Woohoo, I guess I better put my 4 disc set on eBay, or at least the first three discs

No. Maybe you missed our righteous indignation in not being able to buy the unadulterated OT. Some (many?) of us weren't just talking to hear ourselves complain, but others actually meant it. I complained about it. And I stuck to my word and didn't buy it. Now I can.

Yeah, not to sound harsh but it seems like you are missing some discernment. If the OT was important to you, then you shouldn't have bought the SE trilogy that did not contain the OT. Have you NEVER seen a film being re-released on DVD? This isn't any different.

I really don't know why all'ya are that happy, Fox and LucasFilms in all attempts to appease the fans still delivers a substandard DVD:

I want to recreate that moment in time when I saw this at the Uptown theatre here in Washington DC in all it's 70mm/6-track surround sound glory ... and yet... it still aint' happening. This news seems like a banana split without the banana.

Ummmm, they did. (and they're actually pretty good for VCDs)

Let's wait to see what actually gets released before jumping on the "this sucks" bandwagon.

I was about to lament that I'd already bought the 2004 edition and would have to double dip, but I just remembered that I got the 2004 edition for free anyway after a certain web retailer sent them to me and didn't charge my credit card after I had cancelled my order.

This is great news!!!

yeah, I was just being sarcastic.

but not to even include the original 6-track sound masters for the three films - untweaked, seems like a glaring blatant omission.

Universal and Spielberg included the original 6-track stems for the Original theatrical cut for the DVD edition of E.T (in DTS nonetheless), yet LucasFilms and Fox, can't or won't for Star Wars, Empire and Jedi -

I'm honestly too tired to search, but let me just shoot out a generic "told you so" to everyone who claimed that this would NEVER happen.

In countless threads over the years, I've mentioned that this would happen some day... and there were constant responses such as:

* quoting Lucas saying that it would never happen
* quoting Lucasfilm employees claiming that the original films no longer existed
* talking about how George is a perfectionist and would never let those tainted, non-CGI turds see the light of day again
* etc.

Folks: Lucas lies. I love the guy, and he's given me more cherished memories than I can count. But the guy tells tales. He makes inconsitent statements about EVERYTHING. I knew these were coming.


That being said, I would hold off before dumping your bootlegs, laserdisc players, etc. -- Given the number of changes (both audio/video) that have happened, I'm not 100% convinced that they'll be able to pull this off, without some of the "tweaks" slipping by. Especially if they're using multiple sources for this "restoration".

Very, very good news. This was a great suprise and a fun way to start my morning.

sracer - I thought I was the only one on the planet that swore I wasn't buying the first DVD release and actually didn't. It seemed like so many others just went ahead and bought them, griping all the way. I never saw much point in buying something I was going to hate.

Giles comments make me curious, however. I didn't realize the orginal versions ever had a 5.1 70mm treatment. (Bet we see those once every other movie known to man has been released on HD-DVD/blu-ray. Then we'll all have to turn around one year later and rebuy them on the new Holographic Cystal format!)

I know some people are grumbling about the "cash grab" aspect of it. To be honest, I really didn't think we were ever going to see these on DVD, so I guess I was fooled. However, this is really nothing new with Lucas. Some may remember when Episode I came out on video it was VHS only. That's right - no DVD!!! Then about one year later it was rereleased on DVD. That was pretty much a slap in the face to fans as well I think.

Will they ever release a 6 episode set with the original episodes 4-6, the newer dvd versions of 4 to 6 and episodes 1 to 3 all in one SUPER SPECIAL box? will they do this for HD?

Should I wait for this future release instaed or buy this new series + episodes 1 to 3?

I'm glad i never got suckered into buying the vhs copies (glad there no beta copies!), the new vhs copies, the dvd versions, the new dvd versions..

Patience is a virtue!

Also, what do they mean that "the individual releases will be removed december 31 from the market (like disney)"?

This Year:
Original versions on DVD!
All six movies in one box set!
HD versions of 4, 5, and 6!
Next year:
The untouched originals in HD!
HD versions of 1,2, and 3!
Next Next year:
All six movies in one boxset in HD!
3-D versions come out in theater!
Next Next Next year:
3-D versions (with the few added sceens that we all can't live without) of 1-6 come out on HD content!
Next Next Next Next year:
3-D versions in HD in a boxset that resembles a thermal detanator!
Next Next Next Next Next year:
Star Wars: Ep. 7: Cashcow, comes out in theaters!

I understand what you're saying Tom - and I'm not agitated that I bought the SEs - I like them in parts. I'm mad because I have to buy the SEs AGAIN in order to get the OT. If Lucasfilm wasn't acting like the moneygrubs they are and would release the OT WITHOUT making me buy the SEs AGAIN then I wouldn't be complaining at all.

The LotR trilogy, between the theatricals and the EEs got it right. They should have paid attention to them.

Does this mean someday there WILL be episodes 7, 8, and 9?

Let me get this right (internet "fans" really confuse me).. they release the "originals" for $30 a pop and it's okay, but since it has BOTH version for $30 a pop, suddenly people are feeling railed? I'm really at a loss of words on this one.. really and truly.

I agree first of all that maybe you should all wait before jumping on the argumentative side of things. So yeah, it would stink if these things weren't in surround sound but we don't really have a listing of official specs. Let's just wait and see what comes out first of all.

As far as the argument about this not being anamorphic... Again, this is just some speculation that's being pulled out of thin air. They probably will be anamorphic. Huge mistake not to. Just because they're using the same 'masters' they used for the old VCD, doesn't mean they aren't going to go ahead with making it anamorphic.

Some people will truly never be happy. They're finally getting something they wanted, and they crap all over it without even knowing a single thing about the specs.

Lucas has to do this for justification. In his mind, he's really rereleasing the SEs again, and the second disc with the original version is merely "bonus material".

you do know that Lucas has supposedly abandoned the 3D versions of Ep 4-6, because of the lack of theatres able to playback 3D DLP films. In my opinion, LucasFilms and Fox, should do what Dolby/DLP/Disney did and make the system a little more affordable so theatres can upgrade to playback 3D DLP films. DLP and it's 3D version is still too expensive for a majority of theatres to implement or even consider.

I thought Ep. 7 was released in book form?

I plan on sticking with my director's cut set as well.

My wish is that the original versions are cleaned up as good as the 2004 versions in terms of dirt and scratches. One gripe I have is that the 2004 versions are also included (assuming the 2004 versions are recycled from the boxsets), rendering my purchase of the boxset (sans bonus disc) obsolete, then again this is Lucasfilm we're talking here. Still, this is pretty exciting news, whining and all.

shocking isn't it - this is the day before Dolby Digital/DTS/SDDS 5.1 sound in theatres were the norm.

There were quite a few movies released in the 70's to early eighties that discrete sound mixes were created for playback in theatres that exhibited 70mm prints - Star Wars being a prime example.

However, if you bought the Ultimate Gift Set version of E.T., you only got the original theatrical cut in 5.1 Dolby Digital, no DTS. DTS was only available on the two-disc set of the film instead.

Heh, some of you guys are amusing.

What about From Star Wars to Jedi? Has that documentary ever appeared on laser or DVD?

no, I'm pretty sure DTS is on both cuts of the film. from the Ultimate Gift Set.

Maybe I'll just give my current box-set to my dad.