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Trooperman

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15-Feb-2005
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15-Jun-2015
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Post
#97538
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97538/action/topic#97538
Time

First of all, I know I’m going to be editing the prequels for my personal enjoyment. I’m not yet sure how extensive it’s going to be. However, I’ve had an idea for a while and want to know what you think of it.

Good idea or too ambitious? I want to dub Anakin’s voice in a few scenes in Episodes II to experiment with alternate lines of dialogue, a more serious quality, and a lower voice that would fit Darth Vader better. If it works out, I’m thinking of completing re-dubbing Anakin in Episode II and Episode III , rebuilding the sound mix from scratch.

Before you ask, I do indeed have the technological capability of doing that. My only problems would be some assorted sound effects (I can create my own), and unreleased music (I guess I’d have to replace it with available music). MagnoliaFan did something similar with the alien languages.

Good idea? I think if it was done right, it could make the films a lot better. Think of how much better the romance scenes could be with better dialogue. I could even change Anakin’s dialogue aboard the spaceship so as to avoid the awful droid factory subplot! It would take really good acting, but my question is whether you think it would be worth it to redo both movies, and also your suggestions on what of Anakin’s dialogue I could change, or anything about the character that you think could be changed by better voice acting or alternate dialogue. Even if I don’t have the time or energy to pull this off, it’d still be fun to talk about. However there’s a high possilbility that I might try this, being the crazy Star Wars fanatic that I am.

Your input, please?

Post
#97537
Topic
Idea: my ultimate Star Wars - Anthology DVD collection
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97537/action/topic#97537
Time
These are my plans for the rest of the saga (not bonus features, just the movies in their different incarnations).


Empire

-1992 widescreen (from the old laserdiscs. Audio: THX mix PCM, 70mm mix PCM, original stereo mix PCM)
-1992 pan-scan (same as above)
-1993 widescreen (an exact duplication of the Definitive Collection, with letterbox picture, uncomressed Dolby Stereo, and commentary with pop-up subtitles)
-1995 widescreen (“faces” laserdisc transfer anamorphic. Audio: THX mix PCM, original stereo mix PCM, isolated score PCM)
-1995 pan-scan (audio same as above)
-1997 widescreen (from SE laserdisc. Audio: Dolby stereo or 5.1 surround from LD)
-1997 pan-scan (audio same as above)
-Digital Broadcast capture of 1997 SE-widescreen
-2004 pan-scan (copy of available disc)
-2004 widescreen (copy of available disc)
-Hybrid widescreen (my own presentation of the 2004, 1997, and 1995 versions mixed together so as to create the highest quality original version available. DVD and SE shots will only be used if it is certain it has not been changed, and grain might be added back into the DVD to help them mix. Sound options: THX mix (PCM), 70mm mix (PCM), original stereo mix (Dolby Digital), Definitive Edition commentary with blank areas filled with audio from interviews, documentaries, etc. (Dolby Digital Mono), and isolated score track (Dolby Digital). Two versions are accessible through seamless branching: 35mm and 70mm. For the 70mm, visual differences are reconstructed using the SE’s and reports from viewing the original 70mm. However, the appropriate audio tracks can be switched back and forth if desired (don’t know whether that is true).
-Split-screen comparison DVD of original and SE versions.

Return of the Jedi

-1992 widescreen (from the old laserdiscs. Audio: THX mix PCM, 70mm mix PCM, original stereo mix PCM)
-1992 pan-scan (same as above)
-1993 widescreen (an exact duplication of the Definitive Collection, with letterbox picture, misspelled subtitles (!), uncomressed Dolby Stereo, and commentary with pop-up subtitles)
-1995 widescreen (1995 widescreen (“faces” laserdisc transfer anamorphic. Audio: THX mix PCM, 70mm mix PCM, isolated score PCM)
-1995 pan-scan (same as above)
-1997 widescreen (from SE laserdisc. Audio: Dolby stereo or 5.1 surround from LD)
-1997 pan-scan (same as above)
-Digital Broadcast capture of 1997 SE-widescreen
-2004 pan-scan (copy of available disc)
-2004 widescreen (copy of available disc)
-Hybrid widescreen (my own presentation of the 2004, 1997, and 1995 versions mixed together so as to create the highest quality original version available. DVD and SE shots will only be used if it is certain it has not been changed, and grain might be added back into the DVD to help them mix. Sound options: THX mix (PCM), 70mm mix (PCM), original stereo mix (Dolby Digital), Definitive Edition commentary with blank areas filled with audio from interviews, documentaries, etc. (Dolby Digital Mono), and isolated score track (Dolby Digital).
-Split-screen comparison DVD of original and SE versions.

The Phantom Menace

-1999 widescreen (from laserdisc)
-1999 pan-scan (from VHS)
-2001 widescreen (copy of available DVD)
-2001 pan-scan (copy of available DVD)
-Hybrid widescreen (DVD and LD or VHS mixed to provide best quality theatrical version. Audioriginal PCM, Dolby Digital 5.1, Samuel Jackson’s narration for the blind (Dolby Digital), or theatrical Spanish mix PCM
-My own edit: my version of the movie, utilizing some of MagnoliaFan’s ideas and some of my own. (Audio: Dolby Digital, commentary by me)


Attack of the Clones

-2002 THEATRE widescreen (bootleg from theatre print)
-2002 widescreen
-2002 pan-scan
-Hybrid widescreen (DVD and bootleg mixed to provide best quality theatrical version).
-My own edit: my version of the movie, utilizing some of MagnoliaFan’s ideas and some of my own. (Audio: Dolby Digital, commentary by me)
-Hybrid widescreen digital theatrical edition (DVD and bootleg mixed)
-Hybrid widescreen IMAX cut (DVD and bootleg mixed)


Revenge of the Sith

-2005 THEATRE widescreen (bootleg from theatre print)
-2005 widescreen (copy of available DVD)
-2005 pan-scan (copy of available DVD)
-Hybrid widescreen (DVD and bootleg mixed to provide best quality theatrical version).
-My own edit: my version of the movie, utilizing some of MagnoliaFan’s ideas and some of my own (like making sure Yoda doesn’t go anywhere near a lightsaber). (Audio: Dolby Digital, commentary by me)


Some general questions:

1. How would I go about finding (or creating if necessary) footage and transitions from the 70mm edition of The Empire Strikes Back? Is there a complete list of visual differences available?

2. Was there any visual difference in 70mm and 35mm for ROTJ? Or is it like Star Wars (the only differences lay in the soundtracks).

3. Is the VHS pan-scan edition of Attack of the Clones different in any way from the DVD (besides the PCM audio)?

Thanks!
Post
#97519
Topic
Info & Help Wanted: has anyone got the isolated score? on it's own?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97519/action/topic#97519
Time
I don't think it's available anywhere right now. However, if you like to have fun with audio editing and are looking for a fun project, it wouldn't be to hard to get the SW Special Edition album and synch the tracks to your video to create your own track. That's what I'm doing; that way, my finished product will be better than Isomix/EditDroid, because I'll have a PCM track as opposed to Dolby Digital.
Post
#97518
Topic
Idea: my ultimate Star Wars - Anthology DVD collection
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97518/action/topic#97518
Time
I don't know. Probably because many consumers are too ignorant to realize the benefits of widescreen. You don't know how many people have complained that the movie they bought has the "top and bottom chopped off". It doesn't fill their little screen; therefore they think it's inferior to widescreen. My family didn't even get it until I sat down and explained that you're not getting more with P&S (they don't chop the image at the movie theatre). Rather, the film is shot in widescreen, a fact many people are ignorant of. Pretty much everyone who truly understands what goes on prefers widescreen, as far as I know.

Although owners of ancient 10 inch TV's probably prefer P&S to widescreen.
Post
#97516
Topic
How bad can it get? (The changes to the films)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97516/action/topic#97516
Time
Or they could try to get Harrison Ford back and film a new scene to be inserted into the betrayal.

LANDO: I've just made a deal that will keep the Empire out of here forever.

The mighty doors to the dining room slide open, and the group enters the dining room. At the far end of a huge banquet table sits Darth Vader.

SOLO: Uh, oh! That looks like Darth Vader. He's a bad guy and he's probably going to try to kill me if I don't shoot at him. The only reason I'm going to shoot at him is in self-defense, because I know he's going to do something bad. He's a bad guy.

Faster than the wink of an eye, Han draws his blaster and pops off a few shots directly at Vader.
Post
#97416
Topic
The Things We Hate And Love Thread .
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97416/action/topic#97416
Time
I think the best actors were:

Christopher Lee
Ian McKellen
Sean Astin
Anthony Serkis

I thought Gollum was pretty remarkable, actually. I get chills down my spine every time he says, "My precious." I was particularly interested by the scene in Two Towers where he argues with himself.

As for the soundtrack, it's no John Williams score, and I think Howard Shore got somewhat lazy, but the main theme and the Isengard theme were fantastic, in my opinion.

None of it comes close to the Star Wars Trilogy, though (of course). I get really sick of people putting down Star Wars (ever since Lord of the Rings came out), arguing that LOTR is better because it has better character developement (and then smile smugly). Balony! Star Wars has a perfect balance.

But Gollum was really good.
Post
#97414
Topic
Lucas to rerelease Star Wars films in 3D
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97414/action/topic#97414
Time
I thought Lucas said he was done with Star Wars after ROTS!

He hasn't figured out that we would much rather see new films like Indiana Jones 4, rather than a dozen different versions of Star Wars.

It almost makes me wish Star Wars wasn't very successful, Empire Strikes Back was a complete failure, Lucas directed ROTJ himself (and made a really good movie that was also unsuccessful), and then made at least 6 other great movies and never got rich and famous. Then, we would have a bunch of good George Lucas movies to watch (and the OT in the original version), and not these prequels.
Post
#97412
Topic
Idea: my ultimate Star Wars - Anthology DVD collection
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97412/action/topic#97412
Time
I will definitely be doing pan-scan DVDs of the original Star Wars, right along with the widescreen. There are a few reasons for this:

1. Pan-scan is what I grew up with (despite the fact that I like the widescreen better), and there's a certain sense of nostalgia in that I don't quite get from the widescreen, even though it's so much better and is the version I'll watch most.

2. Pan-scan, while chopping off the sides, provides greater detail of what you do see than widescreen. For shots changed in a small way in the SE, it could be used as better reference than widescreen.

3. My intentions are to be able to view Star Wars in every way that has been possible to this date. I welcome your suggestions for any other available transfers I've missed. Even if I can't get a hold of them, it's good to know they exist.
Post
#97302
Topic
Idea: my ultimate Star Wars - Anthology DVD collection
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97302/action/topic#97302
Time
That's actually a really good idea (3 different angles comparing the 3 different versions). The quality wouldn't be so great (you can only pack so much into a DVD), but I have a double layer burner, which would make that possible. However, by the time I finish with it, the extra-extra special edition will probably have come out already!

I was probably going to wind up doing something like that anyway for my benefit, in preparation for my hybrid original widescreen version. I think doing that version will be fun because of the considerable quality difference between LD and DVD. I'll have to experiment in cutting from one to the other in places where it is least noticeable.

Another high priority disc for me is the widescreen '92 LD transfer with the EditDroid original crawl and the restored '77 mono mix (or original stereo mix). That should create the truest version of the film to date, and it'll be a pleasure to watch when completed.

Post
#97301
Topic
Info Wanted: General question on these LD transfers
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97301/action/topic#97301
Time
Really? I was pretty sure that at least one edition of the Star Wars Trilogy LD's contained artificial fades at the ends of discs. The man said something like, "Leaving it so it faded out would look bad, so I clipped the last few frames from each side for a smoother transition." He explained that nobody would be the wiser.

That was the reason I became suspicious of the other transfers that were out there. I thought that perhaps all of the Star Wars LD's contained the artificial fades.
Post
#97268
Topic
Idea: my ultimate Star Wars - Anthology DVD collection
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97268/action/topic#97268
Time

STAR WARS- The Anthology DVD collection

This is my guideline for the DVD collection I plan to assemble and create. This huge comprehensive set will enable anyone to watch every possible version of the film possible to this day, based on what I believe to be true.

Star Wars (13 disc DVD box set)

-1977 bootleg pan-scan (choice of original mono, patched version of Moth3r’s audio, or the EditDroid mono, if available)
-1992 widescreen (choice of original stereo mix, mono mix-created using a blend of best available material-, or the ’85 mix)
-1992 pan-scan (choice of mono mix-created using a blend of best available material-, the ’85 mix, or the original stereo Spanish mix. Perhaps alternate angle of opening crawl to include reformatted version from the ’85 UK broadcast)
-1993 widescreen (an exact duplication of the Definitive Collection, with letterbox picture, uncomressed Dolby Stereo, and commentary with pop-up subtitles)
-1995 widescreen (“faces” laserdisc transfer anamorphic. PCM THX mix, PCM ’85 mix, and PCM isolated score)
-1995 pan-scan (same as above)
-1997 widescreen (from SE laserdisc. Audio: Dolby stereo or 5.1 surround from LD)
-1997 pan-scan (same as above)
-Digital Broadcast capture of 1997 SE-widescreen
-2004 pan-scan (copy of available DVD disc)
-2004 widescreen (copy of available DVD disc)
-Hybrid widescreen (my own presentation of the 2004, 1997, and 1995 versions mixed together so as to create the highest quality original version available. Choice between original EditDroid crawl or revised crawl. DVD and SE shots will only be used if it is certain it has not been changed. Sound options: THX mix (PCM), ’77 stereo mix (PCM), ’77 mono mix (PCM), Definitive Edition commentary with blank areas filled with audio from interviews, documentaries, etc.(Dolby Digital Mono), and isolated score track (Dolby Digital).
-WookieGroomer split-screen comparison of 2004 and original version.

Every kind of subtitles imaginable will be on the discs (Mono mix, THX and stereo mix, 85 mix, commentary subtitles, Spanish subtitles, and possibly other foreign language subtitles), along with text commentary, lots of chapter stops, and good menus for each disc. I’ll put most of them into standard dual-disc slipcases (with the 1995 widescreen and pan-scan in the same case, for example) and house all of them in a large black box for my enjoyment. I have big plans for Empire and Jedi (and the prequels as well), as well as tons of special features (some that are not currently available, like a 70mm mix for Empire and Jedi, scenes with deleted music reinstated, all the available drafts, picture galleries of the original comics, timelines, storyboards, every documentary I can get my hands on (not just the four most well known, but the “Clapperboard,” “Heroes, Myth, and Magic”, and “Deleted Magic when it comes out, of course), but I want to deal with one thing at a time.

I am attempting to create a DVD set where I will be able to watch practically every different release of the movies all in one set. I’ll finally be able to sit back and replicate “Star Wars” in any way, shape, or form that I desire. I may go so far as to use branching technology to put various “Star Wars” commercials at the beginning of some discs (like the 1992 pan-scan) because I am using one transfer to represent them all (because they’re the same). That way, if you wanted to find out exactly what was on the 1987 VHS, you could pop in the ’92 pan-scan DVD, select the ’87 option, and get the original 10th anniversary commercial before the presentation.

I would love any suggestions on how to make this more comprehensive or complete. This would obviously be a huge undertaking for me, and I need all the help I can get.

Post
#97264
Topic
Info Wanted: General question on these LD transfers
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97264/action/topic#97264
Time

The laserdisc picture quality is obviously far superior to VHS, and it is the source for all (or the vast majority) of the bootlegs that have surfaced up to this point. My question is: how is everyone dealing with the fades present at the end of each side of the disc? Do you go back to snatch a couple frames from the widescreen VHS set, brighten the picture so much as to appear normal, or get sneaky and clip a few frames? Because I know that the last option has been used by many, and I wondered if there was a version out there completely true to every single frame.

Post
#97261
Topic
Info Wanted: Is anyone doing the shrinking ANH LD? (1989's "Incredible Shrinking Ratio")
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97261/action/topic#97261
Time
Pardon me if I'm wrong, but I don't see the valuie in preserving this transfer, seeing as it was corrected and rereleased in '92. Any differences between that particular transfer and the DC/Faces transfer would be made using the correct version. The '89 edition was purely an error that only detracted from the viewing presentation; there wasn't anything original about it. I don't see the value in preserving the whole 124 minute error.

The only reason I see to preserve a bit of it is if you wanted to insert it into some kind of Star Wars Home Video History documentary, which I won't even think about trying until I have more resources and time.

Post
#97309
Topic
How bad can it get? (The changes to the films)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/97309/action/topic#97309
Time
Some more news: Lucas, in a rebellious act of independence and strength as a filmmaker, has cut all of the battles, lightsaber fights, people getting hurt/killed, etc. “I decided that the first trilogy I made was too violent. So politically incorrect, too. I tried to improve on this with the Special Editions, but the facts remain; it has been brought to my attention that many people are offended by the Star Wars movies. They are too violent and too chauvinistic. Therefore, I have decided to balance the entire saga out with Revenge of the Sith. It’s a funny family comedy. To make it politically correct, I also had to recast Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Palpatine as female characters. It’s a little jarring at first, but the movie is better because of it.”