ReleaseTheOriginals

User Group: Members
Join date: 13-Sep-2004
Last activity: 13-Nov-2004
Posts: 2

Post History

Post: #64333
Topic: THX 1138 - What a Special Edition SHOULD Be.
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/64333/action/topic#64333
Time: 14-Sep-2004 9:46 PM

Has anyone seen the new Director's cut of THX 1138? I know it's only been in limited theatrical release, but I saw it last week on opening day. I was impressed with the fact that, while CGI elements were involved, they were much more understated than the ones in the Star Wars SE's and seemed to really meld into and support the film, rather than being distracting. I'd still like to see the original cut, but it was chopped up by Warner Bros. after Lucas finished it, so it may not really be worth it. Still, the original was influential and it would be interesting to note the differences.

I believe the DVD came out today and is a must-have for Lucas fans (far more so than the new SW DVD's). It's a really brilliant vision that hasn't received as much attention. Plus the DVD includes (among many tasty features) the original student film version, THX 1138 4EB.

Okay, plug's over.

Those of you who've seen the new THX 1138, how do you like it in comparison with the updated versions of the Star Wars films? Do you think this film may indicate any differences in the new Star Wars SE's (i.e., will certain effects be more subdued, not as distracting)? Or is it just a film with fewer opportunities for big, bright effects? Just curious to see what everyone thinks. For me, as different as THX 1138 is from Star Wars, so is its Special Edition. And it is very different. And very good.

Okay, new plug. Look for my THX 1138 review soon at http://www.geocities.com/reeladvice

Post: #63783
Topic: OT vs. SE Debate misses the point.
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/63783/action/topic#63783
Time: 12-Sep-2004 11:21 PM

Quibbles over whether the changes made in the Special Editions are good for the films or not, which version rocks and which version sucks and debates about Lucas' rights as an artist to alter his own work miss the real issue that makes the campaign for the Original Versions on DVD so important.

At the end of the day, it's not about artistic freedom, Han shooting first, CGI, or even the fans. The one responsibility that George Lucas has in releasing the Original Versions is to film history itself. Decades from now, when all of us rabid fans are old or dead or just don't care anymore, the real tragedy will be that between 1977 and 1983, three science fiction films effectively changed the face of filmmaking for an entire generation and no one will be able to point to a clean print of what those films really looked like.

Star Wars is bigger than George Lucas now. It's even bigger than the fans. Has been for some time. The real losers in all of this are the future generations of film lovers, film students and filmmakers who will have lost the original versions of an important piece of their heritage.

That is why we must not give up just because these new DVD's are being released this Tuesday. We who believe in these films must become louder now more than ever, before it's too late.

To read my further thoughts, check for my soon-coming article at http://www.geocities.com/reeladvice.