If you read in the CHUD.com forums, Carl Cunningham who was on the set of Ep3 and is generally in the know says that this release of the SE is basically to quiet all the whining fans who have been angered by GL constantly saying "no dvds until after Ep3". And that basically this set is not the real deal. According to CC there will still be a big 6 box set, with the uber special editions in 2007 for the sagas 30th anniversary. He also says that if the original versions are ever to make it to DVD it is likely they would be part of this box set ala the ALien Quadrility 9disc set. He says that they have already encounterd a lot of problems digitizing the OT SE onto dvd for clean up, so to have OV OT ready any time soon is not possible, which make sense, because the clean up would be a lot more.
Now GL has used the word "NEVER" many times in regards to the old cuts, and I personally believe that he hates the original versions (and I don't get the sense he's too keen on the OT in general). Nevertheless, CC says that any time he has talked to LFL marketing/licsening suits it has always been a "never say never" situation, and that he says is an offical quote.
If all that is true, I think it brings to mind a couple of important points
1) this dvd release was done due to fan pressure. And infact the TPM dvd release was also done due to fan pressure. SO I'd say there is definitely no reason for us to give up our damn fool idealistic crusade yet.
2) The Uber special edition (being the worst kept secret) will eventually make its way onto DVD, which means that the 97 SE is as much a work in progress or "rough cut" as the OV OT. And if GL will release one "rough cut" to dvd, then its perfectly plausible he'll release another.
Speaking for myself (and I know I could reverse this) I'm not going to buy this DVD set. The best way to cast my vote is to speak with my wallet, and this release feels like half measures. I was always content to wait for the 2007 release and have it done right. If I'm going to have the SE, then I want the compelte SE, I want to see Jimmy SMitts on alderaan in ANH, and Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine in ESB. I want a Jabba that doesn't look like ass and I want all the matte lines cleaned up and the lightsabers redone for ANH. But instead we're getting the '97 version, its not the classic version most fans prefer, and its not the great restored/enhanced version so many fans have dreamed of. Its the worst of both worlds, and i already have these movies in widescreen on VHS. I can keep waiting.
Its always been my opinion that the reason GL would never relase the OV OT on DVD is because he cannot risk them outselling the SEs. It would be too embarrassing. I think it would basically be percieved as the populace saying "you know all this CG and digital revolution, and films are not complete they're just abandon, and revisionist cinema technique you've been preaching this past 10 years? Its all a load of bull."
At least I think thats how he would see it. The past 10-12 years of SW have been all about pushing CG, pushing digital, and pushing the PT as better then the OT. And if the OV OT came along and just annihilated the PT dvd sales and the SE dvd sales then that would basically say that all that was for nothing and people would rather have the effects of the 70s over those of todays. And that wouldn't be good for business. Of course the simple solution is simply to sell both the 1977 version and the 2007 version exclusively in the same set, and then its not a matter of one versus the other.
So in closing I think its great that we've reached 50,000, and I think it would be even better if we could reach 100,000 by opening day of Episode III. I'm not sure this is a battle we can win, but I know its one we can fight.
Keep up the good work everyone!