Think you've seen the 1977 classic Star Wars? Think again. What you've most likely experienced is one of the altered versions released after its initial theatrical run, modified by George Lucas into what became known as the "special editions." But now, fans have a new hope: the opportunity to see the original cut of the film that Lucas left behind.
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 marks the first public screening of this print since December 1978, although it has been available on VHS in the past.
Lucas began altering the film with the first theatrical re-release in 1981, and since then, only the "special editions" have been allowed to be screened by Lucasfilm. The print scheduled for the upcoming festival is particularly exciting for fans; it has been meticulously preserved at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the past forty years, promising an almost flawless viewing experience.
In the past, Lucas has been firm in his stance against screening the original cut of what is now known as Episode IV: A New Hope. In a 2004 interview with the Associated Press, he explained his position:
"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 seems to be having a change of heart with this screening, but fans certainly aren't complaining about the chance to see the original Star Wars as it was first intended.
