danny_boy said:

But in doing so our ability just to enjoy a film for a film's sake has diminished.

Not all of us.

Story is the only thing that's ever mattered to me. That's what made the switch to the NPR version so effortless for me. It was story only. No versions, no bullshit.

Honestly, as much as I rail on Lucas for all his lying and his OV bullshit, the film version of Star Wars is very nearly a thing of the past for me now. I last watched it in 2006. It holds almost no interest for me anymore. My problem with Lucas is his ego and his lying, not the poor quality of the 06 DVD.

I want the 1977 version to be properly restored because it absolutely should be, not because I'll switch back to it as my go-to. That's just not going to happen. I will definitely buy it and watch it though.

Regarding film grain & dirt; It doesn't bother me in the least. In fact, I never give it any thought.

As prequelsrule mentioned above; If the 1977 film is ever properly released, I'll feel a sense of relief - but not happiness. Lucas ruined his version of Star Wars for me a long time ago. Star Wars, to me, is something entirely different than it was 34 years ago.