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Preserving The "Other" Lucasfilm Projects...

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Hey - sorry if this is a bit off topic here, the general forum seemed a bit too, well, general.

Anyway, has anyone ever considered preserving the original versions of 'Raiders,' 'THX-1138,' or even 'American Graffitti?' I'd love to see 'Raiders' on DVD without all of the digital manipulations and the original sound mix, as well as the original cut of the other two I mentioned.

If I had the time/equipment to do it, I'd transfer the LD's of 'Raiders' and the 'Making of/Great Stunts' specials. Just to see the reflection in the glass in the Well of Souls if nothing else.
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I might be wrong here....but the Raiders that is available on DVD now is un-altered. I've never heard of any digital stuff thrown in there.

I remember watching it and not seeing anything really changed....even the sound mix didn't strike me as tampered with.

The THX one I would like to see.....

American Graphiti was released on DVD in its original form. There was a bar bones release of it and it is still available, but it is now bundled with AG 2.

But watch out.....LucASS has been quoted saying that he is working on some special release of AG....so snatch up those copies while you can......cuz history is about to be re-written again.
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I believe Cable-X1 is correct concerning Raiders. The only change I am aware of is the removal of a reflection on the glass between ford and the cobra in the Well of Souls.
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Originally posted by: starkiller
I believe Cable-X1 is correct concerning Raiders. The only change I am aware of is the removal of a reflection on the glass between ford and the cobra in the Well of Souls.



Now that I think about it....I do remember hearing about that and watched the movie looking for it. That is a good and unobtrusive change....I have no problem with it.

But there is no other noticable changes that I've seen.
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The changes made to the 'Raiders' DVD don't fundamentally alter the film the way the Star Wars SE's or DVD's did, but there are a few subtle things including the aforementioned cobra reflection. Additionally, the guide track that the boulder rolled down in the opening sequence was digitally removed. Most people would probably scoff at me for saying this, but I'd like to have an unaltered original - warts and all. While the content is the same, Lowry Digital still tinkered with it.

The sound remix is obvious though - I consider the re-mix better, but I'd still like the original preserved.

American Grafitti was alterered more noticeably. Check out the sunset during the opening sequence at Mel's Diner. My older VHS copy has the original sunset, but my DVD has the ILM CGI sky, which now looks like a sunset on Tatooine.

This begs the question though - is there a widescreen version of the original THX-1138 anywhere? I have it on VHS but it's pan and scan.
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Originally posted by: TheCassidy
The changes made to the 'Raiders' DVD don't fundamentally alter the film the way the Star Wars SE's or DVD's did, but there are a few subtle things including the aforementioned cobra reflection. Additionally, the guide track that the boulder rolled down in the opening sequence was digitally removed. Most people would probably scoff at me for saying this, but I'd like to have an unaltered original - warts and all. While the content is the same, Lowry Digital still tinkered with it.

The sound remix is obvious though - I consider the re-mix better, but I'd still like the original preserved.

American Grafitti was alterered more noticeably. Check out the sunset during the opening sequence at Mel's Diner. My older VHS copy has the original sunset, but my DVD has the ILM CGI sky, which now looks like a sunset on Tatooine.

This begs the question though - is there a widescreen version of the original THX-1138 anywhere? I have it on VHS but it's pan and scan.


I never noticed the tracks being gone....I knew when I read this thread that I'd have to rewatch Raiders now.

Which AG version are you talking about? The original DVD release or the re-bundled one with AG2?

I believe there is a Widescreen LD of THX.....I'm at work and I need to check when I get home.

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I can't believe you guys! All this talk about preserving Lucas movies and not one mention of Howard The Duck!
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Originally posted by: Mr.Coffee
I can't believe you guys! All this talk about preserving Lucas movies and not one mention of Howard The Duck!


Imagine what LucASS will do to that masterpiece!!!!

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The original DVD release of AG has the digital sunset, and the original shot can be seen in the documentary on the disc.

I believe that all versions of AG (save the bonus features) contain the same version of the film that originally appeared on the first DVD. I think we're up to three different releases now - the orignal DVD, the Drive-In Double Feature edition, and the new High-School Reunion version. To my knowledge the only way to get the original sky shot is in the doc or on the original VHS (not the THX remastered one).

This could all be just blowing smoke though - I'm not sure if anyone cares about this besides me.

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Actually, there was a thread a while back where someone mentioned they were going to do that. (Unfortunately, the LD is full frame only, IIRC.) I'd do it myself, if someone would send me the LD.

"This begs the question though - is there a widescreen version of the original THX-1138 anywhere?"

I found a decent anamorphic, 5.1 transfer at Best Buy. Go figure.

Here it is. It also comes in a 2-pack with "The Matrix". The new DVD release is at the bottom.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

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Originally posted by: Cable-X1
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Originally posted by: Mr.Coffee
I can't believe you guys! All this talk about preserving Lucas movies and not one mention of Howard The Duck!


Imagine what LucASS will do to that masterpiece!!!!


Funny you should mention that. It's been a big day for Lucasfilm - first Ben Burtt quits, and now look what I found...

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Watch...LucASS will do prequels to Howard The Duck and they will be totally kick ass movies....

leaving all of us going...WTF!?!?!?!?!
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Actually in the PAL DVD UK version of "Temple" a ceratain scene was not shown.
"A Jedi can feel the force flow through him".
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I found a decent anamorphic, 5.1 transfer at Best Buy. Go figure.


MeBeJedi....this is the director's cut....not the original. I was sooooooooo hoping that you found the original though.
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Did you look at the link I gave? There's the 2005 version (Director's cut) as well as another version.

Admittedly, I've not watched the whole thing yet, but I didn't notice any changes off hand...

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

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Those are different listings, MeBeJedi, but they are all of the new "Director's Cut"- not the original, which is out of print and has never been released on DVD. A quick way to tell is the rating- the original was rated PG, and the director's edition was rated R.

But I would be really interested if someone with an original widescreen LD or VHS made a DVD of it.

Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side

Emperor Jar-Jar
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition

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Well, doing some quick research, it appears you might be correct. I fell asleep watching it (long day), so I don't remember much. I just threw it in for background noise.

Guess I'll have to find the LD, then.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>