Thanks for this thread guys.
It gives me hope that I may be able to finally re-watch the OT since my VHS copys died a long long time ago.
I was stupid and didn't buy the dvd's that came with the original films, I was anticipating a release on Blu-ray or HD-DVD but no we just got that 90's garbage.
Facebook Star Wars: Revisited - The Saga and get ready to expand your universe.
Actually, we didn't. The 97 Special Editions aren't available either. 
If anyone gets the copy mentioned in this article please let us know which versions are included. http://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/06/star-wars-saga-become-available-digital-downloads
It's been reported in a few places that they are the 'Special-ist Edition' (IE., basically the Blu-Ray version) releases. Although bringing new extra features, and some variation in what you get across platforms (for example, buying it via the Xbox store apparently gives you an animated R2-D2 you can add to your Xbox Live avatar? No idea what Google and Apple have in mind for their versions of the release.)
As an addition to this comment...
There is at least one change from the Blu-Ray release - while the Blu-Ray release was obviously remastered in HD quality (and very nice looking as a result), they did kind of skimp on the extras. Most of the movies only ended up with 1 or 2 'deleted scenes'. And while they did a good job with finding new cut scenes that were not previously released (Anakin and Ruwee was a surprise - but honestly, I think pretty much EVERYTHING cut from Episode II was a mistake), they also did not include any of the previously release cut scenes.
Which is a bummer, as there were a lot of great ones on the DVDs, too. (Seriously, Episode II - while still being a weak entry in the series - would have been VASTLY improved if Lucas had kept all the dialog scenes on Naboo where Anakin and Padme are actually doing something that passes for courting. There was something like 15 minutes of conversations and scenes that actually did a more competent job building that relationship - I'd easily have taken that over the droids-in-the-foundry slapstick nonsense)
ANYWAY, supposedly the new digital releases have something like 40 deleted scenes across the lot of them. I can't find a listing of them, yet, but it's a distinct possibility these releases will end up having the most complete set of deleted scenes of any of the editions of the series. While not as big a deal for the Original Trilogy, the prequel deleted scenes really show you how ham-handed Lucas's editing skills were. NEARLY every one of them would have improved the movies by staying...
I feel like this needs to be stated by me yet again. Laserdisc box set. The quality is more than watchable.
Or you could just continue to pretend the revisionist special editions are okay because they look flashier in HD.
The original re-release (unedited) is just rumors, and is unlikely to happen due to licensing issues (Disney doesn't actually have the rights to the original trilogy, Lucas still does, and Lucas is a fan of the Lucas-recut Lucas-remastered Lucas-reissued trilogy, for Lucas reasons).
Do you have a link to the source for this? If they didn't buy rights to the original trilogy, what did they pay for? Or do you mean they only have rights to the special edition versions of the original trilogy?
I was hoping that somebody at Disney would give the okay to release the original versions of the OT after Lucas died. But it wouldn't surprise me if Lucas put some clause in the sale to Disney that prevented them from releasing anything except his final special edition versions as a final middle finger to all the loyal fans who didn't like his crappy changes.
Depends on what Disney is selling. They OWN Star Wars now and they won't let anyone forget it.
I'm not sure I trust rumors from a guy named "Joe Comicbook" with anonymous "sources". But a comment on that page had a link to an article from Arstechnica that I think has a little more credibility:
Thanks. You've given me hope that the original movies may be released on video sometime before I'm dead. 
I like the old versions, the ones where Anakin isn't scowling at Luke at the Darth Vader funeral scene.
Why on earth are people suggesting dealing with VHS or buying a Laserdisc player and discs when you can get the Theatrical Original Trilogy (the laserdisc transfer) on DVD?
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Trilogy-Widescreen-Theatrical/dp/B000IKHNT8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428586191&sr=8-1&keywords=star+wars+dvd+tin
Sure it's grossly overpriced now. It wasn't at the time. The original editions are 'extras' one movie on a disc. VHS is total crap. Laserdics are not worth dealing with (I have a bunch). DVDs are something everyone already has, and you can rip them. I have the OT on my iPad.
Here's the suck: this is a non-anamorphic standard def picture. If you are used to looking at 1080p, this will be a harsh drop in quality. It's still decent, but it's not HD by any means. But Han shot (not first, just shot). No Jedi Rocks. No Ghost Punk Anakin. No "Episode IV" in the crawl even.
I really do hope Disney works something out and puts out a HD remaster of the Theatrical OT on HD (Digital/BluRay). If they took the care that the folks that did Jaws did, it would look amazing and be better than the original, without actually changing anything real, just little issues (like masking lines).
Wasn't there a custom version of at least a new hope which was re-done up by a fan and looks amazing? It's had the special ed crap cut out too.
Wasn't there a custom version of at least a new hope which was re-done up by a fan and looks amazing? It's had the special ed crap cut out too.
It's referenced in earlier posts in this thread, and there are also a couple of comments about how it might not be that great
I already own the SE BD versions.
Is it worth considering the digital versions because of the sale price?
If so would you to Vudu or Google Play, iTunes isn't really an option for us?
I liked it when Han stepped on mini-Jabba's tail...
Wasn't there a custom version of at least a new hope which was re-done up by a fan and looks amazing? It's had the special ed crap cut out too.
It's referenced in earlier posts in this thread, and there are also a couple of comments about how it might not be that great
To clarify, there are multiple fan restorations of the original theatrical editions, all usually discussed over at www.originaltrilogy.com. The best, by far, are Harmy's De-specialised Editions, which are Bluray quality. You'll want these.
Then there is another fan version, called Star Wars Revisited, made by Adywan. These are fan edits of the special editions with further additions made by Adywan himself. The changes are pretty extensive, some are genuine fixes for mistakes but most are personal choices. Some love it, some don't.
Wasn't there a custom version of at least a new hope which was re-done up by a fan and looks amazing? It's had the special ed crap cut out too.
It's referenced in earlier posts in this thread, and there are also a couple of comments about how it might not be that great
To clarify, there are multiple fan restorations of the original theatrical editions, all usually discussed over at www.originaltrilogy.com. The best, by far, are Harmy's De-specialised Editions, which are Bluray quality. You'll want these.
Then there is another fan version, called Star Wars Revisited, made by Adywan. These are fan edits of the special editions with further additions made by Adywan himself. The changes are pretty extensive, some are genuine fixes for mistakes but most are personal choices. Some love it, some don't.
Yeah Adywan is the one i've seen. I rather liked it.
Original Shmiginal,
I want to see a DIRECTORS CUT.
I found a 2006 DvD version set that came with 2 discs per movie. Disc 1 had the Special editions, and Disc 2 was the unaltered Theatrical release. I have found this to be the best version out there. I would scour the local movie stores(if their are any left in your area) or pawn shops for these versions (this is where I found mine.).
I want to see a DIRECTORS CUT.
no you don't - we've already seen that in 1997....
The one where Greedo shot first.
Wasn't there a custom version of at least a new hope which was re-done up by a fan and looks amazing? It's had the special ed crap cut out too.
It's referenced in earlier posts in this thread, and there are also a couple of comments about how it might not be that great
To clarify, there are multiple fan restorations of the original theatrical editions, all usually discussed over at www.originaltrilogy.com. The best, by far, are Harmy's De-specialised Editions, which are Bluray quality. You'll want these.
Then there is another fan version, called Star Wars Revisited, made by Adywan. These are fan edits of the special editions with further additions made by Adywan himself. The changes are pretty extensive, some are genuine fixes for mistakes but most are personal choices. Some love it, some don't.
Can confirm that the De-Specialized Editions are wonderful. Harmy did an amazing job at cleaning-up the films and presenting them as close as you can get to the classics.
Gabe69velasquez,
Thank you for posting those clips. I had not seen them before. I did HEAR most them before with the Radio version of Star Wars but had not seen them.
And the best behind the scenes video is if you can find it Star wars to Jedi:The making of a saga.