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From Amazon.co.uk
George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy is a clever synthesis of pop-cultural and mythological references, taking classic fairy-tale themes, adding more than a dash of Arthurian legend, and providing cinematic high adventure inspired as much by Kurosawa's Samurai epics as by Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. As a result, audiences of all ages can find something to identify with in Luke Skywalker's journey from disaffected teenager dreaming of adventure to Jedi Knight and saviour of the galaxy. He not only rescues a Princess, but discovers she's a close relative. And if there's a lesson to be gleaned from the Skywalker clan, it's that no matter how bad things get in the average dysfunctional family, it's never too late for reconciliation. Originally released in 1977, Star Wars, the first film, was made as a standalone. Perhaps that's why Obi-Wan Kenobi seems a tad inconsistent in his attitude towards his old pupil Anakin Skywalker, and perhaps also why Luke is allowed to develop a guilt-free crush on Princess Leia. Lucas's story, told from the point of view of the two bickering droids (a device taken from Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress), also borrows freely from Errol Flynn's Robin Hood, as does John Williams's seminal Korngold-inspired music score. Thanks in equal part to Leigh Brackett's screenplay and Irvin Kershner's direction The Empire Strikes Back (1980) is the most grown-up instalment in the series. The basic fairy-tale is developed and expanded, with the principal characters experiencing emotional turmoil--blossoming romance, mixed feelings and confused loyalties--amid a very real threat of annihilation as Darth Vader's motivations become chillingly personal. Luke's quasi-Arthurian destiny is complicated still further by the half-truths of his wizardly mentors; and swashbuckler Han Solo finds the past catching up with him, quite literally in the form of bounty hunter Boba Fett. The film is graced by more fabulous landscapes (ice, forest, clouds), more unforgettable new characters (Yoda), more groundbreaking special effects (the asteroid chase), and John Williams's finest score. The difficult third film, 1983's Return of the Jedi, seems schizophrenic in its intentions, hoping to please both the kiddies who bought all the toys and an older audience who appreciated the narrative's epic and mythological strands. The result is a film that splits awkwardly into two. One thread, which might be subtitled "The Redemption of Anakin Skywalker", pursues the story of the Skywalker family to a cathartic conclusion. The other thread, which might be described as "The Care Bears Go to War", attempts to say something profound about primitivism versus technological sophistication, but just gets silly as furry midgets doing Tarzan whoops defeat the Emperor's crack legions. In 1997 Lucas re-released the three original films in digitally remastered "Special Edition" versions, in which many scenes have been restored and enhanced (some would say "unnecessarily tinkered with"). Despite loud and continued criticisms from fans, these Special Editions are now considered definitive, if only by Lucasfilm. --Mark Walker
Product Description
3BLU RAY .. Trilogy
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
187 of 192 people found the following review helpful
By Josh N
Format:Blu-ray
Please be aware that several product pages lead to this strain of reviews. I have seen reviews claiming that there set did not contain the original unaltered versions as they had read in reviews and as such were dissapointed. Multiple versions of the original trilogy lead to this string of reviews, the Blu Ray set released in 2011 does not contain the unaltered versions. The DVD trilogy release from 2004 does not contain them either it is only the remastered copies. If you are looking for a trilogy that contains the untampered originals then insure that the eproduct you are buying was released in 2008, and that the picture on the front cover is one of Luke and Darth Vader with lightsabres clashed with a blue light coming from behind them. All other versions do not include the originals, that for any die hard fan are must owns! However there are plenty of reviews here on the content, I just wanted to clear up that issue.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Matt
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've seen a lot of 1* reviews about this product and I believe they are entirely unjust. Yes, the changes don't really improve the movie, but by-and-large they don't "ruin" the movies either. The only changes which I think are negative are 1) Greedo shoots first in the bar and 2) Darth Vader now says "nooo" at the end of Return of the Jedi, which was stupid.
BUT, the new CGI in the death star assault(s) really improves the film. The original films look rather cumbersome in comparison. Lucas stated that the special editions were simply how he wanted to make the film in 1977 but was held back by what was possible at the time. I buy the fact that making the Ewoks blink would've been something that he would have wanted but couldn't do, and even the addition of the giant piranha plant in the desert (although it does look a little odd).
There are other minor points here and there that the films could be left without, but the Blu Ray quality (it looks like it was filmed yesterday!) and vastly improved special effects (in certain places, like the lightsabers and space battles) make up for these downfalls in my opinion.
If you're still undecided, you can go to YouTube and search "Star Wars Blu Ray Changes" to see the edits for yourself.
BUT, the new CGI in the death star assault(s) really improves the film. The original films look rather cumbersome in comparison. Lucas stated that the special editions were simply how he wanted to make the film in 1977 but was held back by what was possible at the time. I buy the fact that making the Ewoks blink would've been something that he would have wanted but couldn't do, and even the addition of the giant piranha plant in the desert (although it does look a little odd).
There are other minor points here and there that the films could be left without, but the Blu Ray quality (it looks like it was filmed yesterday!) and vastly improved special effects (in certain places, like the lightsabers and space battles) make up for these downfalls in my opinion.
If you're still undecided, you can go to YouTube and search "Star Wars Blu Ray Changes" to see the edits for yourself.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Ian Mote
Format:DVD
There has been much discussion on these pages about the merits of the new versions of the films against the old; but these seem to be losing perspective a little.
The main changes to the DVDs are a vibrant colour transfer to the picture; window-rattling sound effects; and essential extras that will leave fans slavering.
Compared to movies of the Special Editions of 1997, I noticed only one change to the actual content; and it was only in the last five seconds of the last film, which hardly spoils the ongoing enjoyment of the movies, and will make sense when Ep III is done.
In the extras, the highlights are the preview of Episode III - Hayden Christiansen puts on the Vader helmet, and even the crew are in awe of him; the really really poor 70s trailers; and the Empire of Dreams documentary, which shows all sorts of interviews and footage about production of the original movies. If you think some of the lines in Ep IV are bad, you should hear some of the ones they cut out.
Embrace the DVDs for what they are; the best possible way to watch Star Wars. When the lights are off, and the Imperial Battle Cruiser starts rumbling behind you until it crawls across your front room, you are in a galaxy far, far away, and there is nowhere else you would want to be.
130 of 142 people found the following review helpful
By J. M. Greer
Format:DVD
I picked this up because I thought that Lucas was finally allowing people to choose whether they wanted to watch the original versions of these movies or the so-called enhanced versions. From the outer box it would seem so. However, this box contains a nasty and mean spirited surprise.
Yes- the new versions of the film are in Dolby Digital sound, anamorphically enhanced picture and THX mastering. However,the original versions are in a matted 4:3 format (ie not enhanced for a widescreen tv)and are in basic (and I do mean basic) stereo soundtrack. It looks like somebody filmed it in the cinema on a camcorder.
This is a bit like a photography book which has one half printed on high quality colour paper stock and the other half printed on yellowing newsprint.
There is absolutely no reason that the original versions cannot be displyed with the same level of picture and sound as the new versions and even if Lucas cannot be bothered bringing the sound up to 5.1 there is absolutely no excuse for not making the dvds anamorphic for widescreen tvs.
The only conclusion is that Lucas does not trust the public to make their own mind up. He wants to ensure that people think 'Gee they have really improved these clunky old movies' rather than 'Why did they ruin the simplicity of these films by jamming them up with lots of unnecessary CGI effects'. The way he is doing this is by making the discs of the old stuff as bad as possible.
Lucas deserves a rasperry for this. I am sure I will enjoy watching the new versions despite myself but this is a bad way to treat your fans and customers.
Yes- the new versions of the film are in Dolby Digital sound, anamorphically enhanced picture and THX mastering. However,the original versions are in a matted 4:3 format (ie not enhanced for a widescreen tv)and are in basic (and I do mean basic) stereo soundtrack. It looks like somebody filmed it in the cinema on a camcorder.
This is a bit like a photography book which has one half printed on high quality colour paper stock and the other half printed on yellowing newsprint.
There is absolutely no reason that the original versions cannot be displyed with the same level of picture and sound as the new versions and even if Lucas cannot be bothered bringing the sound up to 5.1 there is absolutely no excuse for not making the dvds anamorphic for widescreen tvs.
The only conclusion is that Lucas does not trust the public to make their own mind up. He wants to ensure that people think 'Gee they have really improved these clunky old movies' rather than 'Why did they ruin the simplicity of these films by jamming them up with lots of unnecessary CGI effects'. The way he is doing this is by making the discs of the old stuff as bad as possible.
Lucas deserves a rasperry for this. I am sure I will enjoy watching the new versions despite myself but this is a bad way to treat your fans and customers.
115 of 126 people found the following review helpful
By Peter Cole
Format:DVD
Well it's taken long enough but for all of those waiting to see the version of the Star Wars trilogy that they remember from the cinema, before Mr. Lucas decided to make an extra buck or two by 'improving' them, the wait is over. Contrary to the statement made by another reviewer these are the original theatrical releases (two of the three scenes he says are now 'missing' were cut before Star Wars was ever released and although stills do exist of those scenes they were never part of the film as seen at cinemas. The third he mentions is still there, though he is remembering it incorrectly.) Don't expect 5.1 Dolby, cleaned negatives or anything other than the films as they were thirty years ago (and yes, it looks like 30 year old film stock), and that's exactly as it should be. If you want the cleaned, enhanced, 'special' editions they are here as well but for me they just serve as a reminder of why George should have left the originals alone.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Star Wars - very pleased
Very good set of DVDs. Wonderful film quality - I even went to the trouble of buying a BlueRay player. I will be looking for others in this series. Read more
Published 1 day ago by V. F. Webb
4.0 out of 5 stars
enjoyed old star wars
Not watched star wars since way back ' so decided to have the Star wars The Prequel Trilogy and the Original Trilogy steelbook ltd editions to recap on an fantastic George Lucas... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Mr. D. Froggatt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Original series on bluray
What can i say? the original and best of the series in my opinion which by bluray look even better and sound is outstanding. I enjoyed watching all 3 movies with my 4. Read more
Published 3 days ago by J. Sheehan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Love it, Completely Brilliant. Arrived before it was supposed to and is in perfect condition, considering the age of the product compared to a brand new one(Brand new one's only... Read more
Published 8 days ago by Benjy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Star Wars Blu-ray
I'm impressed with this Blu-ray set. The HD picture transfer is very good, as is the sound. I've had these films on every format and the quality has improved every time. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Mr P Flowers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Star Wars: The Original Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI) - Limited Edition...
Actors: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Sir Alec Guinness, Kenny Baker and Anthony Daniels
Directors: George Lucas, Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand
Region:... Read more
Directors: George Lucas, Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand
Region:... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Andrew C. Miller
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I bought this box set as I am not a fan of the films one, two and three and I had expected a little more bonus material than two audio commentaries. Read more
Published 13 days ago by texaspetey
5.0 out of 5 stars
star wars films
am big fan of films good item steelbook nice cant go wrong with blueray films price was good love the films
Published 19 days ago by dwes
1.0 out of 5 stars
Sorry George, Han shot first
Clearly the old adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" means nothing to Lucas. Despite the sales figures of the 2006 DVDs (which included the theatrical versions) apparently... Read more
Published 23 days ago by Glenn Richards
5.0 out of 5 stars
got for 10 year old
got for my son as he was getting interested in the OLD films lol, good classic films for any age
Published 25 days ago by jo
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