Just saw RotJ Spec. Ed. on DVD for the first time...

[The_lurkeR]

When did he ever promise that?

Here you go...

AP: Why not release both the originals and special editions on DVD?

Lucas: The special edition, that's the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it's on VHS, if anybody wants it. ... I'm not going to spend the, we're talking millions of dollars here, the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn't really exist anymore. It's like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I'm sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I'm the one who has to take responsibility for it. I'm the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they're going to throw rocks at me, they're going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished.

You can google for plenty of other quotes from others, including this cheery one from Jim Ward, a VP of Lucasfilms.

So what are the faithful to do if they don't want to watch the altered 1997 editions of the trilogy? Either give in, or don't buy. "We realize there's a lot of debate out there," says Ward. "But this is not a democracy. We love our fans, but this is about art and filmmaking. [George] has decided that the sole version he wants available is this one."

 

[Kai Lord]

(although why anyone is upset over that and none noticed that the guy who did the Emperor in ESB in the theatrical release is completely replaced by Ian McDermitt - but the original guy is still isted in the credits - how can Lucas call himself a filmmaker?!)

The "original guy" who played the Emperor in ESB was a woman with chimpanzee eyes super-imposed over her own and was voiced by Clive Revill. I think the woman who's face and voice were covered will be just fine with the change, assuming she's even alive.

The new Anakin ghost is awesome, really ties the films together and makes sense artistically. It was how *Anakin* last remembered himself. Plus in the ROTJ novelization released 25 years ago when the helmet is taken off Anakin is ashamed and wished Luke could see him as he was. As a ghost, he was able to appear that way. Really nice change all around.

 

[fett527]

...Plus in the ROTJ novelization released 25 years ago when the helmet is taken off Anakin is ashamed and wished Luke could see him as he was. As a ghost, he was able to appear that way. Really nice change all around.

This is definitely the best reasoning in my opinion and how I think of it. Obi-Wan and even Yoda had to be taught to appear like this, but Anakin was powerful enough to do it on his own and let Luke see him as he wanted him to see him.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I was fine with it. That was how Anakin remembers himself. Everything since was Vader.

 

[Rackhir]

Ditto for me. If anything is made the end of RotJ have more impact. And Sebastion Shaw was still in the movie - he's under the make up when the helmet is removed (although why anyone is upset over that and none noticed that the guy who did the Emperor in ESB in the theatrical release is completely replaced by Ian McDermitt - but the original guy is still isted in the credits - how can Lucas call himself a filmmaker?!)

Sebastion Shaw got screwed? What about David Prowse? He gave Darth Vader a body and presence and the one time you actually got to see Vader's face it was someone else. I always hated the face they showed for Vader in RotJ it just looked stupid and pathetic, which I suspect was intentional

 

[BiggusGeekus]

I agree... this was definately one of the lamest changes. I was rather upset when they were released on DVD and Lucas promised the true originals will never be released on DVD.

My tinfoil hat conspiracy theory is that Lucas will release the High Definition DvDs with the current "updated" versions. Then he'll wait a couple of years and release the originals in HD DvD.

I base this on no evidence whatsoever.

 

[Kai Lord]

Sebastion Shaw got screwed?

Yep, just like the actor who originally played Jabba the Hutt got "screwed". Or all the Stormtrooper extras. How dare Lucas not show their faces. And in one scene in ROTJ, you can see one ewok in the distance who isn't facing the camera. An outrage. Even worse, apparently there are actors, lines, and scenes left on the cutting room floor of almost every single movie ever made! And you just know George was behind it all....

Good grief its as if people have no knowledge whatsoever of even the most elementary filmmaking practices.

 

[Rackhir]

Yep, just like the actor who originally played Jabba the Hutt got "screwed". Or all the Stormtrooper extras. How dare Lucas not show their faces. And in one scene in ROTJ, you can see one ewok in the distance who isn't facing the camera. An outrage. Even worse, apparently there are actors, lines, and scenes left on the cutting room floor of almost every single movie ever made! And you just know George was behind it all....

Good grief its as if people have no knowledge whatsoever of even the most elementary filmmaking practices.

Good grief its as if you have no knowledge whatsoever of even the most elementary elements of politeness. It is possible to disagree without calling people stupid and ignorant.

Darth Vader was not a minor character, who only appeared in a handful of scenes and had few if any lines. David Prowse was more than some one simply standing in a spot so it looked like he was saying the lines James Earl Jones had spoken. Prowse provided a physical presence and stature to make convincing the magnificent job of voice acting that JEJ did. It's not like there was something that special about the face that they did use, that couldn't have been modified and changed through makeup and SFX. It is a small thing, but it would have been a nice little acknowledgement of David Prowse for giving Vader a body for all those years.

Ahem, now to try and argue according to your style.

You would know this if you'd ever bothered to pay attention to the movies. But your ego probably blocked your view of the screen.

There, was I sufficiently insulting and derogatory towards your opinion?

 

[Kai Lord]

Even though your post was quoted Rackhir, I was actually replying to the sentiment that Sebastian Shaw got "screwed" which was expressed by another poster.

It is a small thing, but it would have been a nice little acknowledgement of David Prowse for giving Vader a body for all those years.

James Earl Jones' contribution to the character of Vader had much more of an impact. Where's his acknowledgement? Why wasn't his face under the mask? Or maybe Ralph McQuarrie's face should have been used since he designed the costume. But it was George himself who invented the character so maybe it should have been him. It just gets silly when you break it down as a criticism against Lucas. Prowse was paid for being the body of Vader. And given screen credit. That's what everyone in the film industry (except for Prowse if memory serves) considers to be a "nice little acknowledgement." Prowse wasn't hired or paid to be Anakin Skywalker so him being under the mask would have been about as appropriate as using Harrison Ford.

George is a nice enough guy when it comes to that sort of thing. He rewarded Warwick Davis, Anthony Daniels, Ahmed Best, family members, and many in the crew with little unmasked cameos throughout the films, he's not a bad guy for not doing it for every single person who was hired and paid for other roles.

 

[Orius]

(although why anyone is upset over that and none noticed that the guy who did the Emperor in ESB in the theatrical release is completely replaced by Ian McDermitt - but the original guy is still isted in the credits - how can Lucas call himself a filmmaker?!)

Probably has to do with union rules or something, he did the work for the voice lines (originally) and has to be credited with it or something. It might be something else entirely. I don't look for logic in Hollywood.