The Phantom Edit
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The Phantom Edit is a re-edited version of the Star Wars film The Phantom Menace, removing elements of the original widely thought to be unsuccessful by critics and adult fans. The purpose of this edit, according to the editor, was to make a much stronger film than what was released by George Lucas. This version coined the phrase "Phantom Edit." It was the first to receive any publicity, although there is debate as to whether it was the first version created.
The changes included:
- removing most of Jar-Jar Binks' scenes
- limiting exposition such as the discussion of midi-chlorians
- trimming reiteration of the politics
- re-arranging shots and scenes
- removing "Yippee" and "Oops" from young Anakin's dialog
It was originally circulated on the Internet and acclaimed as providing a more focused and better paced version of the film. It is now available on VHS and DVD as well. The DVD contains two deleted scenes and a commentary track by the editor as well as a few easter eggs.
There is rumor of another copy called the The Phantom Re-Edit. In this version, Jar-Jar Binks dialogue is changed to make him a wise Jedi. The Phantom Re-Edit was also circulated on the Internet.
Rumour attributed The Phantom Edit to Kevin Smith, probably because his films frequently refer to the Star Wars mythos and he edits his own films. Smith admitted to having seen it but denied that he was the editor. The editor was revealed to be Mike J. Nichols of Santa Clarita, California in the September 7, 2001 edition of the Washington Post and the June 1 2002 edition of the Los Angeles Times [1] (http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:Bv49HNf80qkJ:ktla.trb.com/entertainment/news/la-060102fausset.story).
Despite rumours, no lawsuits were filed against Nichols, nor did he sell or make any money from the edit. The editor claims, "I am not a bootlegger!"
Episode I: Balance of the Force
In Addition to the basic "Phantom Edit", there have been other versions of Episode I along with even an edit of Episode II. This specific version of the Phantom Menance has been re-edited by someone who goes by the name of "MagnoliaFan" and has recreated the first episode of the series into a film called "Balance of the Force", which is a much more dark version of the film. It follows many of the previous versions of edits to the film, but re-dubs the aliens, and almost all the droid speaking roles, so they are not speaking Star Wars "basic" and instead are speaking their "native" language (or some variation of it). A short list of the changes to the film are listed here:
- Alternate Title and Crawl, giving more history on the Jedi, Republic and Trade Federation.
- The plot has been altered from revolving around taxation to slave labor.
- Jar Jar is dubbed and subtitled. He his now a pompous, Han Solo like character, who believes he saved Qui-Gon's life by dragging him down and thinks Qui-Gon owes him the life debt.
- The Gungans now hate the Naboo people because humans stole a Gungan relic, the Kyber crystal from them, explaining the big glowing globe at the end of the film.
- When Qui-Gon tries the mind trick on Watto, he becomes much angrier and throws Qui-Gon out shouting, "Get lost! Come back when you gotta some money!"
- As Qui-Gon embarassedly exits the shop, Jar Jar knocks over a bunch of stuff and Watto shouts, "Hey! You break it, you buy it! Eh?!"
- Many scenes have been resequenced with music from other films (Cantina music from the original Star Wars, and the Empire theme from Empire Strikes Back).
See also
External link
- Internet coverage of The Phantom Edit compiled by Andrew Rodgers (http://www.zap2it.com/movies/movies/spotlight/story/0,1259,---6932,00.html)