[Saulotus]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 249</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Last night; in reply to MisterUnderhill's use of Star Wars references I thought of a way to explain not only my approach more clearly, but as another example of what it truly represents (and hopefully to kick-start this discussion again).

Obviously; I'm going to use Star Wars.
I'll keep it strictly to Episode 4 for the discussion.
I'm sure my direction here will become apparent shortly.

For comparison we have:
The original treatment (includes Luke Starkiller, Kaibur Crystal, Hordes of Sith knights, Jedi-Bendu, etc)
Call this; Early Silmarillion (Book of Lost Tales, Shaping, Lays, etc)

Next the Screenplay and Novel itself.
Call this the re-written Silmarillion.

Then we have the actual production film.
Call this Christopher's editorial rendition of the Silmarillion.

Then we have the Special Edition.
Call this the History series.

In establishing canon; what do you use for the base?
By examples presented here I will try to show my message.
These examples will include items;
a) Revised in the last film version
b) Altered in the film from original material
c) Unshown scenes in both versions
d) Material that does not appear anywhere in any form

If you use the original film as the base then what to do with Special Edition when it deviates from your base?
Example:The Cantina Shootout. Do you use the revised scene or retain the original? The motivation alters dramatically in this example.

If you use the Special Edition as the base then what becomes of the Shootout? Is the retention of it possible as presented in the original? (i.e. Mercenary action vs. Self-defense)
How does this effect further characteristics of the scene and aftermath?
Or do you attempt to mix-mash the two and hope for the best? Is this really the best approach?

Now lets go on to Revision in the film from Novel and Screenplay:
Here an example can be taken from Han Solo's line concerning the speed of the MF.
Original text: She's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 standard time-parts.
Film line: She's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.

With this Alteration; a new convoluted and circumspect (not to mention highly sub-creative) explanation is required after-the-fact. Which do you use as canon?

Now on to Unshown scenes;
In this example we can look at Tosche Station.
It was written, and filmed, but not shown in either version. Is it still canon?

Now on to a scene showing material not present in any prior form:
We can use Han's Girlfriend in the Cantina scene for this. It was not present in the script or Novel, and was cut from both presented versions. Is this canon? In retention of it as such if so; how much of an impact on the relationship between Han and Leia does it create. One of motivation and character development departure or elaboration?.

And now lastly; in assembling this canon, how far back does one go before the information becomes outdated and actually false? Does one go all the way back to the original treatment and include the Kaibur Crystal, Hordes of Sith Knights, and the Jedi-Bendu (as only a few examples). How much does this actually damage canon instead of help?

In trying to keep every detail in Silmarillion as canon, at what point does the story become warped? Some of the ideas are interesting; but should they truly be kept?

Perhaps this explains my views a little clearer on Silmarillion canon.

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