Couldn't find a thread discussing it, but anyone here know anything about the Despecialized Edition of the original trilogy that undid all the edits and additions that were put in in the late '90's?

Isn't that the series I have in VHS from 1989?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

As far as I know... If it's not an old vhs then they are all " screwedupilised " editions. And there was never a plan to release the real editions again.

In fact I think it was stated at the time the suck versions were released that it was lucasfilms intention to wait for the vhs copies everyone had wore out so that there was no way an old one could circulate ever.

What they didn't count on was being able to get the vhs stuff converted to digital. So they still exist but are not technically "available".

If something other than that is the case I would love to hear about it.mostly so I can pull my tapes out of the vault without worrying that one day....that's all that's left of my childhood.

Well, it does sound like they plan on showing the original SEs in theaters again. So, it is possible, I guess.

Should probably have included a link first: http://lifehacker.com/watch-the-original-star-wars-trilogy-as-it-was-before-g-1747927284

Believe it or not, I have the VHS trilogy that has never been played.

The thing is, the special editions actually do a lot of really good stuff to the movies. I have transfers of the Laserdisc versions of the movies (same as the "black box" VHS versions, I believe, just better picture) and I find them almost unwatchable because they look so dated and have such crappy quality anymore. When the special editions are just enhancing the background stuff they are adding A LOT, it was just whenever Lucas decided to meddle with the foreground stuff that they sucked. Unfortunately, that is the stuff that sticks out like a sore thumb.

that's why I like Adywan's Star Wars revisited so much. The changes in his edit are basically invisible unless you really know what to look for, your just left with the impression that the movie was so much better than you remember.

The thing is, the special editions actually do a lot of really good stuff to the movies. I have transfers of the Laserdisc versions of the movies (same as the "black box" VHS versions, I believe, just better picture) and I find them almost unwatchable because they look so dated and have such crappy quality anymore. When the special editions are just enhancing the background stuff they are adding A LOT, it was just whenever Lucas decided to meddle with the foreground stuff that they sucked. Unfortunately, that is the stuff that sticks out like a sore thumb.

that's why I like Adywan's Star Wars revisited so much. The changes in his edit are basically invisible unless you really know what to look for, your just left with the impression that the movie was so much better than you remember.

Film grain is an essential part of a healthy breakfast.

That said, the only movie that benefited the most from the visual update without having the plot messed up was Empire.

Some alterations Lucas later made to the OT border on criminal in my fanboy mind.

To bad the double DVD sets that inculded the Original versions seem to be so rare. I got mine but they should be more readily available...

I'm fine with my copy of the '93 Laserdisc box set.

The way Laserdisc looks has a certain charm to it. Also having to put a 12" diameter optical disc into an even larger box dedicated to that sole purpose has a sort of Blade Runner or Aliens-esque retro future feel. It has a /Star Wars/ feel to it.

I approve of this thread.

**** YOU LUCAS AND YOUR INCESSANT TINKERING!

Yes, I have Harmy's despecialized editions.

Watching them for the first time was like seeing an old friend. I promptly gave away my "official" 6 disc set.

How does one acquire the despecialised edition?

(And if you're listening Disney, trust me when I say you would make back the 4 Billion you spent buying Lucasfilm twice over, if you were to release the OT in its original format properly cleaned up.)

I'd recommend watching this first, just because it is amazing.

There should be some tips and links in the comments to get you started. Originaltrilogy.com has some good links on recombining and converting the files. Plus some sweet community made box set art. Don't go there and ask for links to the movie files, you will be openly mocked.

I know this sounds vague, but trust me it's worth tracking down.