- Post
- #317493
- Topic
- State of the Trilogy/ annual SW depression
- Link
- https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/317493/action/topic#317493
- Time
Ziz said:
I've been reading thru this thread trying to follow the back-and-forth of the issue and I feel like everyone keeps missing something...correct me if I'm wrong.
The first thing that was logically done to create the SE's in 97 was to digitize the theatrical cuts of the films. They had to get them INTO the computer before they could start making any changes. So logically, the OOT already exists in digital form. Whether that form is up to 1080p standards, I don't know, as the conversion would be over 10 years old at this point, but I'd imagine it's close to it considering the nature of the process and why it was being done in the first place.
I gotta go with the feeling that something is in storage for a proper OOT release, he's just waiting until he's milked the SE's as far as he can. I mean, if you go back to the various interviews over the years of the creation of the OT (77 to 83), how many times did he start contradicting himself about where the story was headed and that that direction was always his intention? Old habits die hard. He's trying to constantly come out looking like the conquering hero in spite of all the numbers showing how many soldiers he's lost.
And one more thing to consider - ANH was one of the first 25 films inducted into the National Archives as historical achievements in motion pictures...this was LONG before the SE versions, so logically a pre-SE version of the film still exists somewhere outside of Lucasland. That could always be dug out of the archives and given a new restoration and transfer.
I've been reading thru this thread trying to follow the back-and-forth of the issue and I feel like everyone keeps missing something...correct me if I'm wrong.
The first thing that was logically done to create the SE's in 97 was to digitize the theatrical cuts of the films. They had to get them INTO the computer before they could start making any changes. So logically, the OOT already exists in digital form. Whether that form is up to 1080p standards, I don't know, as the conversion would be over 10 years old at this point, but I'd imagine it's close to it considering the nature of the process and why it was being done in the first place.
I gotta go with the feeling that something is in storage for a proper OOT release, he's just waiting until he's milked the SE's as far as he can. I mean, if you go back to the various interviews over the years of the creation of the OT (77 to 83), how many times did he start contradicting himself about where the story was headed and that that direction was always his intention? Old habits die hard. He's trying to constantly come out looking like the conquering hero in spite of all the numbers showing how many soldiers he's lost.
And one more thing to consider - ANH was one of the first 25 films inducted into the National Archives as historical achievements in motion pictures...this was LONG before the SE versions, so logically a pre-SE version of the film still exists somewhere outside of Lucasland. That could always be dug out of the archives and given a new restoration and transfer.
I also feel like we're going in circles- LOL! Have been for years now. :-)
I agree 100% Ziz, that probably EVERYTHING was scanned- and the decisions about what was to be changed for the SE was done later. Remember, Lucas said that when they first considered re-releasing the films, the only thing that he really wanted changed was the vaseline smear under the Landspeeder. When he realized what else could be done with computers- well, that's when he went nuts.
This is a man who kept every scrap of film from every effects shot, which is not normally done. Many times, once a composite shot is made, the separate elements are discarded.
The OOT exists- somewhere, even if just for posterity (and to use in a documentary like Empire of Dreams, CO), even if Lucas has no intention of ever releasing it again.
I don't buy the "the original negative was cannibalized to make the SE" argument. Why would that be done in the digital age? Not only would it be unwise, but it would be inconvenient as well. The entire film had to be color-corrected because it was fading, and from what I understand it was too far gone to correct chemically, so it had to be done digitally which means it ALL had to be scanned- not just the altered shots.
Now, whether or not he'll ever give in and release the OOT on blu-ray....that's a totally different issue and I really don't have a guess as to what he'll do. The ego part of him doesn't want to, the businessman part of him might.
......and remember there's also that Technicolor dye-transfer print (of SW at least) in his private collection that was used for color reference. ;-)