I would LOVE to see the original version of the 1977 film. I have a 1984 release on VHS that is in pretty darn good shape. I recently digitized it*; a little grainy but the sound is good and is very watchable. I was on a quest to find a tape without the “Episode IV” on it but realized that the film was not released on home (or rental) video before 1992 - after they decided that this was the fourth installment of the series. I saw the original 1977 film in theaters well over 100 times as a youngster (my mom said “At least I know where she is…”) and saw it first when it came out in just a couple of sound channels, and then my friend and I were stunned when the 6 track version hit our theater one day. What happened to Aunt Beru’s voice? All of a sudden, her low key dialog was this sing-songy voiceover that we both hated. Certain sound effects - and even some dialogue - was missing (Open the blast doors! Open the blast doors!) and even C3po’s explanation of what Ben had to shut off in order to disable the tractor beam were GONE.
I wish I had kept all of the literature I collected back then - with the suggestions of the sequel’s plot twists etc. Lucas claimed the whole thing was written ahead of time, but I know better. I just wish I had kept my substantiating documentation about this - that no, it was decided later that it would be revealed that Darth Vader was Luke’s father. If you forget all that you know about what happens in the “fifth and sixth” installment with that paternal revelation and the fact that Luke & Leia are not only related, but twins - and watch the first episode, sorry, the FOURTH episode - Star Wars released in 1977 is all inclusive. But knowing the revelations, it gets creepy.
Anyway, I’m glad I found this forum. I have a LOT of information I have carried with myself over the years. To this day, I still know every flipping word in the 1977 film - every shot, every blooper they left in. I was relieved they left those in when they came out with the remastered stuff. I was intrigued by the remastered version at first, but now I sort of resent what was done. The scene with Jabba and Han Solo really pi–ses me off. They recycled dialogue! UGH. I’m glad I have my 1984 copy that clearly also shows that the scene with Greedo & Han Solo - SOLO SHOT FIRST and Greedo didn’t shoot at all…
I know Lucas is strange about having any of the “original releases” available for viewing - it’s my understanding that the Library of Congress doesn’t even have one! I am fortunate to have 3 copies - 2 of them are in pretty good shape. It’s ironic that VHS machines are very expensive now by the way, but a trip to my thrift shop landed me one for $7.
I look forward to participating in these forums. I only wish I had kept all of my Star Wars articles I had saved during that period where Star Wars was my 14 year old life!!
*DIGITIZED: For my own use and preservation. VHS tapes degrade, so do DVDs - DVD Rot. I do not and will not violate laws by selling said digitized copies.