Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Limited Edition, Includes Theatrical Version) [1977]

See Larger Image	List Price: £22.99 Our Price: £5.98 Availability: Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, David Prowse Directed By: George Lucas Average Customer Rating:
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: Universal, suitable for all Binding: DVD EAN: 5039036028288 Format: Dolby Label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Number Of Items: 2 Publisher: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2006-09-11 Running Time: 120 Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Theatrical Release Date: 1977
Related Items Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Limited Edition, Includes Theatrical Version) [1980] Star Wars Episode VI:Return Of The Jedi (Limited Edition, Includes Theatrical Version) [1983] Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace [1999] Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones [2002] Star Wars Episode III : Revenge of the Sith (2 Disc Edition) [2005]
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Novel Comment: This review is based on watching the "original theatrical version" (1977) which is on the Bonus Disc in this 2 Disc DVD. There is stellar charm from C3PO, R2D2, Princess Leia, Skywalker, and Hans Solo. The pace of the film is also very good. The audience follows the story much through the eyes of narrators C3PO and R2D2. That, ladies and gentleman, is why this film is pretty innovative. Star Wars doesn't really become truly galactic until Empire Strikes Back. Customer Rating: Summary: Re-mastered version sucks, but it doesnt matter .... the treatrical version is on this disc too. Comment: Dont watched the re-mastered version, Jabba the Hut looks stupid and the rest of the changes are just unnecessary. Watch the original version and see why Star Wars was such a hit in the first place. A great movie from the once brilliant versionary mind of George Lucas, before his lust for money almost ruined the franchise with dodgy prequels like Phantom Menace. Customer Rating: Summary: ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FILMS OF ALL TIME Comment: What made this the hugely successful triumph it was? Was it casting, music, imagination, ingenuity, or luck? I remember opening day at the theaters. I was old enough to remember every scene, every character, every nuance of this film; having committed it to memory forever, as if I would never again be able to see this beloved, instantly loved masterpiece. I also remember that the HIT factor of this movie was so unexpected that you had to wait literal MONTHS to get the action figures promised on the cereal boxes. The pieces were still in the manufacturing process and we had to settle for coupons promising our toys in a few months. I wound up seeing this in the theaters a grand total of 36 times; much to my mother's dismay. She loved the movie as I did, but felt I was obsessed. Today, thirty years later, sitting here writing this review, I realize how right she was. I'm still obsessed with this movie, and with the subsequent movies which followed. I wait in great anticipation for Episode 3. I'm a fan, and I don't care what other people say about Episodes 1 & 2. I don't even mind the "prequel" factor, as the situation at the time, dictated to Lucas which movies he would do first. See, I remember the studios saying to him that he had to choose from the three central climactic books, and trash the rest, or just trash the whole idea. He didn't exactly "sell out," he did what he had to do to get his movie...his vision...out there for us to see and experience. I admired his decision then, and I admire it now. Episodes 1-3 are being filmed now, because Lucas had the clout, the money, and the patience to give us his vision...his complete vision and not just the three center books of a 9-book series. I realize that now, there are dozens of books, but at the time, there were nine. And while most of us were happy with Episodes 4-6 and would not have missed 1-3 and 7-9, I personally am so very glad he has taken it upon himself to give us his full vision. I have enjoyed each and every installment with the same sense of awe and joy as I did this one. The casting was the first triumph for this cinematic milestone. Ford is a charismatic and magnetic personality and portrayed Han with a professionalism that you'd expect from more seasoned actors. Sir Alec Guiness is an absolute joy as Obi Wan. His casting was precise and excellent in that part. Carrie Fisher portrayed Leia in a way that, up until then, had never been experienced. Most "princess" types before her were whining, whimpering, little snots who were incapable of anything beyond tripping and twisting their ankle in times of peril, while Fisher portrayed her character as a bold, brazen, yet sophisticated and educated woman who was aware of her surroundings and capable of defending herself and her realm with the utmost authority. And Mark Hamil. He was perfectly cast as the whining little boy who wanted more, but was afraid to reach for it. He grows up quite well on film in these three installments, and endears himself to the audience so much the more for it. But a cast member who is almost always left out of these reviews is Peter Mayhew. Chewbacca. His character, as a supporting character to Han's, was exemplary. It's not easy portraying a walking carpet, yet holding the attention, admiration, and love of virtual millions. I am VERY happy about his being cast as Chewy in Episode 3. Couldn't happen to a more deserving...or capable...fellow. Bravo! And James Earl Jones's voice being used as the voice of Darth Vader, was pure genius. His commanding voice haunted the dreams of countless thousands of star-struck children for generations to come. I also have to say that this movie would not have had the charm it does had it not been for Anthony Daniels' C3P0. He is a gift and a joy. The musical score by John Williams featured in this masterpiece was one of the contributing factors. But honestly, this movie's success was such a total surprise to everyone, including Lucas, that nothing could prepare the world for the aftermath of having witnessed this bona fide legend, first hand. The story itself; replete with sub-plot after sub-plot, rich in dialog and detail, was beyond anyone's greatest expectations. Everyone, including Lucas, expected this movie to fail. It is a timeless classic, which I will not repeat here. There are too many movie reviews giving full details of the plot, and I won't be redundant beyond what I have already said. However, that being said, there are a few points I would like to make concerning the symbolism of this endeavor. The Force is a metaphor for the psychic abilities with which we are all born. It was also a metaphor for hope and faith, dedication and commitment to the greater state of being. The Empire is said to have been a metaphor for the Germanic Nazi "storm troopers." While the Rebellion is said to have been symbolic of (what would later become) the NATO forces who defeated them. And then there are the effects. The effects were, in 1977, so awesome; so creative; so ahead of their time, as to ensure this movie's vast success for the next forty years. George Lucas enjoys an almost god-like status among sci-fi/fantasy fans worldwide. This movie does not rate a rating. Usually, when I say that, it is because the movie is so bad, or disappointing that I don't have the heart to rate it. But in this case, it far surpasses any 10/10 rating I could give it. Customer Rating: Summary: funtastic! Comment: I recently bought all 3 of these "Limited Edition" movies, and have already watched them countless times. What can I say? There are still hugely enjoyable, and just wonderful escapist fun! I once felt a bit apprehensive about the added CGI elements in these movies, but actually after a while you start to forget they are there. Besides, they are only really noticeable in Star Wars: A New Hope, and not so much in the other films (though, there is quite a bit of added CGI stuff at the very end of Return of the Jedi). Just to make sure people know: each DVD consists of 2 discs - one contains the "new", brushed up, improved picture and sound quality version with added CGI elements (Jabba the Hutt talking to Solo; Greedo firing the first shot in the bar when confronting Solo; additional CGI animals and characters in the Mos Aisley spaceport), and all in a new 16:9 widescreen format (should go fullscreen on most widescreen tvs). The other disc contains the discernibly older, unaltered "Theatrical version", with no CGI elements. Basically, the film you remember from your childhood before those stupid prequels. It is in 4:3 format. This is also the same for the other 2 titles in this collection (you know, the REAL movies, RoTJ, ESB). I just have to say, watching them in 16:9 with improved picture and sound, it's hard to believe they were made 30 years ago, they look so contemporary. For anyone new to the Star Wars universe, and wants to know what the fuss is about, just buy these three movies: Star Wars:A New Hope; Star Wars:The Empire Strikes Back; and Star Wars:Return of the Jedi. Do NOT waste your money on the so-called "prequels" which Lucas made later. They are all utter rubbish and an insult to the real Star Wars fans. May the Force be with you, always! Customer Rating: Summary: The most magical movie in the history Comment: No matter how much time passes, some movies will never age. This is true for "Gone with the wind", "The longest day", "The seven samurai", "The stagecoach", "Rashomon", "Alien" and of course the first, the true "Star Wars". I believe that there never was before a movie which changed so deeply world cinema and which included so many innovations. In fact I guess that most people saw at least one Star Wars movie, so this is not really new for any of you. But just lets remember the way this movie begins: no credits (well, the unions in Hollywood didn't like it at all), just the title and this incredible musical score! And then immediately the rapid rebel blocus runner followed swiftly by the massive imperial star destroyer. There is no dead time in this movie, so once you are hooked by the magic, it will not leave you until the end. So you can appreciate the stunning vision of George Lucas and the genius of John Williams, the master of the music (and what a music!). You can't help but like the whining and moaning droid C3PO and the brave, never scared by anything R2D2 - and of course Luke Skywalker, one of the few good guys in the movies history which are actually fully likeable. Then there is of course Carrie Fisher, who simply was made to play an insupportable, sharp tongued, pistol shooting, sewers crawling, wookie kissing and a.. kicking princess. And Han Solo, just the kind of swashbuckling pirate we love in our movies. And Chewbacca, the first ape to pilot a star ship. And Ben Kenobi, played by the amazing Alec Guiness, who got very rich because of that movie and who hated it more than anything!. And last but not least, Darth Vader, the most impressive and attaching bad guy in the history of cinema. And the battle of Yavin - no matter how much I watch this movie, I still get hooked at that moment. In one word - there is enough magic in this movie to give matter for 100 hundred pages review. But to keep it short I can just say one thing - when I first saw this movie, this was the most amazing experience in my life (OK, maybe except the day of my marriage) and the magic still works on me. And although I am no more a teenager, I believe it will work on me until the end of my days. And I just hope they have good cinemas on the other side and may be there I will find the three missing parts of Great Saga (from VII to IX), which Lukas promissed and which will not be turned. At least not in this reality. 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