# Original Star Wars Versions Not On DVD **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 24, 2002, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743 "2002-10-24T20:51:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/1 "2002-10-24T20:51:02Z")
There has been [evidence from Mr. Lucas](http://cgi.theforce.net/theforce/tfn.cgi?storyID=16732) that he’s not going to put the original editions on the Star Wars DVD editions in 2005 (or whenever after they are actually released). To me, the special and “ultimate” editions are interesting, but don’t have the same feeling that watching the orignal editions do. So I created an online petition to try and get enough people together to tell George that we would like the original editions along with any other editions he wishes to release: [http://www.petitiononline.com/swpdvd/](http://www.petitiononline.com/swpdvd/) So if you’re bored and have nothing to better to do (and if you agree, all the better), give it a read (and maybe an autograph 🙂 ). ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/2 "2002-10-25T14:41:07Z")
#%@ Lucas drives me up the wall. I hate his revamping and updating his history. The man can never admit when he makes a mistake, instead he rewrites history. My guess is that in 15 years the “special edition” title will be dropped from the title when there is a generation who never got ot see these films in their original state. UP YERS Lucas!!! ---
**Author:** ![Engywook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc8723/32.png) [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/3 "2002-10-25T15:30:01Z")
He’s not done yet. Lucas has to get a CGI Alec Guiness up and running so we can have midichloriens in ep IV, V, and VI. “Let go, Luke… trust in your severe infection with Jedi germs.” ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/4 "2002-10-25T16:10:43Z")
Is there a reason why Lucas will start listening to the fans now? He never has before. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/5 "2002-10-25T21:45:15Z")
Because the fans are where he gets his money. It would cost him nothing to release the original movies on DVD (they were released on laserdisk, so they already exist in a digital format). It would profit him greatly. He ought to be a good enough businessman to realize that. ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/6 "2002-10-25T21:58:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chronos \* > \*\*Because the fans are where he gets his money. It would cost him nothing to release the original movies on DVD (they were released on laserdisk, so they already exist in a digital format). It would profit him greatly. He ought to be a good enough businessman to realize that. \*\* I repeat: “Is there a reason why Lucas will start listening to the fans now? He never has before.” The fans have always been where he gets his money, and he’s always utterly ignored them. Your only hope is to get his three kids to sign the petition, because that’s about the only people he gives a damn about pleasing. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/7 "2002-10-25T22:10:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Engywook \* > \*\*He’s not done yet. > > Lucas has to get a CGI Alec Guiness up and running so we can have midichloriens in ep IV, V, and VI. > > “Let go, Luke… trust in your severe infection with Jedi germs.” \*\* ::shudder:: Can you imagine if he went back and added dialogue to all the older ones to backfill his plot holes in later ones? C3PO: “What a desolate place this is…just like I remember it!!” Uncle Owen: “You! I suppose you’re programmed for etiquette and…and…hey, waitaminute - didn’t we own you for several years, until we inexplicably gave you to Aunt Shmee’s long lost son?” ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/8 "2002-10-25T23:16:00Z")
Well, Lucas _did_ apparently listen to the fans once before. You’ll recall that the original plan was to hold off on _all_ DVD production until all six films were completed. Apparently, Lucas had problems with delegation, or something. Anyway, there was a big hue and cry, and there were petitions, and **The Phantom Menace** got its DVD release. And now **Attack of the Clones** is coming out in a timely manner. So, on at least one occasion, the fans did make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/9 "2002-10-25T23:28:30Z")
He also bowed to fan outrage when NSync or the Backstreet Boys or whoever were going to play Jedis in Ep 2. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/10 "2002-10-26T01:36:54Z")
Crap. I liked parts of the Updates, but I’ll recognize Missoura before I believe Greedo fired first! ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/11 "2002-10-26T01:40:49Z")
There’s an awful lot of misinformation in this thread that would take a long time to correct. Just take it from me, a lot of what is being said here is not true. Except for the OP, but that was ancient old news. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/12 "2002-10-26T01:44:55Z")
Um. No. Try being specific. What’s incorrect and what are your sources? Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/13 "2002-10-26T01:49:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GuanoLad \* > **There’s an awful lot of misinformation in this thread that would take a long time to correct. Just take it from me, a lot of what is being said here is not true.** Oh, ok there, Mister Mystery. “You’re all wrong but I’m far too busy to say why. Adieu!” ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/14 "2002-10-26T01:57:11Z")
Most of the posts here are opinion or satire. The only post that had any real assertion of fact was: > [@](#): > > Well, Lucas did apparently listen to the fans once before. You’ll recall that the original plan was to hold off on all DVD production until all six films were completed. Apparently, Lucas had problems with delegation, or something. > > Anyway, there was a big hue and cry, and there were petitions, and The Phantom Menace got its DVD release. And now Attack of the Clones is coming out in a timely manner. So, on at least one occasion, the fans did make a difference. I seem to recall reading that he wanted to wait. So, I feel this post is pretty accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/15 "2002-10-26T02:03:14Z")
Rumor has it that he’s delaying the re-release so that he can incorporate a few things from the new films into the older versions. (Such as Jimmy Smits reaction to the destruction of Alderaan.) Personally, I hope that he does include the untouched versions of the original _Star Wars_ movies. ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/16 "2002-10-26T04:06:14Z")
So, where can one find the originals? Specifically, are any of the laser’s the original theatrical releases? If so, which ones? (yes, heathen has toys) ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/17 "2002-10-26T04:23:26Z")
Yet another reason to go out and get yourself a Laserdisc player. _Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back,_ and _Return of the Jedi_ **all** had no less than 3 different laserdisc pressings each of their original editions. (And at least 2 different laserdisc pressings each of their special-editions, for you special-edition fans out there that can’t wait until 2005 for half-decent home video quality.) ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/18 "2002-10-26T04:25:39Z")
Incidentally, the first CBS-FOX laserdisc pressing of the 3 original edition movies was in **pan-and-scan**. The second CBS-FOX laserdisc pressing of the original editions, and of course the Collector’s Edition CAV pressing of the original editions, were in widescreen letterbox. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/19 "2002-10-26T04:29:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by happyheathen \* > \*\*So, where can one find the originals? > > Specifically, are any of the laser’s the original theatrical releases? > > If so, which ones? > > (yes, heathen has toys) \*\* I was going to suggest eBay, and then I stumbled upon [this](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1573172788). I’m guessing it’s a bootleg/illegal version given that it’s regionless. Or is there something going on in Lucasland that we don’t know about? ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743/20 "2002-10-26T05:34:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tuckerfan \* > \*\*I was going to suggest eBay, and then I stumbled upon [this](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1573172788). I’m guessing it’s a bootleg/illegal version given that it’s regionless. Or is there something going on in Lucasland that we don’t know about? \*\* Interesting - the languages bit may be a tip-off - I know WB is releasing Looney Tunes on VCD in the far east (Malaysia, I think) - they are not to be imported to the US, but guess what… Maybe Lucas is doing the same? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-star-wars-versions-not-on-dvd/133743.md?page=2)