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sweyland

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Join date
11-Feb-2004
Last activity
13-Jan-2009
Posts
297

Post History

Post
#35215
Topic
Creating the OT NEED HELP
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/35215/action/topic#35215
Time
First of all, I'm jealous you have both LD sets (I only have the original OT on VHS!), but from my understanding, the Faces set uses the same THX transfer as the DC. However the DC LDs are CAV encoded and should be slightly better than the Faces extended play. You will have to switch discs more for the DC set so convience may be a factor.

I'm not familiar with DVD-recorders or what format of DVD they use, DVD-/+r etc. or whether they can be played in regular DVD players. Let us know how it all turns out and if you might be willing to provide versions for your fellow less fortunate fans (like me!).

Post
#34654
Topic
We should've protested years ago
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/34654/action/topic#34654
Time
The disposable Disney disc EZ-D is a continuation of the Divx idea, except that unlike Divx it doesn't need a Divx player phone line connection. The reason is because you can't unlock an EZ-D for permanent play. The second you open an EZ-D the exposed air will cause the disc to rot. You will have 24-48 (not sure) hrs to watch it and then dump it. Apparently it's intended audience are people who don't mind putting black rotting discs in their DVD players and are too lazy to return a rental on time.

This mad desperate attempt to make money based on the rental market was bad idea to begin with and has now died after a 3 city rolll out, although Amazon is now selling them.
Post
#34651
Topic
SE Trilogy on DVD coming this Fall
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/34651/action/topic#34651
Time
Thank you for reposting the address Jedi Master. That is exactly how I feel about preserving the original Star Wars Trilogy.

A well reasoned entreaty will always be better received than spam, angry threats, or boycotts that will only antagonize Lucas corp, other SW fans, and even the general public who will dismiss us as a bunch of whiny fanboys.

I've already written my letter to Lucas and while I don't expect a response (or it even reaching Lucas) I hope whoever does read it will get the notion that cherishing the originals is something that benefits everyone. And if they receive consistent reminders, the idea may take hold that this is something that everyone will want. After all, it's about our collective art and culture. Once people start believeing that it is a positive idea to preserve the originals along side with all the new SE/UE versions, Lucas may very well change his mind.

It will take time. There is still some venomous resistence out there, and fans who enjoy bickering amongst themselves too much. But if we can spread this 'new' idea and get everyone behind us on loving all of Star Wars New AND OLD, then who knows?

I hope others will join me to convince Lucas et al. May the force be with us
Post
#34336
Topic
Read these two articles please...
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/34336/action/topic#34336
Time
When the SE was first announced, I thought it sounded like a good idea. And if he had just cleaned-up the picture and fixed the fx and sound, I would have been happy. That really would have been the ultimate Star Wars for me.

But those other changes were just terrible and significantly alter the flow of the films to the point that the unrefined originals are a superior cut of the film.
Post
#34333
Topic
George Lucas' explanation why the OT is obsolete to him
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/34333/action/topic#34333
Time
Well, for one thing Richard Marquand has past away, so complaints aside you're not going to hear much of anything from him.

And not to be cynical, but there is no way, under any circumstances that the director of one Star Wars movie (Kirshner) would ever tell the creator of Star Wars that he screwed up the movie. At least not publically, regardless of how he may actually feel. That's just the way the real world works, it would be bad form and unprofessional, even if they weren't close friends.

Besides it doesn't matter. Even if Kishner loved the changes, the SE can still be and should be critized because most of the changes are terrible. When you make a mistake, people can call you on it. It's up to the individual artist to decide whether to listen to honest opinions or not. And George just doesn't seem to care right now, which is too bad.
Post
#34242
Topic
What was your first experience with Star Wars?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/34242/action/topic#34242
Time
Y'know, after thinking about it it's kinda funny, but I became a Star Wars fan by accident.

When Star Wars first came out I guess I was around 5 or 6, and had no idea what Star Wars was. My first SW memory was of walking around downtown with my mom and we walking past a familiar theatre. In those days they had not just the poster up, but lots of little photos pinned up around it outside, and I remember seeing the cockpit shot of them all in the Millennium Falcon and I thought it was really cool that an ape (Chewie) was one of them (I was a big fan of King Kong and other monster movies). I asked my mom to take me to see whatever movie it was and she said sure.

But after shopping for the rest of the day, we went home. Mom! You promised to take me to the movie (yeah, kinda bratty I know, but that's what kids are)! When your dad gets home from work, he'll take you. Really?! I was so excited that I remember getting dressed early (I loved going to the movies, who didn't?) and hand-washed my own T-shirt, and laid it out to dry on the living room sofa (yeah, that's a whole other story). So my poor dad came home from a long day at work only to get roped into taking me out.

It was dark that night and really late, that's all I remember, but at least we got into see it. Like I said, I didn't know what Star Wars was and I had no idea what to expect. I was literally blown away. My dad slept through most of it (and started a tradition while he was at it) of course. I may not have known what Star Wars was before I went in, but I definitely knew after I came out. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before.

I went home, grabbed a ball and stuck two pieces of card board to it and made my own tie-fighter! It was my second or third attempt at deliberate creativity, something that has lasted me my whole life. The rest of the story is pretty much the usual fanboy stuff, buying up as many toys as I could get (and wasting all my parents money while I was at it) and playing SW with the other kids at school. Star Wars became a huge part of my childhood, and I didn't even really know what it was about. Ya see my English was so bad that I had no idea what any of the dialogue was about, but I got the story visually, and that was more than enough.

I suppose if we hadn't walked by the theatre that day, and saw that SW photo, and then got my dad to take me that night, I might never have seen Star Wars in the theatre. I probably would have went to school and wondered what that 'Star Wars' thing was all the other kids were talking about.
Post
#34049
Topic
Make Original Trilogy DVDs available through originaltrilogy.com
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/34049/action/topic#34049
Time
Macrovision has been around since the 80s and many, although not all commercial VHS has it. The Star Wars tapes definitely have it and that's why I can't make a back-up copy to watch and save the originals.

You can't get rid of macrovision because it's built into the hardware. You would need equipment to stabilize the signal or an older VHS recorder that predated macrovision and didn't have it built in. That's why laserdisc is so great, it's macro free! Unfortunately I couldn't afford them then, and now they are hard to find and the Star Wars Ld's have skyrocketed in value. Dang Lucas... #@%&@!!!
Post
#34008
Topic
Info: OT Bootleg DVDs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/34008/action/topic#34008
Time
i dont see how bootleg talk ruins this petition at all...

Well the idea is that if we, and by extension what we are trying to accomplish here is to be taken seriously by any private or public groups or companies, then we shouldn't engage in any non-legal activities that they would frown upon and hence dismiss us, such as talking about bootlegs or piracy.

That said, let me repeat that I support any means to back up and preserve any copies of the original OT that we still possess to ensure the public's continued access to our cultural history. I just wish I could make a tape dupe of my dying VHS, but unfortunately I can't.

Until George changes his mind and releases it officially, may the force be with us all .
Post
#34007
Topic
Why doesn't Lucus just release both versions?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/34007/action/topic#34007
Time
Quote
Originally posted by: Bossk
Quote
Originally posted by: sweyland
(PS: When I was your age, I saw Return of the Jedi 5 times at the theatre! Ah... good times)

My mom pulled me out of school on opening day of ROTJ to see the movie at the first showing. Much like you... good times.


Wow, your mom rocks. Mine took me three times, but only after school and after homework.
Post
#33964
Topic
Why doesn't Lucus just release both versions?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/33964/action/topic#33964
Time
Bossk is pretty much right, although I'm still hoping that George may change his mind and release the originals in the future.

If you read the boards, especially under general discussion, you will find that everyone has their own opinion on why George hasn't released it yet, but unless you are actually George, probably no one will ever know the real truth. Here is a repost on how I feel about it:
Quote
George Lucas is a very rich and powerful man. He doesn't need Star Wars to make another penny to be well off. He's also made clear that no amount of petitions will make a difference, and frankly 50,000 or even 100,000 signatures is nothing compared to the millions of fans who don't care or even know there is a difference. A boycott is neither practical or realistic. Flooding mailboxes and annoying people with demands or threats will only raise their ire and fundamentally cast ourselves in a negative light, and open to ridicule and dismissal. Certainly if someone made demands or threats to me, I would promptly ignore them.

But we have to do something.

Besides being rich and powerful, George considers himself an artist. "We realize there's a lot of debate out there," says Jim Ward. "But this is not a democracy. We love our fans, but this is about art and filmmaking. [George] has decided that the sole version he wants available is this one."

An artist who was hurt when some of his fans thought his later more personal work was inferior to work he did as younger man in collaboration with others. An artist who is rich and powerful enough, and now arrogant enough to defy his nay-sayers and critics and forge ahead alone.

But he is still an artist, and art benefits everyone. It is the very meaning of culture. George the artist must be reminded that art in all its forms or variations benefits everyone in its continued existence. We don't bury our art history or replace it with something new, we treasure our history. We study it and learn from its natural growth, its changes from ere to era.

My point is that we don't make demands. I'm a patron of the arts, and a patron of George's for many years, as I'm sure everyone else here is. We established a relationship early on by paying for work that we enjoyed. George has moved on now and so he should. But regardless of whether we enjoy his current work or not, the work from the past must not be forgotten. It must be cherished and valued. That is what we must do. Not beg or plead. Never that. We must remind him of the value of of historical art. The original Star Wars trilogy is that art. It has touched so many, myself included. So that is what we should remember.

We have to convince him that there is artistic and creative value in preserving the originals for everyone now, and for future generations to see and learn from. I think that is something that everyone, including George might agree with.

I won't purchase the release in Sept'04, but I remain hopeful for the future after that.

Bill Hunt at the Digital Bits is well respected in the DVD community and has written an editorial about this that you can read here.

Hope that helps.

(PS: When I was your age, I saw Return of the Jedi 5 times at the theatre! Ah... good times)
Post
#33773
Topic
Info: OT Bootleg DVDs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/33773/action/topic#33773
Time
Originally posted by: Hal 9000
Good luck, Luke Skywalker.

We all depend on it.


I'm all for that!

Perhaps this subculture of fans preserving historic art for fellow fans (or cinematic aficionados) is just the next big movement in cultural evolution.

I took out my treasured letterbox VHS set to watch them over the weekend, and while they held up surprisingly well for decade old magnetic tapes, they were still filled with jumps, glitches and overall blurriness. While I think we should limit our talks about bootlegs and piracy if we are to be taken seriously, the fact is my tapes are deteriorating as we speak. I just wish I could back them up just so I could limit how much I touched them, but macrovision prevents even a simple tape dupe, so there is even less reason to save them digitally.

And frankly, the classic OT deserves better than this.
Post
#33845
Topic
SE Trilogy on DVD coming this Fall
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/33845/action/topic#33845
Time
Quote
Originally posted by: Hal 9000

^^^Exactly how I felt when I watched ROTJ on laserdisc last night.

Except the part about wanting to buy the DVDs. I wouldn't buy them for anything.


Hey Hal, at least you were watching it on Laserdisc, try a decade-old VHS!


Quote
Originally posted by: HotRod
Quote
Originally posted by: sweyland

After all, I didn't buy the Alien Quad set because of Alien3 and Resurrection, I opted for the individual releases instead.


Alien 3 SE was like a totally different film!


Well to be fair, I am a fan of Fincher's, and I had intended to buy the Quad set, but when Fox censored the Documentaries and cut out what Fincher really felt about the troubled production, I didn't think I would get what I would be paying for, which was the honest truth (or at least the closest to it).


About a future ultimate box set, for me this has always been about options. I don't care what George does and what ever further changes he has for the AEs as long as he kept the original versions available as well. The thing I like about DVDs is the inclusion of alternate cuts (and that's what the SE and etc. are). While I would prefer the option that they were available separately (like the Alien Quad and single releases), if the only way to get the OT was in a super-sized The Complete Star Wars Saga Sextology, (and I hate to say this, not to mention wasting money) I would probably buy it just to won the OT. The rest of it, I would consider interesting supplements.
Post
#33785
Topic
SE Trilogy on DVD coming this Fall
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/33785/action/topic#33785
Time
It's kinda funny, but I consider myself a classic OT fan. I don't despise the SEs for existing, but they are sufficiently inferior cuts to the original that I don't really enjoy them and won't have a problem not buying the SE DVDs this September.

But then I took out my letterbox VHS set this weekend for a marathon viewing and while they held up surprisingly well, they were still glitchy, blurry VHS tapes. The fact is VHS sucks and they are deteriorating. And while I was watching this blurry ugly mess unfold before me, I began to think the unthinkable. Maybe I should get the DVDs. I mean they'll look a heck of a lot better than this! The SE's aren't that bad, most of the movie is untouched anyway right?

But as the movie went on I began to get sucked in by the story and soon forgot I was even watching VHS. Little details and subtle storytelling touches, things I had forgotten flooded back into my mind. It was like watching the Star Wars trilogy for the first time again! Even my brother who was never a fan like I was (he was too young back then) was excited.

I remembered why I love the original OT. Too many little things in the SE (Greedo shoots first, extraneous CGI, Luke's uncharacteristic scream) detract from the original version. The SE are simply not as good. I love the original Star Wars and while they may have been far from perfect (as Lucas believes) they worked then and still work now as magnificent storytelling.

So not to belabour my point, but will I definitely not buy the SE DVDs this September, but I'm hopeful they will be released in the future. Our cultural history deserves to be preserved and should be available to the public like all great works of art! I believe that George the artist can be convinced of this.

Perhaps a gigantic 12-disc set (ala the Alien Quad set with 2 discs each and multiple cuts per film) in 2007 will be the answer. Of course at that point I will wonder if it will be worth the price to buy 3 additional movies I dislike (PT) to own 3 movies I love (OT). After all, I didn't buy the Alien Quad set because of Alien3 and Resurrection, I opted for the individual releases instead. But I have a feeling that is dilemma that I would at least enjoy having the opportunity to wrestle with!
Post
#33769
Topic
My worst nightmare - the unaltered theatrical versions no longer existing...
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/33769/action/topic#33769
Time
Unfortunately the issue was never really about whether the original OT still existed in some vault somewhere, but that George Lucas, the creator himself considers that they "no longer exist," and therefore won't make them available to the public.

Our cultural history deserves to be preserved and shared with the public like all great art. George just needs to be convinced of this.
Post
#33181
Topic
SE Trilogy on DVD coming this Fall
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/33181/action/topic#33181
Time
George Lucas is a very rich and powerful man. He doesn't need Star Wars to make another penny to be well off. He's also made clear that no amount of petitions will make a difference, and frankly 50,000 or even 100,000 signatures is nothing compared to the millions of fans who don't care or even know there is a difference. A boycott is neither practical or realistic. Flooding mailboxes and annoying people with demands or threats will only raise their ire and fundamentally cast ourselves in a negative light, and open to ridicule and dismissal. Certainly if someone made demands or threats to me, I would promptly ignore them.

But we have to do something.

Besides being rich and powerful, George considers himself an artist. "We realize there's a lot of debate out there," says Jim Ward. "But this is not a democracy. We love our fans, but this is about art and filmmaking. [George] has decided that the sole version he wants available is this one."

An artist who was hurt when some of his fans thought his later more personal work was inferior to work he did as younger man in collaboration with others. An artist who is rich and powerful enough, and now arrogant enough to defy his nay-sayers and critics and forge ahead alone.

But he is still an artist, and art benefits everyone. It is the very meaning of culture. George the artist must be reminded that art in all its forms or variations benefits everyone in its continued existence. We don't bury our art history or replace it with something new, we treasure our history. We study it and learn from its natural growth, its changes from ere to era.

My point is that we don't make demands. I'm a patron of the arts, and a patron of George's for many years, as I'm sure everyone else here is. We established a relationship early on by paying for work that we enjoyed. George has moved on now and so he should. But regardless of whether we enjoy his current work or not, the work from the past must not be forgotten. It must be cherished and valued. That is what we must do. Not beg or plead. Never that. We must remind him of the value of of historical art. The original Star Wars trilogy is that art. It has touched so many, myself included. So that is what we should remember.

We have to convince him that there is artistic and creative value in preserving the originals for everyone now, and for future generations to see and learn from. I think that is something that everyone, including George might agree with.

I won't purchase the release in Sept'04, but I remain hopeful for the future after that.