Original

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For enthusiasts of “Star Wars“, it’s common knowledge that the British Film Institute (BFI) Film on Film Festival will showcase the original 1977 release of “Star Wars” this year. Many websites covering the event have emphasized that the screening will feature the “unaltered” version of the film, but in reality, this isn’t entirely accurate. This isn’t to suggest that the media is intentionally spreading misinformation; it might be more accurate to say they were correct “from a certain perspective.” The focus on the word “unaltered” likely refers to the modifications George Lucas made to “Star Wars: A New Hope” during the 1997 Special Edition theatrical re-release, which were quite controversial.

It’s interesting to note that even the most devoted fans might not be aware of this fact: George Lucas began making changes to the original “Star Wars” movie as soon as it was released. Some minor tweaks were made to the film before its distribution abroad. Consequently, the version of “Star Wars” the BFI intends to show is not the original, untouched edition of the film.

In essence, does it make much difference in the bigger picture? Definitely not. Will attendees of the Film on Film Festival likely notice it? Only if they were present during its initial screenings in L.A., no. The reason we’re bringing it up is due to our living in a world where enthusiasts often engage in debates over obscure details, leading to the creation of shows like “Um, Actually“. It seems unusual if this minor detail isn’t acknowledged at least once.

Star Wars Hasn’t Been Unaltered Since May of 1977

For approximately a month – possibly even less – after its release, the authentic, untouched version of Star Wars was available. The specific dates for edits are challenging to pinpoint, but here’s what we have gathered. Initially, in June 1977, the movie’s audio underwent modifications. Instead of merely adjusting the sound balance, as one might expect during remixing, this modification resulted in some sound effect alterations and, at certain instances, substituted dialogue entirely.

Here are just a few examples pulled from Wookiepedia:

  • All of Aunt Beru’s lines are either alternate takes or possibly a different voice altogether.
  • As Luke, Obi-Wan, and the droids first approach the Mos Eisley Cantina, a musical cue not in the original stereo mix is heard.
  • Luke’s line during the Death Star run, “Blast it, Biggs, where are you?” was changed to “Blast it, Wedge, where are you?” This was most likely because Lucas cut almost all of Biggs’ scenes from the final cut of the movie.
  • Several beeps and explosions were changed, and extra growls were added for Chewbacca’s scenes.

At the initial Los Angeles screening of the film in May 1977, and again at its December UK premiere, there were only four relatively small yet discernible alterations made to the movie.

  • When the Millennium Falcon takes off from Mos Eisley with the Empire in hot pursuit, a different effects shot was used for the part where the Star Destroyer shoots at it. The international version had different explosions, flashes, and looked more polished overall.
  • When the Falcon arrives on Yavin 4, there is an outdoor composited shot featuring a matte painting of the Rebels’ temple base. In the UK release, the shot has been recomposed and is not synced the same as the previous version.
  • When the X-Wings and Y-Wings take off from Yavin 4, an extra cloud is added in the international release, and the shot is synced differently than its predecessor.
  • The end credits for the international release were completely redesigned with new spacing, both vertically and horizontally.

Interestingly, it’s not just the Special Editions where Lucasfilm made changes to the original Star Wars. For the 1981 re-release, they added “Episode IV: A NEW HOPE” to the opening crawl, but that wasn’t the only alteration in this version. The entire opening crawl was revised, and even the word “rebel” in “rebel spies” was capitalized differently.

In the revamped version, they switched the backdrop of stars during the scrolling text to the one seen in “The Empire Strikes Back.” Additionally, they incorporated the opening “Star Wars” logo, which typically precedes the crawl, from its sequel film. To add to these modifications, the initial scene featuring a Star Destroyer pursuing the Tantive IV went through some minor adjustments as well, with the entire sequence being re-edited or recomposed.

In addition to the changes made to “A New Hope” prior to the Special Editions, it’s worth noting that there were also minor edits for various home video releases over the years. It appears that George Lucas has never been fully satisfied with his movies, even long after their initial release.

To make sure we’re on the same page, the British Film Institute (BFI) is presenting an early edition of Star Wars, predating its title as “A New Hope,” and even the addition of certain elements. The aim is to offer fans who remember CGI characters like Jabba and Greedo in their later versions a chance to experience the film that revolutionized cinema in its original, imperfect form. This is a rare opportunity, perhaps the only legal way to watch a nearly untouched high-definition version of Star Wars. Let’s applaud their efforts!

To clarify, let’s correct a common misconception: The character often referred to as “the Monster” in Mary Shelley’s novel is not named Frankenstein. In fact, the scientist who creates him is Dr. Victor Frankenstein. This correction is made for those enthusiasts who enjoy delving into intricate details.

At the London Film on Film Festival, slated for June 12th, the British Film Institute plans to showcase the largely unaltered 1977 theatrical version of “Star Wars.

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2025-04-23 23:45