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Original Name: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Original Release Date: 1983
Original Running Time: 135 minutes
Fanedit Film Name: Return of the Jedi: A Q2 Fanedit - Remastered
Fanedit Release Date: August 2012
Fanedit Running Time: 135 minutes
Last year I released a version of Return of the Jedi that was a hybrid of the Special Edition released on 2004 and Harmy's Despecialized Edition. While I did release an AVCHD 720p version all the footage was upconverted from SD.
With the Blu-Ray release and even more tinkering by Lucas I decided to revisit this edit and do a proper HD version. Utilizing the Blu-Ray release as the main source, and Harmy's 720p version of the Despecialized Edition, I am happy to announce the imminent release of Return of the Jedi: Q2 Edition - Remastered.
Version History
v.2.1 - fixed video stuttering some viewers experienced with the AVCHD and BR versions
v.2 - HD release ... 2011 Blu-Ray used as source
v.1 - original release ... 2004 DVD used as source
Change List
I've left the special edition mostly intact, and have only changed the most grievous of alterations to the Blu-Ray release. Anything that is restored from the theatrical cut comes from an upconverted 720p version (which may in-turn been upconverted from SD though, I'm not sure). Because of this, the theatrical footage doesn't look quite as crisp as the BR source.
- restored original Jabba's palace door
- replaced "Jedi Rock" with the original dance number from the theatrical cut
- removed subtitle "I want fifty thousand. No less." C-3PO translates this immediately after, so it felt redundant.
- cut burps from giant toad and Sarlacc pit
- restored all shots of the theatrical beakless Sarlacc pit
- restored Solo's original line "Trust me!" at the Sarlacc pit
- removed Vaders "No. Noooooo!"
- while I left the new galaxy-wide celebration intact, I did cut "We'sa free!" and restored the older Anakin
Special Features
- Jedi Rock
- original theatrical ending
Additional Comments
Some might wonder why I didn't cut Sebulba or the blinking Ewoks. When these changes were first highlighted with the BR release I was skeptical like many others. I had heard that Lucas was lazy and hadn't bothered to give Sebulba a shadow, making the addition look fake. However, when watching the footage he does have a shadow and he looks fine. While it was an unnecessary change it doesn't look bad and doesn't hurt the film.
The same can be said about the Ewoks. Yes... for those of us who grew up with non-blinking Ewoks it looks a little strange, but it doesn't look bad, just unfamiliar. And while it was sloppy of Lucas to only add blinking in certain shots, it again doesn't hurt the film.
Some may disagree with me, but these two changes don't bother me.
Cover art based on the work of QuickCut. "VI" image provided by Wabid.