If you've watched the original movies recently, chances are you were watching the Special Editions — the versions with updated visual effects.
Lucky for us, Chris Gould of DVD Active has cataloged all of George Lucas's changes in visual and audio effects since the films' theatrical releases in 1977, 1980, and 1983.
Stars Wars: A New Hope
Lucasfilm Ltd/Chris Gould / Via dvdactive.com
It starts right away when the Lucasfilm Ltd. logo gets all fancified:
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Which version is better?
Original.Special Edition.
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Which version is better?
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vote votesOriginal.
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vote votesSpecial Edition.
R2-D2 wanders down an even lonelier canyon on Tatooine:
Jawas hide among the rocks.
Jawas hide among the rocks.
Jawas hide among the rocks.
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Which Tatooine version is better?
Original.Special Edition.
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Which Tatooine version is better?
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vote votesOriginal.
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vote votesSpecial Edition.
Stormtroopers discover C-3PO and R2-D2’s presence aboard the escape pod:
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Did the visual effects improve this scene?
No.Yes.
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Did the visual effects improve this scene?
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vote votesNo.
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vote votesYes.
The Tatooine sunset is redder:
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Which sunset is prettier?
Original.Special Edition.
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Which sunset is prettier?
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vote votesOriginal.
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vote votesSpecial Edition.
Obi-Wan Kenobi's home becomes far more grandiose:
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Which home is better?
OriginalSpecial Edition
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Which home is better?
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vote votesOriginal
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vote votesSpecial Edition
The Wolfman in the cantina transforms into an alien:
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Do you miss the Wolfman?
Yeah.Nah.
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Do you miss the Wolfman?
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vote votesYeah.
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vote votesNah.
By far the most controversial change in the Special Editions, Greedo now shoots first/roughly at the same time as Han Solo:
Lucas changed this scene multiple times, initally to make Greedo shoot first, and then to make them both shoot almost at the same time.
Lucas changed this scene multiple times, initally to make Greedo shoot first, and then to make them both shoot almost at the same time.
Lucas changed this scene multiple times, initally to make Greedo shoot first, and then to make them both shoot almost at the same time.
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Who should shoot first?
HAN!Greedo.They shoot at the same time.
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Who should shoot first?
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vote votesHAN!
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vote votesGreedo.
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vote votesThey shoot at the same time.
Obi-Wan Kenobi deactivates the tractor beam to allow the Millennium Falcon to escape from the Death Star, and the language changes from English to Aurebesh:
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Do you prefer English or Aurebesh?
Speak English!Aurabesh.
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Do you prefer English or Aurebesh?
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vote votesSpeak English!
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vote votesAurabesh.
Han Solo confronting a few Stormtroopers turns into Han running into a hangar full of troops:
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How many Stormtroopers should Han face?
Only a few.A shit ton.
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How many Stormtroopers should Han face?
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vote votesOnly a few.
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vote votesA shit ton.
The destruction of the Death Star gets more epic:
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Which Death Star explosion burns brighter in your mind?
OriginalSpecial Edition
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Which Death Star explosion burns brighter in your mind?
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vote votesOriginal
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vote votesSpecial Edition
This scene with Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt was added into the 1997 Special Edition release. In the 2004 update, Jabba was redesigned to look more like he did in The Phantom Menace.
Watch that tail!
Watch that tail!
Watch that tail!
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Are you glad Lucas added this scene?
Yes, but I prefer the 1997 Jabba.Yes, and I like the 2004 Jabba.No, this scene is completely pointless and, if anything, ruins Jabba's reveal in the sequel.
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Are you glad Lucas added this scene?
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vote votesYes, but I prefer the 1997 Jabba.
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vote votesYes, and I like the 2004 Jabba.
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vote votesNo, this scene is completely pointless and, if anything, ruins Jabba's reveal in the sequel.
The Empire Strikes Back
Lucasfilm Ltd/Chris Gould
This shot is from the perspective of Luke Skywalker, who's just been attacked by the less vague-looking Wampa:
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Which version of the Wampa do you prefer?
Subtle, understated Wampa of the original.CGI version.
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Which version of the Wampa do you prefer?
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vote votesSubtle, understated Wampa of the original.
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vote votesCGI version.
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The original hologram of the Emperor was played by an old lady with chimpanzee eyes.
Lucas replaced the old lady with Ian McDiarmid, who played Emperor Palpatine starting with Return of the Jedi.
Lucas replaced the old lady with Ian McDiarmid, who played Emperor Palpatine starting with Return of the Jedi.
Lucas replaced the old lady with Ian McDiarmid, who played Emperor Palpatine starting with Return of the Jedi.
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Who's your favorite Palpatine?
Old Lady with Chimp EyesIan McDiarmid
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Who's your favorite Palpatine?
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vote votesOld Lady with Chimp Eyes
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vote votesIan McDiarmid
Cloud City got a major update:
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Was this change worth it?
Eh.Totes!
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Was this change worth it?
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vote votesEh.
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vote votesTotes!
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Darth's lightsaber turns pink:
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Which lightsaber is prettier?
White with red glare.Pink, obvi.
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Which lightsaber is prettier?
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vote votesWhite with red glare.
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vote votesPink, obvi.
The Special Edition release added a scream to Luke's previously silent fall after his duel with Darth Vader.
The later DVD release restored Luke back to his silent dignity.
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Do you prefer Luke screaming?
No, he does NOT scream.I love his scream!
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Do you prefer Luke screaming?
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vote votesNo, he does NOT scream.
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vote votesI love his scream!
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Return of the Jedi
Lucasfilm Ltd/Chris Gould / Via dvdactive.com
Right before Chewbacca grabs Han’s ankles, Han hangs off the skiff by his toes alone in the original:
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How strong are Han's toes?
Very strong.Not that strong.
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How strong are Han's toes?
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vote votesVery strong.
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vote votesNot that strong.
Here is a probably unnecessary visual effect change of Han Solo's face while he is freed from his carbonite prison:
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Was this change pointless?
Yes.No! Now it looks so realistic.
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Was this change pointless?
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vote votesYes.
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vote votesNo! Now it looks so realistic.
For the Special Edition, Lucas once again added more audio at a climactic moment: when Vader decides to sacrifice himself to save his son.
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Do you like the addition of "No. Nooooooo!"?
Hell no — before his pain was silent and implied. It was WAY better.I love the new way he yells "no" all sad-like.
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Do you like the addition of "No. Nooooooo!"?
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vote votesHell no — before his pain was silent and implied. It was WAY better.
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vote votesI love the new way he yells "no" all sad-like.
The spirits of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and Anakin Skywalker watch Luke and the Rebels celebrate their victory over the Empire.
Sebastian Shaw is replaced by Hayden Christensen, who plays Anakin starting with Attack of the Clones.
Sebastian Shaw is replaced by Hayden Christensen, who plays Anakin starting with Attack of the Clones.
Sebastian Shaw is replaced by Hayden Christensen, who plays Anakin starting with Attack of the Clones.
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Is Hayden Christensen creeping you the fuck out?
Uh, yeah.No, he looks cute!
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Is Hayden Christensen creeping you the fuck out?
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vote votesUh, yeah.
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vote votesNo, he looks cute!