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This release is probably the most anticipated DVD release in the history of the format. Before the advent of DVD, The Empire Strikes Back had made it's way to various home video formats with many different extras available. Many have decried the lack of the original versions being available on DVD, but when you see the list of what has come out on video up to this point, you perhaps might hold onto the hope that the original theatrical versions will be made available on DVD. Here is a detailed list of what various home video releases have been made of this film, many of which are the U.S. releases: - VHS and Beta in November, 1984 (U.S.) (pan & scan)
- CED Video Disc in 1984 (U.S.) (pan & scan)
- VHD Video Disc in 1984 (U.S.) (pan & scan)
- Laserdisc in 1984 (U.S.) (pan & scan, single disc)
- Laserdisc in 1985 (U.S.) (pan & scan, 3 discs)
- VHS re-release in 1986 (U.S.) (pan & scan)
- VHS re-release No. 2 in 1987 (U.S.) (pan & scan)
- Laserdisc in 1987 (Japan) (2.35:1, 3 discs)
- Laserdisc in 1989 (U.S.) (2.35:1, 2 discs)
- VHS re-release No. 3 in 1990 (U.S.) (pan & scan)
- VHS in 1992 (U.S.) (2.35:1)
- Laserdisc re-release in 1992 (U.S.) (pan & scan)
- Laserdisc in 1993 (U.S.) (2.35:1 THX Standard, 9 disc Trilogy Definitive Collection)
- VHS in 1995 (U.S.) (pan & scan separate, or 2.35:1 in box set. Both versions THX masters)
- Laserdisc in 1995 (U.S.) (2.35:1 THX Standard, 2 discs)
- VHS Last of the Original Versions in 1995 (Australia) (pan & scan or 2.35:1. Both versions THX masters)
- VHS Special Editions in 1997 (Australia, U.K. and U.S.) (pan & scan in the gold box or 2.35:1 in the silver box. Both versions THX masters)
- Laserdisc Special Editions in 1997 (U.S.) (2.35:1, 5 disc for entire trilogy. Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and THX masters)
- VHS Special Editions re-issue in 2000 (Australia, U.K. and U.S.) (pan & scan or 2.35:1)
- VCD Special Editions in 2000 (Malaysia) (pan & scan, 6 discs for entire trilogy)
- DVD Enhanced Special Editions in 2004 (World-wide Simultaneous release) (pan & scan or 2.35:1. Both versions THX masters)
This is a simple list of the various versions of this film that have been made available throughout the years, and it is by no means complete. If you are of the opinion that this latest release of this classic film, and indeed of the entire Trilogy, is the final word on the films then you have another thing coming. The above is a very incomplete list of titles that have been made available, but one thing is for sure: there will be more to come. I have no doubt whatsoever that after George Lucas completes Episode III, he will again revisit his original Trilogy to complete the Saga for a total and definitive package. Sure, we will all have to buy them again, but I for one don't mind. I'll be interested to see what he had done to his films and I'll be even more happy to get a complete extras package for each of the original films. It will come. I have no doubt about it. With the set only just on sale world-wide and few reviews yet available (the Michael D's reviews are probably the first world-wide), I can only guess as to any major Regional differences. I do believe that the Region 1 discs feature Dolby Digital 2.0 mixes in French and Spanish, but will only feature English subtitles. We only get the English audio but gain with English, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish subtitles. Until I can get more information of the various versions released world-wide, I'll call this one a draw.
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