Star Wars Compendium of Lost Footage
Version 3.0 (ASCII)
July 8, 1995
A companion piece to "The Wars You Never Saw"
by Mark A. Altman and Lukas Kendall in the July 1994 issue of Sci-Fi Universe
Written and compiled by Ryan Silva with the help of many SW fans
Enhanced version for the PC by Alec Usticke (uncle owen@aol.com)
Edited by Tim Elliott (last gasp@aol.com)
Please send any comments/ additions/ suggestions/ revisions to:
talkytoast@aol.com
Feel free to repost this anywhere and everywhere.
"Star Wars" and related titles are registered trademarks and copyright
Lucasfilm Ltd. All photos in this document c Lucasfilm Ltd.
-----------
It's out of control. What started as a fun little hobby has grown into a
budding obsession. Those of you who have seen only the Internet beta version
(0.9) must be shocked by the explosion of data contained in this monster.
Every day I receive at least ten pieces of e-mail with leads both valid and
false, and a few that are downright "whacko." Now, after a year of research,
most of the major sequences cut from the trilogy have been exhaustively
documented. As I hear rumor upon rumor, I've started to include some
unconfirmed reports in hopes that this file is read by someone who can fill
in the blanks.
In essence, this compilation is intended as a reference for cut footage
that was actually filmed for the "Star Wars" trilogy, not every tidbit from
the scripts and novels that didn't make it in front of the cameras. The
evidence I required to list a scene as "confirmed" in this compendium took
the form of a photo or a documented, reliable source stating it was filmed -
sometimes both. When writing to me with potential additions or corrections,
please keep that in mind. Perhaps Lucas will follow through with the plan to
include these cut scenes at the end of the THX laserdiscs when they are
released separately (although Fox Video says otherwise). At least some of the
footage is set to be reinserted into the 1997 rerelease. Until then, this FAQ
will have to suffice.
Unless noted, these scenes have never been released officially to the
general public (not counting test and press screenings) and were never part
of the final cut of the movies. For starters, I urge you to zip immediately
over to the Biggs entry. You will find a sizable body of evidence that
suggests the early Tatooine Biggs scenes were never shown in the theaters.
(Given that the average "Star Wars" fanatic was 6 or 7 when it was released,
coupled with the abundance of photos and written descriptions, it was easy
for our active imaginations to conjure up the images that were missing.)
You are most likely reading the ASCII version of this FAQ. Due to
copyright restrictions, I cannot upload the graphics-enhanced version to
online services, and it's too big for the average Web site to accommodate
easily. Mac users can get a self-contained enhanced version with graphics and
sounds included. PC users can get a Windows Write version that includes the
same goodies. Send me e-mail (talkytoast@aol.com) for details. Both of these
versions should also be available at the Cut Scenes Web Page soon (see
below). Be forewarned that both versions weigh in at well over 3 megs when
expanded.
Parts of the enhanced versions of the compendium are interactive. Click
on icons to hear sound samples, zip to various chapters, and (someday) play
movie clips.
I'd like to apologize for inconsistencies in the quality of the scanned
images and sound samples. All the material used in the compendium comes from
a wide variety of sources, ranging from my own collection to anonymous
contributions. In some cases, I've not been able to find a duplicate source
in hopes of obtaining a better quality file. Also, I've been having some
trouble with my header graphics. Some look fine when I create the GIF
versions but when imported into these documents, they end up looking below
par. I made the decision to get the FAQ out on time rather than fiddle with
them for the moment. Finally, we have tried to eliminate all misspellings and
grammar errors, but if you find such glitches, please send e-mail to me or
Tim Elliott (last gasp@aol.com).
Star Wars Cut Footage Web Site:
I've recently connected with Evan Reynolds, the fellow behind the Cut Scenes
Web Site. (I didn't have WWW access, so was hitherto unaware of its
existence.) It has the advantage of easier, if not instant, updates, so I
predict that it will become the definitive source for all of your cut footage
needs. If you want to check it out, cruise:
http://www.cs.utk.edu:80/~ereynold/cgi-bin/swcut.cgi
I'm working with Mr. Reynolds to incorporate as much of my information
as possible into his cut footage site, and I thank him for his contributions
to this version of the compendium.
Open Letter to Lucasfilm and/or LucasArts:
I would be overjoyed to widely distribute the compendium without fear of
legal action. The desire to have this information available exists. We've
done the hard work for you; jazz it up a bit and release it to grateful Star
Wars fans world wide.
-----------
>From "Star Wars" to "A New Hope":
The reissue of "Star Wars" that ran for three weeks starting on Wednesday,
August 15, 1979, DID NOT contain the "Episode IV: A NEW HOPE" subtitle. A
trailer for "Empire" was shown, however, and a Kenner toys discount booklet
was given out (both of which are announced on the poster for the reissue).
The first appearance of "Episode IV: A NEW HOPE" was on the new prints
struck for the two-week reissue of "Star Wars" on April 10, 1981, nearly one
year after the premiere of "Empire."
By the way, when the subtitle was added, the roll-up itself was changed.
Lines of text were condensed differently so the length of the roll-up
remained the same despite the addition of two lines at the top. The
capitalized words DEATH STAR appear on one line in the first version and are
broken on the revised version.
For the record, "Empire" was reissued later that year, on July 31, 1981.
In 1982, "Star Wars" returned on April 10 and "Empire" on November 19. Both
of these reissues featured identical "Revenge of the Jedi" trailers.
Yes, Virginia, there is a bootleg:
Floating around the black market limbo of sci-fi conventions and fanboy
heaven is a forgotten bootleg of "Star Wars," a film transfer of the original
1977 theatrical release. It's interesting mainly as a curiosity, because the
transfer is awful, the image is cropped poorly, and I'm sure that we all have
much better, legal copies lying around. Nevertheless, as an account of the
minor changes made to "Star Wars" over the years, it's priceless.
Following is a list of differences sent to me by an anonymous informant:
I synched up the tape to my THX laserdisc (with picture-in-picture) and tried
to find the differences...
*Video differences:
First, the tape isn't really panned and scanned. It's panned all right, but
not scanned - the picture just sits on the center of the widescreen frame.
The only video difference I could find was in the opening scroll. Not only
was the "Episode IV: A New Hope" tag missing, but the lines were formatted
differently.
Laserdisc:
Pre-ANH
video:
Episode IV
A NEW HOPE
It is a period of civil war. It
is a period of civil war.
Rebel spaceships, striking Rebel
spaceships, striking
from a hidden base, have won from a hidden
base, have
their first victory against won
their first victory
the evil Galactic Empire. against
the evil Galactic
Empire.
During the battle, Rebel
spies managed to steal secret During the
battle, Rebel
plans to the Empire's spies
managed to steal
ultimate weapon, the DEATH secret plans to
the Empire's
STAR, an armored space ultimate
weapon, the
station with enough power to DEATH STAR, an
armored
destroy an entire planet. space
station with enough
power
to destroy an entire
Pursued by the Empire's planet.
sinister agents, Princess
Leia races home aboard her Pursued by the
Empire's
starship, custodian of the sinister
agents, Princess
stolen plans that can save Leia races
home aboard her
her people and restore starship,
custodian of the
freedom to the galaxy . . . . stolen
plans that can save
her
people and restore
freedom
to the galaxy . . .
Ely2B@aol.com adds:
Oddly enough, there is ONE visual difference. As the stormtroopers are
distracted by the duel between Vader and Kenobi, Threepio turns and says,
"Come on, Artoo. We're going." CUT to Han who says, "Now's our chance, go!"
In the version with the mono mix, these two shots are reversed!
*Audio differences:
As maniacally documented by Ely2B@aol.com:
The nine 70mm prints contained a 6-track Dolby mix that was considered
unfinished. When the properly cut prints were made, both 70mm and 35mm, they
went into wide release accompanied by finished soundtracks. BUT, Dolby Stereo
prints of the time were not mono-compatible as they are now, so sound
designer Ben Burtt created a totally different monaural sound mix for 35mm,
knowing that there were not many stereo theaters at the time. In my
experience, this mix got its widest exposure during the "extended first run,"
which is erroneously (though widely) referred to as the "1978 reissue."
The "Story of Star Wars" narration record was made using this different
sound mix (with stereo sound effects laid over it); in it one can hear some
of these differences.
The echo at the chasm is only on the stereo mix, by the way, and it must
be played back in stereo in order for it to be heard. It cannot even be heard
on a Dolby print played in a mono theater or on a laserdisc played over a
mono television monitor.
Threepio's lines ("The tractor beam is coupled...") were added back into
the home video sound master in 1986. For the recent boxed set laserdisc, a
new soundtrack was created for ANH, incorporating all of the above. Oddly
enough, Threepio's lines were left out once again!
Between Ely2B's post and my other informant's list, I put together the
following list of audio variations between the original release and the
recent laserdisc version:
1) Alarms and klaxons are different.
2) Added panel sound effects aboard the Falcon, including a descending whine
as they come out of hyperspace.
3) The communications to Tarkin via comlink are completely different.
4) When Threepio and Artoo are hiding from the Imperials on Tatooine, the
stormtrooper's dubbed voice is different, and so is the line:
Laserdisc:
"All right, check this side of the street. The door's locked. Move on to the
next one."
Pre-ANH video:
"All right, check that side of the street. It's secure. Move on to the next
one."
5) A different actress dubs for Aunt Beru. Neither version features the real
voice of actress Shelagh Fraser, who has a thick British accent.
6) Some Threepio dialogue uses different takes. The additional lines ("The
tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss
at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave....") are missing from
the laserdisc version.
7) The echo in the core shaft ("I think we took a wrong turn...") is present
in both versions. However, the echo is more pronounced in the laserdisc
version - probably because the video is missing the surround channels.
8) The laserdisc is missing the now-famous "Close the blast doors!" line.
9) Intership voices during the final battle are not synthesized.
10) During the final battle, "countdown" voices on the Death Star and at the
Massassi base on Yavin IV are completely different.
11) Luke's line on the laserdisc, "Blast it, Biggs. Where are you?" is
different on the pre-ANH video: "Blast it, Wedge. Where are you?" (from the
collection of Peter Poulakakos).
-----------
Biggs Darklighter:
The early Biggs Darklighter scenes were filmed and eventually cut, as was
almost every reference to him. Early in the movie, Luke is fixing a moisture
vaporator with a treadwell droid (see picture in the Introduction) when he
sees the Blockade Runner/Star Destroyer battle as bright specks. He checks it
out with his macrobinoculars, gets excited and speeds to the power station, a
local hang-out in Anchorhead. He means to get his friends Fixer and Camie to
verify his sighting, but is momentarily sidetracked upon discovering that
Biggs has returned to Tatooine from the Academy to say goodbye. The group
moves outside, but by this time the battle is over and the scene cuts to
where Threepio and Artoo split up to search for settlements. The film later
cuts back to a scene with Biggs and Luke, where Biggs reveals his plan to
join the Rebellion.
(From the script -)
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT WASTELAND -- DAY.
A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The
tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone figure,
Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations who looks
much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy hair and
baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable lad with
a prize-winning smile.
A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the
desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided by
a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot
appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions.
A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye and he
instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his utility
belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying the
heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired
Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet
above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the tiny
robot to follow him.
LUKE: Hurry up! Come with me! What are you waiting for?! Get in gear!
The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his arms
up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps into his
Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum madly.
(From the script - Vader enters Blockade Runner, Leia with Artoo)
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty empty
street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to get out of
the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist at Luke as
he flies past.
WOMAN: I've told you kids to slow down!
INTERIOR: POWER STATION -- DAY.
Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged
mechanic, and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been
asleep in his lap. They grumble as he races through the
office, yelling wildly.
FIXER: Did I hear a young noise blast through here?
CAMIE: It was just Wormie on another rampage.
Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy city
attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics of the
farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the background.
LUKE: Shape it up you guys!.... Biggs?
Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to
great joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.
LUKE: I didn't know you were back! When did you get in?
BIGGS: Just now. I wanted to surprise you, hot shot. I thought you'd be
here...certainly didn't expect you to be out working. (he laughs)
LUKE: The Academy didn't change you much...but you're back so soon?
Hey, what happened, didn't you get your commission?
Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.
BIGGS: Of course I got it. Signed aboard the Rand Ecliptic last week.
First mate Biggs Darklighter at your service...(he salutes)...I just
came to say goodbye to all you unfortunate landlocked simpletons.
Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing
friend is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out
of it.
LUKE: I almost forgot. There's a battle going on! Right here in our
system. Come and look!
DEAK: Not again! Forget it.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD -- SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie and
The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes. Luke
has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.
LUKE: There they are!
Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke as the others strain
to see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars
Biggs sees two small silver specks.
BIGGS: That's no battle, hot shot...they're just sitting there!
Probably a freighter-tanker refueling.
LUKE: But there was a lot of firing earlier...
Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the
building in the process. Luke grabs them.
LUKE: Hey, easy with those...
CAMIE: Don't worry about it, Wormie.
The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy
shrugs his shoulders in resignation.
FIXER: I keep telling you, the Rebellion is a long way from here. I
doubt if the Empire would even fight to keep this system. Believe me
Luke, this planet is a big hunk of nothing...
Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The
group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
Luke's ineptitude.
(from the script - Vader confronts Leia, Threepio and Artoo part company)
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer and
the others can be heard working inside.
LUKE: (very animated)...so I cut off my power, shut down the
afterburners and came in low on Deak's trail. I was so close I thought
I was going to fry my instruments. As it was I busted up the Skyhopper
pretty bad. Uncle Owen was pretty upset. He grounded me for the rest
of the season. You should have been there...it was fantastic.
BIGGS: You ought to take it easy, Luke. You may be the hottest
bushpilot this side of Mos Eisley, but those little Skyhoppers are
dangerous. Keep it up, and one day, whammo, you're going to be nothing
more than a dark spot on the down side of a canyon wall.
LUKE: Look who's talking. Now that you've been around those giant
starships you're beginning to sound like my uncle. You've gotten soft
in the city...
BIGGS: I've missed you, kid.
LUKE: Well, things haven't been the same since you left, Biggs. It's
been so...quiet.
Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.
BIGGS: Luke, I didn't come back just to say goodbye...I shouldn't
tell you this, but you're the only one I can trust...and if I don't
come back, I want somebody to know.
Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.
LUKE: What are you talking about?
BIGGS: I made some friends at the Academy. (he whispers)...When our
frigate goes to one of the central systems, we're going to jump ship
and join the Alliance...
Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.
LUKE: Join the Rebellion?! Are you kidding! How?
BIGGS: Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth bigger than a meteor
crater!
LUKE: I'm sorry. I'm quiet. (he whispers) Listen how quiet I am. You
can barely hear me...
Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.
BIGGS: My friend has a friend on Bestine who might help us make
contact.
LUKE: You're crazy! You could wander around forever trying to find them.
BIGGS: I know it's a long shot, but if I don't find them I'll do what
I can on my own...It's what we always talked about. Luke, I'm not
going to wait for the Empire to draft me into service. The Rebellion
is spreading and I want to be on the right side -- the side I believe
in.
LUKE: And I'm stuck here...
BIGGS: I thought you were going to the Academy next term. You'll get
your chance to get off this rock.
LUKE: Not likely! I had to cancel my application. There has been a lot
of unrest among the Sandpeople since you left...they've even raided
the outskirts of Anchorhead.
(end of part 1)
BIGGS: Your uncle could hold off a whole colony of Sandpeople with one
blaster.
LUKE: I know, but he's got enough vaporators going to make the place
pay off. He needs me for just one more season. I can't leave him now.
BIGGS: I feel for you, Luke, you're going to have to learn what seems
to be important or what really is important. What good is all your
uncle's work if it's taken over by the Empire?...You know they're
starting to nationalize commerce in the central systems...it won't be
long before your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving for the greater
glory of the Empire.
LUKE: It couldn't happen here. You said it yourself. The Empire won't
bother with this rock.
BIGGS: Things always change.
LUKE: I wish I was going...Are you going to be around long?
BIGGS: No, I'm leaving in the morning...
LUKE: Then I guess I won't see you.
BIGGS: Maybe someday...I'll keep a lookout.
LUKE: Well, I'll be at the Academy next season...after that who knows.
I won't be drafted into the Imperial Starfleet, that's for sure...Take
care of yourself, you'll always be the best friend I've got.
BIGGS: So long, Luke.
Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads toward the
power station.
Just before the Battle of Yavin, Luke runs into Biggs and they gab a bit,
then Red Leader shows up and mentions that he had met Anakin, Luke's father.
(From the script...)
INTERIOR: MAIN HANGAR DECK -- LUKE'S SHIP.
...Leia gives Luke a little kiss, turns, and goes off. As Luke
heads for his ship, another pilot rushes up to him and grabs
his arm.
BIGGS: Luke! I don't believe it! How'd you get here...are you going
out with us?!
LUKE: Biggs! Of course, I'll be up there with you! Listen, have I got
some stories to tell...
Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, comes up
behind Luke and Biggs. He has the confident smile of a born
leader.
RED LEADER: Are you...Luke Skywalker? Have you been checked out on the Incom
T-sixty-five?
BIGGS: Sir, Luke is the best bush pilot in the outer rim territories.
Red Leader pats Luke on the back as they stop in front of his
fighter.
RED LEADER: I met your father once when I was just a boy, he was a
great pilot. You'll do all right. If you've got half of your father's
skill, you'll do better than all right.
LUKE: Thank you, sir. I'll try.
Red Leader hurries to his own ship.
BIGGS: I've got to get aboard. Listen, you'll tell me your stories
when we come back. All right?
LUKE: I told you I'd make it someday, Biggs.
BIGGS: (going off) You did, all right. It's going to be like old
times, Luke. We're a couple of shooting stars that'll never be
stopped!
*Evidence remaining:
There are a few cards in the original "Star Wars" cards, especially the Green
series, that show stills from the Tatooine segment. These include treadwell,
Luke in "Gilligan Hat" and Luke and Biggs together. The Story of Star Wars
photo book also contains pictures of Luke looking in the sky with the
macrobinoculars (not along the horizon, as if looking for Artoo, but up
overhead), a still of Luke talking to Biggs, and a photo with Luke and Biggs
on a raised platform, with Luke pointing in the air.
The NPR "Star Wars" radio drama, the Marvel comic series, and the novel
each contain or expand on these scenes. The West End Games second edition of
the Star Wars Role Playing Game (RPG) contains a photo of what must be the
Fixer's garage, because it isn't the Lars homestead from a different angle.
In addition, the "Making of Star Wars" contains a large chunk of the
pre-Death Star scene. I imagine this is the reason that a lot of us insist
that we've seen the footage.
QUEST32681@aol.com had this to add:
Just as Luke is climbing into his X-wing, you can catch a few seconds of a
pilot walking off to the lower right hand corner of the screen wearing his
helmet - his helmet design matches that of Biggs! And since Biggs was the
only one shown who flew at the battle of Yavin in that particular helmet
design, this must be him, just after he talks with Luke and Red Leader.
The back of Topps' "Star Wars" Widevision card #85 shows the Biggs scene
on Yavin IV being shot from a distance.
"Fine, but were the Biggs scenes ever shown?" :
My answer: NO (although I still can't vouch for foreign showings). Until
someone from Lucasfilm convinces otherwise, I'm going to stick with my
opinion. Read the following and decide for yourself:
>From Ely2B@aol.com:
This requires a bit of explanation, so please bear with me. When "Star Wars"
was released on May 25, 1977, it was only in nine theaters in nine different
cities, all in 70mm. Because so many people over the years have come forward
claiming that they saw a version with additional footage, I have THEORIZED
the following:
These nine 70mm prints could have been originally longer during preview
showings. When the final cut was determined, rather than scrap the nine long
prints, they could have been physically cut to conform to the version as we
all know it. This was common practice for many years, particularly with 70mm
prints, which were expensive and took a lot of time to make. If some theaters
were lax in making the cuts, perhaps a few audiences saw some extra footage
before the prints were replaced with properly cut ones.
People clearly remember seeing the Biggs scenes, but because this has
been glimpsed through the novelization, comic adaptation, trading cards,
storybook, behind-the-scenes documentary, and radio show, it's possible that
memories are mixing together. An entirely different group of people seem to
recall seeing Luke at the chasm throw his grappling hook and miss the first
time, then throw it again before swinging across with Leia. The above is a
conceivable explanation, in my opinion.
>From Vian Lawson came the following:
Last year (1993), it was my pleasure to attend a Con that had Don Bies, [at
the time] the archivist for Skywalker Ranch, as guest of honor. He told us
(among other things) that Koo Stark was originally cast as Camie, a local
Tatooine lass, in the infamous Biggs scene. (Which did not appear in *any*
commercial release of "SW," he says. Not any. Not ever.)
NOTE: I have spoken to Don Bies since then, and while he acknowledges that
he's responsible for the above statement, he added that he can not be 100
percent sure that the scenes were never shown anywhere. It is his PERSONAL
opinion that they were not. He's checking on that with one of the other
people who worked on "Star Wars," and I'll include that info as soon as I get
it. Here's the message, with a little tidbit about another "Star Wars" myth:
Date: Thu, 5 Jan, 1995 12:17 AM EDT
From: Don Bies
Subj: Footage
To: Talkytoast
I'll try and ask Ben Burtt next time I see him - he was puzzled by the other
infamous myth - that of someone shouting "Carrie!" at the end of "Star
Wars"...It's possible they showed the [Biggs] film in preview, but I
doubt...and this is a PERSONAL opinion...that it was ever part of a general
release.
Don
>From Starlog #120, July 1987:
This issue was dedicated to the 10th anniversary of "Star Wars." In it, there
is an article by Roy Thomas entitled, "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and
Love 'Star Wars' (Within Limits)" (nice "Strangelove" homage), which features
his recollections of working on the "Star Wars" comics for Marvel.
"...anyhow, soon Howard, Steve and I were sitting in the front row in
George's private screening room while the Hollywood heavies slouched further
back with George, and the rough cut began.
It opened with a 'crawl' of copy meant to suggest the old Flash Gordon
serials that had influenced the movie. But this was NOT the crawl with which
moviegoers are now familiar, nor was there any 'Long ago, in a galaxy far,
far away' lead-in. Rather, the crawl consisted of totally different copy
telling the movie's backstory. (If you want to know what it said, all you
have to do is pick up a back issue of Marvel's "Star Wars" #1, since the
caption there was taken from that original crawl. George evidently had
last-minute thoughts and changed it just before the opening. In fact, one ILM
worker told me that the story was that, on opening day, George would probably
be in the projection booth at Mann's, pasting on some last bit of film.)
[NOTE: Original crawl text follows this entry.]
Original opening crawl as published in the Marvel adaption of "Star Wars" #1:
"It is a period of CIVIL WAR in the galaxy. A brave Alliance of UNDERGROUND
FREEDOM FIGHTERS has challenged the tyranny and oppression of the awesome
GALACTIC EMPIRE. To crush the rebellion once and for all, the EMPIRE is
constructing a sinister new BATTLE STATION. Powerful enough to destroy an
entire planet, its COMPLETION will spell CERTAIN DOOM for the champions of
freedom. Striking from a fortress hidden among the billion stars of the
galaxy, REBEL SPACESHIPS have won their first victory in a battle with the
powerful IMPERIAL STARFLEET. The Empire fears that ANOTHER defeat could bring
a THOUSAND MORE solar systems into the rebellion, and IMPERIAL CONTROL over
the galaxy would be LOST FOREVER."
Then in came the spaceships. Even in the rough cut and on a relatively
small screen, it was an impressive beginning, and I was only moderately
surprised months later at Mann's Chinese to hear the shocked gasp of the
audience when Big Ship came after Little Ship.
Next, the fight -stormtroopers vs. rebels. But there were no rays
zipping back and forth across the screen in San Anselmo. Just the flicker of
hand-drawn arrows on the film, to show where the FX would go.
Soon, Darth Vader came on and began to speak - with a British accent.
(This was actor David Prowse's own voice, before James Earl Jones' sepulchral
tones were laid in.)
The movie went on. I noted with chagrin that one scene in the script -
between Luke and some childhood chums, near the beginning - had been CUT,
though it was currently being printed in the comic's first issue. (And a few
irate readers would later castigate us for inserting things into 'George's
Movie.')"
>From Screen Superstar magazine #8, "Star Wars: the Full Story," 1977:
"His editors, including his wife, Marcia (Lucas' daughters had earlier
appeared in the film as Jawas), had put together a rough cut. With Lucas they
trimmed it down to preview size. And the previews were VERY successful.
Excitement spread at Twentieth, and through the movie colony - Lucas had a
winner!
But winner or not, Lucas still wasn't entirely satisfied. The film ran
for over two hours (123 minutes), and Lucas wanted maximum audience turnover.
Thus, the film had to be UNDER two hours, so back went Lucas and the editors,
and six minutes of Biggs Darklighter, Luke's boyhood pal and fellow rebel
pilot, were trashed. The film was finished."
Jabba the Hutt (unfinished):
Jabba and henchmen confront Han at Docking Bay 94 just before Luke and Co.
arrive. The original budget (and, to be honest, the technology of the time)
didn't allow for a scene that fit Lucas' vision, so all that exists of the
"first" Jabba on film is a large man dressed in furs saying the dialogue.
*Evidence remaining:
A clip of the scene (sans F/X) appears in "From Star Wars to Jedi." Again,
the comics and novel still contain the scene, and the radio series
substitutes a henchman named Heater. Originally, Jabba was going to be matted
over with F/X; now, 20-some years later, it looks as if we'll finally see the
vision realized. It is said that the 1998 rerelease will include a finished
version of this scene:
An anonymous informant had this tidbit about the FINISHED Jabba scene:
Regarding the Jabba scene. He is not on a sled [as seen in Dark Horse's Dark
Empire graphic novel]. He is on the ground. His tail is slithering, but his
upper body is erect.
Vader as sadist (unconfirmed):
>From BDarklight comes a lead on a 'new' cut scene:
A friend of mine was just telling me about the Leia-Vader torture scene. She
said that she was reading an interview with Carrie Fisher, and in the article
she described the scene as the most awful day of filming on the set. She
described the scene in very much the same way it was portrayed in the [NPR]
radio drama. She described being hung upside down while they filmed her being
tortured until she eventually passed out. She then noted how pissed she was
when she saw that it had been cut from the movie.
NOTE: I've just begun to hear rumors of this sequence. I'd appreciate any
more info on this.
Porkins, the Other White Meat:
>From Chanster@aol.com comes the following:
At my high school (in Dallas), the actor who portrayed Porkins came and
talked to us yesterday. He is an alumnus of the school and it was sorta of a
big deal. (As you might know, he was also in "Batman.") He talked about his
life and having bit parts in big movies. Anyway, he mentioned something
interesting. He said that he was in more scenes toward the end of the movie
than actually landed on the screen. He didn't go into much detail, but I was
wondering what he exactly he meant. Could there be more scenes right before
the Death Star attack than we know? Unfortunately, he had to leave right
after the presentation and I didn't even get a chance to get his autograph!
NOTE: You guessed it. I'd love more information on this scene.
Minor shots from "SW":
1) There are a few short cantina scenes with Snaggletooth (one in a blue
tunic! At least we know where the figure comes from...) and another scene
with Hammerhead. Nothing major, just them talking at the bar.
2) Raymond W. Chramega offered these tidbits:
The Marvel Comics "Star Wars" movie adaptation used everything they saw from
a private, early screening of the film. The introduction at the start of the
book is completely different from the one used in the film. But those who
worked on the project swear that the introduction they used is exactly the
introduction they saw in private screening... word for word! [Editor's note:
See Biggs chapter for more info on this.]
The alien used as Jabba the Hutt in the comic adaptation is one created by
Stuart Freeborn and labeled Walrus. The character is used many, many times in
Mos Eisley exteriors. He never appears in the interior of the cantina,
however.
3) A shot of an alley outside the Cantina and a midget running away from
stormtroopers and ducking between the legs of a very tall alien can be seen
in the 1978 "Star Wars Holiday Special."
4) Another scene in the "Star Wars Holiday Special" shows Darth Vader and an
officer walking down a corridor different from anything in the movie. They
walk into a control room of some sort.
5) Nicky Wilson spotted this one:
The LucasArts CD-ROM game "Rebel Assault" includes a clip of Luke storming
out of his house and looking at the sunset. This clip continues for a few
seconds beyond the scene in the movie - Luke raises his hand to his head to
scan the horizon.
NOTE: I'm not certain if this is an actual edit or if it was simply retouched
for the game. At any rate, it is a VERY minor shot. Half a second at best.
-----------
Some fans barely remember it, masochistic fans search for copies of it, and
hardcore fans fear it. Yes, it's that wonderful nugget of 1970s cheese in its
purest, undiluted form: The 1978 "Star Wars Holiday Special." Because it only
aired once and by all rights deserves to be "lost," I've decided to include
this chapter.
The Holiday Special has but one redeeming quality: the animated
introduction of Boba Fett. To sit down and watch the special from end to end
makes me feel like Alex from "Clockwork Orange." Is it painfully bad, and it
tarnishes the memory of "Star Wars" with TRULY horrible acting, casting,
lyrics, and set design. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
"The Star Wars Holiday Special" by Jon Bradley Snyder
>From Star Wars Insider magazine #23, 1994:
December 1978. Mom and Dad fret over "Dynasty" and the NFL playoffs, but
Junior sits in rapt attention in front of the television, oblivious to the
plight of Crystal Carrington and the Pittsburgh Steelers. For Junior, TV is
about to take on a new meaning. In a few moments CBS will turn his TV into a
vessel for "Star Wars." The "Star Wars Holiday Special" - the single greatest
television event of all time for seven- to 15-year olds - is about to go on
the air.
Looking back from an age where home video, pay-per-view and interactive
movies on CD-ROM are the order of the day, it seems strange that a "Star
Wars" TV special could generate such interest. But if you lived through the
"Star Wars" phenomenon the first time around, you know that many of the
things we now take for granted, like the trilogy on home video, seemed like
an impossible dream in 1978. If you wanted "Star Wars" at home, you had to
buy a grainy Super 8 film loop that cost a bundle and only had eight minutes
of footage. "Star Wars" on TV, for free, seemed like a gift from heaven.
Perhaps it was the incredible anticipation of this show, followed by its
rapid retreat into obscurity that created [the program's] legendary cult
status. Everybody remembers when it came out, but few have seen it again in
the 15 years hence. It is the missing link in the "Star Wars" universe, the
one episode that has never been committed to home video. The Star Wars
Insider was lucky enough to get a hold of a copy of the "Star Wars Holiday
Special" [Note: It's not that hard to find, and sheesh, the Insider is the
Lucasfilm sanctioned official fan club magazine!] We've given it an
excruciating viewing through 1994 eyes and to be quite honest, it's pretty...
silly.
Time has not been kind to the Holiday Special, yet that's precisely its
charm. Unlike the "Star Wars" films, which have a timeless quality, the "Star
Wars Holiday Special" will forever be stuck in 1978, which is great nostalgia
if you were there, great history if you weren't.
The show centers around Chewbacca's family, his wife Mala, his father
Itchy, and his son Lumpy. Lumpy looks like Adam Rich with fur, a long-haired
gangly precursor to the Ewoks. Chewbacca is desperately trying to get back to
his Wookiee home planet to celebrate the sacred Wookiee holiday of Life Day.
Imperial troops overrun the place searching for the Rebels, and the plot
revolves around the Wookiees attempting to go about their daily lives amidst
stormtrooper interference and the suspense of whether Chewbacca will make it
home on time.
The show includes appearances by Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison
Ford, Anthony Daniels, and the voice of James Earl Jones. The supporting cast
includes TV vets Art Carney ("The Honeymooners"), Bea Arthur ("Golden Girls")
and Harvey Korman ("The Carol Burnett Show") who provide the comic relief so
the "Star Wars" stars don't have to crack a lot of slapstick.
Mala calls Luke on the video phone trying to find out what's up with
Chewie. Mark Hamill assures her everything's all right. Hamill is sporting
the worst haircut ever. In fact, both he and Harrison Ford had blowdried
hair-don'ts instead of the rockin' wind-swept hairdos they had in the movie.
But if you were a kid this didn't matter much, as long as they kept
intercutting space scenes from the film, which the producers deftly used to
duck the high cost of shooting new space scenes.
The show has many musical numbers, one of the most bizarre of which is
when Itchy throws on the helmet of his "mind evaporator" and has an erotic
virtual reality experience (this thing was years ahead of its time) with
Diahann Carroll, who tells him, "You're adorable. I am your fantasy, I am
your pleasure. This is our moment in time." Woah! Kinky space love!
Another music sequence involves a box that shows a holographic Jefferson
Starship video. One wonders what the Starship thought about riding the "Star
Wars" wave. But they were good sports and gave their all; the lead guitarist
even picks a solo with his teeth.
At one point stormtroopers cluster around the TV to watch a show about
Tatooine, which is really just a guise to get back to the cantina and do a
musical number with Bea Arthur. It's worth noting that this scene is
introduced with a short loop of Mos Eisley spaceport footage that was shot
but never appeared in the original film. A small Mos Eisley alien scurries
away from a big stilt creature in a short clip that has never been shown
publicly anywhere else.
The undisputed highlight of this show is the funny, fast-paced cartoon
that introduces Boba Fett to the "Star Wars" universe. Produced by Nelvana
Animation Company, this cartoon stands head and shoulders above their later
efforts with "Droids" and "Ewoks."
Searching for Han and Chewie, Luke crash lands his Y-wing. He pops the
canopy and look out! It's Boba Fett, Dino-Rider! Fett presents himself as a
friend, but when Luke offers to feed his hungry dinosaur, Fett remarks, "You
are foolish to waste your kindness on this dumb creature," foreshadowing his
treachery. This is the first and last time you'll ever hear Han Solo say,
"Our friend Boba."
The show ends with a tearful reunion with Chewbacca and family. Everyone
gathers round as Carrie Fisher sings the Life Day song. This is pure torture,
not because Fisher can't sing, but because it's so schmaltzy. Lyrics set to
the tune of the "Star Wars" theme? Yeecchh! In the end it's not hard to see
why the Holiday Special has been kept under wraps. The production is silly,
and you can do better visual effects on your home computer these days. Still,
it's fun to watch and a great trip back to 1978.
-----------
Again, from Ely2B@aol.com
As with "Star Wars," the early 70mm prints of "Empire" went out unfinished.
I saw this version several times, so I know the differences quite well. Here
they are:
1) When the probe droid rises out of its crater and floats off screen-left,
instead of CUTTING to the aerial shot of Luke on the tauntaun, there is a
WIPE.
2) The same goes for the shot of Luke falling face down into the snow and the
following shot of Han on his tauntaun. The alternate version has a WIPE
instead of a CUT.
3) When Luke is in the bacta tank, there is no shot of Han, Leia, and
Threepio watching. Rather, the shot pans from a close-up of Two-One-Bee to a
close-up of Luke, then cuts to the robot arm extending to the tank.
4) At our first view of the Emperor's hologram, the image does not "wave" in,
but is already in place as the shot begins.
5) In the establishing shot of the Executor just after Luke in the Dagobah
cave, the sound of the TIE fighters is different.
6) When Luke falls from the weather vane to the Falcon, the radar dish has
not yet been added into the shot.
7) The dissolves between Luke and Vader in the telepathy scene are much
shorter, almost straight cuts.
8) The ending scene is much shorter. We get the establishing shot of the
Rebel fleet, then immediately CUT to Lando saying, "Luke, we're ready for
take off," except that it is a different take. After we hear Luke say, "Good
luck, Lando," we immediately CUT to Luke aboard the ship saying, "I'll meet
you at the rendezvous point...." So altogether three effects shots are
missing, along with Lando's line, "When we find Jabba the Hutt and that
bounty hunter, we'll contact you."
(end of part 2)
-----------
The Wampas:
This subplot was almost entirely eliminated. There are several scenes dealing
with the wampa ice creatures attacking Rebel troops and tauntauns. The rebels
finally figure out a way of containing them and herd them into a detention
room. When the rebels evacuate, Threepio removes the warning label from the
door to this room. The first stormtroopers who enter the base are slaughtered
when they unknowingly open the door. There is a short exchange between Vader
and a trooper as he enters the area.
There were also longshots filmed of the wampa dragging the unconscious Luke
to its lair, which can be seen in "SPFX: The Empire Strikes Back."
*Evidence Remaining:
The film vestiges of this subplot remain in three places - a trailer for
"ESB" (included on the Definitive Collection) that shows Threepio
removing the sticker, a quick shot of Han taking a hard look at the wampa pen
(see "Definitive Collection" passage below) and the scene where Han goes out
to look for Luke. In the widescreen versions, you can see 2-1B, the medical
droid, examining the carcass of a tauntaun. A few seconds were cut from the
beginning of that scene, including the line "We can't worry about that now;
we have other problems. Something attacked one
of the tauntauns."
LonePigeon@aol.com kindly sent the following script evidence:
About three and a half years ago, I bought the "crown jewel" of my "Star
Wars" collection - an ORIGINAL "ESB" movie script (Fourth draft Oct. 24,
1978, #6 [of 76 that ever existed], property of Lucasfilm). Yes, it is
genuine! It includes many little things that were cut from the final film,
such as the wampa subplot and early versions of dialog and scenes. [NOTE:
more of this version of the script will be included as it becomes available]
44 INT CORRIDOR - REBEL BASE
The drip, drip, drip of melting ice echoes throughout the long eerie
corridor. A trooper walks by, followed at a short distance by Artoo, who
rolls along whistling to himself. Behind him a Wampa Ice Monster suddenly
appears from out of the wall and begins following the little droid. Up ahead
Artoo sees several troopers begin to act rather strangely, pointing at him
and yelling. This puzzles Artoo, and he stops for a moment to figure it out.
Far in the distance, alarms begin to go off.
Artoo comes to a conclusion, spins his head around and sees the Ice Monster
staring down at him. The droid lets out a screech and races down the hall at
full tilt ahead of the advancing monster.
A small troop of soldiers has gathered at the end of the hallway with
weapons. Artoo races through the armed gathering as the creature screams and
charges the troopers, laser bolts exploding around him. Artoo peeks from
around a corner in time to see several troopers hurled against the walls like
rag dolls. Two soldiers fire a laser bazooka at the monster and it is
obscured by an enormous explosion.
The smoke clears. The silence is spooky. The Ice Monster stands seemingly
dumbstruck. Artoo gives a short, worried beep. The creature topples over in a
dead heap. A cheer goes up from Artoo and the troopers as they converge to
inspect the fallen creature. A young CORPORAL pulls his com-link off his belt
and speaks into it.
CORPORAL
We got it, sir, but there may be more.
Surprisingly, the "Empire" radio drama doesn't touch on the sub-plot, but the
Marvel comics adaption does include a few references. The novel includes a
totally off-the-wall encounter between a wampa and the probe droid at the
beginning of chapter two, but nothing else, and the ESB Storybook contains a
photo of 2-1B checking out the dead tauntaun. Once Upon a Galaxy: A Journal
of The Making of The Empire Strikes Back also tells some information on
missing scenes. It features a photo of the cast and crew filming the scenes
in which 2-1B is examining a tauntaun killed when the rampaging wampas broke
into the Rebel base on Hoth. Finally, Lonepigeon@aol.com says check out the
Topps "ESB" card #29 (with the red border) "Artoo's Icy Vigil" - it looks
like a frame of the Artoo/wampa scene from the script excerpt above.
Luke gets a check-up:
>From GoshMizer comes the following:
In the medical recovery room, the medical droid removes a mask from Luke's
face and says something like, "The bacta are growing well. Those scars should
be gone in a day or so." Then Leia walks in and exchanges some dialog with
Luke, and they end up kissing. Right in the middle of this kiss, C-3PO and
R2-D2 come in and say basically, "Master Luke, how good to see you fully
functional again." The rest of the scene is intact in the movie from there
on.
*Evidence Remaining:
Marvel Comic's Special Edition "ESB" adaptation used this scene virtually as
it existed in the film. They got their reference from an early screening and
probably frame blow-ups (the art was a little too good.) A photo is included
in Once Upon a Galaxy: A Journal of the Making of the Empire Strike Back.
This scene also appears in the novel with Leia and Han speculating on the
existence of the wampas.
Vader Shows off (unconfirmed):
When Vader tells Luke he's his pop, Luke jumps off the platform. According to
Dave Halsted, in the children's storybook version, Vader steps forward,
sticks out his hand, and swoops Luke back up with this great show of the dark
side's power. He then disgustedly flicks his hand and lets Luke fall.
Uncle Owen graciously sent me the text from the ESB Storybook:
" ... With the utmost calm, Luke stepped off the platform and let himself
fall into the chasm.
Vader rushed forward and made Luke a witness to the Dark Lord's power.
He held out his hand and a great wind caught hold of Luke. It swept him back
up the shaft. Then Vader gestured again, and as abruptly as it had started,
the wind ceased. Vader let him go. Now Luke was falling again - faster and
faster."
*Evidence Remaining:
I can't find any other reference other than the ESB Storybook, and it is only
covered in a written passage. Children's storybooks often change details of
the story (the Blade Runner Storybook is a prime example), so this may have
never been filmed.
ESB Tidbits:
1) The relationship between Han and Leia is explored much more than the final
film hints at. There are dialogue cuts from almost every scene between them.
2) Some redundant dialogue during Luke and Vader's duel was cut.
3) Several minutes of dialogue were cut from the Dagobah sequences including
one where Luke finally cuts a metal bar into four pieces with his lightsaber
after failing several times.
>From 100045.2373@compuserve.com came more differences:
In from Germany and when i first saw the ESB there were several scenes which
were later cut:
1) Han and Leia talking about the Wampa creature while luke was in that bacta
tank.
2) The scene with the Snowspeeder crashing in the AT-AT Head.(Looks like the
scene were the A-WING crashed in the Stardestroyer bridge in ROTJ)
3) The two training scenes with Yoda.
4) The torture scene with Vader and Han on Bespin which was later cut from
the german version.
For "Definitive Collection" boxed-set owners:
Here are Chapter Stops and Frame #'s for a few lost scene tidbits that
can be seen in the ESB trailers included with the set.
Disc 3, Side 5:
Frames 40337-40369:
A different, more passionate shot of Luke and Leia kissing.
Frames 40703-40714:
A cut shot showing the outline of the Wampa in the foreground, w/ Luke
hanging from the ceiling in the background.
Disc 3, Side 6:
Frames 1893-1924:
C3PO, in pieces, struggling on the ground in the net bag that Chewie used
to carry him.
Frames 2345-2356:
C3PO rips the sticker off of the Wampa pen.
Also, if you want to find the only remaining glimpse of the wampa pen in
"ESB," go to Disc 1, Side 2, Chapter 24, Frames 16034-16161.
Han, Leia and Threepio flee down a corridor in the base. At frame 16062, Han
takes a serious look over at the wampa pen. The scene is cut just as Threepio
is in front of the door. The "sticker-ripping" originally came right after
it.
-----------
After Jabba's sail barge is blown up, the group has to fight their way
through a sandstorm to make it back to their ships. According to Rob Laurie,
the book The Making of Return of the Jedi (Ballantine, 1983) says that the
reason the scene had to be scrapped was because of sand gumming up the
cameras. The scene that Carrie Fisher called the hardest she'd ever done
would never be seen. It was also the only appearance of the life-size Falcon
prop in ROTJ (although only half of it was built).
>From QUEST32681@aol.com came the following:
A friend of mine mentioned something to me about there being an attack
by Sandpeople during the sandstorm scene. When he mentioned it, I looked in
the book Industrial Light & Magic: The Art of Special Effects at the
Sandstorm Matte picture. If you look to the diagonal up-right of the
Millenium Falcon in the matte, you can see some dark images that could be
Sandpeople quite near some red thing. That's the only evidence I could find
of this scene and of its existence. [Note: I have no knowledge of this
Sandpeople aspect, but I'd love to find some more information.]
QUEST32681@aol.com continues:
I remember reading or seeing somewhere a clip from an interview where
George Lucas said that the reason he had the scene cut was that in "SW,"
there is always action, then a break to let our minds relax for a bit before
something else happens. In "ROTJ," you've just seen a large battle in and
around Jabba's sail barge, then the explosion. He said that he wanted people
to relax for a bit instead of this battle and explosion then going to a huge
sandstorm. He felt it gave a more dramatic ending.
(From the script):
HAN
All I can see is a lot of blowing sand!
LEIA
That's all any of us can see.
HAN
Then I guess I'm getting better.
(later)
HAN
I've got to hand it to you, kid, you were pretty good out
there.
LUKE
I had a lot of help. Think nothing of it.
HAN
No, I'm thinking a lot about it. That carbon freeze was the
closest
thing to dead there is. And it wasn't just sleepin,' it was a
big
wide awake nothing!
*Evidence Remaining:
The beginning of chapter three of the novel and a few stills feature the
storm. One is in the second edition of the Star Wars RPG, and one is in the
premiere issue of Sci-Fi Universe magazine (July 1994). It remains to be seen
whether it will be included in the "ROTJ" radio drama rumored to be in
development. (according to the June 1995 issue of Sci-Fi Universe, author
Brian Daley says that there is currently a 50/50 chance of a "ROTJ" radio
series.)
Raymond W. Chramega informed me that there is a photo of the matte painting
in the book ILM: The Art of Special Effects that was going to be used in
conjunction with the missing sandstorm sequence in "Return of the Jedi." It
shows a desert canyon with the Falcon and Luke's X-wing in the distance and
can be found on page 138. Also, the book The Making of Return of the Jedi by
Phillip Peecher has a couple of photos of the crew filming this scene.I
received a post stating that one of the "Making of ROTJ" specials even showed
glimpses of the sandstorm footage with Han, Leia, Lando and Chewie entering
the Falcon with sand blowing wildly all around them. I have yet to find and
confirm it, though the versions shown on the Sci-Fi Channel recently were
edited down to allow for more commercials (oh boy!).
Luke visits Obi-Wan's house (unconfirmed):
A scene was planned (and POSSIBLY filmed) in Obi-Wan's hut, where Luke
receives a telepathic message from Vader and then sends the droids to Jabba.
He can also be seen building his new saber.
*Evidence Remaining:
A storyboard illustration of the scene begins the Illustrated Return of the
Jedi novel. The scene appears in the opening paragraphs of chapter one.
The Rancor Pit:
There's an additional scene where Luke uses the Force to jump up and grab the
trap door grating. A Jawa steps on his hands and he falls back into the pit.
*Evidence Remaining:
A still (included here) appears in the ROTJ Storybook. It remains in chapter
two of the novel. Also, according to Kristin Milstead, a bootleg that was in
circulation before "ROTJ" was officially released to video contains the
scene.
According to Tringali@refine.enet.dec.com, who has an extensive file on it:
Here's an explanation of the "missing" Rancor scene.
The Return of the Jedi novelization says -
"The monster then turned and started for Luke. But the Jedi Knight
leaped eight meters straight up and grabbed onto the overhead grate.
The crowd began to boo. Hand over hand, Luke traversed the grating
toward the corner of the cave, struggling to maintain his grip as
the audience jeered his efforts. One hand slipped on the oily grid,
and he dangled precariously over the baying mutant.
Two Jawas ran across the top of the grate. They mashed Luke's fingers
with their rifle butts; once again, the crowd roared its approval.
The Rancor pawed at Luke from below, but the Jedi dangled just out
of reach. Suddenly Luke released his hold and dropped directly
onto the eye of the howling monster; he then tumbled to the floor."
------------------------
The Return of the Jedi Storybook* says -
"A Rancor, a hideous beast with knifelike teeth, was waiting in the pit.
The crowd of courtiers rushed to the edge of the pit to watch it
attack Luke. Luke leaped straight up as the Rancor came down
toward him, using his Jedi training to catch hold of the pit's overhead
grate. But the courtiers smashed at his fingers until he fell down in the
pit again. He landed in the monster's eye. It bellowed with pain
as Luke dropped to the floor. Luke grabbed a bone..."
In earlier versions of the storybook, there was a picture of this
scene. In later versions of the storybook, it was replaced with
a picture of the Rancor's head. (*Note: Actually, this was the Step-up
Adventures book. To my knowledge, it never appeared in the ROTJ Storybook.)
-----------------------
The Marvel comic adaptation says -
There is no mention of Luke jumping up and grabbing the grate.
The picture appears on Topps' "Return of the Jedi" card #36, where it says:
"Dropped into the deadly Rancor Pit under Jabba the Hutt's throne,
Luke Skywalker holds onto the grate above the pit and ponders his
next move..."
------------------------
This picture can be found occasionally on the wpi.wpi.edu Star Wars archive.
------------------------
There exists about 30 seconds of music on the track "Fight in the Dungeon"
on the new "Star Wars" soundtrack boxed set that would correlate with this
scene. There's no room for it in the movie.
------------------------
There is no reference of this scene in the final "Return of the Jedi" script.
------------------------
This scene does not currently exist in VHS versions of "ROTJ."
Dagobah:
Obi-wan has a much longer monologue, revealing "Uncle" Owen to be his brother
and other tidbits.
(From the script, starting from a familiar passage...)
BEN
You father was seduced by the dark side of
the Force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker
and became Darth Vader. When that happened,
the good man who was your father was
destroyed. So what I have told you was
true... from a certain point of view.
LUKE (turning away, derisive)
A certain point of view!
BEN
Luke, you're going to find that many of the
truths we cling to depend greatly on our own
point of view.
Luke is unresponsive. Ben studies him in silence for a moment.
BEN
I don't blame you for being angry. If I was
wrong in what I did, it certainly wouldn't
have been for the first time. You see, what
happened to your father was my fault.
Ben pauses sadly.
BEN
Anakin was a good friend.
Luke turns with interest at this. As Ben speaks, Luke settles on
a stump, mesmerized. Artoo comes over to offer his comforting
presence.
BEN
When I first knew him, your father was
already a great pilot. But I was amazed how
strongly the Force was with him. I took it
upon myself to train him as a Jedi. I
thought that I could instruct him just as
well as Yoda. I was wrong. My pride has
had terrible consequences for the galaxy.
Luke is entranced.
LUKE
There's still good in him.
BEN
I also thought he could be turned back to the
good side. It couldn't be done. He is more
machine now than man. Twisted and evil.
LUKE
I can't do it, Ben.
BEN
You cannot escape your destiny.
LUKE
I tried to stop him once. I couldn't do it.
BEN
Vader humbled you when first you met him,
Luke...but that experience was part of your
training. It taught you, among other things,
the value of patience. Had you not been so
impatient to defeat Vader then, you could
have finished your training here with Yoda.
You would have been prepared.
LUKE
But I had to help my friends.
BEN (grinning at Luke's indignation)
And did you help them? It was they who had to
save you. You achieved little by rushing back
prematurely, I fear.
LUKE (with sadness)
I found out Darth Vader was my father.
BEN
To be a Jedi, Luke, you must confront and
then go beyond the dark side - the side your
father couldn't get past. Impatience is
the easiest door - for you, like your father.
Only, your father was seduced by what he
found on the other side of the door, and you
have held firm. You're no longer so reckless
now, Luke. You are strong and patient. And
now, you must face Darth Vader again!
LUKE
I can't kill my own father.
BEN
Then the Emperor has already won. You were
our only hope.
(and later...)
BEN (continuing his narrative)
When your father left, he didn't know your
mother was pregnant. Your mother and I knew
he would find out eventually, but we wanted
to keep you both as safe as possible, for as
long as possible. So I took you to live with
my brother Owen on Tatooine... and your mother
took Leia to live as the daughter of Senator
Organa, on Alderaan.
Luke turns, and settles near Ben to hear the tale.
BEN (attempting to give solace with his words)
The Organa household was high-born and
politically quite powerful in that system.
Leia became a princess by virtue of
lineage... no one knew she'd been adopted, of
course. But it was a title without real
power, since Alderaan had long been a
democracy. Even so, the family continued to
be politically powerful, and Leia, following
in her foster father's path, became a senator
as well. That's not all she became, of
course... she became the leader of her cell
in the Alliance against the corrupt Empire.
And because she had diplomatic immunity, she
was a vital link for getting information to
the Rebel cause. That's what she was doing
when her path crossed yours... for her foster
parents had always told her to contact me on
Tatooine, if her troubles became desperate.
Luke is overwhelmed by the truth, and is suddenly protective of
his sister.
(end of part 3)
LUKE
But you can't let her get involved now, Ben.
Vader will destroy her.
BEN
She hasn't been trained in the ways of the
Jedi the way you have, Luke ... but the Force
is strong with her, as it is with all of your
family. There is no avoiding the battle. You
must face and destroy Vader!
*Evidence Remaining:
No film evidence, but most of the dialogue appears in chapter three of the
novel and some versions of the script. For example, the script as published
in the Art of Return of the Jedi does NOT contain any record.
The Choking Gag Redux:
There is a short scene with Vader choking two of the Royal Guards who won't
let him see the Emperor, but Lucas felt that the trick was done-to-death (no
pun intended) in "ESB," so it was cut. As Chip points out, Vader attacks them
much more ferociously than his previous efforts.
68 INT DEATH STAR - CORRIDOR TO EMPEROR'S TOWER
Darth Vader walks down the corridor to the Emperor's Tower and
private elevator. The Emperor's private guard steps in Vader's
path.
GUARD
Halt! The Emperor does not wish to be
disturbed at the moment.
VADER
(raising his gloved hand to the two guards
and choking them with the Force)
The Emperor will see me, now!
GUARD
(repeating Vader's command)
The Emperor will see you, now.
*Evidence Remaining:
The script only (though again, not in Art of ROTJ). It would have been at the
beginning of chapter four in the novel but is also omitted there.
Confirmation of the shot's existence on film appeared in the Star Wars
Insider #24 as part of the "Star Wars" timeline article.
"It's a trap!" (unconfirmed):
jk43@rivers.acc.uwrf.edu was the first to write me and claim there was an
additional scene where, as the Rebel fleet is coming out of hyperspace to
attack Death Star II, several ships crash against the security shield before
they break off the assault. This has been reported to me by several people
since then, too. It has been said that this footage appears in a trailer for
"ROTJ." If so, it was not included among the trailers on "Star Wars
Definitive Collection."
*Evidence Remaining:
The sequence appears in the novel and in a storyboard that was printed in the
Art of Return of the Jedi. However, I'm convinced that it died in the
storyboard stage. The sequence in the movie is identical to the one
described, the only change being that some of the ships crashed. It is such a
minor difference that I find it hard to believe that the scene was reshot.
This entry shall remain "unconfirmed" until I can find photo evidence.
>From BrentLynch@aol.com:
There is at least one more "early ROTJ" trailer then what was included on
[Definitive Collection] discs, one shown during a re-release of "Star Wars"
between the release of "TESB" and "ROTJ." It featured a glowing chain around
Vader's neck (possibly just highly reflective) and had Vader and Luke within
some kind of ancient Greek-like structure.
[I saw it] as part of a tape with various "SW" related items on it.
Until then all I had was a [memory of seeing it] with my parents just before
a re-release of "SW" (I wish I could remember the date, or for that matter
the year). It's one of the few memories I have of seeing "Star Wars" in
theaters that hasn't been corrupted by time on the Internet (i.e., "Hey, I
think I remember that scene too..." variety)
It must have been pretty darn rare, as I have yet to see anyone else
mention it.
Lando's Death:
As noted in Video Watchdog magazine #24, in the original ending of "ROTJ"
(that failed to pass audience tests, according to some sources), Lando and
the Falcon DON'T make it out of the Death Star, but are swallowed up by the
flames.
(From the script-)
REVISION
134 EXT DEATH STAR 134
An Imperial shuttle, with Luke alone in the cockpit, rockets out of the main
docking bay as that entire section of the Death Star is blown away. But as
Luke pilots toward the safety of the Sanctuary Moon, his thoughts -- enhanced
by the Force -- turn to his friends aboard the Millennium Falcon.
The Falcon flies at top speed, with a single X-wing as escort, over the
endless surface of the Death Star. A series of explosions within the
superstructure follow, then swiftly overtake the small craft as it races for
an exit.
135 INT MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT 135
Lando turns to Nien Nunb and shakes his head.
LANDO (into comlink)
Wedge, I don't think we're going to make it.
WEDGE (VO)
You'll make it. Just follow me Gold Leader.
LANDO (to himself)
I promised to return his ship without a scratch...I sure hope
that
old pirate forgives me.
135A EXT DEATH STAR 135A
An X-wing, piloted by Wedge Antilles, races out of the exploding
superstructure and whizzes toward the Sanctuary Moon. But the Millennium
Falcon is not fast enough as it explodes with the Death Star in a supernova
of glory.
136 EXT ENDOR FOREST 136
Han and Leia, Chewie, the droids, the Rebel troops, and the Ewoks all look to
the sky as the Death Star reveals itself in a final flash of
self-destruction. All except Han cheer, as the 30-year-old starship pilot
feels a deep personal loss.
HAN (whispering to himself)
Lando...
THREEPIO
(misinterpreting Han's reference)
They did it!
Han looks down from the sky to Leia, a look of sorrow and regret on his
face. He knows he will never see the Falcon and Lando again. His thoughts
turn to Leia, as she continues to look at the sky, watching for Luke.
NOTE: DELETE REFERENCE TO LANDO IN SCENE 138.
*Evidence Remaining:
Han's line "I feel like I'm never going to see her again" points to the
original ending. Early on in my research, I received many comments that Lucas
didn't want to reshoot the final celebration, so Lando is only seen in
longshots. After watching the movie again, I saw that the observation is
incorrect - he interacts with all of the main characters and appears in
almost every shot.
It has been noted that the storyboards included in The Best of the
Lucasfilm Archives book reflect the final version of the film where the
Falcon escapes, but that several are marked "REVISED." Unfortunately, the
storyboard with the Falcon speeding away is dated Aug. 4, 1982, while other
storyboards in the sequence were revised several times after that. Any
further information (or visual proof) would be appreciated.
I've checked out the Falcon's escape from the Death Star on a frame by
frame basis using the THX laserdiscs. Even though on frames 25291-25328 the
view from the cockpit shows the flames all around the ship, the subsequent
shot does indeed show the Falcon emerging from the firestorm, not with the
flames behind as I originally reported. I have yet to get a definitive answer
from Lucasfilm, but I am becoming skeptical that this scene was filmed. The
sources in my FAQ were Video Watchdog #21 (featuring a review of the
Definitive Collection) and the testimony of a couple fellows on the Internet,
who claim to have bootleg tapes of the footage. Because I have never seen it,
I remain unconvinced. The more I research, the less I can find to back up the
claim. I'm going to write the author of the Watchdog article, Michael
Lennick, to see if he has any information.
Minor ROTJ Tidbits and Possibilities:
>From MHuber1138@aol.com:
I think I may have a possible cut scene from "Return of the Jedi" for you.
Remember what happened to the last scout trooper (biker scout) guarding the
entrance to the shield generator? He was captured by a group of Rebel
commandos. Look closely at the commando with the beard. Remember his face.
Now fast forward to when Han and the group walk outside and see all of the
Imperial troops surrounding them. Now look to the left side of the screen.
You will see, under guard, the bearded commando in scout trooper outfit with
the face shield up. There might be a scene missing where we see him taking
the biker scout's uniform off or something. I do have further evidence that
it might have existed. It's from the novel:
Return of the Jedi, chapter 7
"Back at the bunker, the last scout was undone. Subdued by Chewbacca, bound,
stripped of his suit, he was being carried into the woods now by two other
members of the strike team. The rest of the squad silently crouched, forming
a perimeter around the entrance."
(farther down the page)
"Leia peeked inside. No sign of life. She motioned the others, and entered
the bunker. Han and Chewie followed close on her heels. Soon the entire team
was huddled inside the otherwise empty steel corridor, leaving one lookout
outside, dressed in the unconscious scout's uniform. Han pushed a series of
buttons on the inner panel, closing the door behind them."
Note: Normally, I wouldn't mention this, but scraps of footage seem to
suggest that it was filmed. Again, I'd love more info.
>From QUEST32681@aol.com
A scene shown in "From Star Wars To Jedi: The Making Of A Saga" was not
identical to what occurred in "ROTJ." When the Ewoks make their first attack
with arrows, the scout trooper who goes 'AAAHHH,' gets an arrow stuck in the
back of his neck, and there is another trooper next to him. In the VHS
version, there is only one trooper and the arrow doesn't find its mark.
-----------
This document arises from:
"The Wars You Never Saw" by Mark A. Altman with Lukas Kendall, Sci-Fi
Universe, July 1994.
"Skywalking In Style: Rating the Star Wars Trilogy and the Definitive
Collection" by Michael Lennick, Video Watchdog No. 21 Jan/Feb 1994.
The following were used as reference to dialogue, stills, etc.:
The Art of Star Wars, edited by Carol Titelman, Ballantine, 1979.
The Empire Strikes Back Notebook, edited by Diana Attias, Ballantine, 1980.
The Art of Return of the Jedi, Ballantine, 1983.
Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker, George Lucas (ghostwritten
by Alan Dean Foster), Ballantine, 1976.
The Empire Strikes Back, Donald F. Glut, Ballantine, 1980.
Return of the Jedi: The Illustrated Edition, James Kahn, art by
Joe Johnston and Nilo Rodis-Jamero, Ballantine, 1983.
The Empire Strikes Back Storybook, adaption by Shep Steneman, Random House,
1980.
The Return of the Jedi Step-up Adventures Book, Random House, 1983.
>From Star Wars To Indiana Jones: The Best of the Lucasfilm Archives, by Mark
Cotta Vaz and Shinji Hata, Chronicle Books, 1994.
Once Upon a Galaxy: A Journal of the Making of The Empire Strikes Back, by
Alan Arnold, Ballantine, 1980.
The Making of Return of the Jedi, edited by John Phillip Peecher, Ballantine,
1983.
Industrial Light & Magic: The Art of Special Effects , Thomas G. Smith,
Ballantine, 1986.
Plenty of other magazines, books, Internet postings and film were used as
well, but their contributions are generally noted in the text.
Photo/ Movie/ Art / Sound Credits:
*All photos, sounds, still images, and movie clips (be patient) are
trademarked and copyright Lucasfilm Ltd. Unfortunately, used without
permission.
"Star Wars" and related titles are registered trademarks and copyright
Lucasfilm Ltd. All photos in this document c Lucasfilm Ltd.
Title page logo and interface artwork by Ryan Silva using a Mac Quadra 800,
lots of toys, various graphics programs, and copious amounts of
caffeine.
Star Wars Cut Scenes web page screen shot by Evan Reynolds
Photo of George Lucas from the booklet included with the THX boxed set
Photo of Irvin Kershner (by George Whitear) from Once Upon A Galaxy
"Star Wars":
Leia in the Rebel HQ from THX boxed set booklet
Death Star from Topps "Star Wars" Widevision cards
Luke, treadwell and vaporator from SW Technical Journal #1
Biggs and Luke close-up from the Star Wars Storybook
Gilligan Luke and Speeder from Screen Superstar #8 ("Star Wars"
special)
Tosche Station from the SW RPG, second edition, by West End Games
Camie, the Fixer and Biggs costume sketch from the Art of ROTJ. Art by
John Mollo, stylized by Ryan Silva.
Biggs and Luke longshot from Starlog #120
Biggs, Luke, & Red Leader behind the scenes from "The Making of
Star Wars" from the collection of Peter Poulakakos
Snaggletooth from SW RPG, second edition, by West End Games
Biggs and Luke banter (sound) from "The Making of Star Wars"
"Blast it, WEDGE!" (sound) from the collection of Peter Poulakakos.
Han and Jabba photo from Sci-Fi Universe #1
Stormtrooper on Dewback from Star Wars novelization.
Jabba scolds Han (sound) from "From Star Wars to Jedi"
Han and Jabba behind the scenes from Starlog #120
"Close the blast doors" (sound) from the collection of Uncle Owen.
"A power loss at one of the terminals..." (sound) from the collection
of
Uncle Owen.
"Star Wars Holiday Special":
R2-D2 and C3PO from Topps "SW Galaxy" Cards, Series 1
Wookiee family portrait from SW Insider #23
Leia and Threepio from Sci-Fi Universe #4, Jan 1995
Boba Fett from Topps "SW Galaxy" Cards, Series 1
Falcon cockpit from Sci-Fi Universe #4, Jan 1995
Luke and Threepio from Sci-Fi Universe #4, Jan 1995
Group shot (Chewie in Robes) from SW Insider #23
"Empire Strikes Back":
Yoda from THX boxed set booklet
Han, 2-1B and dead Tauntaun from Once Upon A Galaxy;
photo by George Whitear
Wampa attack from "ESB" comic adaption. Art by Al Williamson.
Vader enters the Rebel base from "SW Movie Trilogy Sourcebook" by
West End Games
Photo of "ESB" script from the collection of Lonepigeon
Luke and 21B from "ESB" comic adaption. Art by Al Williamson.
Luke, 2-1B, Gary Kurtz and Lucas from Once Upon A Galaxy;
photo by David Steen
Threepio by wampa cage from Topps "ESB" cards, series 3
Han and Leia on Bespin from Topps "ESB" cards, series 2
"Return of the Jedi":
Death Star II from the book From Star Wars To Indiana Jones...
Large sandstorm photo from SW RPG, second edition by West End
Games
Small, yellow sandstorm photo from Sci-Fi Universe #1
Luke, Artoo and Threepio on Tatooine from ROTJ: The Illustrated
Edition;
Art by Joe Johnston and Nilo Rodis-Jamero
Luke in the Rancor Pit from the Return of the Jedi Step-up Adventures
Book.
Rebels hit the shield storyboard from the Art of ROTJ
Falcon prop in Yuma (?) from the collection of Uncle Owen (original
source unknown)
Version 3.0 was made possible by major contributions by:
Tim Elliot (Last Gasp@aol.com)
Joe Forester (BQRH99C@prodigy.com)
Peter Poulakakos (PeterP3411@aol.com)
Evan Reynolds (ereynold@cs.utk.edu)
Alec Usticke (Uncle Owen@aol.com)
George Lucas, who changed my childhood forever
...and grants from viewers like you. (Sorry, I couldn't resist. )
A HUGE "thank you" to the following contributors:
(If I missed anyone, I sincerely apologize. Just E-mail me and I'll correct
it.)
James Addams (Evilclownn@aol.com)
BDarklight@aol.com
Mike Beidler (LkSkywlkr@aol.com)
Don Bies
Bill Brownell (wbrownel@oboe.calpoly.edu)
Chanster@aol.com
Chip Cataldo (pc8537@rachel.albany.edu)
CVIGNERI@aol.com
Raymond W. Chramega (Ray.Chramega@mixcom.com)
Steven Downer (StevenD460@aol.com)
Ely2B@aol.com
Keith Evans (kevans@unixg.ubc.ca)
Jason M. Fischer (jediknite@delphi.com)
GoshMizer (GoshMizer@aol.com)
David Halsted (dhalsted@clark.net)
Ed Hill (102042.1337.compuserve.com)
JAThrash@aol.com
jk43@rivers.acc.uwrf.edu
David A. Koran (jedi+@cmu.edu)
Dave A. Lartigue (lartigue@prairienet.org)
Rob Laurie (llaurie@ucsub.Colorado.EDU)
Vian Lawson (redfive@aurora.cc.monash.edu.au)
Lbutler@hubcap.clemson.edu
Brent Lynch (BrentLynch@aol.com)
MHuber1138@aol.com
Kristin Milstead (medelle@mcs.com)
Oakleyskim@aol.com
QUEST32681@aol.com
SGUILFOYLE@aol.com
DJ Stewart (MNSTRMAKER@aol.com)
tringali@refine.enet.dec.com
Nicky Wilson (oingogal@crash.cts.com)
100045.2373@compuserve.com
Version History:
0.0 A "quicky" list of all of the lost scenes I was aware of with a short
description, E-mailed to a few Star Wars experts for evaluation.
0.9 The basic FAQ, with additions, revisions and dialogue added from the
first evaluation. First public Internet posting.
1.0 Small errors corrected, bibliography, list of contributors and version
history added.
1.1 Corrections on the "Death of Lando" and inclusion of deleted script,
additions to sources for Biggs footage, Wampa scenes, Sandstorm sequence,
and some unconfirmed scenes were added. Contributors list was also updated.
1.1.2 Addition of the Luke/21b scene from ESB that I foolishly forgot, plus
yet more minor revisions. Finally, I changed the doc to use only Times to
make it easier to view for people without extensive font collections.
1.9 OK, so I skipped some numbers. This is a preview version of the
stand-alone Mac document, without graphics.
2.0 A stand-alone Mac version created with DOCMaker. Minor scenes for all
three movies added. Scans of stills were also added to enhance the text.
2.1 New and improved, whiter than white! More .GIF's, more script, the text
for "Vader Shows Off", and minor corrections to the text. A new chapter,
"Lost and Found" was created for a few pictures that wouldn't fit anywhere
else. The first sound sample was added to the Mac Version. A Windows Write
version finally made available. The text-only release now has the same
version number to avoid confusion. First major release to America Online.
2.1.2 A quick clean-up of the Mac version for release to the internet
including the elimination of some stray font data and the addition of the
Jabba sample.
3.0 A major overhaul in response to contributions stemming from the America
Online release, mostly reflecting Star Wars footage. Now included are
chapters on different edits of Star Wars and ESB, and a chapter on the Star
Wars Holiday Special. The both the Windows and Mac versions have added
features.
Future plans:
-A confirmation by Lucasfilm regarding the absence of the Biggs footage in
the final version of SW, the existence of footage for Lando's death and a
few other bits of questionable material. Anyone that can give me the names
of any other actors (the Fixer, Jabba, etc), please write!
-Movie clips and a possible CD-Rom version down the road. All of this will
certainly happen faster if Lucasfilm will bless the project...
-----------
Editor's notes: For the sake of clarity and consistency, I used a number of
resources while editing this document. For basic spelling and style
guidelines, I used the Associated Press Stylebook.
I used quotation marks to indicate movie titles, TV show titles, and magazine
articles; I used italics to indicate book titles, magazine titles and ship
names. For characters, planets, ship names, etc., I used the spelling and
capitalization recommended in the second edition of A Guide to the Star Wars
Universe compiled by Bill Slavicsek.
The deleted portions of the "Star Wars" script came from one labeled "Revised
Fourth Draft, January 15, 1976." The deleted portions of the "ESB" script
came from one labeled "Fourth Draft, Oct. 24, 1978." The format for the three
scripts vary slightly due to the differences in the sources themselves. In
the script excerpts, I left all spelling and capitalization unchanged.
I have generally left America Online contributors' screen names (e-mail
addresses) in their original formats. Internet users may need to lowercase
all letters to send e-mail to them.
(END)
Greetings,
This is Talkytoast. Here's an up-to-date list of corrections as sent to me by
my new source. He's willing to reveal his identity now (read the addendum),
and I hope that he'll continue to provide me with valuable info. Please send
any comments to TALKYTOAST@aol.com, and not to this address.
Enjoy.
Ryan Silva
---------------------
Forwarded message:
Subj: Lost Footage 3.0 addendum 1(7/14/95)
Date: 95-07-14 13:28:55 EDT
From: Talkytoast
To: Mt Tantiss
<>
Version 3.0 Addendum.1 (7/14/95)
Written by David C. Fein, edited by Ryan Silva (talkytoast@aol.com)
------------
-EDITOR'S NOTE
Just after the completion of the Mac version of the FAQ, I received this list
of corrections from David C. Fein. He compiled and co-produced the laser disc
supplements to ALIEN, ALIENS, and THE ABYSS (and others) and describes
himself as "a very serious Star Wars historian, and collector." He represents
a priceless source of information and so I've decided to release his
additions as text documents for now and revise the FAQ sometime down the
road. What follows is more or less his original E-mail correspondence to
date:
------------
-Star Wars re-edits and cut footage
First, the crawl in the original version of Star Wars also had a subtle
change in grammar... The letter 'r' in the phrase 'rebel spaceships striking
from a hidden base..." was in LOWER CASE instead of upper as it appeared in
the 'New Hope' version. I have a bootleg of the non-new hope version that is
letterboxed (although not completely, and not very well) and will furnish you
with a much better screen grab of the opening crawl for your next version.
The C-3PO line "coupled to the..."
Was originally in the mono mix of the film.
Was NOT in the original mono and subsequent video releases UNTIL CBS/FOX
video released a digitally mastered version of the videotape somewhere around
1985-6. At this time, the film was completely remixed, with sound effects
and voices clearer and sharper than ever before... In some cases stereo
separation was added, but overall the additions were VERY worthwhile... The
most noteworthy addition was the 3PO line. (Formerly only in the original
mono mix.) This new mix was kept as the master up through the THX laser
discs.
The line once again disappeared in the new THX laser disc release. (It
should also be noted that the THX laserdisc sound mix also adds many new
sound effects that were never in the original mix of the film. Some of which
actually change the feeling of certain scenes... I personally have had some
trouble both accepting and getting used to these new sound effects.)
Other note, the mono 16mm pan and scan film version of Star Wars, (which BTW
was aired on HBO and can be identified by the squeezed Bantha shot in the
macros...) used the stereo tracks presented in mono.
Another change from the mono mix to the stereo mix was the addition of the
sound effect of the falcon's gun computers coming on for both luke and Han.
It should also be noted that the Super 8 film that was produced for purchase
way back in the 70's was produced from the mono mix and contained the
reversed "Come on R2 we're going--Now's our chance, Go!" scene and the gun
sequence in the falcon with the gun computer sounds.
Yet another unmentioned difference, is the fact that the mono version of the
voices coming over the communications channels were not synthesized as they
are on all of the stereo versions. (At the time, the reason the mono mix was
different was because mono theaters didn't have sound equipment that was as
high quality as the new stereo houses, and therefore the synthesis was
thought to potentially take away from the clarity of the voices...) [editor's
note: this was mentioned, but not in such detail]
It should be noted that "Close the blast doors!" was NEVER in any version of
the film presented on video. (At least legally...) The reason the line is
so popularly remembered is because it is on the Story of Star Wars record...
(Which I will also digitize and send to you for an upcoming version of your
list.)
I know there were other changes from the mono mix to the stereo... although
additional differences escape me at the moment.
Subtle changes to the film since the initial 70mm New York (Loew's Astor
Plaza) and Los Angeles (Gramann's Chinese Theater) showings... (I must point
out that these are from memory, and I have only been able to verify them by
asking the people whom I attending my first showing of the film with, and
they have concurred...)
1) When Luke threw the grappling hook, he missed the first time and had to
try again.
2) During the end battle, one X-wing crashed directly into a Tie Fighter.
This piece is now covered up by an additional shot of an x-wing flying away
and the lines "Good Shooting Wedge..."
I did not, however, see the Biggs scenes... (And I saw it three times during
its initial release, and have had friends at LucasFilm confirm that changes
were made to that New York print prior to wide release.
As for the reason that the Biggs scene was cut... Lucas was under pressure
from friends who were trying to tell him that he couldn't possibly make a
film that would work if the main character was not introduced for twenty
minutes. Lucas always wanted to start the film with the droids, (after all,
the story is actually told from their point-of-view) and then expand as their
adventures do. Anyway, listening to his trusted friends, Lucas wrote an
earlier (and somewhat sillier opening where Luke just happens to see the
battle going on up in space...) Anyway, once the film was finished, Lucas
spent almost a year cutting the film, and finally decided that the film
worked better as he originally intended it, and cut the biggs scene.
However, it should be noted that George has officially stated that the only
ABSOLUTELY ACCURATE piece of star wars history is his films, AND THE RADIO
SHOWS. Therefore, although the biggs scene has not been added back into the
upcoming special edition, it doesn't mean that the events of the scene didn't
officially happen.
BTW, The CD-ROM of Rebel Assault has a PAINTED arm added to Luke for that
sequence. I recommend that this item be removed from your list, or at least
noted that it is an alteration of the shot from the film.
------------
-1978 Holiday Special
It should be mentioned that the Holiday Special also offers AWFUL words to
not only the cantina music (sung by 'kill me now!' Bea Arthur, but the Star
Wars theme itself (sung by drugged out Carrie Fisher...) (I know.. You did
mention it...)
Another note should be mentioned about the Holiday Special. Makeup and
creatures by STAN WINSTON. Yes, Stan Winston of Terminator fame.
And lets not forget the Art Carney is playing the space version of Ed Norton
in the Star Wars Universe...
(I'm still looking for a better copy of the holiday special than the two I
have, although they are pretty damn good... Do you know where I can find a
better one?)
------------
-Empire Strikes Back
Empire Strikes Back also had an advance version that had a sequence where a
Snowspeeder crashes directly into the head of a walker. (I wasn't sure about
this, but just noticed that you already had someone else mention this in your
text...)
You mentioned the 'different, more passionate' kiss between Luke and Leia in
Empire Strikes Back... It should be noted that this was actually a cut scene.
Leia was there when this face mask was taken off of Luke... She then talks
to him for a little while, and has a quiet passionate kiss prior to Han,
Chewie, R2 and 3PO's arrival in the room.
It should also be noted that the whole Wampa attack sequence, and this face
mask and possible scar was developed to cover up the potential scars that
Mark Hamill had received in a serious car accident he had a few months prior
to shooting. This was of serious concern to the production, and therefore
the wampa subplot was developed to insure that Hamill could continue as Luke,
even if he had visible scars on his face after the accident.
In the ESB trailers, there is an additional shot or two of Lando looking
around as he moves UP the falcon's airlock to get Luke. (Basically, this
implies that there is an additional area that is filled with white light just
prior to the outside hatch opening. In this sequence (starting with the
added footage,) The inside airlock opens up to a very bright room that Lando
starts to look around in. (FYI, in case I am loosing you, this is the round
elevator that he rides through to get to the top of the falcon.) Anyway,
then you get a shot (as seen in the film) of Lando's head appearing out of a
hole in the top of the falcon. His head is surrounded with light coming from
below... This implies that the bright room was sort of a decontamination
sequence (guess) before exiting the falcon.
------------
-Return of the Jedi
As for the Luke visiting Obi-wan's house scene from Jedi, this sequence was
not only filmed, but it was completed including sound mix, and was released
just prior to the final cut. Original John Williams music was scored for the
scene as well. (BTW, Luke is placing his Light saber in R2-D2, and having a
telepathic conversation with Darth while there...
The first time I was Jedi, (again, at the Loew's Astor Plaza in New York,)
the Luke jumping to the bars scene I believe was in the film. Also, it
wasn't a Jawa who steps on Luke's hand, it was two Jawa's who come over from
behind a few people, and hit his hands with the stock of their rifle.
Also, in reference to a possible bootleg that had the above scene... I still
have my bootlegs, and the scene does not exist in any of them.
In ROTJ, when everyone is brought to the Ewok village, R2-D2 is untied
throughout the sequence where Luke is convincing 3PO to tell the Ewoks to
release everyone. If you look at the letterboxed transfers you will see that
while 3PO is floating above the Ewoks, R2D2 is untied and spinning his head
in various shots. THEN he is cut free by Pabloo (in joke, Pabloo is Kenny
Baker) (I might be wrong about Pabloo, but I seem to remember it being
so...), with everyone else...
Actually, this isn't an actual blooper, but rather a juxtaposition of footage
to cover the removal of a scene. Originally 3PO is able to get R2 untied
immediately upon arrival at the village. So, since the scene was cut, they
just placed the R2 release scene with everyone elses release.
>From what I understand, the Lando death was never completed. It was written,
but abandoned prior to filming of the ending....
In the Story of Return of the Jedi record, Han has an additional line when he
is trying to shoot the Sarlacc Tentacle that has grabbed Lando... The scene
as it plays in the film:
"It's alright, trust me..."
as it played on the record:
"It's alright, I can see a lot better now, trust me..."
------------
-Misc.
The shots in the "Lost and Found" section are most likely just publicity
photos... Specifically the white 3PO... I wouldn't make notice of them.
Question:
Wasn't R2's dialogue on the X-wing's display in English at some point?
Answer:
The only english other than the credits and the scroll in the Star Wars
trilogy was the 'Tractor Beam' markings. The purpose was to separate that
reality from ours. (Oh yeah, the subtitles are also in english, but that's
nit picking...)
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