STAR WARS... 40 year anniversary in 2017 - the original version?? - a fan's wish
Most fans of the Star Wars franchise think the original trilogy (ep.IV-VI) is the only true Star Wars. I have not yet watched Rogue One, but I think it is safe to say that this balance is not going to be tipped over by an anthology chapter. And those really dedicated Star Wars fans, think of Star Wars only as Star Wars ... and that means the first movie from 1977. To me the only true Star Wars movie is the first one ... everything else is fanservice, and at times very good fanservice. But the first movie introduces all the universe itself, the most interesting characters in the story and so on. It has the most cohesive plot and the greatest character arcs of any Star Wars movie, by far in my opinion.
Now the problem is that good old George Lucas, apparently never were satisfied with the result, that he sent to the theaters may 25, 1977, despite the gigantic success at the boxoffice and the almost religious following by armies of fans in the years since. Apparently he wanted to make it even better and he has fiddled with the movie almost ever since its release, so that it is a vastly different experience to watch it in the latest Blu-ray versions, compared to the original untouched version.
The original version can be found on the 2006 DVD Special edition 2-disc DVD issue, but don´t rush out to buy it, because the quality there leaves at lot to be desired, although it is the best official one I think. It was apparently mastered from the mediocre digital version from a previous laserdisc issue. It seems likely that Lucas was trying to make sure that people forgot all about the original master and craved the altered version henceforth.
But as one among many stubborn fans, I have been hoping for a official high definition remastering of the original version ever since the DVD format came out and at least since the alterations made for the special editions - like the big dino obstructing a whole scene, Han (no longer) shot first and introducing a CGI Jabba, who´s ugly appearance originally was reserved for ep.VI ... and a long list of useless changes that just removes the charm of the original cut.
Add to that a change of tone from a warm and golden tone to a crushed dark blueish tone, that seriously damages the visual presentation of the way it originally was shown and makes it colder and less detailed. Because of all the stories in the prequels (which are disastrous movies imho.), Lucas felt a need to change things here and there, to both bring the originals "up to date" with the feel of the prequels not least the darkening and blueing of the tone.
But some fans have taken things into their own hands lately. A huge fan by the name of Harmy, made "de-specialized" versions from various sources, cleaned it up and put it out on the internet,- the whole original trilogy.
Then a group calling themselves Team Negative One got hold of an original set of film rolls and started cleaning it up. It has been circulating the internet recently and is called "The silver screen edition". I have seen it and it is quite good actually. But nothing would compare to a professionel remastering.
Another thing is that both 35 mm and 70 mm versions were issued in 1977, and from what I have heard there are small differences even between those two film versions. What would be a treat for the ages would be a completely new 4K remastering of the original 35 mm version and potentially also the 70 mm one, if a copy still exist. Then a potential extended version, with the good 10 mins of deleted scenes inserted, just for the funzies. And then a stack of discs with every possible additions and goodies thinkable... and maybe a new high quality documentary (as an update for the 12 year old one made for the bonus disc of the first DVD version from the 2004 boxset.
The 40th anniversary is coming soon, and I suppose that my plea is too late - unless it is already secretly in the works in the Disney "labs" !!
May the force be with you !