I think most of these complainers are just p**sed because they know they are gonna shell out and buy this version too. You can't blame Lucas, yeah it sucks the way marketing works, but like some people have said before, you DON'T have to buy them. Honestly set done the xbox controller and put down the cheetos, everything is going to be okay.

I for one respect Lucas for going back and finishing HIS movies. Yes, they are HIS movies no matter what you creepy fanboys think. As an artist and a filmmaker myself I would love to have the opportunities Lucas has to contailly fix and perfect his opus.

Dave Brock wrote: HA!  At last I can upgrade to DVD!

Bloody good job it's May 4th and not April 1st!
Damn straight, man.  I saw this news post, and I was like, "this is bulls**t."  One of those too good to be true moments because Lucas has been such a jag-off about the original versions.  Anyway, I'm definitely gonna be pre-ordering this because it'll go faster than the original set because of the limited release period.

You sleep through a whole day, and you miss out the biggest DVD news of the week.

-NJM

ticktock wrote: He listens to fans and he DOES try to give them what they want - everyone cried after EPISODE I about Jar-Jar and so in the next two prequels he gets next to no screen time.
"AP: Do you pay much attention to fan reactions to your choices?

Lucas: Not really. "

I think that's pretty blatantly stating that he DOESN'T listen to fans...

"AP: 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."

This is cold and arrogant in a wholly different way.

Still, Gabe:
"Changing your mind or not foreseeing every single turn your organic creation may take is not the same as lying."
No, that isn't, but saying there have "always" been nine episodes, then "always" six IS lying.
So is claiming that "Revenge of the Jedi" was a fake title to mess with marketing, when official theatrical posters say it.
So is claiming the prequels were already fully scripted.
According to some, so is claiming ANY sequels OR prequels were intended prior to the first film's success in 1977.
He has consistently blatantly lied, and there are no two ways about it.
If you think he's every right to change the film, I think that's definitely a personal belief and I have no intention to argue that at all--though I think that strangely enough, everyone who responded to that commented by saying "But once it's out of my hands..."--which is the case here. Yes, he still owns it and can legally make the changes, but he has released it to the public and there is a certain sort of 'ownership' to it in that way. Unofficial and non-legal and debatable, certainly, but it is there.
But even beyond that; how is he changing 'his' work in RotJ or ESB? He didn't script them. He didn't direct them. Sure, they're based around his characters, and events he (supposedly) had written.
That makes a pretty big difference as compared to those of you who paint or write something and want to go back and change it. It's more like you gave someone else your canvas with a rough sketch and then you said "no no, this is all wrong," and corrected *their* mistakes.
Or Rick Baker's wolfman mask, or the actors who are covered up and dubbed over...
I suppose the point is that my disagreement is not over 'rights' in a legal or proprietal sense, but in the sense of being responsible to the people who gave you the millions of dollars you used to do this to these films. Give us the damn option at least.
So, does he have the "right"?
Sure. Absolutely.
I don't really disagree with that at all.

But I've also got every right to think it is completely the wrong thing to do.
Though honestly my complains stem almost exclusively from Morrison's overdubbed lines and the insertion of Hayden Christensen.
The prequels ruined my taste for Star Wars enough as it is, trampling all over the history set up by the EU--which would be ok if I thought they were worth a damn. I personally thought all three were c**p and I don't want anything to do with them. I want to be able to watch those original 3 films without having to be reminded of the more recent atrocities. Especially without good reason. Why does Boba Fett have to sound like Jango Fett? OK, we know of one reason he "should"--but why couldn't his voice have been damaged between now and then? Or the helmet is affecting his voice? Is that change REALLY necessary?
Many have commented--and I agree--that Anakin doesn't have to look like Hayden, because Anakin redeemed himself at the end. It's a silly change that's unnecessary and has little to do with improving effects based on technology.

I don't say this as a fanboy, as I say, the prequels pretty much killed my love for star wars. While I was glad to see news of these releases, I just don't feel any burning passion to get a hold of them anymore. I dunno. I just feel like I can respect those that like the changes or don't mind them (hey, it's YOUR viewing experience) but everyone just talks c**p about those of us who don't want them. What's so bloody wrong with wanting to watch the damn movie we want to watch?
My personal issues with Lucas do not stem from his decision to make changes (though I DO think that was a stupid decision, as I've said, it is his to make) but from his attitude toward fans and from his habit of blatantly lying constantly. I'd accept the changes a lot more if he weren't saying he "always" wanted them to be like this--something that IS a lie. MAYBE he always wanted the effects to look more fluid and to have some more creatures wandering about, but he can't possibly have "always" wanted Greedo to shoot first, or "always" wanted Hayden to be in there (or, for that matter, a young Anakin at all...) or "always" wanted Boba Fett to sound a certain way--because those things (outside of Hayden specifically and Morrison's specific voice) were completely possible at the time, and he'd've scripted them that way if he wanted them.
If you don't mind that he lied, good enough. But don't deny that he did.

OK, here is my spin, for better or worse.

I saw all these films when they originally came out. I was at THE right age to enjoy them. I was 11 when I saw New Hope in 1977. Now that I am 40, I look back upon those initial viewings with great nostalgia.

I say that above to provide a little history for my opinion of these DVD's. First off, have never been torn up about the SE's or the lack of the original theatrical releases being on DVD (own the VHS). Quit frankly I find it sad that so many need to have them on DVD to be able to remember back. I have my memories and that is all I have needed. No matter how many times I watch the films now, even on VHS in original theatrical editions, it never is like when I first saw them. So I have seen no point in requiring them in theatrical form on DVD when no matter which version they are, it will never be like it was back in 77, 80 and 83. To me, if you need the original versions on DVD to appreciate these films, you never really appreciated them in the first place. Effects changes do not change a story. The story of these films have never been altered with these changes. If you say Han shooting first changes his character, I say B.S. on that. His character is established through his interaction with Chewi, Luke and Leia. None of which has been altered one bit.

Lucas is the creator of this story, not any of the arm chair quarterbacks out there who think they are. Yeah, we put down the money and continue to, but these are his stories. They are his to do with however he feels. If he says the original theatrical version doesn't exist, then for him, it doesn't. The SE's are his vision of what the films would look like. Some I say stop hating just because you are not him. He has put in the time and creative force to create these, not you. So get over it!!

I am glad that Lucas is putting these out in 2.1. Serves the purists right for saying they wanted these films in their original form on DVD. I find it funny that those same "purists" now want to moan and cry the fact that the films are not presented in 5.1. I say Lucas should have put these out with a mono track and every bit of scratch and imperfection. Because that is how we saw them back in the day. If we are going to stand on our purist platform and cry about the desecration of art by altering effects, then we must be willing to go full steam ahead. Funny thing is, those same purists start jumping off the bandwagon when you talk like that.

I will buy these, not because I have to have them to be able to complete my memories. I will buy them simply because I am a fan and don't have this version on DVD. I will not spit at Lucas for being greedy or egotistical maniac. Who is more greedy or egotistical? The person who created the story, worked their whole filmmaking life on it? Or the ones that didn't create the story or worked their whole life on it, yet see fit to just because they plunked down some money WILLINGLY take ownership and dictate what is or isn't right about them?

 

FangsFirst wrote:

"Changing your mind or not foreseeing every single turn your organic creation may take is not the same as lying."
No, that isn't, but saying there have "always" been nine episodes, then "always" six IS lying.
So is claiming that "Revenge of the Jedi" was a fake title to mess with marketing, when official theatrical posters say it.
So is claiming the prequels were already fully scripted.

I don't know where you get your info from, but coming from a die hard SW fan with interviews saved on his harddrive, most of your statements are incorrect and speculative.  Were there nine episodes?  There was a rough outline for nine episodes at the beginning, yes, but a rough outline does not constitute there BEING nine movies.  If I wrote a rough outline for an essay I were doing and exised parts here and there it does NOT mean I'm trimming out extra parts of my story because an outline does not make a finished product, and you will not find a direct quote from Lucas saying that there "will be nine movies," or, "there are nine scripts."  

FangsFirst wrote: According to some...

I don't for one second buy any statement that starts with the very speculative, "According to some...."  Bring hard fact and empirical evidence to your argument, not some he-said-she-said BS.

FangsFirst wrote:  Yes, he still owns it and can legally make the changes, but he has released it to the public and there is a certain sort of 'ownership' to it in that way. Unofficial and non-legal and debatable, certainly, but it is there.
But even beyond that; how is he changing 'his' work in RotJ or ESB? He didn't script them. He didn't direct them. Sure, they're based around his characters, and events he (supposedly) had written.

HA, I have to laugh at that last *supposedly* line, as if Lucas stole or manipulated the story out from someone.  If you've listened to the ESB commentary you'd know that George approached Irvin Kirschner about the changes before doing them and Irvin gave his blessing, but of course you'll leave that fact out because it doesn't fit your argument.  He did the same with most of the changes he made, even though he DIDN'T HAVE TO.  You paint a picture of old man Lucas sitting in a editing room with a mischevous grin on his face while he purposefully sabotages others' work, and that's just not true....

FangsFirst wrote:
...in the sense of being responsible to the people who gave you the millions of dollars you used to do this to these films. Give us the damn option at least.


Now he is, yet you're still complaining...let it go already.

FangsFirst wrote:
 While I was glad to see news of these releases, I just don't feel any burning passion to get a hold of them anymore.

Yet you're here commenting and complaining over apparently what you've wanted all along and now that it's being offered you still find reason to complain.  I can accept those that wanted the originals on DVD, but I have a hard time swallowing those that are never happy and that constantly find something to b* about in regards to these movies.  "We want the original, unaltered versions on DVD!," and then you get them and it's, "Lucas is a lier and I just don't care anymore!" Grow up, man.
 
FangsFirst wrote:
My personal issues with Lucas do not stem from his decision to make changes (though I DO think that was a stupid decision, as I've said, it is his to make) but from his attitude toward fans and from his habit of blatantly lying constantly. I'd accept the changes a lot more if he weren't saying he "always" wanted them to be like this--something that IS a lie. MAYBE he always wanted the effects to look more fluid and to have some more creatures wandering about, but he can't possibly have "always" wanted Greedo to shoot first, or "always" wanted Hayden to be in there (or, for that matter, a young Anakin at all...) or "always" wanted Boba Fett to sound a certain way--because those things (outside of Hayden specifically and Morrison's specific voice) were completely possible at the time, and he'd've scripted them that way if he wanted them.

If you can post links to any contradicting statements and not vagueries or ambiguities then I'll defer, but coming from a diehard there was never any blatant contradicting statements.  Most of the changes he made were for bridging purposes - he sees all six movies as one, so, sure he changes Boba's voice to match his CLONE Jango's.  Could he have done that in '80 or even '97?  No, how could he?  Jango wasn't cast yet.  The CGI effects and monsters were perhaps to try and make the transition between the OT and the PT less jarring.  Most of the changes, I believe, were in this vein - he sees all six as one story and he's trying to make them more fluent.  The others, like Greedo shooting first, are probably issues that he's had for a while that he decided, "...hey, I WROTE the Han Solo character and I know his motivation and having him shoot first was a mistake and that's always bugged me, so I'll change it..."  Hey, some may like it and some may not, oh well.

First of all, let's get one thing straight.  George Lucas did not invent the double dip.  I've been working in the video business since 1986 and I can't even remember how many different releases and coverboxes we had for the James Bond movies on VHS.  The fact of the matter is that every movie that has stood the test of time has had numorous releases in many formats over the years.  It's just that we don't keep rebuying all of them.  Except for Star Wars-and we buy them by our own accord.  No one is forcing us.  Almost every movie has already had at least 2 or 3 dvd releases already.  Just of the top of my head I know for a fact the Cliffhanger has had 3.  Legends of the Fall 3.  What about Das Boot-I think it's up to 5 now.  I look at Star Wars as Lord of the rings.  I love the theatrical and the extended.  and if you are a die hard fan you buy both.  Case closed.  Personally, I prefer the theatrical cuts and that how I will watch them from this point on, but let's give Lucas his due.  At least when he asks us to buy them he tries to give us something new.  Anybody out there buy the new Wedding Singer DVD.  How about ferris bueller or the new Airplane.  Exact same movie, and I really don't care how "more Active" the rear channels are on Ferris.  But I don't hear all you crybabies out the screaming about those.  Also-Star Wars in 1977 was NOT 5.1 dts SO SHUT UP ALREADY.  If this is about feeling 7 again, that's what you are going to get.  Star Wars fans are beginning to pass Star Trek fans as the biggest babies in the galaxy.  It comes down to this.  You've been crying for 8 years for these and here they are.  Now shut up and quit your complaining.  Here's another fact.  In the next 10 years every movie on DVD is going to be re-released at least once on HDDVD, blueray, and who knows what.  Please, keep you mouth shut and quit you're complaining.  If you don't whine about the 4th release of space jam, don't whine about star wars.  buy or don't buy...there is no more compaining.

Well, Fangsfirst took my statement pretty much to heart, and then someone else allready said what I was thinking. You really are taking this whole thing very seriously, Fangsfirst. Hear are the unaltered DVDs you asked for, enjoy them. I still don't think changing one's mind nessisarily equates lying. If Lucas said now, today, in an interview that Obi Wan Kenobi was played by Alec Guiness in all six films, that would be a lie. Nobody here needs to be getting angry about any of this. Frustration is fine, but anger is ridiculous.

I'm definitely going to pick this set up despite having the rereleased special edition trilogy too.  But, why are they all crammed into one disc?  I don't know, maybe it's me, but I do prefer to have them on seperate discs...

These are just like the "old versions" of these films, right? Why wouls they want to release that? I mean, for being a Star Wars fan, I'm not excited about it.

kenny wong wrote: I'm definitely going to pick this set up despite having the rereleased special edition trilogy too.  But, why are they all crammed into one disc?  I don't know, maybe it's me, but I do prefer to have them on seperate discs...

They are on 2 Discs

The Curmudgeon wrote: I thought the original versions didn't exist George, you one-trick pony gutless parasite?

My brother in law sent me a link to the AP article where Lucas made that comment.  It looks a bit different when you read it in context.
AP Interview Sept. 15, 2004:
AP: 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. [rest of answer snipped


Link to full interview: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6011380/

IN CONTEXT, he was (as I read it) acknowledging that the film elements from the original releases still physically exist.

My 1 cent worth?
Well a few things:-

# George Lucas made and owns Star Wars and all the stuff that goes with it - if he wishes to change anything to do with it, it is his choice. It is up to you to accept it or not. Simple.

# For me, this is a double dip. He could have released the original versions like this with the first OT box release with out any issues. I am a massive fan of Star Wars and would have thought that the un-altered OT might have been included but it wasn't. I cannot believe that an original cut of Star Wars (for example) would be lost - like how else would he have been able to release the Special Editions without the original print to work on?

# It is only a movie - a great one but still just a movie. We must always remember that when looking at this sort of thing.

That said, I will probably get this as my old VHS copies will eventually fail - I might just wait 6 months until the price drops a bit.

Worst Nightmare wrote: That said, I will probably get this as my old VHS copies will eventually fail - I might just wait 6 months until the price drops a bit.

remember this is a limited release, sept 13th to dec 31st so waiting that long might not be a good idea...lol  although I still see stores selling the 2 disc version of E.T. that was a limited release too so it might not matter but yeah...just saying..lol

I understand what you're saying AIDIE, but your last comment is a kind of funny oxymoron anyway.

Yeah Jersy and Bouncy - you are right!!!

I should have read it more closely before I wrote the last point....