Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Audience Rating: Parental Guidance Binding: DVD EAN: 0503903601737 Format: Anamorphic, Box set, PAL Label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Number Of Items: 4 Publisher: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Region Code: 2 Release Date: September 20, 2004 Running Time: 361 minutes Sales Rank: 3084 Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Theatrical Release Date: December 11, 1980
Episode IV, A New Hope (Special Edition)--with commentary by George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren and Carrie Fisher; Easter egg: credit roll (2 min)
Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back (Special Edition)--with commentary by George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Lawrence Kasdan, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren and Carrie Fisher; Easter egg: credit roll (2 min)
Episode VI, Return of the Jedi (Special Edition)--commentary by George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren and Carrie Fisher; Easter egg: credit roll (2 min)
Bonus disc: all-new bonus features, including the most comprehensive feature-length documentary ever produced on the Star Wars saga, and never-before-seen footage from the making of all three films
Subitles (all material across all four discs): English, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
Click here to see detailed information on the special features included on the bonus disc.
Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Rating: - Sci-fi fairytale
There's not much to add here, as the previous 210 reviews can testify to; however I'll just add that this box set is beautifully packaged, lovingly put together, and a superb collection of three of the best blockbusters ever filmed.
Rating: - Timeless Trilogy
There are certain events in the history of the world that have turned the globe on its head and, in turn, catalysed a paradigm shift. Star Wars is one such example.
Conceived by George Lucas - a struggling filmmaker desperate for studio independence - and executed through three decades, the saga continues to grow with the onslaught of comics, video games, memorabilia, and television. But, most of all, nostalgia. For those lucky enough to have seen Star Wars in 1977, it was a very special moment.
I, alas, did not have that privilege. My first foray into the world of Star Wars, however, came in 1997 with the anniversary re-release of all three films in the original trilogy, twenty years to the day. I remember watching all three at the cinema and, consequently, rewatching them again and again after I was given the VHS release for Christmas.
The DVD release has some significant attributes. First of all, it has allowed Lucas to experiment further. I'm one of those types who is humble and loyal to the original creator. Some, alternatively, have no reluctance to criticise Hollywood's first billionaire filmmaker through the constant updates he's instigating into his original films. I believe strongly in perfection, as does Lucas. With the new CGI enhancements, Star Wars is greater than ever before.
One of the great surprises of this DVD boxset was the documentary, Empire of Dreams. It explores the making of the original trilogy and is one of the better explorations into revealing the magic behind the tour-de-force. It features interviews with all the key players, and analyses in detail the making of the movies, as well as the construction of the archetypal characters, the religious symbols and, most importantly, the enduring legacy.
The prequel trilogy is nothing in comparison. This is, without doubt, the greatest film series ever contrived and, provided Lucas is willing to continue the expansion of the sage and dodge the bullets of cinema's cynical critics, so it will always remain.
Rating: - If you take film seriously, this is an absolute must-buy
Nothing polarises people like Star Wars. For many of us, it was a fundamental part of growing up. We watched the films, we fell in love with the universe of Star Wars, we bought the toys. Star Wars is, in many ways, part of our childhood. And being so universally loved makes it difficult to take a step back and review it objectively. Star Wars is either something you love, or don't care about, and there's little middle ground.
So how does one review something that means so much to you dispassionately? With difficulty. Difficult to see, dispassionately this is.
So what are these films? They're not the same way you remember them.
This is classic film-making : the type of film-making that changed the shape of films and filmgoing. Despite being in the top ten films ever on pretty much every poll, everywhere, these are not the best films ever made. In many respects they're not even good. The dialogue is as awkward as a stripper at a wedding, and is of a comic-book standard; I recognised the foul stench of Lucas' last-minute, rushed dialogue the moment I came aboard. The acting is as subtle as a brick in a sock. And the underlying themes of the trilogy ("Buy toys", "Baddies Don't Win", "Forgive Your Dad", "English Accents Bad, American Accents Good") are often writ large across galaxies. These are not and never will be works of art. But they are what they are : greatly entertaining, ambitious works of pop art, tapping into familiar themes and dilemma's that face us all.
These films aren't "The Godfather" or "Lost In Translation". Or even "Star Trek; The Motion Picture". What this is is vastly superior epic sci-fi the likes of which had never been seen on the cinema screen before, and never equalled since. No one has dared to make a trilogy that even comes close to it's epic scale and balls. (Not even "Lord Of The Rings", because they were successful books in their own right long before the screen beckoned).
Maybe it's because we grew up watching slavish clones of this film ("Battle Beyond The Stars" anyone?), we forgot exactly how revolutionary these films are. Before it, the blockbuster was a big names-pitted-against-a-plane/building/the-boche type affair. After it, anything went. In this particular instance, it's the good, old-fashioned father-son redemption theme through laser swordfights, stolen plans being smuggled across galaxies, and weapons the size of the moon that can blow up a planet. Got that? Good. Strap yourselves in. It's a bumpy ride ahead.
The films? Sheesh. You know these already. If you don't, crawl out from under that rock and enjoy the decadent caress of six and a half hour of psuedo-intellectual spaceship related nonsense. (A fact that Lucas alludes to on the commentary, calling the plot of the original film "A blatant McGuffin").
So here we go :
THE DVD's :
Each film looks perfect. Star Wars has never looked or sounded better ... Read More
Rating: - best films in the world ever.
did you know there are still some people who have never watched starwars? i know its weird! its like saying you what!? i need my heart to live!?. anyway i think everybody knows starwars so its hard to write a review but ill write a little somthing as if im speaking to somebody who has never heard of it.
first off these are the first 3 films or in nowdays the last 3 which i agree might seem confusing lol but it isnt really. these films were really based on luke skywalkers becoming a jedi but the story has so much its hard to put into words it has spiritualality , myth and legend, phycology philosphical ideas, love hate i suppose i should of just said emotion. the last 3 movies which are the first 3 movies....are about anaking skywalkers becoming a jedi and his ultimate downfall into evil. watch these ones first then all will be clear. so..a confusing review which didnt really review anything? or did it?....
Rating: - A GREAT Star Wars Trilogy
I found these 3 films to be very enjoyable.
You could tell straight away that a lot of effort was put in each and every film.
The idea of using a sabre that has a field of light around it which can almost cut through anything is incredible.
Most adults or customers say that these films are really more for children but it can be interesting because this story is about a sweet little boy which becomes the cruel and treacherous Darth Vader.
Watch the intense fights as dramatic music come on.
Who will win will be the question that will be ringing inside your head.
This is what each and every film is mainly about...
A New Hope: Luke Skywalker meets an old Jedi who claims himself as Ben Kenobi + whilst new sith Darth Vader tries to get a word out of Princess Leia.
The Empire Strikes Back: Luke Skywalker tries to train without the help of his mentor who passed away in 'The New Hope' + Luke finally finds out about a member of his family who had no idea they were related just like Luke + he has to be trained by the great Master Yoda!
Return of the Jedi: Intense battle between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker + is Darth Vader completely evil after all? + who destroys darth sidious + finally the Sith are destroyed and everyone parties down + a few old friends might pop in as imaginative characters at the end.
Hope you enjoy this spectacular trilogy which has the unique abilities of George Lucas inside.
I would recommend to buy these films, if you don't you will seriously regret it!
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