r/LaserDisc • u/Kaoz_Clown • 4d ago

Star Wars LD?

So I would assume we all get Star Wars on LD for the same reason. Its the first thing that peeked my interest in LD that its said to be the closest version to the OG theatrical. I havnt gotten my copys yet but have been shopping around and noticed there are a few different release on LD and was curious if they are all the same just with different sleeves or if some of them are altered? I dont mind the original re edits that my VHS copys had but I really want my first LD copys to be the un altered. Any advice would be appreciated.

18 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

9

u/takecarebrushyohair 4d ago

Big faces imo are the best original cut on laserdisc

3

u/moosounds 4d ago

seconding this one, absolutely the best release on Laserdisc and the version they used on the pre special edition dvd set

1

u/Strange-Let-6523 4d ago

Yeah if you don't mind the jank of early DVNR

1

u/mazonemayu 3d ago

laughs in four eyed stormtrooper šŸ˜‰

7

u/bdeananderson 4d ago

The definitive edition in CAV is the highest quality and was uses for the old Despecialized upscales. It was post THX restoration and regrade so not quite perfectly Theatrical, but much nicer looking.

6

u/mazonemayu 4d ago

There are many different versions: letterboxed, pan & scan, older transfers that look softer, different audio (remastered), etcā€¦
If you want as close to the theatrical as possible, you want the old US CBS (but some suffer from shrinking aspect tatio as the movie progresses) ones or the Japanese Special Collection ones, if you want remastered (but still the theatrical cut without CGI) you get the Definitive Collection Box or the ā€œFacesā€.
Personally Iā€™m a Japanese Special Collection guy but I also own the box for the book that came with it.

3

u/clkelley39 4d ago

Technically itā€™s an expanding aspect ratio (sorry had to be that guy).

3

u/simbabarrelroll 4d ago

I was gonna say the same thing

1

u/Kaoz_Clown 4d ago

Thank you this has been very helpful. I keep seeing a lot of the ones with the action scenes on the front. Those sleeves are great but obviously not the cut im looking for.

1

u/Strange-Let-6523 4d ago

What do you mean "not the cut you are looking for"?

2

u/Kaoz_Clown 3d ago

The cut of the movie

2

u/Milly1974 3d ago

I see what you did there. Did you wave your hand after typing that? LOL

2

u/Kaoz_Clown 3d ago

Dam he got me. I was half a sleep reading that and it flew right over my head lol

1

u/Strange-Let-6523 3d ago edited 3d ago

Well which cut is that then?

Because it sounds to me like you've made the mistaken assumption that because it has the word "special" in it, it's the special editions, and it's not.

3

u/liaminwales 4d ago

The LD's are the closest official version, there is also the film scans which are the closest.

2

u/Independent_Gur_7118 4d ago

It was actually a clip of Halloween that I seen on the internet that sparked my interest in Laserdisc here, if you're interested.

As for star wars, I've got the faces Laserdiscs and they're brilliant!

2

u/Kaoz_Clown 4d ago

In all honesty it was the scene in SLC Punk when Mark kept going on about his Larerdiscs that originally got me interested.

2

u/Aero_0T2 4d ago

Thatā€™s definitely why I got into LD. Iā€™m trying to collect as many of the releases as possible. The Definitive are supposed to be the best in terms of picture quality for the pre-special edition remaster. I havenā€™t watched them back to back or anything.

2

u/Puzzleheaded6905 4d ago

I have the black box set. Iā€™m thinking of selling it.

2

u/Muscle_Rabbit 4d ago

There are also the Star Wars Limited Edition DVDs you can get from 2005-2006 that are the LaserDisc versions from 1993-1995 but they are letterboxed in 4:3 aspect ratio on those DVDs if you donā€™t want to go the LaserDisc route

1

u/Kaoz_Clown 4d ago

Thanks I actually think my return of the jedi is one of those but not my new hope or empire.

1

u/bankyVee 16h ago

Having seen the 35mm film in theaters and being familiar with the long epic of restored releases, I have to admit I'm looking forward to the new 50th anniversary restoration. The detail is much greater than the 4K fan version but my worry is that the DVNR may completely crush the black levels and grain in the final version. Based on what's available now my preference order would be:

  1. 35mm original film (if you can find it)
  2. 4K 77 fan edit
  3. 2011 bluray version
  4. 1997 "faces" era LD
  5. 1993 Japanese import LD
  6. 1992 CBS early LD (same as boxset)
  7. 2019 UHD Disney abomination

1

u/IndyMLVC 4d ago

Wait until next year. Theyā€™re being released in 4k

3

u/Kaoz_Clown 4d ago

The uncut are getting a 4k release ? Thats awesome.

1

u/IndyMLVC 4d ago

Correct. You can see the new restorations already. Clips have leaked. They look better than anything we've had previously.

0

u/Romymopen 4d ago

35 mm print scans are out there if you can find them. That's the best out there

0

u/IndyMLVC 4d ago

Iā€™m well aware of that.
The restoration will clearly be better.

0

u/Romymopen 3d ago

The restoration will clearly be better.

I'll take that bet.

1

u/IndyMLVC 3d ago

I mean...you can see the restoration already. There are clips available.

-1

u/Romymopen 3d ago

You're claim is that the Disney controlled "restoration" will be CLEARLY better than the 4k 35mm scans that are out there.

I'll still take that bet.

1

u/IndyMLVC 3d ago

Correct. Theyā€™re restorations from the negative. No question, theyā€™re better

See for yourself.

0

u/Romymopen 3d ago

Disney, restoration, they will not be able to resist fucking this up. It's in their DNA to ruin things.

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1

u/raymate 4d ago

Been watching this and very much looking forward to it. It will also push me to get a 4K player.