Alterations to Star Wars on DVD

[Chris Gore]

Okay, we've all been hearing about the changes to the original Star Wars trilogy coming in September. Changes include:
- Altering the Stormtroopers voices with new recordings from Temeura Morrison, the actor who played Jango Fett.
- Adding Hayden Christianson to the end of Jedi in spirit form.
- Changing a scene in Empire where Vader speaks to the Emperor.
And there are a lot more tiny tweaks like this. (Complete lists are online in various places, but perhaps someone can post them here.)

What do you think?

For me, I actually don't mind making changes in order for the original films to be more consistent with the prequels, AS LONG AS Lucas makes the films also available in their original presentation as released theatrically. Spielberg did this with the release of E.T. I think it's fine for filmmakers to make changes, IF they respect the original and do not try to supplant it, as Lucas seems to be doing to his originals. I am so happy I still have my definitive collection Laser Disc.

And it makes me pleased to see that bootleg versions of Star Wars DVDs in their original form (from the laser disc) are easily obtainable on the web via eBay, among other sources.

[Chris Gore]

Attached is a JPG of the Emperor from Empire compared to the original. The conversation in the "Altered" editions goes as follows:

EMPEROR
We have a new enemy. The young rebel who destroyed the Death Star. I have no doubt this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker.

VADER
How is that possible?

EMPEROR
Search your feelings Lord Vader. You know it to be true. He could destroy us.

VADER
He's just a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him.

That's all I was able to transcribe from the MP3 file that was sent to me.

So, discuss. I also heard Stormtroopers voices from Star Wars now revoiced by Temeura Morrisson. What are your opinions on this?

[Reedyb]

Little changes, I don't mind. I was a little surprised that the one effect in Star Wars that I hated was the shot from the POV of the Tuskan Raiders on the rock cliffs looking down on the land speeder going through the canyons. That looked like the original Thunderbirds to me, and they left that effect alone?!?!?!

I, too, think Lucas should release the originals, uncut. Congress has actually mandated that the original version of Star Wars be preserved when they made it part of the national film registry.

A few comments (late and lame) on changes.

In Star Wars (I can't call it A New Hope with a straight keyboard), the new effects ruined the comedy of the Cantina Scene, not to mention Greedo shooting first. They didn't make the movie any better anywhere, but the Death Star re-enactment was kind of cool.

In Empire, they didn't have to do anything, and thank God they didn't. The clean ups were fine and new shots in the Cloud City didn't hurt.

Return of the Jedi? Here's where he could have done some good. What does he do? He lengthens the dull opening sequence! At least he could have cross-cut the new song with Luke's appearance and the girl dropping into the cage without just adding everything linearly. You would have thought that he might have shortened the scene with Han and Leia where she tells him that Luke is her brother, or just cut to Han watching from the wings and getting the wrong idea. And why couldn't he have made the Ewoks meaner? It's like he didn't see the bad parts, only made them worse.

I don't have a problem with the new Emperor shots. Hayden in the end of Return of the Jedi is a little strange. It's like seeing your father at an age you could never have known him saying goodbye on his death bed.

As for replacing the Storm Trooper voices. That's crazy. I will have, "Open the Blast Doors! Open the Blast Doors," in my head from the original forever.

[ace38]

Here's the scary thing...on the back of the "theatrical" VHS box set it reads that this is the final release of this version on video (paraphrased). So far, he seems to be holding to that. I too would love to see the original versions on DVD, but unless we all vote with our wallets and not buy the "special special editions" due in two months, we probably won't see that.

Now, to paraphrase from "Jay and Silent Bob", no, Spartacus here isn't organizing a boycott. I'm like the rest of you and I'll be a good little lemming and plunk down my $50 for the set, then piss and whine about the changes.

Here's hoping for perhaps a "super box set" in the future, with all 9 (theatrical, SE, prequel) films in their original state.

[drsweetscience]

I'm not getting the special editions. You can resist.
If kamikaze pilots can fly a plane into a ship, you can stop buying Lucas' garbage.
He's doing it to THX-1138, too.
Which is even more bewildering because that movie is about losing humanity when you let machines take over your lives. He's trying to improve it by adding more machine effects rather than human performance.

Lucas is more machine than man now. He's turned to the dark side with his lust for control. Lucas has become Darth Vader.

[unlickedcub]

I hated most of the new effects he did on the re-release a few years ago. Except for the stuff in Cloud City on Empire so unless there is an original edition I too am happy to have Star Wars on laser disc.

[Chris Gore]

You can find it here:
http://www.stuartrwood.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/movie/rotj.mov

So, what do you think? It's not as bad as I thought, but I just wonder what more changes Lucas will make in the second DVD release.

[bronsonseven]

That ending really isn't that terrible, but is that the music he is going to use? Was that music in the special editions? I have yet to see those raped versions, but the music I am familiar with is that of those furry little ewoks tapping on the helmets of storm troopers. Or just maybe, I haven't seen Jedi in so long that I forgot the music really was that terrible. I guess I will re-visit it this weekend.

[iEatBrainMatter]

The stormtroopers voices being changed means that cloning is still happening in the classic trilogy??? That is disappointing because I figured the Empire recruited troops once the clone tanks were destroyed during the clone wars. I almost wish I didnt read any of the star wars books because they are just making me want things Lucas never will acknowledge.

[Adam Hackbarth]

I don't know about you, but I'll miss the voice of the trooper that stops the landspeeder in ANH. I'll miss the voice of the "Move along" guy. It's burned into my brain... I guess I need to hop on EBAY and find that laser disc DVD burn.

I was always hoping that the surprise would be that Liam Neeson, Darth Maul, and Darth Vader were all just clones... which is why they didn't disappear. I was hoping to encounter the real Darth Maul later on in a future movie.

Oh well. I am just wanting a big twist in the last one... I don't want to already know the entire story going into Revenge of the Sith. I still want a big Melrose Place type of surprise. Hehe.

[Peter_Lowry]

I am huge fan of the original series, and I am disgusted that any changes are being made. I'm even more disgusted about the fact that fans can't have access to a DVD copy of the original theatrical release...

What is Lucas gonna do next... reshoot all of the Obi-Wan scenes in Episode IV, V and VI with Ewan McGreggor and take out Sir Guiness??

When will Lucas' madness end?

Peter

[iEatBrainMatter]

We must stop the insanity. I say we all dress in Stormtrooper gear and storm the Skywalker Ranch and kidnap Lucas. And demand the Prequels be reshot by some reliable directors. Stories rewritten and less CGI used. More models and Matte paintings for background. Keep a uniformity with the old films.

[iEatBrainMatter]

So is anyone going to pick these dvds up? Or boycotting them ? hehehe

I heard he removed the luke scream they added in the Special Edition though.

[Bongwater]

Star Wars v2.1? :D

I'm getting them, because any Star Wars is better than no Star Wars, unfortunately.

[Peter_Lowry]

Yes, I'm boycotting them.

I've got the original trilogy on VHS, and I'll stick with them. I'd rather watch these tapes with the same films we all saw on the big screen in the 70/80's, with not added effects and other crap.

I have zero interest in getting the new edited trilogy on DVD. I'll wait for the originals to come out. I hope that wait isn't too long...

Peter

[Rory L. Aronsky]

I bet it'll happen some years down the road. Soon, Uncle George will realize that he needs more money, despite having buttloads of it, and will realize that releasing the original films on DVD, despite his own shame toward them, will give him more of that green that gives him a hard-on.

[bronsonseven]

According to the AP:

Question: "Why not release both the originals and special editions on DVD?"


Lucas: "The special edition, that's the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it's on VHS, if anybody wants it. ... I'm not going to spend the, we're talking millions of dollars here, the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn't really exist anymore. It's like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I'm sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I'm the one who has to take responsibility for it. I'm the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they're going to throw rocks at me, they're going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished."

I HATE him.

[Rory L. Aronsky]

Coming in 20-whatever: George Lucas releases original editions on DVD due to need for cash. It'll happen.

And I'm sure the Library of Congress has the original Star Wars preserved in their National Film Registry. They've put a lot of good films in there and I'm sure they didn't bother with deciding that the 1997 Special Edition should be preserved.

[WalkingDead]

Lucas has been very straightforward about the release of the theatrical cuts of the original trilogy on DVD. He says it ain't happening. I'm willing to believe that. I wish it weren't true, as I wasn't impressed with the changes made in the Special Edition ... and so I'm likely to be equally unimpressed with the changes I've heard have been made for the DVD releases.

The chances of him releasing the original cuts on DVD sometime in the future for the money is pretty slim, I think. What is more likely to happen is that he'll dick around with the movies some more and then release an Uber-Special Edition DVD of the trilogy (now with a new cut of Greedo and Han shaking hands and going their separate ways amicably).

[bronsonseven]

Originally posted by Bongwater
Star Wars v2.1? :D

any Star Wars is better than no Star Wars, unfortunately.

I'd rather no Star Wars than the new episodes.

As for the subject at hand, I am going to hold onto my VHS's. Fuck Lucas. Although, I bet you money that even though a lot of people are complaining, it will still sell a shit load. And Lucas will further affirm his stance on not rereleasing the oldies.

[WalkingDead]

Of course it'll sell. It's Star Wars on DVD ... even if it isn't the original cut. Star Wars fans will buy it. And a lot of kids nowadays have grown up on the Special Editions.

Unbelievable as it is, some fans don't care that Lucas has changed the movies from the original cuts. My girlfriend, for example, is a big Star Wars fan and thinks that updating the special effects is a great idea (although I think even she'll admit that Lucas was on crack when he decided to have Greedo shoot first).

[iEatBrainMatter]

Well I thought the Special Edition of Empire Strikes Back was the only good one of the three. Maybe the Luke scream bothered me a little, but overall it wasnt hurt much by the additions.

[Bongwater]

BTW, Sunday I'm running a Star Wars marathon on RFB (http://bongwater.retrovertigo.com). If you guys are bored, tune in. :D

[sonnyboo]

I didn't mind any of the changes, except of course GReedo shooting first or even simultaneously.

Forcing continuity between the 2 trilogies is a good thing. He is the filmmaker and he has the right to make the changes he wants. If you were in his shoes, you'd only screen or acknowledge the versions you like too. One the one hand, do you make art solely for the opinions of the audience, or are you trying to express yourself? If George Lucas were to sway and go with polls from Internet fans, it wouldn't be the same and everyone would accuse him of selling out anyway. You can't make everyone happy, so he's making himself happy. Deal with it. They are only movies after all.

No one complains this loudly about BLADE RUNNER the directors cut or the director's cut of SPARTACUS or lack of availability of the original KINGPIN (now long out of print).

If you don't like 'em, don't buy 'em. I have made backup copies on DVD-R of my Laserdiscs (both 1995 original and 1997 special editions). I don't really watch them. It was solely the convenience of waiting for these DVD's to officially get released.

No one raped your childhood. Boo hoo hoo, you can't see the movie you remembered. It's a freakin' movie.

[iEatBrainMatter]

It was a movie many people grew up on. Its more than just a movie in many people's eyes. Well it was. :(

[sonnyboo]

it's the first movie I ever saw in the theatre

it was the msot amazing thing I had ever seen


it's still just a series of movies


and more importantly, George Lucas made them, he can unmake them or alter them all he wants and no one can do anything about it. Complaining about it won't help.

[Bongwater]

Saying "It's just a series of movies" to a group of film enthusiasts (read: fanboys ;)) is just an invitation for a lynching. :D

[Jeremy Knox]

Actually Lucas makes minor alterations to his movies whenever they simply change format. The theatrical versions of Episodes I and II (for example) are slightly different from their home video counterparts. I'm betting that when the complete DVD set comes out, he'll have changed them again.

Lucas changed the first Star Wars (Ep4) about 6 or 7 times to my count, probably more. I'm betting he did the same for Ep 5 and 6.

There's a fine line between being a perfectionist and anal retentive.

JK13

[WalkingDead]

There would be less complaining about changes in the movies if Lucas would just pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top release the pre-Special Edition versions on DVD. I could take the original theatrical version, the VHS cut or even THX cleaned-up version. I would buy them, and then I would even gladly add special edition versions to my collection. I'm not sure whether that makes me a purist or a completionist. ;)

As for Blade Runner, at least there's a pretty good chance we'll one day get both versions of the movie on DVD, right? My preference is the Director's Cut of the film, but I would very much like to have the theatrical version on DVD (bad voiceovers and all). With Star Wars, we're being told there's no chance in hell of the pre-SE cuts being released ... ever.

Why couldn't Lucas do what Spielberg did with E.T.? E.T. was released in a box set that included both the original theatrical cut and Spielberg's edited version where he took out the guns and replaced them with walkie-talkies.

[iEatBrainMatter]

I have yet to purchase the DVDs.

[Dawn84]

I purchased the SW DVD set and I still like the orginals
that he came up with...I don't see why he won't release
SW the orginals on DVD, he would make the bucks. There are
fans out there who want the original and don't want to be bothered with the special editions....Sometimes you can't screw with an original, no matter how you try to fix it or clean it up.
It just ain't the same..

[Rory L. Aronsky]

2010-2015 is when you'll have them. There's no word from Lucas on that, but trust me, he'll need more money by then.

[WalkingDead]

Originally posted by Rory L. Aronsky
2010-2015 is when you'll have them. There's no word from Lucas on that, but trust me, he'll need more money by then.

Riiiiiight. Because the failure of Star Wars merchandising is sending him into bankruptcy. :p

[Rory L. Aronsky]

Riiiiiight. Because the failure of Star Wars merchandising is sending him into bankruptcy.

No, not really. But some of it will dry up and he'll realize he should have done what needed to be done in the first place. Lucas is a man who wants two words in his finances: "more money", not just "money".

[DirkDiggler164]

http://www.somelamegamersite.com/page.php?x=2223842

[El Duderino Diablo]

Originally posted by DirkDiggler164
http://www.somelamegamersite.com/page.php?x=2223842

How about we don't and you stop wasting people's time, mmmm'kay?

[WalkingDead]

Originally posted by Rory L. Aronsky
No, not really. But some of it will dry up and he'll realize he should have done what needed to be done in the first place. Lucas is a man who wants two words in his finances: "more money", not just "money".

Between ROTJ in 1983 and TPM in 1999, Star Wars popularity only grew. In fact, it grew into a multi-billion dollar industry, yes? No movies were in the works (okay, okay, the Ewok flicks from the mid-Eighties, but I think we'd all rather forget about those), and for most of those years, fans lived under the idea that ROTJ would very likely be the last Star Wars movie ever made. However, the amount of merchandise sold was astronomical. Toy line after toy line, book after book, books on tape, CDs of John Williams' scores, etc.

All that without movies in the works or showing at the box office. Lucas didn't make his money from the movies. He made it from the merchandising. So I figure he'll keep getting rich off that. We'll see more Star Wars novels (hit your local book store and see how many are already there) based on the various film characters, more toys and whatever else that marketing genius comes up with.

Lucas always said he wasn't happy with the original movies and that he wanted to go back and re-do them (particularly the Cantina scene, which the rest of the world thought was pretty damn cool -- well, fans though it was cool, anyway). Well, now he has, much to the chagrin of the fans. But fans are buying into the modified versions, anyway. And I doubt Lucas is done modifying them. My guess is in a few years, we'll see a brand new edition of all of the movies with new special effects. So he really has no reason to release the original, unaltered trilogy that he seems so embarassed by. He'll have Extra Special Editions, which zealous fans will snap up even though they will whine, cry and bitch that the unaltered movies STILL aren't out on DVD.

Rory, I really hope you are right -- that Lucas does get greedy and see a DVD release of the unaltered movies as a viable cash cow. I hope Lucas listens to the Star Wars fanbase and releases the unaltered versions of the movies on DVD. I'm just very, very skeptical.

[Rory L. Aronsky]

I'm just very, very skeptical.

Considering how you and others have had their hopes jerked around so many times, I understand that completely. I hope for your sake and others that it does happen.