Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 0024543007432
Format: Box set
Label: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Number Of Items: 3
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 2000-11-21
Running Time: 386
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Theatrical Release Date: 1980-05-21

The Star Wars trilogy had the rare distinction of becoming more than just a series of movies, but a cultural phenomenon, a life-defining event for its generation. On its surface, George Lucas's original 1977 film is a rollicking and humorous space fantasy that owes debts to more influences than one can count on two hands, but filmgoers became entranced by its basic struggle of good vs. evil "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away," its dazzling special effects, and a mythology of Jedi Knights, the Force, and droids.

In the first film, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) gets to live out every boy's dream: ditch the farm and rescue a princess (Carrie Fisher). Accompanied by the roguish Han Solo (Harrison Ford, the only principal who was able to cross over into stardom) and trained by Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), Luke finds himself involved in a galactic war against the Empire and the menacing Darth Vader (David Prowse, voiced by James Earl Jones). The following film, The Empire Strikes Back (1980), takes a darker turn as the tiny rebellion faces an overwhelming onslaught. Directed by Irvin Kershner instead of Lucas, Empire is on the short list of Best Sequels Ever, marked by fantastic settings (the ice planet, the cloud city), the teachings of Yoda, a dash of grown-up romance, and a now-classic "revelation" ending. The final film of the trilogy, Return of the Jedi (1983, directed by Richard Marquand), is the most uneven. While the visual effects had taken quantum leaps over the years, resulting in thrilling speeder chases and space dogfights, the story is an uneasy mix of serious themes (Luke's maturation as a Jedi, the end of the Empire-rebellion showdown) and the cuddly teddy bears known as the Ewoks.

Years later, George Lucas transformed his films into "special editions" by adding new scenes and special effects, which were greeted mostly by shrugs from fans. They were perfectly happy with the films they had grown up with (who cares if Greedo shot first?), and thus disappointed by Lucas's decision to make the special editions the only versions available. --David Horiuchi

Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Movies
Comment: As I'm quite sure you know the basic storyline of Star Wars, I am just reviewing the features of this set. I really enjoyed the quality of the remastered movies. I saw the special editions in the theater, but these include even more updates, such as character continuity with Anakin and Palpatine. I never owned the complete original series before (tho I've always been an avid fan), so I am happy with it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: My favorite movies
Comment: I love the original trilogy of Star Wars. It is far better than episodes 1, 2, and 3. And far more memorable. These will be around forever.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Service, good Product
Comment: This set was purchased as a Christmas present last year and the gift was really enjoyed a lot.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Do i really need a title? is that really necessary?
Comment: Look i just wanted to rate this product. it was great. i shouldn't have waited so long to buy it but then i had the VHS version till about a few months ago. the DVD set has an awesome bonus disc that contains a documentary about the struggles George Lucas had just making star wars happen. Theres only one difference i noticed in the film between the VHS version and the DVD versions and thats Hayden Christensen, His inclusion does make sense i suppose but it still feels out of place. the rest is gold.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Always a classic!
Comment: The original, history-making Star Wars trilogy is a worthy investment for anyone's library. The digital update makes for a more intense experience. The background disc is so loaded with information and stories, you feel as if you were there from conceptualization to final edit. Don't miss out on this. Get your own copy before it's on EBay for hundreds of dollars!

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