1️⃣ Original Trilogy Preservations : Analogue Formats + 8mm/16mm Film…
Theatrical Bootlegs / Telecine | TV Broadcasts | Home Video: VHS / Beta etc | Video8 | Super8 | 8mm & 16mm | CED | VHD | Laserdisc
^ This section is mainly for the ‘earlier’ preservation projects undertaken on the OT•com | + A brief history on ‘Pay It Forward’ ^
Info Threads: Theatrical Bootlegs / Telecine / TV broadcasts / VHS / Beta / Video Tape…
none’s Theater Performance Preservations - an Index within (great work from ‘none’)
none’s :F:L:I:M:S:I:P:L:A:S:T: D:A:T:A:B:A:S:E: - a superb archive of many Star Wars releases
none’s The Treadwell Collection - mainly VHS sources from back in the day
none’s SW Line Movies/Documentaries/Films/Shorts/Etc thread
none’s Reel Reviews - from :F:D: & TN1 - a 2020 thread
none’s Info: Online 8mm Preservations - a 2012 thread
JackLucas’ Info: Does Anyone Have The Old Original Theater Bootleg '77 Tape? - info & discussion thread
spoRv’s Star Wars: SDTV & HDTV digital broadcast - database; including many TV & Theatrical bootleg project threads…
screams in the void’s Telease Inc. - MAAST - “The Television Technology for the 80’s” (1980) May be useful for preservationists - info thread
7FN’s Info: 1983 UK ‘TVS’ Star Wars premiere - anybody still have a recording? - info & discussion thread
Rikter’s The Official ANGRYSVN STAR WARS Release Thread - archive of many Star Wars project releases.
Rikter’s The Official “Angrysun” Fan Preservation Release Thread - archive of many Star Wars project releases.
Rikter’s STAR WARS: The Torrents thread - for information only - archive of many Star Wars project releases.
oojason’s 📍 250+ available Original Trilogy Preservations - some from a long time ago . . . . 📍 | 250+ OT•com listed projects.
russs15’s PAL VHS Archive Collection - info & archival thread - mainly VHS sources
russs15’s OBITUARY - Star Wars Fullscreen/Pan and Scan versions. R.I.P. - info & discussion thread
Mitch’s Info: Star Wars Superclass ISD: 1995 Executor Set; anyone done a preservation? - info & discussion thread (no project)
AntcuFaalb’s Info: 1992 VHS Set - Star Wars Trilogy Special Letterbox Collector’s Edition - info & discussion thread
Project Threads: Theatrical Bootlegs / Telecine / TV broadcasts / VHS / Beta / Video Tape…
1977 pre-ANH bootleg
• JackLucas (Released) - aka ‘The StarKiller’; 1977 telecine with both PCM and mono audio.
• PS78 / AntcuFaalb (Released)
1977 pre-ANH bootleg - widescreen version
• Moth3r (Released)
• MagnoliaFan (Released)
Puggo - Jar Jar’s Yoda’s Shea 1979 Bootleg VHS restoration (pre-ANH lettertbox widescreen) (Released)
Puggo - Jar Jar’s Yoda’s “Poita No Return” - the EIAJ open-reel dub of SW Ep.IV (Released) : EIAJ Wiki Info : EIAJ Fandom Info
Cinch’s Cinch presents the U-matic telecine bootleg of 35mm (Released) : U-Matic Wiki Info
Molly’s Prototype Mono Pre-ANH “XP77:4EB” Edit (Released)
Video Collector’s Theater Performance Edition: Empire Strikes Back betamax bootleg preservation (Released) | 1982-ish.
Video Collector’s Theater Performance Edition: Return of the Jedi betamax bootleg preservation (Released) | 1982-ish.
spoRv’s Star Wars: SDTV & HDTV digital broadcast - database | including many TV & Theatrical bootleg project threads…
JayArgonaut’s TV Preservations for 1980’s NBC premiere broadcasts for ‘Empire Strikes Back’ & ‘Return Of The Jedi’
Rikter’s BLAK0056 - STAR WARS - The 1982 Video Rental Library VHS Preservation MP4 (Released)
the ugnaught’s Star Wars 1982 Rental Copy Preservation (Released)
Frank678’s SW 1984 NTSC VHS Preservation (Released) | CBS Fox release.
bakbang’s BETA - Episode V - Empire Strikes Back (x264) - Home Video Release (Released) | Betamax; CBS Fox - 1984.
retroccn’s Star Wars Trilogy: CBS Fox’s 1984 SW + 1984 ESB + 1986 ROTJ releases - VHS Preservation (Released)
kchrules’ Star Wars Trilogy - 1990 ‘Collectors Gift Pack’ VHS Preservation Transfer MP4 (Released) | 1.33; P&S; Blak0057
Williarob’s Star Wars Trilogy: 1992 ‘Fox Video - Yellow Logos’ Full Screen VHS Preservation Transfer (Released)
kchrules’ Star Wars Trilogy - 1995 ‘THX Widescreen Edition’ VHS Preservation Transfer MP4 (Released) | ‘Faces’ set; Blak0058
FlemishDog’s 1995 Star Wars Trilogy PAL VHS (Australian) Full-Screen Preservation | ‘Faces’ set.
Wazzles’ 1995 Pan and Scan - Faces Set - Original Trilogy (Released) | only Star Wars was released.
Brooks’ Brooks’s Adventures in VHS preservation (Released) | 1995 ‘Faces’ THX widescreen VHS box set.
Mass5160’s 1995 UK ISD Executor VHS Box Set Preservation (Released) | 1995 ISD Executor box set; both films & bonus materials
FrankT’s SWT ISD Executor VHS Boxset Preservation (Released) | 1995 ISD Executor box set; scans of the printed materials
SF01’s RAW DV VHS transfers of ISD Executor and maybe more (a WIP) | 1995 ISD Executor box set : a Work In Progress.
RU.08’s Krieg der Sterne Trilogie on Myspleen OUT Image Comparison (Released) | VHS & laserdisc project.
Info & Discussion Threads: Video 8 / Super 8 (with some Project Info threads)
The Original Trilogy on Super 8 - a 2021 info thread
Info Wanted: has anyone tried a Star Wars Super 8mm to DVD preservation project? - a 2005 info thread
Info: Star Wars Derann Super 8mm Scope/Stereo Sound Feature Film - on eBay - a 2014 info thread
Query: The Empire Strikes Back Super 8 HD Recreation? (with release info) - a 2016 thread; see Joel’s posts for a project release
Info & Images: Return of the Jedi - Super 8mm DERANN - a 2020 info thread
Info: Online 8mm Preservations - a 2012 info & project thread
Video8 release of ROTJ (and more Video8 information on the Original Trilogy)… - a 2019 info thread
Star Wars Original Trilogy - Video 8 format - a 2020 info thread
Project Threads: 8mm / 16mm / Video8 / Super8…
poita’s Star Wars on Super8 (Released)
poita’s Empire Strikes Back on Super8 (a WIP) : a Work In Progress
DrDre’s Star Wars Derann print color correction (a WIP) : a Work In Progress
Puggo - Jar Jar’s Yoda’s The Puggo Edition (Super-8 transfers) (Released) - for Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back only.
Meredith95’s Return Of The Jedi - telecine (possibly a Super 8 Derann transfer of ROTJ? - from MySpleen)
Puggo - Jar Jar’s Yoda’s Puggo Grande Editions (16mm projects - all 3 projects have been released)
• Grande
• Strikes Back
• Return Of
ZigZig’s kind offer - ‘Sharing Puggo’s original trilogy (16mm restoration)’ thread
CED : Preservation Projects (including Information & Discussion threads)…
Jono11’s Info: Original Trilogy on CED preservations? (3 OT CED released projects in here) - information & project thread
Wookie_Monster’s Info: a CED Star Wars Transfer (with link to info on a released project) - information & project thread
StarWarsFan1976’s Star Wars on RCA CED Format - information & discussion thread
VHD : Information & Discussion Threads…
^ Unfortunately there are no preservation projects for VHD on here - if anyone knows of any projects please post them up…
SilverWook’s Star Wars on Video High Density discs (VHD) - 2010 information and discussion thread
Lunar Archivist’s Info Wanted: on Old Japanese VHS Videocassette and VHD Dealers? - 2014 information and discussion thread
Nathan Butler’s illuminating youtube videos on VHD : Star Wars & Return Of The Jedi on VHD & Empire Strikes Back on VHD
Laserdisc : Preservation Projects…
althor1138’s Star Wars Laserdisc Preservations | a whole catalogue of his various laserdisc project releases.
^ some more of althor1138’s quality laserdisc preservation projects…
☑️ althor1138 1985/86 CBS Fox ‘Stereo Standard Play’ P&S set : numerous LD preservations : LDDB info | 12.4gb total; mkv files.
☑️ althor1138 1986 Japan Special Collection set : numerous OT LD preservations : LDDB info | 10.6gb total; mkv files.
☑️ althor1138 1989 French Silver Screen Collection : numerous OT LD preservations : LDDB info | 11.7gb total; mkv files.
☑️ althor1138 1992 Special Widescreen Edition (aka ‘SWE’) set : numerous LD preservations : LDDB info | 10.1gb total; mkv files.
☑️ althor1138 1994 French Silver Screen Reissue : numerous OT LD preservations : LDDB info | 11.1gb total; mkv files.
☑️ althor1138 1994 French Pyramid Trilogy : numerous OT LD preservations : LDDB info | 13.6gb total; mkv files.
☑️ althor1138 1995 French THX Dub (John Alvin art covers) : numerous OT LD preservations : LDDB info | 9.4gb total; mkv files.
☑️ althor1138 1995 French Trilogie Boxset (John Alvin art) : numerous OT LD preservations : LDDB info | 8.99gb total; mkv files.
☑️ althor1138 1993 German Silver Screen Collection : numerous OT LD preservations : LDDB info | 8.8gb total; mkv files.
☑️ althor1138 1995 German THX Dub (John Alvin art covers) : numerous OT LD preservations : LDDB info | 9.6gb total; mkv files.
☑️ althor1138 1995 Spanish THX Dub (John Alvin art covers) : numerous OT LD preservations : LDDB info | 9.8gb total; mkv files.^ available on the OT•com via: 📍 250+ available Original Trilogy Preservations - some from a long time ago . . . . 📍
althor1138 also has his superb 160gb+ Original Trilogy laserdisc repository available - on the TSWT.
The Dr Gonzo DVD set (Released) - thread by Rikter. | 1993 Definitive Collection; Anamorphic.
The Cowclops/TR47 DVD sets (Released) - thread by Rikter. | 1993 Definitive Collection; 4:3 Letterbox.
The EditDroid DVD set (Released) - thread by ReverendBeastly. | 1993 Definitive Collection; 4:3 Letterbox.
skyjedi2005’s Info: My Review of the Four Disc Special Features Editdroid Set
Editdroid’s SW1977 DVD (was: Brand New (not so) Mysterious 720p Anamorphic LD?) (Released) - thread by zombie84.
^ Project Info has this being sourced from the 1993 Definitive Collection Laserdiscs - though later to be from the 2006 GOUT DVDs.
The ISOMIX set (Released) : The “ISOMIX” feedback thread - threads by Rikter. | 1993 Definitive Collection / 1995 Faces; 4:3 P&S.
Greetings from Wookie Groomer; Split Screen Project (Released) : OT set (info) | 1993 Definitive Collection; Letterbox.
The Farsight set (Released) - thread by Rikter. | 1993 Definitive Collection; Anamorphic.
The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :.
• Laserman’s thread - an unfinished project; though an 18.85gb raw capture for SW was released on MySpleen; various LD sources.
• Zion’s thread - an unfinished project; though an 18.85gb raw capture for SW was released on MySpleen; various LD sources.
Moth3r’s The Moth3r PAL DVD set (Released) : The Moth3r PAL DVD Set Feedback Thread | French 1995 THX PAL; anamorphic.
Dr. M’s Reinventing The Wheel Edition (Conversion of Moth3r’s PAL to NTSC) (Released) | French 1995 THX PAL; anamorphic.
Citizen’s NTSC/PAL DVD & Xvid sets (Released) | German & French 1995 THX PAL. 1993 Definitive Collection NTSC LD audio.
Grinder’s PAL widescreen project (Released) | French 1995 THX PAL. 1993 Definitive Collection NTSC LD audio.
Zion’s .: The Zion DVD Project :. (Unfinished - lots of info) | 1995 US Faces THX; anamorphic.
spider’s OT Set - based on the Faces laserdiscs to DVD (Released) : “SPIDER” OT DVD Feedback Thread | 1995 US Faces THX.
dark_jedi’s Special Collection : UnSubbed Edition (Completed) | 1986-87 Japanese Special Collection; letterboxed.
dark_jedi’s / segaflip’s The Official Dark/Sega Special Collection OT LD Release Thread (Not an SE Transfer) (Released) | 1986-87 Japanese Special Collection; letterboxed.
dark_jedi’s Japanese Special Collection Star Wars Trilogy “Take 2” (* unfinished project *) : a 2009 unfinished project.
dark_jedi’s SW “pan & scan” “def. collection” @myspleen (Released) | 1993 Definitive Collection laserdisc release project.
dark_jedi’s “FACES” (Released) | 1995 Faces THX laserdisc release project.
The OCP/Dark Jedi Pan & Scan O-OT project (Released) | 1985-86 CAV LD Releases.
The Jedi/Feta Definitive Collection (Released) - thread by boba feta. | 1993 Definitive Collection.
russs15’s SIX fantastic brand new preservation projects… (Released) - 2005 laserdisc info thread; projects by dark_jedi.
The Un-Official Dark Jedi Preservation Mega-Thread | info thread by russs15 - featuring many dark_jedi projects.
Arnie.d’s .: The X9 Project :. (Released) | 1986-87 Japanese Special Collection.
Arnie.d’s STAR WARS V8 - A Final Attempt (Released) | 1986-87 Japanese Special Collection.
Arnie.d’s Star Wars Edit: DC/Faces audio + 2004 video Hybrid (Released) | 1993 Definitive Collection / 1995 Faces / 2004 DVD.
Arnie.d’s French Coffret Trilogie LD to DVD transfer (Released) | 1994 Coffret Trilogie: Edition Collector.
kchrules’ Star Wars (1977) - The 1989 Special WideScreen Edition (SWE) Laserdisc CBS FOX (Released) - a 2018 project thread.
msycamore’s STAR WARS - Special Widescreen Edition (Technidisc) (Released) | 1993 Special Widescreen Edition (LD re-issue).
csd79’s Star Wars SWE LD preservation (Released) | 1993 Special Widescreen Edition (LD re-issue).
droid1138’s OT: 1995 Korean LaserDisc P&S Release | Star Wars OT: 1995 Korean LaserDiscs Preservation - P&S (Released)
droid1138’s Star Wars (A New Hope) Hong Kong LaserDisc Preservation (Released) | 1995 Pan & Scan release. Very, very rare.
MeBeJedi’s The MeBeJedi DVDs (Released) : The MeBeJedi feedback thread | '93 DC, '95 Faces, '92 SWE, '85-'86 CBS/Fox FS.
JawsTDS’ “Faces” '95 THX Laserdisc Preservation (SW & ESB released. ROTJ incomplete) - a 2013 project thread.
riftamos’ Original Trilogy “Faces” LD Preservation & Upscale project (Released) - a 2019 project thread.
LeeThorogood’s PAL LaserDisc Preservation Projects - '97 SE Finished, '95 THX Finished | UK SE LD, UK THX Faces; anamorphic.
Grisan’s Star Wars OT ANH - PAL Laserdisc transfer (Released) | German 1995 PAL Faces THX.
R2D2’s Preserving “German” Original Trilogy (Released) | German 1995 PAL Faces THX.
RU.08’s Krieg der Sterne Trilogie on Myspleen OUT Image Comparison (Released) | 3 sources; '82 CBS/FOX, '93 SSC, '95 Faces.
spoRv’s Original Unaltered Trilogy restored using Laserdisc editions - A New Hope (Released) | multiple laserdisc sources.
spoRv’s Star Wars: A New Hope [SET ruLes 1.0] - AVCHD & BD RELEASED! | multiple laserdisc sources.
spoRv’s Star Wars: A New Hope [OUT ruLes 2.0] - AVCHD & BD RELEASED! | multiple laserdisc sources.
spoRv’s GUERRE STELLARI [OUT ruLes IT]: A NEW HOPE (Released) (Italian) | multiple laserdisc sources.
Aleksbmw’s Laserdisc revived - pics added - Japan Definitive Collection & Special Collection (WIP) : 2018 work in progress.
tellan’s .: The Lancer DVD Project (* unfinished project *) | a 2004 unfinished 1993 Definite Collection project.
Mass5160’s Info: Something that might interest folks here…“ROTJ” Editdroid Laserdisc Footage - info thread.
weyb’s 1993 LaserDisc Boxset commentary subtitles (English) (Released) | 1993 Definitive Collection.
Laserdisc Projects : 1997 Special Edition…
russs15’s Info: The Un-Official Dark Jedi Laserdisc Preservation Mega-Thread - 2009 index thread for dark_jedi LD projects
dark_jedi’s 97’ SE laserdisc transfer set including extras… (Released) - 2005 thread
dark_jedi’s 1997 SE DV Broadcast Info & Discussion - 2009 info & project release thread
kamdan’s Star Wars Special Edition Laserdisc Features - with youtube links to info and features
schorman13’s Star Wars Laser Disc Audio Archive thread
althor1138’s superb Star Wars Laserdisc Preservations thread
LeeThorogood’s PAL LaserDisc Preservation Project - '97 SE Finished, '95 THX Finished
Jetrell Fo’s Star Wars Special Edition Trilogy Japan Laserdiscs (2000 set) (Released)
Master Skywalker’s .:. “MS Star Wars: Special Edition 0.77” PAL Project Release thread .:. (Released)
ZigZig’s Preservation of SE97 Laserdiscs (a WIP) : a 2020 Work In Progress
Jetrell Fo’s The 1997 OT Special Edition Trilogy Preservation Standards Thread (* unfinished *) : 2012 unfinished project
cain spaans’ Special Edition 1997 Laserdisc Preservation (* unfinished project *) : 2013 unfinished project
Also of interest…
althor1138’s The Phantom Menace Japanese Laserdisc Preservation-MKV Available now (Released)
ZigZig’s Star Wars I - The Phantom Menace - ZigZig’s Laserdisc Preservation (Released)
NightStalkerPoet’s The Phantom Menace - 720p Upscale (ZigZig’s LaserDisc Source) (Released)
Laserdisc : Information & Discussion threads…
• russs15’s Info: The Un-Official Dark Jedi Laserdisc Preservation Mega-Thread - 2009 index thread for dark_jedi LD projects
• Dark_Jedi’s Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info - project, information & discussion thread
• schorman13’s Star Wars Laser Disc Audio Archive - project and info thread
• althor1138’s superb Star Wars Laserdisc Preservations - project and info thread
• Laserman’s How to create your own LD rip of the OT. thread
• Rebelscum’s The laserdiscs vs. The best bootlegs thread
• spoRv’s Star Wars laserdisc database thread
• spoRv’s Laserdisc players - screenshot comparison thread
• spoRv’s Extras on SW laserdiscs and not on DVD or BD… info thread
• Moth3r’s Official Screenshots Thread for comparisons of laserdisc transfers - 2006 ‘The new “official” Screenshots thread’
• Moth3r’s The Definitive Collection Flaw List (1993 Laserdisc Box Set) -information & discussion thread
• Mass5160’s Info: Something that might interest folks here…“ROTJ” Editdroid Laserdisc Footage - info & discussion thread
• SKot’s Star Wars film versions and best DVD sources - info & discussion thread, from 2006, may also be of some interest.
• Moth3r’s 18% of LD owners cite Star Wars as a main reason for keeping obsolete format - 2008 info thread
Why ‘TV, Video & Laserdisc sources’ preservations? | Info on ‘Pay It Forward’
For anyone wondering why there is an ‘Early Analogue Format’ preservation section | A Brief History on ‘Pay It Forward’ (PIF)…
Click on the ‘Spoiler tag’ / ‘Expand’ button below to see the text…
Many years ago, soon after the OriginalTrilogy•com first started up, there were… considerable efforts by some members of the site to create and provide quality fan-made releases of the unaltered Original Trilogy on a DVD format (available for free - and adhering to site rules, of course). The best quality sources available at that time were Laserdisc captures - along with numerous preservations of other analogue media such as videotape and CEDs etc, onto a digital formats - hence this section…
Information on laserdisc players, the various Original Trilogy laserdisc releases, technical info on capturing laserdisc content and general technical guides… were all limited. Often it was the sheer determination of members on here - along with numerous trials & errors, breakthroughs, failures and successes along the way… resulting in many quality fan-made releases of the unaltered Original Trilogy being available on DVD. Followed by continuing attempts to further improve upon what had came before.
Such projects even had with choices of PAL or NTSC, letterbox or anamorphic widescreen, multiple audio tracks, interactive menus, commentaries, bonus content - and the occasional ‘easter egg’ - or just ‘bare-bones’ laserdisc captures burnt onto DVD.
Back then, few people had DVD writers, broadband internet, or even hard drives large enough with sufficient spare room to store the three original Star Wars films on. At the time there were very few reliable file-hosting sites capable of storing such large files. Torrent sites were still in their infancy - and like newsgroups… so very slow (+ not ideal for people with limited IT skills or knowledge).
The default way of acquiring these projects was through the ‘Pay-It-Forward’ system (aka PIF). The various fan-projects (preservations, fan edits and documentaries etc) on here were burnt onto DVD discs and packaged into jiffy bags, and then ‘snail mailed’ - via various postal services all across the world…
For some of the more popular / sought-after projects on here, the creators would ‘share the load’ by posting out their projects on DVD to a number of OT members who volunteered to help with this… and who were fortunate to own DVD-rewriters at the time… who in turn would make a number of copies to be sent out to other volunteers - or onto people who had made requests for copies of projects in PMs on here.
In essence, the creation of an effective PIF chain systems across the world – and one that operated very well for a number of years - before the Dark Times; where some people started to abuse it… leech of it for free… get what they wanted and then disappeared. Or others, who became toxic & abusive when asked to be patient in receiving these project being sent to them for free - or when told ‘no’… because they were demanding too many projects without forwarding any on themselves.
A bit like some people on here, even today, who don’t take the time to look around and read-up on how to search for or acquire projects on here - easy-to-find information which is located all over this forum. Or the ‘entitled’ people who become aggressive when challenged or are asked to be patient, but still expect to be helped out and immediately receive projects. Yet give nothing back to the community here - not even a ‘thank you’, a review, feedback, or join in with the conversations on here.
However, a massive shout-out - and eternal gratitude - to everyone in the community who volunteered to be a vital cog in that essential Pay-It-Forward system. One that managed to successfully get projects to many people all over the world for years on end - to people who did greatly appreciate them, and the efforts involved in doing so. Personally, it is something that I was very proud to be a part of. Also, eternal kudos to two of the nicest and most generous guys on here - Word to the Spookies, and to ADM. 👍
Obviously since then, with both technology evolving - hardware becoming cheaper, the internet and broadband faster, the use of computers becoming the ‘norm’ and more widespread, a lot has changed…
For a more concise history of Star Wars Preservation efforts via Laserdisc format on the OriginalTrilogy•com (and also background info & eventually an official DVD release)… this article, written in 2010, from the superb SaveStarWars•com website (by zombie84) may be of some interest:-
http://fd.noneinc.com/savestarwarscom/savestarwars.info/fanpreservations.html
Or, you can also go to the last page of this Star Wars Preservation forum - and start reading through the threads - working your way backwards through the section for more information… 😃
In short… many, many fan-made releases of the unaltered Original Trilogy - sourced from the official released tapes and laserdics etc onto DVD occurred on here throughout the 2000’s. All offering various options from many different sources - such as subtitles, language tracks, audio mixes, menus, commentary tracks, bonus materials, etc - including the ongoing attempts to further improve upon the image quality of the releases.
This 15 minute youtube video by SG10 Film Archive (OT•com member Benjamin K.), in November 2024, explains some of the early laserdisc-based preservation history on here…
How Fans Saved Star Wars - Laserdisc Bootlegs (Part I)
The blurb:-
‘Over the years, the original Star Wars films have been subject to many changes and additions.
According to Lucas, the original cuts have been lost to time.
Well, sorry George. We the fans cannot let that happen.
This is the story of how the fans saved Star Wars.’