It does look a little different from the other V2000 tape cassettes - though I’ve no idea why mate 😦
Could it be the top of the V2000 cassette is white - and it is difficult to see against the white background, and makes it look a little different?
Spain
Some information on the Spanish releases of the Original Trilogy on VHS can be found here:-
https://www.lafosadelrancor.com/2014/12/las-ediciones-de-la-trilogia-origina
^ note the ‘Ganadora de 6 Oscars’ (‘Winner of 6 Oscars’) - obviously only appears on releases prior to the 1997 Special Editions…
‘Pack la Trilogia Star Wars en VHS | CBS Fox Video 1990 | ESPAÑOL’ (in Spanish):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neK5mc16e0s - a 9 minute video at the Serious Frame youtube channel
Italy
Some information from Italy on the releases of the Original Trilogy can be found here:-
^ though unfortunately it does not have much information on the many Italian VHS box sets themselves. If anyone knows any sources of information (sites, blogs or videos etc) for the Italian releases - or a history of them, please post it up. Thank you.
^ a literal ‘3-in-1’ box set 😃
That is intriguing - and very well executed too.
‘Retired ILM Model Maker Ira Keeler Has Passed Away, Aged 80’:-
& https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2021/04/16/ilm-model-maker-ira-keeler-has-passed
‘Sad news reaches us that Ira Keeler, retired ILM model maker, died yesterday (April 15th) aged 80. Keeler’s extensive credits include Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Star Tours, Jurassic Park, The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.’
^ It is a beautiful set - perhaps sell one of your Executor box sets to buy the French 1993 ‘Edition Collector’? 😉
There are usually a few available on ebay.fr - but can be so expensive for a set in good condition.
That is really sweet helmet - and nice collection as well (plus the t-shirt!)
Does the viewfinder flip down too?
I’m a little surprised Dark Empire doesn’t have its own dedicated thread on here - especially considering how popular it still is.
A quick look at the EU Index and there only seems to be threads on here for Thrawn (7-8 threads on them), Revan, Crimson Empire, SOTE, and The High Republic project.
(Tobar’s Fan Web Series of Dark Empire thread) apart, of course.)
If anyone fancies knocking up a thread or two on some of the more mainstream or popular EU book & comic series, please feel free…
^ That is one cool idea (or two) - and very nicely done mate.
Love the repositioning of Vader’s head on the front cover (now being more centralised) - looks like a quality retro-style Trilogy poster 👍
Don’t know if you got my PM yesterday. Love to get a link.
It can be some time before you get a response on here mate - sometimes it can be days, weeks or months before project creators may contact you (as not everyone is on here every day).
Some people also choose not to give their projects to people who join up here to seemingly just to ask for links to projects - whilst others are okay with it.
France…
Some useful info and images for many of the French Original Trilogy box sets (and some single release films):-
A ‘History of the different French editions’ info page
A ‘Files of some non-French box sets’ info page (including releases from the UK, USA, Canada, & Australia)
The site also includes information & images on Original Trilogy box set releases from…
Additional image and some info for the French 1992 OT VHS boxset release - from StarWarsOnHomeVideo.com
Some additional images of the most intriguing 1993 ‘La Trilogie : Edition Collector’:-
Germany…
benduwan very kindly provided this quality info for some of the German box set releases (as well as single film releases):-
‘Star Wars auf Video Teil 1: 1982 – 1988’ - www.bantha.de/star-wars-auf-video-1982-1988
‘Star Wars auf Video Teil 2: 1990 – 1993’ - www.bantha.de/star-wars-auf-video-teil-2-1990-1993
‘Star Wars auf Video Teil 3: 1995 – 1995’ - www.bantha.de/star-wars-aus-video-teil-3-1995
‘Star Wars auf Video Teil 4: 1997 – 2000’ - www.bantha.de/star-wars-auf-video-teil-4-1997-2000
Another great resource for German home video media releases - http://jedi-archiv.de/VideoChronologie.htm
^ all thanks, credit & kudos to benduwan 👍
^ from http://www.bantha.de/star-wars-auf-video-teil-2-1990-1993
'In March 1990, a limited collector’s box was released which, in addition to the Star Wars Trilogy, also contained the first Ewok film and the making of “The Star Wars Story”. Actually, this box had nothing in common with the Silver Screen Collection, after all it only contains the book boxes that had already been published.
This box was limited, numbered and was probably sold exclusively through the Sat1 TV shop. By the way, the price at that time was 199, -DM, around 100, - €. This box was advertised when the Star Wars films were shown on television for the first time in Germany, namely on Sat1.’
^ via google translation from the above link.
From benduwan’s personal collection (thank you very much for these photos):-
Image and some info for the German 1991 OT VHS boxset release - from StarWarsOnHomeVideo.com
Some box set images of the 1991 box set:-
^ the widescreen box set
^ the fullscreen box set
^ from www.bantha.de/star-wars-auf-video-teil-2-1990-1993
'In October 1991 the so-called Black Box appeared. The Black Box is a collector’s box from the trilogy. The special thing about this box is that the design probably came from the USA. In the box, the VHS tapes are in cardboard sleeves, as they were common for video tapes in the USA. Bonus material such as the making of “The Star Wars Story” has been completely dispensed with in this box. It only contains the trilogy.
The box consists of two parts, a slipcase with flaps on the sides that contains the straps and a slipcase that is slipped over it. The cover art is the same cover art that was used before.
This is probably the first German-language publication where the customer had the choice between full screen and letterboxed. Letterboxed means that the film is still saved on the video in full-screen format of 4: 3 but in the original cinema format of 2.35: 1. This means that the picture now has two thick black bars above and below. On VHS you often only had the option to see the film in full screen, which means that the entire screen is used, but a lot of image information is lost because something has to be cut off to the left and right of the image.’
^ via google translation from the above link.
^ from www.bantha.de/star-wars-auf-video-teil-2-1990-1993
'The TV broadcaster Sat1 published its own version of the black box the following year. At that time, Sat1 was the German science fiction broadcaster. In addition to Star Wars, the Star Trek series and films were also broadcast. The only difference between this box and the black box was that this box has a white slipcase with the Sat1 logo.
Unfortunately, it can no longer be determined whether this box was also available in full screen and letterboxed. Probably this box was only available in full screen.’
^ via google translation from the above link.
More information on the white 1992 Sat1 trilogy boxset can be found here:-
www.meine-filmsammlung.de/frame_content.php?fid=244&uid=103130
^ from www.bantha.de/star-wars-aus-video-teil-3-1995
‘This box also appeared as part of the THX edition. This is the same form of packaging that was used before. For the THX edition, the decision was made to use the protagonists’ lightsabers as cover images for the individual films. The cover pictures by John Alvin were only used on the slipcase of the box. However, this box was only published letterboxed and no longer in full screen.
The magazine Video published a limited Collectors Edition, which was limited to 4000 pieces. This is exactly the same box. The only difference is that the video tapes are S-VHS tapes. These are of better quality than normal VHS tapes. But since only the normal video signal is stored on these videos, you can watch this version with any VHS recorder without any problems. However, almost all advantages of the actually better S-VHS format are lost because they are not used.
On the tape of Star Wars there is a short video with test patterns, which should help to set up the television and the Dolby Surround system.’
^ via google translation from the above link.
^ from http://www.bantha.de/star-wars-aus-video-teil-3-1995
‘The 1995 Classic Video Box is a box that was only advertised on television and could only be ordered by telephone. The box is a large and sturdy cardboard box that contains the normal VHS tapes that were already released individually, as well as the making of of Return of the Jedi: Classic Creatures. This is the only publication of this making of. The Classic Creatures box is also in the style of the THX Edition. The Classic Video Box also included a demo version of X-Wing Vs. TIE Fighter.’
^ via google translation from the above link.
Images and some info for the German 1997 Special Edition OT VHS boxset release - from StarWarsOnHomeVideo.com
&
^ from www.bantha.de/star-wars-auf-video-teil-4-1997-2000
'The special edition was also released in a beautiful collector’s box, which was also gold. In Germany this box appeared exclusively in letterboxed. In other countries this box appeared both in full screen and letterboxed and was mostly offered in silver (letterboxed) and gold (full screen).
The interesting thing about this box was that there is a short bonus video in front of the main film, which gives an insight into the creation of the special edition. In Germany, this box was also accompanied by a booklet in which merchandising was advertised.’
^ via google translation from the above link.
^ from www.bantha.de/star-wars-auf-video-teil-4-1997-2000
'This collector’s box is now the last German release of the classic Star Wars trilogy on VHS. This box contains the special edition as it was published 3 years earlier. The biggest difference between the previous releases is that this box is no longer made entirely of cardboard. The slipcase is made of printed plastic with viewing windows.
As bonus material, this box contains a short interview with Bonnie Piesse and Joel Edgerton, the actors of Beru and Owen Lars in episode 2. One or the other will have bought this box solely because of this bonus material. One crucial difference, however, is new. Since this publication there is only “Star Wars” and no “Star Wars” in Germany.’
^ via google translation from the above link.
Netherlands…
An image and some info for the Netherlands’ 1992 OT VHS boxset release - from StarWarsOnHomeVideo.com
more info on releases for the Netherlands coming soon…
^ note the ‘1992 FoxVideo inc’ copyright blurb on the base of the box set.
Above images from ‘RARE Star Wars VHS VIDEO Original First release Box Set’ ebay listing: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264019190134
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #297: Australian 1992 VHS Set’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_VEKf9igeM - an 8 minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel
‘Original Star Wars Trilogy - Buy It Now Or Lose It Forever (1996)’ (Australian advert):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6NPIN_OTLw - a 30 second trailer at the Bamptonoid youtube channel
‘My Star Wars VHS Collection’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWN_idlfZjc - a 4 minute video at the VHS/DVD/Bluray Previews Australia youtube channel.
It seems the boxset with Vader on the cover was full screen; the box set with Yoda on the cover being widescreen:-
‘Electric Youth - Modern Fears (Pilotpriest Come True Version) | Official Video’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woSc2_xE7KI
Haunting electro-synth to a modern noir chiller 👍
‘“Inside The Star Wars Empire: A Memoir” by Bill Kimberlin’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB-nVCcde7U - a 17 minute video at the Bill Kimberlin youtube channel
The blurb…
‘“Inside The Star Wars Empire: A Memoir” by Bill Kimberlin. My twenty years working for George Lucas and the third of the original Star Wars series…“Return of the Jedi.” This is the inside story.’
^ A most intriguing watch - especially around 8 minutes in - with Bill Kimberlin talking about that George didn’t want a duplicate master of the prints made for the Original Trilogy before work started on the 1997 Special Edition… that the 1997 Special Edition was, according to Lucas, “this is going to be original version - what I am doing now” (aka ‘The Final Cut’ as later described by George).
Bill Kimberlin does also later state there are other prints of the unaltered theatrical version of the Original Trilogy still in existence.
There are also some quality and rarely seen photos featuring in this video - well worth a viewing.
Bill Kimberlin comes across as a very interesting guy - his book “Inside The Star Wars Empire: A Memoir” is probably a decent read too…
An Index for ‘Box Sets from around the world’ posts in this thread…
Hopefully this thread may come up with a few unknown / rare variants of the Original Trilogy box set releases out there - as most of the releases in here are so far are simply from the US or UK.
It’d be great to have some input and info included from some of the Australian & New Zealand, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, and Czech releases - and any other box set releases from countries around the world too…
Especially if any box sets out there are something a little different to the usual and well-known US & UK releases - and in V2000 (Video 2000) - or Beta (Betamax).
So if you have any info, know of any good sources of information - or have a collection yourself that you’d like to share - then please do…
• Norway - by ZkinandBonez (and many thanks to him)
• Australia & New Zealand
• Netherlands
• Germany (all credit to benduwan)
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Mexico 1 (Spanish)
• Brazil (Portuguese)
• Japan
• Chile (Spanish)
• Argentina (Spanish)
• Mexico 2 (Spanish) - very rare
• Thai
• Poland
^ or just scroll down 👍
Miscellaneous
Videos and other sources of information which contain material across the various box set releases - and maybe differing regions around the world (and not just ‘by the year’ as above)…
‘My Star Wars Home Video Collection Part 1 - Pre-Special-Edition VHS European Releases’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f5hSeLkN6k - a 13 minute video at the Petr Harmy youtube channel
The blurb…
‘Showing you my Star Wars video collection - Part 1: Pre-Special-Edition VHS European Releases.’
‘My Star Wars Home Video Collection Part 2 - Special-Edition and Prequel VHS European Releases’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDhDq0m20Tc - a 13 minute video at the Petr Harmy youtube channel
The blurb…
‘Showing you my Star Wars video collection - Part 2: Post-Special Edition VHS.’
Harmy also has a Part 3 and Part 4 of his ‘home video collection’ on DVDs, blu rays, laserdiscs and single film video releases.
‘My Star Wars Home Video Collection Part 5’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd0asvIL5MU - a 19 minute video at the Petr Harmy youtube channel
The blurb…
‘Some more new finds I added to my collection 😃’ (including a rare 1995 German VHS 4-tape box set release)
‘Star Wars Trilogy VHS Box Sets’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epLYhVtRa_E - a 10 minute video at the CinemaniacSeventy7 youtube channel.
^ The video covers both the 1992 ‘Special Letterbox Collector’s Edition’ - and 1995 ‘ISD Executor’ VHS boxsets.
2000 (containing the 1997 Special Edition)
An advert for the 2000 release of the Original Trilogy boxset on VHS:-
‘Star Wars Trilogy VHS Commercial (2000)’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVPmE4CQcg0 - a 1 minute trailer at the Galactic Voyage youtube channel
Some images of the 2000 OT Box Set and also the tapes within:-
^ more info on this set can be found at the SWonVideo.com website - by Video Collector
Some images of the 2000 Widescreen OT Box Set and also the tapes within:-
^ more info on this set can be found at the SWonVideo.com website - by Video Collector
Image of the 2000 OT Box Set and the contents:-
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #12: The Final VHS Trilogy (2000)’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=639xdq3sO7o - a minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel
‘Retro Unboxing - Star Wars Original Trilogy 2000 VHS Box Set!’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNo8FUiZKv8 - a 6 minute video from the zachfernandez92 youtube channel
1997 (The 1997 Special Edition)
‘The STAR WARS Trilogy “Special Edition” (VHS T.V. Commercial) 1997’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9Yhn1OGhx0 - a 30 second trailer at the Movie Dawgs youtube channel
The “Watch Carefully” (not-at-all patronising!) 1997 SE VHS advert : ‘Star Wars Special Edition VHS Promo - 9/13/97’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WLlnlSw6fM - a 20 second trailer at the Nintendementia youtube channel
Some images of the 1997 Special Edition Box Set and also the tapes within:-
^ images taken from the 2015 article Collectibles from the Outer Rim at StarWars•com
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #11: The Special Edition Trilogy (1997)’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQynR4pfcLE - a 30 minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #167: UK Special Edition VHS Day 1 Goodies’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waIVeruhaTY - a 9 minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #298: 1997 Press Kit VHS’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2cQdqdjguE - a 6 minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel
1995
‘Star Wars 1995 VHS release Trailer’ - aka the ‘One Last Time’ trailer:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKr5R1VNPjI - a 90 second trailer at the wyatt8740 youtube channel
‘Retro Unboxing - Star Wars Original Trilogy 1995 VHS Box Set!’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ciic00Yi5k - an 8 minute video at the zachfernandez92 youtube channel
A ‘One Last Time’ poster:-
Some images from the 1995 OT VHS ‘Faces’ box set release:-
^ more info on this 1995 VHS ‘Faces’ box set can be found at the ‘Star Wars On Home Video’ website, here:-
• SW: http://www.starwarshomevideo.com/2018/12/star-wars-usa-vhs-1995.html
• ESB: http://www.starwarshomevideo.com/2018/12/the-empire-strikes-back-usa-vhs-1995_13.html
• ROTJ: http://www.starwarshomevideo.com/2018/12/return-of-jedi-usa-vhs-1995.html
‘Original Star Wars Trilogy - Buy It Now Or Lose It Forever (1996)’ (Australian advert):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6NPIN_OTLw - a 30 second trailer at the Bamptonoid youtube channel
‘Star Wars Trilogy (1995) THX VHS Release - In-Store Promo Reel’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz5MXcV6uPM - an 8 minute video from the Scully youtube channel
Another ‘One Last Time’ poster:-
Some images from the 1995 widescreen OT box set release:-
Some images from the 1995 full screen OT box set release:-
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #244: UK THX Remastered VHS Sets’ (1995):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTQ0M9Suywc - a 22 minute video from the Nathan Butler youtube channel
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #347: UK 1995 VHS “Cardboard Box” Set’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjBOlLaWME4 - a 5 minute video from the Nathan Butler youtube channel
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #10: The THX Remastered Edition (1995)’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvjPpYDP6j8 - a 9 minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel
'From the Star Wars Home Video Library #10.1: THX Remastered Edition Widescreen Variants (1995):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVyiZTlhNwI - a 13 minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel
A few images of the THX Remastered Edition Widescreen VHS boxset and the contents within:-
The rear of the box set - with message from George Lucas:-
‘ISD Executor Star Wars VHS Box Set Review’ (1995):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKIWGE_1Aic - an 8 minute video at the JJ Model Making youtube channel
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #56: ISD Executor UK VHS Set (1995)’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_OcvxOUbLs - a 13 minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel
A couple of images from the ‘ISD Executor UK VHS Set’ and the contents within:-
Info: Star Wars Executor Boxset VHS (1995) - a 2005 OT•com thread, by Jedikev
A decent write-up on the Executor VHS set and contents - here (at LinkedIn)
1992
An advert for the 1992 Widescreen Collection on VHS:-
'Star Wars Trilogy The Widescreen Collection 1992 Promo Trailer:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Riipp7KLfO4 - a 3 minute video at the The1970Ghostrider youtube channel
Some images of the 1992 UK Star Wars Trilogy Special Widescreen Edition Box Set and also the tapes within:-
^ more info on this set can be found at the SWonVideo.com website - by Video Collector
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #297: Australian 1992 VHS Set’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_VEKf9igeM - an 8 minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel
‘Star Wars Trilogy VHS Box Art’ (1992):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmFp8DDhUmQ - a 3 minute video at the wigglyboots youtube channel
A few images of the widely available 1992 OT VHS Box Set:-
^ note ‘Fox Video’ is used for the 1992 box set release (‘CBS Fox’ was used for the similar looking 1990 box set release)
^ note the 1992 copyright legalese on the base of the box set for ‘Fox Video’.
Images of the tapes and cover art used for this set can be found at the ‘Star Wars On Home Video’ website:-
(note: all 1990 set releases have ‘CBS Fox’ on the spine - the similar looking 1992 set releases have ‘Fox Video’ on the spine)
^ from http://www.starwarshomevideo.com/2018/12/star-wars-usa-vhs-1992.html
^ from http://www.starwarshomevideo.com/2018/12/the-empire-strikes-back-usa-vhs-1992.html
from http://www.starwarshomevideo.com/2018/12/return-of-jedi-usa-vhs-1992.html
^ more info on this 1992 VHS box set can be found at the SWonVideo.com website - by Video Collector
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #8: Special Letterbox Collector’s Edition (1992)’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku9Yap04Okk - a 13 minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel
A couple of images for the content from the 1992 ‘Special Letterbox Collector’s Edition’:-
1990
An advert for the 1990 box set release of the Original Trilogy on VHS:-
‘The Star Wars Trilogy - 1990 VHS collector’s promo’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-BE9DKuAyY - a 5 minute video at the Jason Leggett youtube channel
^ A HD restoration of the above video can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRxWzNJd-pI (by John Allegretti)
A 35 second trailer for the 1990 box set release of the Original Trilogy on VHS:-
‘Star Wars Trilogy VHS Gift Pack Commercial 1990’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYxomgL7bqQ - a 35 second video at the 90s Nostalgia youtube channel.
Some images of the 1990 OT Box Set and the tapes within:-
(note: all 1990 set releases have ‘CBS Fox’ on the spine - the similar looking 1992 set releases have ‘Fox Video’ on the spine)
^ more info on this set can be found at the SWonVideo website - by Video Collector
Some more images of the 1990 OT Box Set and the tapes within:-
^ The Academy Awards accomplishments featured on the wing sections - obviously do not appear on releases from 1997 onwards.
^ Note the 1990 copyright legalese for the CBS / Fox Company - despite having 1988 legalese text located at the top of the box.
The 1988 copyright legalese at the top of the box is only for the term ‘Star Wars Trilogy’ - first used for the 1988 3-tape set release. Yet many people likely mistake this 1990 release as being from 1988 - as 1988 appears on the first line of text.
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #7: The First VHS Boxed Sets (1990 - 1992)’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhKwVDA8SEU - a 14 minute video from the Nathan Butler youtube channel
1988
An advert for the 1988 ‘Trilogy 3-pack’ set release of the Original Trilogy on VHS:-
The first ‘set’ release of the Original Trilogy on home video tape.
Yet this was not really a box set release - more a ‘set’ release - in that it was the 3 separate Original Trilogy films bundled together with a piece of card wrapped around the 3 cassette tapes boxes.
1990 box sets are often mistaken as this 1988 ‘set’ release… as the 1990 box sets have a 1988 copyright logo and ‘legalese’ blurb on the underside for the ‘Star Wars Trilogy’ - despite being released in 1990. See Nathan Butler’s video linked for an explanation with further details.
It is the distinctive ‘wavey Trilogy’ text in the ‘Star Wars Trilogy’ (as seen in the poster above) that is the easiest way to tell this is the OT VHS set from 1988.
A couple of insert cards from the 1988 Original Trilogy set; a promo card, and a Lucasfilm Fan Club application & quiz:-
An image of the 1988 Original Trilogy display case - as was seen in stores at the time:-
^ taken from an ebay listing for the 1988 cardboard display - the tapes shown in the display are NOT from 1988; they are from 1990.
‘From the Star Wars Home Video Library #100: Star Wars Trilogy 3-Pack’ (1988):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cEf_gqrE04 - a 22 minute video from the Nathan Butler youtube channel
1989
'From the Star Wars Home Video Library #382: 1989 UK OT VHS Releases’:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2LqfwUcbpA - a 5 minute video from the Nathan Butler youtube channel.
^ though not a video for the OT box set itself - it does feature rare & useful information from the same 1989 individual film releases.
It seems even the official Lucasfilm account on Facebook aren’t aware of their own 1989 VHS box set for the Original Trilogy:-
^ https://www.facebook.com/lucasfilm/photos/a.1909877712403585/3608369649221041 (image and info for the 1990 box set)
‘30 years ago this month, fans finally received the VHS box set they’d been waiting for – the Star Wars trilogy was packaged together for the very first time on home video. Did you get the box set in the 90s? #tbt #Lucasfilm — at Lucasfilm’
(8th October, 2020 - also interesting to note the first two replies on the right side of the screenshot above…)
Hopefully this thread will be of some help for anyone who has a box set copy of the Original Trilogy on VHS (or Betamax!) and wants to know a little more about it - or is a little unsure of the origins of the release - and may require a little assistance in identifying it.
Also, that this thread may come up with a few unknown / rare variants of the Original Trilogy box sets out there - as most of the releases in here are likely to be from the US or UK. It’d be great to have some input and info included from some of the Australian & New Zealand, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, and Czech releases - and any other box set releases from countries around the world too.
1988 saw the the very first 3-film ‘set’ release for the Original Trilogy - though technically not a ‘box set’; as it was simply the three individual films wrapped together by a piece of card - and marketed as a ‘Trilogy 3-Pack’.
1995 saw an Original Trilogy box set release in Mexico - on the Betamax format.
2000 was the year the last home video tape box set release for the Original Trilogy (which contained the 1997 Special Editions).
Surprisingly, it would be another four years before a DVD set of the Original Trilogy would be released - with yet another bout of changes made to all three classic OT films for the 2004 DVD box set release (and with even more changes still to come in 2011 for the blu ray box set, and yet further alterations in 2019 for the 4K / UHD / Disney+ release)…
1988 & 1989
1990
1992
1995
1997
2000
Miscellaneous
An Index for ‘Original Trilogy Box Sets from around the world’ posts in this thread…
^ featuring Norway : Australia & New Zealand : Netherlands : Germany : France : Italy : Spain : Mexico 1 (Spanish) : Brazil (Portuguese) : Japan : Chile (Spanish) : Argentina (Spanish) : Mexico 2 (Spanish) : Thai : Poland
Just for clarity, this is a thread for ‘3-in-1’ box sets releases around the world - and won’t contain any information on the ‘single film’ releases of the Original Trilogy on home video tape - or the laserdisc box set releases (of which althor1138’s superb ‘Star Wars Laserdisc Preservations’ thread is a must-read for anyone interested in those).
More information on the many Original Trilogy releases for various other ‘older’ formats can be found in the…
‘The Home Releases and Formats of the differing versions of the OT films’
…section of An Index Thread for Original Trilogy Discussion (Video8, Super8, CED, VHD, V2000, Beta, VHS, LD, VCD, & DVD etc).
As ever, if you see any mistakes or broken links please let us know - or have anything for inclusion to the above info too. 👍