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- Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi: Custom Special Edition
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi: Custom Special Edition
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Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Genre:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1983
Original Running Time:
136
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
134
Time Cut:
2
Available in HD?
Additional Links:
Brief Synopsis:
If the following strikes you as esoteric, I invite you to peruse the forums of Originaltrilogy.com.
I do not consider this a full-blown fan edit, as I am primarily hybridizing existing official versions of the film, keeping changes I can appreciate and excluding those I feel hinder the film. Of course, this is highly subjective, and everyone's perfect blend would be slightly different.
I do not consider this a full-blown fan edit, as I am primarily hybridizing existing official versions of the film, keeping changes I can appreciate and excluding those I feel hinder the film. Of course, this is highly subjective, and everyone's perfect blend would be slightly different.
Intention:
Having satiated my restlessness with the Star Wars prequels, I wanted to put together a custom 'Special Edition' of the original trilogy to place on my shelf alongside the original, theatrical versions (currently represented by Harmy's Despecialized Editions). I thought about calling them the "So You've Decided To Watch The Special Edition" version, because they wouldn't be intended as one's sole version of the films. Rather, a companion piece to the original versions, as a Special Edition should be.
Other Sources:
The primary video source is the 2020 disc release, or “19SE,” first seen on Disney+, color corrected by OhTeeDee. The primary audio source is the 1997 Special Edition theatrical DTS audio. Exceptions are described in the list of changes. (Secondary source is the OTD version of ROTJ, partially restored to the theatrical version.)
Special Thanks:
First and foremost, credit is due to OhTeeDee for presenting the 1983 and 2019 versions of the film; CapableMetal, Jetrell1969, and SilverWook for their combined efforts at making the theatrical DTS audio from the 1997 Special Edition available; Team Negative 1 for producing 4K83; SkyDude for processing the 4K83 release; and ChainsawAsh for encoding a DTS mix.
Release Information:
- DVD
- Digital
- Digital
Special Features
This project is presented in 1080p BluRay-compliant video, with DTS and AC3 audio tracks, and subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Cuts and Additions:
Here follows a list of changes made to the primary video and audio sources for this project.
***Video Changes, beginning from 19SE transfer:
- Overall color correction from OhTeeDee
- Used the original theatrical version of the opening logos
- Restored the original, sensibly sized door to Jabba’s palace
- Restored Lapti Nek, though the SE extension of Oola falling into the Rancor pit remains (two shots of Boba Fett alongside SE singers also remain)
- Used the original effects for Han’s carbonite slab thawing
- Removed the CGI dug that was added wandering around Jabba’s palace
- Removed the SE Sarlacc, with two shots being “despecialized” by RogueLeader
- Removed the added gizmos to R2 as he blows his stack after being shot by a trooper on Endor
- Removed the SE shockwave to the Death Star explosion
- Reinstated Sebastian Shaw portraying Anakin Skywalker’s ghost
- Two versions of this project exist: One with the SE 'planetary montage' ending and the original 'Yub Nub' ending.
- New subtitles for Huttese have been added, borrowing from Catbus’ Project Threepio in order to match the look and feel of the originals as closely as possible (these are noticeably fuzzier than the crisp subtitles seen on the 2020 disc)
***Audio Changes, beginning from the 1997 Special Edition theatrical DTS audio mix:
- Other than changes needed to reflect the visual changes described above, removed the line “Wesa free” from Naboo during the ending galactic celebration montage
***Video Changes, beginning from 19SE transfer:
- Overall color correction from OhTeeDee
- Used the original theatrical version of the opening logos
- Restored the original, sensibly sized door to Jabba’s palace
- Restored Lapti Nek, though the SE extension of Oola falling into the Rancor pit remains (two shots of Boba Fett alongside SE singers also remain)
- Used the original effects for Han’s carbonite slab thawing
- Removed the CGI dug that was added wandering around Jabba’s palace
- Removed the SE Sarlacc, with two shots being “despecialized” by RogueLeader
- Removed the added gizmos to R2 as he blows his stack after being shot by a trooper on Endor
- Removed the SE shockwave to the Death Star explosion
- Reinstated Sebastian Shaw portraying Anakin Skywalker’s ghost
- Two versions of this project exist: One with the SE 'planetary montage' ending and the original 'Yub Nub' ending.
- New subtitles for Huttese have been added, borrowing from Catbus’ Project Threepio in order to match the look and feel of the originals as closely as possible (these are noticeably fuzzier than the crisp subtitles seen on the 2020 disc)
***Audio Changes, beginning from the 1997 Special Edition theatrical DTS audio mix:
- Other than changes needed to reflect the visual changes described above, removed the line “Wesa free” from Naboo during the ending galactic celebration montage
User reviews
6 reviews
Overall rating
9.9
Audio/Video Quality
9.8(6)
Audio Editing
10.0(6)
Visual Editing
10.0(6)
Narrative
9.8(6)
Enjoyment
9.8(6)
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
No Jedi Rocks, and Sebastian Shaw Anakin, works for me! :)
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
H
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
This really does represent the perfect blend of the original version with elements of the SE. And the alternate audio tracks are a very nice touch. Can't fault it.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
K
Overall rating
9.4
Audio/Video Quality
9.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
9.0
A seamless edit of ROTJ, keeping the very best of both versions of the film. (Though I am partial to Hayden Christensen as Force Ghost Anakin Skywalker, replacing "Jedi Rocks" with "Lapti Nek" was much appreciated!) While ROTJ is my least favorite film of the OT, Hal 9000's Custom Special Edition will be my go-to edit of ROTJ from now on. I highly recommend.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
B
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
Everything was really great! HOW it should've been.
Just one minor thing, it's silly but should've kept Vader's eyebrows lol everything else was perfect!
Just one minor thing, it's silly but should've kept Vader's eyebrows lol everything else was perfect!
User Review
Format Watched?
Digital
P
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
A seamless, very light, respectful edit of RotJ. "Lapti Nek" and the original Sarlaac at the beginning, and Sebastian Shaw at the end, but the Special Edition ending celebration scenes and music. A casual fan may not have even noticed that anything changed, which in this case is a sign of a good edit.
I briefly thought that it was a shame that Leia still mentioned remembering her mom in this edit, since that creates a continuity gap with the prequels, but then I remembered that HAL9000's "Labyrinth of Evil" sidesteps that problem, so his edits are in sync with each other.
If you're looking for a version of RotJ that you can watch with only good changes, and very minimum ones at that, this would make a great addition to your collection.
I briefly thought that it was a shame that Leia still mentioned remembering her mom in this edit, since that creates a continuity gap with the prequels, but then I remembered that HAL9000's "Labyrinth of Evil" sidesteps that problem, so his edits are in sync with each other.
If you're looking for a version of RotJ that you can watch with only good changes, and very minimum ones at that, this would make a great addition to your collection.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
T