‘Star Wars’ “Looks Terrible” in Screening of Long Lost Original 1977 Version

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An authentic, previously unknown copy of the 1977 film “Star Wars” was unearthed in an archive and shown to a select gathering of movie enthusiasts and devoted fans.

For the first time in 47 years, the original version of George Lucas’s film, meticulously preserved and undimmed, was finally screened for an audience. This special occasion was overseen by Kathleen Kennedy, head of Lucasfilm, who humorously remarked that the screening wasn’t breaking any laws. The event took place at the British Film Institute.

Kennedy stated that what we’re about to view is indeed unique, as he’s unsure if there’s another identical one. He described it as exceptionally scarce.

And the result?

A movie reviewer from The Telegraph openly acknowledged that, by today’s standards, the original version appears quite poor visually.

Though fans often scrutinize Lucas’ creative decisions considered invasive, like the controversial CGI version of Jabba the Hutt or Greedo shooting first, it’s worth noting that numerous improvements and adjustments made over time have left many elements from the original films looking just as artificial as those problematic CGI additions.

Robbie Collin expressed that the movie felt like an entirely distinct production he was viewing, describing it as ‘a delightfully rough, dirty, and solidly constructed spectacle.’ He went on to say that it appeared more like a costume party than a grand sci-fi extravaganza. Each scene seemed real, as if actual individuals were being photographed carrying out genuine actions with sets and props that had been actually carved and assembled. The comedy between C-3PO and R2D2 felt clumsier yet funnier; the Death Star panels seemed less like advanced computers but rather wooden panels adorned with lights, making them more in tune with the frequency of fantasy play. It seemed less like watching a contemporary blockbuster and more like witnessing the most elaborate desert dress-up game ever played.

George Aldridge, a frequent video blogger at Cinema Savvy, confessed to having watched “A New Hope” over a hundred times. During the recent screening, he expressed that it was an exceptionally memorable experience, but also admitted that viewing it made him recognize numerous enhancements in the Star Wars movies; unfortunately, the films we tend to dislike have often overshadowed these improvements. He additionally pointed out that the film print was so distinctly altered that watching it felt like experiencing the movie for the very first time.

Since the beginning, George Lucas has consistently made alterations to these movies, he noted. “It’s not just about major scene revisions,” he explained. “It’s about subtle adjustments – like changes in sound effects or minor details that might go unnoticed unless you compare the original version to what you see now.

Aldridge pointed out some differences such as “R2D isn’t taking cover behind rocks when the Tuscan Raiders attack them, for instance. There are numerous small details that I observed in the cantina, like a cleaner version of James Earl Jones’ voice portraying Darth Vader.

Interestingly, the version of Star Wars that George Lucas initially resisted showing has surprisingly sparked a greater sense of admiration among viewers. This could be because they’ve developed a newfound respect for Lucas’s extensive and contentious revisions.

Both critics observed, nonetheless, that the audience erupted in applause as Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford) fired first during his encounter with Greedo. Excitedly, Aldridge commented, “Han Solo was just so awesome.

Lucas’ modifications to the film printing started when “Star Wars” was re-released theatrically for the first time in 1981. Prior to this, only the Special Edition versions were allowed to be shown in cinemas. The British Film Institute (BFI) managed to secure rights for a dual screening on the festival’s inaugural night. Notably, this specific BFI print has been kept at a constant -5 degrees Celsius for four decades to maintain its quality.

For many years, Lucas has consistently declined to release the original version of his films. In 2004, when asked by the Associated Press why he didn’t just release the original alongside the Special Editions, he replied in a somewhat cranky tone, “The Special Edition is the one I wanted people to see. If anyone wants the original, it’s available on VHS. I have no intention of investing millions of dollars and time to restore it, because to me, it’s no longer the movie; this is the version I want it to be. I apologize if you fell in love with an unfinished film, but I want it to be exactly as I envision it. I am the one who will bear the criticism for it, so at least let the criticisms be about something I care deeply about, rather than something I consider inferior or incomplete.

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2025-06-16 19:54