Editing Red Dwarf Remastered

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
'''''Red Dwarf Remastered''''' was an attempt in 1997 to bring the first three series of the [[BBC]]'s [[cult following#Television|cult]] [[science fiction|sci-fi]] [[situation comedy|sitcom]] ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' up to date.<ref name="Remasters of the Universe">{{cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/news/2006/12/22/remasters-of-the-universe | title =Remasters of the Universe | publisher =reddwarf.co.uk |access-date =28 January 2008}}</ref> A [[collaboration|collaborative]] effort between [[BBC Worldwide]] and [[Grant Naylor Productions]], it was hoped that [[remaster]]ed versions of the episodes would prove more appealing to broadcasters in international territories.<ref name="Remasters of the Universe"/> Only Series [[List of Red Dwarf episodes#Series I (1988)|I]]-[[List of Red Dwarf episodes#Series III (1989)|III]] were remastered, although the BBC had commissioned for the remastering of [[List of Red Dwarf episodes#Series IV (1991)|Series IV]] and [[List of Red Dwarf episodes#Series V (1992)|V]] as well. [[Doug Naylor]] decided to put the project on hold and wait for technology to catch up with their vision.<ref name="Re-Dwarf, Naylor">{{cite video|people=Naylor, Doug|title='Re-Dwarf' documentary|medium=DVD|publisher=BBC|location=Bodysnatcher DVD Boxset ''Red Dwarf'' disc|date=2007}}</ref>

== Changes ==
[[Image:RedDwarfShip.jpg|thumb|The CG version of ''Red Dwarf'', which is darker and longer than the original.]]
Some of the changes made for ''Red Dwarf Remastered'' included:
*'''Replacement [[title sequence]]s for [[List of Red Dwarf episodes#Series I (1988)|Series I]], [[List of Red Dwarf episodes#Series II (1988)|II]] and [[List of Red Dwarf episodes#Series III (1989)|III]].'''  These retained the initial image of [[Dave Lister|Lister]] painting the outside of ''Red Dwarf'', but featured a new attempt to realise the original intention to pull out from a close-up of Lister to the entire ship in one uninterrupted shot.  This was followed by a new fast-paced opening montage similar to those created for Series III-[[List of Red Dwarf episodes#Series VIII (1999)|VIII]].
*'''All-new [[Computer-generated imagery|computer-generated]] [[special effect]]s of ''Red Dwarf'' flying through [[outer space|space]].'''  Whilst the original series simply featured ''Red Dwarf'' flying through unadorned starscapes, the Remastered version added backgrounds such as burning [[sun]]s, icy [[Natural satellite|moon]]s and coloured [[nebula]]e. A model [[dust storm]] was recreated in CG, and in addition to the typically sedate movement ''Red Dwarf'' was shown, in appropriate scenes, racing through space.
*'''Additional [[post-production]] [[visual effects]]'''.  Including a malfunction effect being laid onto the hologram [[Arnold Rimmer|Rimmer]] in ''[[Queeg (Red Dwarf episode)|Queeg]]'', [[Holly (Red Dwarf)|Holly]] on the [[computer monitor|monitor]]s, transitions and (in close-up) borders being altered or added. Most significantly '''the starscape outside the windows of the ship interiors was edited, where possible, to match the new special effects.'''  Due to technical restrictions this was possible only when the camera was static.
[[Image:Midget800x600.jpg|thumb|right|The CG version of ''Blue Midget'', which has arms and legs replacing the caterpillar tracks of the original.]]
*'''Most other model shots of crafts in space being likewise replaced with [[Computer-generated imagery|computer-generated]] [[special effect]]s.'''  For the craft ''Blue Midget'', as with ''Red Dwarf'' itself, these modifications amounted to a complete redesign, and matched those that would appear in Series VIII. The new Red Dwarf was created as a 12' model, but due to space restrictions in the studio they were unable to use it. Minor changes to ''Starbug'' also reflected the ship's Series VII incarnation, with a smaller viewscreen and legs that would tilt backwards.
*'''Further [[Computer-generated imagery|computer-generated]] additions and replacements'''. Including an extended sequence of the polymorph travelling through the ''Red Dwarf'' air ventilation system, a 'time hole' journey to [[Backwards (Red Dwarf episode)|backwards]] Earth, and various shots of elevators in lift-shafts. Other minor CGI alterations include those laid over existing live-action scenes, such as a grey opening and closing 'hatch' being laid over what was, in the original scene, a flip-top bin.
*'''Additional [[chroma key|bluescreen]] elements''' being applied to particular scenes, especially during the first episode ''[[The End (Red Dwarf)|The End]]''. These included skutters placed in the foreground of an early scene, and more attendees being added to the foreground of the McIntyre funeral scene.
*'''Replacement music and audio effects''' being applied to all scenes: the show in general was given a more detailed soundscape, a new stereo mix with fully remastered foreground and background effects.  The audience laughter track was similarly remixed and adjusted. Changes were specific as well as general:  Rimmer's mother was re-voiced by a different actress in ''[[Polymorph (Red Dwarf episode)|Polymorph]],'' for example; Rimmer was heard to crash into objects after falling through the Cat in "The End" (despite his [[holographic]] status); and in the same episode the Cat was supplemented with a hissing noise as he made himself "look big".
*'''All videotape work being given a full colour grade, and [[filmizing|filmised]].'''[[Image:Polymorph remastered comparison.jpg|thumb|A [[film still|still]] from ''[[Polymorph (Red Dwarf episode)|Polymorph]]'' showing the before and after picture regrading]]
*'''Cropping of the top and bottom of the original picture to leave a [[14:9]] "widescreen" picture.''' (Some versions only.)
*'''Occasional close-up scenes with Holly in Series I being re-filmed with actor [[Norman Lovett]].'''  New jokes with the character were also added to several episodes.  [[Hattie Hayridge]]'s performance in Series III remained the same as the original, however.
*'''Trimming of some scenes''', such as the shortening of George McIntyre's speech in "The End", the removal of Cat's fantasy mermaid girlfriend and the "Black card/white card" discussions in the episode "[[Balance of Power (Red Dwarf)|Balance of Power]]". Performed partially for pace reasons, and sometimes due to dissatisfaction with the writing or performance quality.<ref name="Re-Dwarf, Naylor"/>

== Reaction ==
The changes received a mixed response from existing fans. Design changes, in particular to the ''Red Dwarf'' ship itself, were generally disliked, and the shift from models to CGI was not seen as an improvement.<ref name="Sci-Fi-London Film Festival&nbsp;— The Bodysnatcher Collection">{{cite web | url =http://www.sci-fi-london.com/news/article/1195080035/3/red-dwarf-the-bodysnatcher-collection | title =Sci-Fi-London Film Festival&nbsp;— The Bodysnatcher Collection | publisher =sci-fi-london.com |access-date =28 January 2008}}</ref> There was an outcry at the changing of some dialogue, particularly with regards to the removal of certain popular sequences (such as the aforementioned "black card/white card" joke).<ref name="Sci-Fi-London Film Festival&nbsp;— The Bodysnatcher Collection"/> Naylor, himself, stated that he was slightly disappointed with the results, as the technology required for the ambitious remastering wasn't available at the time.<ref name="Re-Dwarf, Naylor"/>

Internationally, ''Red Dwarf Remastered'' was sold to [[Japan]], [[South America]] and other countries with significant success&nbsp;— finding fresh audiences who were unaware of its remastered status. The availability of isolated audio tracks for language dubbing allowed the programme to reach more foreign-language broadcasters.<ref name="Re-Dwarf, Naylor"/>

Most recent UK [[rerun|repeats]] and the [[DVD]] releases of the show have been of the original untreated versions, although appearances depend on a channel's individual archive&nbsp;— in early 2003 the remastered "[[Marooned (Red Dwarf)|Marooned]]" incongruously appeared during a repeat run of the series on [[UKTV Gold]] that otherwise consisted of the original versions; and they have also popped up from time to time on [[Dave (TV channel)|UKTV G2]] in addition to [[Virgin Media]]'s On Demand service. [[Netflix]] currently has the original versions on their DVD-by-mail service having previously provided the remasters on the web-based streaming service, and the remastered versions were inadvertently sold on [[iTunes]] until mid-2009 when they were "corrected" to the original versions.

Plans to remaster series IV-VI were abandoned due to negative fan and critical reception, although series VIII (produced in late 1998, a year after the completion of ''Red Dwarf: Remastered'') retains the [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] model of the ship created for the remastered I-III. This was acknowledged in the show with dialogue about how the ship had changed shape to its original design before the Jupiter Mining Corporation made a number of cutbacks, thus retaining series continuity.

The 2009 [[Red Dwarf: Back to Earth|Back to Earth]] specials featured new CGI Red Dwarf which was much closer to the original non-remastered model. Later, in 2012, [[Red Dwarf X|Series X]] finally made use of the original 12' remastered model, albeit cut down length-wise to more closely match the original design.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/news/2012/02/03/super-models/ |title=Red Dwarf: Super Models [Release Date&#93;: reddwarf.co.uk |publisher=reddwarf.co.uk |access-date=18 November 2012}}</ref>

== Other remastering ==
For the release of the Series VII DVD, the first episode ''[[Tikka to Ride]]'' was remastered. This only consisted of replacing the original last-minute CGI effects from the original broadcast with up-to-date, 2005-standard CGI. The original version was also included on the DVD.

== DVD releases ==

=== Non-UK releases ===
Remastered episodes have found their way onto DVD in continental [[Europe]] as the official series releases.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} Localised releases in [[Poland]], [[France]], [[Belgium]], the [[Netherlands]] and [[Luxembourg]] all contain the remastered episodes. The remastered episodes were also released in Japan in their shorter NHK broadcast edits featuring significant edits, different title and credit sequences and Japanese dubbing. The Japanese version of remastered pilot episode "The End" was included as a bonus feature on the English language DVD release of Series I.

The US [[Netflix]] streaming release (though not the discs) also used the remastered episodes for the first three seasons until the show was first removed from the service. When the series returned to Netflix, the original non-remastered versions were used (though with some music replacement). The series has since been removed from Netflix again. In 2017, the series was uploaded to [[BritBox]], where Series I-III run in their original versions.

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=== The Bodysnatcher Collection ===
The remastered episodes of Series I–III were made available on DVD in the UK on 12 November 2007 as part of '''''The Bodysnatcher Collection''''' with an identical release in Australia following on 7 May 2008.  The box set includes all 18 episodes cropped to letterbox format but still presented in 4:3 as they were on the VHS release. The set also included documentaries concerning the Remastering project and the making of the original Series I and II (as these were absent from the original DVD release of these series).<ref name="Bodysnatcher">{{cite web | url =http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/news/2007/11/09/the-bodysnatcher-collection | title =The Bodysnatcher collection | publisher =reddwarf.co.uk |access-date =30 January 2008}}</ref> A text track is also included, detailing all changes between original and remastered versions.<ref name="Bodysnatcher"/>

The special features include what has been called the "original assembly" of the first episode of ''Red Dwarf'', plus a lost episode, known as "[[Bodysnatcher (Red Dwarf)|Bodysnatcher]]", for which this set is named, which has been created in the same style as "[[Identity Within]]" for the Series VII DVD.<ref name="Bodysnatcher"/> The release also features commentary and interview contributions from Rob Grant, co-creator of ''Red Dwarf'', marking his first direct contribution to the DVD releases.<ref name="Bodysnatcher"/> This set was not released in the US, and it is now out-of-print in the UK and Australia.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Red Dwarf}}

[[Category:Red Dwarf]]