unless you provide actual proof, no one here is going to believe you.
Spoilers All Things STAR WARS - News, Speculation & Spoilers Thread
- Thread starter Reverend
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That is physically impossible, especially for a film which 20th Century-Fox treated as a B-movie that they had to strong-arm distributors into buying along with The Other Side of Midnight, which the studio thought would be the big hit of 1977. Fox would've printed everything off of the same master.
What you're stating is in fact an urban legend. This video goes into detail on the matter:
Boy, there's a reason VHS is so nice.
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Or silent versions:
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Or silent versions:
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It took me 15 seconds to find a source.
As I recalled, there were differences, particularly in the soundtracks between different kinds of prints. In the film's initial release there were 35 mm and 70 mm prints, the former in stereo and the latter in six-track surround. When the film went into wider release. 35 mm prints with a mono mix were issued. So that's three variations on the audio mix, with notable differences. That the reels differed from theater to theater is a preposterous exaggeration; what is true is that different theaters did get slightly different versions of the film depending on how they were equipped and which of those three print types they got.
As I recalled, there were differences, particularly in the soundtracks between different kinds of prints. In the film's initial release there were 35 mm and 70 mm prints, the former in stereo and the latter in six-track surround. When the film went into wider release. 35 mm prints with a mono mix were issued. So that's three variations on the audio mix, with notable differences. That the reels differed from theater to theater is a preposterous exaggeration; what is true is that different theaters did get slightly different versions of the film depending on how they were equipped and which of those three print types they got.
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Tell me: How was the distribution of Star Wars so radically unique that we know what the "original" versions of Annie Hall and Damnation Alley are but Star Wars is an undefinable mystery?
And if there are 172 versions of Star Wars I still have essentially the same answer: Pick one from 1977. The one that showed in Farmington, CT was quite nice. Let's make THAT the ORIGINAL Star Wars.
I'm happy with any of our candidates where:
- It does not say Episode IV (and the music syncs to the paragraph breaks the way it's supposed to)
- There are no dinosaurs in Mos Eisley
- Han is the only one who shoots in the Greedo scene
- It does not feature Biggs Darklighter outside of his X-wing
- It only features the special FX that the ILM team won an Oscar for.
I would prefer someone to shout "Close the blast doors!" but I understand that this was a change that was made between May and July. You can pick either dub of Beru Lars, but I would rather it not be the one that was on VHS. Again, season to taste.
EDIT: Thanks, @Maurice
Again, if you want to go solely with the first version screened, the original would be the 70mm print with the six channel Dolby stereo mix that screened in 32 theaters on May 25, 1977.
Here’s a breakdown of the comparison of the audio differences between the stereo and mono mixes:
Here’s a breakdown of the comparison of the audio differences between the stereo and mono mixes:
Not only a source - but a very well respected source - one who literally wrote a book on the subject (who also works in the industry - and also compiled a couple of informative websites, circa 2010, with citations and sources) for anyone interested in Star Wars history.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-History-Star-Wars/dp/0978465237 (the book)
Some info on the ALI OOT Restoration - on originaltrilogy.com...
‘Info Posts’ on the leaked Restoration of the unaltered theatrical OT - by Aurora Light Imageworks (ALI)…
An Introduction / Overview | Image Screenshots and Comparisons | Video & Audio Clips | Media Coverage | FAQs | News & Updates
From what we’ve seen in the ALI OOT Restoration leaks so far... they are the original 35mm widely released cuts. All 3 OT films have been cleaned up with damage having been removed - yet obviously no visual alterations have been made. The original stereo, mono, 70mm magnetic 6-track have all been restored, plus there will be a new 7.1 DTS Mix (built from the original library) - likely for cinema screenings and home physical media setups. So these are very much the original version that was released to many at the time.
FAQ #3 has a list of the various sources used for this restoration - based on a 6K scan of the OCN (Original Camera Negative) in 2022.
Personally, I hope we also see the '85 mix and '93 mix included on any physical media release as 'audio bonus options' (for those of us that grew up with these on our taped TV broadcasts, official home media tapes, or laserdiscs, CEDs, or VHDs etc - before the release of the 1997 Special Editions and those respective mixes).
Campe also beat me to it listing that illustrative and informative video from SG10 Film Archive on the stereo vs mono mixes...
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My dream for the next release of Star Wars would be a true archival version with 4K transfers of the 1977, 1981, 1997 and later home video versions of the SEs with all known audio tracks. It’s a pipe dream at best and I’d spend $100+ on just Star Wars/A New Hope alone but I’d love to see it.
Go ahead.
But it's untrue. One version and one version only of Star Wars was distributed in 1977.
While Digific is incorrect, this is not entirely correct either. There were versions with different audio mixes (including different sound effects, takes of dialogue and even completely different voice actors in a few cases) released in 1977.
The differences were indeed miniscule, but they still existed, and their existence was actually par for the course based on how Film works, so, no, every individual cut of Star Wars being different from theater to theater would not have been "controversial" at all.
And the lack of being able to find Bryan's discussions on the subject without knowing specifically what you are looking for is also par for the course.
Oh good lord, anything to keep from saying the words, “Sorry, I might have gotten it wrong.” What I mean by controversial is that there would be discussions elsewhere. I have read dozens of behind the scenes books on the Star Wars saga. It’s a hobby of mine because I love the making of this series, particularly the 1977 original. If different prints existed in different theaters, there would be tons of information out there on it. JW Rinzler would have discussed it in his Making of books. He hasn’t. The Secret History of Star Wars would have spoken to it. It doesn’t. No one but you (and apparently Bryan) is saying what you’re saying. You’ve said that these discussions on specific prints for specific theaters are different. You want to provide some info to prove you’re right? Start there. Point us in the direction you’re claiming exists by providing a link to one podcast that speaks to it. If you’re so buddy buddy with the guy, ask him! This isn’t hard work. This is you continuing to push a narrative you’ve been proven wrong again and again on because you can’t admit you might have misunderstood.
There was one print and one version of the movie in May 1977. End. Of. Story.
I mean, yeah, some reels in Michigan had scratches and little imperfections that reels in Nevada didn't, but that's the extent of "different versions" in the summer of 1977. 
Sorry, I get passionate when someone keeps pushing false narratives. However, this seems to be a losing battle so I’m tapping out. If DFW decides to post a link to a pod, I might tap back in, but I’ve spent enough time arguing with someone who refuses to actually provide a source to prove his point.
Well, THAT'S not true either! "Summer of 1977" covers a bit. Star Wars didn't make it to my neck of the woods until July!I mean, yeah, some reels in Michigan had scratches and little imperfections that reels in Nevada didn't, but that's the extent of "different versions" in the summer of 1977.
Perhaps for a home release there will be something like the 4K77 release with every audio mix there ever was. (It could happen.) But to put it out on the big screen in 2027 I would imagine there is going to be some picking and choosing. Even for whatever they decide to put on Disney+.
There is a kind of purity to saying "THIS is what was at the Coronet Theatre in San Francisco on May 25th, 1977." But I, personally, don't think that's the way to go. My educated guess is that they will make a modern presentation of something representative of the sound mixes. Hopefully closer to any of the versions in the theaters than Burtt's redo on the SE.
But no, they aren't choosing between hundreds or even dozens of versions.
The reason that I go on about the mono mix is because I didn't know for YEARS that the VHS sounded wrong to me. It was certainly what I heard the most, like all of us. But the four times I saw the film in '77 was the mono mix. (I discovered later.) And when I finally heard that mix as part of one of the "unofficial" releases (Harmy or 4K77) it was like opening a window! THAT was what I remembered Star Wars sounding like! (The filters on the stormtroopers and the voice over announcements in particular.)
Roll with the joke.
Sorry. I will learn by doing.Roll with the joke.
I personally won't be satisfied until the version in LA is released on Laser Disc. That is the way to watch STAR WARS!I mean, yeah, some reels in Michigan had scratches and little imperfections that reels in Nevada didn't, but that's the extent of "different versions" in the summer of 1977.