Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler I'm finnaly going to buy Star Wars on DVD...

All I can say is "it's about friggin time!"

The org three movies to be released on DVD in their unaltered form.

and there was much rejoicing

George Lucas and Lucas Films are going get richer from this.

The article says it is going to feature Dolby 2.0 Surround sound... Does that mean that a 5.1 digitally remastered track won't be available, or will it. (I'm assuming the latter).

<jaw hits floor>

I would love to own the original versions, but I don't think I would be happy with 2.0, on the other hand mt 4 year old is going to be thrilled about Lego Star Wars II the game

Did your jaw hit the floor, because my question was idiotic (not the first time), or because Lucas would pull something like this? BTW- I'm assuming the former.

No, no, the latter.

Only 2.0, no surround sound. This is a downgrade from the PCM tracks available on the laserdiscs.

I had refused to buy into the "Lucas is squeezing us for more money" arguement, but this just reeks of money-grubbing. It is almost an abusive relantionship between the fans & GL. Sure, he'll give us the versions we want, but with the some of the lowest sound quality available.

So this will be the 4the copy I own. The original on VHS. The remade ones on VHS (sucker-- yes I was). The remade on DVD, then the originals on DVD.

Hmm, I shave my head and keep giving all my money to him...
George Lucus = Krishna?!

-jr

Said it before, I'll say it again... Lucas draws his lines in the sand in pencil... pencil erasable by money.

Personally, the point is moot for me. I saw "Star Wars" aka "A Nude Hoop... er, A New Hope" in the last "final ever to be released, no seriously, get it now" box set and I realized I just don't care anymore. He's squeezed any love and respect out of the first three (no, the middle three, no... I mean...) like Darth Vader doing that force throat choke thing.

Uh-huh... Lucas pimping out one of what, 2 ideas he's had? Star Wars and American Graffiti? Not a shock. Get in the ground already, you has-been.

Bren R.

1 word:

eBay.

That way, I get my original trilogy on DVD (is it just the theatrical versions in 2.0? That's what it sounds like), and Lucas doesn't get a cent of my money.

At least the movies will be sold seperately so you can buy individually and not have to fork over another $45.

Only 2.0 for the old movies. Lucas can't give in to the fans.

I'm with Bren on this one. Even for posterity, I'd rather sit down with my son and watch a Star Trek marathon.




Ray?

Almost everything in life has a price. George has found his.

Why would he just put out the Dolby 2.0 version? It seems lame.

In reply to:

---

Why would he just put out the Dolby 2.0 version? It seems lame.

---

You're serious? Why else? So he can have another change of heart in 3 years and release yet a new set of DVDs. You're new to the Lucas game, aren't you? *laughs*

Bren R.

In reply to:

---

Why would he just put out the Dolby 2.0 version? It seems lame.

---

I suppose it's for the fans who want the trilogy in it's pure 'original' form. I don't really mind the 2.0, but I do mind the fact that Lucas said he would never release the trilogy in it's original cut which is the main reason I bought the SE set on DVD. If I buy this set I'll be quadruple dipping, plus who knows what he'll release on Blueray. I'll probably still be a sucker and buy it when it's released.

Me angry.

Let's see.

Our first copy was a pirated cassette on Beta with more drop outs than data. That was of "Star Wars"(No Hope).

Followed by a VHS copy of each of the first(second)three.

Then a first up-date

Then a second up-date.

Then a DVD set. or was it two?

Then some....uh.....Gads I've totally lost track!!

George! I've bought your damned house!!

"You're serious? Why else? So he can have another change of heart in 3 years and release yet a new set of DVDs. You're new to the Lucas game, aren't you? *laughs*

Bren R."

Yes... gullible am I.

So the Wife says:

(as if "I" had a choice in the matter)

"Wouldn't it be nice to see it like we saw it at the show?" "Wouldn't it be nice to show the kids how films were made before computers?"

(Yeah; She complains if I watch "The Three Stooges" with the kids)

Ok George: Go ahead. Order the "Bigger" yacht!!

Star Lords!

Scott Kurtz of PvP webcomic "fame" agrees with me today:
(edit: oops... guess this was yesterday, I don't read his comic - P.A. just linked to him today)

Han shoots first again?
Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006

I'm getting several emails this morning about how Lucasfilm is going to release the original Star Wars Trilogy on DVD again. This time the trilogy will be seen as it was originally released in theatres, without all the new edits, special effects "corrections" and additions such as Greedo shooting first.

You would expect that I would be happy about this. Sure, a part of me is very happy about it. But don't you guys feel beat up yet by the lucasfilm camp?. Don't you feel a little bit abused by now?

First of all, as much as we would like to believe otherwise, the prequels were NOT good movies. They were all pretty boring and bereft of the humor, charm and happy mistakes that made Star Wars and Empire such cool movies. Jedi was already starting to retread and slip the tracks in my opinion. Or maybe I was just getting older. Who knows at this point?

But the marketing train over at Lucasfilm has been playing us fans like suckers ever since they started re-editing the trilogy. Hasn't the Lucas camp been swearing on Bibles since the late 1990's that they would NEVER, EVER release the theatrical versions of these movies on DVD? And since then, how many versions of the original Trilogy have been put out for fans to purchase in lieu of what they truly wanted? Two or three at least. And we bought them. What else could we do?

Didn't Lucas plan to give us these original theatrical-release DVD's all along? Of course he did.

I'm reminded of a Simpson's episode where one of Bart's babysitters walked him into a wall by dangling a video game in front of his face. That's how I feel Lucasfilm treats its fans with these DVD releases.

I think the only reason to buy these new DVD's is so that one day, I can sit down with my kids and share with them the same experience I once shared with my father. That's something I've been looking forward to probably ever since 1977.

I certainly don't appreciate, however, how hard Lucas has made me work for that privilege.

I've lost count of how many iterations of the Star Wars flicks we've bought over too many years. But one thing rings clear:

Every one of them that we've brought into the house was accompanied with enthusiasm and excitment!!

...almost as much fun as seeing them for the first time at the theater!!

Yup:

Go ahead George: Buy a new house and a new yacht......and send us the bill.

In reply to:

---

Every one of them that we've brought into the house was accompanied with enthusiasm and excitment!!

---

Well spoken from a man who doesn't let cynicism get in the way of his enjoyment of something.

Bren R.

It seems most fans and purists are happy with the announcement. Personally, I'm happy with the 2004 release, and will wait for the eventual HD or BluRay release before I buy the unaltered originals. I've had the original "unaltered" movies on LD for some time also, but enjoy watching the 2004 versions much more.

As for Lucas, I wish he would have stuck to his guns and not released the originals again. I can't blame him though. It's easy money. Brilliant move to announce this only a year after the last film came out.

Lucas for President!

What MiniRock said!

Well , Lucas just does what he knows best, (make money off Star Wars). I just read in 2007 he will be producing Star Wars the TV series.

There are two TV series coming actually. One in 2007 and the other slated for 2010. Not to mention the possible movie spin off from the one, or both, of the TV series.

I guess that through it all I am just an inveterate Star Wars fan.

If he builds it, I will come.


.....ok, a TV series or two is iffy, but a MOVIE!!?? I'll save space for it in the DVD carousel right now if a new movie is even rumored!!

Here ya go.

Now, if it's just 2.0 on the original theatrical release versions (and 5.1 on the THX rerelease version), that does raise a question--what was the top audio format at the time those movies came out? Was stereo in movie theatres the big thing then? (I don't know, I was just a wee little kid...) Maybe that's what it is because people demanded the original original.

Of course, the real question--will Star Wars have "Episode IV" at the beginning of the scroll?

Ok,...readin' about the flick is good. Goin' to your site, MiniRock; now that's bad!

......I've been there before!!

I won't go near there when the kids are anywhere near the computer monitor.

I won't go there if the wife; a Star Wars fan of the highest order, is in the house.

I won't go there cuz I'm weak!

That's right Ken. Fans wanted the original soundtrack, no "A New Hope", etc. Star Wars was the first movie to use Dolby Surround Sound (Sensurround, IIRC) also which is why it is in 2.0 only for the unaltered original.

In reply to:

---

Ok,...readin' about the flick is good. Goin' to your site, MiniRock; now that's bad!

......I've been there before!!

I won't go near there when the kids are anywhere near the computer monitor.

I won't go there if the wife; a Star Wars fan of the highest order, is in the house.

I won't go there cuz I'm weak!

---

Just bring'em over instead.

presumably a good way to watch it would be with DPLII, then.

Bring 'em over!? You ARE a crazy individual!!

Why if they got amongst all that stuff I'd never be able to get them to leave.......uh,

Wait a minute here,......hmmmmmmm.......

....never uh,...leave......

I, uh,

I'll get back with you on that.

Got me thinkin' about theaters, Ken.

The one where I originally watched Star Wars(wish I could remember if it had "A new hope" along with maybe ep IV or not)But the theater was a fairly new one and probably had a pretty good sound system for it's day, but our local home town show didn't. Wonder if they played it in simple stereo?

Don't know.....probably will never find out. Dang it was small; probably only sat maybe fifty folks.

Had two isles though.

Just one seat down the sides in the outer segments. Kids on dates never sat there.

Got to hand it to you Rock. That theater room looks fantastic.

In reply to:

---

presumably a good way to watch it would be with DPLII, then.

---

Or, in 2ch stereo.

In reply to:

---

Bring 'em over!? You ARE a crazy individual!!

Why if they got amongst all that stuff I'd never be able to get them to leave.......uh,

Wait a minute here,......hmmmmmmm.......

....never uh,...leave......

I, uh,

I'll get back with you on that.

---

No worries. I've got plenty of extra room for sleepovers.

In reply to:

---

Got to hand it to you Rock. That theater room looks fantastic.

---

Thank you Sir. As you know, HT and Star Wars are my passion, and I've always wanted a SW themed HT. I'm thankful I'm able to have one. There are some great pieces arriving soon too like a 1:1 Darth Maul bust (arriving on Wednesday) 1/4 scale General Grievous statue, and 1/4 scale Princess Leia statue; so, the room will look a little more "full" soon.

Ok; figured out how and when to let the family see your site:

For the kids: After two consecuitive Star War Marathons, and when they are ready and excited to go somewhere that they really really want to go, just before they go out the door and are absolutely chompin' at the bit to leave; then I'll spring it on 'em!!

For Momma; Right after getting home from the months' major grocery shopping trip, and right after the biggie bills are paid on-line. That's the time to show Her!!

Yeah, that should work....leave your site open, we may visit at any time!!
Rich.
..........and Family.

I don't see how there can be any benifit to wait for a next gen DVD (Hd/Blu-ray) of the org 3 Star Wars movies. These movies are 20-30 years old and frankly I don't see how they could come anywhere near looking better than 480 (current DVD). I watched Blade Runner today on my new HDTV and while I really enjoyed the movie, it didn't look too fantastic and I really didn't expect it to.

Will I buy the new/old versions? I don't know. I grew up with the originals, just as you guys did. And they were certainly magical. We used to have Star Wars marathons on snow days - fastforwarding to the cool parts, then going outside and recreating the Hoth battle in the snow... great times.

But since then, I think I've become too cerebral about the movies - wanting to know more and consume more.... The problem of course being that magic rarely holds up on close inspection. Very soon, you start to see the smoke and mirrors...

I am not sure if I like the older versions as much as the newr versions (some cringe-worthy edits aside - mostly done with new digital additions)...

The jury is still out on whether I will buy - though I probably will do so, just for the sake of being a completist.

One parting shot, though, that really chaps my ass - I remember a few years ago, when I signed the 'Original Trilogy on DVD' petition, the response from Lucas' camp was that these versions simply DIDN'T EXIST and that it would be impossible to put these on DVD, since the source fotoage was so far gone.... then, lo and behold, once the 6 movies are done, and the star wars train is slowing to a whimpering chug, what comes out of left field? That's right, the long lost footage that makes these versions possible. How convenient. I feel lied to and cheated, all so George can build add to his already Hearst-like wealth.

In reply to:

---

Will I buy the new/old versions? I don't know.
...snip...
How convenient. I feel lied to and cheated, all so George can build add to his already Hearst-like wealth.

---

Didn't you just answer your own question? Lucas has you by the balls. Break the chain! Escape the completist nightmare! Stand up and be recognized as an individual! Let someone else line Lucas's coffers with gold-plated latinum. Oh, wait....

In reply to:

---

I am not sure if I like the older versions as much as the newr versions (some cringe-worthy edits aside - mostly done with new digital additions)...

---

I hear ya. I can't remember when I last watched one of the unaltered originals on LD. I'll still wait for the HD or BluRay release of the whole saga in a set whether the unaltered originals are part of it or not. I saw Serenity on HD-DVD and the PQ blows 480p out of the water.

In reply to:

---

I saw Serenity on HD-DVD and the PQ blows 480p out of the water.

---

That movie was made last year... A New Hope is 30 years old, I doubt it could ever look as good as 480p can do.

I guess we'll see. I'll be checking out HD players this weekend.

In reply to:

---

That movie was made last year...A New Hope is 30 years old, I doubt it could ever look as good as 480p can do.

---

You might be surprised. Movie film resolution is usually 3000 lines.

In reply to:

---

You might be surprised. Movie film resolution is usually 3000 lines.

---

*blinks* Lines of what exactly?!?

Bren R.

In reply to:

---

*blinks* Lines of what exactly?!?

---

Ahh, THAT'S what film emulsion is made from!!!

That would explain Kevin Smith.

Bren R.

I like the German tagline, there.

"The stuff dreams are made of?" Didn't notice that 'til you pointed it out.

Bren R.

précisément

Here's a new bit of "insider info" on Crazy Unca George.

"Uh, yeah.. after I made the laserdiscs, I destroyed all the original movie footage... no, really, everything... so the best I can give you for the non-molested original 3 is some dubs of the laserdiscs... oh, and you'll have to buy them with the s**t-splattered ones I added awful CG to"

Un-believable.

Bren R.

["You took something I loved and bastardised my memory of it so often and in so many ways, that I've now moved past the stage of anger; simply put, I no longer care."]

I never cared. Still have not seen the new 3- second 3, whatever 3. Only cared for the First Star Wars when it was in the theater. Am I missing something?

Read any book by Robert Heinlien and you'll find a better story. Just my opinion, sorry if I offended anyone.

I was just about to post that Bren, thx for stealing my thunder.

Ya Lucas sux the big one. I loved Ep4/5/6 in their org format but I did love his remade sound on the remakes.

So like... whats the deal here. Isn't this the orginal 3 movies without the extra visual garbage? Says DD 5.1 EX... thought it was going to be DD 2.0.

Can anyone confirm that I'm looking at the right thing? Says (1977-1983)...

At the risk of being more confusing, I believe that the original originals (well, the Laserdisc transfers) were supposed to be included as "special additions" along with the rerelease of the remasters.

mkay... Ya that doesn't really clear much up here.



If that link (above) isn't the laserdisk transfers but is still without the addon's I'd be happy... plus DD EX sound.