Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy recently reassured fans that the screening of the original 1977 Star Wars cut at the British Film Institute (BFI) wasn’t illegal, a topic that has stirred up plenty of debate over the years. The special screening at the BFI Film on Film Festival in London on June 12 featured the iconic Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, and Kathleen Kennedy was present to clarify any confusion about the film’s legality. Before the screening began, Kennedy made a light-hearted comment, saying, “I’m here to… make sure that you don’t think that this is an illegal screening.”
She went on to highlight the historical significance of the original print, which has been somewhat lost in time due to the numerous changes made by George Lucas over the years. “It’s incredible folklore,” Kennedy said, reflecting on the mystery surrounding the original cut.
“Even when I came into the company, there was endless conversation about where everything was, and what was in fact the first print?” She emphasized the rarity of the print being shown, suggesting that it might be the only one of its kind left.
This screening marks the first time the original 1977 print has been shown publicly since 1978, though it has made sporadic appearances on VHS over the years. The BFI carefully preserved the print, storing it at a chilly 23 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain its quality. They described the screening as offering the film “exactly as experienced by audiences on its original 1977 release,” highlighting the rare preservation of the film’s color and condition. While the print showed signs of age, its color was “gloriously unfaded” – a truly remarkable feat for an archival film.
For many, this original version of Star Wars represents the pure, untouched vision of George Lucas before he made alterations for the Special Edition in 1997. These Special Editions, with added CGI and updated scenes, have since been the most widely distributed versions of the film. Despite Lucas’ desire to keep the original cut under wraps, some fans argue that it should be made more widely available.
As the debate over the original Star Wars cut continues, it’s clear that there’s still a significant demand for the untouched version of the 1977 classic. If Lucasfilm were to release this original cut to the public, it could likely see significant financial success, tapping into the nostalgia of both old and new fans alike.
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