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May the Films Be With You: A History of Star Wars Video Releases

Blu-ray may be the New Hope but Star Wars fans have been viewing the films in their own personal Death Stars for decades. From projectors to high-definition, here's the history of Star Wars home releases.

Vincent Genovese By Vincent Genovese January 7, 2011
  

A long time ago in a dorm room far far away, a young Star Wars fan was fiddling with a home projector in hopes of catching a glimpse of Han Solo in action. Now, that same fan can comfortably watch those beloved films on a flat screen in high-definition. It's not quite like owning your own lightsaber, but years of waiting for a thrilling Star Wars experience that rivals the premiere of a new episode have finally paid off.

Yes, the Star Wars films are coming to Blu-ray, but with no set release date, Force fanatics must rely on other alternatives. Luckily, the Star Wars home video output is almost as expansive as the galaxy the films depict.

This is our timeline of Star Wars home releases, but if you know of others feel free to comment!

The Star Wars Trilogy on VHS
The Star Wars Trilogy on VHS Credit: 20th Century Fox

VHS Widescreen (1992)

The trilogy was available for widescreen on VHS. The VAM was reVAMped, due to the From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga bonus video which offered indepth insight on the creation of the franchise.

The Definitive Collection
The Definitive Collection Credit: 20th Century Fox

Laserdisc Widescreen CAV (1993)

Star Wars fans were given the home video motherload with The Definitive Collection, a 13-pound set containing nine widescreen CAV laserdiscs and a ton of bonus material. It didn't come cheap, initially costing $250, but it allowed for total immersion into the saga, making it worth every dime.

Star Wars Trilogy THX-mastered VHS
Star Wars Trilogy THX-mastered VHS Credit: 20th Century Fox

VHS and Laserdisc Widescreen CLV (1995)

This year marked the THX-mastered VHS release of the trilogy. Available in both widescreen and pan-and-scan editions. Laserdisc versions were also released in widescreen, but only in CLV format.

The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition
The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition Credit: 20th Century Fox

VHS Pan-and-Scan and Widescreen (1997)

The pinnacle of awesome. The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition came to theaters and was subsequently released on video, allowing old fans to relive the theater experience while giving new fans their first taste of galactic glory. This particular video release included the traditional VHS pan-and-scan and widescreen versions. However, the laserdisc set was exclusively widescreen.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace VHS
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace VHS Credit: 20th Century Fox

VHS (2000)

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was released on VHS. Later in the year the original trilogy was also released, this time including a teaser featurette for Episode II.

The Star Wars Trilogy on VHS
The Star Wars Trilogy on VHS Credit: StarWars.com

VHS Widescreen (2000)

The updated Star Wars original trilogy were released again exclusively on VHS, without the "Special Edition" subtitle. It included a 10-minute teaser featurette hyping up Episode II.

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