EMPIRE STRIKES BACK "Grindhouse Print" Surfaces Online

[AndyDursin]

Amazing, someone has patched together a 1080p transfer of EMPIRE STRIKES BACK from 35mm archival prints of the 1980 release!

DAMN....

[Edmund Kattak]

After going through it a couple of times, it's an impressive achievement for a digital transfer made from positive 35-mm prints. The quality at times is amazing and a foreshadowing of what is possible if/when Disney does release the original theatrical versions (I'm onboard for that sale). Yes, there are the scratches and blemishes in the prints they used; Yes, it could have used a little more TLC is some of color correction; Yes, the audio level is only two-channel and sounds a little low. But, at 1080p its more watchable than the DVD release - namely for the details at 1080p. That opening shot of the Star Destroyer is quite crisp, along with many other moments.

[AndyDursin]

Agreed Ed. A few years ago someone uploaded a 16:9 DVD of a 16mm print of STAR WARS itself and there was far more detail in that than there was in those lousy, non-anamorphic DVDs (which were laserdisc masters).

Apparently this "team" is working on a 1080p version of the original -- hopefully it won't take them long to bring it out there.

Some good stuff has popped up online. Someone made a 1080p transfer of their 16mm SONG OF THE SOUTH as well!

[Edmund Kattak]

Here we are, one year later. Nothing else from these folks. And then I found this:

De-Specialized Editions.
LOL

I got a chance to "preview" these earlier today, thanks to a co-worker. Quality is better than the Grindhouse ESB and has a whole bunch of language options, 5.1, 2.0 DD, and mono. Many sources used and layered, but wow.

[AndyDursin]

I have these. Oh wait no I don't. But I do know where to get them! Errr.......lol

The guy did a phenomenal job on the first two films. JEDI is in workprint form and I haven't checked it out yet, but of all the "Unofficial cuts" I've sampled over the years, these are the best "original" version reconstructions I've yet seen.

[BobaMike]

I love the Harmy versions. Burned them to DVD a year or so ago. When my son turns 4 or 5 and can handle Star Wars, these will be what we start with. (In Machete order!)