The Original Force Hits DVD This Fall

The original Star Wars trilogy is finally coming to DVD as a special, 4 disc set September 21 in the US and Canada. An international release is expected to follow shortly thereafter.

"We know how long fans have waited for this release and how much they have been looking forward to it, so everyone has been working overtime to make sure that the STAR WARS TRILOGY on DVD is an awesome experience," said Jim Ward, vice president of marketing and distribution for Lucasfilm Ltd. and the DVD collection's executive producer.

The STAR WARS TRILOGY tops the list of 'cinephiles' most-requested titles never released on the format," according to a May 2003 E! Online report. Further, the three STAR WARS TRILOGY films -- Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi -- also hold the top three spots on Amazon.com's "most-requested DVDs" list.

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi will be available in a four-disc set that includes a bonus disc filled with all-new special features -- including the most comprehensive feature-length documentary ever produced about the Star Wars saga and never-before-seen footage from the making of all three films. Each of the three films in the STAR WARS TRILOGY has been digitally restored and re-mastered by THX for superior sound and picture quality.

"First and foremost, the DVDs will deliver the very best possible sound and picture and take advantage of everything the medium can offer. On top of that, we are creating added-value material that gets inside the creation of the Star Wars films in a fresh and fun way," Ward said. "We want watching this DVD collection to be as memorable as seeing the movies for the first time."

The films of the STAR WARS TRILOGY will be available exclusively as a collection and will feature Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX. All three films are closed-captioned and subtitled in English, French and Spanish in the U.S. Internationally, sound and subtitling specifications will vary by territory.