Original Star Wars Movies To Finally Be Released On DVD

[Honolulu_Blue]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/04/film.starwars.reut/index.html

Original 'Star Wars' films coming to DVD

Unaltered theatrical, digitally tweaked video versions included



LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) -- The original theatrical versions of the first three "Star Wars" films are finally coming to DVD on September 12, two years after diehard fans blasted George Lucas for releasing only the digitally modified 2004 versions of the celebrated trilogy in a boxed collection.

This time, "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" will be available individually and appear on DVD exactly as they did in their respective theatrical runs in 1977, 1980 and 1983.

Each release, distributed by 20th Century Fox, will be a two-disc set that also includes the digitally tweaked 2004 edition.

The DVDs will be available only through December 31.

-------------------

This is good news and will official mark the end of my VCR. There will be no other reason to keep it around really.

[Raiders Army]

Bastards. I knew this was gonna happen. I'm not buying them out of principle. I hardly watch the tweaked original trilogy movies.

[ISiddiqui]

HAHA! Does George Lucas know how to make money or what?

I won't waste my money getting the "original", but some crazies probably will claiming how much better they were, while Lucas gets more cash.

[stevew]

What a dick.

While i hate the new ending sequence in ROTJ, I really don't have any problem with the special editions. Greedo shot first, yeah, bad move. But to me, the fact that I got the discs in letterboxed form, with good sound and video was good enough.

I'm suprised that he hasn't brought out the 6 pack yet. I just want some finite "Final edition" at some point so I don't feel like I'm getting gyped when the new ones come out.

[jbmagic]

what was different on the digitally tweaked 2004 edition compare to the original?

[ISiddiqui]

I'm suprised that he hasn't brought out the 6 pack yet.

It'll come. First he has to release the prequals in a box set. Then when sales die down, he'll do a 6 pack. He'll milk this baby for all it's worth.

[stevew]

Plus then there will be the blu ray/hddvd versions. Which will come out 5 years after every other movie in the history of the world has been released.

[BrianD]

It'll come. First he has to release the prequals in a box set. Then when sales die down, he'll do a 6 pack. He'll milk this baby for all it's worth.

And then he will start the whole process over again with HD DVDs.

[ISiddiqui]

Plus then there will be the blu ray/hddvd versions. Which will come out 5 years after every other movie in the history of the world has been released.

Ah, good point. Didn't even think of that... then a few years after that the 'originals' on blu-ray/HD-DVD for a 'limited time'.

[sachmo71]

what was different on the digitally tweaked 2004 edition compare to the original?


nifty explosions, some added CGI stuff mostly.

[BrianD]

HAHA! Does George Lucas know how to make money or what?

I won't waste my money getting the "original", but some crazies probably will claiming how much better they were, while Lucas gets more cash.

I guess I am crazy then. I still like the original editions of the movies better...both for nostalgia reasons, and for the fact that I think all of the additions feel like they were done just to show what could be done with technology, not to enhance the story. What I did like about the 2004 editions was the new sound mix. DD2.0 just isn't going to cut it.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I don't feel all that burned by Lucas on this. I bought the VCR tapes years and years ago. I went to the theater and saw all three craptastic sequels. I also saw all the re-releases in the theater. I picked up a small handful of action figures when Episode I came out and that's it. I have spent very little on this franchise over the course of the last 10-20 years. Oh, and Lady H_B bought me a "Chewbacca" t-shirt and a "Han Shot First" t-shirt as well.

If anything, by going out and buying the "original" versions and ignoring all the crap-ass new shite, I am making a statement. Loud and clear.

[Crapshoot]

I guess I am crazy then. I still like the original editions of the movies better...both for nostalgia reasons, and for the fact that I think all of the additions feel like they were done just to show what could be done with technology, not to enhance the story. What I did like about the 2004 editions was the new sound mix. DD2.0 just isn't going to cut it.

"". There's a whole bunch of little touches that annoy me about the edited ones.

[Draft Dodger]

nifty explosions, some added CGI stuff mostly.

and fucking GREEDO

this is like the least shocking news ever. and yeah, this will retire my VCR as well.

[Draft Dodger]

and no, I don't feel burned on this, any more than I felt burned buying the two versions of each of the LOTR movies.

I mean, this is something I WANT to buy. no problem here.

[IwasHere]

I am holding out for the 3D versions of all 6 films. :)

[stevew]

I am holding out for the 3D versions of all 6 films. :)

Oh, yeah, i think those come to theatres soon.

[Mustang]

Anyone shocked that I'm looking forward to these?

[Franklinnoble]

I'm going to hold out for when Lucas edits the prequels and superimposes a CGI Han Solo into the films.

[rkmsuf]

I'm shocked they sell any of these. I mean how many times can you watch these movies?

I've seen them all multipile times. I have no burning desire to watch empire strikes back again. maybe rotj just for the slave outfit but that's it.

[BrianD]

I'm shocked they sell any of these. I mean how many times can you watch these movies?

I've seen them all multipile times. I have no burning desire to watch empire strikes back again. maybe rotj just for the slave outfit but that's it.

Heretic. Begone from this thread. :)

[rkmsuf]

Heretic. Begone from this thread. :)


I knew geekdom would be displeased with my query.

I did mention the slave outfit though.

[sabotai]

Considering I didn't buy the 2004 verion box set, I don't burned either. I'll be buying these.

[BrianD]

I knew geekdom would be displeased with my query.

I did mention the slave outfit though.

Sorry, I had to speak out for all of us who can complete a game of Star Wars Trivial Persuit in less than 5 turns. :)

You get some slack for mentioning the slave outfit.

[Mustang]

I'm shocked they sell any of these. I mean how many times can you watch these movies?


Given the original run time was about 121 minutes and I might live to 72 and I sleep 1/3 of the time.. I estimate another 160,815 times.

[Raiders Army]

If I were a store owner, I'd open my store at midnight to sell copies so I could see some freaks dress up like fat Jawas and Ewoks while others hold "real" lightsaber duels.

[Samdari]

I don't feel all that burned by Lucas on this. I bought the VCR tapes years and years ago. I went to the theater and saw all three craptastic sequels. I also saw all the re-releases in the theater. I picked up a small handful of action figures when Episode I came out and that's it. I have spent very little on this franchise over the course of the last 10-20 years. Oh, and Lady H_B bought me a "Chewbacca" t-shirt and a "Han Shot First" t-shirt as well.

If anything, by going out and buying the "original" versions and ignoring all the crap-ass new shite, I am making a statement. Loud and clear.

Oh, everyone wants the originals on DVD.

The problem is, when he released the 2004 "enhanced" versions, he assured us that they would be the only ones ever on DVD. Thus, many of us fans bought that boxed set. If I were to now buy the originals, I feel the only message I would be sending to Mr. Lucas would be - I will buy anything you sell, please keep charging me $60 for a product marginally different that the one you sold me 3 years ago. I'll be passing on the originals, also to send a message.

[Warhammer]

I'll buy these just so my son realizes that Han shot first.

[AZSpeechCoach]

Damn damn damn damn...I have to wait the whole damn summer for these. I don't mind the SE movies, but I have been looking for an original version copy of the OT.

[bulletsponge]

I'm shocked they sell any of these. I mean how many times can you watch these movies?

I've seen them all multipile times. I have no burning desire to watch empire strikes back again. maybe rotj just for the slave outfit but that's it.

agreed 100%. why do you need to own the dvds of these movies? youve seen em and already own copies. ive only seen the 2 new movies when they came on tv, no way im paying to watch that! ill might watch the final one when it comes on fox or abc, maybe

[Marc Vaughan]

HAHA! Does George Lucas know how to make money or what?

I won't waste my money getting the "original", but some crazies probably will claiming how much better they were, while Lucas gets more cash.

I'll be getting the originals - I personally avoided the 'improved' versions because I hated the enhancements and felt they detracted from the movies.

[Honolulu_Blue]

agreed 100%. why do you need to own the dvds of these movies? youve seen em and already own copies. ive only seen the 2 new movies when they came on tv, no way im paying to watch that! ill might watch the final one when it comes on fox or abc, maybe

Because I no longer have my VCR hooked up. Also, you have to think about the children. The children. . . They will want to see these movies.

[Desnudo]

I'm shocked they sell any of these. I mean how many times can you watch these movies?

I've seen them all multipile times. I have no burning desire to watch empire strikes back again. maybe rotj just for the slave outfit but that's it.

Don't forget the laughing rat

[Mustang]

Don't forget the laughing rat

Hellooooooo

It's actually a Kowakian Monkey-Lizard and his name is Salacious Crumb... :rolleyes:






man.. I'm so going to get shit for that. :D

[Draft Dodger]

man.. I'm so going to get shit for that. :D

on a board devoted to a fake football computer game? I doubt it.

[Franklinnoble]

Hellooooooo

It's actually a Kowakian Monkey-Lizard and his name is Salacious Crumb... :rolleyes:






man.. I'm so going to get shit for that. :D

My hero.

[BrianD]

agreed 100%. why do you need to own the dvds of these movies? youve seen em and already own copies. ive only seen the 2 new movies when they came on tv, no way im paying to watch that! ill might watch the final one when it comes on fox or abc, maybe

Why are other movies released with theatrical and director's cut versions? Why are other movies released in rated and unrated versions. The simple reason is that some people want them and will pay for them. Doesn't seem like that complex a concept.

[IwasHere]

I am holding out for the 3D versions of all 6 films. :)
LOL... I guess I spoke to soon on this. I didn't even know you could convert a regular 2D movie into 3D when I posted this. I just read about how Imax will be converting the new Superman movie from 2D to 3D for release on their screens. I wonder how long it will be before we see other, older films converted into 3D and re-released?

Crazy.
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/30/parts_of_superman_re.html
The Warner Brothers feature Superman Returns will become the first live-action studio feature to be released in part in IMAX 3D, using a proprietary 2D-to-3D conversion system.

As "colorized" is to black and white movies, "dimensionalized" will soon be for conventional footage which is later converted to stereo.

[ice4277]

LOL... I guess I spoke to soon on this. I didn't even know you could convert a regular 2D movie into 3D when I posted this. I just read about how Imax will be converting the new Superman movie from 2D to 3D for release on their screens. I wonder how long it will be before we see other, older films converted into 3D and re-released?

Crazy.
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/30/parts_of_superman_re.html

I could swear that I read somewhere that Lucas will be re-releasing the original trilogy in 3D in a couple years.

[kcchief19]

In case you haven't seen it, super bad news on the DVDs -- for some reason they will not be in anamorphic widescreen and the master for the DVDs will be the 1993 laserdisc versions with no restoration.

Part of me things this is Lucas digging his heels in again. There is no way these versions will look anywhere near as good as the last DVD set. It's as though he's saying that if you want the movies in their original form, you're getting them with their warts and all. Perhaps he thinks that restoring and cleaning the prints would be "altering" them, but I don't think so. And there is no real reason for not using anamorphic widescreen.

For me, this makes this set go from a must-have to a probably not. Too much just to see Han shoot first and the other original scenes and dialogue.

[Warhammer]

Agreed. As much as people complain about the new versions of the movies, I really don't think the changes were all that dramatic, aside from Han shooting first, and putting Hayden Christiansen as Anakin at the end of RotJ.

The thing that pisses me off about the Han change is that changes his whole character and character arc. Luke is a boring character, he is the pure hero. Han is the interesting character that makes the movies go.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Agreed. As much as people complain about the new versions of the movies, I really don't think the changes were all that dramatic, aside from Han shooting first, and putting Hayden Christiansen as Anakin at the end of RotJ.

The thing that pisses me off about the Han change is that changes his whole character and character arc. Luke is a boring character, he is the pure hero. Han is the interesting character that makes the movies go.

You're both right, other than the "Han Shot First" thing there really isn't that much to worry about. The next biggest thing would be that extended CGI dance sequence in Jaba's Palace in "Return of the Jedi." That was just a hint of things to come... There are also little things, like Jawas danging from the reins of giant lizards. Stupid, but easily over-looked.

It's a shame about the format. Ah well...

[Warhammer]

You're both right, other than the "Han Shot First" thing there really isn't that much to worry about. The next biggest thing would be that extended CGI dance sequence in Jaba's Palace in "Return of the Jedi." That was just a hint of things to come... There are also little things, like Jawas danging from the reins of giant lizards. Stupid, but easily over-looked.

It's a shame about the format. Ah well...

The bigger hint of things to come was the Ewoks in RotJ, but that is another discussion for another day... ;)

The CGI scene at Jabba's palace I could stomach, I never liked the original dance scene there, so I thought that was an improvement, but I don't watch RotJ that much anyway.

[Mustang]

I really don't think the changes were all that dramatic.

Oh.. you're just going to hell for that statement.

:D

[Greyroofoo]

I like the newer editions better.

Big plus that they didn't show the blob under Luke's speeder

While I don't mind that Greedo shoots first, I just wish it was more real looking.

I love how the lightsabers look now. I just wonder why they didn't fix Luke's lightsaber in ANH. Also, there's still at least one scene where Vader's saber isn't colored.

I refuse to watch the original battle of yavin sequence now.

Indifferent about showing the Wampa.

While I liked the idea of changing Boba Fett's voice, the results don't justify it.

Loved the changes they did with cloud city (opening sequence and putting in more windows where there were walls).

Loved the changed dance scene in Jabba's palace

Indifferent about the change to the Sarlacc.

I'm probably one of the few people who like seeing the prequel Anakin at the end of RotJ.

Also I believe the end of RotJ is a much more fitting end to a saga of movies instead of the original ending

[Draft Dodger]

overall, I'm OK with most of the enhancements. I don't mind Anakin in the Ewok village. There are two big things for me, though. Well, three.

1) Greedo. Warhammer is right - it really changes Han's character. Him shooting first really set the tone for him to be a...well, scoundrel.

2) Jabba in SW. To me, this is the biggest thing. The scene is wrong in so many ways. Not just from a technical aspect (Jabba looks nothing like ROTJ Jabba and the sight lines are completely off), but a story aspect. In the originals, we had no idea who Jabba was until the third movie - he was a mystery and the big reveal was awesome. Not anymore - now he's a smarmy lizard. Big woop. Plus, Han is shifted on the alignment scale yet again - instead of a smuggler who shoots first and ditches out on his debts, he's a victim who's going to try to make good. gag me.

3) just an overall thing. some of the enhancements - cloud city, the first attack on the death star really look great. others - Mos Eisley, for example, just seem to draw attention to themselves, something that digital effects should NOT do. I just think a lot of the unenhanced stuff just worked better in the originals.

but if he's not cleaning them up, I'm not sure I'm buying them. I'll just wait for the enevitable restored versions.

[stevew]

Okay, who fell for the money grab? Am I missing out by not buying these.

[Draft Dodger]

I decided against it.

[Joe Canadian]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but these releases are going to be non-anamorphic.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but these releases are going to be non-anamorphic.

Between that and those horrible commercials. . . I think I'm with DD on this.

[Schmidty]

I like the altered ones better.

Then again, I don't really care much about Star Wars.

[ice4277]

I like the altered ones better.

Then again, I don't really care much about Star Wars.

Heathen.

[Schmidty]

Heathen.

I don't hate it, I'm just not a fanatical SW fan, so I don't care if it's fucked with.