Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (Two-Disc Widescreen Enhanced and Original Theatrical Versions)
by George Lucas
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alec Guinness, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Peter CushingDirector: George Lucas
Brand: Star Wars
Cinematographer: Gilbert Taylor
Editor: George Lucas
Producer: George Lucas
Writer: George Lucas
Editor: Marcia Lucas
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Producer: Rick McCallum
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 121 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-09-12
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox Video
Product features:
- Running Time: 123 minutes
- Disc 1 - Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- Disc 2 - Original theatrical (1977) version of Star Wars
Movie Reviews of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (Two-Disc Widescreen Enhanced and Original Theatrical Versions)
Movie Review: Remember, The "Original" Force Will Be With You..., Always
Summary: 5 Stars
"I want to learn the ways of "The Force" & become a Jedi, like my father."
"The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was, but, the learner. Now I am The Master."
"You can't win Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."
"Remember, "The Force" will be with you..., always."
- Luke Skywalker yearns to learn the family business, Darth Vader tells Obi-Wan Kenobi he's no square, but, Obi-Wan tells his former apprentice he, once again, has the high ground & spiritually tells Luke to keep the faith in "Star Wars"
Released 29 & a 1/2 years ago, in less than 32 theaters nationwide (compared to "Revenge Of The Sith"'s 3600+ theaters), "Star Wars" still remains one of the great all time science fiction films, that is a tribute to the Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, & Western serials of the past. "Star Wars" gave the dying sci-fi genre a much needed jolt in the arm, in the late 70's & has generated millions of fans the world over. The film, after all these years, still remains one of the highest grossing films in history (currently at 450+ million dollars).
Taking place roughly twenty years after "Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith", "Star Wars" (renamed "Epiosde IV: A New Hope" in 1999, after the release of the first prequel film) has the galaxy under the grip of the tyrannical Galactic Empire (the former Republic from the prequel films).
The Empire's ultimate weapon, The Death Star (shown in a skelatal structure at the end of "Sith") has come to fruition & spells certain doom for the small band of rebels trying to restore freedom to the galaxy.
Princess Leia, senator of the planet Alderaan, races home aboard her starship after stealing schematic plans to the battle station. Imperial forces, led by Darth Vader, intercept the ship, take Leia hostage, & destroy the ship, but, not before the Princess records a short message to Genaral Obi-Wan Kenobi & downloads the message with the valuable, stolen Death Star plans into a nearby astromech droid. As fate would have it, Artoo-Detoo is the recipient & with his companion See-Threepio use an escape pod to get off the ship blasting to the planet of Tatooine below.
Once on the surface, & through some unusual circumstances, the droids fall into the hands of Owen Lars, & his step-nephew, Luke Skywalker. While cleaning up the two droids, Luke accidently stumbles across the ending of the message Artoo was trying to keep hidden ("Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Your my only hope").
Luke tells his Uncle about the message & in response wants both droids memory's erased (it must have dawned on Owen that both droids have been here before & he knows the history surrounding them). Luke also asks if he can join the Academy (most of his friends have already gone), but, his Uncle also nixes that idea (as Luke leaves the dinner table, in a huff, Owens wife, Beru, tells him that Luke has to much of his father's spirit in him. Owen's reply, "That's what I'm afraid of.").
But, Artoo has other plans. Insistent on delivering the message to Obi-Wan, Artoo ditches Threepio, while Luke & his family are at dinner, & goes searching for the Jedi Knight himself. Upon this discovery, Luke sets out early the following morning, with Threepio, & unknowingly sets his destiny to become a Jedi Knight into motion.
"Star Wars" is the first film to be released, but, is Episode IV, chronilogically in the overall saga. Thanks to the monsterous success of this film, the rest of the saga was a go. "Star Wars" was first created as a stand alone film (in case it flopped at the box-office). With its first re-release, the film then had the "Episode IV, A New Hope" moniker attached to the opening prologue. Nominated for 11 Oscars (winner of 8).
Over the past 28 years:
"Star Wars" has been re-released 7 times (including the Special Edition release) in theaters, & released on video 7 times (including the 2004 DVD release, a repricing in the late 80's, & a repackage (very badly) in the early 90's ). I've seen a very early rental copy of "Star Wars", with a plastic clamshell box that says "for rental only" at the bottom of the box from 1983, go for sale on e-bay, a few years back, for roughly 250 to 300 bucks. Thats a rarity.
Differences over the years:
The film had different audio tracks according to the film's format in theatre's (two types of formats were used in the original release, 35 mm & 70 mm. The 35 mm tracks were recorded first for national distribution while the 70 mm tracks were recorded for special releases. Rumor has it that these tracks weren't finished until the morning of the film's release).
In 1997, the original trilogy was released in theatres as Special Edition's. the negative for "Star Wars" was cleaned up with a few new scenes added among them:
The Stormtrooper squad that finds the droids escape pod is a lot bigger than in the original release. Overall, nice effect that either way doesn't kill the film.
Mos Eisley spaceport gets a big redo. Instead of the hole in the ground from the original release, here its a big spaceport complete with ships taking off & all sorts of new scum & villainy walking the streets. Overall, this was always Lucas' vision, but, again, due to time & budget back in the day he had to make due with what he had. Still, he didn't need to take out the werewolf creature from the cantina.
During the confrontation between Greedo & Han Solo, Greedo shoots first while the original shot of Solo firing is now a retaliation shot. The most absolute damning thing George Lucas has done to the moviegoing public (that includes "Howard The Duck"). This basiclaly destroys some of Han Solo's character. This guy doesn't take s*it from anybody. But, with the tinkering of this shot, its now just in self-defense. It sucks anyway you look at it.
Jabba The Hutt makes an appearance (he was originally supposed to be in the film, but, due to budget & money constraints in 1976, he could never be fully realized). A fully grown Boba Fett is also present in the background setting up his bigger role in "Empire". Overall, cool effect & the scene was always meant to be there. But, Jabba looks a bit odd & doesn't look like the Jabba from "Return Of The Jedi".
Han Solo is chased by battalions of Stormtrooopers instead of five. Overall, funny effect, but, so was the original.
Certain dogfight scenes were replaced with CGI substitues to make the battle's more tight & fast. Overall, needed in spots & the battle is now more of a grand scale assault.
A new scene between Luke & his friend Biggs Darklighter has been added before the space battle at the climax of the film. Note: a line about Luke's father is cut. As Red Leader is about to speak to Luke & Biggs a crewman walks in front of the camera with Red Leader, saying "You'll do all right." The correct line is "If your as good a pilot as your father was, You'll do all right." Overall, nice scene that lets the viewer in on a little bit of the friendship between Luke & Biggs before his death.
For the 2004 DVD release:
A new Jabba The Hutt takes the place of the old. Overall, needed. The new Jabba looks more like the "Jedi" Jabba, and is better for it.
A 27 year old film gaffe is finally fixed. If you have an old VHS copy of the film, fast forward to the scene where just after Darth Vader cuts down Obi-Wan Kenobi, notice when the big metal doors close, take a careful notice to the color of Vader's lightsabre. Its rotoscope white, not the trademark red. That has finally been fixed. The other gaffe's haven't.
The audio seems a bit off. Whenever Vader speaks, his breathing takes a backseat while his voice is less synthsizory & has more tamber to it. John Williams' classic score is less booming in some scenes & I find that a real problem.
As for this third release for "Star Wars", Fox & Lucasfilm have included the original 1977 release as bonus disc material for the second disc.
Video: the transfer is from the 1993 laserdisc transfer for The Definitive Editon box set. Scope ratio 2.35:1 & the transfer isn't that bad. There is grain (I expected that) & some dirt, but the image is quite sharp (I've seen worse on one of the early VHS releases to "Star Wars"). The color rendition is a lot better than the sickly color hue from the 2004 edition.
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital. There is a strong prescence from the front speakers while the surrounds emphasize John Williams' legendary score.
In all honesty, this isn't a half bad release, but, this isn't the final release to "Star Wars" on video. With the 30th anniversary to the original "Star Wars" looming on the horizen one wonders what the future holds for the "Star Wars" saga.
More Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (Two-Disc Widescreen Enhanced and Original Theatrical Versions) reviews:
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Summary of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (Two-Disc Widescreen Enhanced and Original Theatrical Versions)
For the first time ever and for a limited time only the enhanced versions of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi will be available individually on DVD. Plus these 2-Disc DVD's will feature a bonus disc that includes for the first time ever on DVD the original films as seen in theaters in 1977 1980 and 1983.System Requirements:Running Time: 127 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY Rating: PG UPC: 024543263739 Manufacturer No: 2236373Similar DVD Movies
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