BLU-RAY Box Set 2011 • Pre-Order

[darthpsychotic]

http://www.starwars.com/themovies/preorder_bluray/

AMAZON PRE-ORDER

• Saga Blu-Ray Sixology • All Six Films 9-Disc Set • $139.99
• Prequel Blu-Ray Trilogy • Episodes I-III 3-Disc Set • $69.99
• Original Blu-Ray Trilogy • Episodes IV-VI 3-Disc Set • $69.99



LAS VEGAS – The most anticipated Blu-Ray release ever – The Star Wars™ Saga – emerges from light speed this September 2011. For the first time, all six of George Lucas' epic films (Episodes I-VI) are united in one complete set. Fans worldwide are able to pre-order now with online retailers.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release Star Wars in three distinct sets to meet the needs of every Star Wars fan:

[flash width=645 height=385]http://www.youtube.com/v/OFhWr2ERd48?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1[/flash]

STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA ON BLU-RAY will feature all six live-action Star Wars feature films utilizing the highest possible picture and audio presentation, along with three additional discs and more than 30 hours of extensive special features including never-before-seen deleted and alternate scenes, an exploration of the exclusive Star Wars archives, and much more.

[Joe1138]

They really should've tagged that promotional video with the phrase, "The Wait Is Finally Over... Again."

It's funny to think that ultimate box set Lucas promised us oh so many years ago is now kinda, sorta, here. I really hope they keep the packaging classy and forgo the Photoshop affairs that marked the previous DVD releases. This is, after all, probably the last time many of us will ever buy these films again (provided they don't fuck up this release).

[The_Somnambulist]

Papa Lucas done good.

Hopefully by the time this comes out, I'll have a sweet 240hz refresh rate LED TV to play it on. And by it I mean nothing less than that 9-disc set.

[Alexrd]

This is, after all, probably the last time many of us will ever buy these films again (provided they don't fuck up this release).

Until the next home video format arrives.

Anyway, I'm sad with the trailer:

[Arkamazza]

Coming in 2014: The 3-D converted micro SD release Ultimate Editions!

Seriously though, I really need to buy a BR player now.

[bearvomit]

who wants to place bets on what they'll be adding to some of these. Digital Yoda to Phantom Menace? Old Jar Jar in the Cantina? Liam Neeson's voice to the end of Sith?


And are those the final covers or just place holders? LAME if final

[darthpsychotic]

For the record - from NYTimes.com August 15 2010

Mr. Lucas said the versions of the first three “Star Wars” films – “Star Wars” “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” – included in the Blu-ray boxed set will be the special-edition releases that were shown theatrically in 1997 and digitally restored for a 2004 standard-definition DVD boxed set.

Perhaps bracing for the reactions of fans who decried some of the changes made to the special-edition films – like, say, an exchange of gunfire between Han Solo and a certain green-skinned bounty hunter – Mr. Lucas said that to release the original versions of these films on Blu-ray was “kind of an oxymoron because the quality of the original is not very good.”

LUCAS: “You have to go through and do a whole restoration on it, and you have to do that digitally,” he added. “It’s a very, very expensive process to do it. So when we did the transfer to digital, we only transferred really the upgraded version.”

[CoGro]

This is, after all, probably the last time many of us will ever buy these films again (provided they don't fuck up this release).

Until the next home video format arrives.

Anyway, I'm sad with the trailer:

The Jedi shot might be the most distracting of them all. That needs to be fixed for this release otherwise, why bother.

Fix the score, fix broken vfx and release the originals in hi-def and then you'll get my dollars. Lucasfilm has the dough to re-master its own films, no matter how old they are.

[MasterKyobi9d9]

If they don't fix the things they fucked up on the 2004 versions....


Awe fuck I know I'm gonna buy it anyway. Star Wars in High-def.

[darthpsychotic]

The selling point of this set is the High Definition aspect of it plus the 30 hours of extras.

When the HD Set was first announced it was stated that these were going to be a sourced from the 2004 Editions which we have been downloading in HD since 2006. Still it's possible that there are going to be visual and audio changes - such as seen in the MF ILM - Creating The Impossible Thread. At the very least correct the DVDs R and L channel swap and score omissions.

Lucas and Lucasfilm have always stated that they were waiting till the BluRay versus HD-DVD conflict was over. Blu-Ray's been here for a few years and now has to share attention with it's still popular DVD predecessor and two popular new options: Streaming (NetFlix) and Downloads (iTunes). So you get what we have here: A set with what appears to be barebones packaging (see top post), for the non-upgraded 2004 Editions, in an era where there is no one dominant media format.

Something tells me most of us will be downloading.

[Topeka]

I preordered for the extras. The price is still ridiculous. even with Amazon's -$50. I'll download too, to replace the HDTV rips. I haven't touched my DVDs in years.

I have a hard time believing all six will be untouched. At least The Phantom Menace received a new transfer as evident by the recent ILM documentary. The excitement over the new format will fade just as it did after the DVDs in 2004. It's all standard LucasFare and I will buy it. We all know they will be released in 2012 for "the first time available on individual Blu-Ray." No matter how you look at it this is an upgrade to what is now available. I can't wait until screencaps and deleted scenes start leaking.

[Alexrd]

who wants to place bets on what they'll be adding to some of these. Digital Yoda to Phantom Menace?

That has been announced ever since 2005.

[Cryostar]

Don't fret, though, folks.

Remember, we still have the Standard Def 3D versions to come out, and when Lucas thinks his coffers are low enough, he'll throw out the Blu Ray (or whatever is HD by then) versions of the 3D.

The star wars franchise truly the gift that keeps on giving.

[Bandersnatch]

who wants to place bets on what they'll be adding to some of these. Digital Yoda to Phantom Menace? Old Jar Jar in the Cantina? Liam Neeson's voice to the end of Sith?


And are those the final covers or just place holders? LAME if final

I love the simplicity of these covers. I reckon it's the box that the individual set is encased in, sort of like the LotR Extended DVD sets? Much nicer and sleeker than the retarded "face collage" covers, imo.

I'm betting yes to Yoda in TPM, but no to adding Jar Jar or Qui-Gon's voice.
Also, even though it was said otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised if the cut scene from the beginning of ROTJ is put back in. I really think the opening of that film would run so much more smoothly with it.

I also think that the complaints about the mis-colored lightsabers will be ignored, but I do hope the "Emperor's Slugs" are cleaned up. And the odd sound mix in ANH really should be corrected, especially in regards to the music.

And while I really don't give two shits about seeing the original releases again, it would certainly be interesting to have an alternate angle / seamless branch / blu-ray interactive feature or whatever that shows the changes and enhancements during each film. But again, I'm not going to cry bloody murder otherwise.

[The_Somnambulist]

Awe fuck I know I'm gonna buy it anyway. Star Wars in High-def.

What a fitting end to that trailer: "There is no escape."

[Raveers]

I watched the trailer and it looks like they used pre-existing footage from the 2004 DVD's, not the current Blu-Ray set scheduled to come out in September. They wouldn't want to spoil any surprises and such.

I think ILM has been working on this instead of the previous company who worked on the 2004 DVD's, the ones who fucked up the transfers. So I'm pretty sure they'll get the Original Trilogy movies properly color corrected and even the audio errors corrected as well.

I hope though they put the original Anakin back in at the end of ROTJ. If Hayden is in there, I'm gonna be pissed.

Regarding Yoda in The Phantom Menace, as stated before we've known that since 2005 with the ROTS DVD. Yoda in TPM will be replaced by the proper digital version. I know quite a few people like the puppet in TPM but I for one hated that thing. It looked like Yoda was on crack.

Also regarding the deleted scene from ROTJ with Luke building his saber, I doubt it'll get re-integrated back into the film. That will most likely end up being as a deleted scene along with others.

I for one have pre-ordered The Complete Saga as I like all six films and wanted the extra 3 bonus discs.

[Alexrd]

I watched the trailer and it looks like they used pre-existing footage from the 2004 DVD's, not the current Blu-Ray set scheduled to come out in September. They wouldn't want to spoil any surprises and such.

That's not good advertising, then. And it doesn't make much sense for them not use the BD versions of the OT, since they used the remastered version of TPM on the trailer.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that we are going to see anything new regarding the OT.

[darthpsychotic]

I feel that the money-grab reaction to the release isn't justified. Lucas recently pledged most of his fortune to charity. Lucasfilm and other film and audio creators will continue to re-release their product to keep it on the shelves and for newer generations. Eventually single Blu-Ray releases and Blu-Ray 3D releases, in addition to eventual Streaming & Download options because of the migration from physical to digital formats.

Lucasfilm also is releasing these in three bundles: Saga 9-Disc Set (with 3 Bonus Discs), Prequel Trilogy 3-Disc Set, and Original Trilogy 3-Disc Set. So for those who don't want to spend a lot of money on the Prequels and Bonus Materials - there is the OT-only option. There is also the torrenting option for those who don't want to spend period.

For me the only justified complaints are for the film content themselves and the availability or lack thereof of the theatrical cuts. Right now all we have to go on is Lucas and Lucasfilm statements which indicate HD versions of the 2004 Editions plus bonus materials. I'd be satisfied with corrected audio, restoring the missing score, and the inclusion of the theatrical cuts - even in the 2006 letterbox standard definition format.

[Gabe]

I definitely won't be watching the movies until then, so I can enjoy 'em in their fullest.

The HD versions we've got on TV so far are quite nice, but still I can imagine ROTS in full surround sound. I hope the sets live up to what's been promised and also wish there was an option to include the
new scenes in the film if one wished to.


btw, let me say Hello! from Tijuana, Mexico. I'm Gabe and I am trilled to have registered after years of reading you guys.

[ETandElliott]

I'm going to get the old ones. The selling point is the originals in HD, not changes or even the extra features at this point. I want to see the deleted scenes, but I'll likely pirate the extra discs if they're missing from the trilogy set.

While I agree that the colors are all screwed up, my response to the 5.1 soundtrack is like "turn all this shit down" since there's honestly too much activity and strange mixing/equalizing and all the digitally erased dirt doesn't look exactly right (especially in pivotal iconic grainy and specky scenes like the star destroyer at the beginning of ESB). But when you see Peter Cushing's bony, wrinkly sunken face in hi-def, you just kind of forget about that stuff.

[Raveers]

That's not good advertising, then..

I've seen it happen to other films...

[Mike_Droideka]

I doubt that this will be the one and only trailer we'll see for this set. We've not seen any of the bonus feature content yet or any of the art work.

[Joe1138]

I imagine that if there were any changes to the masters used for the original trilogy (or new masters entirely) we'll probably hear about it ad nauseam leading up to the release. Until then, I really don't think it's worth it to split hairs over what will or will not be seen on this version based on a trailer that was apparently slapped together hours (minutes?) before this announcement.

[darthpsychotic]

When the 2004 Editions were announced on DVD in 2003 - there were no mention of any changes - only rumors. One of our sources got two screens in April 2004: Hayden Christensen in Jedi and The New Emperor in Empire -which were leaked to AICN and TBone because our source made the mistake of trusting them to a certain TheForce.net member.

If there are any BluRay changes it's quite possible that MF can inside info on them. If there are no changes then obviously there will be nothing to report. No changes also lessens the chance of an early BDRip leak: which is what happened 2004.

At SDCC 2004 when Lucasfilm announced the title of Episode III - "Revenge Of The Sith" - which was already known for over a year thanks to insiders - MF announced The Return Of The Jedi DVDRip leak. Even with video idiots still refused to believe Christensen replaced Shaw.

Which sorta led Darth First to come over here from TheForce.net forums. TFN'ers didn't believe First when he said the visual and audio effects sucked, accusing him of having "WIP" (Works In Progress) DVDs. Because apparently there is no way in hell Lucasfilm could put out a rushed product.



2004 Edition Leaks & Spoilers Timeline

Spy Reports

• MF Leak • AICN's "Exclusive" DVD Screen
• MF Original Trilogy 2004 Edition Spy Report • The Song Remains The Same

DVDLeaks

• MF Hall Of Fame • Return Of The Jedi 2004 DVD Edition
• MF Hall Of Fame • Empire Strikes Back 2004 Edition
• MF Hall Of Fame • A New Hope 2004 Edition
• MF Hall Of Fame • 2004 Edition Bonus Disc

Enter First:

• MF Hall Of Fame • DarthFirst Original Trilogy 2004 Edition Box Set Thread
• MF Hall Of Fame • Starman's Empire Strikes Back 2004 Edition Thread

Aftermath:

• MF World Premiere Video • Hayden Christensen replacing Sebastian Shaw in Jedi
• MF Video • A New Hope 2004 DVD Videos

[ETandElliott]

What about Indiana Jones?

1. I could swear when KOTCS came out on BD, early reviews mentioned a trailer for the trilogy on Blu-ray.

2. I read Spielberg vetoed the Blu-rays for some reason.

3. HD broadcasts have an altered part in the truck chase when the troop car goes off the cliff.

4. Indy made it to DVD before the Star Wars Trilogy and one of the Indys has been on BD for years now!

[The_Somnambulist]

In addition to the redone shot of the troop car going off the cliff, there's a shot in Temple of Doom, during Indy and gang's stay at Pankot Palace, that was redone as well.

[ETandElliott]

Whoa. Source?

[The_Somnambulist]

I haven't been able to verify it myself as I don't get HD channels anymore, but some people reported seeing it around the time the redone Raiders shot first appeared.

[ETandElliott]

I watched the trilogy on USA HD recently and didn't notice. Could just be paranoia. I did, however, notice for the first time a pimple on River Phoenix's forehead. But I don't think that was added.

[darthpsychotic]

Trailer up top upgraded to 720p. Below are screens from the HD Trailer - which may or may not feature final product:


1977





1980





1983




1999



2002


2005

[ETandElliott]

I'm expecting something consistent with the DVDs. I think the visual palette was intentional, kind of like Friedkin with French Connection.

[Verboten]

The shots of TPM look like a new transfer.

I bet what we saw in this trailer is what we get.

[stan Marsh]

$89 for the entire set is a ridiculously great price, I don't know how long that pre order price will be good so I guess I gotta pull the trigger now. I'll kick myself if I have to pay 139 when I could've paid 50 less for it.

[Inv8r]

Had to re-activate a years-old expired account just to point this out

I watched the ILM doc last night, and yes, TPM looks like they've gone back to the masters before the fucked-up pink cast got added to the film. HOWEVER ... didn't anyone notice that the shots from ANH and ESB were BLUE-CAST FREE???!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw it right away, as I've done a personal restoration one both DVDs - the opening shot of the stardestroyer in ANH and the walkers in ESB looked spot-on! Grey moon, orange-yellow matte, grey walkers and white snow.

That's not the transfer that made it onto the DVD set, and that certainly wasn't the GOUT (for one, no way LFL would allow the GOUT to represent the films, for another thing the detail was too crsip, and no fucked up DNR smearing). At the risk of getting hopes up, I'm starting to think we may get a decent-looking set of films in September.

[Joe1138]

Good eye, Inv8r. Here's a quickie comparison I did using the footage from the ILM doc and a grab from the trailer (presumably using footage from the '04 DVD's). Hopefully someone can do a real side by side but this should give you the idea. I don't think this is necessarily confirmation that we're getting new transfers come September so keep your expectations in line for now.

*FYI-ILM doc footage is in the upper left hand corner.

"Empire" duel comparison

Brightness and color temperature do seem to be improved in the new footage.

[Verboten]

I don't buy it. Why would they not fix the freaking lightsabers? The shots of Luke in the cave and Yoda are still blue tinted.

[bearvomit]

you people are insane. comparing hues and shades of blues. Nerds you all need to go get more pussy and you'll suddenly realize luke's blue sabre just doesn't matter as much

[Inv8r]

Thanks for that value-added contribution, bearvomit, I hope that didn't tax you too much
Actually, the fucked-up presentation of the films was what I was thinking about lying there AFTER getting the pussy...

And, Verboten...yeah, like I said, I'm hesitant to get my hopes up, but look at the shots in the doc; it's flat out undeniable that there's a copy of these films somewhere in Marin which looks the way they're supposed to, as opposed to the mess that was shoved out on DVD (crushed blacks, over-saturated and shifted colour pallettes on each one) LFL has to have authorized it, rather than it just being an internal sample done at ILM, otherwise we'd never see it in a fluff-piece documentary like that, and I can't help but think - if not for this project, then what? The 3D conversions? Too far off, and apparently all depending on the success of TMP3D, so why fuck around with Empire at this early stage in the game?

[Verboten]

Where can I find this doc? I thought you were talking about the trailer. For those who don't know what were talking about, here's a youtube vid showing the differences in theatrical and 2004 release color timing.

[flash width=645 height=385]http://www.youtube.com/v/ZWRs0ZD8ay4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1[/flash]

[darthpsychotic]

In the era of 100" television screens picture does matter. Although I'm not really interested in the picture myself but the audio. The doc referenced is Industrial Light & Magic • Creating The Impossible somewhat hidden in the Episode III forum. You may also check out the Original Unaltered Trilogy DVDRips in the DVD forum.

Also Inv8r I sent you a pm.

[Emperor's Prize]

Hell, the whole freaking point of Bluray is the muthafreaking picture quality.

[Verboten]

Thanks, for the link Darthpsychotic. I remember Adywan talking about that now, but I believe it was his opinion that the OT looked the same as the 2004 release. I'll check it out for myself.

[bearvomit]

V8'r, you know you hadn't had pussy since pussy had you. who you playin?

I know you all know this but I'll troll anyways. walk into your favorite electronics store, ( Wal-Mart if you're Troy) and look at all the different monitors and tv's they have. Usually playing the same looped program. Notice anything? THEY ALL LOOK DIFFERENT! Doesn't matter if it's a CRT, plasma, LCD, or giant projection screen tv of back strain, every color looks different from tv to tv and manufacturer to manufacturer.

So, who's to say the way you have your tv hooked up is the way Lucas had his hooked up when he color corrected this thing? Blue isn't blue enough? Hit "Menu" then "Tint" then crank that bad boy up till Hoth is swimming in Royal Blue!


yes, I'm being a smartass, but damn. of all the things to worry about

[Verboten]

Yeah, who cares if it's green or purple. This is just a Star Wars and movie enthusiast forum, after all.

This isn't just an issue of calibration. The color timing changes from scene to scene, and you can't fix the over saturation and crushed blacks. Not to mention the fucked up light sabers. I've not even gotten into the problems with the audio.

That's all our fault for not having proper equipment, though. Funny that other film releases don't have these issues.

Take a look at this gem.



Yep, totally a problem of monitor calibration.

If you don't care that Lucasfilm puts out substandard slop these days, then fine, but the rest of us do.

[Joe1138]

I know you all know this but I'll troll anyways. walk into your favorite electronics store, ( Wal-Mart if you're Troy) and look at all the different monitors and tv's they have. Usually playing the same looped program. Notice anything? THEY ALL LOOK DIFFERENT! Doesn't matter if it's a CRT, plasma, LCD, or giant projection screen tv of back strain, every color looks different from tv to tv and manufacturer to manufacturer.

You can't use that as an argument. The reason television sets look different at electronics stores is because they're NOT properly calibrated, are usually set up to display the brightest possible picture and are on for more hours during the day than the set you have at home thus are far more prone to picture degradation.

Blu-ray is still, at this point, something of an enthusiast's format. If you've forked over several thousand dollars of your hard earned cash to get a proper HD rig & 5.1 sound system then you're going to demand the highest quality possible from your media, otherwise you'd just stick to SD DVD or even pirated crap that looks and sounds like shit. Quality fucking matters. That's why we're nitpicking. Bear, if you're happy with the current DVDs and don't plan on upgrading then why are you even here much less giving us shit about this stuff?

[bearvomit]

hey, picture clarity, new effects and docu's, 1080p, that's all good reason's to upgrade. but finally fixing the blues? I mean I guess, but I just think they're better reasons. "Hoth isn't suppose to be aqua. C3-P0 should have more gold, that's why he was called "goldenrod" by Han instead of "burnt sienna rod."

but I'll relent. to each his own.

[Inv8r]

Goody. One last thing I will say on the subject, Bear, so maybe you can get an idea of what the issue is. Look at the first flyover shot of the stardestroyer as the imperial march plays in Empire for the first time - when the fleet is being introduced? Compare that on the DVD to ANY version which has been released previously. You will notice RIGHT away how badly the contrast got pushed in the masters for the DVD. Areas that were slightly shadowed, as in "not bright white" on the destroyers before, now look like they have giant, loose gaping black holes through them (much like, oh say, 'yo mamma). To try and make the things look like the goddamn prequels, the contrast and saturation were pushed to absurd degrees with the OT DVDs - so far so that detail has been irrevocably lost - colour gradation is gone as saturation blew colours out, and subtlety of greys are now largely black or white, with very little in between. The colour and contrast depth of the film stock has been sacrificed to look like HD video. No amount of screwing with your calibration is going to retreive data that isn't there any more. No "Revisited" edition is going to do it either. End result, an HD presentation of that master isn't going to give you much improvement over the existing DVDs. If it somehow doesn't drive you fucking insane to watch the films the way they're currently presented (and, yeah, I'm guilty - I cringe everytime I see something like that, and it pulls me out of the experience), then in all seriousness, save some cash, pirate the docs and stick to your DVDs.

[CoGro]

This thread is going to deteriorate into the "why the blu-ray release is a giant piece of fucking shit" in short order.

Who didn't seriously expect this, though?

This isn't New Line or Paramount or even Fox - companies that have multiple properties and can afford to make definitive "ultimate" sets for a single franchise. This is Lucasfilm. They have 2 major properties. Their business model is to re-release these films over and over again so idiots like us keep buying them to keep their lights on.

Why would they blow their load on the ultimate blu-ray set now? They'd lose the opportunity to sell you 2 more versions until the format becomes extinct. That said, I don't think we'll ever get one. The masses are happy enough with new sets of features and don't care about shit like colour correction and adjusted audio. You're more likely to get a remastered O-OT on blu-ray and I don't think that'll ever happen for philosophical reasons.

[Mike_Droideka]

The thing is, that Lucasfilm are a cutting edge company who utilize the latest technology available and we expect each and every Star Wars home video release, to be up to the highest quality standard. If it was any other film, it wouldn't bother me - I wouldn't give a shit, but this is Star Wars and we all expect absolute perfection in it's presentation. Seeing Luke's sabre suddenly turn green on board the Falcon, was the ultimate WTF? moment for me. It may be unimportant to the casual movie viewer, but to me it's careless and shouldn't have been released.

I still don't understand why all of the Lightsaber blades weren't corrected for the 1997 SE release, but pointless shit, like "Han shooting first", gets more than one treatment and still, the Lightsaber blades, look like they were drawn by a 10 year old, in MS Paint. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a hater, I'm into this shit in a big way - always have been, but I do expect some consistency, from the top visual FX company on the planet.
Having said that, I've pre-ordered the nine-disc set and are hoping for the best!

[TroyObliX]

( Wal-Mart if you're Troy)

Are there other electronics stores left? Seriously though, I have a rear projection 60 inch dinosaur I got for free. Someday, after my stint as the 'old guy in class' and they give me my diploma, I'll upgrade.

Until then, I adjust the picture settings depending on what I'm watching anyways. So I could give a rats ass what hue the background smoke is on the new releases. That said, I can understand why those who already have the doper equipment may be concerned. I might get a blu-ray player just to watch these if the fan reports after the release reveal some great extras. But if they don't, I'm gonna rock the old junk I already have until the wheels fall off. Or I'm not poor anymore. Which will be about three years.

The major gripes I have with things that need correcting for any new release, this one included, are as follows;
1. The travelling matte cut-outs on all the tie fighters in the OT. Time has made them more obvious to me, and the degenerated strobe-like effect needs to be eliminated with some attention. Probably frame by frame. But it needs it.
2. The blotchy black spots on the side of Palps face in the ROTJ throne room scene. Dis. Tract. Ing.
3. TPM Yoda. Wtf already. That puppet was ghetto as fuck. Watch ESB or ROTJ Yoda and compare. I cringe.

So let me know how this works out.