Think you've seen the 1977 classic Star Wars? Think again. What you've likely experienced is one of the many altered versions that George Lucas released after its initial theatrical run. These modifications eventually evolved into the "special editions" of the iconic film. However, there's new hope on the horizon for fans eager to see the untouched original cut that Lucas initially left behind.
This June, the British Film Institute's Film on Film Festival will kick off with a rare screening of one of the few surviving Technicolor prints from Star Wars' original run. According to The Telegraph, this print hasn't been shown publicly since December 1978, though it was previously available on VHS. The print, which has been meticulously preserved at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the past forty years, promises an almost flawless viewing experience.
George Lucas began tweaking the film with its first theatrical re-release in 1981, and since then, Lucasfilm has only permitted screenings of the various "special editions." Lucas has historically been firm about not showing the original cut of what we now refer to as Episode IV: A New Hope, and he has openly discussed his reasons over the years.
In a 2004 interview with the Associated Press, Lucas explained his stance: "The Special Edition, that’s the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it’s on VHS, if anybody wants it. I’m not going to spend the — we’re talking millions of dollars here — the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn’t really exist anymore. It’s like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I’m sorry you saw a half-completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I’m the one who has to take responsibility for it. I’m the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they’re going to throw rocks at me, they’re going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished."
It's unclear what prompted Lucas to allow this rare screening, but fans are certainly not complaining about the opportunity to see the original cut in all its glory.
