'Star Wars: The Complete Saga – 2015 Re-Issue' review

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“Star Wars: The Complete Saga – 2015 Re-Issue”

On October 13, 2015, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment re-issued “Star Wars: The Complete Saga,” a nine-disc box set that collects the six films of George Lucas’s epic space-fantasy series set “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” on Blu-ray discs (BDs). This set, which also includes three BDs of bonus materials culled from Lucasfilm’s archive, has the same content as Fox’s 2011 “Complete Saga” collection. The only major differences are the packaging and, in some sets, the artwork on the BD labels.

Considering that Fox has re-issued “Star Wars”-themed box sets countless times since the days when videotape was the dominant home video format, it’s obvious that the studio hopes to capitalize on renewed interest in the nearly 40-year-old franchise as a result of Disney/Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” “Star Wars: The Complete Saga” was dropped a month before Fox introduced the Limited Edition Steelbook BDs for each of the six Episodes released by the studio between 1977 and 2005.  

The Content

“Experience the spectacular experience of ‘Star Wars: The Complete Saga’ in a way only Blu-ray can deliver. This incredible collection unites all six movies in stunning high definition with the purest digital sound in the galaxy. With more than 40 hours of thrilling special features including three bonus discs, you can journey deep into the ‘Star Wars’ universe. Feel the Force of ‘Star Wars: The Complete Saga’ on Blu-ray!” – from the package blurb.

The 2015 version of “Star Wars: The Complete Saga” is essentially identical to Fox’s original 2011 Blu-ray box set.  The first six discs contain the George Lucas-approved 2011 editions of “The Phantom Menace,” “Attack of the Clones,” “Revenge of the Sith,” “A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return of the Jedi.” 

 Contrary to the wishes of many “Star Wars” fans, Fox and Lucasfilm did not include the original 1977-1983 theatrical release editions of Episodes IV-VI in this set. They also decided not to create any new extra features or port over any of the bonus materials from the 2001-2005 DVD releases.

For new fans who did not get the original “Star Wars: The Complete Saga” set in 2011, here’s a quick rundown of the special features in the 2015 edition:

  • Audio Commentary for Each Movie with George Lucas and Crew
  • Never-Before-Released Audio Commentary for Each Movie from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew
Bonus Discs 1 & 2

New Star Wars Archives Content Includes:
  • 45 Deleted/Extended Scenes
  • Cast & Crew Interviews
  • Props, Maquette and Costume Turnarounds
  • Matte Paintings and Concept Art
Bonus Disc 3

In-Depth Documentaries and Featurettes:
  • “The Making of Star Wars” - 1977
  • “The Empire Strikes Back: SPFX” - 1980
  • “Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi” - 1983
  • “Anatomy of a Dewback” - 1997
  • “Star Warriors” - 2007
  • “Star Wars Tech” - 2007
  • “A Conversation with the Masters: The Empire Strikes Back 30 Years Later” - 2010
  • “Star Wars Spoofs” (Including Weird Al Yankovich's “The Saga Begins”)
The Packaging

The major difference between the 2011 and 2015 versions of “Star Wars: The Complete Saga” is, unsurprisingly, cosmetic. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment chose to feature Darth Vader on the cover art which graces both the slipcover and multi-disc jewel case packaging. 

The illustration depicts Vader holding his red-bladed lightsaber in his right hand as he strides menacingly forward.  Though this cover art is not as striking as the Anakin/Luke Skywalker-on-Tatooine illustration used on the 2011 box set, it is still nicely done and fits Lucas’s concept of the two trilogies’ Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker theme.

The other minor variation from the 2011 set is that the Guide to Galaxy booklet that lists the films and extra features now has a Death Star II (from “Return of the Jedi”) motif.

The Bottom Line

Although 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment did not give this boxed set new special features or include the original theatrical editions of “A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return of the Jedi,” its marketing strategy has been successful.

Fox’s success with this reissue may baffle those fans who demanded – without much luck –  that George Lucas would include the pre-Special Edition versions of the original trilogy along with the enhanced “official editions.”  To be sure, some of the changes Lucasfilm added to the films – including previously unseen rocks in front of the cave where R2-D2 hides during the Sandpeople attack in “A New Hope” – are baffling and unnecessary, and many viewers have noted that there are flaws in the color palette. 

Nevertheless, “Star Wars: The Complete Saga” is still a worthy addition to any home video library. True, most fans who already have the 2011 box set don’t need the 2015 re-issue unless they want a backup set.  However, new fans who are learning about that galaxy far, far away via J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will probably love this set. It contains the complete heroes’ journey taken by both Anakin and Luke Skywalker in Episodes I-VI, and the bonus features showcase the creative effort that went into the making of the original “Star Wars” saga.

Blu-ray Specifications for “Star Wars: The Complete Saga”

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
  • English: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
  • French: DTS 5.1
  • French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
  • Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
  • English: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
  • French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
  • French: DTS 5.1
  • Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
  • English: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
  • French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
  • French: DTS 5.1
  • Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
  • English: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
  • French: DTS 5.1
  • Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
  • English: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
  • French: DTS 5.1
  • Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
  • English: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
  • French: DTS 5.1
  • Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)

Subtitles
  • English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish

Discs
  • 50GB Blu-ray Disc
  • Nine-disc set (9 BDs)

Packaging
  • Slipcover in original pressing

Playback
  • Region A

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