Over the years, the original Star Wars films have been subject to many changes and additions. According to Lucas, the original cuts have been lost to time. Well, sorry George. We the fans cannot let that happen. This is the story of how the fans saved Star Wars.
This is Part I in a new series I’m creating documenting the fan preservation of the Theatrical Cuts of Star Wars. This episode focuses on Laserdisc Bootlegs.
This bought back some memories. I remember downloading the TR47 bootlegs which were really good copies for the time.
Starcade@sfba.social 3 days ago
@UKFilmNerd
Lost to time?? I find that hard to believe. I can't imagine the original versions not being archived somewhere. It's not like it's an obscure film that didn't have a fan base. Surely there's a print out there.
Would happily buy the original versions again if they were ever made available.
UKFilmNerd@feddit.uk 3 days ago
There’s a very dedicated team of fans who have bought, or been lent, cinema reels of the original Star Wars trilogy.
It’s taken them years to scan it in, frame by frame and to correct the colour and repair the picture.
They’re considered the gold standard. Search for 4K77, 4K80 and 4K83.
I remember interviews with Lucas and I think Rick MacCallum that said the original Star Wars negative was used to create the Special Editions.
The Library of Congress definitely has a print of Star Wars that was submitted in 1978. I think they also have Empire and Jedi but I’m not sure if they are the original editions.
Emperor@feddit.uk 3 days ago
My understanding is they have original copies stored but these are for legal/archival purposes and are not available to the public.
zeratul@feddit.uk 3 days ago
I think Lucas has copies in his archive as well as copies of the holiday special. However he wont let them ever be released again as he prefers the latest cuts.
(Carrie Fisher dis has the only copy of the official Holiday Special as she got a copy off him)
UKFilmNerd@feddit.uk 3 days ago
Lucas is known to be pack rat, he keeps everything. Did you know there’s a version of Star Wars that doesn’t use bluescreen for the travelling shots.
They tried using rear protection, think 70s TV shows when two people were travelling in a car and chatting, for Luke talking while driving his land speeder and possibly the shots in the falcon cockpit.
He’s got all this stuff and more. Every time there’s a new Star Wars documentary from Lucasfilm, it’s amazing seeing new behind the scenes footage even after all this time.
There’s deleted scenes from Indiana Jones films that have never seen the light of day for example.
Starcade@sfba.social 3 days ago
@zeratul @UKFilmNerd
Yeah, I can believe that Lucas himself doesn't want to release the original versions. They are, however, in my opinion of historical significance. They should be preserved.
I do have the original versions myself in a format that I can no longer watch. VHS.
One day, I'm hopeful the original versions will be made available again.