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oojason

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Post
#1459504
Topic
❗ <strong>#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy</strong> | OriginalTrilogy.com’s enduring goal | How <strong>you</strong> can help ❗
Time

A space for comments / new categories / updates / news etc - by the OT•com site staff:-

 

An OriginalTrilogy•com thread that may be of some interest and relevance…

The 'Naysayer Guide’ by people who DON’T want an unaltered theatrical release of the Original Trilogy

 
^ ‘The unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy’ - the few words that can send certain Star Wars fans into an angry tizz… often triggering some quite uninformed, somewhat unaware, and factually incorrect claims & statements over the years. Especially when there is talk about wanting to have the option to buy a high quality, official release, on a modern digital format.

In the above thread are just some of the comments often seen when the topic of the classic cuts of the Original Trilogy is mentioned online… along with these claims & statements are some hopefully concise, informative, and reasoned replies.

 
 

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

 

Post
#1459503
Topic
❗ <strong>#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy</strong> | OriginalTrilogy.com’s enduring goal | How <strong>you</strong> can help ❗
Time

Credit, kudos, thanks & acknowledgements to the following…

 

doubleofive for accepting our backing of his #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy (at his Star Wars Visual Comparisons twitter & website).

Chase Adams for an awesome #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy gif (moving image) coming soon for the opening post of this thread.

zombie84 for his superb and comprehensive ‘Save Star Wars’ website and also ‘A Secret History Of Star Wars’ book.

To ‘none’ for generously preserving and re-hosting both the informative & insightful web sites by zombie84 linked above.

ADigitalMan for spearheading the old letter writing campaign - back in the day.

Jay for all the tireless work, effort & energy over the years - including the original petition - and still ‘admin-ing’ away.
 

To all the members and site staff on here - both past and present - in helping to make this resolute site what it is…
 

Finally… to George Lucas, the cast, crew, & amazing unsung talents who worked on all the Original Trilogy films - thank you all.

 
 

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

 

Post
#1459502
Topic
❗ <strong>#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy</strong> | OriginalTrilogy.com’s enduring goal | How <strong>you</strong> can help ❗
Time

Yup. That’s us. You’re probably wondering how we got here…

A ‘Potted History’ - and also the continuing goal of the OriginalTrilogy•com & the community here; past, present & future.

 
(For those of us already familiar with the site’s history and the suppression of the original classic cuts… feel free to skip to the end!) 👍

 
 

A somewhat lengthy ‘Potted History’ of the OriginalTrilogy•com - and its goal…

Some supplemental background material for anyone unfamiliar with the history of the site, plus the various conflicting & disingenuous claims made by George & Lucasfilm as to why the unaltered theatrical cuts remain unavailable (on a quality modern digital format).

 

Jay - quoted from an article by our very own ‘Luke Skywalker’, back in early 2003, as to why Jay created the OT•com:-

“I created the site because I love film, both past and present, and I didn’t want to see some of my favourite films of all time fade away into obscurity. Star Wars should be preserved in its original form so future generations can experience it as we all have. Many people say online petitions have zero effect, but I’d rather know that I did all I could to gather fans and let their voices be heard.”

“I’m obviously not happy that George Lucas has decided to offer only finalized Special Editions of Star Wars on DVD. I hope Mr. Lucas understands that we’re not a bunch of rabid fan boys trying to push him around. We’re just trying to get him to understand that Star Wars is film history, and it should be preserved–not in a vault somewhere, but in a public format that the fans can enjoy.”

 

 

10th March 2003… The OT•com officially comes online (skynet style 😉) - the site petition gains traction and will eventually reach 72,000+ signatures; spearheading fan pressure campaigns at the time… culminating in a 2006 release of the theatrical versions of the Original Trilogy on DVD - albeit as bonus discs - on a repackaged release of the ‘2004 Special Edition’ DVD set.

Every journey has a first step… Every Saga has a beginning… These are the voyages of the… 😉

 

Click on the 'Spoiler Tag’ / ‘Expand’ button below to see the ‘Potted History’ of the OriginalTrilogy•com - and its enduring goal…

 

Jay’s original petition calling for George Lucas to release the theatrical versions of the Original Trilogy on DVD was hosted at the now defunct petitiononline•com website - though unfortunately frequent garbage and insulting comments were appearing on there amongst the many genuine signatures. These comments, coupled with the site’s restrictive controls in not being able to remove them - which could have damaged the integrity and cogency of the petition - led Jay to start afresh on an environment with it’s own petition ‘control system’; hence this place was swiftly created and then unleashed upon an unsuspecting world…

Originally, the forum on here was quite a basic and concise affair - mainly for ideas & suggestions from fellow fans who wished to contribute in someway to the cause of the petition’s goals, and for also recruiting other sites & publications who were sympathetic or keen to join and further strengthen the fan pressure on Lucasfilm. There was also an ‘Announcements’ section for site/petition news, a ‘Theatrical Cuts vs. Special Editions’ section for fans to learn about the many changes made to the OT films, a ‘General Star Wars Discussion’ section, and an ‘Off Topic’ section for anything else not covered by the other categories.

In little over a year, the OT•com forum had become a hive of scum and villainy dedicated members who had grown into a community interested in putting together and viewing our own fan-made preservation projects based on previous Original Trilogy releases - in the form of various laserdisc-to-dvd transfers - in a new and dedicated ‘Original Trilogy Preservation’ section of the forum. Skills, techniques, information, advice, stories, successes & failures, as well as answers to many questions & unknowns - all shared and experienced through the community on here, which had naturally evolved alongside the forum’s original premise - something which still remains true over 15 years later, on this, the most resolute and adaptable of places.

Well in, Jay. And also to every petition signee & every OT•com member who has contributed anything, something, on here too.

 

The actual above post can be viewed here - via the Internet Archive’s WayBack Machine

 

The actual above post can be viewed here - via the Internet Archive’s WayBack Machine

 

 

February 10th 2004 saw an announcement that many Star Wars fans long awaited - that the Original Trilogy films would finally be released on DVD…

The actual post on the official Star Wars website can be found here - via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine

 

That first release of the Original Trilogy on DVD in 2004 unfortunately did not carry the unaltered theatrical version of the films - but instead contained new and further changes made in addition to those previous alterations made for the 1997 Special Editions (aka ‘The Final Cut’ - according to George Lucas himself).

Fan reception at the time to these changes and the release itself (which became known as the ‘2004 Special Edition’ version) was one of bemusement and frustration; not only with the changes but also with quality control issues with the release. Members of OriginalTrilogy•com and Star Wars fans from all over the globe came together to strengthen support for the site’s petition and to continue to press Lucasfilm for a release of the much-loved unaltered theatrical versions of the three classic films…

 

 

The fans continue to campaign for a release of the original theatrical cuts… and then, two years later, in 2006…

 
StarWars•com announced on the 3rd May 2006 that the unaltered Original Trilogy would be released on DVD for the first time:-

StarWars•com’s actual post on the announcement can be found here - also via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine

 

On the 5th May appeared this article on the Baltimore Sun website featured quotes from Lucasfilm spokesman John Singh about the OriginalTrilogy•com - the passion of the fans here - as well as acknowledging that the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy are “…the movies that some fans have always wanted own, because they’re the ones they first saw in theaters.”

 
 
Jay’s response on the 8th May 2006 - to the news of the StarWars•com announcement re the classic version of the Original Trilogy being released on DVD:-

The fan pressure campaign spearheaded by the OriginalTrilogy•com, their members, the petition, and fans’ campaigning… had successfully resulted in Lucasfilm relenting… and finally agreeing to release the unaltered theatrical versions of the Original Trilogy films on DVD.

Jay’s actual post can be found here - via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine (read from the bottom of the page to the top)

 

 

 

Balance had been restored to The Force… (or something like that)

 

 

 

And then, just days later in May 2006, came a great disturbance in the The Force…

 
The news that the recently announced unaltered theatrical version release on DVD would be in letterbox format - and not in anamorphic widescreen…

Shortly followed by the further reveal that the transfer to be used for the release would be from what was used for the 1993 Definitive Edition Laserdiscs - a 13 year old project and, even back then (in 2006)… be of substandard quality - using compressed sound and adding DVNR to reduce the picture quality and detail further.
 

Fans here and elsewhere then immediately contacted Lucasfilm via email, phonecalls, faxes, and letters… informing them of our dissatisfaction with their decision to use this substandard transfer as a means to release the theatrical versions of the Original Trilogy on DVD…

An abridged screenshot image of Jay’s post on the OriginalTrilogy•com at the time:-

^ Jay’s actual post can be found here - via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine (read from the bottom of the page to the top)

 

 

Within days, after already receiving a mountain of criticism for their choice to use such a 13 year old substandard and limited quality laserdisc transfer for the coming 2006 DVD release, Lucasfilm then released this somewhat factually disingenuous statement, in reply…

The actual post can be viewed here - via the Internet Archive’s WayBack Machine
 

‘Disingenuous? How so?’ - we hear you say…
 

This topic, with multiple sources of information, is covered in the following section of the…

George Lucas: Star Wars Creator, Unreliable Narrator & Time Travelling Revisionist…’ - OT•com thread, in ‘Category 20’:-

20. The Lucasfilm claim that… ‘The negatives of the movies were permanently altered for the creation of the Special Editions’.
 

^ Needless to say, the claims made in the above 2006 Lucasfilm PR release were quickly debunked - disproving their notion that an unaltered theatrical cut release could not be physically done, or that the elements or negatives don’t exist anymore, or that the ‘permanently altered’ negatives cannot be copied and then be reconfigured. Along with claims that it would cost ‘millions of dollars’ to do, or that the classic cuts of the OT do not represent ‘George’s vision’ - when there have five separate official releases of ‘George’s visions’ to date. That other quality prints of the original cuts did in fact exist (especially interpositives, IB tecnicolor prints, three-color separation masters, and many quality 3rd or 4th generation prints) - does contradict the claim by Lucasfilm that…

“existing prints of the first versions (the unaltered theatrical version) are in poor condition”….

To say nothing of the somewhat mendacious Lucasfilm statement that the…

“1993 laserdisc masters represented the best source for providing the original versions as DVD bonus material”.

 

The above 2006 PR statement from Lucasfilm is, to date, the last time they have publicly commented on a release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy films.

“Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version of that they remember seeing in theaters”.

and

“This is something that we’re very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars.”

…has become forgotten, sidestepped and ignored… whilst Lucasfilm have not officially commented on the status or possibility of a dedicated release for the original version of the ground-breaking and much-loved three classic movies for years now.

 

 

As mentioned previously in this thread, the 2006 ‘GOUT’ DVD release suffered many quality issues…

 
More detailed information on the substandard 2006 ‘GOUT’ DVD release can be found at the SaveStarWars•com website, in the following article…

‘Got GOUT? The 2006 Original Version DVD Bonus Feature Fiasco’
 

and also on here in the ‘Archival / Historical discussions’ section of An Index Thread for Original Trilogy Discussion….
 

…Yet, to date, this is the only official digital format release of the Original Trilogy - in its unaltered theatrical version.

 

 

George’s artistic vision’ (as per the 2006 Lucasfilm PR release - and the later further changes of that ‘vision(s)’)…

 
Lucasfilm later made further alterations to the Original Trilogy films - for the 2011 blu ray release, and even more changes for the 2019 release on the Disney+ streaming service (later released on 4K physical media - aka the ‘2019 Special Edition’).

So, to date, there have been four ‘Special Edition’ version releases of the Original Trilogy - in 1997, 2004, 2011 and 2019.

Lucasfilm chose to not even issue ‘Change Lists’ for the 2011 and 2019 Special Edition releases of the Original Trilogy films - which would have chronicled the numerous and continuing changes made in each respective version - as they had previously done for both the 1997 and 2004 Special Edition releases.

The 2019 Special Edition version also appeared on the Disney+ streaming service with no official announcement that further alterations had even been made to these three iconic films (these changes were made by George Lucas back in 2012 for a later-cancelled ‘3D release’ - before selling Lucasfilm to Disney later on in the year).
 

If George’s ‘vision(s)’ for the films results in numerous alterations and various Special Edition versions of the films, then as all of these differing versions were released to public as the ‘latest version of Star Wars’ at the time of release, the option should exist to still be able to view and experience all of them. Yet to suppress the original theatrical cuts - including both the original work and vision of the two directors who made Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi - is not something that George Lucas should be able to do - as George himself* admits, when stating they are not his films to change…

“A director should be able to change his film - but nobody else.”

^ At the time of above quote, George Lucas had already made changes to directors Irvin Kershner’s ‘Empire Strikes Back’, and Richard Marquand’s ‘Return Of The Jedi’, and would also make go on to make further additional changes to both films.

Neither the Empire Strikes Back or Return Of The Jedi are available as their respective directors intended, or indeed made, on a modern & quality digital format.
 

*: more information on this can be found in ‘Category 39: Who made the Original Trilogy films…? Whose are they to alter…?’ of the following OT•com thread:-

George Lucas: Star Wars Creator, Unreliable Narrator & Time Travelling Revisionist…

 

 

 

Whilst Lucasfilm have remained silent since its 2006 PR release, George Lucas himself did briefly talk about the issue of restoring the unaltered theatrical version of the films - when announcing the ‘2011 Special Edition’ version of the Original Trilogy for blu ray - back in 2010…
 

^ a screenshot image of the NY Times’ 2010 article re the ‘2011 Special Edition’ release on blu ray. The full article can be read below:-

https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/star-wars-films-coming-to-blu-ray-next-year

 

Again, like the Lucasfilm PR release in 2006… George’s words in the above article are somewhat disingenuous…

“go through and do a whole restoration on it, and you have to do that digitally”

…when if fact you only need to restore & digitise the original theatrical scenes not used for the 1997 Special Edition, and then re-edit those scenes back into the film - not the whole process as stated by George - after all, the rest of the digitised restoration has already been completed.
 

The same applies to George’s claim that…

“It’s a very, very expensive process to do it. So when we did the transfer to digital, we only transferred really the upgraded version.”

…again, you only need to restore & digitise the original theatrical scenes not used for the 1997 Special Edition, and then re-edit those scenes back into the film - not the whole process as stated by George - afterall, the rest of the digitised restoration has already been completed.

 

SaveStarWars•com’s article on George Lucas’ 2011 blu ray announcement and restoration claims - ‘The Star Wars Blu-Ray Blues’ - goes into further detail on this…

 

 

 

In 2017 it was also confirmed that the footage from the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy, that was replaced for the 1997 Special Editions (and later SE releases) still exists - by 20th Century Fox’s Senior Vice President of ‘Library and Technical Services’ at the time, Shawn Belston:-

 

 

Another alternative approach to restoring the theatrical cuts of the OT films…

 
All of the above, of course, ignores the possibility of using any of the numerous film prints of the unaltered theatrical version of Original Trilogy films as an alternative source for provide a quality preservation or reconstructed release - interpositives, the three-color separation master, and IB Technicolor prints, or any superior 2nd generation copies struck from the original negative, 3rd and 4th generations copies, and so on… that are in Lucasfilm’s possession - or available to them…
 

^ The above image, and more information, can be found in the link below…

The Frequently Asked Questions section of the Save Star Wars website.
 

Working links contained in the above image can be found here:-

From Interpositives to Separation Masters: How Film Preservation Works - at the Save Star Wars website.

Saving Star Wars: The Special Edition Restoration Process and its Changing Physicality - at the SHoSW website (re-hosted by ‘none’).

 
 

What We Want And How To Make It’ - an article by doubleofive at the Star Wars Visual Comparisons website, also highlights that such a high quality preservation of the unaltered theatrical cuts of the Original Trilogy is indeed possible - by simply using the existing separation masters that have previously been utilised by Lucasfilm over the years.

 
 

We also know with certainty that other quality prints of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy are still in existence… given Lucas’ showing of a 70mm print of Star Wars in 2019, and other various screenings - both private and public - over the years. Not to mention Lucas’ own theatrical Technicolor prints of the trilogy, other IB Technicolor prints known to exist and some have been shown, the interpositives and fine-grain prints, let alone numerous other prints in existence - and even theatrical prints out there which form the basis for fan preservations…

Even in 2006, Robert Harris - the man who had hand-restored ‘Vertigo’, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, and ‘The Godfather’ - is on record saying he knows there are pristine 35mm elements available for use, and offered his services to restore the film - Lucasfilm did not respond to his offer.

 

 

 

In 2017, Lucasfilm employee and Lucasfilm Story Group member Pablo Hildago tweeted
 

^ So, it is not that such a release of the unaltered theatrical cuts cannot physically be done - or that the elements, negatives, prints, and masters don’t exist anymore - or that the negatives could not be copied and then be reconfigured. Nor is it claims that it would cost ‘millions of dollars’ to do, or that the classic cuts of the OT do not represent ‘George’s vision’ - when there have five separate official releases of ‘George’s visions’ to date - including the 1997 Special Edition (‘The Final Cut’). Nor is it the disproved claim by Lucasfilm that “existing prints of the first versions (the unaltered theatrical version) are in poor condition”

… it appears it is simply that one man doesn’t want the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy to be released.

 
 

The OriginalTrilogy•com’s petition is no more - with the site evolving and the members here taking it upon themselves to attempt to preserve the original cinematic version of these landmark films - with the love, care & respect they so richly deserve…

 
It has been these efforts and dedication from fans and communities on sites such as the OriginalTrilogy•com - and others similarly aligned - savestarwars•com, secrethistoryofstarwars•com, fanedits•com, thestarwarstrilogy•com, fanres•com, fanedit•org, plus many other countless websites and fan alliances highlighting the lack of an OOT release (as well as changes made to the various official releases since)… who came together, pooled their resources, skills, experiences, patience, dedication and determination to come up with preservations of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy ourselves…

Projects that have surpassed the quality of previous official releases of the Original Trilogy from Lucasfilm - whether that be in the form of tape or laserdisc transfers to dvd some years ago, Harmy’s Despecialized Editions circa 2015 on blu ray and other digital formats, adywan’s Revisited OT fan edits as an alternative to the ‘Special Editions’ (from a certain point of view), to recent 4K digital preservation projects for the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy - from 35mm film sources.

In unison with these continuing and evolutionary fan-made projects, as well as many other countless efforts and beautiful endeavours along the way, all proving that quality releases of the unaltered cuts can be achieved, the enduring aim of this site remains the same; not to mention the legions of fans the world over - to be able to buy and experience an official release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy - the three classic films that underpin the entire Galaxy Far Far Away…
 

Even in 2017, for the much-heralded and publicised 40th Anniversary of Star Wars, Lucasfilm refused to answer the question as to whether they will release an official unaltered classic version of the Original Trilogy:-

the question asked by this very site in the form of an open letter

 

^ It also being the same question that is still continued to be asked of Lucasfilm - by numerous fans from all around the world…

…that Lucasfilm themselves have also previously acknowledged:-
 

“the biggest question we’ve ever gotten from Star Wars fans is, ‘When are you going to release the originals?’”

the “overwhelming demand” for the unaltered theatrical version.

the "long awaited release of original theatrical incarnations of the classic Star Wars trilogy.”

“over the years a truly countless number of fans have told us they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in the theatres.”

 

So here we still are - and now with even more fans from all over the world asking for the same thing too.

Just simply asking to have the option to purchase an official release for the unaltered original Star Wars Trilogy on a modern, high quality, digital format…

…done with the love, care & respect it so deserves. So we and future generations can all enjoy & experience them once more.

How To Help / What YOU can do…

 

May The Force - and the unaltered Original Trilogy - be with you… always.

 

 

 

 

Although already posted earlier in the thread, just in case it was missed, and for luck…

 

The following two insightful articles, by OriginalTrilogy•com member doubleofive, chronicles and highlights how many fans feel about not having the option to buy and experience an official release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy…

Disney+ Should Offer the Star Wars Original Cuts — All of Them - article at the Wired website. a backup link to the Wired article

What We Want And How To Make It - article at the Star Wars Visual Comparisons website.

 
 

doubleofive is also curator of the insightful & comprehensive ‘Star Wars Visual Comparisonstwitter page and website.

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy merch is available at SWVC - with 50% of any profit going to GiveWell.org’s Maximum Impact Fund.

 
 

An OT•com thread with many sources of information chronicling the changes made to the films over time can be found here:-

Complete Comparison of Special Edition Visual Changes - by doubleofive.
 

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy is not about the ‘theatrical cut vs the various special editions’ or which is ‘the best’, ‘preferred’, ‘canon’ or ‘definitive’ version. It is simply about giving the fans the opportunity to own and view any & all of the differing versions of the Original Trilogy - whilst also affording landmark film history to be once again enjoyed and experienced by everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

Some further information on the history of this site, and other related discussion topics, can also be found in these threads:-

An OriginalTrilogy.com Timeline | a history of the site | the why & how it came to be…

Some useful OT.com threads re the suppression of the unaltered theatrical cuts of the Original Trilogy films

The 'Naysayer Guide’ by people who DON’T want an unaltered theatrical release of the Original Trilogy…

George Lucas: Star Wars Creator, Unreliable Narrator & Time Travelling Revisionist…

 
 

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

 

Post
#1459501
Topic
❗ <strong>#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy</strong> | OriginalTrilogy.com’s enduring goal | How <strong>you</strong> can help ❗
Time

Some helpful resources / templates…

 

Some template message suggestions for use via Twitter

 
If you are on Twitter and would like to ask for the unaltered Original Trilogy films to be released - or promote awareness of this - then simply also use the ‘hashtag’ of… #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy - along with links to @OriginalTrilogy & @StarWarsVisComp

And also let anyone else know - friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, mortal enemies, immortal enemies, and others - who may be interested in asking for a release of the unaltered theatrical cuts of the Original Trilogy too…

 

Template Post ‘A’ (278 characters):-

 
I hope you’ll join us in our quest to have @Disney #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy. We’ve waited so long to have the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy available again. To buy & experience the classic OT in FHD/4K @StarWars @ILMVFX @OriginalTrilogy @StarWarsVisComp

 

Template Post ‘B’ (280 characters):-

 
Please @Disney #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy. Fans have waited long enough for the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy to be available again. Give fans the choice to view the iconic OT version once more - in FHD/4K @StarWars @ILMVFX @OriginalTrilogy @StarWarsVisComp

 

Template Post ‘C’ (280 characters):-

 
Please @Disney #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy. Dedicated fans have lovingly restored the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy to 4K. Give us the choice to buy & experience an official release of the classic cuts too. @StarWars @ILMVFX @OriginalTrilogy @StarWarsVisComp

 

Template Post ‘D’ (280 characters):-

 
Please @Disney #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy. Give fans the choice to buy and experience all of the differing versions of the Original Trilogy - whether that is the unaltered theatrical version, & 1997 Special Edition releases too. @StarWars @ILMVFX @OriginalTrilogy @StarWarsVisComp

 

Again, if you so wish, also include the hashtag of #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy… in any civil and polite post you make asking for a release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy… or in any general correspondence with the following:-

https://twitter.com/starwars - @StarWars
https://twitter.com/Disney - @Disney
https://twitter.com/ILMVFX - @ILMVFX
https://twitter.com/starwarsviscomp - @StarWarsVisComp
https://twitter.com/originaltrilogy - @OriginalTrilogy (this site)

 

 

Some template message suggestions for use via Facebook

 
Any of the templates suggested for use via Twitter above… can also be used to make a post, or send a message - using the hashtag of #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy - on the official Facebook pages for Star Wars, Lucasfilm, and Disney:-

www.facebook.com/StarWars
www.facebook.com/lucasfilm
www.facebook.com/Disney
 

Please be both polite and civil, thank you.

 

 

For those ‘old skool’ members who would prefer the more traditional practice of sending a letter or an email…

 
Three letter templates for anyone who would like to use them for contacting Lucasfilm or Disney and asking them to release the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy…

Also, massive kudos to SilverWook for providing the basis of these template letters - taken from his Dear Disney open letter.

(Feel free to re-word or edit these to your own style - to include your reasons why you want to see such a release of the Original Trilogy - or write your own letter to Lucasfilm or Disney. But remember… please be both polite and civil, thank you.)

 

Letter Template ‘A’ (long):-

 
Dear Lucasfilm & Disney,

Over 25 years have passed - a generation - since the last dedicated release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy. The version many of us grew up with. The films that changed our lives forever.

Saying that isn’t hyperbole. Those of who were there on the start of that incredible journey in the summer of '77 has never seen anything like it. It was a major event in our lives. Some of us came away wanting to know how it was made. It prompted a desire in some of us to make movies or tell stories of our own. No matter the path we chose, George Lucas, the talented cast, and innovative and dedicated crew around him lit a spark that remains with us today.

One thing we all share are the memories of where and with whom we saw Star Wars, and even of shooting down imaginary TIE Fighters out the back window of the car on the way home. For others, it was a bright shining light in the middle of a turbulent childhood in troubling times. If Luke and friends could triumph over their trials, maybe we could too…

We saw the movie over and over again, probably more than any other movie before or since. We know the lines by heart, we love the characters, yet also appreciate and admire the efforts of the many skilled artisans, sound technicians, craftsmen (and women), and special & visual effects with their priceless contributions to making film history.

All these years later, we would love to revisit the Original Trilogy we remember, to recapture those memories of a long time ago, in a movie theater far far away. Those of us with families want to be able to show our kids, and grand-kids, exactly what we saw when we were their age and relive it with them. It should be such a simple thing to do…

Only it isn’t.

We’re limited in our choices to outdated video formats that are increasingly difficult to obtains and inch close to extinction each passing year. And the now out-of-print bonus DVDs from 2006, which utilize ancient video transfers from 1993, are hardly better, if one can find them at all.

None of us ever imagined that these historic versions might fade from memory, ultimately disappearing from collective consciousness altogether. To the point where CGI insertions in later Special Editions changes are now mistaken for innovative FX technology of the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Film history is being obscured, if not rewritten.

We don’t bemoan the various Special Edition versions or their availability either. Yet they simply aren’t the version of the Trilogy we fell i love with. The iconic, pioneering and award-winning unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy deserves to be seen and experienced in the absolute best quality afforded by modern cinema and 21st century home video format, so that it can be loved again by all.

There is room for all version of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return Of The Jedi to be experienced. And want to give you our money for the classic version too; we really do! Please give us that opportunity. At least give us hope that we will be able to do so soon. Some of us aren’t getting any younger.

That is all we ask, and we look forward to your reply.
 

NB. Years ago Lucasfilm stated “we could not put the extraordinary time and resources into this project (the ‘2006 GOUT DVD’ bonus disc release) as we did with the Special Editions”. If this is still so… then please consider providing a respected and experienced company such as Criterion with copies of the elements required to produce an official release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy - in the highest possible quality home video digital format.
 

Sincerely yours,

insert your name here

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

 

 

Letter Template ‘B’ (medium):-

 
Dear Lucasfilm & Disney,

It has been more than 25 years - an entire generation - since the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy films had a dedicated release. The classic version so many of us grew up with, underpinning the entire Galaxy Far Far Away.

While many of us appreciate and enjoy George Lucas’ creative evolution of the classic Star Wars films via the various releases of the ever-changing ‘Special Editions’, we respectfully state there is tremendous importance in the original prints of the Star Wars Trilogy…

Above and beyond the nostalgic value they hold for millions of fans the world over, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi are landmark films that represent watershed moments in motion picture history. To preserve the original, award-winning work of the many artisans, craftsmen (and women), and special effects artists is to do justice to their priceless contributions.

Undeniably, these movies are also cultural placeholders for millions of film fans. The impact that the original Star Wars Trilogy made on countless numbers of children, young people and grownups everywhere is indisputable. Preserving the unaltered theatrical release forms of these movies and making them available again to the public is of utmost importance.

An entire generation grew up with these movies and still love them dearly. We have treasure memories which will always hold a place in our lives. We have bought the cinema tickets, video tapes, CEDs, laserdiscs, VCDs, DVDs, blu rays, 4K releases, artwork, posters, comics, soundtracks, games, figures, toys, lunchboxes, the various Special Editions, the Prequels, the Sequels, Standalone movies, The Mandalorian series, subscriptions to Disney+, visiting the theme parks and Star Wars attractions - and literally bought the t-shirt…

… we just ask for the option to buy and experience the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy once more - on a high quality, modern digital format.

That is all we ask for, and we look forward to your reply.
 

NB. Years ago Lucasfilm stated “we could not put the extraordinary time and resources into this project (the ‘2006 GOUT DVD’ bonus disc release) as we did with the Special Editions”. If this is still so… then please consider providing a respected and experienced company such as Criterion with copies of the elements required to produce an official release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy - in the highest possible quality home video digital format.
 

Sincerely yours,

insert your name here

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

 

 

Letter Template ‘C’ (short):-

 
Dear Lucasfilm & Disney,

It has been more than 25 years - an entire generation - since the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy films had a dedicated release. The classic version so many of us grew up with, underpinning the entire Galaxy Far Far Away.

While many of us appreciate and enjoy George Lucas’ creative evolution of the classic Star Wars films via the various releases of the ever-changing ‘Special Editions’, we respectfully state there is tremendous importance in the original prints of the Star Wars Trilogy… to experience the original, award-winning work of the many artisans, craftsmen (and women), and special effects artists is to do justice to their priceless contributions - an important and cultural part of American film history.

All these years later, we would love to revisit the iconic Original Trilogy that we remember, to recapture those memories of a long time ago, in a movie theater far far away. Those of us with families want to be able to show our kids exactly what we saw when we were their age and relive it with them. It should be such a simple thing to do.

Only it isn’t.

Yet we believe there is indeed room for all versions of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of The Jedi to exist. And we want to give you our money for them; we really do! Please give us that opportunity, or at least give us hope that we will be able to do so soon. That is all we ask for, and we look forward to your reply.
 

NB. Years ago Lucasfilm stated “we could not put the extraordinary time and resources into this project (the ‘2006 GOUT DVD’ bonus disc release) as we did with the Special Editions”. If this is still so… then please consider providing a respected and experienced company such as Criterion with copies of the elements required to produce an official release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy - in the highest possible quality home video digital format.
 

Sincerely yours,

insert your name here

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

 

 

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

 

Post
#1459500
Topic
❗ <strong>#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy</strong> | OriginalTrilogy.com’s enduring goal | How <strong>you</strong> can help ❗
Time

How To Help / What YOU can do…

 

Simply contact Lucasfilm and Disney to ask the following two-part question:-
 

  1. For them to make available an official release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy - in the highest quality possible - on a modern digital home video format - and done with the care, love and respect it so deserves.

Should Lucasfilm or Disney not be interested in undertaking such a release…

  1. To ask Disney & Lucasfilm to strike a deal with Criterion (or another respected preservation & restoration company) and for them to be given access to copies of the necessary film prints and elements in order to complete an officially licensed and highest quality release possible… of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy - on a modern digital home video format.
     

^ A release for the version of the Original Trilogy that Lucasfilm has admitted to there being an ‘overwhelming demand’ for, and that Lucasfilm employees are asked repeatedly about even today. The version that people who worked on the three original classic films wish to have available. Not forgetting the countless number of fans who would still love to have the choice of buying and experiencing these fondly remembered and much cherished original cuts once again - to sit down and enjoy with their children, childrens’ children, friends & loved ones, and also for a new audience to savour - the world over…
 

Hopefully these honest, open, transparent questions and requests to Lucasfilm & Disney will not remain unanswered - as there is no big secret or complex reason as to why such a release for the classic version of the Original Trilogy cannot be achieved.

There is nothing detrimental in the owners and creators of the franchise answering this simple request for such information. Why not issue a reply, statement or long-awaited update highlighting the reasons why the countless fans of Star Wars across the globe still cannot have the option to buy & own such an official release for the original award-winning and iconic films?

Or they could simply persevere in staying silent on the issue - ignoring the fans - while also asking those same fans to continue to buy, support and watch the other ever-growing catalog of Star Wars content available (with the vast array of merchandise)… all whilst the classic version of the three original films that underpin all of the Galaxy Far Far Away… remains unavailable.

 

 

So join us… and together we can rule the galaxy continue to ask for an official release of the three classic Original Trilogy films, or even just for a reply, or for more information as to our two-part question above…

(There are some Helpful Resources / Templates etc’ available in the post below - should you wish to use them for when contacting Lucasfilm & Disney.)
 

You, and anyone else you know who may be interested… friends, family, loved ones, colleagues, acquaintances, mortal enemies, immortal enemies, your YouTube or other social media followers, and anyone else interested… can contact Lucasfilm and / or Disney to ask the above two-part question - to inform them of your wish to be able to buy and experience the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy on a high quality, modern digital format… (please be civil & polite) here:-

 
 

If you are on Twitter or Facebook and would like to promote awareness of the campaign…

…and simply use the ‘hashtag’ of #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy - with optional links to the OriginalTrilogy•com and Star Wars Visual Comparisons twitter pages; @OriginalTrilogy & @StarWarsVisComp - in highlighting your wish to have the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy released.
 

When on Twitter, you can also include a link to the following:-

https://twitter.com/starwars - @StarWars
https://twitter.com/Disney - @Disney
https://twitter.com/ILMVFX - @ILMVFX (Lucasfilm’s largest presence on twitter)

 

Lucafilm, Star Wars, and Disney also all have official Facebook pages where they can also be contacted / sent a message:-

https://www.facebook.com/lucasfilm
https://www.facebook.com/StarWars
https://www.facebook.com/Disney
 
 

Also, if you wish, simply use the hashtag of #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy when talking about Star Wars in general on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, Imgur, Instagram, or other social media accounts.

 

 

If you prefer the more ‘old skool’ way of contacting someone (or if you don’t have Twitter, Facebook or Reddit etc)…

 

📧 E-mail LucasFilm at publicrelations@lucasfilm.com
 

📫 Via snail mail, here:-

LucasFilm
P.O. Box 29901
San Francisco, CA 94129-0901
USA
Attn: Kathleen Kennedy
 

📞 Via telephoning Lucasfilm at (415) 623-1000, and ask for the PR department.

 
 

You can also contact Disney to ask them the above questions - and also let them know of your wish to be able to buy and experience the classic version of the Original Trilogy on a high quality, modern digital format… (please be civil & polite) here:-

 

📧 E-mail Bob Chapek at Robert.Chapek@disney.com
 

📫 Via snail mail, here:-

Walt Disney Studios
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
USA
Attn: Bob Chapek
 

📞 Via telephoning Disney’s main switchboard at (818) 560-1000.

 

 

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

 

Post
#1459498
Topic
❗ <strong>#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy</strong> | OriginalTrilogy.com’s enduring goal | How <strong>you</strong> can help ❗
Time

An introduction…

The enduring goal of OriginalTrilogy•com… and us supporting #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy - by Star Wars Visual Comparisons.

 

25+ years have passed - a generation - since the last dedicated release of the unaltered theatrical cut of the Original Trilogy.

15 years have passed since the release of the ‘GOUT’ DVDs of the classic version of the OT films as ‘bonus disks’ - which was considered a lazy & substandard effort even back in 2006; its source being a laserdisc master for a previous 1993 release.
 

This thread serves as a reminder as to what the OriginalTrilogy•com is about, why it was created, a little of the site’s history, its evolution into fan preservations & fan edits, and also the site’s enduring goal - the same now in 2021 as it was back in 2003…

As a wise old young middle-aged man once said…

 
"While many of us appreciate and enjoy George Lucas’ creative evolution of the classic Star Wars films via the various releases of the ever-changing ‘Special Editions’, we respectfully state that there is tremendous importance in the original theatrical prints of the Star Wars Trilogy.

Above and beyond the nostalgic value that they hold for millions of fans the world over, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi are landmark films that represent watershed moments in motion picture history. To preserve the original, award-winning work of the many artisans, sound technicians, craftsmen, and special effects artists is to do justice to their priceless contributions.

Undeniably, these movies are also cultural placeholders for millions of film fans. The impact that the original Star Wars Trilogy made on countless numbers of children, young people, and grownups everywhere is indisputable. Preserving the unaltered theatrical release forms of these movies and making them available to the public is of utmost importance.

An entire generation grew up with these movies and still love them dearly. We have created treasured memories and will always hold a place in our lives. We have bought the cinema tickets, video tapes, Laserdiscs, VCDs, DVDs, Blu Rays, artwork, posters, comics, books, soundtracks, games, figures, toys, lunchboxes, the various Special Editions, spin-offs, the Prequels, the Sequels, Standalone movies, Holiday Special, the Ewok movies, the many animated tv series - and literally bought the t-shirt…

…we just ask for the option to buy & watch the unaltered original Star Wars Trilogy - on a high quality, modern digital format."

^ some bloke named Jay (paraphrased).

 

 

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

^ by doubleofive - OT•com member and curator of the comprehensive ‘Star Wars Visual Comparisonstwitter page & website.
 

 
In 2020, shortly after the 2019 ‘Maclunkey’ Special Edition version of the Original Trilogy films were made available on their newly operational Disney+ streaming service, doubleofive wrote a compelling article for the Wired website, and later a follow-up piece on the Star Wars Visual Comparisons website… highlighting the numerous alterations made to the films over the years and the differing Special Edition releases. Within these articles is an appeal to both Disney & Lucasfilm…

…To make available all the differing incarnations of the Original Trilogy over the years - to #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy
 

The two insightful articles written by doubleofive are linked to below - they also chronicle and highlight how many fans feel about not having the option to buy and experience an official release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy:-

Disney+ Should Offer the Star Wars Original Cuts — All of Them - article at the Wired website. a backup link to the Wired article

What We Want And How To Make It - article at the Star Wars Visual Comparisons website.

 

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy merch is available at SWVC - with 50% of any profit going to GiveWell.org’s Maximum Impact Fund.

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy is not about the ‘theatrical cut vs the various special editions’ or which is ‘the best’, ‘preferred’, ‘canon’ or ‘definitive’ version. It is simply about giving the fans the opportunity to own and view any & all of the differing versions of the Original Trilogy - whilst also affording landmark film history to be once again enjoyed and experienced by everyone.

 
 

This is obviously something the OriginalTrilogy•com site staff and the overwhelming number of members here fully endorse.

Hence the creation of this thread in supporting doubleofive’s #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy campaign - with some additional information below on how us, the fans, can all help contribute and hopefully realise such a release for these three iconic films…

 

 

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

 

Post
#1459497
Topic
❗ <strong>#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy</strong> | OriginalTrilogy.com’s enduring goal | How <strong>you</strong> can help ❗
Time

A thread to highlight what the OriginalTrilogy•com is about, our history - the enduring goal of the site - and how YOU can help…

 

 
#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy - the campaign for an official release of the unaltered theatrical cuts of the three classic Star Wars films.
 
 

An Index…

An Introduction - and the enduring goal of the OriginalTrilogy•com - plus the site supporting #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

How To Help / What YOU can do…

Some helpful resources / templates…
 

Some supplemental information for anyone unfamiliar with the OT•com - or the suppression of the unaltered theatrical cuts…

A Potted History of the OriginalTrilogy•com - and its enduring goal… (Yup. That’s us. You’re probably wondering how we got here!)

 

Credits, kudos, thanks & acknowledgements

A space for comments / updates / news / additional categories etc - by the OriginalTrilogy•com site staff

A space for comments / updates / news / additional articles etc - by doubleofive; the curator of Star Wars Visual Comparisons
 
 

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

Post
#1459362
Topic
If you need to compliment or praise something... this is the place
Time

Techmoan - www.youtube.com/c/Techmoan/videos

Still doing (reviewing & sometimes repairing) a wide range of fantastically retro and intriguing tech - in his own unique style. 😤
 

For those who haven’t seen him before and want to know what he is about - www.techmoan.com/about & TVTropes page.
 

Post
#1459252
Topic
<strong>Ahsoka</strong> (live action series) - general discussion thread
Time

jedi_bendu said:

‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’: Natasha Liu Bordizzo To Play Sabine Wren In Disney+ Series’ by Nellie Andreeva

Outlets like Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety tend to be very reliable and often get information from big studio representatives themselves. Both Deadline and Variety have reported this. It looks like we have our Sabine, guys.

What are your thoughts on the casting?

Hopefully a good choice - she was a strong actress in ‘The Society’ tv series, and we know she should handle any fight scenes pretty well too!
 

January’s edition of Empire (going on that Filoni article - and also Kathleen Kennedy’s article) looks like it’ll be a decent read.
 

Post
#1459112
Topic
Return Of The Jedi’s ‘<strong>Black Friday</strong>’ - 22nd November, 1982...
Time

timdiggerm said:

The Star Wars At A Glance posts are particularly intriguing/illuminating here (specifically the end of the Y-Wing post, the B-Wing post, and “Unsung Heroes of the Battle of Endor”). You have to wonder if the elimination of Vivienne Chandler from the film is a result of Black Friday (and not having enough time to re-do all the effects for her role), or maybe her performance wasn’t that good (see also: Dermot Crowley’s reduced role as Crix Madine), or if the Battle was just way too long and bloated. Unfortunately, it’s probably impossible to discern the truth as it may be a mixture of the effects & bloat (like why they cut Jerjerrod’s moral dilemma).

Yep, unfortunately it seems we’ll likely never know - unless one or more of the effects crew spills more details on the ‘Black Friday’ story - though hopefully there is more information somewhere out there too…
 

I wasn’t going to mention deleted scenes with Crix Madine, the Rebels of the Falcon, or the Moff Jerjerrod dilemma scenes in here for that reason - they could simply be regular ‘cut or alterative scenes’ - as there are more any other feature film.

However, as I’d already put together some content on them whilst looking for ‘Black Friday’ content, here goes…

 
 

• More Rebels on the Millennium Falcon - manning the turret guns, maintaining the ship, preparing for small arms battle…?

 

 
An interview with Trevor Butterfield - the actor playing ‘Lt Blount’ - the younger of two Rebel soldiers manning the turret guns on the Falcon at the Batlle Of Endor:-

https://starwarsinterviews.com/original-trilogy/episode-v-the-empire-strikes-back/trevor-butterfield-lt-blount

 

If I can find an interview with Michael Stevens - the actor playing ‘Airen Cracken’ - the older Rebel soldier manning the turret gun on the Falcon I’ll add it up here (if anyone knows of any such interviews please post them up and I’ll add them here - thank you).

 

https://starwarsinterviews.com is a very useful and informative website - with many interviews with the lesser known cast, and also some of the crew working on the Original Trilogy films.

 
 

 
As can be seen in the previously listed ‘Return of the Jedi (Deleted Scenes)’ 20 minute youtube video, around 15 minutes and 30 seconds into the video… there are also Rebel soldiers running around the Falcon… two of them, as above, man the turret guns. Whilst others, carry parts around the ship to help maintain it, bring the power back on, and put out fires etc. Yet others, with their rifles, are seemingly running around preparing for small arms battle? (or maybe deployment into one?)
 

 

 

• Crix Madine (and ‘his’ cool beard!)…

 

 
As can be seen in the previously listed ‘Return of the Jedi (Deleted Scenes)’ 20 minute youtube video, the character of Crix Madine appears to have an originally larger role at the Battle Of Endor (approximately 18 minutes into the video).

Obviously we’ll likely never know for sure whether this is due to ‘Black Friday’ - or just scenes cut from the film, or as an alternative take - as happens with near-on every feature film.

(It possibly could be an alternative to Admiral Ackbar’s scenes give the striking similarities of the bridge set used for the ship(s)?)

 

An interview with Dermot Crowley - the actor who played Crix Madine:-

https://starwarsinterviews.com/original-trilogy/episode-vi-return-of-the-jedi/dermot-crowley-general-madine

 

A short video interview with Dermot Crowley:-

DERMOT CROWLEY Interview - Unseen Battle Sequence’:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhtRwrlqmRE - a 2 and bit minute interview at the Star Wars 100 Interviews youtube channel.

 
 

^ a rare image of Madine celebrating the Rebel victory… or maybe the actor had finished shooting his scenes for the day? 😉

 

 

• Moff Jerjerrod (though unlikely to be much to do with ‘Black Friday’ - given the known earlier script revisions)…

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf_aLpDMf1U - 30 seconds into this video for the rarely seen alternative story with Moff Jerjerrod…

(cough)
 
 

 
 

From the previously listed ‘Return of the Jedi (Deleted Scenes)’ 20 minute youtube video, around 7 minutes and 20 seconds into this video… are the deleted scenes with Moff Jerjerrod, played by actor Michael Pennington.
 

Some behind the scenes information to the script changes involving Moff Jerjerrod (but unlikely to be anything do do with ‘Black Friday’) can be found, here:-

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Tiaan_Jerjerrod#Behind_the_scenes
 

An interview with actor Michael Pennington on his role as Moff Jerjerrod:-

https://starwarsinterviews.com/original-trilogy/episode-vi-return-of-the-jedi/michael-pennington-moff-jerjerrod

 
 

A few fan editors have attempted editing the deleted scenes with Moff Jerjerrod, back into the ROTJ story. A couple here:-
 

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Recut - Jerjerrod’s Conflict’:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYwHoZbZGzg - a 4 and a bit minute video at the editingsithlord youtube channel.

 
 

'Moff Jerjerrod’s Conflict - Return of the Jedi Extended Ending:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzzu0PF8i04 - a 6 minute minute video at the NV II youtube channel.

 
 

There are also some fan reconstructions of the earlier deleted scene with Vader temporarily choking Jerjerrod:-
 

Return Of The Jedi - Deleted Scene - Vader Chokes Jerjerrod - Fan Reconstruction

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXxR-TZxiVE - a 53 second vide at the MariVision youtube channel.
 

Post
#1458966
Topic
Return Of The Jedi’s ‘<strong>Black Friday</strong>’ - 22nd November, 1982...
Time

• Could the editing of ROTJ’s ship battle scenes for The Battle Of Endor have been affected by ‘Black Friday’?

 
This is very much just me spitballing…

I was reading through the intriguing B-Wings in ROTJ, editing epiphany 2011 discussion thread on here, and got to wondering if some of the ‘haze’ / confusion around some of the Battle Of Endor footage, and perhaps some of the editing for these scenes… may have been a result of ‘Black Friday’?..

By some ‘haze’ and ‘confusion’ I mean the disappearance of the B-Wings from scenes mid-way through the Rebel attack.

Plus some of the editing results in lines of dialogue that don’t seem to tally with what is happening onscreen…

This is especially in regards to the scene where Wedge’s informs both Red 2 and Red 3 to “pull in”, Red 3’s “Got it” reply, immediately before being blown up whilst she is flying over a larger Rebel cruiser, by two Imperial fighters on her tail, who are then themselves destroyed by a Y-Wing.

There is also the confusing ‘edit chop job’ using a duplicate shot of a Rebel pilot to try and portray 2 Rebel pilots?; ‘Gray Leader’ and ‘Red 2’ - Who is Red 2?.

These scenes can be found in the videos linked below…

 

Star Wars Episode VI: B-Wing Fighter Model Featurette’:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbsNi_ex24s

^ a 1 minute video with B-Wing designer Bill George on the original plans for the new B-Wing ships to feature in more scenes for the attack on the Death Star II in Return Of The Jedi. And also the reason why they didn’t:-

“unfortunately because the wings were very very thin, when it got pretty far away on the blue screen, the wings had a tendency to disappear. And because of that it played a less significant role in the attack of the under-construction Death Star”

 

Indeed, when watching the Battle For Endor scenes there are seemingly no B-Wings featured on screen in the DSII attack, after Admiral Ackbar utters the now-legendary meme-etic words of “It’s a trap!”

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi - Endor Space Battle’:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh7nhTf_2m0 - a 4 minute video at the Star Wars Saga LatinAmerica youtube channel.

 
 

As can be seen from some of the few deleted scenes released on blu ray ‘extras’ re for the Battle Of Endor in the videos below, there was indeed filmed footage of pilots in their B-Wing cockpits - including a Sullustan and a Mon Calamari. Yet unfortunately no B-Wing cockpit shots were used in the final film.

It also features British actress Poppy Hands as A-Wing pilot Sila Kott (‘Red Three’) - in her own voice - before being re-dubbed with an American male voice for the released cut of the ROTJ…

 

'The 3 Female Fighter Pilots Cut From ‘Return of The Jedi’:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSCp4LbKp6s - a 4 minute video from the 70sSciFiBoy youtube channel.

 
 

Return of the Jedi: Battle of Endor: The Lost Rebels’:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHnhxHMJcJ4 - a 10 minute video from the Salith Taydan youtube channel.

 
 

Return of the Jedi (Deleted Scenes)(including B-Wing and Rebel pilots):-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlfZsMPfYIM - a 20 minute video at the FETT4HIRE youtube channel.

 

 

• Additional info on the B-Wing ships, their pilots, and flight suits… can be found here:-

 

The ‘Scenes Cut from Star Wars’ wookieepedia page also has some information on cut scenes for Return Of The Jedi, with both complete, and incomplete scenes for the Battle Of Endor:-

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Scenes_cut_from_Star_Wars#Episode_VI_-_Return_of_the_Jedi

 

This ‘Star Wars Afcicianado’ article at also has some additional information as to the female pilots in ROTJ:-

https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.com/2011/09/girl-power-jedis-female-fighter-pilots.html

 

Some quality Nilo Rodis-Jamero concept art for the B-Wing uniforms, & more B-Wing info and images on the pilots and ships:-

‘Chive Cast 111 - The B-Wing Pilot Returns’ - http://blog.theswca.com/2020/12/chive-cast-111-b-wing-pilot-returns.html

 

This article also has images of B-Wing pilots in their red flight suits - as well as some appearing in green flight suits too:-

https://starwarsataglance.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/slayn-corpil-asf-01-b-wing-heavy-fast-attack-fighter (B-Wing Pilots section)
 

 

 

Many of us are familiar with the famous piece of concept art by Ralph McQuarrie depicting B-wings taking on and destroying an Imperial Star Destroyer, made for Return Of The Jedi:-

 

The more modern adaptation on McQuarrie’s B-Wing concept art (as appears on StarWars.com’s Databank page for the B-Wing):-

 
^ It seems this concept art was based on a planned idea for part of the story in the Battle For Endor… and likely not completed or shown on-screen due to limitation of the B-Wings being filmed in distance shots on a blue screen at the time (as mentioned above).

Yet the offscreen/unshown events of this aspect of the story from the Battle Of Endor, told in full, below…

 

 

• Blade Squadron…

 
'Blade Squadron is a two-part short story written by David J. Williams and Mark S. Williams that appeared in ‘Star Wars Insider 149’ and ‘Star Wars Insider 150’.

It was inspired by artwork depicting an unused battle scene from Return of the Jedi, and the story focuses on a squadron of B-wing starfighters on a suicide mission during the Battle of Endor.

Blade Squadron is the first Insider short story, and the first story outside of the films and The Clone Wars TV series, that is part of the new canon, as defined since the April 25, 2014 reboot. The story was later reprinted on StarWars•com.’

^ from ‘Blade Squadron (short story)’ wookieepedia page - https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Blade_Squadron_(short_story)

 

The ‘Blade Squadron’ story that was re-printed on the official Star Wars website, can be found here (from 2015):-

https://web.archive.org/web/20190910025656/https://www.starwars.com/news/blade-squadron-part-one

https://web.archive.org/web/20190719002658/https://www.starwars.com/news/blade-squadron-part-two

 

From the ‘Blade Squadron’ at Battle Of Endor page - https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Blade_Squadron#Battle_of_Endor

'Blade Squadron participated in the Battle of Endor, led by Wing Commander Adon Fox, as a full B-wing flight and many of the detachment’s newest recruits flying their first mission. Upon realizing the trap the Empire had set, the squadron’s rearguard mission was promptly aborted, and Blade Squadron was reassigned to attack the blockade of Imperial ships. Adon Fox ordered his B-wings to target the Imperial-class Star Destroyer ‘Devastator’.

The ‘Devastator’ was successfully destroyed along with Admiral Jhared Montferrat, its commanding officer. This cleared a pathway for the remaining Rebel Alliance starfighters to start their attack on the Death Star. Blade Squadron suffered heavy losses, including the death of Blade Leader at the hands of Commander Gradd’s TIE Interceptor’

 

The following video provides a little more information on ‘Blade Squadron’ at the Battle Of Ender…

Blade Squadron History: The Battle of Endor through the Battle of Jakku’:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3td7PmuCVfc - a 3 and bit minute video at the Star Wars Explained youtube channel (in 2017).

 

 

• ROTJ Storyboards show B-Wings destroying the Executor’s shields - not A-Wings - as shown in the film…

 

In the storyboards for Return Of The Jedi, there are also these images of B-Wings attacking and destroying the shields of Vader’s ship; the massive 'Executor’ super star destroyer - and NOT the A-Wings as shown in the final film (this is shortly before the screaming A-Wing pilot flies into its bridge and takes the ship down):-
 

^ in the description given for this image in the book ‘Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy’ is…

‘Meanwhile rebel fighters swarm around Vader’s Super Star Destroyer; two B-Wings fire “torpedoes” and obliterate its dome’
 

A few seconds later (before those forward batteries could be intensified - as ordered by Admiral Piett)

 

 

• The storyboard images of B-Wings at the Battle Of Endor (images not seen in the final film)…

 

 

 

^ from Page 336 of ‘Star Wars: Storyboards - The Original Trilogy’ book, by JW Rinzler.

 

 

• Differences in the Revenge / Return Of The Jedi scripts - compared to the final cut of the film…

 

There ARE some additional scenes for the Battle Of Endor, as well as some scenes for the Battle Of Endor being in slightly places in the script when compared to where they appear in the film itself… referenced here in the ‘Revenge Of Jedi - 3rd Draft script’, dated 1st December 1981:-

www.starwarz.com/starkiller/revenge-of-the-jedi-expanded-script
 

^ The above is a re-creation script - including scenes from shooting schedules in Philip Peecher’s 1983 “Making of Jedi” book:-

'Mark Johnson’s Shooting script re-creation notes as of 2/3/06:

I started out with the shooting schedule in Philip Peecher’s “Making of Jedi” book, making a list of scene numbers with locations. From there, I took the published version of the script and matched up the text of the scenes with the numbers of the scenes as provided by Peecher’s book. Since the list in Peecher’s book was incomplete, I had to rely on call sheets found on the internet to flesh out it further. Then, since many of the call sheets so closely match the dialogue in the novelization, I conclude the novel is based on the shooting script. I used the novel as a guide to fill in the rest of the scenes. I don’t know if it is 100% accurate, but I think I have it pretty close.’

 
^ A quick caveat; in general, scripts often change on near-on all films - whether revisions, drafts, shooting scripts, through to ad-libs and alterations during the actually filming scenes (and sometimes pick-ups and/or reshoots after production). Obviously in this case, scripts around the time of November 22nd of 1982, do illuminate what may have been planned for the film at the time…

 

 

• Summing up…

 

Even if this isn’t the case - and if ‘Black Friday’ has nothing to do with the editing of the ship battle scenes for the Battle Of Endor - or lack of B-Wing footage - it would still be fantastic to see those seemingly forgot-about ‘thrown-out’ shots… or hear more about these shots in more detail, and how they would play into both the story and the battle footage scenes…

So if you know of, or have heard of, any mentions of these shots… please post them up in here, as well as your ideas and thoughts as to whether ‘Black Friday’ may have had an affect on the way those scenes in ROTJ were edited (or not)

 

An addendum:-

Despite there now being four Special Editions of the Original Trilogy films (1997, 2004, 2011, and 2019), it is a both somewhat baffling and disappointing that George Lucas did not revisit the Battle Of Endor scenes. To later include or re-shoot the additional B-Wing footage… that could not be included because of the technical limitations and design of the B-Wings at the time of filming… to complete more of his original ‘vision’(s) for the films…
 

Though adywan’s Return Of The Jedi: Revisited Edit just may attempt that : Ideas thread for adywan edits : ESB & ROTJ Wishlist

 

 

And just because it is a cool fun watch…

Star Wars Episode VI: Death Star II Space Battle Overview Featurette’:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfcI_SVTGVA - a 4 minute video with Bill George talking about how the overall battle was shot.

 

 

 

• To complete…

 

I’ve still to check through the following…

• James Kahn’s 1983 ROTJ novelisation
• John Phillip Peecher’s 1983 ‘Making Of ROTJ’ book
• JW Rinzler’s 2013 ‘Making Of ROTJ’ book (especially Chapters 9, 10, & 11)
JW Rinzler’s ‘Star Wars: Storyboards - Original Trilogy’ book = ✔️ (no additional scenes / mentions in this book)

… for additional mentions of B-Wing footage / additional ship or effects scenes at the Battle Of Endor / ‘Black Friday’.
 

I’m in much need of some new reading glasses for book reading - so it may take a while for me to do.

If anyone has these scripts, books, or other sources to hand, and wishes to contribute content from them (as well as their own comments, thoughts, takes, and ideas), please do. 👍
 

Post
#1458965
Topic
Return Of The Jedi’s ‘<strong>Black Friday</strong>’ - 22nd November, 1982...
Time

Black Friday’ has been mentioned a couple of times over the years on the OT•com that I can remember (here & here come to mind; there may be other mentions too?) - yet there is seemingly no dedicated thread for such a worthwhile and intriguing topic.

So, here goes…
 

• What is ‘Black Friday’?

 
On 22nd November 1982, barely six months before the release of Return Of The Jedi, the finale of the Original Trilogy… George Lucas decided that roughly 100 visual effects shots - totalling an estimated four months of work and mostly taken from the film’s final battle sequence - weren’t completed to his satisfaction and had them all thrown out.

Ken Ralston and company all went out and “got loaded” after the axe fell, and ROTJ producer Howard Kazanjian was left speechless at $250,000 of work (in 1983 money) chucked. While some of the live-action elements of this material wound up on the blu-ray, and the ‘Making Of Return Of The Jedi’ e-book, none of these thrown-out effects have ever seen the light of day.

 

“100 visual effects shots and many pages of action were changed, added or deleted from the various end battle sequences.”

Ken Ralston: “So we’re in a kind of upheaval at the moment. He wants a real feeling of grandeur and awe, and is trying to get a much bigger sense to the size of these things.”

Bill Nicholson: “A lot of the stuff cut was work that he had supervised, that they had worked months on producing. It was called ‘Black Friday’ because it was the equivalent of the stock market crash.”

Ken Ralston: “We all went out and got loaded after this happened, we’d all been working on the film for a long time and apparently there were problems. It was too long or something, and some foul-ups had occurred somewhere down the line - I won’t name names - and George made a drastic cut on the film - a horrible, horrible drastic cut - and threw out about 40 shots of mine and somewhere around 30 or 40 of Richard’s [Edlund]. It all added up to about 250 ships we’d shot from scenes we’d been working on, all this stuff, all this material, was just tossed out and we couldn’t even use them on other shots… That was bad.”

Duwayne Dunham: “Early in the evening one night, Howard Kazanjian come into editorial holding in his hand this reel. It’s got a bunch of film on it, this huge effects sequence that George had just eliminated. Howard was so flustered; he walked in my room and could hardly talk and says, ‘What… what… what… What did George just do? This is about $250,000 worth of work right here!’ I just looked at him and said ‘Well, maybe we could use it in the next movie.’”

^ JW Rinzler’s ‘Making of Return of the Jedi’ book, on Pages 259 & 260.

 
 

• Some articles and sources of information on Black Friday…

 

Visual effects supervisor Ken Ralston talks about “Black Friday"’:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX_erQtz-KY - an 80 second video from the Muppet youtube channel.

 

George Lucas Scrapped ROTJ Effects Shots - 2012 article at Star Wars Underworld…

^ A snippet of the above article, quotes from JW Rinzler:-

“I discovered this thing called ‘Black Friday’…where George [Lucas] just cut out a lot of effects shots, at pretty much the eleventh hour, causing [VFX supervisor] Ken Ralston to go out and get drunk! …It wasn’t a self-inflicted disaster, but I think they considered it at that time to be…not a disaster, but a big setback - for the good of the film, obviously… It was a big deal.”

 

George Lucas Threw Out Months Of VFX Work He Didn’t Like - 2021 article at What Culture…

^ 'One of the single most infamous days in the production of any Star Wars movie was Return of the Jedi’s “Black Friday.”

On November 22, 1982, barely six months before release, George Lucas decided that roughly 100 visual effects shots - totalling an estimated four months of work and mostly taken from the film’s final battle sequence - weren’t completed to his satisfaction and had them all thrown out.

The crew at Industrial Light & Magic were forced to start again from scratch, news which allegedly prompted many crew members to get extremely drunk.

The end result is certainly spectacular, but it’s easy to appreciate the VFX crew’s frustration at Lucas’ apparent inability to communicate exactly what he wanted at the outset.’

 

J.W. Rinzler Brings The Making of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi to NYCC - 2013 article at Coming Soon…

^ A snippet of the above article:-

‘Considering Lucas once cut over 100 shots in a single day of editing “Return of the Jedi,” it makes sense that the guy should be presented with an abundance of visual options for that stage of the filmmaking process. “Black Friday was something that even the people who had worked on the film had forgotten, but it was in the archives. George, in post-production, when he started editing the space battle and all the visual effects shots realized that there was a lot of work that needed to be done and it hadn’t been storyboarded the way he really wanted it to be.” Rinzler continued, “He threw out about upwards of 100 shots and upwards of three or four months work and the visual effects artist, Ken Ralston, the divisional effects supervisor, was most affected.” Rinzler dubbed Black Friday “a real low point in the post-production cycle.”’

 

Ewok Orgies and 9 other things new book reveals about ROTJ - 2013 article at MTV (see '8. INSANE LUNATIC MANIACS (ILM))…

^ 'The post-production process at Industrial Light and Magic on “Return of the Jedi” represents the gold-standard pinnacle of the bygone analog effects era. It would have been hard on any company, even one with as many geniuses as this one (Dennis Muren, Ken Ralston, Richard Edlund, Phil Tippett… even an 18-year-old David Fincher!), but coming off the tail-end of effects for “Poltergeist,” “E.T.” and “Star Trek II” meant everyone was ALREADY burnt the f**k out.

On November 22nd, Lucas dropped a morale-devastating bomb on the company in what came to be known as “Black Friday,” when certain subplot cuts (including the Death Star targeting Endor and Imperial countermeasures flooding the superstructure ducts of the battle station) caused nearly 100 FINISHED effects shots to be scrapped. Ken Ralston and company all went out and “got loaded” after the axe fell, and Kazanjian was left speechless at the quarter-million-dollars worth of work chucked. While some of the live-action elements of this material wound up on the Blu-ray archives, none of these effects have ever seen the light of day.

Steam was let off in a variety of ways, including some hilarious storyboards drawn by Joe Johnston showing Admiral Ackbar in a lobster bib or an Imperial trooper blowing the head of an Ewok.

“‘Jedi’ almost killed everybody, every department,” admits Lucas.’

 

"On what was dubbed “Black Friday”, 100,000 feet of film stock containing visual effects shots that couldn’t be read in an optical printer were unceremoniously dumped by George Lucas - a 2020 @agraphafx twitter thread

^ A screenshot of the thread:-

 
 

• If you know of any additional information on these thrown-away shots from ‘Black Friday’, please post them up in here…

Post
#1458942
Topic
Discussion: A thread for the many various Star Wars <strong>memorabilia auctions</strong>... (No eBay)
Time

Star Wars script sells for £13,000 at Bristol auction’:-

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-59355227
 

 
‘The auction, held at East Bristol Auctions in the city, raised almost £100,000 and some of the proceeds will be donated to Alzheimer’s Research UK.’

&

'Auctioneer Andrew Stone said the combined total of this auction and a previous sale of Mr Prowse’s estate in May had raised more than £500,000.

“The sale was out-of-this-world,” he said.

“We had bidders from all around the world. I hope Dave would be proud. I wish he could see how so well-loved he was, especially here in his home town of Bristol,” added Mr Stone.’

 

Brilliant that Alzheimer’s Research UK will also benefit from this too.
 

Post
#1458873
Topic
The Random Trivia Thread
Time

paja said:

James Blunt single-handedly prevented WWIII from starting.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-11753050

👍

James Blunt is also quite good on twitter…

James Blunt’s best Twitter comebacks - The Graham Norton Show 2017: Preview - BBC One - 90 second video at the BBC

 

That, of course, is when he’s not stalking people on the internet…

https://twitter.com/JamesBlunt/status/867690489155289089

😃
 

Post
#1458868
Topic
The Say Something Nice About Another Poster Thread
Time

There is a whole list of fellow members on here I should say very nice and complimentary things about, though I’ll start off with…

Rodney-2187; not only a top poster on here in general, but also came up with two very helpful quality threads that benefit the community here:-

Guide to Star Wars Documentaries and Special Features

Upcoming Star Wars Release Schedule
 

👍
 

Post
#1458762
Topic
the beatles
Time

Vultural said:

There was this year’s, Mccartney 3,2,1 which I approached warily.
McCartney has had a history of attempting to retell events.
This brief series was quite well done, with host Rick Rubin keeping the topics on the music.
Song construction, retakes, editing, basslines.
While aimed at musicians, anyone can follow along, and the minimalist filming works well.

Nice one, V. I’ll search that out and give it watch.