Customer Reviews
lack luster 
2008-04-17
I purchased this DVD in order to get the origanl release copy of the movie. I like this DVD I just wish it had the extras on it. I can't understand why it wouldn't come with the extras. Shame on George Lucas and FOX studios for this oversite.
the best movie yet 
2008-04-12
This movie is great especially the fighting parts.It is very funny.The death star blows up in the end.
(written by my 6 year old brother)
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.... 2008-03-26
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope gets another DVD release. A lot of people have complained about the 1997 and 2004 versions of the film however, I find this one in particular better with the CGI enhancements. It is nostalgic to go back and watch the 1977 verison on disc 2, however it is not presented in anamorphic widescreen, and only presented in Dolby 2.0. That is fine with me, since I prefer to watch the updated version of the film which is presented in anamorphic widescreen with 5.1 ex sound. Yes, I agree Greedo shooting first was a bad idea, but I'm over it. I love Star Wars, and this film is the one that started it all. I can't wait until the film is updated for digital 3-D, so I can hear all the new complaints by purists who feel that a film should not be tampered with after it's initial release.
The greatest movie of all time finally gets it's theatrical release on DVD! 2008-03-15
Long ago in a galaxy far away, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) has kidnapped by the evil Darth Vader (Played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones). She sents out two special robots named C-3PO (Voiced by Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) to a plaet to find someone named Obi-Wan Kenobi (Sir Alec Guiness) as he is Leia's only hope. A farmboy named Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamil) somehow finds the droids then takes them to a sleazy alien bar where they meet lovable smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and furry friend Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew). They all join forces together, as they must try to rescue the princess and stop Darth Vader's sinister plan.
What is there to say about this movie? it launched a new hope in Sci-fi and fantasy movies, it started out as an idea by George Lucas when he wrote the script, story and even created the SW universe as he wanted to sell this to Universal or United Artist. Then later, 20th Century Fox bought the rights to his movie and a year later the film was finished and had an unexpected success. The film was embraced by both audiences and critics as it as a masterpiece unlike anything they ever seen, a phenomeneon was born. The film itself offers great performances, spectacular special effects, a good storyline and non-stop entertainment all the way! The film spawned two sequels, three prequels, neverending merchandise, imitators, video games, toys and other cool stuff.
This DVD has for the very first time the classic first movie in it's original un-special edition version with some of the stuff that was left out from the 1997 special edition re-issue such as the werewolf-esque creatures, no Jabba the Hut, and of course the purist's fans much loved scene where Han shoots first. This also included the 1997 special edition, the picture on both movies are nicely remastered and this is guaraneteed to satisfy SW fans who brought the trilogy on DVD in it's boxset.
1977 Rocks! 2008-03-15
I would say that the 1977 version of this movie is WAY better. I think they reuined a lot of this movie when they added parts for the 2000's release of it. I honestly bought this DVD because there was no other way to get the 1977 version. This made a GREAT valentine's gift for my boyfriend, who is a HUGE Star Wars fan. We really enjoyed watching the original version of this movie, and we'll continue to watch it again and again.
When Hope Was Still New 2008-03-14
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: 2236373
Eh... 
2008-03-03
I'm nostalgic fan of the movies, my VHS re-issues were getting old, and needed something for "posterity". While the quality is subpar, it was great to watch it again. It was the first time I have seen the movie in 5 or 6 years. Here are the quick and dirty impressions:
1) Bad video encode. I can't believe this is the same copy that went to laser disc. Blocky lines for fine details (like ceilings and the front of robots), and persistent "noise" over the video over all reducing crispness. I won't get all "black helicopters" here, but I've seen the laser disc copies and they wen't this bad.
2) Missing dialog. While there are lots of scenes ethat bring back memories for me, I've always loved C3-PO telling R2-D2 to "switch off". Oddly, this was edited out in the "1977" version DVD.
3) The re-release is now a great looking coaster.
4) Lastly, I remember being in Virgin Megastore in the 90's and seeing the CAD versions. I had to do some digging in WikiPedia but found this:
"In 1993, the Star Wars Trilogy: The Definitive Collection box set was released. This version featured the original trilogy on 9 CAV discs, widescreen transfers, THX remastering, audio commentary tracks, assorted bonus features, a copy of the hardcover book George Lucas: The Creative Impulse, and for Star Wars IV: A New Hope, a new surround sound audio mix created from elements of the 70 mm 6 track magnetic, 35 mm Dolby Stereo optical and 35 mm optical mono mixes."
These looked fantastic and looked nothing like what is on this DVD. Sigh...
STAR WARS- A NEW HOPE (for Sci-Fi Cinema of the 70's) 2008-03-01
I saw the original STAR WARS-A NEW HOPE when it first came out in 1977. I rated it then as I do now an unconditional five stars. I can't comment on the transfer quality of this particular DVD release as I own so many copies of this episode on RCA video disk, VHS tape, Pioneer Laser Disk and various issues of DVD that I get them mixed up.
My ultimate STAR WARS-A NEW HOPE experience was my original screening in a great sound and extra large screen theater in CT in 1977. We simply were just not accustomed to that kind of sci-fi in 1977. It was as new and exciting a film as 2001 was in the late 60's. Shortly after seeing LOGAN'S RUN with my wife and being terrribly dissapointed with that film we went to see STAR WARS at the same theater. When we saw the opening of STAR WARS and the Imperial ship went overhead, my wife said "You can close your mouth now!", which just about sums it up.
My second best STAR WARS-A NEW HOPE film experience was when I had the opportunity to screen an excellent 16 mm copy in a private theater in scope and beautiful color. It too was grand. I hope to purchase a HD-DVD or BLUE RAY copy of this film and see it on my 52" HDTV after the format battle is waged and won.
Exactly What I Wanted 2008-02-29
I bought this and the two like Star Wars DVDs as a gift for my father who had seen the remastered versions and wished that they were never made. I wanted to find the original films, just like the VHS tapes I grew up with, for him to add to his collection. There may be a box set out there somewhere with those films but I wanted to be positive of what I got and this was perfect. It contains both the Original and the Remastered on two DVDs which is perfect. No bells and whistles, which is just fine with me. I would suggest this to anyone who wants the unchanged films that we grew up with.
Star Wars 
2008-02-25
Star Wars plots are inconsequential. Only nerds, dorks and geeks know them. It is the characters we remember: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Obi-Wan, C3PO, R2D2 and Chewbacca. George Lucas could have done the world a favor and let Darth Vader die at the end of A New Hope. I was 31 in 1977 and, although I thought the film was okay, I was not swept away like the kids. I thought much of the dialogue was stiff and unemotional. Carrie Fisher has little if any charisma. My favorite is Obi-Wan. He is the one with perseverance, the one who waits years to set things right.
