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Author
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Topic: The increasing significance of the 8mm full length 'Star Wars' feature prints
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Adrian Winchester
Film God
Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted January 22, 2011 03:06 PM
I've had some interesting correspondence with Michael Kaminski who is responsible for a website that seeks to preserve the availability of the original 'Star Wars', despite George Lucas wishing to obliterate it: www.savestarwars.com
Michael is considering adding a page about Super 8 and 16mm prints. The Derann Super 8 scope feature, and low fade scope 16mm prints represent a significant way in which the original version has survived and can still be viewed in a way that does justice to the film. I asked Ged Jones at Derann about the quantity of features printed and he estimated a minimum of 250 and possibly considerably more. As these should still have excellent colour, Michael would be intersted in seeing screenshots, so if any owners of the feature would be willing to take and post some at some point, please do so. Perhaps Michael will include them on his site. I expect a scan of the box artwork would also be of interest. And it might encourage a few new people to become film collectors!
[ January 22, 2011, 07:28 PM: Message edited by: Adrian Winchester ]
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Adrian Winchester
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Rob Young.
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1633
From: Cheshire, U.K.
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted January 25, 2011 04:24 AM
Adrian, will try to post some action screenshots from the final reel soon.
Joe, the missing footage never made it's way (officially) onto super 8 as far as I'm aware. This is the sum of what was available, to my knowledge;
http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000045
There were also releases from UFA which were duplicates of these releases. However, other pirated versions did appear including a feature version so you never know! I know in the past that other forum members have discussed a pirate scope version which was framed like cineavision prints, with black bars at each side, to give the correct original ratio.
The missing scenes were released as part of a Lucasfilm PC CD-ROM (about 10 years ago or so as I recall), entitled Behind the Magic.
Actually, these scenes, presented as B&W work-prints, just go to show what a turkey Star Wars could have been without the continuing drive of Lucas to complete it with first class editing, music and effects and a real insight into the many different directions a film could take in post-production.
Lee, I suppose at least the inclusion of the original versions as bonus features on the DVDs does indicate that Lucas isn't trying to completely deny their existence. Although, as you say the quality is poor and I guess this supports the notion behind this thread that he really doesn't want them to be seen as a quality, finished version any more.
Regarding the super 8 Derann print, even though my copy was a first print run, there was a lab fault on one reel; white speckles throughout, especially on red areas of the image (not at all like negative dust sparkle). Derann assured me it was a fault and a replacement reel was fine. Still, I guess a few of the first print run were like this and I wonder how many just accepted it.
Apparently, the negatives were well used by the time Derann had access to them. I think I'm right in that the lab was still printing wet gate at that time which results in a softer image, but can hide some negative damage; certainly there are a few negative splices still evident here and there but nothing too severe.
John's right, it isn't as sharp as some other titles and it can look a bit grainy at times, but certainly those first prints are very steady with nice colours and hugely enjoyable.
I believe it was finally withdrawn due to negative wear and from what has been said here, it looks like subsequent print runs didn't fare nearly as well as that first run.
Finally the first run (and probably a few subsequent runs) were on Kodak pre-stripe so re-recording should give great results, although that said, Derann's original stereo master is pretty darn good! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
LEE! Nice to see my home made feature cover has found more than one home!!! Where did you find that; did I sent it to you in the past? Or was it here on the forum...if so do you want a full quality version emailed?
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