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Original 'Star Wars' flicks finally released
The original theatrical versions of 'Star Wars', 'Empire' and 'Jedi' finally make their way onto DVD.
May 4 2006
Geeks the world over have reason to celebrate today – George Lucas has finally listened to their pleas and is releasing the original versions of the 'Star Wars' trilogy on DVD.
On September 11, two-disc sets of 'Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope', 'Episode V The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Episode VI Return of the Jedi' will hit the streets, featuring the digitally restored and re-mastered versions of the movies.
And as bonus material, they will also include the holy grail for true 'Star Wars' fans - the original theatrical versions of the films.
The 'attractively priced' discs (which we hope means cheap) will also feature commentaries by key cast and crew members, and will be on sale until December 31 before being returned to the Lucasfilm Archives (which Tomb Readers may remember for the end of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark').
'Over the years, a truly countless number of fans have told us that they would love to see and own the original versions that they remember experiencing in theaters,' said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts and Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Ltd. 'We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. This is something that we're very excited to be able to give to fans in response to their continuing enthusiasm for 'Star Wars'.
As a fan of the originals, I've avoided buying the updated versions of the films in the hope that Lucas would one day listen to sense and release them in an untainted form. I'll therefore be buying the discs (or at least trying to blag free copies) on the day of release - how about you people?
User comments on this story
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- Glenn said...
- Great news the originals are being released,but very frustrating you have to buy the special editions (again) as they are also included.Come on George,why not include some deleted scenes or some fresh documentries as bonus material? Posted on Sep 09 2006 17:30
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- Antonio R. Allen said...
- There is a God!!! Posted on May 14 2006 23:20
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- AnneOlivia said...
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YYYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!
Han shoots first, AND we get to see Greenie's head blow up (sure, it's cheesy, but it's OUR cheesy.)
And no stupid "Jurasic Park" creatures.
Bless you, George! Posted on May 05 2006 18:52 - Report as inappropriate
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- Mala said...
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I'll be buying the set.
I too have put off purchasing the remastered version on shelves now.
I can't wait! This is GREAT news!!! Posted on May 05 2006 17:08 - Report as inappropriate
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- Mr T said...
- I knew that holding out and not buying those 'other versions' would bring some reward - finally the original are going to hit the streets. Posted on May 05 2006 02:38
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- Bob Alanis said...
- This is great news for me! I've been meaning to hook up my VCR to my computer for the past few months and make digital copies of my VHS box set of the original unaltered movies. Now I don't have to go through the trouble. Posted on May 05 2006 01:57
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- ddp said...
- Look at it this way, some dude, you can also watch the only decent digital copy of 2001 on that same laserdisc player... Posted on May 05 2006 01:00
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- some dude said...
- Oh man, just last year I ended up buying a Laserdisc player and all of the original movies on LD so I could have a good copy... Oh well, I will still buy them if it is true Posted on May 05 2006 00:35
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- BWCA said...
- Stop complaining about GL and all the money he's making. Just do like I did and set up a monthly electronic debit from your checking account that empties into the Lucas Film LTD vault. Fifty dollars a month should do. Thanks, George really appreciates it! Posted on May 05 2006 00:18
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- Stoked! said...
- I also had not been the remixed version. I've been waiting for the original! I'm stoked! I will so be buying this set. Posted on May 04 2006 23:22
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- scott burnell said...
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what money grubbing meglomaniac....
how many times is he going to shill for his movies?
pathetic Posted on May 04 2006 23:04 - Report as inappropriate
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- chris said...
- its new coke and classic coke. introduce the crappy new product to create a buzz for the original. then sell that. its brilliant, but so frustrating. Posted on May 04 2006 18:49
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- Kevin said...
- I have a bad feeling about this. Since they are releasing the original trilogy, does that mean we have to buy the "special editions" again too? Or are these separate? Not clear in the article. And I agree Brett: Hans shoots first. Posted on May 04 2006 16:13
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- Aquarius said...
- I just knew GL couldn't pass up another opportunity to make a lot of money. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy about this; I'm just not under any sort of delusion that this is motivated by some sort of altrustic desire to "give the fans what they want." The 3-D version of ANH is due to come out next year, so this is happening just in time to shift people's attention from the PT to the OT and keep fans excited and wanting more. Posted on May 04 2006 15:39
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- brett said...
- ahhh!!! aaaahhhhh!!!!!! ah!! ah!!! aaahhh!!!!! that's all i have to say. han shoots first. Posted on May 04 2006 14:55
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