Star Wars: a brief history of the original trilogy on video (1 Viewer)

[Gary Seven]

This is the first version I had:

Later on I picked up the widescreen (silver trim) special edition box set. About 15 years ago my father in law gave me his laserdisc player along with the original release laserdiscs of the first three films. One day i'd like to pick up that Definitive collection on laserdisc.

One day I'll be selling it.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Yes, the original release in 1982 was rental only, with a serial number on the box and the tape itself, until it was re-released in 1985, I think. And prior to that were the super-8 digest versions.

My family got our first VHS player in 1983, and I remember Circuit City showing off the format with "Star Wars"!

The notion that I could watch big movies at home anytime I wanted blew my teenage mind!

 

[Worth]

This is the first version I had:

Later on I picked up the widescreen (silver trim) special edition box set. About 15 years ago my father in law gave me his laserdisc player along with the original release laserdiscs of the first three films. One day i'd like to pick up that Definitive collection on laserdisc.

I still have that set, along with the first widescreen laserdisc releases, which I actually think looked better than the subsequent remastered set - they weren't DNRd and the colour looked closer to what I remember theatrical prints looking like.

 

[Dave Moritz]

A good friend had the THX laser disc widescreen box set with Dolby Digital 5.1.

 

[Jonathan Perregaux]

Before any home video format (or Cable TV) I had to make due with this audio LP to get my Star Wars fix...

 

[Lord Dalek]

Before any home video format (or Cable TV) I had to make due with this audio LP to get my Star Wars fix...

Look carefully at the cover and you might see a cigarette lying on the ground.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

At least they'll have Baby Yoda.

I wrote this to a friend as a joke but it actually kinda works:


This has been the public reaction to Star Wars in my lifetime:

1983: Ewoks ruined Star Wars!
1997: Greedo ruined Star Wars!
1999: Jar-Jar ruined Star Wars!
2002: Hayden Christensen ruined Star Wars!
2005: George Lucas ruined Star Wars!
2012: Disney ruined Star Wars!
2015: J.J. Abrams ruined Star Wars!
2017: Rian Johnson ruined Star Wars!
2018: Kathleen Kennedy ruined Star Wars!
2019: BABY YODA! OMG SO CUTE!

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

A good friend had the THX laser disc widescreen box set with Dolby Digital 5.1.

If it has Dolby Digital audio then it's the Special Edition.

 

[Robert Harris]

Redundant Post.

Many of us greatly appreciate your redundant posts.

 

[B-ROLL]

At least they'll have Baby Yoda.

Until Baby Yoda meets Baby Shark ...

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Before any home video format (or Cable TV) I had to make due with this audio LP to get my Star Wars fix...

In spring 1978, I got a Super8 reel with like 10 minutes of :"Star Wars". Back before cable and VHS, that was as good as it got!

 

[Lord Dalek]

In spring 1978, I got a Super8 reel with like 10 minutes of :"Star Wars". Back before cable and VHS, that was as good as it got!

In glorious black and white and no sound to boot.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

In glorious black and white and no sound to boot.

I'm 99% sure my Super8 was in color - and I know it had audio. We actually rented a sound projector once to watch it that way!

Wish I still had it - probably worth $$$ now!

 

[Dave Moritz]

If it has Dolby Digital audio then it's the Special Edition.

Wow did not remember it being SE but I guess so.

 

[Lord Dalek]

GOUT Star Wars never got a 5,1 remix (it did get a 2.0 surround remix for the Definitive Edition though). I guess when the Faces releases came out, Lucasfilm wasn't interested in remastering the 4.1 six-tracks since they were already onto the Special Editions and those were just a stopgap reissue.

 

[cb1]

I had the box set that was wide screen, I don't remember if it was just stereo or 5.1 sound, that was an awesome set.

 

[Martin Dew]

I'm 99% sure my Super8 was in color - and I know it had audio. We actually rented a sound projector once to watch it that way!

Wish I still had it - probably worth $$$ now!

Actually it's only worth about $10 - 15 on eBay and that's with original box! They come up quite often, but most are printed on Eastman Kodak and are color-faded. The full length scope feature from Derann Films fetches $1,500+.

 

[Brian Husar]

Ah, yes, the "Faces" box set. I know plenty of SW fans that refuse to part with them. They probably had the best cover art of any home video release of anything Star Wars, which is probably another good reason to keep them.

Plus they had those Leonard Maltin interviews with George Lucas.

The Faces VHS box, that was letterboxed, was the first time I saw the THX trailers on VHS or Laserdisc outside of seeing them in a theater. Those were the days. As much as I love 4KUHD I miss seeing that stuff before a movie at home.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Actually it's only worth about $10 - 15 on eBay and that's with original box! They come up quite often, but most are printed on Eastman Kodak and are color-faded. The full length scope feature from Derann Films fetches $1,500+.

Okay - now I'm less upset I no longer have the Super8 reel!

 

[Craig Beam]

1983: Ewoks ruined Star Wars!
1997: Greedo ruined Star Wars!
1999: Jar-Jar ruined Star Wars!
2002: Hayden Christensen ruined Star Wars!
2005: George Lucas ruined Star Wars!
2012: Disney ruined Star Wars!
2015: J.J. Abrams ruined Star Wars!
2017: Rian Johnson ruined Star Wars!
2018: Kathleen Kennedy ruined Star Wars!
2019: BABY YODA! OMG SO CUTE!

Brilliant. I'm totally stealing this!