CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS OF THE ORIGINAL 'THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION'

In my book the best collection of the three original unaltered films (the last time they'd be available to purchase in that state until the DVD "special features" of 2006), behind the scenes materials and other physically produced items, the UK's 1995 Definitive Collection VHS set from Lucasfilm/FOX, then available in a special black Imperial S- Executor tin, remains one of the quintessential, and most nostalgic, pieces of STAR WARS merchandise one could ever collect. And, though it had lots of deleted scenes which were not available back in the nineties, not even the first Blu-ray set of 2011 has managed to equal it in incorporating all of this package's original documentaries and rare trailers, alongside a wealth of solid length behind the scenes featurettes, ILM videomatics and stills galleries, into one set. The UK VHS release even boasts extra audio/visual materials than what would be available on the better picture and sound quality US laserdisc boxset (which regrettably became more notable for fans in suffering from some minor scene cutting on one of the changeovers on EMPIRE's movie discs than for the extras it ultimately held!).

I fondly remember this limited edition tin flying like hotcakes off the video stores of HMV and VIRGIN on original release. I actually ended up getting mine, if a little dented in the right corner, via sci-fi memorabilia collector/dealer Bruce Campbell- his last sale copy!

▶ Star Wars 1995 VHS release Trailer - YouTube

With rumours abounding that the unaltered Classic Trilogy will finally be available in pristine transfers in time for next Christmas on Blu-ray, let's hope that a bigger, better accompanying special features set comes along to outdistance all that has gone before...

Star Wars VHS Releases! - Collectibles from the Outer Rim | StarWars.com