"Rare Star Wars Cut to Screen in London"

Think you've seen the original 1977 "Star Wars"? Think again. What you've likely watched are altered versions, tweaked by George Lucas himself, which later became the "special editions" of this beloved epic. But there's new hope for fans — an opportunity to see the actual original cut of the film that Lucas left behind all those years ago.

This June, the British Film Institute's Film on Film Festival will kick off with a screening of one of the rare Technicolor prints from "Star Wars'" initial run. According to The Telegraph, this print hasn't been shown publicly since December 1978, although it was available on VHS in the past.

Lucas began modifying the film with its first theatrical re-release in 1981. Since then, Lucasfilm has only permitted screenings of various "special editions." The print set to be shown at the upcoming festival has been preserved at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for the last forty years, ensuring a near-perfect viewing experience.

Historically, Lucas has been firm about not screening the original cut of what is now known as "Episode IV: A New Hope," and he has expressed his views on this decision 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. “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 why Lucas has allowed this screening, but fans are certainly not complaining.