"Secret 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 altered versions released after its initial theatrical run, modified by George Lucas and culminating in the "special editions" of this beloved epic. But here's a glimmer of hope for fans — the opportunity to see the untouched original cut of the film that Lucas left behind all those years ago is finally here.

This June, the British Film Institute will kick off their Film on Film Festival with a rare screening of one of the few remaining Technicolor prints from Star Wars' original run, as reported by The Telegraph. This print, which hasn't been shown publicly since December 1978, offers a unique chance to see the film as it was first intended, though it was previously available on VHS.

George Lucas began altering the film as early as the first re-release in 1981, and since then, Lucasfilm has exclusively permitted screenings of the various "special editions." The print set to be showcased at the upcoming festival is particularly exciting for fans; it has been meticulously preserved at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the past forty years, promising an unparalleled viewing experience.

Historically, Lucas has been steadfast in his reluctance to screen the original cut of what is now known as Episode IV: A New Hope, and he has publicly discussed his reasoning over the years.

"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 regarding the original cut. "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 might have prompted Lucas to reconsider his stance with this screening, but fans are undoubtedly thrilled at the prospect.