The big debate in the next couple of months is whether to just keep watching the original theatrical versions of the Star Wars trilogy on my 1990 widescreen laserdisc editions (no cost to me now) or to fall into Mr. Lucas’ money trap and buy the “limited edition” dvd versions (probably $60 for all three) that are coming out in September.
Part of my being hesitant about the new dvd releases is that I just don’t trust that Lucas hasn’t fucked with them somehow … whereas I know the laserdisc versions haven’t been.
Davis DVD has complied a “Star Wars Home Video Timeline” which might be of some interest to you. It’s amazing to see just how many times the original movies have been offered (in various formats and sets).
It’s tough.
I’ve got the VHS original trilogy release from the early 90’s and I bought the “improved” DVD box set that came out not too long ago. Sadly, I’ll probably buy the Star Wars DVDs when they’re released later this year.
I didn’t ever get the original trilogy on LD, but I do have several other films on LD still. The LD player is in a box in the garage at this point, so I’ve been slowly transitioning to DVD. Not sure what I’m going to do with those LDs. Probably can’t get much for them at this point. I recently bought 400 Blows, Short Cuts and The Player on DVD to replace the LDs. The new Blade Runner anniversary DVD release will replace my LD when it comes out.
Yeah. You can’t give laserdiscs away nowadays unless you have something that’s OOP or very rare.
What is the life span of your LD player? Is it possible to get a new (or new to you) player, and if so, how much$ If you can get more life out of the equipment, or cheaply get a back-up player, I would go that route. It’s all academic anyway; you KNOW you will end up with the new release!
Ah, probably.
For the Record: I have had my laserdisc player since 1991 and it’s still working fine.
Okay, I will freely admit I was a Star Wars freak. I did lobby displays for the local theatre and I saw the movie , I’m not kidding, a hundred times the Summer it was released. I’m just wondering if they releasing the very first version or the one they showed a year later. Even then George was fiddling with it. Aunt Beru’s voice was redubbed and the “Close the blast doors…open the blast doors…” was edited from the first year to the second. Yeah, I suppose I will be sucked in to buying the limited edition to find out.
well from what I’ve read, Lucas fucked with the original negatives for his “true vision” so the DVDs are just transfers from the Laserdiscs. How fucked up is that?
Ooooooo. You’re still alive!
Yeah. The new dvd’s are gonna be the transfers from the early 90’s Japanese laserdiscs.