Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope (Widescreen Edition)

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.

One of the BEST series of all time. I remember watching this movie in the theatre and being mesmerized the whole movie! Spielberg is a master and this series is a masterpiece. I could watch the Star Wars movies every week!!

Loved this movie it is a great addition to the star wars world.

Bought this for the original theatrical version and I love it. It looks perfectly fine on a non-HD TV. Basically it sounds, from other reviews, like it looks worse the larger it gets. So just don't view it on a huge screen. Fortunately, all the loud protests of fans about the limitations of this product may have kept it from selling out too soon. Now you can pick up new copies for around $10. This is probably the least amount of buyer's remorse I've ever had with a Star Wars movie in the last twenty years (aside from the Genndy Tartakovsky Clone War Cartoons I bought as children's gifts) And don't look a gift horse in the mouth. If you want to wait for George Lucas to release a cleaned up anamorphic edition of the originals, you'll never see it. Generally if he does something, he'll use the state-of-the-art method of doing so, which takes more time and money. Problem is, by the time he cleans, makes it anamorphic, and increases the resolution for HDTV, who knows what else he'll decide to do. This is probably the closest thing you'll get. This is Star Wars. I never felt right about all the changes. I tried to trust George Lucas. I thought that the changes were going to make the movies blend with the then upcoming prequels. But honestly, the entire process of seeing the special editions of the originals and then watching each prequel just chipped away at any hope I may have had. In my opinion these movies began a decline after 1980's Empire Strikes Back. There are no changes in the newer editions that added anything to the originals. In fact, now that I've seen them again, the changes actually detract, some just more than others. Movies are a collaborative effort of writers, directors, actors, special effects, music, etc. In a sense, the time period and other conditions are also key collaborators. Their contributions include their weaknesses and limitation. Any piece of art, whether it's a painting, novel, or movie, is best viewed through an "historical lens." Star Wars looks only a little clunky now, so it's not at all hard to see how fantastic it looked back in 1977 and for many years beyond. My disappointment with the Star Wars Prequels was that we never saw Anikan Skywalker make any descent (slow or otherwise) to the "Dark Side." Instead he makes a rash emotional decision in the last moments of the final prequel, commits horrible but uncharacteristic acts, becomes mutilated, and is placed in a black outfit. All the time before I imagined the suit was a reflection of the man inside, now it appears that he simple was the suit. George Lucas just doesn't have the ability to let his characters live and make mistakes or do bad things. That's why he had to change the scene with Han shooting Greedo, and even had Luke screaming when he fell into the bottomless pit in "Empire," because he didn't want people to think Luke was intentionally ending his life (he removed that change later). I've thought this independently, and it's been said many times before, that "George Lucas has given in to the Dark Side." In a way, we are witnessing the drama of Anikan succumbing to the Dark Side through George Lucas. He's become trapped in his own creation. He can only tinker with what he sees as flaws, instead of moving on and creating something new. Now he plans to release all the the Star Wars movies in numerical order and in 3-D. In a way I'm glad, because I can finally put my foot down and simply not follow this man any further. I will never see any of these movies in 3-D. I will probably only occasionally watch the theatrical versions, such as they are, from here on out.

I don't understand how some can criticise these movies based on the aspect ratio of the picture, especially when they obviously can't do basic math. There are four different anamorphic, or widescreen, ratios on the market: 16:9, 1.77:1, 1.85:1, and 2.35:1. 1.77:1 is the closest to 16:9, converting to 15.93:9 1.85:1 converts to 16.65:9 ... so the picture is slightly taller 2.35:1 converts to 16.45:7 ... so the picture is both wider and shorter, giving it an even wider appearance For future reference for the math-impaired, the full-screen ratio of 4:3 reduces to 1.33:1. Based on silly complaints over the aspect ratio and on silly complaints about how many times Lucas will release these films (I don't see George twisting any arms, forcing people to buy them), I've given this 5-stars, to help offset such obviously whacky complaints, and because I'm simply happy to see the original releases now on DVD, and because they're simply great films! EDIT (16.09.06): Okay, so I showed my ignorance with what I wrote above and revealed that I really didn't know what "anamorphic" means. That is, until I did a little bit of research on it. But that's hardly the most important thing, is it? When the first Star Wars film came out, my family had just returned to the US after living in England for 3 years. I was 17, about to start my senior year of high school, and sitting in my grandparents' living room when I saw the first trailer on TV, and I knew right then that I just HAD to see this movie! I for one don't care that these aren't anamorphic or that they don't have 5.1 surround. I haven't even the equipment to enjoy such things. All I wanted was the original films, without the additions found in the later releases, and in widescreen format (letterbox or otherwise and no matter what the bloody aspect ratio, as long as it's not 4:3). I have them in widescreen on VHS, and now I've got them in widescreen on DVD (I think the full-screen format, which these are not, absolutely ruins the composition and art of the original image of any film). With a 31" Hitachi "old fashioned" TV -- a TV that is now going on 12 years old, as a matter of fact -- I'm quite happy with what I've got. It's the stories that I love, not the technology that delivers them. I think that's what has bothered me about a lot of the reviews. People are not sounding like they really wanted the original films on DVD. What they wanted and what they love are the bells and whistles, and now they're pissed that no bells are ringing and that the whistles are lacking those little balls inside. They criticise George for 'hacking' up the original films with those admittedly horrid additions, and they criticise George for going hog-wild with CGI graphics in the most recent trilogy, and then they show themselves as guilty as George of the same sins when what they moan about is the lack of technology with this release. George forgot that the story is primary in his lust for technology (especially with the last three films), and the same now seems to be true of many others. As a writer of fiction, I think that's sad. Story HAS to be more important than anything else. Without that, movies, stage plays, TV shows, novels, and short stories are just a huge waste of time and money. With these DVDs (I purchased all three), you get the original films, and you get them in widescreen format. For me, those are the most important things. If what you want are electronically simulated bells and CGI rendered whistles (who needs those annoying little balls anyway when you can generate them with a computer?), then move on to the next stall. Otherwise, what you'll find here are good, old-fashioned cracked bells, and plastic whistles with plastic balls, but at least you'll know they're the genuine articles, and not "authentic replicas."

I have an LG 65UB9500 4K UHD LED TV, a Samsung BD-H6500 3D Blue-ray player with 4K upscaling. I bought the 2 disk version (Sep-12 2006 release) Widescreen Limited Edition. When I got married in 2001, I gained access to a VHS Limited Edition set. I say the original version a number of times, once in Des Moines, Iowa, in the front row of a huge Panavision theater with a curved screen. The opening sequence with the ship flying in overhead as incredible. I first saw the new release in Chicago, before marriage. I believe the introduction of Jabba in Star Wars Episode IV was premature, and detracted from the overall story and the later introduction in Return of the Jedi. The addition of the extra animals in the space port to me is comical, and reducing the value of the movie as well. The other changes, I don't care about, the blast rings with the explosions don't really add anything in my opinion. So, it was nice getting the bonus disk. The Bonus disk is NOT a 4:3 version of the original, but is widescreen. I adapted it to full width using 1080p output from the Samsung, and Cinematic Zoom 16 on the LG. It is grainy, and has definite noise at first, but over time, the electronics of the Samsung and LG, and my brain, do a reasonable job of compensating and the movie is reasonably enjoyable; much moreso than the VHS tapes. I don't have the laser disks, nor a laser disk player,, nor other prior versions. The set may be expensive, but now I have a realiable copy that can survive better than tape, with care. The main disk contains essentially the same limited edition as the tapes but in widescreen, and significantly better resolution, and cleaned up, with better sound. The Limited edition is essentially the same story as the original, with some changes that can be annoying if you let them, but the main stuff is still there, and on this disk much better than tape. So, even though a bit expensive, it is worth replacing the tape with this set. And, I expect that in 2017. a 40th year anniversary edition will be released,, and it may contain a properly formatted and cleaned up set of Original Theatrical Releases (2 per episode) and an even later updated version (Directors cut/play). But, I don't want to wait, and don't want to gamble. My recommendation = your choice. I gave it 4 stars because "I like it" it isn't perfect, but it is not horrible, given my equipment.

What can I say? It’s Star Wars after all. Although I understand some people prefer the unaltered original release, I still enjoy this enhanced 1997 version the way George Lucas hoped to make it if he had the technology back in 1977. 5 stars for the movie, but 3 stars for Amazon shipping me a copy with a damaged case.

My son loves this

The best this movie has looked or sounded. I queued down, around, and down the block to see this movie in 1977 (more than a few times that summer). I have owned this on VHS tape. And I have original trilogy on a special edition "extended version" Laser Disc set. I would have to say this 4K restoration IS the best version I have seen.

Relived my childhood in the 80's. Enjoyed watching the movie when it was released in 1979 in Archana Movie hall in Delhi. Have built up the entire series... Kids enjoy watching it over and over again... Only regret... should have bought the Bluray series.

Es Star Wars, y en 4K, no se necesita mas reseña

A foto de propaganda passa a ideia de ter uma Luva, mas não, é uma capinha de plástico bem simples, até mais simples que o normal, isso foi um pouco decepcionante pelo valor, mas nada a reclamar da qualidade de imagem ou áudio, melhor do que na Disney Plus.

Ich schreibe selten Rezensionen Aber hier "muß" Ich einiges zu dieser Blu-Ray schreiben. Als erstes ein Lob und großes Danke an Amazon, weil offiziell diese Blu-Ray erst am 9.11. veröffentlicht wird und Ich habe sie zusammen mit den Blu-Rays "das Imperium schlägt zurück" und "die Rückkehr der Jedi-Ritter" schon heute am 7.11. bekommen. Nun zum Film an sich muß Ich, glaube Ich, nichts extra schreiben. Und Ich habe ihn ungelogen einige hundert Male gesehen, so dass Ich die Dialoge und teilweise auch Geräusche auswendig kann. Nun habe Ich mir heute Abend die Blu-Ray angesehen und Ich gehe nicht mit der Lupe ran, aber der Unterschied zur DVD ist so riesig, was Farben und Details angeht, dass man den sofort sieht. Und Ich habe keine "Super-Sound-Anlage", aber auch ohne diese ist der Ton/Sound so brilliant und klar, dass Ich an vielen Stellen Töne und Sounds gehört habe, die Ich vorher nicht hören konnte. Und was mir an einer Stelle aufgefallen ist, ist dass die Synchronisation anscheinend verbessert bzw. korrigiert worden ist. Und zwar ist das die Stelle kurz vorm Angriff auf den Todesstern. Luke sieht Han, wie er seine Belohnung einpackt Und auf meiner "alten" DVD aus der Box mit den Episoden IV,V, und VI (von 2004) sagt Han "außerdem hat dieser Angriff nichts mit Mut zu tun, vielmehr mit Selbstmord" und Luke antwortet " darin bist Du ja ein Meister.." und das ganze von Luke dazwischen im Sinn "Dann pass auf,dass dir nichts passiert" Auch in der Original-Kinoversion aus der Limited Edition ist der gleiche Fehler. schaltet man Untertitel ein, wird der Dialog richtig angezeigt. Nun auf der Blu-Ray ist das korrigiert und richtig. Auch wenn Ich anfangs ziemlich enttäuscht, gar sauer war, dass die Original-Kinoversionen nicht auf die Blu-Rays "gepackt" worden sind, so mindert diese "kleine" Korrektur ein wenig meine Enttäuschung. Ich freue mich schon auf die anderen beiden und werde dann von diesen "berichten", wenn es etwas "Besonderes" zu "berichten" gibt