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| Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition) | 
 enlarge | Director: Irvin Kershner
Actors: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $7.99
You Save: $11.99 (60%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $7.39
Avg. Customer Rating:  (423 reviews)
Sales Rank: 2933
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 124 minutes
Number Of Items: 2
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.3
MPN: 2236383
UPC: 024543263838
EAN: 0024543263838
ASIN: B000FQJAJG
Release Date: September 12, 2006
Theatrical Release Date: May 21, 1980
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Description
For the first time ever and for a limited time only, the enhanced versions of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi will be available individually on DVD. Plus, these 2-Disc DVD's will feature a bonus disc that includes, for the first time ever on DVD, the original films as seen in theaters in 1977, 1980 and 1983.
Amazon.com
The 2006 limited-edition two-disc release of The Empire Strikes Back is not only the first time the movie has been officially available by itself on DVD. It marks the first-ever DVD release of Empire as it originally played in theaters in 1980. 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 no more of Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor) replacing Clive Revill with slightly revised lines, or Temuera Morrison rerecording of Boba Fett's minimal dialogue. What do you lose by watching the 1980 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 Empire, 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 The Empire Strikes Back, and the 1980 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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 418 more reviews...
 Awesome Movie January 6, 2009
This movie, and the other part of the trilogy, as well, are the best of Lucas Film.
This time the movie was re-edited and digital improvement helping you to see in the new format of DVD and TV.
I bought this one and the other of the trilogy to have all the original in my house... and because now are seeing them by my son.
Greatest Movie Ever Made November 20, 2008
This is by far the best of all the Star Wars movies.
It's darker and full of excitment. I would recommend this to
all sci/fi fans.
Wow, October 17, 2008
Just wow. This is one of the best films ever, better than the first, and that's saying a mouthfull.
Start Wars (Episode V) - The Empire Strikes Back (Original Version & Update #1) September 19, 2008
If you are any kind of Star Wars fan, this DVD is a must for your collection. I've heard that George Lucas did not want to produce a DVD of the original theatric version of The Empire Strikes Back but felt compelled by fan demand. Even though the 1980 version is a mediocre-quality dub of the original film, it is wonderful to see it much the same way as I did when it was in the theater. Get it while it's still at a decent price, & still available!
This one a long time have I watched August 25, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I remember going to see THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK for the first time in 1980. I was 5 years old. I remember hearing the voice of Yoda and exclaiming, "That's Grover!" (i.e. Sesame Street). And it was (Frank Oz).
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK has always been my favorite of the original trilogy. I think it must be because the movie slows down alot. I love the action and excitement as much as the next STAR WARS fan, but it creates a wonderful balance to have a middle film where we can stop, catch our breath and gear up for the big finale.
I'm very glad Lucasfilm has finally released the original trilogy onto DVD. I've seen many complaints about the lack of quality in the transfer. I guess I've gotten so used to those "Special Editions" that I have failed to see the difference.
But on that subject, it seems like THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK is the only film in the series which wasn't meaninglessly altered or marred by the Special Edition. No scenes were messed with to the extent that would change the story's context, and no ridiculous special effects were thrown in with effects 30 years their seniors. There was simply a more life-like Wampa (I could take it or leave it), a bustling Cloud City (the way it should be), and Darth Vader announcing his arrival to his Star Destroyer (I could take or leave that one too). All this to say that they left well enough alone on this one, and I'm glad they did.
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