Is it possible to buy the unfettered, original Star Wars trilogy?

[dwell]

I see this on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Tril...1354931&sr=1-1

Does anyone know if this is the original, non-special edition trilogy? I have some Laserdisc rips of the clean trilogy, but would love to own it proper on DVD (better Blu-ray, but whatever).

 

[keeleysam]

Those DVDs contain the original trilogy without all the CGI and stuff, but be aware that they are just LaserDisc rips themselves, and the picture quality isn't that great.

 

[dwell]

Those DVDs contain the original trilogy without all the CGI and stuff, but be aware that they are just LaserDisc rips themselves, and the picture quality isn't that great.

Any better copies out there, or is this it? I want to grab it because I have a feeling these editions will disappear forever at some point.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Lucas claims to have "lost" all of the source tapes for the real versions, so the laserdiscs were allegedly the best source material they had.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I would be curious to know as well. I don't buy movies often, but I would love to buy the 6 DVD set of Star wars, that would be awesome once I setup a proper home entertainment system.

 

[xanis]

I would be curious to know as well. I don't buy movies often, but I would love to buy the 6 DVD set of Star wars, that would be awesome once I setup a proper home entertainment system.

I would really like to do this myself. You'd think that they would release the entire saga as a set.

 

[Zensal]

A New Hope was the only one that was terrible. HAN SHOOTS FIRST!!!

 

[shortylickens]

I got the special edition of each movie. Each one comes with one DVD containing the enhanced version, in proper widescreen. And one DVD containing the original theatrical version, in letterbox with relatively shitty video.
I would not be surprised if the untouched version came from a high quality VHS or laserdisc.
And I bet if the son of a bitch ever puts them on bluray they will be the changed versions as well. Alongside a VHS copy of the originals.

I am not super happy, but its acceptable to watch and remember the good old days.

 

[Kelemvor]

I have a VHS Boxed set...
http://holographica.blogspot.com/2009/09/star-wars-hologram-box.html

 

[K1052]

I got the special edition of each movie. Each one comes with one DVD containing the enhanced version, in proper widescreen. And one DVD containing the original theatrical version, in letterbox with relatively shitty video.
I would not be surprised if the untouched version came from a high quality VHS or laserdisc.
And I bet if the son of a bitch ever puts them on bluray they will be the changed versions as well. Alongside a VHS copy of the originals.

I am not super happy, but its acceptable to watch and remember the good old days.

They came off the (poorly done) laserdisc edition which was made from an unrestored print.

The original negatives were in terrible condition and had to be restored using old interpositives in better condition and a well preserved print (on much more stable film stock) Lucas squirreled away in his basement. He then re-cut the restored negative into the craptacular Special Editions. The cut out pieces still exist but would have to be reintegrated into the negative and then rescan the whole thing. The odds of that happening while Lucas draws breath are so small as to not even be worthy of contemplation.

 

[dwell]

They came off the (poorly done) laserdisc edition which was made from an unrestored print.

The original negatives were in terrible condition and had to be restored using old interpositives in better condition and a well preserved print (on much more stable film stock) Lucas squirreled away in his basement. He then re-cut the restored negative into the craptacular Special Editions. The cut out pieces still exist but would have to be reintegrated into the negative and then rescan the whole thing. The odds of that happening while Lucas draws breath are so small as to not even be worthy of contemplation.

Me'sa gonna cry

 

[Possessed Freak]

HAN SHOOTS FIRST!!!

This implies somebody shoots after Han. The correct slogan should be Greedo never shoots!

 

[lokiju]

Me'sa gonna cry

I actually said that with JarJar's voice in my head

 

[ktehmok]

I actually said that with JarJar's voice in my head

We all did, and that is what is sad.

 

[Analog]

http://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/shop/7972/

 

[shortylickens]

OK, I'm watching the special DVD right now, with commentary.
It really isnt bad EXCEPT for the whole Han/Greedo fiasco. Everything else is more than tolerable.

Also, its funny that the only actor they could get for commentary was Carrie Fisher. After the third movie she washed her hands of the whole thing and got angry any time someone mentioned it.
Maybe this was like coming to terms with a bad childhood experience or something.

 

[dwell]

I actually said that with JarJar's voice in my head

That's how I typed it

 

[dwell]

OK, I'm watching the special DVD right now, with commentary.
It really isnt bad EXCEPT for the whole Han/Greedo fiasco. Everything else is more than tolerable.

I think they layered too much shit on to the original work, like the Jawa being bucked from the Ronto outside of Mos Eisley (a real Jar Jar moment) and the overall busyness of Mos Eisley. Not to mention the sorely out of place Jabba scene. ANH was the least fettered of the Special Editions but it's enough to pretty much ruin it for me.

I know I am a SW purist fanboy and all. I don't really care if people like the Special Editions it's just I cannot bear watching them.

 

[Triumph]

Me'sa gonna cry

dude, shut UP!

 

[Iron Woode]

even the worst transfers are still better than the prequels.

 

[TheSlamma]

A New Hope was the only one that was terrible. HAN SHOOTS FIRST!!!

The Singing lady in Jabba's palace was horrid and Hayden Bitchtensen at the end of RotJ was lame too.

 

[Tobolo]

We all did, and that is what is sad.

Yup, me too.

 

[PingSpike]

The Hayden ghost was the biggest crime by far. Far, far worse then even Han and Greedo.

 

[dainthomas]

I got the special edition of each movie. Each one comes with one DVD containing the enhanced version, in proper widescreen. And one DVD containing the original theatrical version, in letterbox with relatively shitty video.

I have the original versions on VHS in widescreen. I bought the set right before Phantom Menace came out because it was widely publicized that they'd never be released again. I've only watched them a couple times, so hopefully they're in pretty good shape still.

Remastered original versions on bluray would be beyond awesome. Unfortunately that won't happen until Lucas is declared mentally incompetent or dies.

Edit: I actually think I bought them right before the "Special" editions came out in '97.

 

[dwell]

The Hayden ghost was the biggest crime by far. Far, far worse then even Han and Greedo.

I don't know. They're probably equally offensive. The Han Solo thing pretty much undermined the entire character. Really bad. The Anakin thing was pretty bad but at least he didn't piss on Alec Guinness' grave and replace Obi Wan with Ewan.