Info Wanted: Star Wars 4-6 (unaltered Original Trilogy) theater film reels still in existence?

Does Anyone know if there are any surviving theater film reels of star wars 4-6 that still exist out there? I don’t really know how theaters handle old film reels but if any should have been preserved it should  be classic theater versions of star wars 4-6. I imagine collectors and hardcore fans sometimes get their hands on old film reels from theatrical releases.

Has anyone ever got their hands on original theatrical 4-6 star wars film reels? If someone out there does have them they should do what they can to transfer it to DVD or post safe easy access to downloading it online putting to rest the debate of theatrical vs. re released versions. I had VHS versions from 1997 (which are the closest things I had to unaltered) and compared it to the DVD versions my friend got and there are noticeable changes in the DVD edit versions. Like people say Star Wars 4-6 went from a 5 star movie (original theatrical version) to a 4 star movie (1997 VHS) to a 3 star movie (current DVD edit)

We already have several prints and are in the process of restoring them:

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http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/team-negative1-star-wars-1977-35mm-theatrical-version-release-details-and-updates/topic/14590/

We have already released a Grindhouse of Empire Strikes Back

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http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Team-Negative1-The-Empire-Strikes-Back-1980-35mm-Theatrical-Version-Release-Details-and-Updates/topic/16108/

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Team-Negative1-Return-of-the-Jedi-1983-35mm-Theatrical-Version-Release-Details-and-Updates/topic/16712/

The other movies will be released once they're done.

Team Negative1

team_negative1 said:

We already have several prints and are in the process of restoring them:

===========================================

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/team-negative1-star-wars-1977-35mm-theatrical-version-release-details-and-updates/topic/14590/

We have already released a Grindhouse of Empire Strikes Back

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http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Team-Negative1-The-Empire-Strikes-Back-1980-35mm-Theatrical-Version-Release-Details-and-Updates/topic/16108/

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Team-Negative1-Return-of-the-Jedi-1983-35mm-Theatrical-Version-Release-Details-and-Updates/topic/16712/

The other movies will be released once they're done.

Team Negative1

Good to know the theatrical reels are out there somewhere before Lucas was trying to do everything he can to soil them with altered content. If you think about it us fans have become kind of like rebels and Lucas has started to become like the empire when it comes to us trying to get our hands on unaltered Star Wars 4-6. Hope the restore goes well and I wish you guys the best of luck with the project.

It's not just about the original trilogy only,

We don't mind about the SE versions or the Prequels.

In fact we want to preserve the film versions of those also, because of their historical importance.

Team Negative1

We are interested in all aspects of Star Wars on film regardless of origin.

The film grain and color are the unique features we are trying to preserve.

Of course, later on we will move on to other movies like the Raiders of the lost Ark trilogy. (Edit : And not to forgot the fourth movie, which was also on film).

Team Negative1

I'm never buying the altered editions. Harmy's despeshalized editions are the way to go for now. They made so many DVD releases since 2004 I kinda lost track and stopped caring. I think these DVD re releases are a lucas attempt at trying to trick people to buy altered versions. I've seen a few DVD releases claiming to be 'origonal versions' but weren't unaltered. Even the Blu Ray release by Disney turned out to be altered. Also these DVD re releases are a bit over priced. Some can go for 20 to 30 bucks just for altered episode 4 alone at some places. My friend got lucky and found the special editions of 4-6 on DVD for $10 and I just watched them at his house so I don't have to buy them to see the changes.

I hope George Lucas realizes that the true fans don't want altered Star Wars 4-6. They really should release an ultimate box set that has episodes 1-3 and 4-6 with theatrical unaltered versions as a bonus option and include DVD, Blu Ray, 3D and digital download copies.  

PLEASE buy the Blu-rays if you plan on watching the Despecialized Editions. Do NOT support piracy.

Drifter1989 said:

I'm never buying the altered editions. Harmy's despeshalized editions are the way to go for now. They made so many DVD releases since 2004 I kinda lost track and stopped caring. I think these DVD re releases are a lucas attempt at trying to trick people to buy altered versions. I've seen a few DVD releases claiming to be 'origonal versions' but weren't unaltered. Even the Blu Ray release by Disney turned out to be altered. Also these DVD re releases are a bit over priced. Some can go for 20 to 30 bucks just for altered episode 4 alone at some places. My friend got lucky and found the special editions of 4-6 on DVD for $10 and I just watched them at his house so I don't have to buy them to see the changes.

I hope George Lucas realizes that the true fans don't want altered Star Wars 4-6. They really should release an ultimate box set that has episodes 1-3 and 4-6 with theatrical unaltered versions as a bonus option and include DVD, Blu Ray, 3D and digital download copies.  

 The DVDs that claim to be the original that you're thinking of are probably the 2006 release. They actually do have the original cuts in there, they're just on the bonus disc, not the main feature disc (which is just a repressing of the 2004 discs). That bonus disc is what you see people on here referring to as the GOUT, for George's Original Unaltered Trilogy.

Handman said:

PLEASE buy the Blu-rays if you plan on watching the Despecialized Editions. Do NOT support piracy.

Getting the Harmy despeshalized versions on MySpleen is the legit way to get true unaltered versions and they look great even if I use windows media player on my PC and my PC isn't exactily a top of the line machine. MySpleen doesn't exactily support piracy, I think that's why they have the invite system. I got my despeshalized editions through MySpleen. It's if you get it through pirate bay without buying the blu ray versions is the non legit possibly ilegal way. 

team_negative1 said:

We are interested in all aspects of Star Wars on film regardless of origin.

The film grain and color are the unique features we are trying to preserve.

Of course, later on we will move on to other movies like the Raiders of the lost Ark trilogy. (Edit : And not to forgot the fourth movie, which was also on film).

Team Negative1

 someone on avs had 35mm frames from Clones and it looked amazing, can't find them now tho.

Do we have prequel 35mm reels at all? Or were they a lot tighter controlled? 

The prequels are easy to find, and relatively cheap.

When the time comes to address them, we will.

Team Negative1

I have a film reel of the original Star Wars. My dad bought it to play for us kids in 1977. It’s in storage.

Djdanni said:

I have a film reel of the original Star Wars. My dad bought it to play for us kids in 1977. It’s in storage.

Could you tell us more about the print? For instance is the format 16mm or 35mm? In addition could you post an image of the film so we can check what the colours and soundtrack are like?

Yes. I will post back in the new year. I’m overseas at the moment and will need time to locate it, so this could take a few months. From memory, the movie is in colour and has sound, Dad used a projector. We had reels for Star Wars and Von Ryan’s express. I will post an update as soon as I can.