I'm inclined to watch the original ones from 20+ years ago first, and don't know what is the actual chronology of those three(?) movies.

I have picked up the following from my library:
Star Wars - A New Hope (VHS 1995)
Star Wars - Special Edition (VHS 1997)
Star Wars - The Empire Strikes Back

These were the ones avail on the day I visited. They probably have more.

Can anyone help me with the sequence?

However, I recommend watching the original trilogy first. It is contained better and the prequel trilogy is unnecessary to understand them. In fact, I'd bet that the original trilogy makes MORE sense without having watched the new prequel trilogy than it does if you watched the whole series in chronological order. Lucas played fast and loose with the Star Wars canon. Anyway, either way, enjoy.

Anyway, the reason I wanted to start out with the older movies is because the improvements in special effects might make them laugh at the originals.

"Star Wars - A New Hope" is episode 4. When the movie first came out, it was just called "Star Wars". Then, sometime after the other movies came out, it got retitled "Star Wars - A New Hope", especially in light of the 3 prequels.

I would suggest watching the first 3 movies (episodes 4, 5, and 6) to give your kids the necessary enthusiasm for the next 3 movies. To be honest, I think most fans would say the first 3 movies (episodes 4, 5, and 6) were much better as movies than the last 3 movies (episodes 1, 2, and 3).

Star Wars, The Empire Strikes back: #5

Star Wars, Return of the Jedi:#6

Star Wars, The Phantom Menace: #1

Star Wars, Attack of the Clones: #2

Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith: #3

I like the original first three as they were originally released.. I do not like the extra footage.. Especially the Jabba the Hut Meets Hans Solo in "A New Hope".. WHY GOERGE WHY???

I too recommend 3, 4, and 5 first... Then the less stellar 1, 2, 3... Ignore all of Jar Jar Binks.. He has nothing to do with the real story line.. :)

I also say go with 4-5-6 first. Mary, don't be afraid that they will laugh at the originals. First of all, they're actually GOOD, much better than the more recent junk. Second, we showed my 6 year old nephew - who is soooooo savvy (aren't they all these days?) the first one (meaning episode 4) and he LOVED LOVED LOVED it. He now has every Lego Star Wars toy in creation and is obsessed. He thought it was the coolest movie ever. It's not like he even knows why - but he knows it was very important when it came out, when mommy and daddy were his age, and he knows it's just a cool movie about good guys and bad guys.

I agree the 3 earlier movies should be seen first & in order, and there is nothing to laugh at-they were good & very well done!

Pat

I have the original 3 Star Wars movies on Laserdisc. They (and one or two other movies/colelctions that aren't available on DVD) are the only reasons that I still have a laserdisc player. Yes, I have the 3 bastardized versions on DVD as well but they were bought simply for completeness. ;-)

Hmmmmm.... this isn't the headquarters for the Jar Jar Fan Club, is it? ;-) Lucas really dropped the ball on Episode 1. Granted, the double light sabers were cool and the light saber duels were also cool but, overall, I think Episode 1 was the weakest of the six.

I agree, with the exception of Jar Jar Binks, it was a great ride.

Dynomutt, I thought I was the only one who felt Lucas cheated us on Episode 1. Perhaps we all discussed it before and I just don't recall.

Yeah, Paula. But hopefully we won't have to wait 20 years between them next time LOL.

As for Jar Jar, yes. He was the one who paved the way for Palpatine's takeover. But we have to wonder -- if Jar Jar was such a dingbat, why in heck did Padme leave him in charge? Wasn't that more of a reflection on Padme than on Jar Jar?

I've seen the excitement of Star Wars, Raiders, and the Harry Potter series. I still say the Star Wars series was better, if simply for the scope of the story. Raiders was uber-cool as well but it's hard to compare whips and revolvers with light sabers and starfighters! ;-) Magic's cool but ..... it's missing something.

Personally, I'd say the best thing to do would be to have George map out, in broad brush strokes, the plots for the next 3 movies. Then, someone else can write, direct, edit, and produce them. After all, episode 4 was only really good after someone else edited it! Also, episodes 5 and 6 were directed by someone else and written in collaboration with someone else. We all know that George cannot write good dialogue to save his life! (I still cringe when I think about the "love patter" between Anakin and Padme in episode 2!)

'Star Wars 7 A New Menace'

Luke, now older, is confronting a previously unknown society that is threatening the Republic (naturally, always 'something'!) as well as his yearnings for love, like his father. As a Jedi, he should not give in his desires, as is well known what happened when dear Dad succumbed. What will this evil society he's fighting as well, be guilty of (that has not been done...ie; slavery, terroist attacks, taking over the society, like Darth and friends)

to be continued..... Dynomutt - ? ;-D

Star Wars 8 : A New Generation

Leia and Han now have kids that are (of course) "strong with the Force". Luke tries to teach them in the Jedi ways as he seeks out possible survivors to the Jedi massacre that his father initiated in Episode 3. Of course, Luke is continually struggling with his internal desires, given that Yoda didn't teach him control from childhood as the Jedi are supposed to be trained!

Oh, right. We need a bad guy, don't we? Yes, something "new". How about a rogue Jedi master bent on taking over the fledgling Republic? This rogue Jedi can come from the unknown society introduced in Episode 7!

How's that sound? ;-D