Star Wars Original Trilogy: Which Set to Buy?

[Black Orange]

Before, I get started, I more than expect for someone to jump in and chastise me by saying "Google it.", "Search the forums." or "This has already been discussed a million times."

And I already know all that and have already done all that. I've read many threads on the subject and have only become more confused.

Here's what I know or better, what I think I know:

1. I'm looking for the best quality versions of specifically, the original, unaltered, pre-1997 theatrical cuts of the films. The versions I love and remember are from the 1995 VHS release, am I correct that that release represents the above caveats?

2. From what I've read this version has never been released on Blu-ray, or at least not properly due to George Lucas' refusal to do so? Is this old news, in 2013, is this still the case?

3. From what I've read what I see recommended over and over is that your best bet is to buy the LaserDisc copies, yet I've also seen others say those copies have already been perfectly duplicated over to DVD. So, wouldn't it be better to buy the DVD version instead of the LaserDisc cost and hassle?

4. As best as I can tell, between digital copies, fan cuts, bootlegs, LaserDisc, VHS, DVD or Blu-ray, this is the best official set to buy for the unaltered cuts?:

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trilogy-W.../dp/B001EN71DG

Hopefully, my fellow Star Wars fans and Blu-ray forum users might enlighten me and not just beat me with the forum stick.

Thanks

[geomon]

It's either the laserdisc or the dvd set. Pick your poison.

[Black Orange]

@geomon

Thanks, and the link I refer to above is the correct and very best DVD box set version available for the unaltereds?

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by Black Orange

@geomon

Thanks, and the link I refer to above is the correct and very best DVD box set version available for the unaltereds?

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/site_a...1406.html#star

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Two-...ords=star+wars

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Epis...ords=star+wars

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Vers...ords=star+wars

The original versions are presented in non-anamorphic widescreen, so you're going to get black bars on all four sides of the image (not just the top and bottom but also the left and right).

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Read the description at this link:

Harmy's Star Wars: Despecialized Edition v2.5 - Video Sources Documentary - YouTube

p.s. Since you're not talking about Blu-rays, you're probably posting in the wrong forum.

[Blu-21]

The DVDs are duplicates of the 1993 Laserdisc masters but even so they do look slightly better pressed on DVD then they ever did on Laser. However the audio is another story, many of the Laserdisc versions will sound better.

Here are some screenshot comparisons for reference - http://atlas.kennesaw.edu/~dhirschl/starwars/

[Black Orange]

@blu-ray_girl_fan

Thanks

@Jar Jar Stinks

p.s. Since you're not talking about Blu-rays, you're probably posting in the wrong forum.

Actually, Star Wars has made it into every medium on the planet and considering I didn't know for sure whether there was in fact a Blu-ray version or not (I was certainly hoping), at the time of posting it was appropriate.

But, at this point, if a mod wants to move this to the "Collectibles and Limited Editions", "DVD Movies" or perhaps just the generic "Movies" (which might be the most appropriate considering the broadness of this discussion) forums, I think those all would be fitting.

Anyways, thanks for the video. I had originally and immediately dismissed the Despecialized Editions when I heard about them, but in fact after watching that video, it looks like the fans put a hell of a lot more effort into these cuts than the studios did with any of the official DVD releases.

Thanks everyone.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by Black Orange

@blu-ray_girl_fan

Thanks

@Jar Jar Stinks


Actually, Star Wars has made it into every medium on the planet and considering I didn't know for sure whether there was in fact a Blu-ray version or not (I was certainly hoping), at the time of posting it was appropriate.

But, at this point, if a mod wants to move this to the "Collectibles and Limited Editions", "DVD Movies" or perhaps just the generic "Movies" (which might be the most appropriate considering the broadness of this discussion) forums, I think those all would be fitting.

Anyways, thanks for the video. I had originally and immediately dismissed the Despecialized Editions when I heard about them, but in fact after watching that video, it looks like the fans put a hell of a lot more effort into these cuts than the studios did with any of the official DVD releases.

Thanks everyone.

They're also illegal, and continued public discussion of them will just end with this thread being deleted.

[Black Orange]

@Blu-21

Thanks

@blu-ray_girl_fan

They're also illegal, and continued public discussion of them will just end with this thread being deleted.

Why even bring that up? If we can't have an adult conversation about the current state of Star Wars releases, of which might include bootlegs and fan cuts which exist for all movies of this popularity, what's the point? If a mod feels that something silly and trivial like that requires deleting this topic, that's their prerogative.

@Everyone

Although my options are limited, I now at least know for sure the best options available, at least for now. It seems inevitable to me that proper official releases will happen one day, perhaps only once they're pried from Lucas' cold dead hands.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by Black Orange

@blu-ray_girl_fan

Why even bring that up? If we can't have an adult conversation about the current state of Star Wars releases, of which might include bootlegs and fan cuts which exist for all movies of this popularity, what's the point? If a mod feels that something silly and trivial like that requires deleting this topic, that's their prerogative.

Just letting you know how the Forum has been run the past couple of years. Individual posts making references to bootlegs and pirated downloads are quickly removed, with Suspensions being handed out from time to time.

[Black Orange]

@blu-ray_girl_fan

It's not as though @Jar Jar Stinks shared a link to download it directly or anything of the sort, which if that were the case I would agree, as a forum admin myself I would remove the link for security reasons alone.

But just to clarify, you're saying you've seen in the past people have their threads or replies deleted or as much as being straight up banned for merely mentioning the existence of such things?

That's the difference that concerns me. If it is that bad I'll take your word for it, I've already seen in some regards (like the spam filters) a much stronger strictness than I've seen on other forums.

Thanks

[Black Orange]

Okay, so for the record, it seems it is as bad as you simply cannot even mention certain "red flag" words regardless of context. Good to know.

[ultlife2013]

With all these @ it feels like a twitter conversation.

[Black Orange]

@ultlife2013

Apparently you haven't used the rest of the internet then because that's pretty much become the standard, transcended Twitter a long time ago. Certainly less obnoxious than what most people do, quote a whole 5 paragraph reply just to add a one line response to it.

In any case did you really just comment on this topic just to troll? Do you actually have anything relevant to add to the discussion about Star Wars releases?

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by Black Orange

@ultlife2013

Apparently you haven't used the rest of the internet then because that's pretty much become the standard, transcended Twitter a long time ago. Certainly less obnoxious than what most people do, quote a whole 5 paragraph reply just to add a one line response to it.

In any case did you really just comment on this topic just to troll? Do you actually have anything relevant to add to the discussion about Star Wars releases?

Star Wars is a good movie.

[Last Starfighter]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

The original versions are presented in non-anamorphic widescreen, so you're going to get black bars on all four sides of the image (not just the top and bottom but also the left and right).

Sorry BGF, but i just popped in Return of the Jedi into my BD player and mine doesn't have black bars on the sides, just the top/bottom. Are you sure you had your tv/bd player on the right settings?

@BlackOrange
I own all three of these 2disc "limited edition" versions of the old trilogy and they look fine to me when i have them upconverted on my Panny. And yah, i would choose these over the LD just because it's got nice art on the actual Discs AND a decent enough menu/title screen (considering George didn't want any effort put into this release). If i remember right, you don't get any of that on the LDs. Not to mention the LDs are going to cost alot more then the DVDs.

It's good to see the original Sy Snootles scene...I always cringe when i see the new CG one from Special Edition..

[Spooked]

I'm going to chime in and vote for the 3-disc DVD set you linked to in your initial post. I picked mine up at Costco years ago when they first came out, (passed entirely on Episodes I, II, and III) and have never thought twice about buying another version.

I'm actually not a huge Star Wars fan (these DVD's and a LEGO book are all I own relating to the 'verse) but I can't stand the idea of history being modified and permanently altered - creator's decision or not. I like my memories of the films they way they were, thank you.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Last Starfighter

Sorry BGF, but i just popped in Return of the Jedi into my BD player and mine doesn't have black bars on the sides, just the top/bottom. Are you sure you had your tv/bd player on the right settings?

I think you've got your player on the wrong settings! The only way you don't get pillar-boxing (and letter-boxing) with those non-anamorphic DVDs is if you have your player stretch 4:3 material. It's usually something like Original or Wide in your player settings.

Unless you've zoomed in a bit more with your TV settings you'll have some serious letter-boxing going on!

[Black Orange]

@Last Starfighter

Yup, I already ordered these versions thanks to @blu-ray_girl_fan sincere attempt to give me the best recommendation. I'll let you know how the quality is for me on my Blu-ray/HDTV setup (I'll probably stretch to fill the screen too) as soon as I get them. Considering the previous versions I watched were VHS, I suspect I'll be happy enough with them.

@Spooked

I feel pretty much the same, I just care about this trilogy and not the others or toys or video games etc.

I get the feeling that they're the exact same DVDs, just that the 2-disc limited editions are recommended because you can find them cheaper.

I also found the CGI in E.T. cringe-worthy. But see, here they respectfully released both the original and updated version properly on Blu-ray.

For new fans that never saw the originals, fine I get it, they can see the new versions and that'll probably suit their CGI-filled minds just fine, but for the rest of us that remember the days of practical, in-camera effects (and loved them) it's a total dismissal and slap in the face to us.

Thanks

[Black Orange]

Got my copies today (of the 2-disc limited edition versions) and the picture and sound is just fine, it's not great, no, but I have many obscure titles in my collection with worse picture and sound that I can still enjoy, so I'll manage here.

And of course, probably like everyone else here, if they ever release proper Blu-ray versions I'll certainly be all over it.

By the way, I think I solved the black bars on all sides mystery. It's not an issue with the TV settings at all, it appears to be an innate problem with the DVD transfer itself.

It's some weird aspect ratio between 4:3 and 16:9, so basically what's happening is a widescreen (rectangle) format is being put in a boxed (square) ratio and the top and bottom bars are actually in the images.

Then when being scaled to your TV (similar to old TV show ratios), the top and bottom are meeting the edge of the screen before the sides do, so you're getting the left and right bars from the background area of the TV screen.

For me (and I'd assume most modern TVs have a similar option), it's as simple as switching the aspect ratio to "Cinema Zoom" and then zooming in all the way (16X) and this runs the black bars off the screen enough to allow the left and right sides to meet the edges of the screen making for an almost perfect, 16:9 widescreen experience.