & re-editing had been done.
It appears that the U.S. did not see this ‘lost cut’ of Empire as it is never
mentioned by anybody. I have not found anyone else on internet by searching
that has claimed to have seen this cut like us here in Edmonton.
The best information I have found so far is this site:
I was looking at this website for info if these cuts could be seen again.
http://www.starwarscutscenes.com/
CUT SCENES:
Dead Tauntauns
Yes, this was in.
Bacta Tank
Yes, this was in & it was longer than the site describes I remember the water being red ‘before’ the cut described the med. robot doing something on the
console and then the red clears up. I remember thinking to myself I hope that
isn’t blood. My parents had to take me from the drive-in early from ALIEN which
of course they shouldn’t have taken us kids to.
Wampa Attack
I do remember rebel troops fighting the wampas and trying to hold them off. It was shorter than described on this site. Just some guys in the hall from a side view shooting at the Wampa which you couldn’t see and some brief discussion.
Wampa Trap
Yes this was in.
Bacta Mask
Yes this was in. Luke & Leia conversing more + more love triangle.
General Veers’ Death
Yes this was in & nearly exactly as it is described. Want very badly to see
this cut again!!! The cut walker attack was longer & better.
Troops Meet Wampas
Yes this was in.
Not listed:
Han Solo & Leia on Cloud City
conversing & kissing
Han’s Solo Torture
very brief of Han being lowered down and getting shocked/remember sparking when nodes touched his chest.
Luke’s Rescue
Don’t remember the rescue being any different. Not sure about this one.
One more - describes about Luke shooting a Wampa before the walker attack. I don’t recall this one being in the cut I saw. There were likely more very slight cuts than listed on this website. I remember a white C3PO as well inside the Hoth base.
My question is: Does a bootleg of this cut of the film exist within fan circles? How do I get a copy? I am not a collector of Star Wars products or fandom stuff. I simply just want to see my favorite film the way I originally saw it in 1980. Is it possible like with the Deleted Magic film for the original SW?