Derann - Return of the Jedi feature

[Douglas Meltzer]

Was this Derann release part of their official deal with Fox or was it acquired elsewhere?

[Mike Newell]

It wasn’t part of a Fox deal but appeared on their special lists about the time Jurassic Park was offered. Could have originated from Germany. You were able to obtain it from US prior to this release as you could with a lot of other titles. £399.99 seems to stick in my head as the price.

[Mike Newell]

https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-b...c;f=4;t=000269

[Douglas Meltzer]

Thank you, Mike! I've had my print for over 20 years, however I never knew if it was from the Fox deal or not.

[Osi Osgood]

Be very careful and get screenshots, folks, as some prints were struck VERY bluish! One print I had years ago was so bluish, the forest of Endor had nearly no greens, just a greenish bluish mess, it was horrible, and yes, it was the Derann print

[Mike Newell]

Be very careful and get screenshots, folks, as some prints were struck VERY bluish! One print I had years ago was so bluish, the forest of Endor had nearly no greens, just a greenish bluish mess, it was horrible, and yes, it was the Derann print

I always thought it was a coproduction with prints produced by others and Derann distributing or recorded the English language version.

[Rob Young]

In the case of Jedi, as with several other "imports", I believe that the lab here held "imported" negatives for printing. Certainly, Jedi was available to order until the end.

As Mike points out, it wasn't however, shall we say, part of the Fox deal.

Osi, my own personal opinion is that a lot of those very blue bias prints arrived toward the latter years from the lab (UK lab). To be blunt, and its a shame to say it, but they just didn't seem to care much at that point.

[Mike Newell]

Wasn’t there a discussion yunks ago of a mysterious 3x400 version of Return of the Jedi on US EBay. It’s more than likely spare reel / white boxes edition. It was mentioned it was blue tint.

[Mike Newell]

I remember a collector going nuts over have Revenge of the Jedi trailer on Super 8. This print is better from what I remember.

https://youtu.be/qSe4HreTLms?si=jfZQpX85rXKJMCfg

Alternatively, here is Ned hugging 🤗 kissing 😘 and caressing his Star Wars / Empire Super 8 package movies. Apologises, Ned you should really get out more. Some day he is going to get a Super 8 player.

https://youtu.be/r-nEVieFSj4?si=iA2ux7Q48FxPFwUZ

Coming back to topic if you search Return of the Jedi Super 8 you will find a lot of discussions from Star Wars fans discussion boards on Super 8. Guess it must be like finding a living Jedi or is that us .

1989 seems to be the first date Return of Jedi feature was mentioned but as Rob says it was available right to the end of Derann.

[Rob Young]

A bit off topic, but back in the 80's there was a masked print of essentially the final reel available from the US.

[Mike Newell]

Here’s Nathan, He has written a book on Star Wars with a whole chapter on Super 8

https://youtu.be/6TVwykvom2Y?si=a2EyE26TAVs1_IPq

[Osi Osgood]

Hey! I've got that trailer! Never knew about a letterboxed final reel on Super 8. That 3X400ft was a product of what was called "L.A Films", I believe.

[Mike Newell]

So it was LA Films who released it.

Heres another rare super 8 home movie of Return of Jedi.

https://documentary.net/video/8mm-fo...valley-ca1982/

[Rob Young]

Osi, yes, you’re right, it’s the 3 x 400ft LA films version I’m thinking of. There was a copy I was offered for sale in the late 80s and I was told it was about 40 minutes and basically covered the end of the movie, mostly the last reel. And that it was letterbox.

Maybe this isn’t right at all? I’ve probably remembered it badly! But, yes, it was the LA films version.

[Mike Newell]

Here is the link from 2017

https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-b...=011924#000000