Info Wanted: The Best OOT Preservation Discs...? Suggestions?

Hello, I’ve been on this wonderful forum for a couple of months now, and I have contributed a bit to discussions and all and have spent a ton of time reading about the amazing work that Harmy, Adywan, and so many others have done to release high quality versions of the Original, Theatrical versions of the Star Wars Trilogy.

I was raised on the 1995 “Faces” VHS set as a child, and I was terribly and awfully swindled by the 2004 Special Ed. DVDs as a young teenager and then somewhat returned to the true versions with the 2006 GOUT DVDs.  But as we all know, the 2006 GOUT discs are of high quality by no means and in an age of Blu-Ray HD transfers and so on, the GOUT discs are utterly unacceptable.

After all of this reading, I have realized that there are a plethora of variations that can be seen (and heard) in an OOT Star Wars film.  There are differences in color timing, how close the version is to the original print, 35 mm vs. 70 mm, and so on and so forth.

Also…I have never had the pleasure of hearing the mono mix of Star Wars. I love the mono mixes of a lot of my favorite 1960s rock LPs, so I’m sure the mono mix of my favorite movie must be interesting as well! (from what i hear about it, it is!).  Since we now have Blu-Rays, which feature multiple audio mixes and tracks (well DVDs do too, admittedly), I would love to have the movies sport several different audio tracks.  I saw somebody out there who had the original stereo, the original mono, the 93 mix, the 95 Faces mix, and so on all there on the disc for Star Wars for instance.  I would LOVE this!

I am NOT interested in the 97, 04, or 11 Special Editions.  I am NOT interested in seeing "Episode IV: A New Hope" or the post-1981 crawl on what is Star Wars.  I want to see the films as close to their theatrical experiences as possible, even if there are blemishes and all…I would just like THAT in it’s highest quality!

Furthermore, a HUGE point for me is the cover art.  The GOUT discs had horrendous cover art.  Besides the retroactive Episode Numbering and “A New Hope”, photo-shopping was far too present (especially on Star Wars) and the original, unique poster artwork and special logos originally marketed with each film…weren’t used…and it continues like that today with George’s new releases sadly.

I understand that most of you offer downloads and so on for all of this or printed out cover artwork, but I am somewhat technically/computer “illiterate”, so I would like to avoid any…excessive download entanglements…no questions asked! 😃

In bullet points here’s what I’m generally looking for

1.) Great theatrical versions of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi **as close to their original theatrical versions and “experiences” as humanly possible.  **

2.) Preferably  on Blu-Ray disc.  I am a Blu-Ray fanatic.  However, if the best/better version is on DVD, then I will go for that.

3.) Multiple Audio Versions -  I want the option to see Star Wars in mono or in stereo…the 35 mm vs. 70 mm differences…all of that!

4.) GREAT cover art.  Star Wars billed as _Star Wars.  The Empire Strikes Back as The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi…_etc.  I would love the original film title logos there/poster art and all that! Some of you wizards have designed wonders like this, and they make me _salivate.  _

5.) **Try and make it as easy as possible for ****me to put everything together. **

Thank You, Everyone.  I am only 19 years old.  I never got to see Star Wars the way it was meant to be seen on the big screen back in its glory.  I want to have something (close) to that experience!

May the Force be with all of you!

(and my eternal fan-boy gratitude to those who help!)

Fan edits are not to be sold. That about the biggest rule we have around here.

To learn more...

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Fan-edit-preservation-forum-rules-and-FAQ/forum/17/topic/5950/

I recommend you get both of these:

Harmy's Despecialized Edtitions v1 AVCHD: These are in 720p, using the AVCHD format (which uses a DL DVD but will play on blu-ray players). There may be the occasional SE remnant here or there, but you will probably not notice them. Multiple audio versions included.

Dark Jedi's v3 DVD: These are in the DVD format, as DJ is still working on the blu-ray versions. These are upscales of the GOUT, so there are no SE remnants whatsoever. Multiple audio versions included.

Both of these have their pros and cons. Personally, I'm partial to Harmy's version because it's HD, and I find the occasional jaggies in the JD's v3 a little too distracting.

So get a hold of both of them and see which one you like more!

Interesting.  Are there any discs out there simply of "scans" of the original films (as in film films) for each movie? Even if they're of terrible quality, that would interest me greatly.   

The best things available currently for theatrical closeness and audio competitiveness are

DarkJedi's V3 DVD for the trilogy, with every audio mix available for each film. These are still based off the GOUT, but are as close to a definitive issue that is possible.

My personal favorite is the Puggo Grande. This is a 16mm transfer of Star Wars with the mono track. Quality is not the greatest but still perfectly serviceable. You'd really be surprised what this one can do, and it has quickly become my go to for the film despite all the print wear.

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Puggo-GRANDE-16mm-restoration/topic/9752/

Star Wars Purist said:

Interesting.  Are there any discs out there simply of "scans" of the original films (as in film films) for each movie? Even if they're of terrible quality, that would interest me greatly.   

Yes - but it's not quite that simple.

Historically, we know about two scans of 35mm prints of Star Wars that have been transferred to VHS bootlegs - one is full frame and the other widescreen. DVD transfers from both are 'out there'.

There is also the Puggo Grande project, which is a scan of a 16mm print of Star Wars direct to DVD. The follow-up project for Empire, 'Puggo Strikes Back', is not yet available.

Then there's Video Collector's "Theatre Performance" bootlegs of ESB and ROTJ. These are "cams" of the original films rather than telecine scans, and again have been through an intermediate VHS stage.

How/Where do I download the Puggo Grande?