Pre-ANH original 77 version VHS tape?

I am looking to get the original theatrical Star Wars 77 on VHS. Was it ever released without the crawl “A New Hope”? And if so which version do I need to be on the lookout for.

Nope. The 1981 cut is what made its way to video in 1982. I have the FOX rental Tape. The roll up was reshot and starfield changed? The audio is original though its the theatrical stereo mix. Not the digital mix created later.

Its also pan and scan and not in letterbox. I don’t know if the tape is time compressed or not i haven’t watched it since 2006. It had tape rot, just like my first pressing Laserdisc has laser rot. I wonder if the thing even tracks anymore or would ruin my VCR.

I like pan and scan if I’m watching on a 4:3 CRT, which is what I do.

But that sucks otherwise. So the first one was based off 81 theatrical. And the early 90s releases (pre-SE) are the same way?

And is it the same for the Laserdiscs? I could go either way, LD or VHS. Ideally I’d like a theatrical (1977 version) “Star Wars” in 4:3 pan-and-scan

I don’t think there is any release, besides the 2006 GOUT disc, without the Episode IV title. The rollup was changed in 81, and has been stuck that way ever since.

And the Gout disc is at best a facsimile. 77 crawl on 1992-93 video transfer with 1993 audio.

The smashing glass sound in the detention block is something i will never not hear with this version of the movie and i absolutely loathe it.

They had access to some low fade interpositive or internegative which looks very very nice, but they messed up the colors and used DNR. It was a sign of things to come, there will never be a good looking version of the original film at least officially.

Bobson Dugnutt said:

I don’t think there is any release, besides the 2006 GOUT disc, without the Episode IV title. The rollup was changed in 81, and has been stuck that way ever since.

Thanks everyone for the info. Also Mr Dugnutt I sent you a DM a few days ago regarding one of your edits.

There is no VHS release that excludes the title “A New Hope”. The only home release that has the actual theatrical version is the 2006 bonus disc.