# Good news- Star Wars Trilogy to be released on DVD in September 04 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 10, 2004, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442 "2004-02-10T13:56:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/1 "2004-02-10T13:56:47Z")
The original release date had not been till May 2005. More from the Washington Post: > [@](#): > > The original “Star Wars” trilogy, comprising the 1977 movie, its 1980 sequel “The Empire Strikes Back” and 1983’s “Return of the Jedi,” will be released on DVD as a four-disc boxed set in September, Fox Home Entertainment and Lucasfilm Ltd. announced yesterday. > > The announcement ends months of speculation by fans about when the beloved sci-fi films would finally be released on DVD. They have been available only on VHS videotape. No price was given for the DVD set. A bit of bad news though: > [@](#): > > Lucasfilm spokeswoman could not confirm which actors or crew members would appear for the extra features on the DVD. The fourth disc in the set will include a feature-length documentary about the “Star Wars” saga and never-before-seen footage from the making of the three films. > > \*\*The boxed set will contain the special editions of the “Star Wars” trilogy released in the late 1990s and not the original theatrical versions. \*\* bolding added by me. Linky link: [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27312-2004Feb9.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27312-2004Feb9.html) I will have my order in for it- although having to watch Greedo shoot first is a bit annoying. Stupid Lucas. . . . ---
**Author:** ![Kendo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Kendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kendo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/2 "2004-02-10T15:11:12Z")
Another link with a slightly more amusing take on the “original version” issue [http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s4i2062](http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s4i2062) Not the funniest thing I’ve read recently, but there you have it. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/3 "2004-02-10T15:14:57Z")
I will probably buy it, but I am damned glad I have my bootleg DVD of Star Wars, the original edition. THAT is the one that my son will see as the REAL Star Wars, not the Special Edition Greedo-fired-first piece of shit. ---
**Author:** ![RumMunkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@RumMunkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumMunkey)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/4 "2004-02-10T15:35:48Z")
I’m **sure** there will be an egg that will allow viewers to watch the original theatrical versions… probably by typing “1138” somewhere… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/5 "2004-02-10T18:59:03Z")
In the [USA Today](http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-02-10-star-wars-dvds_x.htm), “The original versions technically don’t exist,” says Lucasfilm’s Jim Ward, who is the project’s executive producer. “(Lucas) wanted to represent the films as they exist in his mind, and that’s the special-editions versions.” Commentary(same article): That will distress a small but vocal minority of fans who have held out hope — expressed in online petitions and Star Wars Internet chat forums — that Lucas might include the originals on DVD. “The general public won’t mind, but anybody who is a real fan of the films will,” says Doug Pratt, who publishes [DVDLaser.com](http://DVDLaser.com) and the DVD Laser Disc Newsletter. Count me in the small minority I suppose (though I haven’t signed a petition). I decided today that I am not buying this version. If the version I loved doesn’t exist (technically), then I don’t want an inferior reproduction. WHO’S COMING WITH ME? \>:( ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/6 "2004-02-10T19:01:57Z")
When does the revamped Special Edition come out, that will supposedly have additional material added to it? I’ve heard tell of Portman scenes being added to ROTJ, and Christensen digitally added to the final Three Dead Jedi vision, along other various bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Vezer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b38774/32.png) [@Vezer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vezer)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/7 "2004-02-10T19:19:16Z")
I’d tip my hat to George Lucas for ruining my childhood fantasy alternate reality but I’m not wearing a hat, and I wouldn’t care to give him that much respect. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/8 "2004-02-10T19:23:55Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > I will probably buy it, but I am damned glad I have my bootleg DVD of Star Wars, the original edition. THAT is the one that my son will see as the REAL Star Wars, not the Special Edition Greedo-fired-first piece of shit. It’s rare when i agree with you 100%, but at least it’s on important stuff like this! Bootleg DVD owners represent! ---
**Author:** ![Alzarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@Alzarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alzarian)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/9 "2004-02-10T19:45:36Z")
I’m astounded that the studios no longer have the original prints of the Star Wars trilogy. It’s truly sad, especially since the first one was even nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture back in 1977. I may still have my copy I taped off of HBO years ago, if I knew where to send it, if only to help in the reconstruction of the film. It does have the Episode IV crawl, so its not completely accurate, but a step in the right direction. It would seem a shame for Star Wars to not get the loving treatment that the Alien Quadrilogy got on DVD, what with the original films being available. ---
**Author:** ![Extraneous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/0ea827/32.png) [@Extraneous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Extraneous)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/10 "2004-02-10T20:52:29Z")
Get thee: 1 - Star Wars Boxed set Laserdiscs (the big black box) 1- LD player 1 - DVD recorder 3 - +RW or - RW DVD’s (you will want to cut out the blue screen displayed while the laser head switches sides. (and, while you’re at it, pick up the Looney Tunes LD’s - they are going dirt cheap, and contain 497 titles. WB is releasing about 60/year on DVD. Do the math.) (and I really doubt that they will ever again release “He Was Her Man”, “Wake Up The Gypsy in Me”, “Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips” and several other un-PC titles which were released on LD.) ebay is your friend ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/11 "2004-02-10T21:03:58Z")
I understand that he altered another scene to show the planet Alderan firing first on the DeathStar. Thankfully I have my original Laser disc. Doesn’t even have the episode 4 crawl-crap. Ha! Fie on you, Lucas! ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/12 "2004-02-10T21:36:57Z")
Count me out. Originals or bust! ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/13 "2004-02-10T21:37:45Z")
I’ve got a bad feeling about this… ---
**Author:** ![Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linus_Van_Pelt)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/14 "2004-02-10T21:53:13Z")
From [dvdfile.com](http://www.dvdfile.com/software/dvd-video/archive/2004/02_10.html): > [@](#): > > Of course, the big question mark amongst fans has always been whether Lucas would allow the original, unaltered original editions of the trilogy to also be released on DVD. Not possible, said Ward, who confirmed that the upcoming set will feature only the 1997 Special Edition versions of each film. “What George did in 1997,” Ward explains, “was [to] make the movie he originally wanted to make.” I feel his pain. It must have been agonizing to have such a fabulous artistic vision but be denied by the limited technology of the time. Thank goodness advanced CGI became available so that, after being cruely denied for so long, he could finally accomplish the daunting high-tech task of making Greedo shoot first. Or it could be that he’s just an egomaniacal twit. > [@RikWriter](#): > > I will probably buy it, but I am damned glad I have my bootleg DVD of Star Wars, the original edition. THAT is the one that my son will see as the REAL Star Wars, not the Special Edition Greedo-fired-first piece of shit. That, of course, is why he doesn’t care one bit what the fans (without whom he would be the trivia answer to “who directed **American Grafitti**?”) want . He’ll get his money anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/15 "2004-02-10T22:27:06Z")
Tempting but the “movie he wanted to make” isn’t one I want to see. Fie on him. Power to the bootleggers. Maybe it’ll be like the Lillywhite sessions (DMB fans will know what I’m talking about) and all the bootlegging will eventually convince them to release the real ones. Sadly, I also know it’ll sell a million copies because of the fans. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/16 "2004-02-10T22:46:07Z")
> [@](#): > > I understand that he altered another scene to show the planet Alderan firing first on the DeathStar. Ha. That was classic (as opposed to revamped by George)! ---
**Author:** ![aoty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9e8a1a/32.png) [@aoty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aoty)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/17 "2004-02-10T23:30:46Z")
The rumor of super-special editions was debunked several weeks ago. As it turns out, the list of “insider” enhancements was copied word-for-word from a uber-fan’s wish-list on a star wars message board before the release of Attack of the Clones. I’d post the link, but I don’t have it handy. Search [Slashdot.org](http://Slashdot.org) for the original link. > [@Munch](#): > > When does the revamped Special Edition come out, that will supposedly have additional material added to it? I’ve heard tell of Portman scenes being added to ROTJ, and Christensen digitally added to the final Three Dead Jedi vision, along other various bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/18 "2004-02-11T01:17:03Z")
What I figure is, at some point after the sales of the Special Edition versions have fallen off, Lucas will “give in to the fan’s demands” and “graciously” make the original versions available on DVD. Maybe I’m just cynical, but I think I’ll give the special editions a pass. I know which version I’d rather buy, and I suspect Lucas does too. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/19 "2004-02-11T01:23:21Z")
Oh, you guys are fulluvit. Y’all know that, a month after it’s released, you guys will see the set on sale while standing in line at Costco, and you’ll give in… you’ll give in… they _always_ give in… ---
**Author:** ![Moo\_the\_Magic\_Cow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@Moo\_the\_Magic\_Cow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moo_the_Magic_Cow)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442/20 "2004-02-11T01:39:21Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > What I figure is, at some point after the sales of the Special Edition versions have fallen off, Lucas will “give in to the fan’s demands” and “graciously” make the original versions available on DVD. You know, far less people actually give a damn about this than you think. You guys _can_ hit the skip scene button, ya know. Also, the CG Cloud City was a heck of a lot better than the painting. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-news-star-wars-trilogy-to-be-released-on-dvd-in-september-04/228442.md?page=2)