Despecialized vs Project 4K77 vs Star Wars Official 2011 Blu-Ray

[@ShrekReacts]

Just like the old days of greedo

[@TheWhills]

SW Explained and Greedo are the best SW channels. Hands down.

[@JRF1004]

Alex Cardenas You’re forgetting Generation Tech

[@ShrekReacts]

@@TheWhills SW explained makes good content, but ,my biggest disappointment with him was when he said people that didn't like the last jedi felt threatened by women which was a very a naive thing to to say considering he later didn't like rise of skywalker.

[@ShrekReacts]

It's also interesting that rise of skywalker kind of united most of the star wars youtubers. Star Wars Theory and Star Wars Only didn't like tlj while Hellogreedo and SW explained did. But all four were disappointed by rise of skywalker, lol. How did Abrams manage that.

[@ImTheReverse]

Shrek Reacts Abrams was thinking that he needed a way to unite the fandom so he did the completely natural thing, he made the movie as bad as he possibly could.

[@sealionstudios8597]

I've always found it fascinating that Empire is the film that's been tinkered with the least and yet Star Wars and Jedi are constantly getting pushed around.

[@shrektheogre4349]

I would also argue that almost all of the changes actually improve the film as well. The ones that don’t are unnecessary at worst, they’re nowhere near as intrusive as the ones from A New Hope and Return Of The Jedi

[@MatthewPalanca]

To this day, the most egregious and unnecessary change for me has been Vader's "Noooo" at the end of Return of the Jedi. George Lucas literally just copied the worst part of ROTS and pasted it into ROTJ. It's poetry, they rhyme lol

[@sealionstudios8597]

@@shrektheogre4349 Oh yeah, I definitely agree. My personal favourite change is the extra Slave 1 shot when Boba is chasing the Falcon. Mainly cos we get that fantastic flyby engine sound from AOTC.

[@goldfishprime]

I believe Empire was the one film George gave the most creative freedom to others, so it might be he doesn't want to alter someone else's work? Most of the changes were him fixing or making things 'better' that he couldn't do before, so he also might not have that urge.

[@jediknight1298]

I think it was because Irvin Kershner was still alive when the movies made it to modern home video

[@Zan_Jayna]

My favorite original cut scene is when that stormtrooper hits his head on the door. The original version didn’t have Biggs. Lucas was given 10 million in the 90s by the studio to preserve and remaster the original Star Wars films. He deliberately didn’t save the damaged silver nitrate negative, he let it continue to erode. In other words, for every scene he replaced, the original master film reels are in horrendous condition. The company which does most of the 4k transferral for Hollywoo has a website where they list all the movies they’ve done. They have original Star Wars on that list. When contacted they said that they couldn’t do the 4k transfer because the original master film elements are too disintegrated and would require complete digital reconstruction. So maybe for at least 10 million dollars..? Lucas did this on purpose. He only preserved the special editions. He also only sold the rights to the special editions to Disney, they’re not allowed to release the originals. Surprised JJ Abrams didn’t know that..

[@oceanhunterjg]

I wanted dislike this comment not for the fact it exists but for the info it contains :(

[@kthx1138]

Ok, so the original negative is shabby, but surely plenty of first-generation PRINTS (made right from the original negative) exist that have superb color and contrast and would make great-looking transfers. Silver nitrate film was no longer in use after the 1920s, BTW, due to its highly flammable nature. Eastman celluloid film stock was in use from 1977-1983.

[@Zan_Jayna]

@@kthx1138 Don't call me Shirley.. ;P The 4k77 project is working with prints. They still require months of arduous restoration. There aren't plenty and they aren't in superb condition after being passed around. Yeah, I meant the master interpositive film. The film that is used in the industry to make high def markups. Doing it from a print will result in an inferior-looking copy and still need millions of dollars of work, which neither Lucas nor Disney want to do. The rights to the original cut rest with George Lucas, so they can't release the theatrical versions anyways. The fact that the archival film elements weren't preserved properly is intentional. Lucas went to film school, he knows about how to store film canisters. George doesn't want people enjoying the originals and has done everything an eccentric billionaire can possibly do to prevent it, I think that's the point you're missing.

[@kthx1138]

@@Zan_Jayna I get your point. My point is: Why embark on such an arduous restoration project like 4K77 did in the first place when the quality of the source print isn't good to begin with? 4K77 is working with RELEASE prints. These are prints duped off internegatives duped off interpositive prints duped off the negative, or in the case of the VFX shots, an internegative that already went through God knows how many generations of duping to create the final composites. We're talking at least 4 layers of generation loss degradation from duping through an optical printer. Release prints are never going to have the resolution nor the exposure lattitude, contrast range, of a first-generation interpositive. Not to mention that the tail ends and beginnings of each reel of the film, which had to be spliced together out of the cans to create the gigantic projection print, have been dragged around on the projection room floor. George Lucas can't have personally commandeered every first-generation interpositive print from Fox's vault as well as from around the world and destroyed them. But, as you said, at the level of the original negative, he did intentionally sabotage any chance of restoring the theatrical versions. So, until he passes away, assuming his family doesn't have perpetuity rights to retaining only the Special Editions, there's not much point in talking about it.

[@Zan_Jayna]

celestialfilms At least the 4k77 ones are crisp enough to watch on today’s screens. The dvd copies are pretty fuzzy looking. They’ll have trouble pulling off the 4k HDR lighting effects though from dupe reels. So a 4k markup still might not qualify as ‘HDR’. Since it wasn’t shot with that in mind it would be harder to show those contrasts. A Bridge Too Far had some nice almost HDR shots, like when they shoot directly onto the sun at one point. It still doesn’t look quite as good as modern movies though. I do think that Goergo Lucas personally comandeered every first generation print from FOXs vaults. I really do.. He probably burned them all in his backyard. His family might not care about the sanctity of the special editions, so they might be willing to pump the originals out. Just look at Bob Marley & Bruce Lee’s merchandising machines.

[@jojopetv]

Great comparison. Looking at this on screen, I definitely prefer the De-Specialized Edition overall because it does the best representation of contrast, details, colors and everything I look for in a movie. I used to be a projectionist at a movie theater and we were taught to look for things wrong with the picture and it's haunted me ever since. I'll see a coke stain before the movie and it will bug me throughout the whole movie and no one else will notice. Sometimes I'll point it out to a friend and then they'd be bothered the whole movie. Share the love, I always say ;) MTFBWY

[@guntherleenaert7187]

for sure, Despecialized. 4k77 is more a nostalgia thing. As he said, how it "actually" looked back in 77. But Despecialized hits the mark, takes the cake, wins the prize.

[@SeboDigital]

Same opinion of mine, pal.

[@colt5189]

I always remember seeing the "cigar" burn and a bounce/glitch every like 20 minutes. Which was when they changed to a different reel.

[@anatolbaskak]

interesting. i against all odds see the blu ray as considerably higher-standard color grading work.

[@jon4715]

seeing 4K77 with grain on a projector is a sight to behold

[@odinsplaygrounds]

I think i prefer the despecialized edition. The 4k77 is more "genuine"; but carry more of the flaws of that print as well. Despecialized has a better color correction, less washed out and more details. Retains both more shadow and highlight detail. The washed out color of the 4k77 is also questionable, as it was a cinema reel and would depend on projector, it's settings and the cinema canvas.The reel can also be faded over time. Not saying it isn't authentic though, but in my book, as long as the content is authentic, I still want the best image quality.

[@VAFranky]

Yeah I was excited to find out about 4K77 watching this because I was unaware of its existence. But watching this comparison Despecialized looks much better. It actually seems to look sharper as well and I’ll take better looking color over something that’s more “true to the original” if that equates to washed out color.

[@nathancruz9172]

I have it on blu ray disc from eBay this year and it’s a lot better than the blu ray disc from 2011.

[@VAFranky]

wright96d cool thanks for that info I’ll check it out!

[@theninjamaster67]

@@wright96d that's also kind of an unfair comparison cause that's an old version of despecialized the latest being 2.7 but even then he's working on the 3.0 version which is gonna be in 4k with better colorization than even his latest version so I'd still say his version will be extremely worth watching when it's out cause at least for me his version with the toned down film grain looks ten times better cause despite the 4k77 version looking amazing the grain is just overbearing and definitely feels like a direct scan from film with zero cleanup work done aside from the major stuff

[@wright96d]

@@theninjamaster67 I really like the grain, but there are DNRed versions available for those who'd prefer it clean.

[@colepepper43]

Harmy’s despecialized is fantastic. Now I’m some years out from having kids but I know that when I eventually share my love of Star Wars with my own children, it’ll be through Harmy’s trilogy.

[@stevewood2326]

​@Lord Quilton Same here. I was 12 when I saw Star Wars and was blown away by the new universe, SFX and spaceships. Sat my boy down to watch it, after watching Disney's efforts, and he lasted about half an hour.

[@utrak]

Got my hands on Harmy's (they're absolutely amazing), and watched them with my then 8 year old. She loved them, but then she does appreciate proper storytelling in general.

[@old_newbie9498]

Last year, my when my kids got old enough (9 and 11), I started them on Star Wars using Harmy's editions in theatrical release order. They absolutely loved it...but it felt even better for me that they were enjoying the same magic I did when I was their age.

[@SolarScion]

You people have selective memories. The climactic scene with Luke and Vader is ruined by the rotoscoping in RotJ Despecialized Edition. I just watched it. Most important scene in the film next to the throne room, preceding it, and you get blurry, low-res eyebrows pasted over Anakin's face. What's more frustrating is that that was a good edit Lucas did. The eyebrows look really out of place on someone with otherwise ruined flesh. All the other edits were unnoticeable (so, perfect, and good job) but that scene ruined an otherwise good watch.

[@fosty.]

Make sure you show them when they are old enough to appreciate it, but don't let them get too old and have Star Wars spoiled by one of their friends.

[@1805movie]

The blu-ray version looks dark compared to the "Despecialized" version and Project 4K77. Plus, the 4K77 looks more like a painting, with richer, brighter colors.

[@The.Crawling.Chaos.]

Not joking but the blu ray version litereally has a blue filter applied and that's why it looks darker than 4K77 and Harmy's despecialized. They fucked up the colors by doing that on the blu ray. You can actually see how the imperial officer's uniforms have changed color to almost green rather than the orginal grey color because of this color fuckery. Sad but true.

[@pferreira1983]

Darker but more colour compared to the Disney 4K releases.

[@LeeKeels]

@@The.Crawling.Chaos. Which is literally the blue filter that is on every. single. damned. movie. made. today.

[@The.Crawling.Chaos.]

@@LeeKeels and i wonder why that is. Can it really be that because its blu ray some clown decided that all films have to get the blue filter treatment? 😂

[@dialecticalmonist3405]

I LOVE the washed out look of the 4K77, because it feels like the way your eyes would see it, if you were actually there.

[@walterw8223]

The CGI in the special editions were cool at the time, but I remember thinking how dated they looked just a few years later. The Despecialized Edition and Project 4K77 look so much better it's not even funny. Even in the space battles with more simple movements, the original still looks a lot better, thanks to the great models, excellent pacing and editing. Sure it looks dated, but so does the rest of the movie, so that's perfectly fine and how it should be. The CGI in the special editions looks fake, ugly and sticks out like a sore thumb. It's not even really that good CGI for the time. Starship Troopers (1997) holds up way better, much thanks to them also using a lot of models. The original version of Terminator 2 looks good even by todays standard, in some ways better since they use real film. That movie only had 42 CGI shots, less is more.

[@ferociousmullet9287]

A lot of what people thought to be CGI in T2 was in fact practical. For example the end scene in the factory where you see the T1000 fighting Arnie. A lot of that silver effect is just literally silver foil wrapping. The darkness hides a lot. The T1000 being cut in half with the pipe was a practical large puppet and was also the effect just after he is shot with the grenade. That blasted apart T2 teetering on the edge is also practical. Many other examples but life is to short. Another reason why it stands up so well. Having Linda H have a twin sister did not hurt either. Same for the security guard dude in the mental hospital.

[@SolarScion]

I've only watched one of the despecialized editions, but one of the rotoscoped "restorations" looks very, very bad, and ruins the climax of the film. I'd definitely recommend against watching _RotJ_ Despecialized Ed. Rotoscoping low-res eyebrows back into Vader was a very bad idea.

[@trippmoore]

@@SolarScion "Rotoscoping low-res eyebrows back into Vader was a very bad idea." LOL!! That's a phrase that was probably never used until this moment.

[@thegreatguyinthesky]

The death star attack look way better with CGI shots. Shots with model looks too slow in EP4. ILM corrected that in 5 & 6. I have 4k version and it is really great. I also have Starship Troopers in 4k (I love a lot) but I am sorry to say that space battle looks soooooooooooooo dated.

[@colt5189]

@@SolarScion I hope when Harmy redoes the despecialized editions from the 2019 4K versions, that he uses shots from say the 4K77 project for his rotoscopping plates instead of using the DVD or laserdisc like what he had to do previously. I'm thinking that may help fix the bad shots you are referring to. Though what scenes exactly are you referring to that are bad?

[@MagnumMuscle1000]

Harmy and those who assisted him deserve massive accolades. The DeSpecialized Editions are great. Lucas is a fool for not releasing a 4k version of the original theatrical cut.

[@CheezMonsterCrazy]

@@mezzb Yeah, but at least most of the time that artist (or their label) is going to allow those old albums to be sold. Its not like No Doubt fans can't still stream those albums in perfectly preserved digital form on Spotify just because Gwen Stafani started making pop music.

[@CheezMonsterCrazy]

@@mezzb I wish I'd been able to see the original in theaters, but unfortunately I'm far too young. Having seen quite a few science fiction and fantasy films from around the same time, I can only imagine how absolutely incredible of an experience it must have been. Its on a completely different level in visual and even sound design. I'm also not a huge fan of the franchise, but I absolutely wore out our VHS box set of the original trilogy as a kid lol.

[@mishynaofficial]

​@@mezzbbut the difference is that Lucas is gatekeeping the originals. He didn't even direct two movies, so his changes are inappropriate. Especially since it was the original version that made Star Wars a cultural phenomenon, version where people restrained his "too much" ideas, let's say, gave his diamond a perfect shape. Someone needs to tell him that gluing something to a diamond isn't going to make it better. 😅 Too bad, he was surrounded by people who could not say no to him when he glued and glues some... things to the OT.

[@HabitualJoker]

@@mishynaofficialcan’t agree more! By the mid-90s, he was surrounded by “yes” people, which is why we got the poor quality in the Special Editions and the even worse quality Prequels.

[@GiuseppeGaetanoSabatelli]

Lucas is an artist and had a specific vision for the franchise. To him, the 1997 additions were what he wanted in the film. Remember that he was unsure how well the original film would even do on release. Calling an artist a fool for not preserving their drafts or notebooks is an insult to the artist who is proud of their final version.

[@itamar20112]

If you ask me: Despecialized is the best version for simply watching the movie - has good quality but is still the original version in terms of the edits they later made. 4k77 is the retro version - the one you go to to truly feel how people watched the movie in 1977. The blu ray is the cool alternative, if you want to watch the movie in a different way.

[@loot6]

I think if there was a fan edit of the Blu ray version it would be great, since it looks really nice, but you just HAVE to remove all that CGI bullshit that makes you puke.

[@DasVERMiT]

@@loot6 Yeah, we need a new despecialized, which is basically just the bluray with 4K77 used to patch up the edits. And then regrade the colors where necessary.

[@obiwankenobi9141]

@@DasVERMiT I'm Glad to inform you that that's exactly what Harmy is currently working on with Despecialized 3.0. He's using the 4k UHD blu-ray and combining it with 4k77 and cleaning them up to create an authentic high quality 4K version of the original star wars trilogy and from what we've seen of it, it looks incredible.

[@ILoveTheAllCreator]

​@@obiwankenobi9141is it done?

[@ATATChat]

Just finished watching 4k77. It felt like watching the old VHS again, except not crappy. This is exactly how I want to experience the OT. I appreciate the despecialized editions and the fan edits but I like the imperfections of this version.

[@internet2055]

BS You didn't watch anything Youre just commenting to get "likes"

[@jesemery2069]

@@internet2055 and how can you prove this?

[@2004JeepLibertyLimited]

how did you get access to 4K77? I want to get into the forums for its, but you need an invitation code.

[@matthewirizarry8467]

@@2004JeepLibertyLimited any torrent site has it. Took me 5 seconds to find.

[@chromafragments5902]

The washed out color is closest to how it looked off our TVs in the 90's. I absolutely remember thinking how different the color looked from the home version to seeing the Special Edition in theaters, especially the Tatooine scenes.

[@tydelwave]

Fan edit ❌ Fan restoration ✅ These are *fan restorations* please and thank you.

[@SimGunther]

1:57

[@aerobolt256]

@2wheelphoto Project 4K77 is doing exactly the normal proper process a studio would do to transfer an old film to blu-ray or dvd

[@RotanCam]

Took the words right out of my mouth. Thank you. Bummer the video can’t be updated with the correct verbiage.

[@Soul_Kit]

Yeah, a Fan *Edit* is like Topher Grace's cut of the Prequels into one 85 minute film. These are both restorations, like you all have said.

[@dildonius]

Hell if anything, they're a fan DE-EDIT!

[@bryansteele832]

How does Mike Zeroh have more subs than Hellogreedo? How is that humanly possible?

[@Blorgus.]

people rather listen to bullshit

[@chrisallen9638]

Because the actually logical Star Wars fans often just enjoy the media itself and the toxic fans have to follow every single little thing so they can twist it to fit their narrative.

[@SimpleTricksNonsense]

Humanely possible. I'm glad they were kind and consciousness about subscribing without hurting anyone.

[@BRONZALiVE]

Mike Zerohs content is such nonsense

[@Palendrome]

Mike Zeroh is less pompous than HelloGreedo

[@hikerbro3870]

I think the color in the Tatooine scenes in 4K77 are fine the way they are. Anyone who has spent time in North Africa or the Middle East can tell you, the longer you are outside, the more washed out colors appear. 3P0 would have definitely been less saturated to the human eye against the sand except at dusk and dawn. Is it as "pretty"? No. But it's realistic. And I don't know if it was done on purpose, but the twitchy shadow under Luke's speeder is right too. Sometimes you get a heat shimmer and a shadow to combine just right and the edges sort of "flutter". I grew up in the middle east in the late 70s and a lot of those images being back the feels.

[@gr6e]

As a lifelong resident of an area just as hot and deserted as the ones you mentioned, specifically in the *same* desert those scenes were filmed in to begin with, that's not true at all. The longer you're outside, the better your eyes adapt to the brightness. On top of that, human eyes have wider dynamic range than cameras to begin with, so you're wrong twice. The sky is blue, not white, unless there's a particularly nasty sandstorm. But if that were the case, desaturation wouldn't be the first thing you'd notice.

[@dariarozova1223]

​@@gr6ebut it may be a personal thing too, no? Not the way my eyes see it maybe, but the way I perceive it. Before I read that comment, while watching the video, I noticed how much more organic the 4K77 version Tatooine scenes seem to me. And I've just recently realized how blinding and aggressive direct sun feels to me in general. I've spent time in North Africa as well. The 4K77 version brings back memories, and the blu-ray doesn't give me the same feels

[@CheezMonsterCrazy]

@@dariarozova1223 I also think the 4k77 version gives a more organic feel, though for my personal preference that's not actually what I want in a movie most of the time. I much prefer the color work of the Despecialized version. Keep in mind that how we're all seeing these is also greatly affected by the screen we're looking at them on. One of my monitors is an OLED, and my other one is a fairly typical IPS that, while calibrated as well as it can be, is vastly inferior to the other. And the difference between the two is staggering. I'd say that the 4k77 version look better on the IPS, and the Despecialized looks better on the OLED where the deeper contrasts can actually be displayed properly.

[@timothy790110]

but they aren't in "north africa" they are on Tatooine. Who knows how the atmosphere works with colors there?

[@jemandetwas1]

It's Star Wars, why would I care about dessert scenes looking like a real dessert on earth? If I wanted to see reality I'd go outside, not watch Star Wars

[@ZblockWoW]

I love my Despecialized Edition Blu-rays. It took about 30 hours to download all the files and the anticipation was unbearable. But my friends and family are eternally grateful for the copies I gave them. 👍🏻👍🏻 Now I gotta get the 4K version too 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mago2839]

Where we can download it?

[@ZblockWoW]

@@mago2839 It was years ago.. I just kept googling "How to download Star Wars Despecialized"

[@spuriouseffect]

I hated the 4K77 version. They changed the frame rate or something, and made it look like some cheap 70's TV show. It looks horrible.

[@bubrub5564]

@@spuriouseffect Nothing about the frame rate is changed. 4K77 is the closest you can possibly get to how it released in 1977, as it is quite literally pulled directly from 35mm prints that were given out to theaters at its release. You will not find a more accurate copy online unless you yourself go and buy your own prints.

[@leadzeppbelly]

@@spuriouseffectI will say it is an acquired taste. I personally like it and enjoy it but the DeSpecialized is the best and definitive version

[@RobertR3750]

You ask "why" at one point. The only theory that has ever made any sense to me is George Lucas' attitude towards his ex-wife, Marcia. She was the editor on the originals. He was EXTREMELY bitter about her divorcing him, bitterness that remains to this day. He hates the existence of the product of her editing. It also may be the case that altering the films cuts her out of any money coming to her from them. For this reason, it's apparent to me that an official release of the originals that you still believe will happen some day will never happen as long as George Lucas is alive.

[@eitanmichaeli6770]

Well, i doubt whoever inherits the copyrights will do it, so we'll have to wait 70 years after his death

[@Danthehorse]

Very insightful and yeah, people do behave in those ways, so it's entirely feasible.

[@GearSounds]

Anything to back this theory up? This seems plausible, especially considering that outside of star wars, George is pretty much just a fat beta male. It would make sense for him to be petty and marry a bad woman who was after him for his money because he was a lowly man before star wars.

[@RobertR3750]

@@GearSounds I don't have any kind of "inside source" to confirm it, but it certainly sounds plausible, and it does explain things. Marcia was an attractive woman, and he blew it with her. You characterization of him is accurate.

[@kapelski104]

The in the making despecialized v3.0 looks like the perfect version of Star Wars for me. No stupid changes or effects, but a crisp, clean and modern image quality. I hope Harmy keeps working on it since it looks so good.

[@2002toyotacivic]

God i love the 1977 version visually, there's something about those imperfections and not so harsh blacks that makes the film feel more human and real

[@rars0n]

That's the thing: those imperfections are part of the movie's character. I think that's why so many people appreciate them so much, and why it's so frustrating to watch Lucas go and screw with them when they're already exactly what fans wanted. And sure, I get that maybe "his vision" of Star Wars may be something different, but I don't think it's fair to try to erase the theatrical original from history just because he wants there to be only one version. After all, the original edit of Star Wars was absolute garbage, so how close to "his vision" will the movie ever really be?

[@RTU130]

Hmm

[@SpidermanFan92]

Thank you for taking the time to show us these three versions side by side by side like this. I really appreciate being able to see exactly what the difference is.

[@Djankie49]

it would be a crime not having the 4k77 and despecialized versions exist amazing job done by the teams working on these

[@Justusson]

Which of the two are better? I would love to see them, but I don’t know which one to go with,..

[@Raygo.]

@@Justusson In my opinion, the Harmy Despecialized look way better on a large screen HD TV. Just a few days ago I "acquired" copies of 4k77 and 4k83. I was quite thrilled, thinking finally I got the ultimate. I was really quite disappointed by just how dark certain scenes appear, and how "washed-out" other scenes look. I compared the exact same scenes to the Harmy versions, and couldn't deny that in his versions, colors looked better, light balance was way better. Such a shame what a PITA it is getting them these days.

[@claridagio]

The latest 4K release (and the version that's streaming on Disney+ in a lower bitrate) is a closer match to the colour timing of the original release than the Blu-ray, which was clearly an abomination. However, there's a *far* better restoration than either the Despecialized or 4K77 versions that may never see the light of day - by Mike Verta. Mike took multiple 35mm prints (about 15-20), stacked them on top of each other and compared each using custom software to remove anomalies in dirt and grain to restore fine detail. It's a better technique than restoring a single print because there will always be some degree of interpretation when data is restored using interpolation or by resampling a single source. Do watch his videos because THAT'S the version we need.

[@eyedunno8462]

link?

[@claridagio]

@@eyedunno8462 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWS6kIJjqdVjlck and his old Vimeo channel is vimeo.com/channels/starwarslegacy.

[@evooff]

It's never going to be released so no point even talking about it. For us it's better to just pretend it doesn't exist.

[@Checkmate1138]

@@evooff Why isn't it getting released?

[@evooff]

@@Checkmate1138 Because Mike Verta apparently got his tapes from Lucasfilm on the condition that he is not allowed to release his restoration to the public

[@ThreeProphets]

There was a planned 3d release of the original trilogy slated for 2012 that never happened, but part of the problem was that there was a limited amount of objects in many shots that could be separated non-destructively. This was the reason for so many random CGI props and digital backgrounds seemingly inserted haphazardly all throughout the films. It was to add additional objects that could be separated for the planned 3d version before that fell through the cracks

[@ImTheReverse]

I’m only 16, born in 2004, the year the updated special editions were released. I was lucky enough to grow up watching the OT on VHS instead of DVD. The Theatrical versions instead of the special editions. Thank god.

[@aliaflow6877]

I'm older than you and I've never got the change to watch the original version

[@glitchy000]

The Special Editions aren't all that bad and have some of what I consider essential changes. (But also a lot of bad or distracting ones, particularly in Ep.IV.)

[@franckbass]

Good god, you’re the voice of wisdom ! If only they could be more people your age sharing the same opinion !

[@ImTheReverse]

Nicholas Swenson Yeah, eventually, I’m just going to make an ultimate version of the films, keeping the good changes like no eyebrows on Vader and R2’s panels being blue during the trench run but leave out the ones that ruin the pacing and are just way too kiddie like the ANH Jabba scene entirely, Jedi Rocks, the dinosaurs in Mos Eisley, the beak on the Sarlaac.

[@hugocastilla3102]

Lucky you. I first watched them in DVD...

[@consubandon]

Hello, HG. You and I were both in the Navy. You're young. I'll offer some of what I've experienced as a response to your question, "What happens to that community when everyone sees that the mission pretty much has been accomplished?" (Nicely put, by the way.) I joined the Navy in the mid-1980s and served six years (one hitch) in the U. S. Submarine Service as a nuke ET/Reactor Operator. After two years training in electronics and reactor operations, I went to my boat, a mid-1960s, Sturgeon-class fast attack sub. I joined the boat when it was over twenty years old, about the same age as I was, in its mid-life refueling overhaul. I found it at the point of its maximum disassembly. When I got to it, the ship was nothing more than a pile of pipes, a Reactor Compartment, turbines, a propulsion drive train, some frames, and bits of hull at the bottom of a drydock. I got to work on it as we put the entire submarine back together. Two years of this and the ship sailed free of the yards, at last. I knew that boat inside and out, in ways nobody could without having worked the reassembly and testing. I then spent two years with the ship, operating as part of the U. S. Atlantic Fleet. The old Diesel subs were being retired. The sailors from the pigboats sneered at us in the nuke fleet: "DBF!", they shouted. Diesel Boats Forever. My hitch ended coincidental with the end of the Cold War. We asked, "Can we go home now?" They told us, "No". We had to wait. I got out a few months later and went to college. Here's what I've seen: - The boot camp drill halls and other buildings at Great Lakes, IL, have been demolished. Boot camp now focuses on a giant damage control simulator that never existed while I was in the Navy. - Electronics Technician training used to be based on SPS-10 radar and troubleshooting to individual components. There was no digital. - Many of the Mainside NTC/SSC buildings at GLAKES are gone, as well. - NAS Memphis, where I was assigned between schools, no longer exists. - NTC Orlando, where I went to Nuke School, no longer exists. The base was bulldozed and a suburban residential community with an entirely different street plan was laid in its place. - S1W reactor prototype at Naval Reactors Facility in Idaho is shut down and closed. - Mare Island Naval Shipyard is closed. The Navy base around it has been largely demolished. - The Horse and Cow bar is gone from Vallejo, moved and much subdued. - The Navy's forward submarine facility at Holy Loch, Scotland, no longer exists. - The Cold War is little more than a question mark to young people, now. - The Navy dropped as many ships off the roster as they could to save money. My submarine has been decommissioned and scrapped. Its reactor compartment is in a pit in Hanford , WA. One fairwater plane is in a park in Seattle. - Just days after I got out of the Navy, the Iraqis walked into Kuwait, launching Gulf War No. 1. The focus of the military would never be the same. In short, everything I knew during the most formative six years of my life is gone. Only NTC GLAKES is still operational, though it looks quite different. I have sometimes joked if I ever have kids, the closest I can come to showing them my life in the Navy is to go to the beach, point at the water, and tell them, " *There* That's where I used to work." The Submarine Service goes on. The Los Angeles-class attack boats and even the Ohio-class missile subs are being decommissioned. Virginia- and Seawolf- and Columbia-class boats are taking their places. I meet monthly with Submarine Service veterans. For most of us, the ships and places that shaped us are gone. Newer vets are now seeing their boats get scrapped, as we did. Now, they've added women to the Sub Service. Now, they frown on the drinking and rowdyness that was bedrock to sub culture; they give piss tests for drinking. Now, they dress submariners in camo like they're in the effing Army or some damned thing. It's "Submarines: The Modified Edition", if you will. It's not the "real" sub service. I saw the "real" subs, I say. Yet, I read a lot about submarine history, especially the WWII Fleet-type boats. I will never know the subs as they knew them in the '40s. I will always feel I've missed out on something I can only read about. But I am young. I have to deal with that. Soon, there won't be any of the Diesel sailors around even to reminisce with. It will be up to me to invite the kids sailing the new subs to join our vets' group. What happens to the community when the mission is over? I was thirteen years old when a girl in my class came to school one day, excited over a new movie about space ships attacking a humongous ball. A few days later, I got to see it, myself. Can you imagine? Thirteen years old! Right on the edge between being a little kid and building my serious view of the world, planning to be grown-up in it, thinking about what mattered and what I could do about it. Star Wars blew everything I saw wide open. I went back the the theater on weekend mornings and stayed to watch Star Wars again, and again until the place closed around midnight. I saw it 21 times in the theater, projected on a colossal screen. Lying in bed at night, I could close my eyes and watch the entire film. Theaters don't have screens like that, anymore. There are many, many tens of thousands more Star Wars fans, now, then there were, then, but how many of them have never seen the film I saw and memorized? After The Revenge of the Teddy Bears movie, I felt I was being played. I stopped watching. The franchise would belong to other people, not me and my friends. We had a different fandom, for a different movie. But, one day, the old vets and the new vets and the kids just getting into it, we'll talk about things that used to be and are no longer. We'll share stories. We'll gloss over the bits that were less-than-glorious. We'll josh each other. We'll validate each other's memories. Then we'll go home and be with our thoughts. That's what happens. Everything you had goes away. You share the stories. Thanks for letting me share.

[@bps3013]

From a purist standpoint, 4K77 (available in both DNR and non DNR versions) are as good as we're gonna get for super high definition 100% unadulterated cuts of the film. Harmy's version was the benchmark for quite a while (and deservedly so) but to date 4K77 in the one to beat. Massive gratitude to everyone for all the hard work that went into all these projects!

[@gamechannel1271]

4k77 looks the worst from a technical standpoint. You can be assured it didn't look that washed out in the theater originally. Kodachrome fades, loses sharpness, and shifts to magenta over time.

[@genderender]

i'm surprised a edit of 4k77 hasn't come out to bring the colors more inline with harmy's

[@thinkhector]

That's actually not the case. There is a restoration of Star Wars that is superior to 4K77. Before I go any further, let me say that Harmy's Despecialized Edition is the best and ONLY version that covers the entire trilogy. To me, the Despecialized version is the best way to watch right now, and will be getting the 4K treatment as well soon enough. In many ways, it even looks superior to 4K77. Okay, now there is version of Star Wars and ONLY Star Wars that is better than 4K77. It was made using 6 different reels of the film. However, it has never been made public to anyone. It was created by Mike Verta, and he won't release it. Thought he has shown it to a few people. He also has not touched Empire or Jedi. So right now, the most important restoration work is still Harmy and the Despecialized Project. The entire point of restoration work is to make it available to the public.

[@agreedboarart3188]

4k77 looks significantly worse than the Despecialized Edition.

[@LarryLeeMoniz]

This is a wonderful video. It's wonderful to give shout outs to those who are as passionate about the original version of these movies as you are. It's was long-time fans have been wanting for decades. I applaud these efforts, and very much respect the folks doing this as a labor of love. Harmy is awesome, and the first one that made me aware of such wonderful fan efforts. His work is great and so appreciated. The 4K77 version is 100% the authentic version fans like me have always wanted to own. With all the bad in the world today, knowing that the original Star Wars is back, just like it was in 1977. Thank you HelloGreedo. ADDED: If there ever is an official release of the original films in their original edits, I still do not have faith that they will be as lovingly restored as they are by the efforts of the passionate fans and groups working on them today. There will always be the need for this type of community.

[@robertromero8692]

The 4k77 version looks fantastic on my projector. It's VERY much like being back in the theater in '77.

[@LeoGR420]

"Disney announces OT Theatrical in blu ray and 4K" OT Community: "The mission. The nightmares, are finally over."

[@ariesroc]

Nah, they'd just be used as the basis for another version. There is no actual set "original" just different variations. Any Disney version would be more akin to an official despecialized version.

[@justinderoche]

Clone Wars quote for the win!

[@hugocastilla3102]

Saddly that's not possible because the original copies are practically lost

[@DrRhyhm]

@@hugocastilla3102 They aren't. They handed a copy to the National Film Registry.

[@hugocastilla3102]

@@DrRhyhm I heard that Lucas gave them a copy of the 1997 edition

[@junoeclipse7715]

I believe these fan edit communities will still exist if we get an official release. The fact that these various projects all present different methodologies of restoration has led to a lot of fans having really specific taste about minute details they probably would have never noticed or thought about if we had been given official releases all along. Whichever project most resembles the official release will probably dip in popularity, but the community as a whole will likely still retain their preferences.

[@lindybeige]

I saw Star Wars in England when it first came out, and I recall how confused the audience was when the words "chapter four: A New Hope" came on the screen. Could this have been a difference with the British edition?

[@Mikey5781]

Have you thought of making any videos on Star Wars recently?

[@Outware0]

Like in 1977? That would have been so confusing. “WAIT THERE WERE 3 OTHER MOVIES?!”

[@juhakopman2430]

Multiple sources like this video, Inverse .com article, etc. mention that theatrical release with title "episode IV" was released only as early as 1981, following the release of ESB (which was called Ep. V right from the start). However, the claims are usually backed by that George Lucas got the idea of prequels after original screenwriter Leigh Brackett passing in March 1978, so it might not be far fetched that theatrical re-release in 1978 might've already had the subtitle "IV"?

[@elderscrollslore5611]

lindybeige didn’t think i’d see you here wow

[@benjaminprince6424]

Lloyd what colour lightsaber would be your most preferred to thrust into a Frenchman?

[@segagogu]

I thought it was a stream because of the start of the video

[@WhiteWolf496]

The Disney+ version looks great besides the Mclunkey of it all.

[@seymourkrelborn4780]

And black and white R2 in space

[@al112v4]

Is it the same as the recent 4K/Blu-ray releases?

[@seymourkrelborn4780]

@@al112v4 Added midshot of Greedo saying "Maclunky" before being shot, R2-D2 is black and white in space again, and the lightsaber colours are fixed a little better. Otherwise the same as the 2011 Bluray

[@al112v4]

Seymour Krelborn So the rocks over R2 are still there? Regardless, sounds a bit better. It hasn’t been properly rehearsed where I live yet.

[@MichaelPhillipsatGreyOwlStudio]

MacKlunkey is the precise reason why I chose to pursue the 4K77 version. At that point, I was like "screw that jerk, Lucas! He's just dicking around with us now."

[@georgeheilman885]

Comparisons are fun but I like knowing the background of how these edits came to be. They're probably more interesting than the results themselves.

[@jeffdeboer1679]

The thing that always gets me is that Lucasfilm, and now Disney, have said repeatedly that it's "not possible" to do this, and now it's been done twice by regular people. The only reason I can think of that they wouldn't do it is maybe they feel like it would be disrespectful to the idea that the Special Editions are Lucas's "definitive" vision for the movies and the official canon. They have to know that they would make a shit-ton of money on something like that.

[@daniduc]

Maybe it's not legally possible - Lucas may have included a clause in the sell contract forbidding them to do it.

[@FaZekiller-qe3uf]

That's what my understanding "not possible" was when I first heard it. Obviously, it's not actually physically impossible. @@daniduc

[@namikstudios]

The ownership of the original Star Wars movie (A New Hope) is a bit different to that of the rest. When Lucas sold the franchise to Disney he actually didn't sell it all - he and Fox retained the rights to A New Hope. The ownership and rights to A New Hope are quite complicated and unusual. But then a few years later, Disney purchased 20th Century Fox and A New Hope along with it, or whatever rights Fox had for it anyway.

[@I86282]

You know it's kind of weird. All three of them at some point look better than the other two. I wish I could play all three of them at the same time. And edit together all the scenes that look the best from any one of the three.

[@robbiegibson5005]

I think the best version of the original trilogy would include the more accepted changes made over the years, such as the update to the Emperor in Empire. Its a shame Lucas went so far with some of the changes.

[@goldfishprime]

Insert Lucas Quote: "I may have gone too far in a few places."

[@masonspencer918]

Maclunkey

[@masonspencer918]

Maclunkey

[@TheDarthChief]

I'm the same way. There's a lot of stuff that I like such as Ewoks being able to blink and have more (maybe not as much) Tie fighters in battles. I also almost always prefer the color correction to the other versions.

[@AgentActive]

I would have liked the emperors change in empire better had they not changed the dialogue

[@nathanjames1142]

I recently watched the no DNR 4k77. It is the best way to watch it and such a different viewing experience. It's not as glossy and has lots of film grain but it is a movie made in the 70s and it's what it should look like.

[@Tom-B292-S3]

The 4k77 and 4k83 versions look amazing!

[@draskuul]

@@ryansellers2581 It isn't available yet. They're still working on it last I saw.

[@johnm4397]

@@draskuul 4k83 been out for awhile, they are working on 4k80

[@draskuul]

@@johnm4397 Oops, mixed them up! Yeah I was thinking of ESB.

[@colt5189]

While I haven't watched all of these versions. My preference would be what Harmy is doing. Because Lucasfilm going back and digitally re-compositing all the ships and things really helped a lot. As I never liked how some of the ships and things looked like paper cutouts. And I'm glad Harmy is going to redo the movies off of the new 2019 versions that have better color correction.

[@Seriously140]

13:20 I remember seeing this scene in the theater in 1977. It was burned in my mind. After seeing the new tinkered with versions I always wondered where that scene had gone. I knew something was wrong. Good to be able to see it the real way again.

[@RyanGill86]

I remember back in the day I got so hyped to download Dark Jedi's V3 editions -- they were upscaled versions of the 2006 DVD / 1993 Laserdisc release. This was before Harmy released his, I believe. We've come a long way.

[@RabidFace]

I will wait for all of the 4K project to be released before seeking out. I got Harmy's about 3 years ago and it's more than I could ask for. I can't bare to watch any of the Special Editions. Every time I have to point to anyone this was "added". I actually like the look of 4K77. While some scenes are blown out, there are others that look "HDR". Gredo was a nice dark, bright green. I grew up on the 1992 VHS box set and the look of 4K77 brought me back to when I was 6 😊

[@sebcubille]

cant imagine being a new star wars viewer in 2020. watching a movie from the 70s but theres a ton of CGI in it, they must be really confused

[@MarCuseus]

there are plenty of people reacting to SW for the first time on youtube, most are watching the Disney+ version

[@leecroft1983]

Confusing, why ? They know the originals are old but they would either know it was touched up with modern effects or honestly, most likely didn't even notice or care. Personally i prefer the special editions, they fit it with the prequels. The original cuts just look so dull and lifeless if viewed after the prequels.

[@lordmuaddib]

new generations don't ask those questions at all, that's why those special official releases are still working, sadly

[@MrStevegibb]

Prequels were shit and should not be viewed ever in relation to the original trilogy.

[@-BigMike-]

Believe it or not, I am 34, grew up with a brother who was a Star Wars fan, but I have never seen the trilogy. Ever. But when I do watch it for the first time (in 2 weeks) It will actually be Project 4K77 via a projector.

[@thatsruffdog]

Disney: Oh so you want a new trilogy? NO!!! We want an HD- Disney: Yes, you love more Star Wars because you see all the movies we make. YOU FORCE THEM ONTO US!!!

[@saemikneu]

I really like your way of comparing. It's not filled with emotions but with things we can see. When we will see a release of the originals, fans will do a 8K version or fix movie errors. I think, a release will happen after Lucas has passed.

[@TheGameTunes]

You need to include the 2020 blu-ray versions packed with the 4K editions in these comparisons. The colour grading is totally different.

[@MarCuseus]

*2160p

[@Knightmessenger]

Its because they scanned the 1997 prints and recomposited in the 2004/ 2011 changes. So this avoids the color issues from 2004

[@teamr2r473]

with disney's current standing with star wars fans, it wouldnt be a bad idea to release the hd version.

[@Gemnist98]

The problem is that those original cuts, in the original film form, are probably lost thanks to Lucas’ meddlings. I think Disney even stated they wanted to but physically couldn’t.

[@Gemnist98]

@Obi-Wan Kenobi They have neither of those things because Lucas got rid of them. Not even the Library of Congress has them, as when they were going to add Empire to the National Film Registry, a lot of people were upset because the film only officially existed in its 2004 form. The originals do exist on some VHS tapes, but Disney can’t officially get those because Lucas let them fall out of print, technically making them illegal.

[@paisleepunk]

@@Gemnist98 There are a lot of 35mm theatre prints going around, maybe they can compile the best of those.

[@Qwazin]

I feel like anyone can read between the lines that when JJ says "for reasons I don't quite understand" he means "George Lucas".

[@nydabeats]

the despecialized has the best contrast and natural colors, I think it looks great. I just watched whatever version is on disneyplus in dolbyvision and I didn't love the look of it.

[@anitaschvitz9749]

I was 12 when Star wars first came out. It blew me away, it affected me, I went home after, sat on my bed and replayed in my head what I had just witnessed. I was so excited when it came out on blue ray, I had waited to watch it again just for that extra special. Then I played it and everything was cgi'd and different, I've never been so disappointed in my life, exactly the opposite of what I felt in the 70's. Didn't even finish watching it again. Haven't watched it again since and won't. All I want is to see what I saw when it was magical not the cgi BS. George Lucas sucks for taking that away

[@Aziial]

At the beginning i was like "huh, ill probably watch a little bit then skip to the comparisons" I ended up watching all of it. Great video! Very in-depth and definitely drew me into watching :)

[@matafuko]

When it's all finished we'll stand around in the woods while little bears play the drums on stormtrooper helmets and it will be *the end.*

[@replicantmonk4310]

That 5 disc Blade Runner set you mentioned was my favorite Blu-ray.

[@Pressed_For_Time]

Just watched 4K77 last night. And all i can say, is damn. i was blown away. Looks like it was recorded yesterday.

[@DallasSoundGuys]

Christmas Day, 2023… I just watched the 4K77 today for the first time. I’m so happy to have seen this version since I watched SW in theaters as a kid in 1977. Thank you so much for this!!!

[@sargeeagle213]

I like Harmy's Despecialized Edition

[@crunchypickle8682]

Where do I find it?

[@Beltzer0072]

@@crunchypickle8682 Ebay

[@caderen5624]

So, does this count as a sequel to The Changes series from the early days of HelloGreedo? Because damn, its been nearly a decade and you really have grown alot since 2011, you definitely understand Star Wars in a way i never thought about, you went from PT bashing, close minded OT fanboy to The Enlightened Star Wars Fan

[@MeanMrMustard1]

That's because deep down HG is a good, decent, understanding guy with his head on straight. He probably had some humbling experiences. He probably saw just how toxic some fans can be and maybe saw himself using their language but knew deep down inside he wasn't that person so decided to just keep trying to improve as a person. When it comes to SW, he understands the path of the Jedi and what causes people to turn to the dark side. He didn't want to go down the dark path because he knows that forever it will dominate his destiny. He chose the Light. That's just my guess, maybe because I relate.

[@larniieplayz6285]

MeanMrMustard1 interesting

[@caderen5624]

@Irish Jester bashing on the prequel trilogy

[@Jacques_the_Rooster]

Cel Confitech but dude, prequel trilogy is SHIT compared to ORIGINAL TRILOGY and any other good / great films made on this planet 😂 Corny dialogue, cheap, ugly and fake visuals, mediocrity all the way through... How old are you ? Watch GOOD movies around the world and you'll eventually know it to be true. GROW UP !

[@chucky187]

@@Jacques_the_Rooster The Prequels were trash and the Disney version of Star Wars is shit. Everything called Star Wars just rides on the reputation and greatness of the first three films.

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

I love the great dedicated restoration done by harmy and others of the original trilogy movies and in 4K even though I grew up with the special editions on vhs and on DVD and love 4K77 and 4K83 and despecialized editions

[@mikevanroy9356]

The only thing really controversial about re-releases is the major stuff Lucas added. Nobody cares that the lightsaber is a slightly different color.

[@garym6315]

The two things I love about watching the Despecialised editions - they're nice and bright and warm, the same way I remember the colour, brightness and contrast being whenever I watched it in the 80s and 90s. Also, the fact that the lack of CGI is something you take without even a second thought. Whenever I watch the special editions, the modified scenes just take me out of the movie for that moment, whereas I can watch these ones and feel completely enveloped from start to finish.

[@leedobson]

I look forward to the team behind 4k77 completing Empire next, these versions and these alone... are the film's of my childhood

[@maxis2k]

Hollywood ever since Jurrasic Park Lost World: "Just throw a dark filter over it."

[@z-beeblebrox]

Exec: "Hey I see you have a scene with high contrast. You'll need this obviously" hands DP an indigo filter DP: "uh, no the shot is fine with just -" Exec: *flashes gun on his belt* DP: "- indigo filter, right away sir!"

[@Knightmessenger]

Painting with pixels is a feature about how Oh Brother Where Atr Though was the first movie to have figital color grading. Lord of the Rings Fellowship was the first I noticed. It just looked off.

[@kenkobra]

Star Wars Trilogy: The Definitive Collection (LASERDISC) was one of the best releases. I still have mine.

[@sumyupee]

The best

[@timobi_1604]

@@sumyupee had GREAT audio as well. I remember it having far more ambience and low end vs the DVD when it came out.

[@jyesucevitz]

Seeing this reminded of all the times that I saw star wars in the theater with my dad. I always believed it was '77, but after I heard you talk the Episode: IV I realized it was the '81 rerelease that I was at. It doesnt change anything. The important part was what I was seeing and who I saw it with.

[@tyjuarez]

In 1977, Lucas & crew went to the desert to make a movie. Sand got into everything. The sun bounced off the rough, coarse particles, and somehow that gave the film a soft and smooth look. If you watch 4K77 through a projector, you can almost feel that Tunisian heat bouncing back at you.

[@DavyDredd14]

I'm really looking forward to the release of TN1 Project 4K80 'The Empire Strikes Back'

[@VIDEOgameDROME]

Just get D+80... 😉 unless you really need it to be sourced from film prints.

[@MicaelSG23]

me too! can't wait for it

[@lukeh2556]

Nothing like to trying to notice the difference while watching on a phone at 144p

[@cool3865]

what you have a phone from 20 years ago?

[@chrisallen9638]

I want a official release of the original versions as a show of respect to the fans and the franchise itself. The special edition was never the problem, it was the official dismissal that the original versions even exist that bothers me.

[@N64-fan.]

Many thanks for this split screen comparison. I've heard a lot of 4K77 but seeing it in this comparison, I couldn't help but feel that its makers went into the opposite extreme of the 2011 Blu-ray (or the latest official UHD Blu-ray). Where the official versions are too dark, 4K77 apparently boosted contrast, thus eliminating subtle half-tone details in dark and white areas (e.g. stormtrooper armor). IMHO Harmy's despecialized version 2.7 looks like the proverbial "best of both worlds" and I consider him - when it comes to STAR WARS - as a sort of personal savior.

[@Breshvic]

I really really appreciate that you specify when something is 'in your opinion', even those times I would naturally agree with you on something. This differentiates you from a vast number of Star Wars commentators and analysts

[@Nick-4K]

Is that lotion on the desk behind you, my dude? Hahaha

[@ImTheReverse]

👀

[@HelloGreedo]

Nalgene.

[@myohmyDesign]

I treasure my BluRay Despecialized Editions

[@MarioBario]

And where did you get hypothetically get them? Asking for a friend

[@your.dark.lord.]

Rarbg

[@Beltzer0072]

@@MarioBario Ebay

[@dvitoc]

George Lucas couldn't possibly give a reason that makes sense for those changes

[@robinanwaldt]

In an interview about the Director’s Cut of THX 1138, he said something along the lines of this; "Painters were always able to take their finished painting from the wall and work on it some more. With movies you have a set amount of time until your art is taken away from you by the studio." To say I disagree with his viewpoint and how that is not an appropriate comparison would be an understatement.

[@matiasaguilar2500]

@@robinanwaldt yeah i mean, what was the point of that huge green ugly animal in the middle of the scene, i want to watch my movie George, you know, the movie that you made?

[@ariesroc]

He doesn't need to. It's his story.

[@robinanwaldt]

ariesroc Maybe it’s his story, but they are not his movies. He didn’t single handedly make them or own them. By making the theatrical cuts unavailable, he’s undermining the hard work and legacy of the people being part of these films. It’s unfair on multiple levels.

[@ariesroc]

@@robinanwaldt It's a completely apt comparison which Lucas has proven over and over again. Just because people saw an unfinished work and thought it was complete doesn't mean the artist can't complete or change it. Writers and painters revisit works so why an artist who makes movies should be able to doesn't make sense. The barrier was that the corporations owned the movies not the artist. In this case the artist does and had the resources to make the changes.

[@briandenzer]

I downloaded the Harmy edition some ten years ago, and was so profoundly grateful to him. He placed a massive amount of credit in the faith-in-humanity column. I can't ever know, but I can imagine, how much work he put into the project. This is the only version I will ever want to watch, because it represents the same level of enthusiasm that I had seeing the original 1977 version for the first time in a theater. All hail Harmy!

[@ripper12322]

I applaud them. Being a person who has owned every version from the Original VHS versions this is great. For me the most atrocious change in the Special editions was that of Jabba's Palace in ROTJ (Ep6). The level of hate I have of that and how much I actually still have the original tune in my mind.

[@ginarae5739]

Harmy and Team did a stellar job and restored things for so many fans. With 4K77 being the definitive version, Huge well done team, is there any point in further edits???

[@panelsandplatters]

Do we have to wait until George is dead? That's how I interpreted J.J. Abrams' remarks about it. If but hopefully when we get a commercial version of the theatrical release, I can just imagine a Criterion Collection box set of Star Wars, with bonus features that pay tribute to Harmy, 4K77 and the others who did their part to preserve the original film before I was available "officially."

[@OfficialEricElemen]

Awesome

[@HOTD108_]

@@OfficialEricElemen I find it so hilarious that so many Star Wars fans' reactions to George Lucas' death will be "awesome". Lmao, I respect the man to no end, but I feel the same way.

[@ariesroc]

@@HOTD108_ Hardly. The reality is that these "original" versions are watched by so few people that it doesn't really matter to anyone at Lucasfilm before or after Disney. If anything they've made a point of completely undermining the OT to such a degree that the idea they'd want to celebrate them is ludicrous at this point.

[@nickymo]

I was born in ‘95 so I’m so far removed from the original films I’m used to these movies being everrr so different every few years. It’s such a legend of home releases, I would love the see untampered versions.

[@jameswyman5752]

Project 4k77 is definitely the go to version. I felt like being back in 1977

[@mxskmg4]

the first time i watched 4k77 i just randomly downloaded a new hope not knowing what I was clicking. I was so blown away from it i was watching it like the first time again. The colors and clarity were gorgeous. the editing was on another level that i had not experienced. no saturation no blue hue, just art.

[@255placiddr]

Tried to register for the 4k77 forum but needed an invite,any ideas?

[@darthjump]

This is such an interesting topic. I like the idea of preservation and at some point in my life i had the desire to get the old versions i remember from my childhood (I´m from 93´ and mostly grew up with VHS television grabs) and now that i am somewhat of a filmmaker i came to have more acceptance of George Lucas´s desire to alter the films to more match his original vision. Often times i look at my old footage of something i shot and re-edit or further alter or grade it as i progress as an artist and get better. But also at some point i think there has to be put a stop to the madness sometimes. You could always go and find something different like "Hey let´s watch Star Wars in Monochrome today" or "hey let´s just for fun watch the spanish version" or something like that. I think the main core that made the movies great will always prevail in all versions and always shine through any color grading or correction done to the material.

[@HabitualJoker]

“Lucas’ vision” was always changing, though. He was constantly changing his mind. You can’t tell me that a rock in front of R2-D2 and Vader screaming “Nooooo” were part of his original vision, or that they did not have the technology available back when the movies were made to do these. He’s a liar and there are oodles of fans that believe his fibbing.

[@JimElford]

The Disney÷ versions are very close to the Despecialised's colour grading

[@GregoryVeizades]

Yeah, I noticed that. Shame it's even more ruined theatrically.

[@sumyupee]

Best versions of the original Trilogy for me was my parents laser-discs from the 90's. There's a specific scene at the end of Return where Luke is burning Vader's body and you can see details in the background, different arrays of colors. But I remember being shocked when I saw the blu ray and it was all red and the contrast was cranked and the dark areas had last their details... Gotta say though the despecialized version looks pretty slick comparatively, but of course I know they pulled a lot from those same Laser Discs I enjoyed so much as a child.

[@mikecronis]

I saw it 13 times from 1977 to 1979. I saw alternate cuts and takes as well, to include some now-found original Jabba footage and some more Biggs at Toshi Station footage back then, and I took note of it at the time. All in all, Harmy's Version is the closest, particularly his 70mm cut when you buy the deluxe version in 6-speaker surround. Very accurate.

[@JoshuaDHSW]

I wish they released a version that is kind of like a "Pick your own adventure" type thing. They take the parts that are obviously changed, like the "Han Shot First" scene and you can pick which version you want. You could choose if you want the color grading of the original or the blu-ray version for example. Then you could have the movie exactly the way you like it, I think that would be a really cool and satisfying way to watch it

[@JRJohnson1701]

I kind of like this idea. Take the correct color grading, add in the unobtrusive changes like the cloud city background updates, but leave out the obnoxious ones like the CG bar creatures, or giant storm trooper non-horses

[@grahpayy]

I wonder if an official Despecialized Edition would keep the weird Palpatine from 1980

[@counterfeit1148]

Neither version fits with RotJ

[@Cuppy88]

Why wouldn't it? That would be the whole point. If you're going to release the originals then it's all or nothing. No one wants a "Greatest Hits" set of changes because the idea that any of the changes are an improvement is a subjective thing, nevermind historical accuracy. The whole point of putting the originals out would be for the preservation of the version that was first released.

[@Lanosrep]

For me, I'll prefer the newest version. Sure there are a lot of nonsensical additions, but there are too many edits that improve the films for me to go back. I prefer most lf the new effects, I prefer the new Ian McDiarmid scene in Episode 5 etc... Plus I am one of those people who like the canonical connections between a lot of the new Disney era stuff, so for me, the now canonical version will be my go to

[@FATE522]

I'm so glad I'm not alone

[@FATE522]

@Geralt of Trivia I've seen various versions if you mean me

[@OfficialEricElemen]

Maclunky!

[@chrisallen9638]

I'd like a version that keeps the good additions from the special edition and removes the "wtf" ones.

[@Lanosrep]

@Alexander Pascalev Imagine gatekeeping what parts of a franchise you're allowed to like

[@majeric]

I like the 4K version. The newer CG sections need to be updated to be honest but of all the colour and lighting treatments. The BluRay appeals to me most.

[@cryptohalloffame]

4k77 is the best 'theatrical' version, by far, it's what I saw in the theatre all those years ago...

[@MrRladdu]

I hate the addition of the rock in front of R2 more than I hate the Greedo changes. It's so stupid and I genuinely don't see why it's necessary.

[@MeanMrMustard1]

The Greedo change is worse because it changes Han's character. The rock in front of R2 just as easily could have always been there and it wouldn't be controversial.

[@Evan15]

MeanMrMustard1 how the fuck did r2 get in there?

[@MeanMrMustard1]

@@Evan15 From the perspective of the audience, it looks like the rock is right in front of R2, but it's possible there is room for him to move into that space, we just can't see it, but if you were to look at it from the side, there could be a few feet in front of R2 and the rock.

[@Thomas_of_the_forest]

Oh woah, those desert shots look hella blown out in the 4K77. Definitely sticking with the Harmy's

[@wright96d]

Greedo is using an outdated version of 4K77 with significantly worse color grading. v.1.4 uses a shot by shot grade by OT member Sanjuro_61. That version puts all releases other than maybe the 4K Blu-Ray, to shame.

[@ekahnoman7331]

Yeah, but the bullshit you have to go through just to get the download for the Despecialized edition, and especially the 4K77 edition, is really discouraging. - you have to sign up with this site - then download a code reading software - then wait hours upon hours for the 100+GB required to download - and possibly rack up your internet bill - plus you'd have to buy a Blu-ray burner - then make a trip to OfficeMax and get some high quality labels printed - and there's probably stuff I'm forgetting about So it just makes me want to pay for someone else to do it.

[@dan4lau]

Totally.

[@hectorosbert]

I just downloaded the torrent. Took like 3 clicks.

[@tomgamble3875]

Hector Osbert, where did you find one? I cannot seem to find any

[@YoungButRetro]

4k77 was so easy its unreal. Just follow the instructions on the forums simple.

[@TitoTimTravels]

Or download it from the Bay... and watch it from a drive. Why burn it? Does anyone own DVD or Blu-Ray players anymore? (other than the one in my Playstation, that never gets used for movies)

[@97BuckeyeNut]

I would LOVE to have the re-colorization of the Despecialized Edition done to the 2011 Bluray version. I actually like the specialized editions, but the re-color that Harmy did is just beautiful.

[@seank5714]

I recently watched the 4k77 - and I think prior to this when watching comparison videos I would have preferred the CC that was done on despecialized or the blu ray versions. Having now watched the whole thing together, it's much more cinematic with the original projection look, I could see it benefitting from a minor hue correction for how green everything has degraded in the upper ranges from the film degrading, but wouldn't want to touch the more overexposed parts of the film to the extent that other editions have done. The real shocking thing is that the blu ray doesn't even look 1080p when I was doing some comparisons to the 4k77 versions in certain scenes. It looks so smeared. I kind of think that this movie looks best on a good CRT with VHS or at 4k on a high res display, and because of how things have been restored I'm not sure if there will be an edition that reaches the 4k quality level outside of scanning an old print. Everything in between has resulted in this degradation and artefacting that makes the film less cinematic. The VHS versions, by virtue of the medium and display, had an organic warmth to them that really hasn't been present in the subsequent releases - and I feel like a lot of intangibles are back with 4k77 by making the film artefacts so sharp and apparent. I haven't enjoyed a Star Wars rewatch in around 25 years, maybe longer. I thought it might have been because I'm older and the filmmaking doesn't work as well for my cynical brain - and that's certainly part of it - but I'm increasingly feel like some combination of medium and display has undersold the greatness that is in the original work.

[@beachkidboy]

When I saw it in LA theatres it was 70MM Dolby 6-track.

[@cp6027]

I saw both ESB and ROTJ in 70MM. Will never be able to recreate that experience again.

[@davherex]

Lucky!!!

[@Jesup1204]

If we get a fourth trilogy, maybe we can have those heroes multiverse hopping and use it to subtlety explain every edit to the original trilogy. Each edit is canon to a different dimension they travel to. Hell, we could take it a step further and have them meet/learn about legends characters like Kyle Katarn or Starkiller.

[@ImTheReverse]

I want that trilogy to explain the life of the dinosaur in ANH and explain where he was in the Theatrical dimension and how he got in front of the frame for the special editions

[@EntertainmentMan132]

That's actually a really fun idea.

[@RedCaio]

The 2011 Blu-rays have that awful magenta look that I've always hated. X-wings have _red_ rockets not _pink_ ones. Same goes for blaster bolts too. There's also those grey boxes that float around following the ships in space. gross.

[@MeanMrMustard1]

If you hate the boxes around the ships, you're gonna hate the Despecialized Editions and Project 4k77. As good as they look, they have all the flaws of special effects back then in HD glory!

[@chosenone8408]

13:46 A part of me really likes the fact that the sky is blue on the 2011 Bluray version, conversely, the crispness of Project 4k77, is easy on the eyes. If only there was some way to combine the two.

[@usul573]

What about D+77? Combines the crystal clear look of the 4k blu-ray, and removes special edition changes.

[@superradness]

Already bought the Blu-ray’s. I love having them in my collection.

[@TheGreatMunky]

Ridley Scott does it right. Whenever he makes a Director's Cut he releases both versions. Or with Blade Runner he just releases every version of it. George Lucas made Star Wars, so he has every right to tweak, modify, and adjust them, but not if that means destroying what came before. All we want is freedom of choice to watch the version we prefer.