THX 1138 on DVD this year, sorta

[efhjr]

I am a huge, huge, HUGE fan of THX 1138. I think it's George Lucas's most engaging film (OK, sure, throw your bricks at me). Great acting, excellent cinematography and set design, the whole bit.

I've been quite anxious to have it on DVD -- my three VHS copies of it are wearing thin. I was quite pleased to read rumors that it's currently being processed for reissue on DVD in 2004.

Then I read this on The Digital Bits Rumor Mill (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html):

Here's a bit of info from industry sources that's likely to get the undies of some fans all in a bunch. Word is that George Lucas' THX-1138, which is currently being prepared for DVD release later in 2004 by Lucasfilm and Warner Bros, is going to feature more than 100 new visual effects shots. Look for digitally-enhanced skylines and other additions and alterations.

Yes, they're in a bunch alright.

For crying out loud, Lucas, can't you keep your re-edit mitts off of anything? Sheesh. Why not colorize it and add some Ewoks while you're at it.

:realmad:

[tomcat]

THX 1138 (...) is going to feature more than 100 new visual effects shots.

I KNEW IT!!! Can't wait for the remastered "American Graffity" with all those digitally enhanced exploding T-Birds and Hot Rods and the Star Wars cantina-like diner...

[Ken_McAlinden]

I KNEW IT!!! Can't wait for the remastered "American Graffity" with all those digitally enhanced exploding T-Birds and Hot Rods and the Star Wars cantina-like diner...
The DVD of American Grafitti already has a revsionist digital alteration. The dusk sky in the background of the opening shot has been digitally altered to look more painterly.

Regards,

[MikeT]

Man, George Lucas directs a few classic (read - popular) movies and can never leave them alone.

At least I have an unaltered Laserdisc of this film (also a favorite). I guess there is still a good reason to keep my laserdisc machine. :sigh:

[efhjr]

I just discovered that Lalo Schifrin's brilliant soundtrack to THX 1138 has been issued on CD by Film Score Monthly (https://secure.filmscoremonthly.com/store/detailCD.asp?ID=256) in an edition of 3,000.

I just ordered mine!

[James RD]

Man, George Lucas directs a few classic (read - popular) movies and can never leave them alone.

THAT is the problem. He used up all of his talent at the beginning of his career, made lots of money and now he has too much time on his hands. I don't know what is worse: screwing up the old stuff or embarrassing himself with something new.

[Steve Hoffman]

George once told me he finds the directing process "tedious in the extreme".

[Evan L]

That would explain why he didn't DO it for twenty years or so....

It really bugs me that we'll probably never have the original versions of most of his movies available ever again.

Evan

[pdenny]

That would explain why he didn't DO it for twenty years or so....

It really bugs me that we'll probably never have the original versions of most of his movies available ever again.

Evan

If you ask me he hasn't DIRECTED at all since RAIDERS. His boredom with the process shows in the last 2 Star Wars flicks...wooden acting, stilted staging (but great effects...whooppee). Why on earth doesn't he hand off the unpleasant task of directing to a younger, hungrier, more motivated director? He learned nothing from EMPIRE I guess. Feh.

[ACK!]

What I didn't like was when Lucas substituted African music for the Ewok music during the finale of Return Of The Jedi. It changed the feel of the ending totally. :shake:

I'm really glad Lucas didn't direct The Godfather, Gone With The Wind, Casablanca and The Wizard Of Oz! :goodie:

[Ed Bishop]

Although I'm hardly the world's biggest THX fan, that film, and AG, at least show a man who is interested in camera angles, set design....you name it: a director!

But, much as I have enjoyed the original STAR WARS over the years, some of it is, IMO, just incompetently, lazily directed.....I mean, when you notice extras milling about in corridors, and 'rebels' dressed like wimps with helmets.....you know the SFX had better save the film, nothing else will! The casting helped, but note the huge difference in SW and EMPIRE....Irvin Kershner wasn't a genius, but he had style, and you could see it on the screen, and he did a great job, given what he often had to work with....

Lucas is a brilliant businessman, but just can't leave his own creations alone, has to keep tinkering and tinkering.....kind of like a painter who keeps a brush around just to take a few more swipes at something that, admittedly, may be imperfect, but that millions were happy with....I'm sure, given the chance, he'd change Mona Lisa's smile.....


ED :ed:

[Ed Bishop]

What I didn't like was when Lucas substituted African music for the Ewok music during the finale of Return Of The Jedi. It changed the feel of the ending totally. :shake:
To be kind, not a good film to begin with, he made it worse, if that was possible....tampering of the very worst kind!

I'm really glad Lucas didn't direct The Godfather, Gone With The Wind, Casablanca and The Wizard Of Oz! :goodie:
Pray he doesn't buy the Time-Warner or Paramount libraries, then.....:eek:


ED :ed:

[Steve Hoffman]

What I didn't like was when Lucas substituted African music for the Ewok music during the finale of Return Of The Jedi. It changed the feel of the ending totally. :shake:

He did? When? And WHY?

[Ed Bishop]

He did? When? And WHY?For the last reissue movie print....also Side 9 of the black laserdisc box set.....my reaction to hearing this in the theater is not printable here....

Why? It's Lucas....why not?:shake:

ED :ed:

[Steve Hoffman]

But not the individual two disc LD set, the last one?

[Ed Bishop]

But not the individual two disc LD set, the last one?

You would ask that....be right back!:D


ED :ed:

[Oatsdad]

What I didn't like was when Lucas substituted African music for the Ewok music during the finale of Return Of The Jedi. It changed the feel of the ending totally. :shake:

Actually, I thought that was a good thing. I always felt the original ending of "Jedi" seemed too chipper-chipper Happy Meal-tastic. The new music added some sense of loss and weariness to the conclusion - it felt like there was emotion other than abject giddiness. Made the movie seem more adult to me and not just a kiddie happy ending...

[Ed Bishop]

No, that edition(dark cover, Yoda on front)has the original music...Praise the Lord for small favours.....:righton:



ED :ed:

[Ed Bishop]

Actually, I thought that was a good thing. I always felt the original ending of "Jedi" seemed too chipper-chipper Happy Meal-tastic. The new music added some sense of loss and weariness to the conclusion - it felt like there was emotion other than abject giddiness. Made the movie seem more adult to me and not just a kiddie happy ending...
Colin,

With all due respect, nothing on this earth could save that ridiculous ending....nothing!:shake:


ED :ed:

[pdenny]

Actually, I thought that was a good thing. I always felt the original ending of "Jedi" seemed too chipper-chipper Happy Meal-tastic. The new music added some sense of loss and weariness to the conclusion - it felt like there was emotion other than abject giddiness. Made the movie seem more adult to me and not just a kiddie happy ending...

I don't think any amount of tinkering could fix JEDI's fuzzy-wuzzy, made for merchandising pandering. I do think the way the "Celebrate" vocals segued right into the title theme in the original version of the flick was cran-tastic ... very uplifting, musically and emotionally. There was enough "loss and weariness" at the end EMPIRE for 5 movies, thank you very much.

[Jimbo]

If you ask me he hasn't DIRECTED at all since RAIDERS.

Since Raiders? Wasn't that his pal Steven?

P.S. "Sparky" avatar you got there!

[pdenny]

Since Raiders? Wasn't that his pal Steven?

P.S. "Sparky" avatar you got there!

My bad...I meant SW....

The avatar is pure PROPAGANDA :D

[-=Rudy=-]

Actually, I thought that was a good thing. I always felt the original ending of "Jedi" seemed too chipper-chipper Happy Meal-tastic. The new music added some sense of loss and weariness to the conclusion - it felt like there was emotion other than abject giddiness. Made the movie seem more adult to me and not just a kiddie happy ending...

Call me a blasphemer too: I also agree about the music. I was actually relieved that the horrid cutesy-pie music had been replaced with something more dramatic for the conclusion of the entire story line. That original music just spoiled the whole thing for me--that was always my cue to get up and shut off the laserdisc so I didn't have to listen to it. ;) I'm not big on making changes to an older movie like that, but in my opinion, I just happen to like the new ending better. Although those furry little Tribbles still grate on my nerves sometimes... :laugh:

[-=Rudy=-]

But not the individual two disc LD set, the last one?

Want me to dub the music to an MP3? Wouldn't take me very long...I'm already wired for it.

[-=Rudy=-]

This segment starts where Luke ignites his father's remains, and ends just as the credits roll.

http://home.comcast.net/~nrudish/media/new_jedi_ending.mp3