msycamore said:

Don't know about Jedi, but the IP for Empire seems to have been the source for all NTSC releases, including the '97SE.

This brings up a point nobody ever discusses: If the IPs were made in 1985, and especially if the ones for the sequels were used in the 97SE, doesn't it stand to reason that they were on low-fade stock? In other words, the color is intact - another strike against the official "no good sources for the originals" line.

In 1994, when the trilogy was screened in New Jersey, the projectionist said the prints looked excellent. He also rated the theatrical prints of the SEs unfavorably (or at least the first film). He said the droids in the Tantive corridor looked "dull and grainy" compared to the sharp and clear look of original prints. He also said that Leia's face (in her first scene?) had obvious color shifting (Treadwell and mverta observed similar color issues in the theatrical run).

The article is here: http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/83-Star-Wars-at-30-Years-Old-A-Lifes-Journey.html

This all feels to me like more evidence that when Lucas and co. say "It can't be done" what they really mean is "We don't want to do it."