Author
|
Topic: Star Wars 400' Versions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marshall Crist
Master Film Handler
Posts: 300
From: San Pedro, CA USA
Registered: Oct 2008
|
posted September 23, 2012 04:00 AM
I'm a bit late to the discussion, but I had the two Ken 400' reels of STAR WARS (the 1977 film, before it was called "Episode IV.) I was tempted to cut them into the correct sequence, but they "looked" very different, as if struck from completely different sources. Also, I think they had a slightly different focal adjustment, which would have meant manually correcting every time the re-edited digest switched from one reel's material to the other.
The 200' reel, which came out before either of the 400' ones, did have a bit of extra footage, but it was pretty insubstantial, and was wisely cut to make room for more interesting stuff when it was expanded into the first 400' digest.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
James N. Savage 3
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1375
From: Washington, DC
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted September 25, 2012 06:05 AM
I had the 2 Ken extracts as well (and the 200 footer). Back in the 70's, it was all the rage for a collector to edit all three of these extracts together, and make a nice, long digest for Star Wars.
But, as Marshall stated, the films looked too different, one being more grainy than the other. The sound differed as well. Plus, there are a few scenes that don't transition smoothly in the post-splicing, so it makes it feel a little off.
That being said, these handicaps were EASILY overlooked back in the 70's, when having an almost hour-long digest of Star Wars was a very special privelage.
On the other hand, the Ken Films digest for The Empire Strikes Back, flows much better when the two 400 foot extracts are spliced together. There is only a slight difference in picture and sound, and only the one splice for transition.
James.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|