Special Editions: Yea Or Nay?

I loved seeing them in theaters. I was pretty much OK with everything except Jedi Rock.

--- Double Post Merged, Apr 14, 2016, Original Post Date: Apr 14, 2016 ---

 

Some are good (updated effects, the song at the end of Jedi)

Others aren't as good (Han shooting second, Jedi Rocks, Vader's NOOOO as he kills the emperor)

Overall, I don't mind them existing, I just wish we had the option to get the original Theactrical editions on something other than a limited time DVD (which in fairness, I own, but I know that others don't)

 

I don't think you can get the original version it's probably gone

 

Thanks to Laserdisc, the (very poor) transfer from said Laserdisc to DVD in 2004, and surviving theatrical prints, they aren't gone. And fans have done a great job restoring those. There's Harmy's Despecialized Edition as well as a fantastic print restoration done last year.
They can be restored. They can be given back to us.

 

Have you seen the actual original versions from the 70's and 80's? My father has and he even had those tapes a long time ago.

 

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Divided - I like half of the changes, but there are other half I see as unnecessary.

 

My childhood copies were of the original versions. I didn't see the special editions until about 2004-5, when I was about 11-12.
Hell, I still own those tapes along with an identical set that is in much better condition.

 

used to have the original VHS. now i have Harmy's ~ won't watch anything else.

 

I actually saw the the Special Editions first, parents bought the VHS SE 1997 editions when they came out, not knowing the difference (at least I think 1997 edition). I thought something was off in a few scenes and asked my dad. He was confused (saw the movies when they first came out in theaters, then moved on with his life, lol) and said he didn't remember some of the scenes, but it had been a long time since he had seen it. So, I didn't know any different until I met some other kids (who were very very BIG Star Wars fans) who told me all about the changes; but, I never got to see their copies. So, I am one of the generation that never got to see the originals, until Harmy's. Never looking back and will never show my kids the SE. No point to it, really, I don't think any of the effects really add to the story or to the vision -- at least to my vision.
Since I was exposed to them at an early age, and they were the only way I could experience Star Wars for a big part of my childhood, I don't have venom towards them, just don't need them now that I have the originals.

 

It would be the 1997 version. Changes would only occur between format releases (1997 - VHS/Laserdisc, 2004 - DVD, 2011 Blu-Ray/Digital).