For the first time ever and for a limited time only, the enhanced versions of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi will be available individually on DVD. Plus, these 2-Disc DVD's will feature a bonus disc that includes, for the first time ever on DVD, the original films as seen in theaters in 1977, 1980 and 1983.
The 2006 limited-edition two-disc release of Return of the Jedi is not only the first time the movie has been officially available by itself on DVD. It marks the first-ever DVD release of Jedi as it originally played in theaters in 1983. What does that mean exactly? The film is without the various "improvements" and enhancements George Lucas added for the theatrical rerelease in 1997 as well as the DVD premiere in 2004. So Sebastian Shaw reclaims his spot as the man behind Darth Vader's mask, and we don't see the otherworldly celebration (including the Gungans) at the end of the movie.
What do you lose by watching the 1983 version? Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sound, for one thing (only 2.0 Surround here), and digital cleanup. But for home-theater owners, the biggest frustration will be from the non-anamorphic picture. On a widescreen TV, an anamorphically enhanced (16x9) picture at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio will fill the screen with the exception of small black bars on the top and bottom. The original edition of Jedi, however, on a widescreen TV will have large black bars on the top, the bottom, and the sides unless you stretch the picture (and distort it in the process, especially considering the substandard picture quality). If you're watching on a standard square-shaped (4:3) TV, though, you won't notice a difference.
Yes, it's true that serious home-theater lovers who want spectacular sound and anamorphically enhanced picture can always watch the 2004 version of the movie also included in this set. But chances are good that they already picked up the trilogy edition of all three films, so their decision to buy the 2006 two-disc edition depends on how much they want the original film. The official LucasFilm stance is that this is an individual release of the 2004 version of Return of the Jedi, and the 1983 version of the film is merely a "bonus feature." Common speculation is that the only reason the original versions are seeing the official light of day at all is to undercut the booming black market for the laserdisc version. Star Wars fans will have to decide for themselves if that's worth the purchase. --David Horiuchi
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Skip Jabba's Palace:
The Jabba's Palace scene is pretty shoddy, with a bunch of fake-looking puppets and costumes. It only became worse with the new "special edition" musical number. However, skip this, and the rest of the movie is awesome. Great space battles over Endor, and a spine-chilling Emperor. Also, the revisions after the first 44 minutes (or Jabba's death) are pretty much for the better.
Harison:
It is great original one that was seen in the theater when it was first released
The End of an Era:
With this ends the original Star Wars, as all future installments would be done with excessive (though impressive) CGI. And again, I'm reviewing the theatrical version, even though compared to the other two, this had the least improvements (until the 2004 DVD release). Luke (who gets a new colored lightsaber) and friends rescue Han from Jabba, Yoda reveals to Luke that there's another Skywalker (Leia) and the Emperor finally shows his face. The Emperor really is (next to the Joker and Vader) one of the... more info
I got it just for the newer cover art!:
And you know that most of you were tempted to do the same thing to. But that's completley alright , it's Star Wars! The Star Wars movie saga are the most rerelease motion picture's in cinema history. Now some people bitch and moan about the 2nd disc (which contains the 1983 theatrical release) not being anamorphic , and I understand there plight. But for most players and projector's and television's today it's very easy too find a way around this. The outside Jacket and the inside disc and artwork will make... more info
