The long-awaited “Star Wars Trilogy” has arrived on DVD as a four-disc set. The three movies contained on the DVDs are versions of the films released theatrically during 1977 to 1983 that starred Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher. There’s so much on the DVDs that I’ve only had time for a quick look at this point, but I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen so far.
Each of the three films is on a disc by itself, and based on spot checks, they all look and sound terrific to me. Each movie also has an audio commentary track, and filmmaker George Lucas, actress Carrie Fisher, sound designer Ben Burtt, and visual effects expert Dennis Muren are heard on all three tracks. Also, on “The Empire Strikes Back,” those four are joined by a fifth commentator, director Irvin Kershner.
One of the four discs in the set is devoted to bonus materials, and the major offering here is a two-and-a-half-hour (!) documentary titled “Empire of Dreams: The Story of the ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy.” This disc also provides three featurettes and assorted other extras. In addition, there’s a gag reel Easter egg, and I’ve described elsewhere how to find it.
The “Star Wars Trilogy” I have is in widescreen (2.35:1), but the DVD set is also available in full-screen (1.33:1). Everything is the same in the widescreen and full-screen DVD versions except the aspect ratio of the three feature films.
In this full-length review, I give a more detailed discussion of the “Star Wars Trilogy.” I’ve listed below all the DVD set’s special features.
DVD Details:
Four-Disc SetRelease Date: September 21, 2004
Disc One (Feature Film and Audio Commentary):
“Star Wars IV: A New Hope” Run Time: 2 Hours 3 Minutes
Audio Commentary by George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, Carrie Fisher
Disc Two (Feature Film and Audio Commentary):
“Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back” Run Time: 2 Hours 9 Minutes
Audio Commentary by George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, Carrie Fisher
Disc Three (Feature Film and Audio Commentary):
“Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi” Run Time: 2 Hours 16 Minutes
Audio Commentary by George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, Carrie Fisher
The Following Applies to Discs One, Two, and Three:
MPAA Rating: PG
Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1), Color
English 5.1 Dolby Surround EX
English 2.0 Dolby Surround
French 2.0 Dolby Surround
Spanish 2.0 Dolby Surround
English Subtitles
Disc Four (Bonus Material):
Documentary: “Empire of Dreams: The Story of the ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy” (2 hrs. 30 min.)
Featurette: “The Characters of ‘Star Wars’” (19 min.)
Featurette: “The Birth of the Lightsaber” (15 min.)
Featurette: “The Force Is With Them: The Legacy of ‘Star Wars’” (13 min.)
Production Photos
Posters
Episode III: Making the Game
Star Wars Battlefront Xbox Game Demo
Star Wars Battlefront Game Trailer
Episode III Preview: The Return of Darth Vader
Trailers and TV Spots
Gag Reel Easter Egg
DVD-ROM Weblink to Exclusive Content
