Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope (1977 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness
directed by: George Lucas
directed by: George Lucas
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Product Description:
For the first time ever and for a limited time only the enhanced versions of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi will be available individually on DVD. Plus these 2-Disc DVD's will feature a bonus disc that includes for the first time ever on DVD the original films as seen in theaters in 1977 1980 and 1983.System Requirements:Running Time: 127 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY Rating: PG UPC: 024543263739 Manufacturer No: 2236373
Amazon.com:
The 2006 limited-edition two-disc release of George Lucas's epic space fantasy Star Wars is not only the first time the movie hasbeen officially available by itself on DVD.It marks the first-ever DVD release of Star Wars as it originally played in theaters in 1977.What does that mean exactly?Well, for starters, the initial title crawl proclaims that this is just Star Wars, not Episode IV, A New Hope.Second, the film is without the various "improvements" and enhancements Lucas added for the theatrical rerelease in 1997 as well as the DVD premiere in 2004.So no more critters and droids scurrying around the port of Mos Eisley when Luke and Obi-Wan Kenobi first arrive, no meetings between Han Solo and Jabba the Hut and between Luke and Biggs (extraneous scenes that were cut in 1977), no enhanced explosions during the final reel, and--most importantly to some fans--no more of Greedo shooting first in the bar.Instead Han is free to be the scoundrel and not even let Greedo squeeze off a shot.
What do you lose by watching the 1977 version?Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sound, for one thing (only 2.0 Surround here).Digital cleanup for another--Tatooine looks like it's been coated with an additional layer of sand cloud.But for home-theater owners, the biggest frustration will be from the non-anamorphic picture.On a widescreen TV, an anamorphically enhanced (16x9) picture at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio will fill the screen with the exception of small black bars on the top and bottom.The original edition of Star Wars, however, is not anamorphically enhanced (sometimes referred to as "4:3 letterbox"), so on a widescreen TV it will have large black bars on the top, the bottom, and the sides unless you stretch the picture (and distort it in the process, especially considering the substandard picture quality).If you're watching on a standard square-shaped (4:3) TV, though, you won't notice a difference.
Yes, it's true that serious home-theater lovers who want spectacular sound and anamorphically enhanced picture can always watch the 2004 version of the movie also included in this set.But chances are good that they already picked up the trilogy edition of all three films, so their decision to buy the 2006 two-disc edition depends on how much they want the original film.The official LucasFilm stance is that this is an individual release of the 2004 version of Star Wars: Episode IV, A New Hope, and the 1977 version of the film is merely a "bonus feature."Common speculation is that the only reason the original versions are seeing the official light of day at all is to undercut the booming black market for the laserdisc version.Star Wars fans will have to decide for themselves if that's worth the purchase.--David Horiuchi
For the first time ever and for a limited time only the enhanced versions of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi will be available individually on DVD. Plus these 2-Disc DVD's will feature a bonus disc that includes for the first time ever on DVD the original films as seen in theaters in 1977 1980 and 1983.System Requirements:Running Time: 127 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY Rating: PG UPC: 024543263739 Manufacturer No: 2236373
Amazon.com:
The 2006 limited-edition two-disc release of George Lucas's epic space fantasy Star Wars is not only the first time the movie hasbeen officially available by itself on DVD.It marks the first-ever DVD release of Star Wars as it originally played in theaters in 1977.What does that mean exactly?Well, for starters, the initial title crawl proclaims that this is just Star Wars, not Episode IV, A New Hope.Second, the film is without the various "improvements" and enhancements Lucas added for the theatrical rerelease in 1997 as well as the DVD premiere in 2004.So no more critters and droids scurrying around the port of Mos Eisley when Luke and Obi-Wan Kenobi first arrive, no meetings between Han Solo and Jabba the Hut and between Luke and Biggs (extraneous scenes that were cut in 1977), no enhanced explosions during the final reel, and--most importantly to some fans--no more of Greedo shooting first in the bar.Instead Han is free to be the scoundrel and not even let Greedo squeeze off a shot.
What do you lose by watching the 1977 version?Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sound, for one thing (only 2.0 Surround here).Digital cleanup for another--Tatooine looks like it's been coated with an additional layer of sand cloud.But for home-theater owners, the biggest frustration will be from the non-anamorphic picture.On a widescreen TV, an anamorphically enhanced (16x9) picture at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio will fill the screen with the exception of small black bars on the top and bottom.The original edition of Star Wars, however, is not anamorphically enhanced (sometimes referred to as "4:3 letterbox"), so on a widescreen TV it will have large black bars on the top, the bottom, and the sides unless you stretch the picture (and distort it in the process, especially considering the substandard picture quality).If you're watching on a standard square-shaped (4:3) TV, though, you won't notice a difference.
Yes, it's true that serious home-theater lovers who want spectacular sound and anamorphically enhanced picture can always watch the 2004 version of the movie also included in this set.But chances are good that they already picked up the trilogy edition of all three films, so their decision to buy the 2006 two-disc edition depends on how much they want the original film.The official LucasFilm stance is that this is an individual release of the 2004 version of Star Wars: Episode IV, A New Hope, and the 1977 version of the film is merely a "bonus feature."Common speculation is that the only reason the original versions are seeing the official light of day at all is to undercut the booming black market for the laserdisc version.Star Wars fans will have to decide for themselves if that's worth the purchase.--David Horiuchi
Related Items:
- Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
- Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
- Star Wars - Episode III, Revenge of the Sith (Widescreen Edition)
- Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace (Widescreen Edition)
- Star Wars - Episode II, Attack of the Clones (Widescreen Edition)
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Primitive-Looking By Now, But A 'Must' To Set Up The Series
After seeing all six episodes of the Star Wars saga several times apiece, I still think this initial entry is interesting but one of weaker ones in the series. (That may not be popular to say, but I'm being honest.) Perhaps that's because by now, the special-effects look primitive and also because it's a little slow in parts, slower than the other five films.
Sometimes, though, it's nice to have more lulls as these modern-day action films many times overdo the violence. This one, however, ... Read More
Rating: 
- Don't Buy This Movie
Not because it's not anamorphic or a copy of a crappy laser disc, don't buy Star Wars, a.k.a. the most overly hyped movie in recent history because it wasn't that good.You're all kidding yourselves if you think watching it after 30+ years it'll get better.To shell out anything over $10 for this particular movie, one you can watch for free on Spike, Science Fiction channel or Blockbuster, you all must be retarded.By the way how many of you really understand what anamorphic means?You people are worst ... Read More
Rating: 
- An all time classic...
This is a classic you don't want to miss.Digitally remastered makes this a worth while home experience.Don't miss out.
Rating: - Everyone likes the old movie better!!
It's true.Just about everyone likes the old movie better, back when it was just called "Star Wars."I hate how I can say "Star Wars" now and some people have to ask "Which Episode?"It's freaking STAR WARS!!!It's not "Episode IV: A New Hope," but STAR WARS, end title.
If and only if you own this DVD release or the 2004 release, I invite you to use your internets to google the word "Adywan."You will be pleasantly surprised.
Rating: 
- An adventure story, replacing six-shooters or swords with laser guns and horses with rockers...
The film turn on the endlessly renewed battle between good and evil, the former represented by the Jedi knights and the mystical Force which they are in touch with, and the latter by the Galactic Empire with its Nazi-like storm-troopers...
Luke Skywalker's simple farming life on a remote planet is dramatically changed when he intercepts a distress call from rebel leader Princess Leia Organa... The message leads him to Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi and with the two droids C3PO and R2D2, and later Chewbacca ... Read More
- Primitive-Looking By Now, But A 'Must' To Set Up The SeriesAfter seeing all six episodes of the Star Wars saga several times apiece, I still think this initial entry is interesting but one of weaker ones in the series. (That may not be popular to say, but I'm being honest.) Perhaps that's because by now, the special-effects look primitive and also because it's a little slow in parts, slower than the other five films.
Sometimes, though, it's nice to have more lulls as these modern-day action films many times overdo the violence. This one, however, ... Read More
- Don't Buy This MovieNot because it's not anamorphic or a copy of a crappy laser disc, don't buy Star Wars, a.k.a. the most overly hyped movie in recent history because it wasn't that good.You're all kidding yourselves if you think watching it after 30+ years it'll get better.To shell out anything over $10 for this particular movie, one you can watch for free on Spike, Science Fiction channel or Blockbuster, you all must be retarded.By the way how many of you really understand what anamorphic means?You people are worst ... Read More
- An all time classic...This is a classic you don't want to miss.Digitally remastered makes this a worth while home experience.Don't miss out.
- Everyone likes the old movie better!!It's true.Just about everyone likes the old movie better, back when it was just called "Star Wars."I hate how I can say "Star Wars" now and some people have to ask "Which Episode?"It's freaking STAR WARS!!!It's not "Episode IV: A New Hope," but STAR WARS, end title.
If and only if you own this DVD release or the 2004 release, I invite you to use your internets to google the word "Adywan."You will be pleasantly surprised.
- An adventure story, replacing six-shooters or swords with laser guns and horses with rockers...The film turn on the endlessly renewed battle between good and evil, the former represented by the Jedi knights and the mystical Force which they are in touch with, and the latter by the Galactic Empire with its Nazi-like storm-troopers...
Luke Skywalker's simple farming life on a remote planet is dramatically changed when he intercepts a distress call from rebel leader Princess Leia Organa... The message leads him to Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi and with the two droids C3PO and R2D2, and later Chewbacca ... Read More
