Think you’ve seen 1977’s Star Wars? Think again. What you’ve most likely seen is one of the altered versions that George Lucas released after the film's original theatrical run. These versions, known as "special editions," have become the standard for the beloved epic. However, there's a new hope for fans eager to see the original cut of the film that Lucas left behind so long ago.
This June, the British Film Institute’s Film on Film Festival will kick off with a special screening of one of the few remaining Technicolor prints from Star Wars' initial run. According to The Telegraph, this print hasn't been shown publicly since December 1978, though it was available on VHS in the past.
George Lucas began tweaking the film with its first theatrical re-release in 1981, and since then, only various "special editions" have been screened by Lucasfilm. Fans are in for a real treat with this upcoming festival screening; the print has been stored at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the last forty years to preserve its quality, promising a near-perfect viewing experience.
In the past, Lucas has been firm about not screening the original cut of what is now known as Episode IV: A New Hope. He expressed his stance clearly in a 2004 interview with the Associated Press, saying, “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 why Lucas has had a change of heart regarding this screening, but fans certainly aren't complaining about the opportunity to experience the original Star Wars as it was first intended.
