Star Wars - It's A Mine Field!!!

[Bazz06]

Hi everyone and please consider my question which comes from someone who is not, by any means, an expert on Star Wars.

I'm getting a new TV and Blu-Ray player soon and one of my favourite films from years back was Star Wars which featured Mark Hamill & Harrison Ford. I think it is known as Star Wars IV - A New Hope from 1977.

Anyway, I thought this might look good on Blu-Ray if it exists.

So I search on Amazon and there is a Trilogy - Star Wars: The Original Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI)

However, when I look at the reviews I see a host of negativity and dissatisfied Star Was aficionados.

Now I am confused and unsure what to buy as there appears, from the reviews I read, numerous issues and re-issues of the film with various after effects added.

So what edition should I buy and where do I get it from? Is the trilogy that I have seen so bad that it warrants all the negative reviews?

If I get the trilogy will the film that I want to see reproduced in Blu-ray (Episode IV) look stunningly better?

Thanks for reading and for any thoughts / comments you provide.

 

[escapist]

Well, in short, there are 4 versions of the original SW trilogy:

1977/80/83 theatrical releases
1997 Special Editions (with extra scenes and CGI)
2004 DVD versions (with extra CGI)
2011 Blu Ray versions (with extra extra CGI and superflous "NOOOO"'s)

If you are hoping to get Blu Ray versions of the original theatrical versions, you are out of luck. These were officially released on DVD in 2006 but in poor quality. I think you can get these on eBay still though.

The best article to read would be this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_changes_in_Star_Wars_re-releases

The 9 Disc BluRay set is probably your best bet though. The extras are worth the price alone and you can pick it up for around £50...

 

[escapist]

That said, if your just after A New Hope then the Original Trilogy box set is probably your best bet!!

I would also add that they do look stunning regardless of CGI "enhancements" etc. The main negative reviews are simply people unhappy with Lucas tweaking his films. It's not aimed at the visual quality or anything like that!!

 

[db94]

I would also add that they do look stunning regardless of CGI "enhancements" etc.

Totally agree - they do look stunning. If you want the full audio/visual treat watch them on blu ray, for authentic original experience fire up the video player

 

[plantman]

there is also only so much you can do with old films in regards to HD versions, you wont get proper HD quality no matter what they do to the original.

but viewing it on a large TV with crisp picture and better sound still males it awesome.

 

[Bazz06]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I now feel confident that buying the Blu-Ray version won't be a mistake and am looking forward to seeing one of my favourite films in high quality.

Thank you.

 

[db94]

Stick around and enjoy this forum - great place for a Star Wars fan.
Did you collect the figures and ships when you were younger?

 

[Bazz06]

No, although if I did I imagine they are now deemed highly collectible.

 

[edd_jedi]

IMO you need 2 versions. The Blu-Ray IS worth having because the detail is incredible. You can see so much extra stuff in certain shots, eg the hanger scenes, that are too small to see on SD versions. So get the blu ray to appreciate the sets.

However for the films themselves, you want the orginal theatrical versions from DVD/Laser disc. These are the only digital 'unmolested' versions available. The original Digitally Remastered versions from 1994 are good, but only available on VHS.

 

[PGowdy]

The best thing to get is the one i have. It's the 3 disk set and on each disk it has the new versions with all the silly/comical additions and the original cinema releases. Sadly neither are perfect but that's all you got. At least you have the choice that way.

I believe it's this one here - http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/6619182/Star-Wars-Trilogy/Product.html?searchstring=star+wars+trilogy&searchsource=0&searchtype=allproducts&urlrefer=search

Altho find it cheaper if you can! I paid about £20 for mine.

 

[x-pack]

If you are not a complete SW aficionado then just buy the blu-ray set, the latest one. You get all six films and some extras. I think you get the old versions as well. That's assuming you have a blu-ray player.

 

[PGowdy]

The bluray does not include the original unraped versions. Only the above [via the link i posted] contains them. You can't get them any other way except VHS.

 

[x-pack]

I have a DVD set that contains the original theatrical versions. For sale if anyone is interested.

 

[db94]

I have a DVD set that contains the original theatrical versions. For sale if anyone is interested.

Don't do it x-pack - you'll regret it

 

[x-pack]

like most of us i've probably seen the films a thousand times. All the versions are great but i'm not that fussed about originality. The set i have are just sat there in the same place they have been for years. If i want to watch SW i just get out the new set. Saying all that i can't imagine Star Wars without the stupid new Jabba's palace dance scene ...forgot how it used to look :? I shall mull it over..

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

The best thing to get is the one i have. It's the 3 disk set and on each disk it has the new versions with all the silly/comical additions and the original cinema releases. Sadly neither are perfect but that's all you got. At least you have the choice that way.

I believe it's this one here - http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/6619182/Star-Wars-Trilogy/Product.html?searchstring=star+wars+trilogy&searchsource=0&searchtype=allproducts&urlrefer=search

Altho find it cheaper if you can! I paid about £20 for mine.

Seconded!

 

[rob71]

The best thing to get is the one i have. It's the 3 disk set and on each disk it has the new versions with all the silly/comical additions and the original cinema releases. Sadly neither are perfect but that's all you got. At least you have the choice that way.

I believe it's this one here - http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/6619182/Star-Wars-Trilogy/Product.html?searchstring=star+wars+trilogy&searchsource=0&searchtype=allproducts&urlrefer=search

Altho find it cheaper if you can! I paid about £20 for mine.

Seconded!

This is the one I've been looking for... what Lucas did, replacing the original Anakin with the new one among other "enhancements", was sacrilege imo. Would be good to get these in decent-ish quality. £78 is bloody steep though!

 

[rob71]

I have a DVD set that contains the original theatrical versions. For sale if anyone is interested.

pm'd

 

[Bazz06]

Given that the film I refer to is Star Wars IV and released in 1977. Was there a Star Wars 1-3 as I don't recall any before Number IV?

I have seen there is episodes 1-3 but these were produced much later than 1977.

 

[x-pack]

Yes. Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Phantom Menace is God awful. Don't mind the other two. Some shocking acting and dialogue in all three. All well worth a watch though.