George Lucas releasing the ORIGINAL versions of Star Wars again!

[Archae]

On DVD, this September.

Looks like George Lucas actually does listen to the fans. :woohoo:

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.

http://starwars.com/episode-iv/release/video/news20060503.html

[RoyGBiv]

1. Star War XXVII

The Quest for More Money.

I am actually glad people will be able to get the original, theatrical release, but Lucas simply makes me sick with all this crap. The theatrical release was, at one time, long ago, in a galaxy apparently far, far away, available for purchase. But the bastard yanked it in deference to his "new and improved" version.

A friend bought the originals on laser disc many moons ago, and I watched them recently. That was a nice afternoon/evening.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

5. Yeah, I can't help but think this is to get more $$$ before Blu-Ray

That said, I've boycotted all the releases since the THX widescreen videos so I'll probably pick these up, although I wish he could release single discs and not force people to buy the "special editions" for the brazillionth time.

[Atman]

10. My son is a SW freak...we have the original, plus every other version

The funniest thing about the original version is seeing the matte cutting around the space ships. Big chunky squares are totally obvious, even though I don't remember seeing them when I originally saw it in the theaters. It really is hoot to watch the first one compared to the re-masters.

[kay1864]

11. That's what I'm talking about!

(see my posts below)

The reason is, films look different on cable/VHS/DVD than in the theaters--usually they're a little brighter after being transferred to video. Also depends on how dark the theater is, how bright the projection bulb, how reflective (and clean) is the screen, etc--all affects the image you see in the theater.

My geek friends and I were amazed about the matte squares when we saw them on HBO.

I haven't seen the VHS versions in a long while though. Are the matte squares on them, or did they clean them up?

[Atman]

13. The VHS version we have has all the mattes clearly visible.

It is almost annoying. Or at least, it would be if I actually ever watched it. I haven't played the VHS version in years. The only reason my VCR is still hooked up is because it's all wired into the system...I'm afraid if I remove it, I'll never figure out all the connections again! LOL!

[realisticphish]

2. sweet

i may actually buy them now

[WeRQ4U]

3. Me too.

I was never keen on any of the "remastered" versions.

I like old, and undigitized. Just like I remembered as a kid on TNT or whatever.

[Broken_Hero]

4. Yeah, no doubt

the new versions, the gold one, was a joke. I didnt' mind the THX enchanced one, but the gold one, and the ones they have on DVD now, are crazy...they even took the original darth vader, out of the last scene in JEDI, to put in that KID who played Young Anakin in the prequel...i was surprised to see that. My mother got me the new set on dvd for xmas, two years ago, watched them once...wasn't impressed...

[kay1864]

6. So I guess this means that...

my VHS tapes won't be worth as much on eBay now? :P

Heck, doesn't matter. I wouldn't part with them anyway.

So in the battle scenes, will we still see the "matte squares" around the TIE fighters? i.e., how "original" is this version?

[kay1864]

9. Well now I'm even more confused...

The Yahoo article (from USA Today) has this quote "The original films' video quality will not match up to that of the restored versions. "It is state of the art, as of 1993, and that's not as good as state of the art 2006," Ward says.'

But the starwars site says, "That means you'll be able to enjoy Star Wars as it first appeared in 1977, Empire in 1980, and Jedi in 1983."

I'm guessing the site quote is hype, that they won't be the "HBO versions" (with matte boxes) but rather the "cleaned-up VHS versions", i.e, without the matte boxes around the TIE fighters (anybody else know what I'm referring to there?).

[RedSpartan]

7. Excellent.

Now I can show them to my daughter as I saw them and in the order I saw them. This is a very important decision in the life of a new father.

[Beware the Beast Man]

8. How about digitally inserting better dialogue into the prequels?

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

19. Can we digitally insert a better director too?

[Bridget Burke]

12. Next: the "interactive" Star Wars

Make all versions available in one package. That way, the user can select the fancier visuals, if they wish. And still let Han Solo shoot first.

[kay1864]

14. NOBODY should let Han Solo shoot first

What a travesty. Ruined the character.

[Bridget Burke]

16. Nathan Reynolds shoots first, too.

One of several reasons he has so many fans.

[northzax]

17. no, no, no

Solo shooting first made him a better character. That little bit of rougishness lead directly to Indiana Jones-

[kay1864]

18. Exactement!

Sorry, so sorry. I had that totally backwards. I *meant* to say

"NOBODY should let Greedo shoot first".

The "Han shooting in self-defense" version should be erased from every copy on the planet. Totally agree with you--having Greedo shooting first weakens Han's character, changing him from a badass to just another guy in a bar shootout.

George Lucas, you're a weasel.

[UCLA02]

20. But that WAS the character...

Edit:

Oops, didn't read far enough down to see you correct yourself.

My fault...

[flamingyouth]

15. This is great news

:thumbsup:

[Hatalles]

21. The worst change George made to the OT was...

... inserting Hayden Christenson into the final scene of ROTJ. :puke: