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The listings I have found for the video releses of the Star Wars Trilogy don't exactly line up with the tapes that I have, so I'm going to give both the listing, and the specific information from my tapes.
First the listing I found
Movie Video (VHS) CBS/FOX Video
Star Wars
1st edition by 20th Century Fox Home Video
2nd edition by CBS/FOX (note: this version did not have the line by 3PO "The Tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave."
3rd edition. Same as 2nd ed. but with this line added. Commercial for trilogy also added.
4th Same as 3rd ed. but with 1977-1987 commercial at beginning.
5th New CBS/FOX packaging. (For Trilogy Boxed release) 6th Letterboxed version.
The Empire Strikes Back
1st CBS/FOX Video. Commercial for just SW at the end of tape.
2nd Same as 1st ed. but commercial is for trilogy.
3rd Same as 2nd but 1977-1987 commercial added at beginning.
4th New CBS/FOX packaging. (For Trilogy Boxed release)
5th Letterboxed.
Return of the Jedi
1st CBS/FOX Video. Commercial for Trilogy at tape end.
2nd same as 1st ed but 1977-1987 commercial at beginning.
3rd New packaging for Trilogy Release.
4th Letterboxed.
This list is obviously very old, but I'm pretty sure it ends just before the THX versions came out in '95.
Now the information from my tapes
Star Wars
The earliest version of Star Wars I have is dated on the box as 1982, and released by CBS/FOX. It doesn't contain the "tractor beam..." line. there are no previews on it. This obviously is number two from the above list.
The next version I have, I just have the box for. The box is dated 1984 and released by CBS/FOX This is probably number three.
I have a copy dated on the box as 1990 but not dated on the video. it was released by CBS/FOX and has a small picture of Vader on the side of the box. It contains a preview for the trilogy which may or may not be the 77-87 preview mentioned above.
The Empire Strikes Back
The only copy of Empire I have before the 92 release is obviously the first release. It is dated 1980 and released by CBS/FOX. It has a preview for just Star Wars at the end.
Return of the Jedi
These next two I'm not sure what the story is.
My first copy of Jedi is dated on both the box and the video as 86. It contains the same preview as the Star Wars dated 1990. The box is the same format as the early versions of Star Wars and Empire.
The next one I have is dated 1990 on the box but the tape says 86. The box is the same format as the Star Wars dated 1990, with a small picture of Wicket on the side.
These two tapes are exactly the same but thier boxes have different years. It would stand to reason that seeing as how I bought them used, I bought two copies of the 86 release, but my 90 release of Star Wars has the same preview at the end as these two supposed 86 releases. If anyone can explain what is going on here PLEASE e-mail me and explain.
From here on I remember them being released on video so I'm pretty sure they're accurate. To save time and space I'll describe them as sets.
The next set is dated 1992 and was released by 20th century fox. The box looks exactly like the previous one except it doesn't have the small picture on the side, and it has a different date. The previews are pretty much the same but they're a bit longer with less voiceover. There is also a preview for "From Star Wars to Jedi" added. This set was sold either separately or as a boxed set. It is possible that the set dated 1990 is just the set contained in the boxed set and is not actually a separate release
Next is the THX remastered release released in 95 by 20th century fox. This release contains a new preview for the Trilogy. Each movie contains 1 of 3 parts of an interview session between Leonard Maltin and George Lucas. This set was also sold separately and as a boxed set. As an interesting note, in the preview on this tape it says that this is the last chance to own the "ORIGINAL" version of Star Wars. This was obviously an attempt to trick people into believing that it wouldn't be possible to ever buy Star Wars again.
The THX version was also released in a different shaped box for the Widescreen release. other than the different shaped box and the fact that it was widescreen the two releases are exactly the same. I don't think the widescreen THX was ever sold out of the boxed set.
Next is the Special Edition I don't own the cut screens so I'll have to rent it and fill in the information
The Widescreen Special Edition was released in 97 by 20th Century Fox. It contains the original theatrical preview for Star Wars. It also contains interviews with George Lucas, Rick McCallum, and members of the cast explaining why the special editions were done and what was done to Star Wars.
Star Wars, and all characters are licensed by Lucasfilm
