# Which Star Wars DVD box set should I buy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 21, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878 "2014-02-21T15:10:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/1 "2014-02-21T15:10:44Z")
I am incredibly confused. There appear to be more DVD box sets of the original (and only) Star Wars films than Gungans who died in battle. I know there’s much debate about which one to get, so I turn to you for advice. I’m only interested in ep IV, V and VI, and only DVDs. I’m also in the UK, which might make things a bit more difficult, but if someone can say “Yes, grasshopper, you must only get the 2008 Ultra Master DVD Release Pack with the Gronblish Mega-highlights”, I will be a happy person. Thankee. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/2 "2014-02-21T17:37:22Z")
If you want 4-5-6 in a box and you want the original versions and you can view Region 1 DVDs, then you want the [2008 box set](http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trilogy-Widescreen-Theatrical-Edition/dp/B001EN71DG). 3 of the disks are the Special editions, and 3 are the originals. Lucasfilm has never released a set with just the originals, at least not in America. Region 1 DVD release history for the original trilogy: 2004: Special editions only 2006: Individual 2-disks sets for each movie - 1 special edition, 1 original version. 2008: 2006 versions stuck in a box. Unfortunately I can’t help you with Region 2, if you’re limited to that. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/3 "2014-02-21T18:28:41Z")
> [@Dervorin](#): > > I am incredibly confused. There appear to be more DVD box sets of the original (and only) Star Wars films than Gungans who died in battle. I know there’s much debate about which one to get, so I turn to you for advice. For someone who only recognizes the original trilogy, you should have written Bothans, not Gungans (Jar Jar is a Gungan). ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/4 "2014-02-21T19:30:46Z")
I would wait. Now that Disney owns the rights, hopefully we’ll get a fully cleaned up effects-wise, but otherwise original trilogy. One doesn’t exist right now… the closest we have is the DVD release in 2006 (and again in 2008) which includes the unaltered original trilogy. However, the problems with this release are numerous: first, it’s not blue-ray. It’s not a proper anamorphic widescreen. There is no surround sound. Finally, it’s missing all the SFX cleanup that the special edition received. This last part I consider a nice-to-have, but even if they’d just do an exactly original trilogy with proper video & audio, like any other movie from the 70’s that gets released on Blue-ray, I’d be all over that. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/5 "2014-02-21T20:47:29Z")
Are there any whisperings going around about the latest format that’s going to be better than Blue Ray? You might want to hold off until then, because as sure as that comes out, there’s going to be a SW made for that. Probably re-edited yet again by Lucas, too. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/6 "2014-02-22T13:26:42Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Are there any whisperings going around about the latest format that’s going to be better than Blue Ray? You might want to hold off until then, because as sure as that comes out, there’s going to be a SW made for that. Probably re-edited yet again by Lucas, too. You haven’t been following the news much, have you? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/7 "2014-02-22T14:20:08Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Probably re-edited yet again by Lucas, too. In case you didn’t get it from the above poster, Lucas no longer owns Star Wars. Disney does and can do whatever they like with them, including remastering the theatrical cuts if they like. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/8 "2014-02-24T10:04:33Z")
Sorry about the delayed response to this - I’ve been mostly offline over the weekend dealing with what felt like never-ending domestic crises! > [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > If you want 4-5-6 in a box and you want the original versions and you can view Region 1 DVDs, then you want the [2008 box set](http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trilogy-Widescreen-Theatrical-Edition/dp/B001EN71DG). 3 of the disks are the Special editions, and 3 are the originals. Lucasfilm has never released a set with just the originals, at least not in America. > > Region 1 DVD release history for the original trilogy: > 2004: Special editions only > 2006: Individual 2-disks sets for each movie - 1 special edition, 1 original version. > 2008: 2006 versions stuck in a box. > > Unfortunately I can’t help you with Region 2, if you’re limited to that. I can view Region 1 DVDs, but I’ll have to check if they’re available in the UK. I’m sure some enterprising soul will have them on eBay, at least. Thanks for the clear, unambiguous direction there; it’s exactly what I needed! > [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > For someone who only recognizes the original trilogy, you should have written Bothans, not Gungans (Jar Jar is a Gungan). Yes, I know there’s a bit of a flaw in my argument there, but I was listening to Weird Al’s “The Saga Begins” and so was thinking of Gungans at about the time I was writing this post. > [@Mahaloth](#): > > In case you didn’t get it from the above poster, Lucas no longer owns Star Wars. Disney does and can do whatever they like with them, including remastering the theatrical cuts if they like. My primary reason for buying these DVDs is to introduce my girlfriend - who has never watched Star Wars (gasp!) to the original trilogy. I’m both intrigued and slightly worried by what Disney will do in terms of re-releasing the originals, with or without modifications, and also what their plans are for the long-term future of the universe. I expect they will try to turn this into a long-term series of films, but can they keep the magic alive? ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/9 "2014-02-25T18:15:58Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > In case you didn’t get it from the above poster, Lucas no longer owns Star Wars. Disney does and can do whatever they like with them, including remastering the theatrical cuts if they like. Not quite. 20th Century Fox still holds the home video and theatrical distribution rights for the original 6 films until May 2020, which means we’ve got a long wait unless Fox and Disney work something out before then. Technically Disney can alter and remaster them as much as they want, but they can’t distribute them for another 6 years. Also, Fox has distribution rights to Star Wars (AKA A New Hope) in perpetuity. I’m sure Disney’s lawyers and money people are working to change that, but as far I know, no deal has been made yet. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/10 "2014-02-25T20:56:27Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > Not quite. > 20th Century Fox still holds the home video and theatrical distribution rights for the original 6 films until May 2020, which means we’ve got a long wait unless Fox and Disney work something out before then. Technically Disney can alter and remaster them as much as they want, but they can’t distribute them for another 6 years. > Also, Fox has distribution rights to Star Wars (AKA A New Hope) in perpetuity. I’m sure Disney’s lawyers and money people are working to change that, but as far I know, no deal has been made yet. But now that Disney owns the rights to the movies, money talks. Lucas tinkered and that’s why he felt the need to make changes and release new versions. Disney doesn’t care about tinkering, they just want to make cash. And buying out Fox’s stake and releasing an unaltered Blu-ray trilogy would net them all the money in the world. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/11 "2014-02-25T21:07:55Z")
IMHO, the best box set to have is the [Faces set](http://www.therpf.com/attachments/f47/star-wars-laser-discs-3faces.jpg-56185d1307979588) on LaserDisc. Of course, you’ll need a LaserDisc player. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/12 "2014-02-26T12:49:58Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > IMHO, the best box set to have is the [Faces set](http://www.therpf.com/attachments/f47/star-wars-laser-discs-3faces.jpg-56185d1307979588) on LaserDisc. > > Of course, you’ll need a LaserDisc player. Your link goes nowhere. But, IIRC, the Faces LaserDisc set is the same as the 2006 DVD release. ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/13 "2014-02-26T13:12:28Z")
It will be interesting if an original, unedited version of the trilogy would be made in Bluray, however. It sounds like a duplicate of the original master tape of Star Wars was made, but it isn’t clear if it’s the original or the special edition > **[Untouched is impossible: the story of Star Wars in film](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2010/05/star-wars/)** > > Star Wars: A New Hope has been re-released, re-edited, and updated more times … > [@](#): > > Kaminski points out that a duplication of the original negative—commonly printed for the sake of protection—doesn’t seem to exist for Star Wars. Something better was created, though: separation masters. “These are special silver-based copies that do not fade, and in theory should be almost identical in quality to the original negative itself, so even if the negative was destroyed you still have a perfect copy (which is the point of making the separation master).” Duplicates from these prints were used to replace damaged sections of the negative during the restoration before the release of the Special Edition. > [@](#): > > What this tells us is that Lucas wasn’t lying—the original copy of Star Wars is, in fact, gone. What exists in its place is a composite film that has been restored and spliced together with Special Edition scenes and sections from other, later prints. There exist enough film copies and back-ups to re-create the film, however, so nothing is impossible in terms of a more classical high definition re-release. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/14 "2014-02-26T14:24:49Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Your link goes nowhere. But, IIRC, the Faces LaserDisc set is the same as the 2006 DVD release. The entire post was intended tongue-in-cheek, but I do regret the linky no worky. Maybe this one’s better: [linky](http://cdn-www.mania.com/content_pics/000005/08/57/43b60f5ed1ec6219_large.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/15 "2014-02-26T15:02:11Z")
Woo! LaserDisc player! I’ll just dust off my DiscMan, pop in my MC Hammer CD and be all set to watch! According to Wikipedia, Pioneer made LaserDisc players until late 2009, which is astonishing. There can’t have been much of a market, even if they were just selling replacements for some die-hards who would only give up their LDs in an over-my-dead-body scenario. Amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/16 "2016-12-21T14:02:33Z")
Help! Today my girlfriend asked me if we could please watch the Star Wars trilogy over the Christmas holiday, as she’s never seen them, and is feeling a gap in her cultural knowledge. Of course, I think that sounds like the best Christmas ever. The problem is: I don’t own the movies, and I am very much an ‘originalist’, or as much as one can be these days. Doing a quick google search this morning, it looks like [this is the only way](https://www.amazon.com/Star-Trilogy-Widescreen-Theatrical-Edition/dp/B001EN71DG?tag=viglink20265-20) to get the original, no added scenes/effects version on DVD. That can’t be true. Gouging desperate geeks at $100/movie is way not cool. Is there a cheaper way to get what internetting has told me is the 1993 cut of the movies? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/17 "2016-12-21T17:39:35Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > In case you didn’t get it from the above poster, Lucas no longer owns Star Wars. Disney does and can do whatever they like with them, including remastering the theatrical cuts if they like. I’ve never quoted myself years later to correct myself, but I disagree with myself on this one. I now believe there are limitations on the theatrical releases that prevent Disney from cleaning up and releasing theatrical versions. Something to do with home video distribution or something. Maybe it’s been resolved, but I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/18 "2016-12-21T18:09:11Z")
But will they include the Christmas Special? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/19 "2016-12-24T23:21:45Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > But will they include the Christmas Special? 😃 If you need proof the prequels weren’t actually bad, you can find the Star Wars Holiday Special in its entirety on youtube. I hadn’t seen it since the original airing, which I was too young to retain much from, but man it’s poodoo. Even the Boba Fett cartoon. I think the animators were on acid. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2016, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878/20 "2016-12-25T11:32:48Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > Star Wars Holiday Special > _\_ > man it’s poodoo. This offensive comment is just further evidence of the lamestream media’s War on Life Day. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-star-wars-dvd-box-set-should-i-buy/681878.md?page=2)