The process seems overdone to me (http://savestarwars.com/goutcorrect.html)
Han face is almost orange. And some shot are too green. (not sure it was really intented in 77)
Are you sure the prints you have examinated are 100% fresh ?
I think its oversaturated.. or something else
However if a put the 2 captures in photoshop and mix them (50% opacity), the result seems more convincing
But i havent seen the movie in theater before 1997 so i can't tell.
(my screen is calibrated with a colorimeter)
mix :
