Rare 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 that George Lucas released after the film's initial run. These versions were tweaked to create what are known as the "special editions" of this beloved epic. However, there's a new hope on the horizon for fans: the chance to see the original, untouched cut of the film that Lucas initially left behind.

This June, the British Film Institute's Film on Film Festival will kick off with a screening of one of the rare surviving Technicolor prints from "Star Wars'" original theatrical release. According to The Telegraph, this print hasn't been shown publicly since December 1978, though it was previously available on VHS.

George Lucas began modifying the film with its first re-release in 1981, and since then, only the "special editions" have been screened by Lucasfilm. The print set to be showcased at the upcoming festival is particularly exciting for fans. It has been meticulously preserved at a constant 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the past forty years, promising an almost flawless viewing experience.

Lucas has historically been firm in his opposition to screening the original cut of what is now known as "Episode IV: A New Hope." He has even publicly discussed his reasons for this stance.

"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. "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 upcoming screening, but fans are certainly not complaining about the opportunity to experience the original vision of this iconic film.