Finally. Star Wars is here in the most up to date, technologically advanced, highest definition possible: Blu-ray. Yes, Lucas likes his cash grabs and yes, the trilogy was been released about 100 times in various versions and formats but this is one that really deserved and needed to be done. I can get behind this.
The set was announced from LucasFilm today and will (very) thankfully come in three versions. There is the epic, nine disc set with all six movies and 30+ hours of special features utilizing the highest possible picture and audio presentation. The three special features discs will include never-before-seen deleted and alternate scenes, an exploration of the exclusive Star Wars archives, and much more.
What’s awesome though is you don’t have to buy the bullshit prequels. You can get the two trilogies on their own for a much lower price.
Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray (9-discs includes all six films) – $139.99 US/$179.99 CAN
Star Wars: Prequel Blu-ray Trilogy (3-disc set includes Episodes I-III) – $69.99 US/89.99 CAN
Star Wars: Original Blu-ray Trilogy (3-disc set includes Episodes IV-VI) – $69.99 US/89.99 CAN
This is going to be awesome on every level. I’ve already paved clear a Sunday for a full, original trilogy watch when these things are shipped out in Spetember.
You can pre-order right now from Amazon:
Full Set
Original Trilogy
Prequels – really? You’re gonna buy this?
Amazon has slashed the pre-order price by 20 bucks. So the original trilogy is going for just $45 right now. Not sure how long that will last.
Love that there is a $20 bump in price for Canadians even though, last I checked our dollar was worth more.
I’m not giving Lucas any more of my money. If hubby wants this, he’ll have to buy it himself.
I’m gonna buy the prequels. Just to piss you off.
Are they theatrical release or special edition versions of the original trilogy? I’m guessing only the latter, but if by chance they have both versions on those discs, I’m snapping it up right now.
“Star Wars is here in the most up to date, technologically advanced, highest definition possible: Blu-ray.”
Yeah, that isn’t even close to true.
Really? Which medium is of the highest definition available to consumers? If Star Wars is on it I’ll buy it right now.
Still waiting to hear from Gamble on what technology is the best and highest possible res I can see at home. Yes I’m aware the new digital theatrical presentations are riduclous in their size and bit rate. But we’re talking about at home here. I would think that’s obvious. Laser Discs are a possibility I guess but not sure on the specs – and they’re hard to find (not to mention many of them you have to flip over or change discs halfway through the movie). HD DVD doesn’t count since it is obsolete as well.
Or were you just trying to be your usual contrarian self?
I know Blu has lossless, uncompressed audio that are identical to theatrical master tracks, so there it is no contest. Of course it depends on your home theater setup as well.
Sorry, screw that bearded ass. He’s not getting a penny out of me until he releases the original theatrical versions, not these stupid “enhanced” special editions he’s always peddling. I’ll probably have to wait until he is no longer on this Earth before that happens, but so be it.
Since someone should step in and say it, the odds that Lucas will include the proper cuts of the original films on this set is about half of zero. Lucas is still maintaining his propaganda crusade that there are no existing copies of those films from which to draw high-definition masters. (Lies, of course.)
Matt, that’s what I’m guessing, too. Then I won’t be buying them. I already have the SEs on DVD; I won’t double-dip until I can have the theatrical releases as well. I actually like and appreciate both versions, but I want the choice.
I’ll buy ‘em just to have ‘em, and no, I don’t have any particular grudge against the special editions except in the pure “history of cinema” sense if the original cuts aren’t properly preserved.
There is a DVD edition that has the original cuts on it, did you know that? They’re just ports of the laserdisc (4×3 pan and scan, not anamorphic), but it’s the best we’ve got.
While I do prefer Blu-ray and it will, in theory, be the best transfer to date, I’d rather just wait; I too own the DVDs and even though I never watch them anymore, it’s more than sufficient to tide me over until the original films come out.
Besides, rumour has it Solyaris is coming out on Criterion Blu in 2011; that’s the classic sci-fi I’m most excited for this year.
No, I didn’t realize there were DVDs of the original cuts. I’ll have to look out for that. I’d like to have those around. Thanks for the tip!
It’s these versions:
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Episode-IV-Widescreen/dp/B000FQJAIW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1294358368&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Episode-Versions-Widescreen/dp/B000FQJAJG/ref=pd_bxgy_d_img_b
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Episode-VI-Widescreen/dp/B000FQVX78/ref=pd_bxgy_d_img_b
Pause the video at 1:16, the moment Luke is about to strike the Emperor and Vader’s lightsaber gets in the way. The most hideous, head-scratching goof from the DVD editions still manages to find its way onto the blu-ray? The lightsabers are passing through each other! That shot by itself is almost enough to make me not purchase the set. I don’t know how that flub got through on the DVD. It’s only going to be more of an eyesore on Blu-ray.
I’ll spend my $100 on something worth it until versions worthy of my money hit shelves. Heck, I’d take the 1997 special editions. At least they didn’t have the hideous lightsaber alterations (Vader’s lightsaber is seriously pink) and Hayden Christensen at the end.
VHS can surprise ya.
But we’re talking about at home here. I would think that’s obvious.
You made a declarative statement, I’d expect you to stand by it rather than keep tossing in caveats.
But to start with even 35mm is better than Blu, which is available to consumers, as are copies of Star Wars. As is 70mm and current digital formats, all available to consumers. As is Star Wars on them.
Start saving your pennies Drew.
Definitely. I was going to tear down the north wall of my apartment complex and put in a 70mm projector in my kitchen after covering the neighbor’s house with a giant white sheet.
I’ll just write a check.
I wonder how many people own a personal print of Star Wars. Lucasfilm is very militant about not allowing rep-cinemas to screen the original 1977 print of the film, or so I’m told. I believe there was one here in Toronto, and nobody seems to screen it anywhere or at any time….which is a shame. I’d love to watch an aged scratchy Star Wars print on 35mm in the cinema…
There are certainly a few 35mm privately owned prints of SW floating around the Cities, all purchased before Lucas went in and changed everything though. But yes, you can get prints of the film, you simply have to get the version that Lucasfilm claims is the intended version.
Evidently the best version of Star Wars is the Cinerama version, which required 3 70mm projectors to throw the panoramic image onto a 135 ft screen.
I’m so turned on right now.
I saw it at the Cooper when it was re-released in 1979. I barely remember but I’m sure it was impressive. I probably would not even know any of you had my parents not taken me to that screening.