Some helpful resources / templates…

Some template message suggestions for use via Twitter…

If you are on Twitter and would like to ask for the unaltered Original Trilogy films to be released - or promote awareness of this - then simply also use the ‘hashtag’ of… #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy - along with links to @OriginalTrilogy & @StarWarsVisComp

And also let anyone else know - friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, mortal enemies, immortal enemies, and others - who may be interested in asking for a release of the unaltered theatrical cuts of the Original Trilogy too…

Template Post ‘A’ (278 characters):-

I hope you’ll join us in our quest to have @Disney #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy. We’ve waited so long to have the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy available again. To buy & experience the classic OT in FHD/4K @StarWars @ILMVFX @OriginalTrilogy @StarWarsVisComp

Template Post ‘B’ (280 characters):-

Please @Disney #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy. Fans have waited long enough for the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy to be available again. Give fans the choice to view the iconic OT version once more - in FHD/4K @StarWars @ILMVFX @OriginalTrilogy @StarWarsVisComp

Template Post ‘C’ (280 characters):-

Please @Disney #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy. Dedicated fans have lovingly restored the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy to 4K. Give us the choice to buy & experience an official release of the classic cuts too. @StarWars @ILMVFX @OriginalTrilogy @StarWarsVisComp

Template Post ‘D’ (280 characters):-

Please @Disney #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy. Give fans the choice to buy and experience all of the differing versions of the Original Trilogy - whether that is the unaltered theatrical version, & 1997 Special Edition releases too. @StarWars @ILMVFX @OriginalTrilogy @StarWarsVisComp

Again, if you so wish, also include the hashtag of #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy… in any civil and polite post you make asking for a release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy… or in any general correspondence with the following:-

https://twitter.com/starwars - @StarWars
https://twitter.com/Disney - @Disney
https://twitter.com/ILMVFX - @ILMVFX
https://twitter.com/starwarsviscomp - @StarWarsVisComp
https://twitter.com/originaltrilogy - @OriginalTrilogy (this site)

Some template message suggestions for use via Facebook…

Any of the templates suggested for use via Twitter above… can also be used to make a post, or send a message - using the hashtag of #ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy - on the official Facebook pages for Star Wars, Lucasfilm, and Disney:-

www.facebook.com/StarWars
www.facebook.com/lucasfilm
www.facebook.com/Disney

Please be both polite and civil, thank you.

For those ‘old skool’ members who would prefer the more traditional practice of sending a letter or an email…

Three letter templates for anyone who would like to use them for contacting Lucasfilm or Disney and asking them to release the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy…

Also, massive kudos to SilverWook for providing the basis of these template letters - taken from his Dear Disney open letter.

(Feel free to re-word or edit these to your own style - to include your reasons why you want to see such a release of the Original Trilogy - or write your own letter to Lucasfilm or Disney. But remember… please be both polite and civil, thank you.)

Letter Template ‘A’ (long):-

Dear Lucasfilm & Disney,

Over 25 years have passed - a generation - since the last dedicated release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy. The version many of us grew up with. The films that changed our lives forever.

Saying that isn’t hyperbole. Those of who were there on the start of that incredible journey in the summer of '77 has never seen anything like it. It was a major event in our lives. Some of us came away wanting to know how it was made. It prompted a desire in some of us to make movies or tell stories of our own. No matter the path we chose, George Lucas, the talented cast, and innovative and dedicated crew around him lit a spark that remains with us today.

One thing we all share are the memories of where and with whom we saw Star Wars, and even of shooting down imaginary TIE Fighters out the back window of the car on the way home. For others, it was a bright shining light in the middle of a turbulent childhood in troubling times. If Luke and friends could triumph over their trials, maybe we could too…

We saw the movie over and over again, probably more than any other movie before or since. We know the lines by heart, we love the characters, yet also appreciate and admire the efforts of the many skilled artisans, sound technicians, craftsmen (and women), and special & visual effects with their priceless contributions to making film history.

All these years later, we would love to revisit the Original Trilogy we remember, to recapture those memories of a long time ago, in a movie theater far far away. Those of us with families want to be able to show our kids, and grand-kids, exactly what we saw when we were their age and relive it with them. It should be such a simple thing to do…

Only it isn’t.

We’re limited in our choices to outdated video formats that are increasingly difficult to obtains and inch close to extinction each passing year. And the now out-of-print bonus DVDs from 2006, which utilize ancient video transfers from 1993, are hardly better, if one can find them at all.

None of us ever imagined that these historic versions might fade from memory, ultimately disappearing from collective consciousness altogether. To the point where CGI insertions in later Special Editions changes are now mistaken for innovative FX technology of the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Film history is being obscured, if not rewritten.

We don’t bemoan the various Special Edition versions or their availability either. Yet they simply aren’t the version of the Trilogy we fell i love with. The iconic, pioneering and award-winning unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy deserves to be seen and experienced in the absolute best quality afforded by modern cinema and 21st century home video format, so that it can be loved again by all.

There is room for all version of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return Of The Jedi to be experienced. And want to give you our money for the classic version too; we really do! Please give us that opportunity. At least give us hope that we will be able to do so soon. Some of us aren’t getting any younger.

That is all we ask, and we look forward to your reply.

NB. Years ago Lucasfilm stated “we could not put the extraordinary time and resources into this project (the ‘2006 GOUT DVD’ bonus disc release) as we did with the Special Editions”. If this is still so… then please consider providing a respected and experienced company such as Criterion with copies of the elements required to produce an official release of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy - in the highest possible quality home video digital format.

Sincerely yours,

insert your name here

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

Letter Template ‘B’ (medium):-

Dear Lucasfilm & Disney,

It has been more than 25 years - an entire generation - since the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy films had a dedicated release. The classic version so many of us grew up with, underpinning the entire Galaxy Far Far Away.

Above and beyond the nostalgic value they hold for millions of fans the world over, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi are landmark films that represent watershed moments in motion picture history. To preserve the original, award-winning work of the many artisans, craftsmen (and women), and special effects artists is to do justice to their priceless contributions.

Undeniably, these movies are also cultural placeholders for millions of film fans. The impact that the original Star Wars Trilogy made on countless numbers of children, young people and grownups everywhere is indisputable. Preserving the unaltered theatrical release forms of these movies and making them available again to the public is of utmost importance.

An entire generation grew up with these movies and still love them dearly. We have treasure memories which will always hold a place in our lives. We have bought the cinema tickets, video tapes, CEDs, laserdiscs, VCDs, DVDs, blu rays, 4K releases, artwork, posters, comics, soundtracks, games, figures, toys, lunchboxes, the various Special Editions, the Prequels, the Sequels, Standalone movies, The Mandalorian series, subscriptions to Disney+, visiting the theme parks and Star Wars attractions - and literally bought the t-shirt…

… we just ask for the option to buy and experience the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy once more - on a high quality, modern digital format.

That is all we ask for, and we look forward to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

insert your name here

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy

Letter Template ‘C’ (short):-

Dear Lucasfilm & Disney,

While many of us appreciate and enjoy George Lucas’ creative evolution of the classic Star Wars films via the various releases of the ever-changing ‘Special Editions’, we respectfully state there is tremendous importance in the original prints of the Star Wars Trilogy… to experience the original, award-winning work of the many artisans, craftsmen (and women), and special effects artists is to do justice to their priceless contributions - an important and cultural part of American film history.

All these years later, we would love to revisit the iconic Original Trilogy that we remember, to recapture those memories of a long time ago, in a movie theater far far away. Those of us with families want to be able to show our kids exactly what we saw when we were their age and relive it with them. It should be such a simple thing to do.

Only it isn’t.

Yet we believe there is indeed room for all versions of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of The Jedi to exist. And we want to give you our money for them; we really do! Please give us that opportunity, or at least give us hope that we will be able to do so soon. That is all we ask for, and we look forward to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

insert your name here

#ReleaseTheOriginalTrilogy