You Wanted the Original Star Wars? Be Careful What You Wish For

For years, fans have been begging to see the real original Star Wars - the 1977 unaltered cut, before CGI Jabba, blinking Ewoks, or that cursed "Maclunkey." And guess what? We finally got it. A pristine original print, tucked away like a relic in carbonite for 47 years, was recently screened at the BFI in London. It was historic. It was rare. It was… kind of ugly?

Yeah. Be careful what you wish for.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, those lucky enough to see it, the untouched Star Wars isn't the sleek cinematic classic burned into our brains. It's clunky. It's awkward. It's full of weird lighting, stiff sound effects, and props that look like your dad hot-glued them in the garage. One critic called it "joyously craggy" and "the greatest game of dressing up in the desert anyone ever played." (Which, honestly, sounds kinda perfect.)

Even die-hard fans admitted it was like watching the movie for the first time - sometimes charming, sometimes shocking, and always a reminder that George Lucas wasn't just tinkering for fun. He was polishing something rough, chaotic, and deeply handmade into the mythic blockbuster we all fell in love with on VHS.

Sure, the audience still cheered when Han shot first (as they should). But the real twist? Seeing the original actually made people appreciate Lucas' changes. Maybe not all of them. But enough to realize that he wasn't just trying to ruin your childhood—he was trying to finish his movie.

So if you've been holding out for the "pure" Star Wars, just know: it exists, it's fascinating, and it might make you realize why George didn't want you to see it in the first place.