If you download the Despecialized Edition, you should legally own a copy of the official releases (e.g., the 2006 DVDs or the 2011 Blu-rays). Most fan editors request that you do not sell their work and that you respect Lucasfilm’s intellectual property.
For decades, fans of the original Star Wars trilogy have lamented the changes made by George Lucas to the home video releases—from added CGI creatures and altered dialogue to the infamous “Greedo shoots first” scene. Enter Star Wars Despecialized Edition , a fan restoration project aimed at preserving the theatrical versions of the original trilogy as they appeared in 1977, 1980, and 1983.
Created by a fan known as “Harmy,” the Despecialized Edition is not a simple rip of old VHS tapes. Instead, it’s a meticulous, shot-by-shot reconstruction using multiple sources: laserdiscs, 35 mm film scans, Blu-rays, and even original theatrical prints. The goal is to remove all post-1997 alterations while maintaining high-definition picture and sound quality. The result is considered by many to be the closest home-viewing experience to the original cinema release.
