Original VHS Releases

Author: rebelbaserec
Date: 12-Jul-2011, 1:13 PM

Author: rebelbaserec
Time: 12-Jul-2011 1:13 PM
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Hi All,

After reading all the 1 star reviews on the yet-to-be released Blu-Ray Set, I realized I haven't seen the original, Theatrical versions since I was a kid. I am assuming these are only available on VHS so I was looking to purchase them on eBay but I can't figure out which ones to purchase since there are so many available.

I don't want to end up purchasing the Special Editions on accident but I also don't want the oldest copy being sold on eBay. Can anyone help me find the latest release of the Theatrical versions? Was there a Trilogy Set released of these original versions? Were they ever remastered for a re-release before the 'Special Editions?'

Author: Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda
Time: 12-Jul-2011 1:18 PM
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You're in the right place. You can actually do better than the VHS releases, as there are several options for seeing decent transfers of the original trilogy. The "GOUT", DarkJedi's improved version of the GOUT, and Harmy's Despecialized editions are three great places to start. Peruse the preservation threads and summaries, and welcome aboard!

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Author: doubleofive
Time: 12-Jul-2011 1:33 PM
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I mean, the easiest way to get them would be to just buy the "Limited Edition" DVDs, which have (a version of) the theatricals on them. Its pretty lousy quality, but its better than VHS. Then you could download some of the better restorations.

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Author: danny_boy
Time: 12-Jul-2011 2:07 PM (Edited)
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Bid on one of these beauties:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Star-Wars-VHS-1977-1984-CBS-FOX-Vid-NEW-Sealed-/110712884263?pt=VHS&hash=item19c7008c27

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-Star-Wars-first-release-1982-CBS-Fox-Video-VHS-PAL-/280672493470?pt=AU_Movies_Movies_TV_Shows&hash=item4159625f9e

I saw Star Wars in 1977. Many, many, many times. For 3 years it was just Star Wars...period. I saw it in good theaters, cheap theaters and drive-ins with those clunky metal speakers you hang on your window. The screen and sound quality never subtracted from the excitement. I can watch the original cut right now, over 30 years later, on some beat up VHS tape and enjoy it. It's the story that makes this movie. Nothing? else.

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Author: timdiggerm
Time: 12-Jul-2011 2:29 PM
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Puggo's answer is the right one. I highly recommend darkjedi and harmy's stuff, though Harmy hasn't finished ROTJ yet.

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Author: Asaki
Time: 13-Jul-2011 10:40 AM (Edited)
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If you're in NTSC land, these are the droids you are looking for:

1992's Special Letterbox Collection. It's the first and last time the movies were released in widescreen before THX added its motion blurring DVNR effects to the films (as far as VHS is concerned).

If the DVNR doesn't bother you, then you might as well just find the GOUTs on DVD. I believe this set has them, I don't think you can get them seperate from the 2004 DVDs: http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Trilogy-Harrison-Ford/dp/B001EN71DG/

Or if you don't care about widescreen, then the world is your oyster (or something along those lines).

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Author: Anchorhead
Time: 13-Jul-2011 12:04 PM
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doubleofive said:

I mean, the easiest way to get them would be to just buy the "Limited Edition" DVDs, which have (a version of) the theatricals on them. Its pretty lousy quality, but its better than VHS. Then you could download some of the better restorations.

I agree. Go with the official release DVDs to secure a stable theatrical version of each. Certainly better than worrying about trying to find a usable VHS tape. You can always start working your way through the various fan preservations after that.

For the record; You're looking for the releases pictured below (2006), and in particular, the Bonus Disc from each (also pictured). The first disc of each set is the SE version of the film - the version you don't want. I don't know if just the Bonus Discs are available anywhere, from broken sets.

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Author: DuracellEnergizer
Time: 13-Jul-2011 12:44 PM
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Lord, the more I see the cover art on the DVD packages, the more I hate them. I'm so sick of shitty Photoshopped shit.

Author: Tyrphanax
Time: 13-Jul-2011 5:29 PM
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DuracellEnergizer said:

Lord, the more I see the cover art on the DVD packages, the more I hate them. I'm so sick of shitty Photoshopped shit.

Yeah, they're really the worst DVD covers ever.

Keep Circulating the Tapes.

END OF LINE

(It hasn’t happened yet)

Author: captainsolo
Time: 13-Jul-2011 6:55 PM
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Especially when you compare them to the old VHS covers. I miss all of the great VHS art.

The easiest way to view the original unaltered trilogy is indeed through the Bonus discs of the Limited edition 2006 releases. However, these are simply transfers from the master for the 1993 Definitive Collection Laserdisc. The 1993 edition did have a few elements changed, so it isn't truly the "original theatrical edition". For that the easiest edition to get would be that 1992 VHS set mentioned above if you are without a Laserdisc player. Plus it's available in 4:3 widescreen.

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Author: timdiggerm
Time: 13-Jul-2011 7:02 PM
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captainsolo said:

The 1993 edition did have a few elements changed, so it isn't truly the "original theatrical edition".

Woah woah woah. What?

ROTJ Storyboard Reconstruction Project

Author: msycamore
Time: 13-Jul-2011 9:06 PM (Edited)
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Altough the quality on the Limited Edition 2006 DVD leave very much to be desired, it's the only official release of the original 1977 Star Wars in terms of visual content, (audio is a remix) all other releases on video so far always was in the form of the 1981 Re-release, A New Hope. The only good decision Lucasfilm have made over the past two decades.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions.

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

Author: kermit
Time: 14-Jul-2011 7:09 AM
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I would want to echo what has been said before. Get the 2006 "Limited" edition. It is the official DVD release of these from LFL, and after paying LFL for those, I feel a lot better morally (even if Legally it almost certainly doesn't matter) with looking for other options.

Speaking of options, Puggo forgot to mention his Puggo Grande. It is a preservation of a few 16 mm Star Wars prints, and Puggo did a good job. It does have a bit of dirt and only the Mono sound track, but many of us first saw Star Wars in Mono theaters with dirtier (35mm) prints than this.

Also check out the work by Adywan. A year ago he released his "Theatrical Version" for ESB's 30th anniversary. Before that he released a greatly acclaimed versions of ANH that are more like what it seems most of us WISH the SE had been. Of course, this doesn't meet the need for a strictly ORIGINAL version for ANH, but you should check them out sooner or later.

Author: doubleofive
Time: 14-Jul-2011 7:35 AM
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kermit said:

Also check out the work by Adywan. A year ago he released his "Theatrical Version" for ESB's 30th anniversary. Before that he released a greatly acclaimed versions of ANH that are more like what it seems most of us WISH the SE had been. Of course, this doesn't meet the need for a strictly ORIGINAL version for ANH, but you should check them out sooner or later.

I would say Harmy has surpassed Ady's theatrical cuts, and they're in 720p!

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Author: kermit
Time: 14-Jul-2011 10:56 AM
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doubleofive said:

kermit said:

Also check out the work by Adywan. A year ago he released his "Theatrical Version" for ESB's 30th anniversary. Before that he released a greatly acclaimed versions of ANH that are more like what it seems most of us WISH the SE had been. Of course, this doesn't meet the need for a strictly ORIGINAL version for ANH, but you should check them out sooner or later.
I would say Harmy has surpassed Ady's theatrical cuts, and they're in 720p!

That may very well be. I'm still new to this and haven't seen them, although Harmy's ANH DVD5 is on the way. Don't have a way to play the 720p versions yet, although I'm sure I could figure a way to do it on my computer if I wanted to.

I would say that the Adywan ESB is a good supplement to GOUT, and repeat that purchasing GOUT, for all its weaknesses, is to the good. I am not at all sorry I bought it myself. The only version I question was worth the money I spent was the 97 SE VHS tape set. <g>

Author: Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda
Time: 14-Jul-2011 12:03 PM
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I am also a big fan of Darth Editous' version.

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Author: kermit
Time: 14-Jul-2011 2:42 PM
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Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:

I am also a big fan of Darth Editous' version.

I have heard about it, but can't find it.

Author: TV's Frink
Time: 14-Jul-2011 3:23 PM
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http://fanedit.org/33/