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DVD
Star Wars
Publisher: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Actors: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
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.
The 2006 limited-edition two-disc release of Return of the Jedi is not only the first time the movie has been officially available by itself on DVD. It marks the first-ever DVD release of Jedi as it originally played in theaters in 1983. What does that mean exactly? The film is without the various "improvements" and enhancements George Lucas added for the theatrical rerelease in 1997 as well as the DVD premiere in 2004. So Sebastian Shaw reclaims his spot as the man behind Darth Vader's mask, and we don't see the otherworldly celebration (including the Gungans) at the end of the movie. What do you lose by watching the 1983 version? Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sound, for one thing (only 2.0 Surround here), and digital cleanup. 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 Jedi, however, on a widescreen TV 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 Return of the Jedi, and the 1983 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
| Customer Reviews: |
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| A great ending to a great trilogy! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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So what about the Ewoks, it's always been for kids. And this is the weakest of the three, only cause the rest are so great! See it.
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| To restore freedom to the galaxy |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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RETURN OF THE JEDI was the STAR WARS film which thrilled me most as a kid. I loved the ewoks, though now I find them to be a bit irritating. I loved the scenes in Jabba's palace, though now I think the use of Jim Henson's Creature Workshop was a bit over the top. I loved and still love the fast paced action sequences and the climactic lightsaber duel at the end. Looking back, I now prefer EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, A NEW HOPE, and even REVENGE OF THE SITH to this one. But JEDI still ranks high in my book, if for no other reason, it was just downright fun. And it still is.
The Special Edition of this film did little more than bog it down with a lot of useless junk. I refer primarily to the musical (using that word rather loosely) interlude in Jabba's palace. I'm sure I laughed at it first time I saw it in theaters in 1997, but since then only irritated feelings have I felt for that scene. The celebration scenes at the end were fine, but I don't think anyone ever missed their absence. Superimposing Hayden Christensen's image in "spirit" next to Alec Guiness and Yoda at the end seemed to me rather bizarre. Luke "saved" his father. When this happened his father did not bear Hayden Christensen's image but that of actor Sebastian Shaw. So why do we see a young Anakin at the end of the film instead of the old, dying man who got "redeemed"?
All this to say I don't think RETURN OF THE JEDI is worth watching in the special edition format; which makes me all the gladder that it has now been presented to us as we saw it in its original form in 1983.
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| "Pass On What You Have Learned" ~ How Not to Conclude An Epic Saga |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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Question: What was the stupidest storyline mistake George Lucas made concerning the `Star Wars' trilogy?
Answer: Killing off Yoda and replacing him with those ridiculous Ewoks.
Yes, with the death of Yoda in the third film 'Return of the Jedi' released in '83 the best part of the storyline died with him. To make matters worse in come those furry little Ewoks to replace him. Thus ended my interest in the movie. If you're seven years old or under you'll love it, otherwise just rewatch the first two films.
My Rating: -3 Stars- and that's being generous.
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| 2 words. NO Haden |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Finally we get on dvd the original film. A have been a fan of the films with new enhancements, but adding Hayden into the enhanced film, just made me sick. DON"T MESS WITH THE FILMS.
Finally we get a dvd copy of the original film I saw on screen...it will make you happy!
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| The Star Wars saga comes to an end. |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi is the final episode (yet only the 3rd of 6 movies made) in the Star Wars saga. This film presents the end of the Empire, and the showcase of Ewoks and muppets. While this film is considerably better than Episode I, it is the second weakest film in the saga. That is not to say it isn't a good film, just not as good as Episodes II-V. The 2004 version of the film is far superior to the 1997 or 1983 versions. I know a lot of people were angry that the old Anakin was replaced by Hayden Christiansen (young Anakin), but get over it. When I Jedi falls to the dark side, and comes back just before death, he reverts to the form he had as a Jedi when he crosses over to the afterlife. I guess George Lucas felt he didn't have to spell that one out for the true fans, but I can understand why someone would be upset not knowing that small fact. Now you know, so stop complaining.
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