Good news for Star Wars fans with long memories: On September 12, Lucasfilm is releasing DVDs of the original trilogy in its original theatrical form. In other words, you’ll finally be able to see Han shoot Greedo first, like he did in 1977. This should please all of us Star Wars oldtimers who were irked at the Stalinist digital airbrushing in the re-released versions, tinkering that smoothed the rough edges (of both the characters and the special effects) and seemed like George Lucas’ effort to erase from our collective memory the grubby and flawed originals we first fell in love with. Of course, there’s a catch: the discs will be available only until Dec. 31.
Also, Lucasfilm honcho Rick McCallum tells Sci Fi Wire it’ll be at least a year before the 3-D versions of the movies and the two Star Wars TV series (more animated shorts set during the Clone Wars, and a live-action show set during the 20-year gap between Episode III and Episode IV) are ready for release. The tinkering never stops.
Comments (1-29) of 29 Add your comment
::jumps with giddy glee:: Anyone know how to order a copy? Is it only through a special site or will they be available in regular retail?
Don’t get too giddy! They are basically re-releasing the DVDs from ‘04, individually by movie, and the original version is a bonus feature on one of the discs. And who doesn’t own the box set from ‘04 (or the one from last year, sans bonus disc)??!
It doesn’t sound like the original versions have been re-mastered, and they mention only 2.0 surround sound. Quality-wise, they sound like the old laser disc releases.
With the exception of Han not shooting first, I prefer the Special Editions with their improved effects. I will get it as a completist, but probably never watch the unaltered versions
Yeah!! its about time
Hrmm…so its not just the originals? I have the originals on the remastered VHS set that was released years back. But yes, I’m a completionist too so I’ll probably get these.
At last! I’ve been willing to give my left arm to see the Death Star explode again without that stupid CGI ring around it!
that’s ok thanks i’m all fed up already with star wars, and do we really need to give george lucas more money, hell he has so much he can start his own galactic empire…(wait a minute start of galactic emire = star wars fans….me thinks possibility exists hmmm.
OMG! They should have done this when they put out the new ones in 04! GOSH! Get out your $$$$. Will I buy them? Oh hell yeah!
Someone get me the Kool Aid man to break through some walls because I am yelling “OH YEAH’ at the top of my lungs right now.
If they could only make an edited version of episodes 1,2,3 with Jar Jar edited out, I can die a happy fan.
What an amazing thought: Lucas actually providing what the fans what. His arrogance up until now has been astounding. The Special Editions cleaned everything up nicely, but any additions were to show what he was now able to do technology-wise, and didn’t improve them as movies.
For my generation (and yes, I’m dating myself here), the original version of Episode IV was a seminal movie. This was what I wanted for my collection, even though I already have it on Full-screen VHS (I have the specials on Wide-screen).
For my 2 cents, I didn’t mind some of the smoothing and minor added scenes (and yes, I did see the original trilogy in theaters). What I didn’t like was things that changed the scenes, like the Greedo shooting first thing, that scene with Jabba at the Falcon, and Luke’s yelp as he fell down the shaft in Bespin. Wuss.
Okay, good, NOW I can add the Star Wars trilogy to my collection. Good to see the fans’ and my own stubbornness paid off. Took long enough though – talk about pulling teeth!…
Now, do you think it’s asking too much to beg LucasFilms to put the Star Wars Christmas Wookiee Special on the special features disc? I know I’m not alone in my thoughts here: I’m dying to see that thing.
More money for George Lucas to market the same old, same old. Why doesn’t he produce (but not direct, thank you) episodes 7, 8 and 9? But I guess, if he repackages it, they will come.
Meier- The Wookie X Mas special is really as bad as they say it is. I’m talking Galactica 1980 bad. Highlander 2 bad. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s Catwoman bad.
Um, George Lucas has me on puppet strings, because I’m a sucker and buy everything he puts out, and I don’t even fight it, I just do it. What? You’re going to re-release the old films in theaters? Okay, I’ll go. You’re going to release them all again, but in 3D this time? I’ll be there. And although I already have the old Star Wars in VHS, and of course in DVD, I guess now I’ll have to buy them yet again. I’m not complaining. I just do it.
Lucas needs a few more dollars in his pockets for the next series of movies that he or his kids will make!
Dear George Lucas,
Where’s Indy 4, you bastard!
FINALLY!!! It’s about bloody time Lucasfilm listened to the millions of screaming/begging/desperate pleas that fans the world over have been making for years! Hardly anyone prefers the tampered, “stalinist” special editions, so thank goodness they’ve finally decided to stop giving us the middle finger and release the versions that we truly love. And yes, obviously it’s all about money, but I don’t care, seen as how this will be the only Star Wars DVD’s I will ever purchase. Finally!!
Agree with Idris. The Star Wars work was fun, but my man’s been torturing us about an Indiana Jones 4 since the last one proved to be such a hit (my now balding azz was in MIDDLE SCHOOL when the third one came out some 16 years ago). Star Wars is the bees knees but I am fiending for more of Harrison Ford’s OTHER defining role.
Chewie get us out of here, the kraken is coming…
You boys need to forget about Indy 4, Harrison is going to be too old and broken down to play that role. Or maybe what Lucas has in mind is now Ford is the dad and we’ll see the adventures of Indiana Jones Jr. Jr. You old bastard Lucas!! Give the rights to Indy and Star Wars to someone that has a little vision and testicular fortitude to make a good Sci-Fi/Fantasy movie, and stop milking people with re-release after re-release of the same material from 25 f’n years ago!!
George you piece of crap! How many times are you going to re-release the same material? Why in God’s name would I go see a 3D version of SW. I’ve seen it! I’m not putting any more of my money in your pockets on old material. What true fans of SW want to see are good movies based on good stories and acting. We don’t want to see, “I love you.” “no,I love you more.” crap!! Somewhere in all that money that you have made you have forgotten that. Take us back, or let someone with directing skills, take us back to a galaxy far far away with a good story. Otherwise, just tell everyone your done with SW and move on, let it die or let someone else take over! You piece of crap!!
When will the Star Wars fans learn that Lucas is a hack and ne’er-do-well? How many times are you going to be suckered into buying the same thing before you stop? Will it take the triple platinum F@#k you up the A@@ version??
Han shot first?
I hope that’s a joke.
Money making scheme? Possibly. This is George Lucas after all. But at least the Star Wars fanboys can stop complaining now after months of begging Lucas to re-release the original versions. For everyone else, why are some of you so pissed off over this? If you don’t want it, fine. It’s not like Lucas is forcing you to purchase them. It’s just catered to the hardcore fans that asked for it. No need to go insane over it.
Limited Edition Clone Wars Watch
Some either have just dozens I can go on indefinitely, but you really must savour what this edition has brought forth yourself.In the…
Business math lesson plans
Medications weight gain Texas junior college football Us playing card California drug abuse <a h…
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Another title to add to the Star Wars gaming shelf, The Clone Wars picks up where the movie Episode II: Attack of the Clones leaves off. In fact, the very first battle in this game re-creates the climactic battle in the movie, with you leading the…
In Iran, Putin Warns Against Military Action:
http://salihome.info/show/index.html