The images below are from two versions of 'The Wizard' episode 'The Other Side'.
The image on the right represents the video quality fans worldwide have had to settle for when they can procure an unauthorized copy of any episode. It is from the televised show videotaped by fans during the episode's original broadcast in 1986. These off-the-air videos have been viewed and copied countless times on both VHS and DVD for sale and/or trade by fans and other members of the general public, often for illegal profit.
The image on the left is from the original production videotapes belonging to the owners of 'The Wizard'.
It's obvious which one represents the way 'The Wizard' is supposed to look. Add to that the difference in audio quality, and being able to see the subtle colors and action of the original episodes, and it's clear that settling for a copy of a 'The Wizard' videotape the wrong way gets you the video quality on the left. Getting the tapes the right way by working to "Rescue The Wizard" will provide the quality on the right, and will bring our beloved show back to old and new fans around the world the way it was meant to be seen.
Over the past few years I have been told by Wizard fans worldwide that the "only" way to win release of 'The Wizard' from the vaults of 20th Century Fox Studios is to focus on copying and passing around/selling/trading/downloading the copies represented by the image on the left. That plan hasn't worked for 23 years. Now you can see why.
We hope this taste of what is not only possible, but actually exists, will bring a renewed, more powerful drive to the "Rescue The Wizard" campaign. If you want to watch 'The Wizard' as it is supposed to be seen, then please make your vote heard - "For the love of Simon".
The real thing makes for a fantastic difference!
Posted by: Cathy | October 24, 2009 at 07:26 AM