Hopefully this’ll help out anyone wondering about all the differing formats and releases for ‘home viewing’ of the Original Trilogy out there…
Info taken from the excellent http://www.davisdvd.com website (mainly USA releases and dates):-
It’s worth checking out the links themselves as they have the Picture Covers (very cool) of each of the releases…
http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep4.htm or http://web.archive.org/web/20060206031246/http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep4.htm
http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep5.htm or http://web.archive.org/web/20050311091851/http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep5.htm
http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep6.htm or http://web.archive.org/web/20050206041829/http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep6.htm
http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep_misc.htm or http://web.archive.org/web/20050206042506/http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep_misc.htm
“Star Wars : Episode IV - A New Hope”:-
? RELEASE DATE: May 1982
? STUDIO: 20th Century Fox Video
? RELEASE FORMATS: VHS, Betamax
? COMMENTS: This first home video release was for rental only and was unavailable for purchase
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: Linear stereo audio (mono compatible)
? OTHER COMMENTS: Comes in a plastic case with “Video Rental Library” stickered labels on the front, back and spine
? RELEASE DATE: 1982
? STUDIO: 20th Century Fox Video & CBS/FOX
? RELEASE FORMAT: RCA CED
? COMMENTS: Released first under the 20th Century Fox Video logo, and then CBS/FOX (the rarer of the two)
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: Pan & scan transfer; linear stereo audio (mono compatible)
? OTHER COMMENTS: The film is time-compressed to 116 min. to fit the 120 min. CED limit
? RELEASE DATE: 1982
? STUDIO: 20th Century Fox Video
? RELEASE FORMATS: VHS, Betamax
? COMMENTS: Repriced for consumer sale
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: Linear stereo audio (mono compatible)
? OTHER COMMENTS: Comes with a side-opening “drawer” slipcase
? RELEASE DATE: 1982
? STUDIO: 20th Century Fox Video
? RELEASE FORMAT: Laserdisc
? COMMENTS: One Extended-Play CLV disc
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: Pan & scan transfer; stereo sound
? OTHER COMMENTS: The film is time-compressed to 116 min. to fit the 120 min. CLV limit
? RELEASE DATE: 1982
? STUDIO: CBS/FOX
? RELEASE FORMATS: VHS, Betamax
? COMMENTS: VHS/Beta re-release #1 (under new CBS/FOX logo)
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: Stereo audio (mono compatible)
? OTHER COMMENTS: Comes with a side-opening “drawer” slipcase with the VHS/Beta logo on the spine in a die-cut window
? RELEASE DATE: 1982
? STUDIO: CBS/FOX
? RELEASE FORMAT: Laserdisc
? COMMENTS: Released under new CBS/FOX logo, the Extended-Play CLV disc was also issued as a 3 platter Standard-Play CAV edition
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: Pan & scan transfer; Stereo Surround sound
? OTHER COMMENTS: The film is time-compressed to 118 min. to fit the 120 min. CLV limit
? RELEASE DATE: 1983
? STUDIO: CBS/FOX
? RELEASE FORMATS: VHS, Betamax
? COMMENTS: VHS/Beta re-release #2
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: Audio upgraded to HiFi Stereo (mono compatible)
? OTHER COMMENTS: Now comes in the regular open-bottom VHS slip cover
? RELEASE DATE: 1984
? STUDIO: CBS/FOX
? RELEASE FORMAT: VHS
? COMMENTS: VHS re-release #3
? OTHER COMMENTS: This is the first home video version to include C-3PO’s line “The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave.”
? RELEASE DATE: 1986
? STUDIO: CBS/FOX
? RELEASE FORMAT: VHS
? COMMENTS: VHS re-release #4
? OTHER COMMENTS: Same as the 1984 VHS release (even with identical ? markings) except with a trilogy commercial added after the feature
? RELEASE DATE: 1987
? STUDIO: CBS/FOX
? RELEASE FORMAT: VHS
? COMMENTS: VHS re-release #5
? OTHER COMMENTS: 1977-1987 Trilogy Anniversary commercial added at start of tape
? RELEASE DATE: 1989
? STUDIO: CBS/FOX
? RELEASE FORMAT: Laserdisc
? COMMENTS: The first domestic letterboxed (2.35:1) edition
? OTHER COMMENTS: This laserdisc edition does contain C-3PO’s dialogue in the Death Star control room (“The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave.”). The film is spread over 3 sides of 2 Extended-Play CLV discs and is housed in a gatefold jacket
? RELEASE DATE: 1990
? STUDIO: CBS/FOX
? RELEASE FORMATS: VHS, Betamax
? COMMENTS: VHS re-release #6
? OTHER COMMENTS: New package design with a small picture of Vader on the side; Trilogy commercial ('77-'87 anniversary?) at start of tape; Also comes bundled up into the Trilogy Slipcase box set
? RELEASE DATE: 1992
? STUDIO: CBS/FOX
? RELEASE FORMAT: VHS
? COMMENTS: “Special Collector’s Edition” letterbox edition (taken from 1989 LD transfer)
? OTHER COMMENTS: Available separately or in a navy blue box set that includes “From SW to Jedi” tape, book, certificate and a hologram of 1977 artwork on the box.
? RELEASE DATE: 1993
? STUDIO: Fox Video
? RELEASE FORMAT: THX Certified Laserdisc
? COMMENTS: Mammoth 9-CAV disc (SRP $250) remastered Trilogy “Definitive Collection” with tons and tons of extras, audio commentaries, trailers, interviews, storyboards, The Creative Impulse hardcover book and more!
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: New THX digital picture and sound remasters; letterbox (2.35:1)
? OTHER COMMENTS: The new sound mix created for this edition (supervised by Ben Burtt) is once again missing C3PO’s “tractor beam” dialogue
? RELEASE DATE: 1995
? STUDIO: Fox Video
? RELEASE FORMATS: VHS
? COMMENTS: New previews; interview with Leonard Maltin and George Lucas; advertised as “the last chance to own the original trilogy”
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: New THX digital picture and sound remasters; pan & scan versions available separately or in a box set; letterboxed version only available in the slipcase box set
? OTHER COMMENTS: Box set variations: (1) tapes slid out from the right side (2) box had lift-up flap and was made from an entirely different cardboard stock.
? RELEASE DATE: 1995
? STUDIO: Fox Video
? RELEASE FORMAT: THX Certified Laserdisc
? COMMENTS: New previews; interview with Leonard Maltin and George Lucas; “The last chance to own the original version of Star Wars”
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: New THX digital picture and sound remasters; letterbox (2.35:1)
? OTHER COMMENTS: Uses the same letterbox transfer as the CAV Definitive Collection, only presented on 2 CLV discs (gatefold jacket)
? RELEASE DATE: 1995
? STUDIO: Fox Video
? RELEASE FORMAT: VHS
? COMMENTS: The Executor Box Set: a limited numbered edition tin box set (20,000) released in the UK. Contains THX widescreen VHS tapes of all three films, ‘From Star Wars To Jedi - The Making Of A Saga’ documentary, 5 hours of supplemental material, scripts for all three movies, three video art prints, six matte painting prints, booklet, and a numbered certificate of authenticity
? TECHNICAL COMMENTS: These PAL VHS tapes use the letterbox transfers made for laserdisc
? OTHER COMMENTS: Supplements include: The Making Of Star Wars, SPFX Empire - The Making Of The Empire Strikes Back, Classic Creatures - The Making Of Return Of The Jedi, From Star Wars To Jedi - The Making Of A Saga, Original Teaser & Release Trailers From All 3 Movies, Interviews With George Lucas, The Lucasfilm Archive Tour, The Star Wars Gallery With Ralph McQuarrie, Sound Advice: An Interview With Ben Burtt, How Walkers Walk: Stop Motion Workshop Footage - Narrated By Dennis Muren, The Flight Through The Asteroids: A Storyboard Comparison, The ABC’s Of Jedi Effects: An Interview With Dennis Muren, Jedi Videomatics: A Moving Storyboard - Narrated By Ken Ralston, Lapti Nek: The Music Video From Jabba’s Palace. Click here for a better look at the contents.
Release Format: VHS
Release Date: 1997
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Technical Comments: New THX-Certified 1.33:1 pan and scan or 2.35:1 letterboxed transfers with Digitally Mastered HiFi Stereo Surround sound
Comments: The 1997 Special Edition cut, includes a short behind-the-scenes featurette at the start of the tape
Other Comments: Available in gold (pan and scan) or silver (widescreen) box sets. 40,000 limited edition box sets were also available. They included the trilogy, a special edition making-of tape, a 35mm film clip, a pewter keepsake, The Art of Star Wars: Special Edition book and three poster prints
Release Format: Laserdisc
Release Date: 1997
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Technical Comments: THX-Certified 2.35:1 letterbox transfer with AC-3 Dolby Digital 5.1 and Digital Stereo Surround Sound
Comments: The 1997 Special Edition cuts on five Extended-Play CLV/Standard Play CAV discs (Cat# 410298501)
Other Comments: Also includes the special edition trailers and the nine behind-the-scenes shorts collected into one big featurette. The featurette includes additional material not included on the VHS editions
Release Format: VHS
Release Date: 2000
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Technical Comments: 2.35:1 letterboxed or 1.33:1 pan and scan transfers
Comments: Available in as part of Trilogy box sets, this re-release removes the 1997 “Special Edition” sub title
Other Comments: A 10 minute “Episode II” featurette has been added into the tape
Release Format: VCD
Release Date: 2000
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment/VideoVan Singapore
Technical Comments: 1.33:1 pan and scan transfers, Dolby Digital Stereo Surround and no subtitles
Comments: Officially licensed six-disc NTSC VCD set featuring the 1997 Special Editions; includes a Malaysian Govt. stamp on back of package
Other Comments: These VCDs are housed in jewel cases and sold only in this set. A 10 min “Episode II” featurette is included. The VCDs can be imported domestically and can be played on any region DVD player
Release Format: DVD
Release Date: 2004
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Technical Comments: THX-Certified, 16x9 (2.35:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 EX , Dolby Digital Stereo Surround
Comments: 2004 Special Edition versions with newly-produced visual effects updates and fixes; Anamorphic Widescreen 4-disc set; Episode IV, A New Hope Commentary by George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher; Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back Commentary by George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Lawrence Kasdan, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher; Episode VI, Return of the Jedi Commentary by George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher; Bonus Disc “Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy,” Featurettes (The Legendary Creatures of Star Wars, The Birth of the Lightsabre, The Legacy of Star Wars); teasers, trailers, TV spots; still galleries; Playable Xbox demo of Star Wars Battlefront; making of the Episode III videogame; Exclusive preview of Star Wars: Episode III
Other Comments: View individual cover art and bonus disc cover art
Release Format: DVD
Release Date: 2004
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Technical Comments: THX-Certified, Pan and Scan (1.33:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 EX , Dolby Digital Stereo Surround
Comments: 2004 Special Edition versions with newly-produced visual effects updates and fixes; Fullscreen 4-disc set; Episode IV, A New Hope Commentary by George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher; Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back Commentary by George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Lawrence Kasdan, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher; Episode VI, Return of the Jedi Commentary by George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher; Bonus Disc “Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy,” Featurettes (The Legendary Creatures of Star Wars, The Birth of the Lightsabre, The Legacy of Star Wars); teasers, trailers, TV spots; still galleries; Playable Xbox demo of Star Wars Battlefront; making of the Episode III videogame; Exclusive preview of Star Wars: Episode III