‘Kenobi: A More Civilized Cut’

Runtime: 2h48m
Video: Adaptive low-ish-bitrate 1080p
Audio: 5.1 surround 320kbps

In anticipation of the eventual yet seemingly imminent release of PixelJoker95’s sweeping and ambitious theatrical cut of the series, I am making the rough workprint of my own cut of ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ available, for posterity and public perusal.

My cut, not a radical one by any means, attempts, as many others have (never quite to my satisfaction, which is why we do this), to condense and strengthen the existing emotional throughlines of the limited series into something resembling a contemporary 120-miunute+ theatrical blockbuster.

The project is currently on hold as we all await with bated breath to see the fruits of PJ95’s hard work, which I’m sure will seed bountiful harvests of new ideas for us all. There is considerable sound work, cutting, and color timing that leaves much to be desired as is. This is a workprint.

The big points:

• Give Reva a character ‘arc’ and bring Ingram’s decent performance of an abysmal script new life
• Do the same for Vivien Lyra Blair’s exemplary performance of a bizarrely ill-conceived and static version of Leia Organa-Skywalker at ten years old
• Strengthen the emotional core of Kenobi’s character, painting in broad strokes with the the omnipresent Star Warsian palette of legacy, family, betrayal etc
• Emphasize the dark tragedy of Anakin Skywalker and lessen the brooding menace of Darth Vader (a note heard plenty in recent years)

The file is a cropped, admittedly low-bitrate but still serviceable 1080p file in 5.1 surround with no subtitles.
There is no full cut list at present, but, as always, I welcome any discussion and notes from the community.

Editor’s note: I have borrowed a single shot from Pentex’s ‘Kenobi’ edit that gives Nari a far grizzlier end than in the series, but I’m of many minds on that change at present.