@Adywan: Well, I'd say Return of the Jedi is a Lucas movie too. Marquand was not a talented director, and while mr. Kershner was experienced enough to make a movie without any interference or support, it is known that Lucas had to shoot some scenes of SW VI himself and edit the movie.

However, most of the additions in Empire for example show what kind of technology/shots Lucas wanted to use. I'm not judging the result (which by the way to me is fine), I'm saying that his reason is understandable...

And technically it's not correct to say that usually we get original versions alongside director's cuts. Most of the time it's the opposite, or at least it's been this way for decades. Many movies were released for home-video in theatrical cuts, and sometimes, maybe after years, we were lucky to get special editions with a new cut included. Now "combos" are spreading more and more, and we see lots of blu-rays with 2 or 3 versions of the same movie, but it's a recent trend.

"If Lucas had just kept them as special editions and not tried to bury the originals, then you can bet the hatred towards those films wouldn't be half as bad as it is now." Which is precisely what i'm saying... i'm definitely sure not everyone who watched the SE really thinks they suck. Many just love the older versions too much.

Which is, if you think about it, the same exact situation of the prequels.

@Frank your Majesty: spare me these monologues, please. I'm not in love with your oratory as you are.