Found this this morning.

Original Unaltered Star Wars Trilogy on DVD!
Source: Lucasfilm
May 4, 2006


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."

Oops, thought I was on the Movie board.

You are. :confused:

Anyhoo - great news.

Curse you GL.

You said you would never release the original as you said the mutated versions are the final version. They said the original film was destroyed in the restoration process.

So I made sure I had a decent VHS version of the OT. I got laser discs so I could watch the movie I saw on the big screen.

I have a stack of VHS tapes all with the final final versions. My pile of DVDs is also growing. And now this

It is all about the money. Next it will be HD, 3D, 4D, Smell-o-vision etc. Hoiw many times do they think we will buy the movie over and over again?

Well this should prove Han shoots first



Alex
Styrofoam Guy

WHAT DID I TELL YA'S!!!!!

I KNEW this was going to happen. :D It wasn't a matter of "if", it was a matter of "when". All of GL's posturing and "the originals are gone" were just misdirection tactics, just like I've been saying all along. It was just marketing crap to sell as many of the SE's as he could.

I love being right. :dude:

Doesn't GL have enough money already?

I think, to show good intentions and to acknowledge that he has enough money, GL ought to sell the trilogy for about $15!!!! OR sell at a decent retail price and give all the money to a charity. That would be worth it...otherwise, it really is just all about the money!!!

Yep, they are doing the same with Bond as well - yet another set of DVDs out soon, no doubt with another set of remastered soundtracks. The guys are out there to make money, so I suppose they have good reason to deny there would be original versions when they put out the special edition DVDs. Personally, since I hate some of the remake CGI content, I will be delighted if these originals actually happen, as God intended them. Remind us of the immense achievement that was created in 77.
I would welcome an original STTMP disc as well, but that isn't going to happen.

Ha, HA! I'm with you Ziz, and my stall tactic worked. I haven't bought a single SW DVD, a one-man boycott until they released the originals in unaltered form. Excuse me while I do the geeky "original SW fan dance of victory"...

José

oh my god!

thats one less thing for "fans" to bit*h about!

GL haters must be sad today!

AND WHY does it matter who shot who first??

man, IT'S JUST A FLIPPIN MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gosh, what a surprise.

Maybe Lucas' "fans" will at last stop burning him in effigy for having "raped their childhoods."

Of course, the release of the originals comes as welcome news to the "Lucas is a Greedy Bastard" contingent...

The guys are out there to make money, so I suppose they have good reason to deny there would be original versions when they put out the special edition DVDs.

:rolleyes:

I sincerely hope that the first film IS the version that opened in May of '77. No "Episode IV: A New Hope" rerelease garbage on the crawl, and clean, undistorted cockpit voices between Rebel pilots during the Death Star battle.

I'd rather have the second disc on this film to be all of the deleted scenes or even the first rough cut of the film. Maybe even include the Robert Guenette The Making of Star Wars TV doc.

Great news, regardless. I'll be picking up a few sets.

John Guard, Carson Dyle-thank you. I agree entirely!

[QUOTE=Styrofoam_Guy]It is all about the money. Next it will be HD, 3D, 4D, Smell-o-vision etc. Hoiw many times do they think we will buy the movie over and over again?/QUOTE]

Good question. How many times will you?

It is all about the money. Next it will be HD, 3D, 4D, Smell-o-vision etc. Hoiw many times do they think we will buy the movie over and over again?

Good question. How many times will you?

I'll admit it. I'll keep buying it as long as he keeps putting it out. I'm a sucker, much to my wife's chagrin.

I'll admit it. I'll keep buying it as long as he keeps putting it out. I'm a sucker, much to my wife's chagrin.

:p Join the club. :thumbsup:

Spend more money? I think its silly to spend a lot of money on Star Wars stuff. I mean really, that's quite obsessive. I sure won't be buying these. ;)

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/DSC00929a.JPG

What, this old thing? Just something I threw on to do the laundry.

Huzz

i still dont understand this love-hate thing some "so called" fans have for GL.
he gave you SW but since ROTJ, the complaining has never stopped.
and as for the bit about " childhood memories" being tainted by revised editions..........was SW YOUR PARENTS?
if you, you have serious issues!

You are. :confused:

Anyhoo - great news.

Oh, of course, before anyone reads it someone moved it from the Star trek board to where it belonged in the first place :p

i still dont understand this love-hate thing some "so called" fans have for GL.
he gave you SW but since ROTJ, the complaining has never stopped.


People generally love/like good movies and hate/dislike bad movies. It's simple really.

And you also hate it when someone changes (or messes with) something you love... regardless of whether he is/is not entitled to make changes, regardless of the merits of the changes, regardless of whether the changes were part of a grander plan. It's human nature to feel that way.

José

People generally love/like good movies and hate/dislike bad movies. It's simple really.

Guess that explains why movies like CITIZEN KANE, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, REDS, THE INSIDER, MASTER & COMMANDER, THE CONSTANT GARDENER, and SYRIANA were so popular at the box office, whereas MADAGASCAR and SAW II failed to find an audience. ;)

STAR WARS fans will continue to debate the aesthetic merits of individual episodes but, generally speaking, "people" love/like each of them to essentially the same degree.

As far as modern audiences are concerned, the STAR WARS saga is greater than the sum of its parts.

And you also hate it when someone changes (or messes with) something you love... It's human nature to feel that way.

I hear what you're saying Jose but, honestly, don't you think the Lucas Bashers overreacted somewhat? Particularly in light of today's annoncement I find the whole "George Lucas raped my childhood" charge to be pretty, well, childish.

it is also human nature to GROW UP and accept that somethings in life dont mean EVERYTHING.
being a fan of a film is one thing, being a fanatic about a film is another but being OBSESSED about a Sci-Fi film to the point of blaming a ruined childhood is beyond any rational thinking and requires therapy.

i dont mind the debates of which SW version is the best. i do think that hating GL and accusing him of things goes too far. he has everyright to do what he whats to the SW film, because ultimately THEY ARE HIS FILMS AND NOT YOURS or anyone elses.
he made them for himself.

Guess that explains why movies like CITIZEN KANE, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, REDS, THE INSIDER, MASTER & COMMANDER, THE CONSTANT GARDENER, and SYRIANA were so popular at the box office, whereas MADAGASCAR and SAW II failed to find an audience. ;)


I never said movie audiences always had good taste. Especially when it comes to heavily hyped "genre" films.

Why do people hate The Godfather III?
Why do people hate Superman III and IV?
Why do people hate Alien IV?

Why do people hate The Godfather III?
Why do people hate Superman III and IV?
Why do people hate Alien IV?

Far be it from me to question the failure of the titles in question; with the exception of GODFATHER III -- which pales in comparison to prior installments, but which I regard as a guilty pleasure -- I haven't seen any of them (was there actually a SUPERMAN IV? Who knew).

My point was that terms like love/hate and good/bad are highly subjective, and predicting what audiences will embrace is anything but "simple."

I hear what you're saying Jose but, honestly, don't you think the Lucas Bashers overreacted somewhat? Particularly in light of today's annoncement I find the whole "George Lucas raped my childhood" charge to be pretty, well, childish.

There are more constructive ways to express a disagreement when some people take a certain course of action that one dislikes, yes. :) I abhor the use of loaded words or sentences to express opinions. I find them too emotional and dishonest, because, when used, I think the intent is to bait others into an emotional response not have a frank discussion of ideas.

But to answer your question (there's actually two... or at least I read two):

- Do I think they overreacted on the merits of changing the Original Trilogy? No, you and I have had discussions about this before.

- Did they overreact because they accused Lucas of never releasing the Original Trilogy? Yes. And I've always been of the opinion that the originals would be released at some point (or at least, argued that they should be released). That's why I've waited on the purchase of the DVDs.

José

Far be it from me to question the failure of the titles in question; with the exception of GODFATHER III -- which pales in comparison to prior installments, but which I regard as a guilty pleasure -- I haven't seen any of them (was there actually a SUPERMAN IV? Who knew).

My point was that terms like love/hate and good/bad are highly subjective, and predicting what audiences will embrace is anything but "simple."


Predicting that audiences would "embrace" (i.e. Box Office) was simple though in the case of the last three Star Wars installments. I mean, it was a given. Part of the problem we all have with this discussion is that "Star Wars" is admittedly a self-contained phenomenon - so we all sort of flounder back to our own "subjectivity" when trying to discuss it "objectively". I was 20 years old in the Summer of '77, so that Star Wars "magic" didn't rub off on me quite the way it did with many here - although I've stated before that the first film deserves it's place on any "Best Movies of All Time" list - including my own. The Beatles were a part of my childhood and even their worst work makes me smile. I don't really like "The Long and Winding Road" or "Dig a Pony" or "I Me Mine" - but it's The Beatles for cripe's sake - so I cut 'em a break. I think Star Wars is like that for a lot of people.

- Do I think they overreacted on the merits of changing the Original Trilogy? No, you and I have had discussions about this before.

- Did they overreact because they accused Lucas of never releasing the Original Trilogy? Yes. And I've always been of the opinion that the originals would be released at some point (or at least, argued that they should be released). That's why I've waited on the purchase of the DVDs.

Okay, but if you've always been of the opinion that Lucas would eventually release the originals on DVD what difference did it make if he made a few tweaks for the sake of narrative and stylistic continuity? Why, under the circumstances, would you have denied the artist the right to finish his masterpiece as he saw fit?

Okay, but if you've always been of the opinion that Lucas would eventually release the originals on DVD what difference did it make if he made a few tweaks for the sake of narrative and stylistic continuity? Why, under the circumstances, would you have denied the artist the right to finish his masterpiece as he saw fit?

Do you really want to go on this round robin again? ;) I am of the opinion that, with the exception of two specific changes, Lucas' tweaks were superfluous and added nothing to the story. To me, and this is where you and I disagree, he decided to change a few things because he could, not because they were needed or because they advanced the story.

But my biggest problem with Lucas was his saying that the Original Trilogy no longer existed and everyone out there either had to buy the new versions or stick it. Notwithstanding this latest development, his position was less than honest IMO because there was no reason for him not to offer both versions and let the audience decide.

José

That's teriffic news.. I always liked the ending of the original Jedi movie with the singing.. I missed that when Special Edition came out.

El Gato wrote:
But my biggest problem with Lucas was his saying that the Original Trilogy no longer existed and everyone out there either had to buy the new versions or stick it.
:p

The vision of Lucas telling us to "stick it" just cracked me up! :lol:
Can you imagine that kindly fellow, sitting in his nice home turning
to the interview camera and saying "You fans buy the new version
or stick it!"

I'm serious! I'm sitting here laughing at my computer screen.
That's funny!

Predicting that audiences would "embrace" (i.e. Box Office) was simple though in the case of the last three Star Wars installments. I mean, it was a given.

With regards to the first two installments, I’m not so sure.

As I recall there was a tremendous amount of debate as to whether what worked for audiences back in the 70’s and early 80’s would work for modern filmgoers. Audiences – particularly young audiences – have changed a great deal since the summer of 1983. That THE PHANTOM MENACE hit as big as it did was by no means a slam dunk (in fact, given the hype, it probably underperformed)

Likewise, following the critical drubbing (largely deserving IMO) that greeted THE PHANTOM MENACE there was legitimate concern that audiences would avoid ATTACK OF THE CLONES altogether. Today we know they didn’t, but at the time it was a very real possibility.

With regard to Sith… yeah, handicapping that one was a no-brainer. Audiences had been waiting almost 30 years to watch Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader have at it, and nothing was going to keep them away.

any[/i] "Best Movies of All Time" list - including my own. The Beatles were a part of my childhood and even their worst work makes me smile. I don't really like "The Long and Winding Road" or "Dig a Pony" or "I Me Mine" - but it's The Beatles for cripe's sake - so I cut 'em a break. I think Star Wars is like that for a lot of people.

No doubt you’re right.

An entire generation of younger viewers (and plenty of older ones like Yours Truly) appreciate the newer episodes as well as the older ones. In fact, the more I watch and re-watch these movies with my young sons and their friends, the more I’ve come to view them as a unified piece. I know guys like you think we’re crazy, but for the sake of the Fab Four I hope you’ll find it in your heart to cut us a break. :)

To me, and this is where you and I disagree, he decided to change a few things because he could, not because they were needed or because they advanced the story.

I understand, but if you believed he’d eventually release the originals anyway why not give him the benefit of…

Oh, nevermind.

his position was less than honest IMO because there was no reason for him not to offer both versions and let the audience decide.

Can’t speak for Lucas, but if it was me I’d only want MY final cut of MY movie floating around the marketplace.

Art is not a democratic process, and while the audience is free to either embrace or ignore my movies, they have no right to “decide” my creative choices for me.

As for Lucas’ assertion that the original prints no longer existed, and would therefore never be released, I too am shocked –- shocked! – by his evil, cynical, duplicitous tactics. It’s almost as if he was in show business or something!

Honestly, in the annals of Evil Motion Picture Moguldom, George Lucas doesn’t even make it into the top 100. Given the extent to which the man's films have entertained me over the years, I’m inclined to cut him a break too.

When I saw the Return of the Jedi in the theater, I remember
watching Luke look out and seeing Obi-Wan appear as a Force-
ghost, a pause, then Yoda, another pause, and finally Anakin.

The latest versions skip that and just show the three of them together.

I miss the original version. I hope they put it back that way.

How can you not like "Long and Winding Road"?!?! :freak:




:D

Can’t speak for Lucas, but if it was me I’d only want MY final cut of MY movie floating around the marketplace.

Art is not a democratic process, and while the audience is free to either embrace or ignore my movies, they have no right to “decide” my creative choices for me.

I have an artistic side to me too (not to the same scale as creating something that's beloved by several generations, but still...). There's a drawing I made that my mom just loves. I actually had a problem with how it came out, so I took another sheet of paper and gave it a second try. The second drawing is, IMO, a much better representation of the subject and superior in every way. Regardless, my mom prefers the first one. It's not the one I'd display, but will I tell my mom, as I'm ripping the first drawing, "No, you don't really love that one. Here, take this one instead!" No. I gave her the one she prefers. At some point every artist has to realize that once something is out and embraced by the public it is no longer 100% yours.

As for Lucas’ assertion that the original prints no longer existed, and would therefore never be released, I too am shocked –- shocked! – by his evil, cynical, duplicitous tactics. It’s almost as if he was in show business or something!

Lucas' words, not mine. Besides, if he truly was in the movie business, he'd chase the money and milk it for all that it's worth.

José

I have an artistic side to me too (not to the same scale as creating something that's beloved by several generations, but still...). There's a drawing I made that my mom just loves. I actually had a problem with how it came out, so I took another sheet of paper and gave it a second try. The second drawing is, IMO, a much better representation of the subject and superior in every way. Regardless, my mom prefers the first one.

For some reason I just flashed onto a scene from MISERY. ;)

Your point about an artist knowing when an artwork is finished is valid, but it cuts both ways. Unfair as it may seem, an artist must first be allowed to satisfy himself if he is ever to be expected to satisfy anyone else.

With regard to the aforementioned drawing I Feel Your Pain, but don't take it out on George Lucas; I suspect he would've encouraged you to keep drawing until you were happy with the results.

"Art is never finished, only abandoned."

But George doesn't know when to let go.

I have no problem with Lucas making continual revisions to his movies. They are "his movies" after all.

I can understand that folks like one version over another and I recognize their dissatisfaction when the version they like is no longer available. And it seems that by making the originals available, Lucas recognizes that too. So what's the problem? Buy the versions you like and be happy!

Huzz

I hope people aren't dissappointed when they see how clunky the old special effects were. Remember the original Millenium Falcon as seen here in 1976?

http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/8127/falcon6td.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:p

Actually, you're not far off; the first cut of the Death Star trench battle consisted of random dogfight footage strung together from old WW II movies.

Just out of curiosity, what is that thing?

I hope people aren't dissappointed when they see how clunky the old special effects were. Remember the original Millenium Falcon as seen here in 1976?

http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/8127/falcon6td.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I LOVED that shot! Can't wait to see it again in all its undigitally unenhanced glory!!!

For some reason I just flashed onto a scene from MISERY.

Your point about an artist knowing when an artwork is finished is valid, but it cuts both ways. Unfair as it may seem, an artist must first be allowed to satisfy himself if he is ever to be expected to satisfy anyone else.

With regard to the aforementioned drawing I Feel Your Pain, but don't take it out on George Lucas; I suspect he would've encouraged you to keep drawing until you were happy with the results.
Last edited by Carson Dyle : Today at 02:05 AM.

How COULD you go and change your original post???? :cry:

The first version of the post was friggin' PERFECT! You've betrayed EVERYONE here on the forum! :mad:

And you also hate it when someone changes (or messes with) something you love... regardless of whether he is/is not entitled to make changes, regardless of the merits of the changes, regardless of whether the changes were part of a grander plan. It's human nature to feel that way.

José


I so agree with all your posts here José. I too knew that patience was the key, and although I was given the re-hash DVDs for Xmas, I am looking forward to seeing the films as I prefer them. I needed to do nothing but sit back and wait safe in the knowledge that dollar signs would soon see these releases in the market place. Now I am not a big Star Wars fan at all, in fact, I really could not care less about the latest episodes. But even for me, I wanted to have the original cuts please, if they are the only cuts I have on the shelf.

The nature of films, if they are considered to be art, is such that it is possible to 'improve' or revisit them without having to destroy the originals - this is not something you can do if you were Constable brought back in time to touch up one or two canvasses and add an extra tree here or there because paintbrush technology had improved over the years.So I think the alleged assertion that only one true version could exist in the marketplace was complete and utter spin.

By the way, looks like the 2 disc set will contain the director editions anyway - add a nice new box to it and bingo, you've covered all bases..

I've waited all this time just so when all six episodes are released, I'll have the most up-to-date versions of all the movies and maybe even the FINAL versions of each.

How COULD you go and change your original post???? :cry: The first version of the post was friggin' PERFECT! You've betrayed EVERYONE here on the forum! :mad:

What can I say; the original FX sucked. :)

"Art is never finished, only abandoned."

This quote is generally attributed to Leonardo, who painted and repainted the MONA LISA until he got it the way he wanted it.

So I think the alleged assertion that only one true version could exist in the marketplace was complete and utter spin.

To which "alleged assertion" are you referring?

Unfair as it may seem, an artist must first be allowed to satisfy himself if he is ever to be expected to satisfy anyone else.

"Art is never finished, only abandoned."

But George doesn't know when to let go.

Buy the versions you like and be happy!

I's agrees wit' the threes of ya!

José

I have no problem with Lucas making continual revisions to his movies. They are "his movies" after all.

I can understand that folks like one version over another and I recognize their dissatisfaction when the version they like is no longer available. And it seems that by making the originals available, Lucas recognizes that too. So what's the problem? Buy the versions you like and be happy!

Huzz

From an artistic standpoint I agree with what everybody else has said. GL is free to do what he wants with his work...no problem there.

What bugs me is the apparent greed...

Episodes 4-6 were released to DVD as enhanced versions because Lucas said he wanted to do the things that technology wouldn't let him do back in 77 and to bring them up to par with the new movies (as much as could be done without completely changing them). Surely, at the time the enhanced versions were released to DVD he could have released the original versions as well, but he didn't.

Why?

I remember some rumbling about how they would never be released to DVD because of pirating...or something to that effect. So, most people thought the enhanced versions were the only versions they were going to get (if they wanted the trilogy on DVD).

But now, they will be available in the original edit...

I think, in the end, it's about the $$$...and there is more to be made...

Like I said earlier...give the proceeds to a charity...or more specifically the Katrina survivors and I will be in line the day they are available...otherwise I'll keep my money and use it to put HALF a tank of gas in my car!!!! :freak:

Well, this is a free market capitalist society. As such, you are also free not to buy them and keep your money in your pocket for other things.

Huzz