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El-Kabong 09-17-03 08:16 PM


Originally posted by RoboDad
There are people who have no desire to own or watch the extended cut of the film, and there are other people who have no desire to own or watch the theatrical cut on DVD. Why should these people be forced to spend extra cash for something they don't want or need, just to be able to get what they do want? A single mega-set that included all of the extras from both existing sets, and both cuts of the film, would probably have an MSRP of $50 or more. The overwhelming majority of people simply wouldn't buy it.
Which gets back to the other way you could do the set I suggested: put the cutting room floor scenes in the extras portion of the disc (and go with the branching option). There is simply no need for two cuts of the same movie.


It is interesting that you mention Brazil as your example of how to do it right, when the 3-disc version of Brazil WAS A DOUBLE-DIP!
Yeah, but the non-criterion version came out well after the 3 disc set did.

Ian11 09-17-03 09:31 PM


Originally posted by El-Kabong
Which gets back to the other way you could do the set I suggested: put the cutting room floor scenes in the extras portion of the disc (and go with the branching option). There is simply no need for two cuts of the same movie.


The set would still be more expensive than most DVD consumers would want to spend. There are a lot of people who either prefer the theatrical version or have no interest in seeing the EE. There would be greater resentment if they thought they had to pay for something they did not want; more scenes and long documentaries. And the Brazil Criterion Edition is a very expensive set. NewLine kept the price of the superb EE (voted best DVD package of the year by almost everyone) very reasonable and they even added a TTT ticket which I did use for an evening show ($9.00 value) :D

And I don't consider them "cutting room floor scenes". I believe the EE is the way PJ really wants them but he was either contractually obligated to limit the movie under 3 hours or understood the realities of releasing a movie over 3 hours in today's multiplexes. And so there was a "need" for two cuts of the same movie. One for Non-Tolkien fans and one for Tolkien fans. Branching scenes would cheapen the experience for us Tolkien fans.


I think the success of LOTR is what fuels a lot of resentment whether its the DVD package or the changes from the book.

milo bloom 09-17-03 09:35 PM

You know, when I was buying the FOTR theatrical cut a while back, I noticed while in line that the back of the case noted the upcoming Extended Edition. "Great," I thought, "only the most pig head, stubborn mules will have a problem with the two editions now."

Sigh.

You know, this is only a hobby. This isn't like say, the medical industry intentionally releasing a weaker version of a drug, then coming out several months later with the better version that they had all along. That's punishable by roshambo. DVDs? This is nothing.

Jackskeleton 09-17-03 09:41 PM

When you have folks crying bloody hell because their dvd had no insert, what could you expect from them when a double dip happens? ;)

ZackR 09-17-03 09:44 PM

The original versions DO exist. At the time of the SE's theatrical release, it was said that they had to go back and completely clean up the original negatives. Did they then destroy them? No way. They used them to create the SE's. Anyways, I am sure they exist. Now, whether Lucas will release them or not, I don't know. But...Spielberg ended up giving us the theatrical version of E.T. along with his "final vision." I think there is hope that the ORIGINAL original trilogy will be released. I am not holding my breath, but you never know. I would be absolutely thrilled to see them released next year though.

Rogue588 09-17-03 10:23 PM

so wait...

Lucas put double dipping hobbits from Brazil in the original Star Wars movie..? :hscratch:

LUCAS...you BASTARD!!!!!!!

El-Kabong 09-17-03 10:30 PM


Originally posted by milo bloom
You know, this is only a hobby. This isn't like say, the medical industry intentionally releasing a weaker version of a drug, then coming out several months later with the better version that they had all along. That's punishable by roshambo. DVDs? This is nothing.
Personaly, I hated Rings so I couldnt care less how many versions of it come out 1, 3 , 400 - I'm not getting any of them, so it doesnt matter to me.

However - we seem to have veered wildly off topic.

I think that the marketing model for Rings blows, and the user shouldnt get the shaft as many times as they are for the complete package.

dvdbase 09-17-03 11:26 PM


Originally posted by El-Kabong
The other thing people are throwing about is that "They should know that two editions are planned." completly forgetting that we are an amazingly small demographic of well informed consumers. The average man on the street does not spend nearly the amount of time we do researching movies. The BEST he'll get is the "Coming Soon" board at blockbuster. In short, this is hardly someone who will know that the second disc is on it's way.

We're the excption, not the rule.

I fail to see how that makes the Rings marketing model a bad thing. If J6P doesn't want to be a smart consumer, there's only one person he can blame. I research everything I buy. Twice. And then I still hem and haw on how I want to spend my hard earned money.

In a time where double dipping is normal and frequent, it amazes me that some one would have a problem with NL/PJ's marketing strategy. How can 'having a choice' be a bad thing?

Ian11 09-18-03 12:22 AM


Originally posted by El-Kabong
Personaly, I hated Rings so I couldnt care less how many versions of it come out 1, 3 , 400 - I'm not getting any of them, so it doesnt matter to me.

However - we seem to have veered wildly off topic.

I think that the marketing model for Rings blows, and the user shouldnt get the shaft as many times as they are for the complete package.


Fine you don't care for LOTR the movies but you still end with a swipe at their "marketing model" so that's what we're talking about; not the movie itself.

You previously put up Brazil as an example. But with that movie I either have to decide between a bare bones substandard transfer or a mega-box set priced at $50-$60. Silence of the Lambs had a bare bones, Criterion, and a Special Edition. Fargo also had 3 incarnations. So has Leon (The Professional). So has Lawrence of Arabia. And countless others of the same movie. With The Godfather movies the studios pretty much force fans to buy all 3. Same with Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, and quite possibly Star Wars Episodes 4-6. These are the "marketing models" that deserve more scrutiny from us.

NewLine and PJ is offering two very different versions of his films and packed both with more extras than avg. It isn't even a clear case of double dipping because its not the same exact movie with cooler packaging. Some analogies: One is an abridged version and the other is the unadridged and complete "text". One is the radio friendly version and one is the album version of a song. And something we all understand, one is the full screen version and the other is the "widescreen" version. Like others have said NewLine/PJ is giving consumers a choice.

Perhaps they could have made awareness even more transparent so it would satisfy YOU but I find little for consumers to gripe about. The LOTR DVD's have been highly praised by critics and consumers alike for delivering DVD packages that are setting industry standards. Consumers are getting their "money's worth" whichever version they get.

Terrell 09-18-03 06:33 AM


And if "Luca$" had done the exact same thing, the same people who gleefuly bought the Rings double dip would be screaming for blood and rioting in the streets.
You are exactly right. The fact remains New Line and Peter Jackson put out no fewer than 3 seperated releases in a span of 4 months. 5 sets total for both films. Yet they get praised. Can you imagine what the people that are defending this would say if Lucas had done the same thing? They'd scream bloody murder.


There is no overlap of material from either releases.
That's one thing a lot of people complain about when there is a re-release. They put new material on the re-release to get people to spend the money again. You can defend it all you want. The fact is they put out a 2-disc set that with mediocre extras and loaded up the 4-disc set with a ton of great extras. Gee, I wonder why? To get you to spend your money twice. At least Lucas waited years before re-releasing new sets. I think anyone with a shred of fairness can say that Lucas so far has gone about releasing DVDs of the prequels the right way.

At the end of the day, releasing 3 different sets in the span of 4 months, is down right idiotic and is nothing more than an attempt to milk the hell out of fan's wallets. They may be great DVD sets, that still doesn't change the facts.


It isn't even a clear case of double dipping because its not the same exact movie with cooler packaging.
It is and you good and damn well know it. 3 seperate releases in 4 months is double-dipping like crazy.


One is an abridged version and the other is the unadridged and complete "text". One is the radio friendly version and one is the album version of a song. And something we all understand, one is the full screen version and the other is the "widescreen" version. Like others have said NewLine/PJ is giving consumers a choice.
BS! The P&S release was seperate from the widescreen 2 and 4 disc sets. :lol: I love how when Peter Jackson puts out a P&S version, he's just giving us a choice. Yet when a P&S version of Episode I gets released, Lucas gets called a name. Talk about warped thinking.


The LOTR DVD's have been highly praised by critics and consumers alike for delivering DVD packages that are setting industry standards. Consumers are getting their "money's worth" whichever version they get.
So have the Star Wars DVDs, and Lucas gave us better extras than the LOTR 2-disc sets have. Plus, he didn't put out 3 releases within a span of 4 months.

In the end, how about a little frickin' fairness is all. 3 releases in 4 months is idiotic, I don't care how good they are.

dvdbase 09-18-03 07:54 AM


Originally posted by Terrell
You are exactly right. The fact remains New Line and Peter Jackson put out no fewer than 3 seperated releases in a span of 4 months. 5 sets total for both films. Yet they get praised. Can you imagine what the people that are defending this would say if Lucas had done the same thing? They'd scream bloody murder.


On the contary, if Lucas had announced ahead of time that there would be two different versions, I think people would be fine with it. You forgot one obvious difference between LOTR and the new SW movies. General consensus seems to be that the new Star Wars movies suck. -ohbfrank-

Let's apply this to the old trilogy. If Lucas offers two versions (the original theatrical cut, and his new special abominations), I'm sure (most) fans would be fine with it. Especially if he announces both before the first one is released.

wlmowery 09-18-03 09:21 AM

Well, Terrell, you're being a little disingenious in your argument. It was TWO release, one of which was split into WS/FS options. By your logic, Lucas did put out TWO releases on the same day? :o How could he???

This gripping on the NL/LOTR release pattern is idiotic to an extreme. Market economies are based on choice. Give the consumer the choice and let them test the model. I would hazard a good guess that 75%-85% of the relevant market are satisfied with the market strategy used in the DVD release of LOTR. A number which cannot be claimed by many studios.

And as for seamless branching for an option, it was logistically impossible given the extent of changes made to FOTR. With an additional 30+ minutes of footage PLUS completely rearranged scene orders and score/soundtrack elements releasing the film using seamless branching would have been a near impossibility, not to mention the large segment of DVD players in current use tend to choke on heavy branching titles.

I personally applaud NL for the method chosen and for informing consumers in advance of the release schedule allowing for maximum consumer choice.

El-Kabong 09-18-03 09:29 AM


Originally posted by Terrell
BS! The P&S release was seperate from the widescreen 2 and 4 disc sets. :lol: I love how when Peter Jackson puts out a P&S version, he's just giving us a choice. Yet when a P&S version of Episode I gets released, Lucas gets called a name. Talk about warped thinking.
Well, it's all about this forum's double standard. Anything Lucas does - no matter how logical - is instantly attributed to the man's Shameless and Naked Greed, while everything Jackson does (no matter how obviously designed to maximized his profits) people fall to their knees and instantly worship the ground he walks upon.

Lucas is in a no win situation. If he sits on the old trilogy because he wants to put out the best possible DVD set he can and doesn't want to double dip - he gets slammed for not delivering the movies, and people start threatening to buy bootlegs. "They're OUR movies, so we should have them NOW!" people shout.

If he releases multiple sets (like the 3 or 4 laserdisc sets - all of which were legitimate upgrades when consumer technology made significant advances), he gets accused of the Double Dip, and being a greedy marketing whore who loves money over the fans or the art.

KBDVD 09-18-03 09:49 AM

Hi,

I've one observation to make, and it's about the criticism of the LOTR releases, (as this seems to be deemed "on-thread").

A point that all the critics of this release strategy have so far failed to address is this: Who would have wanted to wait until November each year for a "definitive" 5/6 disc release of each movie? I can but imagine the outrage that a full 11 month wait for each chapter to appear on DVD would have created!

It must however be pretty obvious to all but the most naieve, stupid, jadded or just plain blinkered individuals that a full 11 month time span has been required to fully post-produce and complete the expansive extras on the EE discs, not to mention re-editing and re-scoring 40+ minutes of footage back into each feature and completing any CGI work that was not finished for the theatrical release of each movie. All of this has also had to be achieved while concurrently working on the next theatrical chapter with all of the obvious pressure to bring this in "on time & within budget". I'd like to see George Lucas commit to the workload and punishing schedule that PJ has for the past 5 years, (GL seems to need a three year gap in order to just think up fresh dialogue, and this "STILL" ends up stinking of ripe gorgonzola!)

Given the above, surely NL/PJ have tried to give the general public a basic release that will satisfy them in an "acceptable" 8 month release window, containing as they do, only materials that were already in existance (Theatrical Release Print / Trailers / Internet features) at the time of each chapters theatrical run. While at the same time, letting all who may wish to wait know that a Extended Edition will subsequently become available!

I never cease to be amazed that people don't credit New Line with more praise for this entire endeavour!

The fact that this ambitious & audacious trilogy of movies was sanctioned at great expense and with much foresight in the first place by New Line is nothing short of miraculous.

The freedom that has been extended to Peter Jackson to develop his "vision" of Middle Earth has been revolutionary.

The clearly communicated long-term strategy for the DVD release of the trilogy is worthy of much praise indeed. As has been said, we were all made aware from the very first announcement of the FOTR DVD's that the 2 disc theatrical release would be followed by a 4 disc extended version & that the same would apply to the next two chapters.

I have bought both versions of the FOTR & shall indeed do the same for the next two instalments, and I don't feel in the slightest bit "ripped off".

In these days of frequent "double dipping" by the studios, when special editions are only announced a few months after we have all spent our hard earned cash on the standard version of a disc, New Lines approach to this series of films has been a revelation.

Anyone who thinks this is "double dipping" is quite frankly PLAIN WRONG! WELL DONE & THANK YOU NEW LINE.

Best Regards,
KBDVD.

El-Kabong 09-18-03 10:12 AM


Originally posted by KBDVD
I'd like to see George Lucas commit to the workload and punishing schedule that PJ has for the past 5 years, (GL seems to need a three year gap in order to just think up fresh dialogue, and this STILL ends up stinking of rip gorgonzola!)
*Ignoring off topic and frankly stupid slam of E1-3*

Clearly you know nothing about the Star Wars pre-production schedule. Aside from a couple of weeks after the release of each movie, Lucas goes all out balls to the wall on the next SW film. It was like that for the first three - which burned him out after Jedi, which is one factor why it took 16 years for the next film - and it's been like that for the new trilogy. The reason we don't have Wars out on disc now is because Lucas is so busy with the new movies.

Lets see Jackson maintain *THAT* kind of pace. 5 years of back to back filming and editing? Try dedicating EIGHTEEN years to making 6 movies.

Compared to that, Jackson is a n00b.

**OFF TOPIC**
All you people who say the new trilogy sucks. I've got 310,676,740 reasons that say you are wrong. If it sucked SO bad, then why did Attack of the Clones make that kind of money, hmmm? And this is after people 'learned their lesson' with Phantom Menace.

Somebody must be buying these tickets.



Anyone who thinks this is "double dipping" is quite frankly PLAIN WRONG!

And anyone who doesn't see this as a double dip has deluded themselves.

digitalfreaknyc 09-18-03 10:24 AM


Originally posted by El-Kabong


And anyone who doesn't see this as a double dip has deluded themselves.

And as someone who has bought the entire trilogy over 8 times on various formats...i'll be the first to say *I* don't give a shit.

trigun 09-18-03 10:27 AM

PJ: Says LOTR theatrical releases should be preserved.

GL: Says SW theatrical releases no longer exist.

Nuff said.

sracer 09-18-03 10:34 AM


Originally posted by El-Kabong
*Ignoring off topic and frankly stupid slam of E1-3*

Clearly you know nothing about the Star Wars pre-production schedule.

And unless you are Lucas' intern assistant, you don't know either. :)


Originally posted by El-Kabong
All you people who say the new trilogy sucks. I've got 310,676,740 reasons that say you are wrong. If it sucked SO bad, then why did Attack of the Clones make that kind of money, hmmm? And this is after people 'learned their lesson' with Phantom Menace.

Somebody must be buying these tickets.

If green is my favorite color, it isn't invalidated by the fact that 100 people have blue as their favorite color. Green is still my favorite color.



Originally posted by El-Kabong
And anyone who doesn't see this as a double dip has deluded themselves.
what is your definition of "double dip"?

(edit to add: )
My definition of "Double dip" is the act of a studio releasing a DVD of a film and then releasing a version with more features without providing consumers with the information of that the subsequent release at the time of the initial release.

KBDVD 09-18-03 10:39 AM


Lucas is in a no win situation. If he sits on the old trilogy because he wants to put out the best possible DVD set he can and doesn't want to double dip - he gets slammed for not delivering the movies.
>>>>>>>>> "IF" BEING THE KEY WORD!<<<<<<<<<<<


"Good Ol" benevolent George!.... yeah right!...... this is the same George Lucas who almost single handedly invented the phrase "Movie Franchise" and has bankrolled his entire existance on the basis of selling his movies as a complete package where the actual film is but a tiny almost incidental part of the money making package! Your defence might wash with many other Producers / Directors but for George? ..... gimme a break!

George Lucas / Fox have never seem'd to have a problem with "double dipping" in the past! I've lost count of how many VHS & Laserdisc editions of the trilogy have been released!

The point is George Lucas owes it to the millions of people who have already bought copies of the original versions of the trilogy on the inferior mediums that existed before DVD, to now give them the opportunity to upgrade to a DVD copy! This he should do through a sense of moral obligation or even better, through a desire to be loyal to the very people who helped him achieve the success and lifestyle to which he has become accustomed!

He has already failed us by making us wait this length of time for the Trilogy to appear without even a coherent or valid explanation as to his reasoning! To then further compound this failing by insisting that only HIS chosen "updated" versions of the movies will be made available, when he MUST know full well that the original versions will be coveted by many thousands if not millions of people is to litrally "Bite the hand that feeds you."

If this indeed should come to pass, and the original versions remain "lost" to DVD and to any subsequent High Definition format, then I for one will be left with nothing but disdain for George Lucas and his heavy handed contemptuous attitude to the very people that made him what he is!

Best Regards,
KBDVD.

El-Kabong 09-18-03 10:59 AM


Originally posted by sracer
And unless you are Lucas' intern assistant, you don't know either. :)
Nonsense - it's been well documented the kind of time table that these movies take. At the very least, go take a look at the old news reports on theforce.net about the pre-production of episode 2. Go check out some of the production notes for the Old Trilogy - you'll find that I'm more or less accurate.



If green is my favorite color, it isn't invalidated by the fact that 100 people have blue as their favorite color. Green is still my favorite color.

So *YOU* may not like blue, but that doesn't invalidate blue as a color. And if the facts point to blue being wildly popular, then there must be something to it - even if it doesn't sit well with you.

For an example, since we're talking about it, I think that Rings stank to high heaven. I also know that it made a shit-ton of cash at the box office. Do I make sweeping generalizations of general opinion based on my opinion in the face of fact?

Well. . . . actually I do sometimes, but I also expect that people will sometimes think I'm a nutjob. :)



what is your definition of "double dip"?

That's more or less my view too - except for the "without forewarning" part. If a studio puts out multiple versions of the same movie (be it directors cut or theatrical release) with technical upgrades and new extras - advance warning or not - then that's a double dip.

Consider the current releases of the Star Trek movies - a prime example of double dip in many peoples mind around here. But. . . wait a second - The Motion Picture (and Wrath of Khan, to a lesser degree) is a directors cut with special features that you couldn’t get on the first disc. And sure the new edit isn’t a dramatic as this 40+ extra minuets from Rings, but the new cut of TMP is a significant change to tone and pacing, with the additions of extensive and all new special effects.

And yet. . . TMP and Khan are double dips, while Rings is not?

KBDVD 09-18-03 11:01 AM


Clearly you know nothing about the Star Wars pre-production schedule. Aside from a couple of weeks after the release of each movie, Lucas goes all out balls to the wall on the next SW film. It was like that for the first three - which burned him out after Jedi, which is one factor why it took 16 years for the next film - and it's been like that for the new trilogy.
I SEE!...... Now remind me, why exactly did he choose NOT to direct all of the original trilogy?


The reason we don't have Wars out on disc now is because Lucas is so busy with the new movies.
"Directing" three massive movies in three years is what I call "BUSY!" ....... And even if he is "busy" inventing another JA JA Binks to inflict upon us all, how exactly would this prevent him from greenlighting an "Original Version - movie only" release of the original trilogy? He could then spend as much time as he likes producing a bells and whistles "super duper, Director's Cut, Expanded, re-conseptualised, DTS, Anniversary, once in a lifetime, Special Edition release once he has put Episode III to bed! (Just as long as he tell's us of this intention first, as of course did NL/PJ!)

Best Regards,
KBDVD.

El-Kabong 09-18-03 11:29 AM


Originally posted by KBDVD
If this indeed should come to pass, and the original versions remain "lost" to DVD and to any subsequent High Definition format, then I for one will be left with nothing but disdain for George Lucas and his heavy handed contemptuous attitude to the very people that made him what he is!

Since it's clear that you are a card carrying member of the official "George Lucas played 'Singing In The Rain" As He Murdered My Dog and Raped My Mother While Forcing Me To Watch" fan club, nothing I could possibly say will make a bit of difference to you whatsoever.

I will thank you however for making my point more eloquently that I could ever hope to: That he's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Regardless if he sits on the releases or goes for the double dip - people are going to be pissed.

(Oh - and for the record, Lucas doesn't owe you SQUAT. They're his movies, not yours.)

BobSolo 09-18-03 11:30 AM

The simple FACT is they are never going to satisfy everybody.

Just take a look at some of the other posts in this Forum. "Any chance of (fill in the blank) Special Edition?", "When will we see (fill in the blank) in 16:9?". People who collect DVDs are ASKING for rereleases. But as soon as a studio rereleases a DVD with new features, better video/audio, or simply 16:9, others start crying foul!

What would have happened if NL/PJ simply released the Theatrical cut of LOTR? Most people would have loved them, but if they got wind of deleted scenes, some would start crying about wanting to see a director's cut. Or if they had JUST released the extended editions, some would have loved them, others would cry that they were too long and say they wanted the theatrical cut. So NL/PJ decide they'll make 2 versions and UPFRONT announce it. You decide which one to get, or get both. YOU HAVE THE CHOICE. NO ONE IS FORCING YOU TO SPEND YOUR MONEY. So stop crying about it double dipping.

I'm the first to agree that it sucks to buy a movie and then a couple years later find out that a special edition is on the way. But if it means the difference between having a special edition or not having one, then lets have it.

Why can't people focus there attention on more pressing DVD issues, like why the **** other regions get DVDs of US films and we don't. There is NO sense in that.

As for Lucas, just give us both versions. If it's in one set great, if it's in seperate releases, fine. Don't shaft either group of fans by only offering one version, or by offering one barebone and one loaded. This way, those who grew up with SW get the Original Versions that they love, AND Lucas gets his doctored, questioning his abilities version.

Rant ended.

JoeyOhhhh 09-18-03 11:45 AM


Originally posted by BobSolo
The simple FACT is they are never going to satisfy everybody.

Just take a look at some of the other posts in this Forum. "Any chance of (fill in the blank) Special Edition?", "When will we see (fill in the blank) in 16:9?". People who collect DVDs are ASKING for rereleases. But as soon as a studio rereleases a DVD with new features, better video/audio, or simply 16:9, others start crying foul!

In those cases, a double dip is warranted because of an actual UPGRADE from the current disc.

The double dips I hate are ones like X-Men, which they could have done up nicely from the start. And I also hate newer releases of catalog titles being bare-bones, which in this point in DVDs lifespan, shouldn't happen. Titles released by some studios don't even include a trailer, or 16x9 transfers.

Usually when I see a thread is __________ ever going to be a SE or 16x9 are usually titles usually released early in the formats lifespan.

To get back onto topic, Star Wars 4-6 is probably the most anticipated release ever. If Lucas, Fox or whoever doesn't put out the top of the line set, to set the bar (or break LOTR's bar), many people (including myself) will be greatly disappointed. If he does not do this, personally I will lose a lot of respect for the man (I already have with this fullscreen releases of Ep 1, 2, and Indy, but I digress). He's all for documenting and controlling his product, and not sharing his archival material with the fans who made him is really messed up.

And for him to put together some really nice discs for 1 and 2, if he pisses on 4-6 with a half-assed release when they do come out, people will scream bloody murder (look at the recent Indy threads to see what I'm talking about).

That said, if he say released the originals at the end of next year, and announced that he'd release 4-6 definitive editions with special features after Ep 3 wrapped up and put onto DVD, I think that is a fair compromise.

Although it would probably hurt his numbers when his Uber-editions are released.

Ian11 09-18-03 11:55 AM

This thread is about whether studios are pushing their customers too far by "double dipping" or gouging customers by releasing superfluous special editions. Instead this thread seems to be fueled by fans of GL vs. PJ or Star Wars vs. LOTR. If we were talking LOTR vs. Harry Potter I'd be more than glad to argue with as much zeal and off topic as some of you have.

I am a fan of both LOTR and SW and their DVD releases; even the substandard (compared to 4-6) Episodes 1 and 2; simply because they remain more inventive and interesting than other blockbuster movies. Both GL and PJ have created movies that drive people crazy for them and they deserve all the success and opportunities they've attained.

In the end its up to the consumer to decide where his or her limit is in whether they should buy another edition of the "same" movie. People can groan all they want but consumers ultimately have the power to choose. If a DVD is of "acceptable" quality I don't go out and buy a "special edition" just because the studios print it on a new shiny box. Grow up!

And if all movies were improved and expanded with as much quality involved as LOTR: FOTR EE than I would be more than glad to see more "double dips" of this kind; from these greedy studios and evil directors. You can accuse it of double dipping but its double dipping this consumer was more than glad to see. Maybe if PJ waited a few years to release the EE it wouldn't bother so many people as collectors but it would definately "bother" me.

sracer 09-18-03 11:55 AM


Originally posted by El-Kabong
Nonsense - it's been well documented the kind of time table that these movies take. At the very least, go take a look at the old news reports on theforce.net about the pre-production of episode 2. Go check out some of the production notes for the Old Trilogy - you'll find that I'm more or less accurate.
Nope, not nonsense at all. All of those news "reports" are nothing but self-serving PR pieces.... just because you chose to believe them doesn't make them true or accurate.



Originally posted by El-Kabong
That's more or less my view too - except for the "without forewarning" part. If a studio puts out multiple versions of the same movie (be it directors cut or theatrical release) with technical upgrades and new extras - advance warning or not - then that's a double dip.
Okay, that explains the disparity. Your definition of "double dip" differs from most. got it.

KBDVD 09-18-03 01:03 PM


Since it's clear that you are a card carrying member of the official "George Lucas played 'Singing In The Rain" As He Murdered My Dog and Raped My Mother While Forcing Me To Watch" fan club, nothing I could possibly say will make a bit of difference to you whatsoever.

(Oh - and for the record, Lucas doesn't owe you SQUAT. They're his movies, not yours.) [/B]
Well, thanks for the valuable character assessment!

It's interesting that your post addressed this rather than the two questions I asked in my next post:

1. Why exactly did George Lucas choose NOT to direct all of the original trilogy seeing as how he was "all out balls to the wall on the next SW film. It was like that for the first three - which burned him out after Jedi"?

2. If George Lucas is "busy" on Episode III how does this prevent him from greenlighting an "Original Version - movie only" release of the original trilogy in advance of an announced intention for a later Special Edition?......... (As if there will only ever be one more!)

IMHO George Lucas / Fox are now by default the custodians of the Original Trilogy. Any film or series of films that create the sort of impact that Star Wars / Lord of The Rings have, should indeed deserve to have a "preservation order" served upon them! That's not to say that the Director doesn't have the right to re-visit his original vision and re-conceptualise it as he/she see's fit, ...... of course they do, but IMHO they also have the obligation to ensure that the original versions remain forever available to those who wish to experience them, be it for the 1st or 91st time!

As custodian of the original Star Wars Trilogy "accessability to the original versions" in all future formats is something that George does indeed owe me, you & the whole world!...... your willingness to absolve George of this responsibility does your fellow Star Wars enthusiasts an extremely large dis-service!

Best Regards,
KBDVD.

VincentVega 09-18-03 01:28 PM


Originally posted by KBDVD
The point is George Lucas owes it to the millions of people who have already bought copies of the original versions of the trilogy on the inferior mediums that existed before DVD, to now give them the opportunity to upgrade to a DVD copy! This he should do through a sense of moral obligation or even better, through a desire to be loyal to the very people who helped him achieve the success and lifestyle to which he has become accustomed!
He doesn't owe anything to anyone. Its not like he had all copies of the original versions destroyed. You can get the very nice laserdisc's and there are widescreen vhs copies avaible. You make it sound like he has this elusive film that has only been seen in a select few places. You also make it sound like the laser and vhs versions are terrible and unwatchable. They're not. True they aren't up to dvd quality but they are watchable. Lucas doesn't have any moral obligation to fans. He made a movie that ended up being a huge hit. He didn't go on radio or tv and beg people to see the movie. They went on they're own free will and they were entertained. Sure Lucas made money but the fans got got the most out of the movie. Money's money but entertainment and fun is, I feel, worth so much more. So I say Lucas and the fans are nothing less than even.

Dalvin 09-18-03 01:36 PM

2004 makes no sense
 
Why get the "Original Trilogy" in 2004? I don't see that happening. Lucasfilm is to focused at the moment on Episode III, which will mark(if my memory serves me correctly) the 28th anniversary of the Original Trilogy. Plus, hasn't Lucas himself said that he still needs to go back and "update" the original trilogy, in what will later be known as "The Ultimate Archival Edition Box Set". I'm thinking this will come out in 2007. Why? That will mark the 30th anniversary for the film. It makes sense.

I can see it now....The 30th anniverary "Ultimate Archival Edition Box Set with Movies 1-6".

So if they do release this trilogy next year, I'm not buing it, because 2007 is going to be a huge Star Wars year, and the LD's will hold me off until the time is needed.

WillieTheShakes 09-18-03 03:10 PM


Originally posted by El-Kabong

All you people who say the new trilogy sucks. I've got 310,676,740 reasons that say you are wrong. If it sucked SO bad, then why did Attack of the Clones make that kind of money, hmmm? And this is after people 'learned their lesson' with Phantom Menace.

Somebody must be buying these tickets.


For an example, since we're talking about it, I think that Rings stank to high heaven. I also know that it made a shit-ton of cash at the box office. Do I make sweeping generalizations of general opinion based on my opinion in the face of fact?
Well, from the above, I think sweeping generalizations might be the order of the day.
Let's see if I've got this straight -
you like AOTC, so the financial success of the film proves its quality; you don't like FOTR, so its financial success is no measure of its quality? Isn't that trying to have it both ways?

And if financial success is the measure of quality, doesn't that make 2 Fast 2 Furious one of the best films of the year?

chanster 09-18-03 03:50 PM

Don't you just love these threads? This has turned into a repost of repost of a repost into a repost of repost of a repost. into a repost of repost of a repost. into a repost of repost of a repost. into a repost of repost of a repost. into a repost of repost of a repost.

Toad 09-18-03 04:18 PM

Just trolling --- it amazes me how worked up people get about Star Wars!! I love it personally, the whole thing. But I don't feel the need to force others to.

Back on topic....if the OT does come to DVD in 2004, I'll be all over it. I don't care if they're going to re-release it in another 4 years as a 6-disc set; I don't care if its bare-bones. As long as it is great quality sound and video, I'm buying. To each his own - if you don't want to buy it, don't.

Dalvin 09-18-03 04:44 PM

Not a great idea
 
Thanks, but my LaserDiscs will keep me satisfied until he releases these with with all of the new footage. I(unlike most people here) only really care about the Final version of Star Wars...whatever that is that George decides is final.
If people could just wait 4 years, he could "tweak" it up, so that the original Trilogy would mesh better with the new one. They could spend more time going through and adding bonus features. I wouldn't mind waiting til 2007, if it meant a 2-disc set for each one, and a Huge Box Set of Movies 1-6. I don't want this thing rushed, and screwed up. I'm waiting til 2007!

RoboDad 09-18-03 05:25 PM

One of the things I find most amusing and ironic is the attitude of the people in this thread (and you know who you are ;)) who have gone to such great (and bizarre) lengths in an attempt to bash Peter Jackson and New Line for "double dipping" with the "multiple" LOTR DVD releases.

I can't help but wonder how these same people would react if Lucas and Fox tomorrow announced the release of the original, pre-SE versions of the original trilogy, and a separate release of the SE versions, each with a separate set of extras. They would be all over these releases (as would I, BTW), and they would fall all over themselves praising both Lucas and Fox for the wonderful thing they had done.

I love the Star Wars movies. I will buy the OT when it is released, whether that is in 2004 or later, and whether it contains the pre-SE versions of the films or not. But I am not so obsessed with Star Wars that I feel the need to embark on a crusade to "prove" its value to anyone else. Neither am I so inclined with respect to LOTR. Both sets of movies (and books, posters, toys, etc.) have welcome places in my collection.

tacomantt 09-18-03 06:00 PM

When its in my hands....

lordzeppelin 09-18-03 11:51 PM

I think all of you should be barred from buying DVDs for a year or so. Geez...Is it ever possible to have a dedicated Star Wars discussion without snippy PMS- Style Bickering?

If you don't buy a dvd for whatever reason, WHO GIVES A CRAP? I'm not trying to single anybody out...but damn, if you buy a dvd good for you, if you don't then good for you too. Why does that need 3 pages of lowlevel BS?

KBDVD 09-19-03 02:56 AM

Thanks for your informative and totally relevent post Zep!...... now enlighten me please, what was the point that you wanted to bring to the discussion?

Still, it's so comforting that "Higher Interlects" frequent the forum who can put our petty squables into context, even if to do so, they actually choose to crap all over the thread concerned.

Hey, nobody forced you to read this mate! It's a shame that after having read "3 pages of lowlevel BS" you didn't just choose to "Butt out".

KBDVD.

lordzeppelin 09-19-03 09:41 AM


Originally posted by KBDVD
Thanks for your informative and totally relevent post Zep!...... now enlighten me please, what was the point that you wanted to bring to the discussion?

Still, it's so comforting that "Higher Interlects" frequent the forum who can put our petty squables into context, even if to do so, they actually choose to crap all over the thread concerned.

Hey, nobody forced you to read this mate! It's a shame that after having read "3 pages of lowlevel BS" you didn't just choose to "Butt out".

KBDVD.

IN fact, it is quite relevant after the three pages of low level BS that has occurred. No one forced me to read it, but no one forced anyone to bring up Lord of the Rings, Double Dipping, or any of the other junk that crowded what could have been a good discussion about how the original trilogy could be presented on DVD.

But whatever...

Dalvin 09-19-03 11:16 AM

Oh Boy
 
I think people complain and complain of what is not out. In fact, for many(including myself) that's half the fun is bitching at "THE HOLY GRAIL" titles that aren't released on the DVD format. Now, Indy is coming in late October, and Star Wars(possibly) next year? People then will have to get picky, "There's no DTS on Indy....theres no Commentary by Spielberg" or "I want the Original Versions of SW not the Special Editions were Greedo shoots first". Ahh the joys of being a nerd!


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