If you think you've seen the 1977 classic "Star Wars," you might want to think again. What many have viewed over the years are the altered versions released after its initial theatrical run, meticulously tweaked by George Lucas himself and eventually packaged as "special editions" of the iconic saga. However, a glimmer of hope has emerged for fans eager to experience the original cut that Lucas left behind decades ago.
This June, the British Film Institute’s Film on Film Festival will kick off with a rare screening of one of the few remaining Technicolor prints from Star Wars’ original release, as reported by The Telegraph. This marks the first public screening of this print since December 1978, though it has been available on VHS in the past.
Lucas began modifying the film with its first theatrical re-release in 1981, and since then, Lucasfilm has only permitted screenings of various "special editions." The print set to be showcased at the festival is particularly exciting for fans; it has been meticulously preserved at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the past forty years, promising a viewing experience that is nearly impeccable.
Historically, Lucas has been firm in his stance against screening the original cut of what we now call Episode IV: A New Hope. In a 2004 interview with the Associated Press, he expressed his views candidly: “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.”
While the reasons behind Lucas's apparent change of heart for this screening remain unclear, fans are certainly not complaining about the opportunity to revisit the original cinematic masterpiece.
