I mean, the easiest way to get them would be to just buy the "Limited Edition" DVDs, which have (a version of) the theatricals on them. Its pretty lousy quality, but its better than VHS. Then you could download some of the better restorations.

Bid on one of these beauties:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Star-Wars-VHS-1977-1984-CBS-FOX-Vid-NEW-Sealed-/110712884263?pt=VHS&hash=item19c7008c27

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-Star-Wars-first-release-1982-CBS-Fox-Video-VHS-PAL-/280672493470?pt=AU_Movies_Movies_TV_Shows&hash=item4159625f9e

If you're in NTSC land, these are the droids you are looking for:

1992's Special Letterbox Collection. It's the first and last time the movies were released in widescreen before THX added its motion blurring DVNR effects to the films (as far as VHS is concerned).

If the DVNR doesn't bother you, then you might as well just find the GOUTs on DVD. I believe this set has them, I don't think you can get them seperate from the 2004 DVDs: http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Trilogy-Harrison-Ford/dp/B001EN71DG/

Or if you don't care about widescreen, then the world is your oyster (or something along those lines).

doubleofive said:

I mean, the easiest way to get them would be to just buy the "Limited Edition" DVDs, which have (a version of) the theatricals on them. Its pretty lousy quality, but its better than VHS. Then you could download some of the better restorations.

I agree.  Go with the official release DVDs to secure a stable theatrical version of each. Certainly better than worrying about trying to find a usable VHS tape.  You can always start working your way through the various fan preservations after that.

For the record;  You're looking for the releases pictured below (2006), and in particular, the Bonus Disc from each (also pictured).  The first disc of each set is the SE version of the film - the version you don't want.  I don't know if just the Bonus Discs are available anywhere, from broken sets.

Lord, the more I see the cover art on the DVD packages, the more I hate them. I'm so sick of shitty Photoshopped shit.

DuracellEnergizer said:

Lord, the more I see the cover art on the DVD packages, the more I hate them. I'm so sick of shitty Photoshopped shit.

Yeah, they're really the worst DVD covers ever.

Especially when you compare them to the old VHS covers. I miss all of the great VHS art.

The easiest way to view the original unaltered trilogy is indeed through the Bonus discs of the Limited edition 2006 releases. However, these are simply transfers from the master for the 1993 Definitive Collection Laserdisc. The 1993 edition did have a few elements changed, so it isn't truly the "original theatrical edition". For that the easiest edition to get would be that 1992 VHS set mentioned above if you are without a Laserdisc player. Plus it's available in 4:3 widescreen.

Altough the quality on the Limited Edition 2006 DVD leave very much to be desired, it's the only official release of the original 1977 Star Wars in terms of visual content, (audio is a remix) all other releases on video so far always was in the form of the 1981 Re-release, A New Hope. The only good decision Lucasfilm have made over the past two decades.

kermit said:

Also check out the work by Adywan.  A year ago he released his "Theatrical Version" for ESB's 30th anniversary.  Before that he released a greatly acclaimed versions of ANH that are more like what it seems most of us WISH the SE had been.  Of course, this doesn't meet the need for a strictly ORIGINAL version for ANH, but you should check them out sooner or later.