Think you've seen the 1977 classic, *Star Wars*? Think again. Chances are, you've encountered one of the many altered versions that hit theaters post its initial run, meticulously tweaked by George Lucas himself, culminating in what we now know as the "special editions" of this iconic saga. But now, there's a new hope on the horizon—fans will soon have the chance to experience the true original cut of the film that Lucas left behind all those years ago.
This June, the British Film Institute's Film on Film Festival will kick off with a special screening of one of the rare Technicolor prints from *Star Wars'* initial run, still in pristine condition. According to *The Telegraph*, this marks the first public screening of this print since December 1978, although it was previously available on VHS.
George Lucas began altering the film with its first theatrical re-release in 1981, and since then, Lucasfilm has only permitted screenings of the various "special editions." The print to be shown at the festival has been meticulously preserved at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the past four decades, promising an almost flawless viewing experience.
Historically, Lucas has been steadfast in his refusal to screen the original cut of what we now call *Episode IV: A New Hope*, and he has openly discussed this decision over the years. In a 2004 interview with the Associated Press, Lucas stated, "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 remains a mystery why Lucas seems to be having a change of heart with this upcoming screening, but fans are certainly not complaining about the opportunity to witness the original *Star Wars* in its unaltered glory.
