Star Wars - Episode VI, Return of the Jedi (1983)

The 2006 limited-edition two-disc release of Return of the Jedi is not only the first time the movie has been officially available by itself on DVD. It marks the first-ever DVD release of Jedi as it originally played in theaters in 1983. What does that mean exactly? The film is without the various "improvements" and enhancements George Lucas added for the theatrical rerelease in 1997 as well as the DVD premiere in 2004. So Sebastian Shaw reclaims his spot as the man behind Darth Vader's mask, and we don't see the otherworldly celebration (including the Gungans) at the end of the movie.

What do you lose by watching the 1983 version? Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sound, for one thing (only 2.0 Surround here), and digital cleanup. But for home-theater owners, the biggest frustration will be from the non-anamorphic picture. On a widescreen TV, an anamorphically enhanced (16x9) picture at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio will fill the screen with the exception of small black bars on the top and bottom. The original edition of Jedi, however, on a widescreen TV will have large black bars on the top, the bottom, and the sides unless you stretch the picture (and distort it in the process, especially considering the substandard picture quality). If you're watching on a standard square-shaped (4:3) TV, though, you won't notice a difference.

Yes, it's true that serious home-theater lovers who want spectacular sound and anamorphically enhanced picture can always watch the 2004 version of the movie also included in this set. But chances are good that they already picked up the trilogy edition of all three films, so their decision to buy the 2006 two-disc edition depends on how much they want the original film. The official LucasFilm stance is that this is an individual release of the 2004 version of Return of the Jedi, and the 1983 version of the film is merely a "bonus feature." Common speculation is that the only reason the original versions are seeing the official light of day at all is to undercut the booming black market for the laserdisc version. Star Wars fans will have to decide for themselves if that's worth the purchase. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com

To restore freedom to the galaxy

RETURN OF THE JEDI was the STAR WARS film which thrilled me most as a kid. I loved the ewoks, though now I find them to be a bit irritating. I loved the scenes in Jabba's palace, though now I think the use of Jim Henson's Creature Workshop was a bit over the top. I loved and still love the fast paced action sequences and the climactic lightsaber duel at the end. Looking back, I now prefer EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, A NEW HOPE, and even REVENGE OF THE SITH to this one. But JEDI still ranks high in my book, if for no other reason, it was just downright fun. And it still is.

The Special Edition of this film did little more than bog it down with a lot of useless junk. I refer primarily to the musical (using that word rather loosely) interlude in Jabba's palace. I'm sure I laughed at it first time I saw it in theaters in 1997, but since then only irritated feelings have I felt for that scene. The celebration scenes at the end were fine, but I don't think anyone ever missed their absence. Superimposing Hayden Christensen's image in "spirit" next to Alec Guiness and Yoda at the end seemed to me rather bizarre. Luke "saved" his father. When this happened his father did not bear Hayden Christensen's image but that of actor Sebastian Shaw. So why do we see a young Anakin at the end of the film instead of the old, dying man who got "redeemed"?

All this to say I don't think RETURN OF THE JEDI is worth watching in the special edition format; which makes me all the gladder that it has now been presented to us as we saw it in its original form in 1983. September 5, 2008

Ultimate movie but ...there is Grief!

When I always hear the name Return of the Jedi, I always feel two INTENSE emotions which never happened with any movie nor changed over time, first: ultimate happiness and joy because im witnessing the end story and empire downfall, other is intense grief!! Sadness!!, because Star Wars and its excitements end right here and no other story after!!

However, the first trilogy (77,80,83) success because of story, one unique feature was the UNPREDICTABLE story line, for example in Empire everyone receive extreme emotion attack when Darth Vader become father of Luke!!, rebels are shattered, Han captured and humiliated harshly, Darth Vader tyranny, and Luke downfall. Return of the Jedi reveals Leia as Luke sister and finally he confronts his father in dedicate compact scene and with emperor mighty power, the fight sequence may not be SHARP as in Empire!!, but definitely richer and wider, plus stronger by its meaning (against his beloved father).

I was disappointed as some did when Lucas decides making new trilogy story goes back!! The problem is become predictable. Faithfully speaking, I was hopping and expecting Mr, Lucas make new story but following or after Return of the Jedi, probably using Mark Hamil as same Luke or new generation characters from Luke facing new threats or evil, and somehow the lines could repeated but differently, but most importantly should be a new episodes with same actors and closer style. Honestly, I like Mark Hamil very much, he has a unique voice and perfect character for Luke hero, plus he has already make real (I mean real) fans.

Sadly, the new Star wars trilogy almost has nothing new in term of story, what should be point here is concentrating largely on CG and leaving story as lower importance!!. Revenge of the Sith for example, from beginning to the end have no real out shooting? All the backgrounds made from CG and animation, the only scene look real in the end dessert when Obi carry child Luke. What I would like to know, how the photographer could win Oscar nomination for this film???

However, the unique thing in this episode is, the continuity, the scenes connect with each other so perfectly, and dramatically that it's impossible to notice any delay in time or feeling boring, the two hours span like minutes. Some reviewers here mentioned this movie particularly lowest and boring than previous which impressed me!!, honestly I felt the opposite, the movie fill with music score more, lot actions sequence and better special effects. Jabba palace and ewok might slow movie but I thought just little. The last space ships battle scene is landmark in cinema photography despite using models not CG graphics, which in my opinion proves better realistic, I could never forget when Lando drive the falcon handsomely between rebels ship and the camera follow with loud music score, such natural and magic quality only in theater!!. What really bothers me is the sound from DVD or digital general, for example, the scene in the end when falcon and some rebels ship just inter the long pipeline death star, sound rebels ships look coming or made from rubber air blower?? Too thin, lacking warmth and bass strength, even the kids noticed this.

Mr. Lucas, we really love you so much and your movie star wars, but please makes new episodes connecting with Return of the Jedi, and if you keep the CG FAR or as second important and concentrate on story, Im perfectly sure it should work better. It is not necessarily to have high budget movie to bring success. Sometimes simplicity is better. September 4, 2008

A fine conclusion.

Return of the Jedi is yet another masterpiece and a fitting conclusion to the original saga.
The usual, great script, great fx, good acting.
LOVE Luke's new green lightsaber.
Vader truly makes his feelings known in this one.
The emperor couldn't have been any better.
All in all one of the best films ever.
What I didn't like were the teddy bears!!!
Lucas wanted Wookies originally, I agree, the Ewoks suck.
Since Lucas has tinkered with the original three endlessly, why not take the teddy bears out and put Wookies in???
Just a suggestion.

Otherwise, another must see/must have.
June 18, 2008

"Pass On What You Have Learned" ~ How Not to Conclude An Epic Saga

Question: What was the stupidest storyline mistake George Lucas made concerning the `Star Wars' trilogy?

Answer: Killing off Yoda and replacing him with those ridiculous Ewoks.

Yes, with the death of Yoda in the third film 'Return of the Jedi' released in '83 the best part of the storyline died with him. To make matters worse in come those furry little Ewoks to replace him. Thus ended my interest in the movie. If you're seven years old or under you'll love it, otherwise just rewatch the first two films.

My Rating: -3 Stars- and that's being generous. May 26, 2008

2 words. NO Haden

Finally we get on dvd the original film. A have been a fan of the films with new enhancements, but adding Hayden into the enhanced film, just made me sick. DON"T MESS WITH THE FILMS.


Finally we get a dvd copy of the original film I saw on screen...it will make you happy! April 8, 2008

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