Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9786304539286 Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Special Edition, THX, NTSC ISBN: 6304539282 Label: 20th Century Fox Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Number Of Items: 3 Publisher: 20th Century Fox Release Date: August 26, 1997 Studio: 20th Century Fox Theatrical Release Date: May 21, 1980 Sales Rank: 2870
Amazon.com essential video: 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 Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - The greatest films of all time, in a great DVD set
The Star Wars Saga changed the face of cinema, and even rewrote modern mythology. The journey of the hero, capitalizing on the imagery of medieval Japan, Flash Gordon, World War 2 and the Old West, comes ... Read More
Rating: - Star Wars Trilogy
The Star Wars Trilogy are three of my favorite movies. And, the boxed set I have came in excellent condition. All three movies look great in this DVD package.
Rating: - Great Movies
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, ... Read More
Rating: - My favorite movies
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.
Rating: - Good Service, good Product
This set was purchased as a Christmas present last year and the gift was really enjoyed a lot.
- The greatest films of all time, in a great DVD set