I think people will remember it as it came out in '77.

Sure there are special editions that newer generations will remember but overall the feel of the original trilogy will be the same and it will never be duplicated by any other film(s).

Here is a good example. I have a 3 year old son who is very energetic but he will sit still through A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back and if my hand is within a foot of the remote he tells me to not touch it and will smack my hand while his eyes are still fixed on the TV.

I put on Phantom Menace and he wants off the couch and plays with his cars. Then the podrace comes on and he watches that while making noises when its over he asks to see the racing again. I say no and he goes off to play his cars.

No other movie can make a 3 year old sit still for two hours. Not even kids ones like Toy Story, Cars (which he loves).

So for generations to come the original trilogys will be loved like we love them and if they see the special edition first I'm sure they will show enough interest to hunt down the unaltered versions.