Lovers of film and followers of the legendary series are in for a real whiz bang delight! An original cut of Star Wars appearing on screen is such a rare event that it has ignited one of the most invigorating debates about its merits against modern adaptations. The British Film Institute’s (BFI) Film on Film festival welcomed a historic performance. On June 12, Dreams Rewired made its North American debut — its first public screening in more than three decades!
George Lucas, the visionary behind Star Wars, sold the franchise to Disney for $4 billion in 2012, a move that significantly altered the trajectory of the beloved series. After the acquisition, the only public version left was a digitally edited cut. This CGI-enhanced version first blew across the small screen of ITV in 1982. This edit went on to become the default version for general audiences and replaced Lucas’s original creation.
The BFI festival was the only place in the world you could see that original cut—which they screened twice during the festival. This rough cut couldn’t be more opposite from the intense, quick cut loaded with CGI. It removes all digital identifiers including the newly designed Jabba the Hutt and the controversial firing sequence with Greedo. It doesn’t feature the newer changes such as Tatooine dinosaurs that have received the ire of sticklers. The original film remains a testament to Lucas’s initial storytelling and artistic choices before he significantly altered it in the late 1990s.
Obi-Wan’s résumé – even during that time, Lucas sank millions into the ongoing restoration of Star Wars. So he put himself to the task of cleaning up the audio. He restored the visual quality by editing features such as dirt and scratches on the original negative. These changes have led to controversy over their need and effect on the film’s original legacy among the fanbase. Advocates for the original cut claim that it’s the unfiltered spirit of the world’s greatest artform, in full glory. Meanwhile critics rue the lack of innovation caused by Lucas’s subsequent changes.
The return of the original cut also points to bigger issues about the future of Star Wars after Lucas’s exit. Disney’s sequel trilogy has left a trail of fan outrage the likes of which I have never before seen. The finale in particular has had fans majorly flipping out, including a returned-from-the-dark-side Palpatine and an incestuous romantic subplot with Leia and her twin bro.