"Pray He Doesn't Alter Them Any Further"
The "original" three Star Wars films are now out on DVD. Cause for rejoicing? Well, perhaps. The films look and sound better than they have at any time since they were in theaters... maybe even better than their theatrical releases. The DVD set is an excellent presentation of movies that are almost as old as I am.
On the downside (and this is a huge drawback), Lucas continues to tinker with his movies. A few years back he rereleased the original trilogy in theaters as a "Special Edition," including new and enhanced scenes not present in the first theatrical run. These were supposedly part of his original vision for the films, but he was unable to realize them given the technological and budget limitations at the time.
Fine. I can deal with this.
The DVD set is based on the Special Edition, but contains even more edits. Characters and actors from the new films (Episodes 1-2 so far) have been grafted into the Special Edition films, making these the 'Super-Special Edition."
Fine. I can even deal with this.
But, as Jeff has often observed, he and I are something of purists when it comes to films. We want to have the films as originally presented - original soundtrack, original aspect ratio, original film - period. It's nice to have the Special Edition as an option, but especially with classic films like the Star Wars trilogy, the original theatrical cuts should always be available. They are part of our culture and the history of American cinema.
As the Weekly Standard observes:
None of this, of course, stopped my from buying the trilogy on DVD. I know - I'm a sucker. I'd buy the originals gladly, if they were ever available. (The "E.T. - The Extraterrestrial" special edition set is ideal, including both the original and enhanced versions.) Unfortunately, it looks as though if I want these great films in my library, the new, rechopped versions are the only option George Lucas is going to give me.
Until the next version. Stay tuned - coming soon to HD-DVD, "Star Wars: The Super-Duper Special Edition". Grrrr.
On the downside (and this is a huge drawback), Lucas continues to tinker with his movies. A few years back he rereleased the original trilogy in theaters as a "Special Edition," including new and enhanced scenes not present in the first theatrical run. These were supposedly part of his original vision for the films, but he was unable to realize them given the technological and budget limitations at the time.
Fine. I can deal with this.
The DVD set is based on the Special Edition, but contains even more edits. Characters and actors from the new films (Episodes 1-2 so far) have been grafted into the Special Edition films, making these the 'Super-Special Edition."
Fine. I can even deal with this.
But, as Jeff has often observed, he and I are something of purists when it comes to films. We want to have the films as originally presented - original soundtrack, original aspect ratio, original film - period. It's nice to have the Special Edition as an option, but especially with classic films like the Star Wars trilogy, the original theatrical cuts should always be available. They are part of our culture and the history of American cinema.
As the Weekly Standard observes:
George Lucas created these movies. He has the right to wreck them if he wants. But Lucas isn't just putting out newer, flawed versions. He is embarked on a campaign to create The One True Version of the Star Wars mythology. You see, every time Lucas tinkers with one of his movies, the changes becomes the official version. The older versions are then quietly and efficiently erased from the public record.
None of this, of course, stopped my from buying the trilogy on DVD. I know - I'm a sucker. I'd buy the originals gladly, if they were ever available. (The "E.T. - The Extraterrestrial" special edition set is ideal, including both the original and enhanced versions.) Unfortunately, it looks as though if I want these great films in my library, the new, rechopped versions are the only option George Lucas is going to give me.
Until the next version. Stay tuned - coming soon to HD-DVD, "Star Wars: The Super-Duper Special Edition". Grrrr.
posted by Bob at
9:23 PM
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