Original Unaltered Star Wars Trilogy on DVD: 9/12 to 12/31

[The Lumberjack]

Lucasfilm has announced that this September fans can look forward to the long-awaited DVD release of the original theatrical incarnations of the classic "Star Wars" trilogy!

In response to overwhelming demand, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release attractively priced individual two-disc releases of "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." Each release includes the 2004 digitally remastered version of the movie, as well as the original theatrical edition of the film. That means you'll be able to enjoy "Star Wars" as it first appeared in 1977, "Empire" in 1980, and "Jedi" in 1983.

See the title crawl to "Star Wars" before it was known as "Episode IV"; see the pioneering, if dated, motion control model work on the attack on the Death Star; groove to Lapti Nek or the Ewok Celebration song like you did when you were a kid; and yes, see Han Solo shoot first.

This release will only be available for a limited time: from September 12th to December 31st. The international release will follow on or about the same day. Each original theatrical version will feature Dolby 2.0 Surround sound, close-captioning, and subtitles in English, French and Spanish for their U.S. release. International sound and subtitling vary by territory.

"Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in theaters," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts and Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Ltd. "We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we're very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars. Topping it off with a new interactive adventure makes September 12 a red-letter day for Star Wars fans."


_______________________________________

Hellz yeah.:cool::up:

[Darth Elektra]

Cool, I suppose. I bought the other one so im not going to give any more of my money to Lucas.

[Erundur]

If I have the cash I'm gonna get it.Luckily I do not have any other starwars films.

[The Lumberjack]

I knew this would come some day, so I waited. Plus it comes with both the original AND special editions.

[The Kid]

it's


about








damn














time









mother****er

PRESERVING HISTORY > "Special" editions

[Sam Fisher]

I gotta get this. Of course I'm already gonna be broke with all the superman DVD's coming later this year.

[LostSon88]

There now everyone can stop complaining about Lucas "raping" their childhoods...although I gotta admit, I saw this coming...

[KingOfDreams]

Sweet. I'll probably get it. I'd actually like to have the Special Edition version on DVD because there wasn't any replacing of old Anakin at the end of ROTJ with Hayden or anything stupid like that. The only thing that was added in those is some special effects which I think actually helped the movies for the most part. But the original theatrical version of the trilogy is the next best thing.

[ZeroSuit]

im so glad i didn't buy the first dvd release. i'll be proud to put these on my shelf.

[GothicPowerMix1]

AWESOME

This will be a must buy

After years & years of Fan Stuff

They finally arrive

[Mister J]

I'm glad I held out. I didn't particularly care for all the extra stuff.

Damn, I'm gonna spend a lot of money on DVDs the last few months of the year.

[TheVileOne]

The fans beat George Lucas once again.

It's that old saying, the customer is always right.

Guess what George? We are the customers. And Star Wars isn't just yours anymore.

[KingOfDreams]

Plus it comes with both the original AND special editions.

It does? Sweet.

[WorthyStevens]

Nice. The only reason I bought the trilogy DVD already was because I got it for $9 bucks.

[Addendum]

It's a month after April Fools.

But if it's true, **** yes. This is all I wanted. The ability to choose which version to watch, like Spielberg did with ET

[Danger Mouse]

I am DEFINITELY getting this.

:up:

[chi-boy]

Sweet, now I can totally forget that the prequels ever happened!

[logansoldcigar]

The fans beat George Lucas once again.

It's that old saying, the customer is always right.

Guess what George? We are the customers. And Star Wars isn't just yours anymore.

and you believe this wasnt the plan from the start?

[Octoberist]

There is a GOD!

[CConn]

This is one time I'm actually glad Lucas is a lying bastard. :)

I may buy three. :o

[logansoldcigar]

Ill actually wait and see. see what the extras are, ect (i would be amazed, btw, if it doesnt have the episode IV crawl,)
I already have a laserdisc rip on DVD that i bought from ebay, so its not an overriding priority. tho to have them on official discs would be nice.

[War Lord]

I wonder when Lucas will release Star Wars: The puppet edition?

[Jonathan Archer]

Actually, I'm waiting for the Musical remake.

[LostSon88]

The fans beat George Lucas once again.


I think its the other way around...you really think Lucas didn't have this planned?

He played most fans for suckers when he released the 2004 DVDs while proclaiming that you will NEVER see the OT again thus convincing a majority of people to cave and purchase the newer editions...then 2 years later here we are with the release of the OT on DVD...its all about the money and its Lucas who has beaten the fans--once again.

[GoldGoblin]

I think its the other way around...you really think Lucas didn't have this planned?

He played most fans for suckers when he released the 2004 DVDs while proclaiming that you will NEVER see the OT again thus convincing a majority of people to cave and purchase the newer editions...then 2 years later here we are with the release of the OT on DVD...its all about the money and its Lucas who has beaten the fans--once again.

^Exactly.Then he will release the saga set next summer for the 30th anniversary making us pay again.

[Mister J]

I can see him releasing a boxset with all 6 films (with some extra stuff, of course) to capitalize on this after 12/31.

****ing Lucas; he's a smug and arrogant bastard, but a shrewd businessman.

[LostSon88]

^Exactly.Then he will release the saga set next summer for the 30th anniversary making us pay again.

Yep. On HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray...

And on the theater side we have the upcoming 3D Original Trilogy to look forward to and their eventual turn to HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray.

See...Lucas is playing us...not the other way around cuz' he knows that there are those kind of fans out there that will eat all of this s*** up...

It ain't right...but hey that's Lucas for ya'.

[logansoldcigar]

The fans beat George Lucas once again.

It's that old saying, the customer is always right.

Guess what George? We are the customers. And Star Wars isn't just yours anymore.

and sorry to be an ass, man, but in what way did the fans beat George Lucas at any point in time?

the man is worth billions, does what he wants when he wants, has just released 3 self financed movies that brought in roughly 2 billion in profit at the box office. owns all the merchandising and licensing rights (thanks Mr 20th century fox, that cost you a couple of dollars :D ), making shatloads of cash from that. is producing two self financed tv shows on the same subject, and ill bet now that all 100 episodes or so of each are shown..cos whichever network gets them will most likely have to pay for the whole lot, whether they show them or not.
Is gonna get even more cash from releasing the OT later this year, despite the fact he said he never would.

and us, the fans?

well, we say we didnt really like the prequel trilogy as much as the original.

yeah, we've got him on the run there. aint we?

[Backdrifter]

Lucasfilm has announced that this September fans can look forward to the long-awaited DVD release of the original theatrical incarnations of the classic "Star Wars" trilogy!

In response to overwhelming demand, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release attractively priced individual two-disc releases of "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." Each release includes the 2004 digitally remastered version of the movie, as well as the original theatrical edition of the film. That means you'll be able to enjoy "Star Wars" as it first appeared in 1977, "Empire" in 1980, and "Jedi" in 1983.

See the title crawl to "Star Wars" before it was known as "Episode IV"; see the pioneering, if dated, motion control model work on the attack on the Death Star; groove to Lapti Nek or the Ewok Celebration song like you did when you were a kid; and yes, see Han Solo shoot first.

This release will only be available for a limited time: from September 12th to December 31st. The international release will follow on or about the same day. Each original theatrical version will feature Dolby 2.0 Surround sound, close-captioning, and subtitles in English, French and Spanish for their U.S. release. International sound and subtitling vary by territory.

"Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in theaters," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts and Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Ltd. "We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we're very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars. Topping it off with a new interactive adventure makes September 12 a red-letter day for Star Wars fans."


_______________________________________

Hellz yeah.:cool::up:

YES!!!

[Backdrifter]

Actually, I'm waiting for the Musical remake.

I was actually thinking that they could make it into an opera. I doubt Williams would want to do it though.

[Edward Brock]

Limited time? Yeah right! :rolleyes:

Great news though.

[GoldGoblin]

I wonder if this edition will be like the dvd quality that is already out,or are we gonna get something that looks like VHS quality.

[snipe]

I'll be all over this :o

[Knightsaber Priss]

No way, this is just not hapening is it? I thought lucas was not going to release these onto DVD?

[Erzengel]

I was going to post this but my thread would have said:
"Han FINALLY shoots first." :)

Anyways, I'm buying this as well. :up:

This would be my 5th Star Wars Trilogy.

[Fettastic]

"Just hours after we posted our story in The Rumor Mill, the official Star Wars website has now officially confirmed it: Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox are going to be releasing the original, undoctored and digitally-untweaked, theatrical versions of the Star Wars films on standard DVD in September. The films will be available on disc only for a very limited time, starting on September 12th (they'll go out of print on December 31st). The films will be available as individual 2-disc sets (there may also be a box as well). One of the discs in each set will include the recent "2004" special edition version of the film, while the other disc will include the original theatrical version in anamorphic widescreen video, with audio in Dolby Digital 2.0 surround. And yes, on the 2-disc set of A New Hope... Han will shoot first! Here's an official quote from Lucasfilm's Senior Vice President, Jim Ward:

"Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in theaters. We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we're very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars."

Well, all I can say is... it's about ___-damned TIME! So much for "those versions don't exist anymore." This is very good news indeed, and we're very happy to see it finally happen. Hats off to George Lucas, Jim Ward and everyone who decided to finally make this a reality on DVD.

And before you ask, it IS DVD only... there's no high-definition version expected this year. Just FYI."
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

I am completely shocked! I can't believe this is happening! Lucas swore up and down it never would but I guess he decided to give in to fan demand!

[Fettastic]

Damn! Someone beat me to it. Just let this thread die I guess.

[boywonder13]

Yay!!!!!

[Dr. Fate]

Finally! :) :) :) :)

[boywonder13]

http://www.superherohype.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230032

this is amzing news so lets all tak about it in the place it was first posted.

[Fettastic]

http://www.superherohype.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230032

this is amzing news so lets all tak about it in the place it was first posted.

I can't argue with this. I screwed up and am more than willing to let this thread die or be deleted by the mods.

[Kable24]

I may rent and copy, but I doubt I will buy. I don't mind the redone editions. Except for Greedo shooting first. If anything they need to hire the guy who did the Phantom Edit and re-edit the new trilogy.

[Immortalfire]

From Yahoo..

In Star Wars, Han Solo shoots a bounty hunter named Greedo. Lucas changed the scene later so it seemed that Greedo draws first, and changed it again for the DVD so that they appear to shoot simultaneously.

WTF? Does this mean we still don't see only Han shoot, as is the correct manner?

[Immortalfire]

Yay! Damn to the depths the blasted special editions :)

[huskerwebhead]

it's about ****ing time!!! :mad:

[Timstuff]

Making Greedo shoot first was such a stupid idea, because Han still shoots first in almost every gunfight in the freakin' movie except that one.

[War Lord]

I can see him releasing a boxset with all 6 films (with some extra stuff, of course) to capitalize on this after 12/31.

****ing Lucas; he's a smug and arrogant bastard, but a shrewd businessman.

He ain't that shrewd, you're just that easy.

[Erundur]

I'll be all over this :o

Oh my god you've posted :eek:

[Timstuff]

Making Greedo shoot first was such a stupid idea, because Han still shoots first in almost every gunfight in the freakin' movie except that one.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

This is one time I'm actually glad Lucas is a lying bastard. :)I was shocked to learn that he truly is.

I bought a bunch of old Starlog magazines from the 80's and in one there are all these outraged letters because insanely, stupidly (because there's no way he couldn't be caught), George Lucas said that it was a false rumor that they were going call ROTJ "REVENGE of the Jedi", and that that was never a title they talked about.....even though a bunch of Starlog readers had actually SEEN early teasers that said "This Summer...Revenge of the Jedi" and one guy worked at a theater and OWNED Revenge of the Jedi posters.

There was also talk about how Star Trek 2 was going to be called "Khan's Revenge", but Lucasfilm made them change it because it was too similar to "REVENGE of the Jedi".

But there was Lucas being interviewed saying that Revenge was never even a working title. :confused:



So yeah, he's a weasly rat of a little compulsive liar, you can tell it's compulsive because THERE'S NO WAY HE WOULDN'T BE FOUND OUT, but he lied anyway.

Pffffff

[Armand Z Trip]

I'll pick these up. I want to see Han shoot first again. I'm also tired of playing Battlefront 2, assualt mode on Mos Eisley just to hear the damn Ewok song.

[boywonder13]

Yah so hopefully I will get this than Star Wars 3D next year....

better start saving!!

[Addendum]

I think its the other way around...you really think Lucas didn't have this planned?

He played most fans for suckers when he released the 2004 DVDs while proclaiming that you will NEVER see the OT again thus convincing a majority of people to cave and purchase the newer editions...then 2 years later here we are with the release of the OT on DVD...its all about the money and its Lucas who has beaten the fans--once again.
Which is why I'm proud to be part of the minority that didn't buy 2004 edition the first time around, nor the re-release of that which happened a while back, since all I wanted was the chance to see the original version on dvd. That, and I couldn't find a good bootleg version.

If this is true, which I'm still skeptical about even though it's a month after April Fools, then I will get these.

[boywonder13]

Which is why I'm proud to be part of the minority that didn't buy 2004 edition the first time around, nor the re-release of that which happened a while back, since all I wanted was the chance to see the original version on dvd. That, and I couldn't find a good bootleg version.

If this is true, which I'm still skeptical about even though it's a month after April Fools, then I will get these.

Star Wars Official Website has confirmed it!!

Anyways so what will the quality be like...???

[Dr. Fate]

Star Wars Official Website has confirmed it!!

About damn time. :ghost:

[Dr. Fate]

Making Greedo shoot first was such a stupid idea, because Han still shoots first in almost every gunfight in the freakin' movie except that one.
Seriously. When it comes to the special edition of ESB I'm almost surprised that Darth Vader isn't digitally flinging stuff at Han and Han only shoots the debris but not at Vader directly.

[<(o_o)>]

Thank God I never got any of the other 2 DVD boxed sets, so now I will be able to get these. :D The bad news is that Lucas will eventually come out with a multi disc set of all 6 Star Wars films in another year or so. Then there is also Blu-Ray Disc or HDDVD for him to capitalize on with even more editions of Star Wars, which means even more & more money for him.

[boywonder13]

Here is a picture comparison of the changes made between the version from the Original all the way to the 2004 DVD.

http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/articles/star-wars-the-changes-part-one.html

[boywonder13]

Here is a picture comparison of the changes made between the version from the Original all the way to the 2004 DVD.

http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/articles/star-wars-the-changes-part-one.html

[Mister J]

He ain't that shrewd, you're just that easy. He is a shrewd businessman seeing as how he's set this whole thing up. Lucas has had this planned all along. He could have released the original versions years ago, but he chose not to because he knew he could squeeze another windfall out of it. He'll continue to do the same thing with additional releases because he knows his fan base will be all over it. This is also the guy that thought enough of himself to negotiate with the studio for licensing rights in lieu of an upfront salary before Star Wars was released. How did that work out for him?

I didn't buy the SE versions and when I buy this version, I'm done regardless of what new spin he puts on it.

[LostSon88]

Star Wars Official Website has confirmed it!!

Anyways so what will the quality be like...???

The quality will not be as good as the 2004 editions...they're basically transferring the laserdisk edition of the OT.

I'll try and find the article...

[Kurosawa]

That's what they should do. They should leave in every matte line, every glob of vasiline.

I've supported the upgrades, but I'll get this version as well.

[amazingfantasy15]

Guess Lucas needs another new house...
Dance puppets, dance!

[Knightsaber Priss]

I'm going to wager a bet there will be some morons out there, most likely individuals born after the original release of Return of the Jedi who will lampoon the original versions and say how stupid the FX were compared to the remastered, doctored versions.

[Knightsaber Priss]

That's what they should do. They should leave in every matte line, every glob of vasiline.

I've supported the upgrades, but I'll get this version as well.

Well, they can awlways digitally remove the flaws of transferring the original prints to DVD. I'm not talking extensively adding things that weren't there in the first place, but just cleaning it up a bit to remove blatant FX traces that were unavoidable back in the 70's and 80's.

[Addendum]

Well, they can awlways digitally remove the flaws of transferring the original prints to DVD. I'm not talking extensively adding things that weren't there in the first place, but just cleaning it up a bit to remove blatant FX traces that were unavoidable back in the 70's and 80's.
Plus, having the original actor who played Anakin in RotJ back in the movie, instead of inserting an actor who played Anakin during the prequels, and was 2 years old when RotJ came out.

[boywonder13]

http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/articles/star-wars-the-changes-part-one.html

expect pretty low quality video if it is not restored alot.....maybe??

[JackBauer]

and finally those people come to their f***in senses... I KNEW this would happen, just didn't think it'd be this early though.

good thing I didn't get the crappy 2004 set. this one, however, is definitely going into my collection.

[Addendum]

http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/articles/star-wars-the-changes-part-one.html

expect pretty low quality video if it is not restored alot.....maybe??
And that is a problem how?

I still enjoy watching the Original Star Trek series, the original Twilight Zone, the original Outer Limits, and the TV series Babylon 5, and I'm still trying to get Blake's 7 on DVD.

Each series does have parts where the effects may not be as strong as they could have been, or you get a moment of "wobbly set". Aside from Babylon 5 and Blake's 7, which came out in the 90's and 70's respectively, the series mentioned came out in the 60's. And yet, people enjoy them despite the limits of technology available at the time? Why?

Because the stories told in those series are damned good.

The same is true for the original versions of Star Wars, Empire, and Return of the Jedi.

[blind_fury]

It is really true. Star Wars fans are like abused wives. No matter how much Lucas beats them they keep coming back for more. LMFAO.

[Matt]

The fans beat George Lucas once again.

It's that old saying, the customer is always right.

Guess what George? We are the customers. And Star Wars isn't just yours anymore.

The fans beat George? More like George performed the ultimate double dip on the world's most obsessive fanboys who will almost definitely pay again.

Like I said when the OT came out for the first time on DVD....I'm waiting, because so long as there is money to be made, George will sell the unaltered version.

[Matt]

That's what they should do. They should leave in every matte line, every glob of vasiline.

I've supported the upgrades, but I'll get this version as well.

See my point?

[Matt]

And just for the record...who shoots first on these DVDs?

[Knightsaber Priss]

http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/articles/star-wars-the-changes-part-one.html

expect pretty low quality video if it is not restored alot.....maybe??

Hey, thanks for the link. It was very informative.

[<(o_o)>]

And just for the record...who shoots first on these DVDs?

I guess Han Solo will be the one shooting first. It's like in the original Han would have shot the alien who double crossed him in cold blood but in the remastered version George probably made the alien guy fire at Han first so Han was returning fire to defend himself.

[Addendum]

I guess Han Solo will be the one shooting first. It's like in the original Han would have shot the alien who double crossed him in cold blood but in the remastered version George probably made the alien guy fire at Han first so Han was returning fire to defend himself.
Even though when Lucas made Star Wars back, he had the chance to have Greedo shoot first. Then 20 years later, he had a change of heart.

[Knightsaber Priss]

And just for the record...who shoots first on these DVDs?

If it be the original prints it's Han Solo. How many people wanna bet Lucas is using the Remastered 90's Laserdisc prints to transfer the original Theatrical Trilogy to DVD? I mean the remastered home video release not Special Edition.

[The Lumberjack]

Lucasfilm has announced that this September fans can look forward to the long-awaited DVD release of the original theatrical incarnations of the classic "Star Wars" trilogy!

In response to overwhelming demand, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release attractively priced individual two-disc releases of "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." Each release includes the 2004 digitally remastered version of the movie, as well as the original theatrical edition of the film. That means you'll be able to enjoy "Star Wars" as it first appeared in 1977, "Empire" in 1980, and "Jedi" in 1983.

See the title crawl to "Star Wars" before it was known as "Episode IV"; see the pioneering, if dated, motion control model work on the attack on the Death Star; groove to Lapti Nek or the Ewok Celebration song like you did when you were a kid; and yes, see Han Solo shoot first.

This release will only be available for a limited time: from September 12th to December 31st. The international release will follow on or about the same day. Each original theatrical version will feature Dolby 2.0 Surround sound, close-captioning, and subtitles in English, French and Spanish for their U.S. release. International sound and subtitling vary by territory.

"Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in theaters," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts and Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Ltd. "We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we're very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars. Topping it off with a new interactive adventure makes September 12 a red-letter day for Star Wars fans."
That should answer your question, Matt.

[Erzengel]

I can't wait til the 30th anniversary so I can have a 6th set. :p

[Darthphere]

This is cool, and I see the fanboys already coming out saying how they beat Lucas lol, hes laughing his way all the way to the bank with this one.

[Warhammer]

Wow.
Already bought the other versions of the films for DVD.
I hate it when I buy a DVD, and an even better version comes out a year later.

Oh well...

I dont care about the original versions.

[Kurosawa]

Well, they can awlways digitally remove the flaws of transferring the original prints to DVD. I'm not talking extensively adding things that weren't there in the first place, but just cleaning it up a bit to remove blatant FX traces that were unavoidable back in the 70's and 80's.

I want no alterations. Every matte box around a TIE fighter and the huge vasaline glob "hiding" the wheels under Luke's landspeeder. I want the wretched bluescreen on the Rancor, every fake looking mask and muppet, every flaw that they always had. Start fixing stuff and it's the SE.

And I want ANH to be the 1977 version, minus the episode title, 3PO's tractor beam explanation, etc.

[Movies205]

I'll buy this simply for one reason... If it's actually limited...

Give it 2 years and the price will be insane on ebay and I'll be kicking myself in the head for not picking it up...

[Golgo-13]

I just heard the news about SW on Showbiz. Awesome to have the OT on dvd without the god aweful cgi alterations!

[CConn]

Instead we have our beloved god-awful bluescreen. :O

[Kurosawa]

Yeah, and the horrid matte lines. And all the bad transparancies. Not to mention the huge glob of vasaline under Luke's landspeeder. And masks that don't move. Muppets that don't...muppet. And the horrid "Yub yub song."

Both editions have a few warts. The movies are still basically the same. I am glad Lucas is releasing the old ones though. For historical and comparision reasons alone, it's the right thing to do.

[Orko Is King]

Celebrate the love, mutha****as!

[Flexo]

It's about time!

[Obi-Ron]

This is cool, and I see the fanboys already coming out saying how they beat Lucas lol, hes laughing his way all the way to the bank with this one.

Everything is proceeding as Lucas has foreseen!

[TheVileOne]

and you believe this wasnt the plan from the start?
According to all the BS coming from the mouth of great creator, GL it wasn't.

[Darthphere]

Everything is proceeding as Lucas has foreseen!


Excellent.

[Darren Daring]

HAhahah, Go George, pile up that bank:up:

[boywonder13]

And that is a problem how?

I still enjoy watching the Original Star Trek series, the original Twilight Zone, the original Outer Limits, and the TV series Babylon 5, and I'm still trying to get Blake's 7 on DVD.

Each series does have parts where the effects may not be as strong as they could have been, or you get a moment of "wobbly set". Aside from Babylon 5 and Blake's 7, which came out in the 90's and 70's respectively, the series mentioned came out in the 60's. And yet, people enjoy them despite the limits of technology available at the time? Why?

Because the stories told in those series are damned good.

The same is true for the original versions of Star Wars, Empire, and Return of the Jedi.

Woah! I never said I did not like it if the film was pretty scracthcy. That type of stuff increases my entusiam. For many people like me, this will be therefirst time to watch the "ORIGINAL" Star Wars!!!:up:

[Lazlo Panaflex]

Which special edition is coming out, the 1997 or the 2004? seeing as how the '97 and '04 have two different Jabba's and Anakin at the end of ROTJ.

[Lighthouse]

I figured Lucas would finally give in to the almighty dollar. I can't wait to see his next interview when he tries to explain this one.

[Darren Daring]

I figured Lucas would finally give in to the almighty dollar. I can't wait to see his next interview when he tries to explain this one.

I know, that ****er, giving us what we've wanted for so long. God, I hate him.

[boywonder13]

We could just get the Origianl Theatrical editions on Laser Disc (IF u can find a player, or VHS, or some people have convered the Laser Disc 2 DVD). I will get those if there turns out not to be alot of special features!

Hey and Idont think www.originaltrilogy.com has learned that there dreams have finally come true! LOL!

[TheVileOne]

Good thing I was smart enough not to buy that SE crap on DVD.

[boywonder13]

me 2! Never bought them! Though I might have borrow thjem from a friend!!:)

[GoldGoblin]

Good thing I was smart enough not to buy that SE crap on DVD.

^Are you gonna buy the saga set in the summer of 07?

[TheVileOne]

If it includes the crappy prequels, then no.

[GoldGoblin]

If it includes the crappy prequels, then no.

^Even if the original trilogy has more updated stuff,like fixed lightsabers for one?

[logansoldcigar]

According to all the BS coming from the mouth of great creator, GL it wasn't.

and?
How many copies of the SE DVDs do you think he would have sold if the marketing pitch had been

"But dont worry, fans of the theatrical release: Ill bring those out on DVD in two years time"

doesnt bother me anyways, i have the theatrical versions already. I dont really care about the extras that much, unless its a stunning set that blows my socks off.

course, if one of the extras is a carrie fisher metal bikini to fit your other half (or yourself, if your that way inclined), im first in the Q

[GoldGoblin]

George Lucas will probably save deleted scenes for the saga set,that way to make the people who buy this unaltered set have to buy the saga set as well.

[Addendum]

Woah! I never said I did not like it if the film was pretty scracthcy. That type of stuff increases my entusiam. For many people like me, this will be therefirst time to watch the "ORIGINAL" Star Wars!!!:up:
Hey, my bad. It just came across like you were knocking it. Apologies.

All I can say is that you'll be in for a treat.

[boywonder13]

Hey, my bad. It just came across like you were knocking it. Apologies.

All I can say is that you'll be in for a treat.

Amen to that Brother!!!:up:

[Knightsaber Priss]

^Even if the original trilogy has more updated stuff,like fixed lightsabers for one?

Uh....what with Darth Vader and hi pink Ligtsaber in the 2004 re-edits, I hope they don't touch it. I mean we all know Hayden's Vader was rather gay, but they didn't need to give him a pink lightsaber.

[thealiasman2000]

You know why I WON'T buy this?

Because I was a spermatozoid when the original version was released.

The version of "Star Wars" that I watched into theaters was the Special Edition. THAT'S the version I saw in theaters, THAT's the version that hooked me into Star Wars, and THAT'S the version I think when I think of Star Wars.

[Obi-Ron]

Why, you young whippersnapper!

[JackBauer]

too bad for you... :o

[Kurosawa]

You know why I WON'T buy this?

Because I was a spermatozoid when the original version was released.

The version of "Star Wars" that I watched into theaters was the Special Edition. THAT'S the version I saw in theaters, THAT's the version that hooked me into Star Wars, and THAT'S the version I think when I think of Star Wars.

Yeah, can't blame ya. I grew up with the originals and i'm buying the new set, but fans from your generation probably just see them as the SE with tons of visable matte lines and bad blue screen.

Although the 2004 versions aren't perfect yet either. They still gotta fix the lightsabers and there's still some bad matting to fix, especially in ANH.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I feel sorry for kids who weren't there for it in the 70's because now there are several visually breath-taking blockbusters a year, but oh my freaking God,...you just can't imagine what Star Wars was back then. It was everything. It felt like the whole world changed, like, instead of years being "B.C." and "A.D.", it should've been changed to "B.S.W." and "A.S.W."

It was definitely the Beatles of movies, on the news all of the time, screaming hordes of fans, instantly seeped into and took over the culture like a virus....GOD! SO Cool.

[Kurosawa]

Yep, that's true.

Special effects aren't as special as they once were. More realistic looking, maybe...but except for the new Star Wars movies, I haven't just gaped in awe of effects in a long time.

Although some of the effects in the Harry Potter movies are pretty mind blowing.

[Erzengel]

I feel sorry for kids who weren't there for it in the 70's because now there are several visually breath-taking blockbusters a year, but oh my freaking God,...you just can't imagine what Star Wars was back then. It was everything. It felt like the whole world changed, like, instead of years being "B.C." and "A.D.", it should've been changed to "B.S.W." and "A.S.W."

It was definitely the Beatles of movies, on the news all of the time, screaming hordes of fans, instantly seeped into and took over the culture like a virus....GOD! SO Cool.

Well the kids these days have the Matrix, Harry Potter and LOTR. :rolleyes:

And yes while some of those movies were good, great even they never really captured a generation like Star Wars did back then.

[boywonder13]

Yeah, can't blame ya. I grew up with the originals and i'm buying the new set, but fans from your generation probably just see them as the SE with tons of visable matte lines and bad blue screen.

Although the 2004 versions aren't perfect yet either. They still gotta fix the lightsabers and there's still some bad matting to fix, especially in ANH.

Hey! I'm 14 years old and I want to see it so bad! Though I was born in 1992. I am still in love with the things of the 70s and 80s.

Original He-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the original, Superman: The Movie, Superman II, Star WARS, Ghost Busters, Transformers etc...

I still apreaciate that type of stuff!! ! Im proably going to love this better than the '97 SE's or (I actually first saw stars Wars liek in 1995 or soemthing) The newly released DVD's.

I was actually trying to convince my dad to get it on Laser Disc and get my dad to buy a player, so I could watch the "original" Star Wars!!!:up: :) Now It seems I dont have 2.....

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Although some of the effects in the Harry Potter movies are pretty mind blowing.Yeah, there's just something about the first.:)

[Addendum]

The first time I saw that making of documentary "From Star Wars to Jedi", which was when I was still a kid in single digits, I was awed from the miniatures and models.

Since then, I've learned about the tricks of making movies, from camera tricks to double exposure to miniatures and models to stop motion to CGI. I can look past the vaseline on the camera and matte lines. Why? Because the special effects don't make the story. The actors and actresses make it.

However, when you have behind-the-scenes footage of a movie set entirely on a soundstage painted green, and the actors being told to "react to a being that will be inserted later on the computer, and this being is behind them on their right... their other right... and as you turn around this being is very frightening... more frightening... it's very damned scary", all I can do is laugh.

[boywonder13]

Yeah I love Star Wars Documntary

"Empire of Dreams" on the DVDS

[Addendum]

Yeah I love Star Wars Documntary

"Empire of Dreams" on the DVDS
I've not seen that one. The only one I have seen is "From Star Wars to Jedi: The making of a saga". It came out in 1985, and narrated by Mark Hamill

[JackBauer]

Hey! I'm 14 years old and I want to see it so bad! Though I was born in 1992. I am still in love with the things of the 70s and 80s.

Original He-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the original, Superman: The Movie, Superman II, Star WARS, Ghost Busters, Transformers etc...

I still apreaciate that type of stuff!! ! Im proably going to love this better than the '97 SE's or (I actually first saw stars Wars liek in 1995 or soemthing) The newly released DVD's.

I was actually trying to convince my dad to get it on Laser Disc and get my dad to buy a player, so I could watch the "original" Star Wars!!!:up: :) Now It seems I dont have 2.....

I wish more kids these days were like you... :up:

[Obi-Ron]

I still apreaciate that type of stuff!! ! Im proably going to love this better than the '97 SE's or (I actually first saw stars Wars liek in 1995 or soemthing) The newly released DVD's.


I felt exactly the same when I watched the original King Kong last week.

[Kurosawa]

The first time I saw that making of documentary "From Star Wars to Jedi", which was when I was still a kid in single digits, I was awed from the miniatures and models.

Since then, I've learned about the tricks of making movies, from camera tricks to double exposure to miniatures and models to stop motion to CGI. I can look past the vaseline on the camera and matte lines. Why? Because the special effects don't make the story. The actors and actresses make it.

However, when you have behind-the-scenes footage of a movie set entirely on a soundstage painted green, and the actors being told to "react to a being that will be inserted later on the computer, and this being is behind them on their right... their other right... and as you turn around this being is very frightening... more frightening... it's very damned scary", all I can do is laugh.

There's more minatures and models in AOTC and ROTS than in the entire OT. It's just the quality of the effects and the compositing makes it hard to tell what's a model and what's CGI.

I never knew until I saw some behind the scenes stuff just how much of the stuff in the prequels was actually not CGI.

[Addendum]

The actors were CGI :D

[Wilhelm-Scream]

There's more minatures and models in AOTC and ROTS than in the entire OT. It's just the quality of the effects and the compositing makes it hard to tell what's a model and what's CGI.

I never knew until I saw some behind the scenes stuff just how much of the stuff in the prequels was actually not CGI.True. I remember being shocked to see that a shot of the audience in the Pod Race was actually just hundreds of little Q-Tips dipped in different colors of paint and propped up in a little box.:up:
And the animatronic masked aliens in the prequels are awesome.
There's so much anti-CGI bigotry that they sometimes don't even bother to stop and notice the great non-CG stuff.

I remember I assumed so many of the sets were CG when in reality they were "big"-atures. Even heard fools complain about how unreal and cartoony they looked. :D

[Addendum]

True. I remember being shocked to see that a shot of the audience in the Pod Race was actually just hundreds of little Q-Tips dipped in different colors of paint and propped up in a little box.:up:
And the animatronic masked aliens in the prequels are awesome.
There's so much anti-CGI bigotry that they sometimes don't even bother to stop and notice the great non-CG stuff.

I remember I assumed so many of the sets were CG when in reality they were "big"-atures. Even heard fools complain about how unreal and cartoony they looked. :D
When you have CGI movies like "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" that looks amazing, but has a mediocre story as an afterthought, I can understand some of the anti-CGI stuff.

[Darren Daring]

When you have CGI movies like "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" that looks amazing, but has a mediocre story as an afterthought, I can understand some of the anti-CGI stuff.

Why? The CGI has nothing to do with the story. How can anyone with common sense understand the hating based on that evidence?

[Addendum]

The Final Fantasy movie looked amazing. The story was weak. To me, it seemed like the eye candy wanted you to ignore the boring story.

Same with some of the comics during the 90's. Artwork that looked cool had a mediocre plot.

A strong story will shine out, no matter the amount of eye candy.

[Darren Daring]

Yes, but those things aren't mutually exclusive. You can have both cool art and cool plot, great cgi and great story. Having one doens't negate the other.

[Addendum]

Yes, but those things aren't mutually exclusive. You can have both cool art and cool plot, great cgi and great story. Having one doens't negate the other.
I never said they were exclusive.

[Darren Daring]

Then how do you understand people haitng CGI because Final Fantasy had a weak story?

[Addendum]

I said "I can understand SOME of the anti-CGI stuff"

Emphasis on the word "some" for the slow kids

[Darren Daring]

Okay, how do you understand some of it?

[Addendum]

Okay, how do you understand some of it?
****ing christ, this is going in circles.

I hate slow kids

[Darren Daring]

Spell it out for me. How does some poeple hating one thing based on a completely different thing make sense to you?

[Addendum]

If you can't spell, not my fault.

[Darren Daring]

Oh I see, your opinion is completly validated now.:up:

[Addendum]

Oh I see, your opinion is completly validated now.:up:
And since I never bother with validating my opinion...

Why should I care?

[Darren Daring]

Because I asked you to explain yourself and it's no skin off your back to do it?

[Master Chief]

My A New Hope disc stopped working so... kickass.

[Addendum]

Because I asked you to explain yourself and it's no skin off your back to do it?
I have other things to do. Explaining something on an internet message board is nowhere on my list

[Darren Daring]

I have other things to do. Explaining something on an internet message board is nowhere on my list

But explaining why you don't have time to explain it really ranks up there?

[Addendum]

But explaining why you don't have time to explain it really ranks up there?
It's on my list right here...

1) have fun

[Lt. Figgnuts]

Ugh.

I don't mind that they're releasing the originals on DVD. In fact, I say more power to the people that held out. I've got the original DVD set, and I'm personally happy with them.

But it's Lucasfilm that is really pissing me off. Where do they get off, telling us they would absolutely, positively, never ever in a million years release the original theatrical releases, because the new updated versions jived better with Lucas' "vision," and then turn around and release them anyway?

Some might say they realized this was the best way to appease the fans.

I say it's them trying to manipulate the fans to make a quick buck. They knew that people would buy the first DVD set if nobody thought they'd put out the originals. And then what do they do? Put out the originals, because they know those people will be so excited, they'll go out and buy 'em.

Ugh. Just ugh.

Infuriating.

[Addendum]

Ugh.

I don't mind that they're releasing the originals on DVD. In fact, I say more power to the people that held out. I've got the original DVD set, and I'm personally happy with them.

But it's Lucasfilm that is really pissing me off. Where do they get off, telling us they would absolutely, positively, never ever in a million years release the original theatrical releases, because the new updated versions jived better with Lucas' "vision," and then turn around and release them anyway?

Some might say they realized this was the best way to appease the fans.

I say it's them trying to manipulate the fans to make a quick buck. They knew that people would buy the first DVD set if nobody thought they'd put out the originals. And then what do they do? Put out the originals, because they know those people will be so excited, they'll go out and buy 'em.

Ugh. Just ugh.

Infuriating.

I can do nothing but laugh

[Wilhelm-Scream]

George Lucas is a compulsive liar. This has already been proven with Revenge of the Jedi as I said on a previous page.

[Lt. Figgnuts]

George Lucas is a compulsive liar. This has already been proven with Revenge of the Jedi as I said on a previous page.

That he is.

I'm sticking with it long enough to buy the Prequel Trilogy box set, for completest's sake, and then I'm washing my hands of it.

[LostSon88]

I say it's them trying to manipulate the fans to make a quick buck. They knew that people would buy the first DVD set if nobody thought they'd put out the originals. And then what do they do? Put out the originals, because they know those people will be so excited, they'll go out and buy 'em.

Ugh. Just ugh.

Infuriating.

You're just NOW getting it?

Congrats, You've just taken your first step into a larger world...

;)

[cyborg ninja 14]

*inner Star Wars geek takes over*

[Daisy]

While I am annoyed at the turn-around of "we'll never relase them" to "okay we're releasing them this fall"... I have to admit sadly...


I am Lucasfilms' *****. :(

[Mister J]

While I am annoyed at the turn-around of "we'll never relase them" to "okay we're releasing them this fall"... I have to admit sadly...


I am Lucasfilms' *****. :(
Admission is the first step to recovery.

[Armand Z Trip]

I hope the Star Wars Holiday Special is an easter egg

[GoldGoblin]

I bet Lucas isn't going to put any special features into this unaltered set.Lucas will probably put the deleted scenes in the 07 anniversary set,that will make people who buy this unaltered set have to buy the 07 set to get the deleted scenes that they want so bad.

Because Lucas hates this version of the movies,we shouldn't expect anything amazing.No special features,no deleted scenes,no cool menus,no good picture quality,no good sound.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I bet Lucas isn't going to put any special features into this unaltered set.Lucas will probably put the deleted scenes in the 07 anniversary set,that will make people who buy this unaltered set have to buy the 07 set to get the deleted scenes that they want so bad.

Because Lucas hates this version of the movies,we shouldn't expect anything amazing.No special features,no deleted scenes,no cool menus,no good picture quality,no good sound.In the distant past I would;ve said "yer crazy", but I was blown away by how uninspired, cheap and shoddy the packaging for the dvd boxset was, seriously blown away, in light of, like, the LOTR boxsets, etc.

Probably just slap those originals on a disc, pop 'em in a plastic case, and Pow, buy 3 more islands. :(

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I hope the Star Wars Holiday Special is an easter eggyeah, I hope Paul McCartney forms a new band with Ice Cube and Buckethead called "The Fist-****ers".

[Flexo]

In the distant past I would;ve said "yer crazy", but I was blown away by how uninspired, cheap and shoddy the packaging for the dvd boxset was, seriously blown away, in light of, like, the LOTR boxsets, etc.

Probably just slap those originals on a disc, pop 'em in a plastic case, and Pow, buy 3 more islands. :(

Luckily, all of Lucas' greed is bubbling out his neck, and will soon drown itself in the Atlantic.

http://www.afi.com/tvevents/laa/lucas/dinner/Lucas-&-Ford.jpg
Look, even now it's planning its escape.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

If someone could get past his honor guard of Yes-Men and lance that thing like a boil, maybe all the toxins would flow out, away from his brain, and he could re-make the prequels as they should've been, with different writers and directors. :(

[marcvader]

I've waited sooo long for this.

[\S/JcDc\S/]

Lucas is a smart man.

[thedeadite]

as much as i hate to admit it...i'm sure lucas has boughten him atleast one mansion from my money alone...i'm way too much of a star wars geek for my own good, and definitly will be buying this

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I'll bet Lucas also knows how to speak English. :(

[William15]

Luckily, all of Lucas' greed is bubbling out his neck, and will soon drown itself in the Atlantic.

http://www.afi.com/tvevents/laa/lucas/dinner/Lucas-&-Ford.jpg
Look, even now it's planning its escape.


You just made me role over the floor laughing! You should be a comedian!

[Gamma Ray]

And again they produced CRAP cover art:

http://starwars.com/episode-iv/release/video/img/20060516_iv_bg.jpg http://starwars.com/episode-iv/release/video/img/20060516_v_bg.jpg http://starwars.com/episode-iv/release/video/img/20060516_vi_bg.jpg

[Obi-Ron]

Oh well, it's what's on the disc that counts.

[The Kid]

Aw that's crap. We go from epic artwork to shtty photoshop... just like the special editions.

[JOELLY]

AT LAST!!!!
In time for my b-day!whats the price?

[Backdrifter]

http://starwars.com/episode-iv/release/video/img/20060516_v_bg.jpg
LOL!! Vader looks soo stupid. That is the Hayden promo session.

[블라스]

So this will have NO extras?
Because while the Solo-Greedo thing is a bit bothersome, I think actually WANTING to see all thise matte lines or whatever over the new fx is just stupidly fanboyish.
I'd rather have the new versions with the extras.
That's just me.

[DCW]

I like them! :up:

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/276/dvdcollage3ko.jpg

New vs. Original Posters (I didn't put this pictures together, found it on another forum...)

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Hahaha

Crap - Genius
Crap - Genius
Crap - Genius

I think George is suffering from dementia or something.

Since these, uh, are supposed to be the original, un-f***ed-with ode to the past, wouldn't it make sense to use old, original art for the cover?
:down:confused:

And that Empire Darth Vader, lol
"RaaAAaarh, ME COOKIE VADER! RhaArh!"

[Addendum]

Better Covers are Here (http://www.rixgrafix.com/index_094.htm)

[Strgts]

Bah those are Fan Made :( I wil lnot be happy though if the Official Original "Star Wars" DVD Cover still has Episode 4 A New Hope. This version is the one before they named it Episode 4 A New Hope

[Ultimate Movie-Man]

Lucasfilm has announced that this September fans can look forward to the long-awaited DVD release of the original theatrical incarnations of the classic "Star Wars" trilogy!

In response to overwhelming demand, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release attractively priced individual two-disc releases of "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." Each release includes the 2004 digitally remastered version of the movie, as well as the original theatrical edition of the film. That means you'll be able to enjoy "Star Wars" as it first appeared in 1977, "Empire" in 1980, and "Jedi" in 1983.

See the title crawl to "Star Wars" before it was known as "Episode IV"; see the pioneering, if dated, motion control model work on the attack on the Death Star; groove to Lapti Nek or the Ewok Celebration song like you did when you were a kid; and yes, see Han Solo shoot first.

This release will only be available for a limited time: from September 12th to December 31st. The international release will follow on or about the same day. Each original theatrical version will feature Dolby 2.0 Surround sound, close-captioning, and subtitles in English, French and Spanish for their U.S. release. International sound and subtitling vary by territory.

"Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in theaters," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts and Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Ltd. "We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we're very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars. Topping it off with a new interactive adventure makes September 12 a red-letter day for Star Wars fans."


_______________________________________

Hellz yeah.:cool::up:

The only reason I think that the originals are important, is because, as you said, the special effects are pioneering. Did Warner Bros. or Peter Jackson touch up and "remaster" by effectively changing the original King Kong? No :o

George Lucas, even though the films are his, has no real right to. He became bonkers releasing touched up versions whilst doing the films: WHAT WAS THE POINT!?!?!?!

[Kent]

Haha! I knew the wait would be worth it.

[Steelsheen]

I like them! :up:

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/276/dvdcollage3ko.jpg

New vs. Original Posters (I didn't put this pictures together, found it on another forum...)

heh, i was about to post that :D :up:

[Addendum]

Bah those are Fan Made :( I wil lnot be happy though if the Official Original "Star Wars" DVD Cover still has Episode 4 A New Hope. This version is the one before they named it Episode 4 A New Hope
The covers on the link I gave may be fan made, but they're better looking

http://www.rixgrafix.com/sw_4as.jpg

http://www.rixgrafix.com/sw_5as.jpg

http://www.rixgrafix.com/sw_6as.jpg

Oh, the fan-made covers made use of the "Actual movie posters". The guy who created the covers I posted didn't draw them.

http://www.evan.org/posters/sw1.jpg

http://www.evan.org/posters/esb8.jpg

http://www.evan.org/posters/rotj7.jpg

The actual posters are much better looking than the "official covers" for this set

[Erzengel]

Lucas has free reign on my wallet. :(

[DCW]

Those are nice covers Addendum, they look great.

Has anyone heard the news from the TheDigitalBits:


We've confirmed something that we'd begun to suspect... and it's probably going to disappoint a lot of you. It certainly disappoints us here at The Bits. Those new DVD editions of the Star Wars films? The original theatrical versions of the films are going to be non-anamorphic (our original post on this indicated otherwise, but we have confirmed that the widescreen versions will be letterboxed only). What this likely means is that Lucasfilm has simply re-purposed the non-anamorphic transfers that were done for previous laserdisc and VHS releases of the "original" versions of the films. And with that, our enthusiasm for this DVD release has just dropped through the floor. Anamorphic-enhanced versions of the theatrical editions, we'd buy in a heartbeat. But what we're going to get instead is little better than a ported-over laserdisc. In this day and age, releasing a widescreen film without anamorphic enhancement on DVD is just unacceptable. Does Lucasfilm really think fans want those versions of the films on DVD so badly that people just won't care? Yes Virginia, they do. How many versions of these films do you suppose Lucasfilm will try to get fans to buy in high-def over the coming years? And think about it... you just know the studio has to be prepping yet another standard DVD release for next year's 30th Anniversary of the original Star Wars. Do you suppose this means that the theatrical editions won't be included in the super-über box set of all six films? Probably. Ugh.


http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

My anticipation is not near as high now...:o

[Gamma Ray]

Lucas is just being an as-hole.

[Backdrifter]

Those are nice covers Addendum, they look great.

Has anyone heard the news from the TheDigitalBits:


We've confirmed something that we'd begun to suspect... and it's probably going to disappoint a lot of you. It certainly disappoints us here at The Bits. Those new DVD editions of the Star Wars films? The original theatrical versions of the films are going to be non-anamorphic (our original post on this indicated otherwise, but we have confirmed that the widescreen versions will be letterboxed only). What this likely means is that Lucasfilm has simply re-purposed the non-anamorphic transfers that were done for previous laserdisc and VHS releases of the "original" versions of the films. And with that, our enthusiasm for this DVD release has just dropped through the floor. Anamorphic-enhanced versions of the theatrical editions, we'd buy in a heartbeat. But what we're going to get instead is little better than a ported-over laserdisc. In this day and age, releasing a widescreen film without anamorphic enhancement on DVD is just unacceptable. Does Lucasfilm really think fans want those versions of the films on DVD so badly that people just won't care? Yes Virginia, they do. How many versions of these films do you suppose Lucasfilm will try to get fans to buy in high-def over the coming years? And think about it... you just know the studio has to be prepping yet another standard DVD release for next year's 30th Anniversary of the original Star Wars. Do you suppose this means that the theatrical editions won't be included in the super-über box set of all six films? Probably. Ugh.


http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

My anticipation is not near as high now...:o

Wow. Lucas truely is an *******.

[Spidey-Bat]

At first when I saw this topic, I was happy. Now after reading the above, I'm not. I'll wait until there's an anamorphic HD/Blu Ray trilogy set. In the mean time, I'll settle for the raped versions.

[Orko Is King]

I like them! :up:

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/276/dvdcollage3ko.jpg

New vs. Original Posters (I didn't put this pictures together, found it on another forum...)

Hahahaha! Look at Vader's poncho on the ESB poster!

[The Kid]

Those cheap photoshop covers make them look like shtty star wars knockoffs; the kind you find in the dvd bargain bin at the supermarket...

It's just not about quality anymore, is it, Lucas. . .

edit: Wow carrie fisher was nice back then though. mmm mmm... beautiful.

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Lucasfilm has announced that this September fans can look forward to the long-awaited DVD release of the original theatrical incarnations of the classic "Star Wars" trilogy!

In response to overwhelming demand, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release attractively priced individual two-disc releases of "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." Each release includes the 2004 digitally remastered version of the movie, as well as the original theatrical edition of the film. That means you'll be able to enjoy "Star Wars" as it first appeared in 1977, "Empire" in 1980, and "Jedi" in 1983.

See the title crawl to "Star Wars" before it was known as "Episode IV"; see the pioneering, if dated, motion control model work on the attack on the Death Star; groove to Lapti Nek or the Ewok Celebration song like you did when you were a kid; and yes, see Han Solo shoot first.

This release will only be available for a limited time: from September 12th to December 31st. The international release will follow on or about the same day. Each original theatrical version will feature Dolby 2.0 Surround sound, close-captioning, and subtitles in English, French and Spanish for their U.S. release. International sound and subtitling vary by territory.

"Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in theaters," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts and Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Ltd. "We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we're very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars. Topping it off with a new interactive adventure makes September 12 a red-letter day for Star Wars fans."


_______________________________________

Hellz yeah.:cool::up:

PHUCK GEORGE LUCAS! Why didn't that money greedy rat bastard do this in the first place!

[boywonder13]

SHouldnt it at least say the Original Theatrical Edition because it just looks like they are re relasing the same DVDs by the general public. LimitedEdition sunds gay!

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

SHouldnt it at least say the Original Theatrical Edition because it just looks like they are re relasing the same DVDs by the general public. LimitedEdition sunds gay!

That's becaues George Lucas is gay. Officially he is gay!

[boywonder13]

Original Theatrical Edition

Or Classic Edition, or Historical or something would be a good Edition title.

[boywonder13]

Heres a cover, I made :)

EDIT

[boywonder13]

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8999/starwarsposter9sm.th.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/my.php?image=starwarsposter9sm.jpg)

[GoldGoblin]

The covers look cool.

[boywonder13]

...

[Edward Brock]

Those are nice covers Addendum, they look great.

Has anyone heard the news from the TheDigitalBits:


We've confirmed something that we'd begun to suspect... and it's probably going to disappoint a lot of you. It certainly disappoints us here at The Bits. Those new DVD editions of the Star Wars films? The original theatrical versions of the films are going to be non-anamorphic (our original post on this indicated otherwise, but we have confirmed that the widescreen versions will be letterboxed only). What this likely means is that Lucasfilm has simply re-purposed the non-anamorphic transfers that were done for previous laserdisc and VHS releases of the "original" versions of the films. And with that, our enthusiasm for this DVD release has just dropped through the floor. Anamorphic-enhanced versions of the theatrical editions, we'd buy in a heartbeat. But what we're going to get instead is little better than a ported-over laserdisc. In this day and age, releasing a widescreen film without anamorphic enhancement on DVD is just unacceptable. Does Lucasfilm really think fans want those versions of the films on DVD so badly that people just won't care? Yes Virginia, they do. How many versions of these films do you suppose Lucasfilm will try to get fans to buy in high-def over the coming years? And think about it... you just know the studio has to be prepping yet another standard DVD release for next year's 30th Anniversary of the original Star Wars. Do you suppose this means that the theatrical editions won't be included in the super-über box set of all six films? Probably. Ugh.


http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

My anticipation is not near as high now...:o

That is one really low blow...

[britrogue]

Oooooh....should I or shouldn't I? I already own these taped of the TV, the Digital remastered videos, the first DVD boxset release. Three copies? Can I afford to make that four?

[Kent]

I'm gonna hold out for an anamorphic set. I've gone this long without buying the ****ty versions... I can wait a bit longer (and you all know the day will come when an anamorphic set is released).

[Obi-Ron]

There's just no pleasing some people.

[Edward Brock]

There's just no pleasing some people.
LOL.
You're a funny guy, you. :D

[Addendum]

Well, since anamorphic widescreen is a standard for DVDs and has been for a few years...

[Erundur]

Those are nice covers Addendum, they look great.

Has anyone heard the news from the TheDigitalBits:


We've confirmed something that we'd begun to suspect... and it's probably going to disappoint a lot of you. It certainly disappoints us here at The Bits. Those new DVD editions of the Star Wars films? The original theatrical versions of the films are going to be non-anamorphic (our original post on this indicated otherwise, but we have confirmed that the widescreen versions will be letterboxed only). What this likely means is that Lucasfilm has simply re-purposed the non-anamorphic transfers that were done for previous laserdisc and VHS releases of the "original" versions of the films. And with that, our enthusiasm for this DVD release has just dropped through the floor. Anamorphic-enhanced versions of the theatrical editions, we'd buy in a heartbeat. But what we're going to get instead is little better than a ported-over laserdisc. In this day and age, releasing a widescreen film without anamorphic enhancement on DVD is just unacceptable. Does Lucasfilm really think fans want those versions of the films on DVD so badly that people just won't care? Yes Virginia, they do. How many versions of these films do you suppose Lucasfilm will try to get fans to buy in high-def over the coming years? And think about it... you just know the studio has to be prepping yet another standard DVD release for next year's 30th Anniversary of the original Star Wars. Do you suppose this means that the theatrical editions won't be included in the super-über box set of all six films? Probably. Ugh.


http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

My anticipation is not near as high now...:o

I had said in a earlier post that I was going to buy the box set, but since reading this, I plan on waiting for a anamorphic set.

Damn you Lucas :mad:

[Wilhelm-Scream]

pitchforks

torches

let's go to Skywalker Ranch

[Backdrifter]

pitchforks

torches

let's go to Skywalker Ranch

They moved out of the ranch to a complex in San Fran.

[Edward Brock]

Then we're gonna have to torch both, won't we?

[zer00]

Oh so...technically I already own these:o

[Strgts]

Looks like it will be another 20 or so years of Fans complaining & whining about there being no WideScreen Original Unaltered Versions :o

[Flexo]

Looks like it will be another 20 or so years of Fans complaining & whining about there being no WideScreen Original Unaltered Versions :o

Well, why settle for crap?

[Obi-Ron]

http://home.earthlink.net/~ronsuploads/getalife.gif

[Edward Brock]

Oh so...technically I already own these:oYou have the LD's? Do they look any good?

[zer00]

You have the LD's? Do they look any good?

I have rips of the LD. They look fine. It's kind of cool since after the others were restored the lightsaber colors were...eh

[Edward Brock]

I have rips of the LD. They look fine. It's kind of cool since after the others were restored the lightsaber colors were...eh ...absolutely different for no reason whatsoever.

[Rac]

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/2995/piss9sk.jpg

[zer00]

...absolutely different for no reason whatsoever.

original
http://www.dvdactive.com/images/editorial/screenshot/2004/10/falconsaber.jpg

2004:
http://www.dvdactive.com/images/editorial/screenshot/2004/10/falconsaber_copy2.jpg

original:
http://www.dvdactive.com/images/editorial/screenshot/2004/11/sabers0.jpg

2004:
http://www.dvdactive.com/images/editorial/screenshot/2004/11/sabers0_copy2.jpg

[sithgoblin]

That f**king sucks. What a half assed effort. They should have done to these that they did to the Indiana Jones release.

[zer00]

You got to admit. Vader with a hot pink saber is hilarious.

[GoldGoblin]

I knew Lucas wouldn't go all out to make this edition all that great,because he hates this version.

[Ultimate Movie-Man]

Then why continue the ****ing franchise? ****wit, he really is a ****wit.

[GoldGoblin]

Did you guys really think we were going to get the best picture quality,deleted scenes,special features,etc?

[Ultimate Movie-Man]

Not exactly. I just expected George Lucas to be smarter and not lose his mind.

He's making money off all the other merchanidse, why does he HAVE to resell the redone versions? They said it would only sell until 31st december 2004, they are/were STILL selling it.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I just expected George Lucas to be smarter and not lose his mind.Then you obviously haven't been following his career very closely.

[raybia]

There now everyone can stop complaining about Lucas "raping" their childhoods...although I gotta admit, I saw this coming...


Lucas never had any intention of raping our childhoods, just raping our wallets.


Lucas is so full of s***

There will be a sequel trilogy. I GUARANTEE IT.

And you know what? After the travesty that was the so-called prequels (i actually refuse to acknowledge them as canon) who gives a s***

But with one the largest fan bases of any sci/fi property Lucas will be able to rape them over and over and they will let him.

(Hell if it got enough buzz I would probably let Lucas rape me again.)

[Edward Brock]

Oh... hahahahahah! :D

I had no idea about this:

Edit: Read the disclamer.

http://www.starwarz.com/tbone/editorials/original_original_trilogy_dvds.htm

Here's a teaser:

(...)What on Earth does George's ex-wife, Marcia Lucas, have to do with any of this, you ask? Well, let's just say that their divorce way back when didn't just fade away amicably. Lucas was rich and the company was doing well. Lucas and his wife decided to part ways. However, there was that little issue of the money and how to split it up. I won't get into all the details on who got what and why, but suffice it to say that Marcia Lucas stands to get a nice paycheck whenever anything related to the ORIGINAL Star Wars films is released or aired. However, because the Special Editions are changed films and therefore NOT the originals, she doesn't get anything, (or perhaps very little - I'm not 100% sure).

Think hard on that last sentence. This could possibly change your perception on Lucas' motivation behind creating a Special Edition in the first place, could it not?.....

.....Think again, fanboy. If these original versions of the films are released as BONUS FEATURES, then that would nullify, pretty much, any monetary obligations to Marcia. This is exactly what I heard around the water cooler and I called it speculation at first until I saw an ad that confirmed it reading: "DVDs include special bonus material - the original theatrical movies from 1977, 1980, & 1983!" So, what you will actually be buying in the stores during this limited Disneyesque run is the 2004 editions (again) but with the ORIGINAL versions as bonus features.

So one could assume that Marcia would get nothing and Lucasfilm would keep all the dough. Of course they'll spin it as them giving us the versions we want, catering to the fans, etc. so I'm curious to see how they market this. The sales ad reads, "These are the DVDs fans have been demanding - Huge sales potention for new and core fans!" Ugh.(...)
And check out that flyer!

[Ultimate Movie-Man]

BWAHAHA!

On September 12, STAR WARS fans can experience the original trilogy like never before!

SCOFF.

[JackBauer]

taken from: http://www.starwarz.com/tbone/editorials/original_original_trilogy_dvds.htm

George Lucas himself then went public to MTV.com saying this: "It's just the original versions, as they were. We didn't do anything to it at all. But we're not sure how many people want that. Now we'll find out whether they really wanted the original or whether they wanted the improved versions. It'll all come out in the end."

this jackass is obviously trying to deter people from buying this set by releasing this in an awful package just so he can justify his beloved "enhanced versions".

you gotta hand it to him: he's an a$$hole, but he is a marketing genius. it's win-win for him.

[Edward Brock]

What people should do is buy this set in massive numbers and then send enraged letter to LucasFilms. This way it would not only proove that people do want the unaltered versions but that they also want them in a techinically good state (video/sound wise).

[Darthphere]

taken from: http://www.starwarz.com/tbone/editorials/original_original_trilogy_dvds.htm



this jackass is obviously trying to deter people from buying this set by releasing this in an awful package just so he can justify his beloved "enhanced versions".

you gotta hand it to him: he's an a$$hole, but he is a marketing genius. it's win-win for him.



Ummm no. Its called reverse psychology. Its in his interest, financially for this set to sell like hot cakes. By saying things like that people like you get all mad. "Ill show him, im buying two copies!" And he laughs and dances with the devil.

[JackBauer]

Ummm no. Its called reverse psychology. Its in his interest, financially for this set to sell like hot cakes. By saying things like that people like you get all mad. "Ill show him, im buying two copies!" And he laughs and dances with the devil.

that's exactly what I said. it's win-win for him.

if people buy it because of what he said, he wins. if people don't, he can later justify another alteration to the OT yet again and mention the poor sales to the originals as evidence that people don't want that. it's a stroke of genius.

me? I'm waiting for the 30th anniversary edition. I'm sure there'll be more than enough fanboys buying this to justify another release. one that's actually worth the money.

[Edward Brock]

The bastard. lol

[Darthphere]

Hes a smart son of a *****.

[GoldGoblin]

that's exactly what I said. it's win-win for him.

if people buy it because of what he said, he wins. if people don't, he can later justify another alteration to the OT yet again and mention the poor sales to the originals as evidence that people don't want that. it's a stroke of genius.

me? I'm waiting for the 30th anniversary edition. I'm sure there'll be more than enough fanboys buying this to justify another release. one that's actually worth the money.

^That's pretty smart.

[JackBauer]

Hes a smart son of a *****.

a real evil genius, uncle George is...

[ultimatefan]

Well, I for once will be happpy to finally see again SW without that ridiculous scene where a bounty hunter misses a shot at point blank range at a sitting Han Solo...

[zanos]

Lucasfilm has announced that this September fans can look forward to the long-awaited DVD release of the original theatrical incarnations of the classic "Star Wars" trilogy!

In response to overwhelming demand, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release attractively priced individual two-disc releases of "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." Each release includes the 2004 digitally remastered version of the movie, as well as the original theatrical edition of the film. That means you'll be able to enjoy "Star Wars" as it first appeared in 1977, "Empire" in 1980, and "Jedi" in 1983.

See the title crawl to "Star Wars" before it was known as "Episode IV"; see the pioneering, if dated, motion control model work on the attack on the Death Star; groove to Lapti Nek or the Ewok Celebration song like you did when you were a kid; and yes, see Han Solo shoot first.

This release will only be available for a limited time: from September 12th to December 31st. The international release will follow on or about the same day. Each original theatrical version will feature Dolby 2.0 Surround sound, close-captioning, and subtitles in English, French and Spanish for their U.S. release. International sound and subtitling vary by territory.

"Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original version that they remember experiencing in theaters," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts and Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Ltd. "We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we're very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for Star Wars. Topping it off with a new interactive adventure makes September 12 a red-letter day for Star Wars fans."


_______________________________________

Hellz yeah.:cool::up:


You mean fans aren't pleased with the updated versions? lol.

[Darthphere]

a real evil genius, uncle George is...


I wish he would adopt me.:confused: :(

[JackBauer]

I wish he would adopt me.:confused: :(

trst me, you don't want that. :o

[Matt]

Well, I for once will be happpy to finally see again SW without that ridiculous scene where a bounty hunter misses a shot at point blank range at a sitting Han Solo...

Amen. Not only does it make Greedo look like an incompetant ass...it makes Han look like an incompetant ass for letting Greedo take that shot.

[Matt]

Anyway, Remember on Roseanne, during the opening credits, how she would win the poker hand and rake in all the chips while laughing her ass off? I can't get the image of George Lucas doing that with all the fanboys' money out of my head :)

[Ruined Angel]

I really wish I'd stuck to my guns and waited...if I'd known about this I would not have bought those VILE special edition dvds. Now I'll have to fork out and buy the original's. So points to Lucas, I guess, because he has managed to con so many people. Still hate the guy though.

[Ultimate Movie-Man]

I loathe him.

[Darthphere]

trst me, you don't want that. :o


I wouldnt want to be the heir to his millions?:confused:

[Obi-Ron]

Amen. Not only does it make Greedo look like an incompetant ass...it makes Han look like an incompetant ass for letting Greedo take that shot.


It doesn't make the guys at ILM look very good either.

[Edward Brock]

Yeah, Han's head/torso movement... LMFAO

[Kurosawa]

You mean fans aren't pleased with the updated versions? lol.

Most people I talk to in RL couldn't care less. In fact, they think people are stupid for wanting the earlier versions because the new versions are better. Even the Han shoots first thing is pretty much an issue only for internet fanboys.

I personally feel they're 99% the same movies except for Jedi, which I think is greatly improved by getting rid of the damn annoying "Yub-yub" song.

What I did was buy LD transfers online and dealt with it.

[Backdrifter]

Nah, the Ewok song was great. But, I do like the new ending aswell, minus Hayden.

[Kurosawa]

It always got on my nerves. I think it's kinda part of the reason why people hated the Ewoks.

[Darth Elektra]

Is the box set expected to go down in price any?

[BloodyWolverine]

As much as i like the new versions when it comes to longer scenes and all i have an old love for the old score at the end of return of the jedi in the original format. So i may just have to own both sets

[Darren Daring]

Anyway, Remember on Roseanne, during the opening credits, how she would win the poker hand and rake in all the chips while laughing her ass off? I can't get the image of George Lucas doing that with all the fanboys' money out of my head :)

I liked the later credits where they aged using Michael Jackson's patented morphing techonology. But yeah, I got you.

[bluejake01]

Amen. Not only does it make Greedo look like an incompetant ass...it makes Han look like an incompetant ass for letting Greedo take that shot.

It also completely alters his character arc and journey.

[The_Raven]

I don't know what this means.

[Octoberist]

It also completely alters his character arc and journey.

If you're joking, that's funny.

If not, then you're such a nerd. :doom:And I know that I'm on a board about superhero films, but damn.:eek:

[sithgoblin]

If you're joking, that's funny.

If not, then you're such a nerd. :doom:And I know that I'm on a board about superhero films, but damn.:eek:
You make my head hurt.

[bluejake01]

If you're joking, that's funny.

If not, then you're such a nerd. :doom:And I know that I'm on a board about superhero films, but damn.:eek:

OK...look...some one doesn't have to be a nerd to undertsand this. As it was originally filmed and released Han shot first. This was not a scene that George Lucas had to compromise on in 1975 or 76 when they were filming. He filmed it the way it was scripted. He decided later after he had kids he should change it to make Han less of a "bad guy". He thought it sent a bad message to kids.

The problem is this: Han shot first. He did this because that is exactly the kind of impulsive criminal he was. He was supposed to be a scoundrel that would shoot first and ask questions later. That is the begining of his journey in the films...he starts as a man living in the seedy underbelly of organized crime. He has hit rock bottom, and is trying to survive. What the audience is supposed to take with them is the sense that this guy is a criminal, and in many ways a coward. He is far from being the hero he becomes. His journey takes him from being a "bad guy" to being a genuine "good man".

This is not a nerd nitpick...it is a genuine literary complaint.

[Backdrifter]

OK...look...some one doesn't have to be a nerd to undertsand this. As it was originally filmed and released Han shot first. This was not a scene that George Lucas had to compromise on in 1975 or 76 when they were filming. He filmed it the way it was scripted. He decided later after he had kids he should change it to make Han less of a "bad guy". He thought it sent a bad message to kids.

The problem is this: Han shot first. He did this because that is exactly the kind of impulsive criminal he was. He was supposed to be a scoundrel that would shoot first and ask questions later. That is the begining of his journey in the films...he starts as a man living in the seedy underbelly of organized crime. He has hit rock bottom, and is trying to survive. What the audience is supposed to take with them is the sense that this guy is a criminal, and in many ways a coward. He is far from being the hero he becomes. His journey takes him from being a "bad guy" to being a genuine "good man".

This is not a nerd nitpick...it is a genuine literary complaint.
/clap