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Original 1977 Star Wars 35mm Print Has Been Restored and Released Online (arstechnica.com)
AmiMoJo writes: A restored HD version of the original Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 35mm print has appeared online. While this isn't the first time that attempts have been made to restore Star Wars to its original theatrical version—that's the one without the much-maligned CGI effects and edits of later 'special' editions—it is the first to have been based entirely on a single 35mm print of the film, rather than cut together from various sources. The group behind the release, dubbed Team Negative 1, is made up of Star Wars fans and enthusiasts who spent thousands of dollars of their own cash to restore the film without the blessing of creator George Lucus, or franchise owner Disney.
Here's hoping they can do this with Empire and Jedi, too.
It may have been billed purely as "Star Wars" but I can remember being puzzled as I sat in the cinema over the fact that the scrolling text at the start was titled "Episode IV: A New Hope". Why haven't I heard of episodes I, II and III, I wondered.
Now I'm nearly 40 years older and wish I had never heard of episodes I, II and III.
I was 8 years old in 1977 and there were precious few members of my conservative rural school class who hadn't seen the movie in the theater by the end of the year. Violence, tame by today's standards, was the only thing giving it a PG rating, and once word got around, everybody went to see it.
Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K.
I know Lucas, then Disney seem hell-bent on releasing "new" versions of these films every few years. What I want, and would pay dearly for, is a DVD Trilogy set (no flames; I just don't do Blu-Ray) where the first thing you get is a list of checkboxes.
These control the edits. Want original empty Mos Eisley streets + Han shoots first^wonly + CGI hangar Jabba + Ghost Hayden? Knock yourself out.
Defending IP by destroying access to it? That makes sense, RIAA/MPAA. Go to the corner until you can play nice!