"Secret Star Wars Cut to Screen in London"

Think you've seen the 1977 classic *Star Wars*? Think again. What you've likely experienced is one of the many altered versions released after its original theatrical run, meticulously tweaked by George Lucas himself, culminating in the "special editions" of this iconic saga. But now, there's a new hope on the horizon — some fans will soon have the chance to witness the untouched 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 rare screening of one of the few remaining Technicolor prints from *Star Wars'* initial release. According to *The Telegraph*, this print hasn't been shown publicly since December 1978, though it has been available on VHS in the past.

George Lucas began altering the film as early as the 1981 re-release, and since then, Lucasfilm has only permitted screenings of the various "special editions." Fans are in for a real treat with the print showcased at the upcoming festival; it has been meticulously preserved at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the last forty years, promising an almost flawless 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*, and he has publicly discussed his stance on the matter.

“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,” he told the Associated Press in 2004 about not releasing the original cut. “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 opportunity to see the original vision.