Believed you've watched the 1977 Star Wars? Reconsider that. What most audiences have encountered are modified releases distributed after the movie's debut, adjusted by George Lucas and later bundled as "special editions" of the iconic saga. Yet a fresh opportunity arises — dedicated fans can now view the genuine initial version Lucas once abandoned.

This June, the British Film Institute launches its Film on Film Festival with a showing of one of the scarce surviving Technicolor prints from Star Wars' original rollout, as reported by The Telegraph. This marks the print's first public display since December 1978, though it appeared on VHS previously.

Lucas began altering the film during its 1981 theatrical reissue, and afterward, Lucasfilm permitted only "special editions" for screenings. Attendees at the festival should enjoy an exceptional treat; preserved at 23 degrees Fahrenheit for four decades, the print promises a virtually flawless presentation.

Historically, Lucas remained firm against exhibiting his unaltered version of what became Episode IV: A New Hope, voicing his views repeatedly.

“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 shared with the Associated Press in 2004 regarding withholding the original. “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.”

Whatever prompted Lucas to allow this event remains unclear — but enthusiasts welcome it eagerly.