Obi-Wan is here and the force is with him.

• Position: DVDs - "The Star Wars Trilogy" - Video Recording Review

"Star Wars" is going to flop! So 20th Century Fox thought about director George Lucas' new film. In spite of his success with "American Graffiti," the studio chose, instead, to throw its weight behind the big screen version of Sidney Sheldon's The Other Side of Midnight. On May 19, 1977, "Star Wars" opened in only 37 theaters nationwide; Lucas and company feared the worst.

Yet, this groundbreaking space adventure captivated audiences and was an immediate hit. It went on to set revenue and attendance records, earning Fox a fortune, and gave birth to the industry's first "blockbuster movie"

Nominated for an impressive 10 Academy Awards, the film captured seven, including one for John Williams' memorable musical score and another for John Dysktra's jaw-dropping special effects.

All the attention made instant celebrities of newcomers Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia). The film's distinguished veterans--Sir Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi), James Earl Jones (Darth Vader's voice), and Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin)--henceforth were referred to by the press, albeit unfairly, as "The actor who was best known for his role in 'Star Wars' as ..."

Two sequels--"Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" (1983) also enticed moviegoers worldwide, breaking box office and revenue records along the way.

Fox Home Entertainment, Beverly Hills, Calif., now is offering "The Star Wars Trilogy" on DVD in a four-disc box set ($69.95).

Each of the first three discs are devoted to the trio of space sagas--not the original theatrical releases, nor the extended and revamped versions that were re-released theatrically and on VHS in 1998. Instead, these are the digitally restored and enhanced editions.

Best of all, they finally can be seen in widescreen format. Each frame has that crispness that only...