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.

The Final Battle Begins

Though Mr. Lucas has given us the oppurtunity to see what happened before and after his amazing saga, this is the phenomenal end to a great story. All ends are tied up, and the finish couldn't be more perfect. The war is entering its final stages, and an age old enemy has returned to haunt the galaxy. Our hero has learned the truth, and now he wishes to change his and the galaxy's future with the knowledge of it. The final battle will be intense, and the legendary prophecy we all know, might be fullfilled at last.

Thanks, George, for the "bonus features"

The second disc of traditionally throwaway "bonus features", in this case is the ORIGINAL theatrical release of "Return of the Jedi", and is the sole reason for anyone to buy this DVD. So superior to the "Special Edition", the same care and attention should have been made to this material as the main feature.

"Jedi Rocks"? Ugh. And why should anyone need to see Gungans in the original trilogy?

Fun for the whole family.

My son is a huge Star Wars fan. We watch this as a family and we all really enjoy it.