I hope someone will be able to pick up the torch, and do (as they said they intended) with the 97s as was done with the OTVs - I think there’s opportunity with HD scans of the 97s alongside the OTVs and the 2004 HDTV rips, with the BDs.
I usually wouldn’t care about SE’s, but the way you put it, with the fan-OTV’s, HDTV rips and, of course, the BDs, you’re right that the 97SEs actually are the only hold outs of Star Wars versions to be available to fans in decent quality. For this small last step toward having all revisions available for people to choose from, I agree with you.
That and Empire 70mm.
Is that different from regular Empire?
Surprisingly, yeah. It was the first cut released, and right after they completed it and sent it off, George decided to mess with it some more. It has some minor differences in soundtrack as well as lacking a few shots at the end of the film.