I still don't know that the Force Theme dropping out during the battle of Yavin was deliberate since it's there in the French track, as is Vader's breathing in his TIE fighter, even though it is the new mix by other regards.
Strange. I have trouble believing even the vainist sound FX guy...
I'd say the difference with that laser-blast is (mostly, anyway) due to the way overblown contrast on the Star Wars laserdisc (and all previous home video versions.)
Look at the belly of the Star Destroyer on the LD cap. It's practically glowing!!
This weekend I watched the Star Wars DVD...