'Star Wars' trilogy finally hits DVD

By David Germain
Associated Press

George Lucas is releasing the original three "Star Wars" movies on DVD — but only in their late-'90s special-edition versions that include extra scenes and added special effects. Advertiser library photo

Hard-core fans already know this, but the versions of "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" are the special-edition upgrades reissued to theaters in the late 1990s, with extra scenes and augmented effects and creatures. Lucas considers those the definitive versions he would have made initially if he'd had the time, money and technology, and he has no intention of releasing the original versions.

The centerpiece of the bonus disc is a mammoth 2à-hour documentary tracing the history of "Star Wars" from Lucas' youth as a "Flash Gordon" fan, to his masterstroke in maintaining ownership of "Star Wars" merchandising and sequel rights, to his resurrection of the franchise with the current prequel trilogy.

Besides Lucas, the far-ranging interviews include stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher; James Earl Jones, the original voice of Darth Vader; Lucas pal Steven Spielberg; and such notables as Walter Cronkite and Bill Moyers.

Each film has commentary from Lucas, Fisher and other collaborators, and the set has a nine-minute sneak peek at next summer's "Star Wars: Episode III — The Revenge of the Sith," including footage of Hayden Christensen donning the Vader outfit as he completes his transformation to the dark side. (20th Century Fox)