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#^You’ve Never Seen Star Wars Like This: 1977 Original Cut Returns In London This JuneA rarely seen original print of
Star Wars (1977) is set to screen publicly for the first time in decades. It will offer audiences a glimpse of the film as it originally appeared before years of edits, additions, and re-releases reshaped it into the “special edition” versions more commonly known today.
Historic Screening at BFI Film Festival
The screening will open the
British Film Institute’s Film on Film Festival at the BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX this June. According to The Telegraph, the print being used is one of the few surviving Technicolour copies from the film’s first theatrical run. It hasn’t been shown publicly since December 1978.
Lucas’s Revisions And Vision
Since 1981, creator George Lucas has overseen multiple revisions of Star Wars, starting with its first re-release and continuing through to the widely known 1997 Special Edition and later digital updates. The original cut has largely been sidelined, with Lucas famously describing it as an unfinished version of the story he intended to tell. In a 2004 interview, Lucas said: “The Special Edition, that’s the one I wanted out there, I’m sorry you saw a half-completed film and fell in love with it.” He has consistently maintained that the updated versions reflect his intended vision, and the original has never been formally restored for modern theatrical release.
A Print Preserved In Time
What makes this screening particularly notable is the condition of the print itself. It has been stored at low temperatures, around minus 5°C, for the last forty years to preserve its quality, so attendees can expect a remarkably intact viewing experience. While Lucasfilm has historically resisted showcasing the original version, this one-off screening may signal a softening stance, at least in the context of curated film history events. Lucasfilm has been owned by Disney since 2012, following a
$4 billion acquisition.A Must-See for Star Wars Purists
For those who’ve only ever seen the Special Editions, this screening offers a rare chance to experience the version that first launched one of cinema’s most enduring franchises before CGI edits and scene reshuffling became part of the canon.
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You’ve Never Seen Star Wars Like This: 1977 Original Cut Returns In London This June appeared first on
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