A rare and largely unseen version of Star Wars was recently screened at the British Film Institute (BFI) as part of the launch of its “Film on Film” Festival. The event is dedicated to showcasing films in their original formats, offering audiences an authentic viewing experience.
Originally released in 1977, Star Wars became a cinematic milestone. Since then, creator George Lucas has made multiple changes to the film, including added scenes, enhanced visual effects, and renaming it Episode IV: A New Hope. These edited versions are the ones currently available on digital platforms.
The version shown at the BFI was a British Technicolor IB print, known for preserving color quality over time, unlike the Eastmancolor prints used elsewhere. Additionally, the screening featured the original opening crawl, predating the updates made after the release of The Empire Strikes Back in 1980.
Curator James Bell emphasized that the festival’s goal is not just nostalgia but highlighting the qualitative and aesthetic differences of watching a movie on physical film. According to Bell, every print has its own “life story,” with scratches and marks that add historical depth.
Approximately 900 people attended the screening in London, mostly BFI members. Unlike typical fan events that include costumes and light sabers, this presentation focused more on the film’s artistic and cinematic value.
Although Lucasfilm has generally limited the showing of unedited versions, this screening was officially authorized. This was confirmed by the presence of Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.
Audiences noted the raw and tangible feel of the original version. Without modern CGI enhancements, the film appeared more grounded and realistic. One particularly discussed moment was the iconic scene between Han Solo and Greedo, where it was clearly shown that Han shot first — a detail that has sparked long-standing debate.
The event served as a rare opportunity to witness a foundational piece of cinematic history in its original form, reinforcing the importance of film preservation for future generations.
