Posted by
michael
on from the money-money-money-money-money-money dept.
twigstamc420 writes "USA Today is reporting that Lucasfilm has announced the details of releasing the Star Wars episodes IV through VI on DVD as well as a bonus DVD with commentary."
No, but there's good inteligence that clearly shows Alderaan had a stockpile of WMDs that it planned to give to the Rebel Alliance. The new DVD further points out that its government was an anti-democratic dictatorship by a royal family, and goes on to document its sentient-rights abuses which while largely decades in the past, still play a part in building a convincing case for a pre-emptive planetary destruction by the Emp - er - Coalition Forces.
Re:Some of the changes (possible spoilers)
by
TheGatekeeper
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
Lucas's revisionist history really does bother me as a geek. While I agree some of the added scenes do add to the movies, some of them are simply unacceptable. Greedo shooting first for example.
If they were offering the original movies on DVD, I'd jump at it. I don't know how I feel about this revisionist version, but it leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth.
--
'The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop for age,' -Hamá, the doorward
From the man who refuses to release original editions and continues to "rice" out his movies said this about movie purity:
"Star Wars" creator George Lucas, who testified with Steven Spielberg before Congress in the 1980s against colorization and other forms of alteration, said the process yanks such slapstick performers as the Stooges out of the black-and-white universe they belong in.
George needed the extra time to think of new and horrible ways to re-edit our childhood. Good thing too, I hadn't quite had all my dreams shattered yet.
Re:Now that does not make sense?
by
Anonymous Coward
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
the theory is that when a jedi dies he comes back in his purest form..so yoda and obi wan come back as they were when they died, but anakin returns as he was before he went to the dark side
Re:Some of the changes (possible spoilers)
by
Aero+Leviathan
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
I saw on some interview that the minor dialogue changes weren't even intentional; when they were remastering the film for 1997, they sometimes had to use different takes that hadn't deteriorated as much (or so they say). They claim they didn't even realise they had changed any of the dialogue until diehard fans started complaining... ^_~
-- ~ Aero
Actually...
by
EvilCabbage
·
· Score: 5, Informative
Jabba didn't meet up with Han before Han took off (and certainly not the significantly older looking version of Han that you see in this scene). Etc. Etc.
Han did meet Jabba in the original cut, the scene was pulled from theatrical release though. Jabba was originally a dumpy irish fellow dressed in fur and leather.
If you're going to bitch about scene changes, at least have the facts my friend.
Uh... "the significantly older version of Han" was filmed with the original movie, and a stand-in (a fat guy wearing some sort of fur outfit, looked kinda like Cyrano Jones from The Trouble With Tribbles) for Jabba, that George originally planned to replace with a stop motion Hut.
When that plan didn't work out (didn't have the time/budget/tech to do it convincingly) they added the Greedo scene to pass on the same information about Han's difficulties with the local smugglar king, which is why the conversation with Jabba is essentially the same as the conversation with Greedo.
I'll stick to my LaserDiscs....
by
elberserko
·
· Score: 5, Informative
The only true way to see the original theatrical versions of the trilogy is to get the laserdiscs. Not only does it look and sound better than the VHS but If you get the right ones, they are widescreen, which no VHS copy of the "original theatrical" versions have to the best of my knowledge.
Sorry people
by
Neo-Rio-101
·
· Score: 5, Informative
If you RTFA, you see this:-
The controversy. The versions of Lucas' beloved films that are on these new DVDs are not the original theatrical releases but the special editions that played in theaters in 1997. Rumor have circulated about additional changes, but Ward would not deny or confirm them. "We want to encourage our fans to check them out themselves."
--
READY.
PRINT ""+-0
To point out the obvious (not a conspiracy theory)
by
kamapuaa
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
George Lucas is about making money, not about establishing or preserving legacies or whatever. I just have to believe that he'll release these DVDs, claim they're the only official release ever, and wait for every nerd to buy them, even though they grumble about it being the revised version.
Only then, after the DVD saled have slowed down, will he decide to relent, release the original movies on DVD, and snap up the profits from nerds re-purchasing the DVDs of the original movie.
Kind of the inverse of Lord of the Rings DVD strategy - Lucas realizes if he releases the original versions first, nobody will buy the revised versions later.
-- Slashdot: providing anti-social weirdos a soapbox, since 1997.
Re:Some of the changes (possible spoilers)
by
wass
·
· Score: 5, Funny
Isn't he also changing the name to 'The Gathering Shadow' and making the following the scrolling introduction:
It is a time of uncertainty. The empire's ambiguous tariff statutes mandate close reexamination of galactic import quotas. Interim Princess Agoomba has co-chaired a subcommittee to draft amendments to existing trade policies
Meanwhile, regulatory agencies are being heavily lobbied by a consortium of mercantile interest groups and their suppliers to streamline loading restrictions for class C cargo vessels. The shipping...
Re:Some of the changes (possible spoilers)
by
Waffle+Iron
·
· Score: 5, Funny
If they were offering the original movies on DVD, I'd jump at it. I don't know how I feel about this revisionist version, but it leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth.
I have altered the film. Pray I don't alter it any further.
-GL
They changed it? you mean
by
commodoresloat
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
"These aren't the DVDs you're looking for."
Re:hopefulness
by
Jugalator
·
· Score: 5, Informative
Or the part where Luke shouts "Carrie!" instead of "Leia!" at the end of Ep IV. Fun stuff like that should definitely be left in.
From IMDb...
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: It is frequently claimed that upon returning to the Rebel base after destroying the Death Star, Luke exclaims, "Carrie!" when he hears Leia (Carrie Fisher) call "Luke!" Sound designer Ben Burtt has confirmed that, after extensive listening, it appears to be "Hey" or "Yay"; 'Mark Hamill' reports that he said, "Hey! There she is!" but mumbled the last word.
-- Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
I haven't seen anyone mention this yet.
by
cheetah
·
· Score: 5, Informative
But there is a longtime petition site to get the original movies put on Dvd. http://www.originaltrilogy.com/ Check it out...
Absolutely correct; however...
by
Stealth+Potato
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
the theory is that when a jedi dies he comes back in his purest form
Which is exactly what would make the appearance of an 'old' Anakin in ghostly form all the more poignant. If the whole series is indeed the story of Anakin Skywalker, then is not the very consummation at the point where Darth Vader is finally turned by love for his son? Indeed, it is only then, and never before, that Anakin could truly be said to be pure; it was his final redemption before his death - his son saved him.
Re:Some of the changes (possible spoilers)
by
DarkHelmet
·
· Score: 5, Funny
I think George Lucas sees Star Wars as a mock autobiography of his life, with himself playing Darth Vader. At first, he used to be on the good side of the force. But then he became corrupt with the evils of money, and became more a machine now, twisted and evil.
-- /^[A-Z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Z0-9.-]+\.[A-Z]{2,4}$/i
the futility of protest
by
gad_zuki!
·
· Score: 5, Funny
I really hope DVDs/SVCDs of the laserdisc version get pushed on popular bittorrent and p2p networks the day this comes out. I'd love to read news articles and talking heads on the news trying to figure this out.
*two local tv anchors on location at a suncoast DVD retailer observing the long line*
"Well Jane, it seems this is one of the most pirated movies in history."
"Yes Tom, the online world has never been shy about co-opting releases."
"True, except they're pirating the version sold in the 80s from something called a 'laserdisc.'"
*confusion ensues as a pasty skined geek grabs Jane's mic*
Fan: "Greedo does NOT shoot first!!!"
*security hauls the fan away*
"What was that about?"
"No idea. What's a greedo? *pause* Don't worry folks he's getting the help he needs."
*back on Skywalker Ranch*
Fan has eyes clipped open while a projector plays the Greedo scene endlessly before him and a small crowd tied to their chairs in a small theater. A tear run downs his cheek as he quietly, in unison with the rest, whispers, "Greedo shoots first. Greedo shoots first. Greedo shoots first."
Re:Some of the changes (possible spoilers)
by
TomServo
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
I enjoyed the star wars films, and while I'm not a huge star wars fan, I was most likely going to pick these up.
Then I read the same bit you quoted.
That's crap. They're complaining in the article that they're not the highest forecasted sellers for this holiday season because it's $70, and blaming it on that. Maybe it has something to do with:
a) not releasing the original versions, the ones that everyone really wants to see and b) telling them to pay $70, yet refusing to tell them what they're actually getting, so they can "check them out for themselves."
When I buy a DVD, I damn well want to know what I'm getting. Extras are beyond that, but I want to know that the movie I'm buying is the movie that I've seen previously and enjoyed.
LotR is one thing. They have additional scenes on the super fancy-pants versions. But they don't go changing the scenes you've already watched. LotR gave extras that we hadn't seen, ones that we can skip easily with the remote if we decide we don't like them, or even purchase the version that's identical to the theatrical release. With this, we STILL can't buy the theatrical release, and we don't even know if they're changing what we saw in the re-release. That's absolutely ridiculous.
However, given the way that LucasFilm has treated its fans, give it 3-4 years. We'll have the originals, untouched, on DVD, as a super special bonus edition at $90 just to bleed a little more out of those that bought this set. It makes me sad, I remember loving these movies as a kid. However, as a principle, I feel like buying any of these versions now gives LucasFilm validation to fuck with me and take every possible dollar they can out of my wallet. Screw 'em. I like the movies a lot, but they're not my favorites.
I'll miss 'em, but they're not good enough to bend over for.
My George Lucas moment
by
sdo1
·
· Score: 5, Funny
My four year old gave me a piece of artwork, which was a mess, but great (if you have kids, you'd understand). But the next day he wanted to take it back to make some changes and additions. I accused him of being like George Lucas. He cried.
Does that make me a bad parent?
-S
-- ---
What parts of "shall make no law", "shall not be infringed", and "shall not be violated" don't you understand?
Re:My George Lucas moment
by
EmagGeek
·
· Score: 5, Funny
No, it means you have one really smart kid, who, at the ripe age of 4, can already make the connection that to be associated with George Lucas in any way is a Bad Thing(TM).
Slashdot Mirror
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Oh wait...wrong forum. Nothing to see here...move along...
I hear that in this version Alderaan shoots first.
Let's hope Episode III is good..
Buh, Buh, Missa no wan to die!
"I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of geeks suddenly cried out in glee and were suddenly silenced."
Join the TWIT army now!
Lucas's revisionist history really does bother me as a geek. While I agree some of the added scenes do add to the movies, some of them are simply unacceptable. Greedo shooting first for example.
If they were offering the original movies on DVD, I'd jump at it. I don't know how I feel about this revisionist version, but it leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth.
'The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop for age,' -Hamá, the doorward
Bel, the mostly sane.. "Of course I can't see anything! I'm standing on the shoulders of idiots." -- Me
What took so long?
George needed the extra time to think of new and horrible ways to re-edit our childhood. Good thing too, I hadn't quite had all my dreams shattered yet.
the theory is that when a jedi dies he comes back in his purest form..so yoda and obi wan come back as they were when they died, but anakin returns as he was before he went to the dark side
I saw on some interview that the minor dialogue changes weren't even intentional; when they were remastering the film for 1997, they sometimes had to use different takes that hadn't deteriorated as much (or so they say). They claim they didn't even realise they had changed any of the dialogue until diehard fans started complaining... ^_~
~ Aero
Jabba didn't meet up with Han before Han took off (and certainly not the significantly older looking version of Han that you see in this scene). Etc. Etc. Han did meet Jabba in the original cut, the scene was pulled from theatrical release though. Jabba was originally a dumpy irish fellow dressed in fur and leather.
If you're going to bitch about scene changes, at least have the facts my friend.
Uh... "the significantly older version of Han" was filmed with the original movie, and a stand-in (a fat guy wearing some sort of fur outfit, looked kinda like Cyrano Jones from The Trouble With Tribbles) for Jabba, that George originally planned to replace with a stop motion Hut.
When that plan didn't work out (didn't have the time/budget/tech to do it convincingly) they added the Greedo scene to pass on the same information about Han's difficulties with the local smugglar king, which is why the conversation with Jabba is essentially the same as the conversation with Greedo.
The only true way to see the original theatrical versions of the trilogy is to get the laserdiscs. Not only does it look and sound better than the VHS but If you get the right ones, they are widescreen, which no VHS copy of the "original theatrical" versions have to the best of my knowledge.
If you RTFA, you see this:-
The controversy. The versions of Lucas' beloved films that are on these new DVDs are not the original theatrical releases but the special editions that played in theaters in 1997. Rumor have circulated about additional changes, but Ward would not deny or confirm them. "We want to encourage our fans to check them out themselves."
READY.
PRINT ""+-0
Only then, after the DVD saled have slowed down, will he decide to relent, release the original movies on DVD, and snap up the profits from nerds re-purchasing the DVDs of the original movie.
Kind of the inverse of Lord of the Rings DVD strategy - Lucas realizes if he releases the original versions first, nobody will buy the revised versions later.
Slashdot: providing anti-social weirdos a soapbox, since 1997.
Heres a part where i rake in some money.
Ooh, heres another million... selling out, selling out, cashing in, nother million.
Money. Money, money.
Is anyone still watching this? suckers.
-George Lucas
Han shoots first?
If he does, I'm not buying them, period.
Er, we WANT Han to shoot first.
Oh wait, director mixup, that was Randall Curtis.
make world, not war
I have altered the film. Pray I don't alter it any further.
-GL
"These aren't the DVDs you're looking for."
Or the part where Luke shouts "Carrie!" instead of "Leia!" at the end of Ep IV. Fun stuff like that should definitely be left in.
From IMDb...
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: It is frequently claimed that upon returning to the Rebel base after destroying the Death Star, Luke exclaims, "Carrie!" when he hears Leia (Carrie Fisher) call "Luke!" Sound designer Ben Burtt has confirmed that, after extensive listening, it appears to be "Hey" or "Yay"; 'Mark Hamill' reports that he said, "Hey! There she is!" but mumbled the last word.
Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
But there is a longtime petition site to get the original movies put on Dvd. http://www.originaltrilogy.com/ Check it out...
the theory is that when a jedi dies he comes back in his purest form
Which is exactly what would make the appearance of an 'old' Anakin in ghostly form all the more poignant. If the whole series is indeed the story of Anakin Skywalker, then is not the very consummation at the point where Darth Vader is finally turned by love for his son? Indeed, it is only then, and never before, that Anakin could truly be said to be pure; it was his final redemption before his death - his son saved him.
I think George Lucas sees Star Wars as a mock autobiography of his life, with himself playing Darth Vader. At first, he used to be on the good side of the force. But then he became corrupt with the evils of money, and became more a machine now, twisted and evil.
/^[A-Z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Z0-9.-]+\.[A-Z]{2,4}$/i
I really hope DVDs/SVCDs of the laserdisc version get pushed on popular bittorrent and p2p networks the day this comes out. I'd love to read news articles and talking heads on the news trying to figure this out.
*two local tv anchors on location at a suncoast DVD retailer observing the long line*
"Well Jane, it seems this is one of the most pirated movies in history."
"Yes Tom, the online world has never been shy about co-opting releases."
"True, except they're pirating the version sold in the 80s from something called a 'laserdisc.'"
*confusion ensues as a pasty skined geek grabs Jane's mic*
Fan: "Greedo does NOT shoot first!!!"
*security hauls the fan away*
"What was that about?"
"No idea. What's a greedo? *pause* Don't worry folks he's getting the help he needs."
*back on Skywalker Ranch*
Fan has eyes clipped open while a projector plays the Greedo scene endlessly before him and a small crowd tied to their chairs in a small theater. A tear run downs his cheek as he quietly, in unison with the rest, whispers, "Greedo shoots first. Greedo shoots first. Greedo shoots first."
I enjoyed the star wars films, and while I'm not a huge star wars fan, I was most likely going to pick these up.
Then I read the same bit you quoted.
That's crap. They're complaining in the article that they're not the highest forecasted sellers for this holiday season because it's $70, and blaming it on that. Maybe it has something to do with:
a) not releasing the original versions, the ones that everyone really wants to see and
b) telling them to pay $70, yet refusing to tell them what they're actually getting, so they can "check them out for themselves."
When I buy a DVD, I damn well want to know what I'm getting. Extras are beyond that, but I want to know that the movie I'm buying is the movie that I've seen previously and enjoyed.
LotR is one thing. They have additional scenes on the super fancy-pants versions. But they don't go changing the scenes you've already watched. LotR gave extras that we hadn't seen, ones that we can skip easily with the remote if we decide we don't like them, or even purchase the version that's identical to the theatrical release. With this, we STILL can't buy the theatrical release, and we don't even know if they're changing what we saw in the re-release. That's absolutely ridiculous.
However, given the way that LucasFilm has treated its fans, give it 3-4 years. We'll have the originals, untouched, on DVD, as a super special bonus edition at $90 just to bleed a little more out of those that bought this set. It makes me sad, I remember loving these movies as a kid. However, as a principle, I feel like buying any of these versions now gives LucasFilm validation to fuck with me and take every possible dollar they can out of my wallet. Screw 'em. I like the movies a lot, but they're not my favorites.
I'll miss 'em, but they're not good enough to bend over for.
My four year old gave me a piece of artwork, which was a mess, but great (if you have kids, you'd understand). But the next day he wanted to take it back to make some changes and additions. I accused him of being like George Lucas. He cried.
Does that make me a bad parent?
-S
--- What parts of "shall make no law", "shall not be infringed", and "shall not be violated" don't you understand?
I hear him saying "Paul is dead, miss him, miss him." But then that is from the White Laser Disk.