Star Wars - Episode IV, A New Hope

When I was 7, my cousin Mickey and I saw this film at the drive-in theater in Euclid, Ohio. Every year thereafter my dad would take me to see this classic when it was released again until its final release just before the film was released in 1982 on VHS and Betamax home video (as a rental only) and later released for home ownership. But the reason I bought this DVD was not for the first disc. I bought this for the bonus DVD with the original 1977 theatrical version of the movie...the one before the title, EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE was added to the crawl.If you are a staunch supporter of the "Han shoots first!" argument and detractor of the additional things that Lucas added unnecessarily (with exception the the cool solar flare around Alderaan and the Death Star when they explode), then this is the DVD for you. It cannot be found anywhere now in the retail market in NEW condition. Only in used CD and video stores will you find this gem. And, while I feel that the prices on Amazon for this version can be pricey at times, I know collectors will pay top dollar for the theatrical versions of the original trilogy films.The 1977 theatrical version is presented in a widescreen format, preserving the original aspect ratio of its big screen showings, however, it is not formatted for the 16 X 9 coding used to format letterbox for widescreen TV sets of the present. So no matter how hard you may try, you will never be able to watch this version without the black bars on the top and bottom of the screen unless you click the zoom feature on your remote control. But doing that will crop most of the film, making it grainy and blurry in spots. This version is strictly for purists who are looking for 100% nostalgia.The transfer was not given any special treatments either. There remain blemishes in the print that resemble that of the version that was issued on VHS in 1982, however, it gives the film a fun, theatrical viewing style which for me, is great if you want to relive this one from your childhood in its original form. There were no enhancements in color, picture or sound, or anything. This plays back in a monaural soundtrack. So if you want stereo, you will get simulated, not true stereo sound in this version and will have to hold out for Disney to release, if ever, a stereo version of this film.But if you want a fun and true cinematic experience in your own living room, and want to share with your kids the version you originally saw in theaters, this version (on disc 2) is the one you want. What are you waiting for? Pick up a copy before you can't get it anymore. You'll be glad you did.In closing, the only thing I didn't like about this DVD set is the artwork on the cover (front and back), It would have been nice if Lucasfilm and FOX went with the original film poster for the front of this amaray case. You will see the same artwork on disc 1 in this set.Return to that galaxy far, far away...and watch a great adventure take place in your own living rooms again and again.Now for the second part of my review, for the fans who feel they were short-changed by this release:I think it is so amazing how people always seem to think they are OWED or ENTITLED to something. How arrogant and self-absorbed can people really be? Well, apparently 90% of the fans of STAR WARS seem to be in regards to this movie series. First of all, I am embarrassed to be a STAR WARS fan now and to be lumped in with the company of people who take it as a personal affront by George Lucas to update his films for a new generation of film lovers. Do I like the Special Edition versions? Not at all. But I feel the opposite of the rest of you who seem to hate them to the point of calling for a boycott of George Lucas and spewing your bile at him for updating his films. They are HIS! They are not yours. He can do what he wants with them.You really have no idea how petty and trivial you all sound. Let me tell you. You do and you are! George Lucas never once forced anyone to go to the theater to see STAR WARS or any other film in this series. He didn't hold a gun to your head (or a lightsaber to your throats) threatening your life if you didn't invest your hard-earned money in his products. You did that all on your own...freely and of your own choice. And, while I wish Lucasfilm had released the original versions in anamorphic widescreen editions, I am just satisfied to have them and to be able to share them with a younger audience. If you don't like them, fine. That is your right, too. But stop crying like the spoiled brats your parents raised you to be and move on with your one and only lives.While I believe that George Lucas owes you NOTHING, I feel you owe George Lucas an apology for your selfishness, your rudeness, and your vitriolic words of hatred toward him. He does not answer to his fans and to demand from the man that which you feel you are entitled to, just drives home the point that this generation for the most part is a selfish, arrogant bunch whose belief in self-entitlement is downright sickening. So you didn't get the versions of STAR WARS that you wanted? Big deal! That's life! Deal with it! I believe there are more important issues in this life than STAR WARS and the version that has been released here in this amaray case. But others here will cry and whine and spew until the end of your lives. But, that is your choice. And what a waste is is.As for the Special Editions, fans who enjoy the newer effects can have them now to enjoy. I recently bought a Blu-ray player, but have not spent the money for the complete saga on Blu-ray. Why not, you ask? I am holding out hope that Disney will release the original version to us on Blu-ray. But if they don't, I am not going to go insane on them and boycott them. That is stupid and shows a maturity level of dirt. I am not making any demands on anyone because I would not presume to act as though I am entitled to own the original film I grew up on.For those demanding better from George Lucas, I say to you look at yourselves first. I'm sure your parents raised you to be better than that which you seem to be projecting here. If not, then your parents failed you and your unwillingness to accept that has been redirected at George Lucas in your misguided attempts to feel better about yourselves. Grow up and get on with your one and only lives. Stop making the rest of the fans of STAR WARS look bad. Go make your own science fiction classic and then come back and see how well you and your own product are received by your "adoring" public.If I were George Lucas, I would ignore you, too. Why would I want to give a whiny, spoiled brat more when they blatantly show me disrespect? Think of that as you look back on your own pathetic and useless lives.

I first saw "Star Wars" in the theater with my brother Pat and high school friends Sue, Bunky and Blaise, when it was first released in the summer of 1977, when I was 21. Well, I'm 67 now and got it on DVD and appreciate it more than ever. I first got it on BETA back in the '80's. Then on VHS back in the '90's. This is one of my favorite adventure films. It was nominated for the "Oscar" for Best Picture, (Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" won.) Alec Guinness was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for playing aging Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi but lost to Jason Robards for "Julia" It won six "Oscars" for Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score by John Williams, Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. This was one of the first movies to use DOLBY Stereo. The National Film Registry started by The Library of Congress in 1988 to preserve films as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant," placed "Star Wars' on the list in 1989. One of their first selections. They add around 25 movie to the list every year. There are only around 800 movies on the list. Quite an honor. The American Film Institute, (AFI,) ranked "Star Wars" No. 15 on their list of The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. Writer /Director George Lucas' interest in Eastern Religions and Joseph Campbell inspired "The Force." And May 4th is International "Star Wars" day, "May the Fourth Be With You." Using the inflation factor only "Gone With The Wind" from 1939 has made more money than "Star Wars." The tagline for the movie poster read... "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...."

I loved the original theatrical release of this film -- and, after seeing the horrible slapstick moments and overenthusiastic use of CGI (creatures and ships) by Lucas in Episodes I, II, and III, I was worried about how a restoration of this (Episode IV) film might have included similarly repulsive elements.But, it's impossible to buy an approved 4K version of this film without the added elements. So, I gambled on this version.Although the added elements were obvious and distracting, taking me out of the film with their forced moments of background drama or humor, they ultimately constituted a forgettably small fraction of the film -- and the bulk of the film was simply a very good restoration of the original film !This restoration eliminated all of the visual artifacts in the original film which were due to technical limitations of their filming methods. One of the most significant improvements was the elimination of faint rectangles around spacecraft (originally due to the way films of individual ships were composited together in a final film frame). Such artifacts were rather distracting in the original -- and so it's really nice to see this film again without those ghostly rectangles throughout the film.And although I have not done a side-by-side comparison between the original theatrical version and this restored version, and I am relying heavily on my vague impressions of the original, I get the sense that the whole film has undergone subtle and truly positive visual improvement. Little details, like the color gradient of skies, or the way light glistens on the metal surfaces of the robots, or the glow of various lights. However, one glaringly bad effect are the laser "bullets" shot by pistols and guns; somehow they seem especially "unrealistic" or obviously CGI, which is very surprising given that clearly the technology was available to do essentially whatever an artist could imagine.If you were a fan of the original theatrical release, but won't fret about the tiny revisionist rehabilitation of Han Solo (Han shot first!), then I think you will be pleased with this excellent restoration of the film.

I bought this because it said that it had the original theatrical version of Star Wars. Sad to say it IS NOT the original version this is an early George Lucas updated version. Obi Wan's cry to scare the sand peopke off from Luke is not the original. At Mos Eisley spaceport there are robots and people walking between the camera and Luke's speeder when they're being stopped by the storm troopers I could go on but NO this is NOT the original theactrical version

(The product being reviewed here is the gold top and bottom LIMITED EDITION THX case. Blue background, Luke at the front, with Han on the left and Leia on the right. And Vader in the top right, with other characters around them.I have given the full description because I was uncertain what review was for what as Amazon have unhelpfully compiled them all together.The STAR WARS IV: A New Hope (Limited Edition) DVD contains the following:Disc 1: 2008 remastered version - with a few of George Lucas' changes.For anyone under 20 years old (or maybe older) these changes will probably seem like they've always been there and are the star wars movies you grew up with.This is good quality picture and sound just like every other DVD.(Shame this version of the films isn't on blu-ray :/ )Disc 2 (BONUS DISC)Contains the original unchanged episode.Quality is as expected considering its been unchanged but its nice to experience the star wars film that would've been seen when first released.If you're looking for the original, untampered episode, buy this.Casing:Is in very very good condition, baring in mind I purchased it new.

Like many other Star Wars fans i was not that impressed with many of the changes George Lucas made in the digitally remastered versions, even if the overall quality of the image was improved. My old from-TV VHS recordings are long gone, and i've been waiting since then (circa 1990) to get hold of a DVD version of the original, pre-remastered, films for the original triology.This is that version. A two disk set with both the remastered and original film version in the case. With the slew of Star Wars re-releases we've had over recent decades it's been hard to tell the wood from the trees in relation to getting the original films, so here are a few pointers to help. For the first film, Star Wars Episode IV, A New Hope:1. The ASIN code is: B000FMH8UI2. The code on the base of the spine is: 33919010013. The cover is as shown in the amazon listing for this review, with the 'Limited Edition' banner in gold along the top.4. On the back it will say: "Disk 2: Original theatrical (1977) version of Star Wars"Now i've seen people remark that the quality of the original version is terrible, and i can't agree. Maybe we have become too used to over-saturated HDR and computer enhanced visuals? Certainly my viewing of the original versions in this set was no different to the VHS version i had previously or the countless times i watched it on TV as a kid. It's an old film, and these are old recordings of an old film, but in no way is the quality so bad as to ruin your enjoyment of the best of sci-fi stories in film.It is also possible to adjust the settings on most modern TV sets, or even in the software you use if viewing on your PC to get the 'best' viewing you can, i had to darken it slightly to suit my TV, but in general these are not destroyed by blurring or artifacts, certainly no more than the original film was.And finally, thank you George Lucas for eventually listening to the many Star Wars fans that really wanted these versions, it's been a longtime coming, but awesome none the less.

For a start, this edited, or restored, or whatever-the-case-may-be version, in no way detracts in the slightest regard from the original movie. Having watched it a number of times now, I can certainly conjecture that if you liked something in any way of the original, you will not like it any less in this 2006 version. At least that was my experience. I can only speak for myself. The whites are all just as white and clean. Everything shines and gleams as though it had been taken out of hermetically sealed lab-casing just moments before the shoot.The story itself, mind you, is not what you would call a deep and profound allegory. No offence intended. I don't think it was ever meant to be. But it does have a good plot. A storyline that hangs together in the classical sense. And the technical wizardry and attention to detail are phenomenal. Quite astonishing. Just as R2D2 gets to bleeping at C3PO aboard the Rebel Ship, it suddenly occurs to you that a whole new droid language could have been written for just this one scene. And when the Stormtroopers come in, their shining white armour against the shining white walls instantly alert you to what a great film this is. And Alec Guiness and Carrie Fisher's acting really make Jedi Powers seem like they have a reality apart from fiction, even though in a strange way it is always clear that this is just a story - only a work of fiction.Totally ahead of its time back in '77, and it still looks totally ahead of its time, even as I watch it now. Normally I prefer films to be a little more ironic, perhaps a little bit more intellectually layered, but I can honestly say that I have no problem making an exception for this techno-masterwork. Easily the best of the Star Wars Chronicles, I see no easy way how anybody could ever tire of watching this film, which may well be my favourite movie ever. Too many good points to list. A real classic.

Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace [DVD] [1999 ] Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones [DVD] [2002 ] Star Wars Episode III : Revenge of the Sith (2 Disc Edition) [DVD] [2005 ] Star Wars IV: A New Hope (Limited Edition) [DVD ] Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (Limited Edition) [DVD ] Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi (Limited Edition) [DVD ] Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace [DVD] [1999Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones [DVD] [2002Star Wars Episode III : Revenge of the Sith (2 Disc Edition) [DVD] [2005Star Wars IV: A New Hope (Limited Edition) [DVDStar Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (Limited Edition) [DVDStar Wars VI: Return of the Jedi (Limited Edition) [DVD