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Introduction
This article is part of a series where we investigate which is the best version of particular movies on home media. In this article, we will look at the different releases of Star Wars (Original Trilogy) (1977) on Blu Ray, UHD Blu Ray – and streaming if available – and look at the specs and quality of each release to determine the best way to watch Star Wars (Original Trilogy) (1977).
Star Wars (Original Trilogy) (1977) Summary
The Star Wars Original Trilogy (1977) is the first set of films in the Star Wars franchise, directed by George Lucas. It is set in a distant galaxy and follows the Rebel Alliance’s struggle against the evil Galactic Empire, which seeks to control the galaxy through authoritarian rule. The protagonist, a young man named Luke Skywalker, embarks on a journey after crossing paths with key characters, including Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who play pivotal roles in the battle against the Empire.
One recurring element is the “Force,” a mystical energy that grants certain individuals powerful abilities. The saga explores themes of loyalty, temptation, heroism, and the fight for freedom in the face of oppression. The trilogy presents a mix of epic space battles, personal conflicts, and the rise and fall of key figures, all contributing to the enduring legacy of the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars (Original Trilogy) (1977) Cast Summary
| Actor’s Name | Character’s Name | Character’s Role |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Hamill | Luke Skywalker | The central character, a young farm boy who learns about the Force and becomes a key figure in the Rebel Alliance’s fight against the Empire. |
| Harrison Ford | Han Solo | A smuggler-turned-hero who aids the Rebel Alliance while initially only being motivated by self-interest. |
| Carrie Fisher | Princess Leia Organa | A leader in the Rebel Alliance, Leia is instrumental in resisting the Empire’s rule and is later revealed to have family connections to key characters. |
| Alec Guinness | Obi-Wan Kenobi | A former Jedi Knight who guides Luke in learning about the Force, serving as a wise mentor early in the trilogy. |
| David Prowse (body) / James Earl Jones (voice) | Darth Vader | The dark and intimidating Sith Lord who serves the Emperor and opposes the Rebels, particularly fixated on Luke Skywalker. |
| Anthony Daniels | C-3PO | A protocol droid fluent in many languages, often providing comic relief and helps the Rebels on their missions. |
| Peter Mayhew | Chewbacca | Han Solo’s loyal Wookiee co-pilot, known for his strength, bravery, and close bond with Han. |
| Kenny Baker | R2-D2 | A small astromech droid with a number of skills in repairing ships; plays a crucial role in delivering important messages to the Rebels. |
| Billy Dee Williams | Lando Calrissian | A former friend of Han Solo, Lando becomes a key ally of the Rebels, though initially he is seen as having conflicting loyalties. |
| Ian McDiarmid | Emperor Palpatine | The sinister leader of the Galactic Empire, a master of the dark side of the Force, wielding immense power and manipulating events from behind the scenes. |
Star Wars (Original Trilogy) (1977) Home Media Releases (Blu Ray and Streaming)
Star Wars (Original Trilogy) (1977) was published on the following contemporary home formats.
Table 1: Technical Details for Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray Releases
| Release Name / Format | Release Date | Video Codec | Audio Codec | Video Bitrate | Audio Bitrate | Director’s Cut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Blu-ray – Episodes I–VI) | September 2011 | AVC | DTS-HD MA 6.1 | 33.50 Mbps | Lossless | No |
| Star Wars Trilogy (Blu-ray Only) | October 2013 | AVC | DTS-HD MA 6.1 | 33.50 Mbps | Lossless | No |
| Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (UHD Blu-ray) | March 2020 | HEVC (H.265) | Dolby Atmos + DTS-HD MA 5.1 | 48 Mbps | Lossless | No |
| Star Wars Original Trilogy (Standalone UHD Blu-ray) | November 2020 | HEVC (H.265) | Dolby Atmos + DTS-HD MA 5.1 | 48 Mbps | Lossless | No |
Table 2: Scores and Mastering Information
| Release Name / Format | Video Score | Audio Score | DI Res | DNR Used | AI Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Blu-ray – Episodes I–VI) | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | M | Yes | M |
| Star Wars Trilogy (Blu-ray Only) | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | M | Yes | M |
| Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (UHD Blu-ray) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4K | Yes | No |
| Star Wars Original Trilogy (Standalone UHD Blu-ray) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4K | Yes | No |
Notes:
The 2011 Blu-ray release is widely regarded as a good-quality release, but the UHD Blu-ray set from 2020 offers superior video and audio, especially when viewed on 4K HDR-capable setups, with enhanced detail and improved dynamic range.
Video Codec:
Blu-ray uses AVC (H.264), while UHD Blu-ray uses HEVC (H.265).
Director’s Cut: There is no official “Director’s Cut” of the Star Wars movies, but all current Blu-ray and UHD releases use the Special Edition versions, which include changes from George Lucas after the theatrical release.
Digital Intermediate (DI):
The UHD Blu-ray versions of the trilogy were mastered from a 4K DI.
DNR (Digital Noise Reduction): DNR has been applied to several of these releases, particularly to smooth out the visual grain, but it has been criticized in forum discussions for removing too much detail.
Picture and Sound Quality:
Please note that we have tried to make sure as much as possible that this information is correct by referencing multiple sources but still keeping it simple and accurate across release regions. Please let us know in the comments if you find any errors.
Star Wars (Original Trilogy) (1977) Legacy Formats
Star Wars (Original Trilogy) (1977) was also published on the following legacy formats:
All Releases of Star Wars (Original Trilogy) (1977) on VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, and D-Theatre
| Format / Release | Release Date | Widescreen / Pan & Scan | Director’s Cut (Special Edition) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Wars Trilogy (VHS – Original Theatrical Release) | 1984 | Pan & Scan | No |
| Star Wars Trilogy (VHS – Widescreen Collector’s Edition) | 1990 | Widescreen | No |
| Star Wars Trilogy (VHS – Definitive Collection) | 1992 | Pan & Scan | No |
| Star Wars Trilogy (Laserdisc – US) | December 1992 | Widescreen | No |
| Star Wars Trilogy (VHS “Special Edition” – 1997 Release) | April 1997 | Available in Both Widescreen & Pan & Scan | Yes (Special Edition) |
| Star Wars Trilogy (Laserdisc – Special Edition) | August 1997 | Widescreen | Yes |
| Star Wars Trilogy (DVD – Original / Theatrical + Special Edition) | September 2004 | Widescreen | Yes (includes both versions) |
| Star Wars Trilogy (D-Theatre) | Never released on D-Theatre | M | M |
| Star Wars Trilogy (DVD – 2-Disc Special Edition) | September 2006 | Widescreen | Yes (Original Theatrical + Special Edition) |
Notes:
- Pan & Scan: This format was common for VHS releases before widescreen TVs became popular, cropping the theatrical aspect ratio to fit a 4:3 TV screen.
- Widescreen: Many later Laserdisc, VHS, and DVD releases included widescreen versions to preserve the original aspect ratio (2.35:1).
- Special Edition (Director’s Cut): Starting with the 1997 re-releases, George Lucas introduced the Special Edition with added CGI and changes to the original theatrical version. This continued in most releases up to the 2006 DVD edition, which included both the Special Edition and unaltered theatrical cuts.
- D-Theatre: The Star Wars Original Trilogy was never officially released in D-Theatre format (a short-lived HD format on tapes).
Which version of Star Wars (Original Trilogy) (1977) should you watch?
When recommending the best disc version of the Star Wars Original Trilogy for a customer, it depends on their preferences regarding image quality, special editions vs. theatrical releases, and viewing setup (1080p or 4K).
Best Overall Version: Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (UHD Blu-ray – 2020)
- Video/Audio Quality: The 2020 UHD Blu-ray release delivers the highest-quality video and audio available for the Original Trilogy. It’s mastered from a 4K Digital Intermediate (DI) with HDR (High Dynamic Range), which greatly improves the colors, contrast, and overall sharpness compared to previous releases. The video score is 4.5/5 and the audio score is also 4.5/5 on Blu-ray.com. The addition of Dolby Atmos creates an immersive sound experience, especially for home theater setups.
- Special Edition: Keep in mind that this version only includes the Special Edition versions of the films (not the unaltered theatrical cut).
- Forum Discussion: Fans with 4K setups widely recommend this version on forums such as AVS Forum and Blu-ray.com, despite some criticisms about DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) softening the image. This version offers the best overall experience, especially for 4K HDR-capable setups.
Alternative Choice for Blu-ray (1080p): Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Blu-ray – 2011)
- Video/Audio Quality: If the customer does not have a 4K setup, the 2011 Blu-ray box set is frequently recommended. This collection includes all six films from Star Wars Episodes I–VI and has solid scores for both video and audio (Video: 4/5, Audio: 4.5/5). It’s an improvement over previous DVD versions, offering 1080p HD resolution, and makes significant strides in terms of image sharpness and color balance.
- Special Edition: Like the UHD set, this version only has the Special Edition versions of the films.
- Forum Discussion: On sites like Blu-ray.com, the 2011 Blu-ray set is praised for being a definitive upgrade for 1080p users. While not as sharp as the 4K UHD release, it offers a great viewing experience for those not yet ready to upgrade to 4K.
For Fans Who Want the Theatrical Versions: Star Wars Trilogy (DVD – 2006)
- Video/Audio Quality: This 2006 DVD release features both the Special Edition and the unaltered theatrical versions of the Original Trilogy. The theatrical versions are presented in non-anamorphic letterbox format (not optimized for widescreen TVs), and the video quality is significantly inferior to the Blu-ray or UHD releases. However, for fans who are die-hard purists and want to experience the films as they appeared in theaters before George Lucas’s changes, this DVD edition is the go-to option.
- Special Edition: Includes both the Special Edition (with CGI changes) and the theatrical versions.
- Forum Discussion: This set appeals primarily to fans who dislike the Special Edition changes and want the theatrical versions on disc. However, it’s not highly regarded for image quality. For a true theatrical version experience, some fans prefer fan-made preservations such as the “Despecialized Editions,” but these are not officially released.
Key Considerations for Choosing:
- 4K Setup: If the customer has a 4K television and audio setup that can support HDR and Dolby Atmos, the 2020 UHD Blu-ray release is the best choice in terms of overall picture quality, sound, and long-term value.
- 1080p Setup: If 4K isn’t a concern, the 2011 Blu-ray Collection (part of the Complete Saga) is a great option for 1080p users and offers strong video and audio performance.
- Theatrical Version Enthusiast: Although the 2006 DVD is not the best in terms of quality, it is the only official version that includes the unaltered theatrical cuts. It’s the best option for purists on disc, though it sacrifices modern improvements.
Final Recommendation:
For most customers with a modern home theater, the 2020 UHD Blu-ray (as part of Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga or standalone) will offer the best balance of video and audio quality, making it the most recommended version across forums and review sites. However, for those prioritizing the theatrical versions, the 2006 DVD is their only official option, despite its subpar quality relative to modern releases.
Why Audio and Video Calibration is Important?
Movies only play accurately on home systems if both the display and audio system are calibrated to reference. Here at Simple Home Cinema, we are fanatic about accurate playback to the way the director intended. This is why we created both free and premium calibration guides, so you can calibrate your audio and video for optimal playback.
| Audio Calibration | Video Calibration |
|---|---|
| Audyssey – Dirac Live – YPAO – All | Free Guides |
| Premium Guides | Premium Guide |
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