"Rare Star Wars Cut to Screen in London"

Think you've seen the 1977 classic *Star Wars*? Think again. What you've most likely experienced is one of the many altered versions released after its initial theatrical run. These versions, tweaked by George Lucas, eventually became known as the "special editions" of the beloved epic. However, there's new hope for fans eager to see the original cut 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'* original run. According to *The Telegraph*, this print has not been shown publicly since December 1978, though it was available on VHS in the past. The excitement is palpable as this print, preserved at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the last forty years, promises a near-perfect viewing experience.

George Lucas began altering the film with its first theatrical re-release in 1981. Since then, Lucasfilm has only permitted screenings of various "special editions." Lucas has been firm about not screening the original cut of what is now known as *Episode IV: A New Hope*, expressing his views in a 2004 interview with the Associated Press.

"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," Lucas stated. "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 what prompted Lucas's change of heart regarding this screening, but fans are thrilled at the prospect of experiencing the original vision of *Star Wars* once more.