Friday, September 14, 2007

Star Wars at the AFI

The AFI are doing a 40th Anniversary event and screening eleven classic American films. It's interesting to note that Star Wars which will be presented by George Lucas is listed as 121 minutes, that being the length of his original cut, and not his 125 minute Special Edition. I suppose after all how many look upon his later editions as a classic in the same light as his original cut which inspired so many filmakers. ?

http://www.afi.com/tvevents/40th/default.aspx

5 comments:

TimeWarden said...

I, generally, prefer original cuts or, at least, the version I see first. They are that way for a reason although it's always interesting to see a slightly different take on a movie. "Aliens" might be an exception where the extra information on Newt improves the final product!

Steve said...

I pretty much agree. I found the cgi plug-ins that Mr L inserted into the original trilogy really clumsy and cartoonish. They totally hampered my enjoyment of the films. I felt like a cherished memory had been put into the hands of a obsessive-compulsive Adobe addict.

Moonwatcher said...

Those CGI lizards the Stormtroopers ride looked dodgy in 1997 when they added them,they look ten times as crummy in 2007.

dylan said...

I did quite like what they did on the deathstar battle at the end it seemed really well done. For the most part it was just subtle tweaks that seemed to help the action flow. I don't know if i'm right but i get the feeling this is all they intended to do originally but then ended up sticking all the other stuff in which was pretty poor, especially the Jabba scene.

paulhd said...

Funnily enough I just saw Star Wars again this weekend. Sadly it was the 'New Hope' version.
I don't usually have a problem with Director's cut editions, it depends on the film. My problem with Lucas is that he just seems to be tinkering for no reason, nothing's improved by the changes, and it just gives the impression of a director who's best work is behind him so he all he can think of doing is to revisit it.
Gaaahh, I sound like Tim Bisley!!!