Star Wars Compendium of Lost Footage
Version 3.0 (ASCII)
July 8, 1995
A companion piece to "The Wars You Never Saw"
by Mark A. Altman and Lukas Kendall in the July 1994 issue of Sci-Fi
Universe
Written and compiled by Ryan Silva with the help of many SW fans
Enhanced version for the PC by Alec Usticke (uncleowen@aol.com)
Edited by Tim Elliott (lastgasp@aol.com)
Please send any comments/ additions/ suggestions/ revisions to:
talkytoast@aol.com
Feel free to repost this anywhere and everywhere.
"Star Wars" and related titles are registered trademarks and copyright
Lucasfilm Ltd. All photos in this document copyright Lucasfilm Ltd.
-----------
Introduction:
It's out of control. What started as a fun little hobby has grown into
a budding obsession. Those of you who have seen only the Internet beta
version (0.9) must be shocked by the explosion of data contained in
this monster. Every day I receive at least ten pieces of e-mail with
leads both valid and false, and a few that are downright "whacko."
Now, after a year of research, most of the major sequences cut from
the trilogy have been exhaustively documented. As I hear rumor upon
rumor, I've started to include some unconfirmed reports in hopes that
this file is read by someone who can fill in the blanks.
In essence, this compilation is intended as a reference for cut
footage that was actually filmed for the "Star Wars" trilogy, not
every tidbit from the scripts and novels that didn't make it in front
of the cameras. The evidence I required to list a scene as "confirmed"
in this compendium took the form of a photo or a documented, reliable
source stating it was filmed--sometimes both. When writing to me with
potential additions or corrections, please keep that in mind. Perhaps
Lucas will follow through with the plan to include these cut scenes at
the end of the THX laserdiscs when they are released separately
(although Fox Video says otherwise). At least some of the footage is
set to be reinserted into the 1997 rerelease. Until then, this FAQ
will have to suffice.
Unless noted, these scenes have never been released officially to
the general public (not counting test and press screenings) and were
never part of the final cut of the movies. For starters, I urge you to
zip immediately over to the Biggs entry. You will find a sizable body
of evidence that suggests the early Tatooine Biggs scenes were never
shown in the theaters. (Given that the average "Star Wars" fanatic was
6 or 7 when it was released, coupled with the abundance of photos and
written descriptions, it was easy for our active imaginations to
conjure up the images that were missing.)
You are most likely reading the ASCII version of this FAQ. Due to
copyright restrictions, I cannot upload the graphics-enhanced version
to online services, and it's too big for the average Web site to
accommodate easily. Mac users can get a self-contained enhanced
version with graphics and sounds included. PC users can get a Windows
Write version that includes the same goodies. Send me e-mail
(talkytoast@aol.com) for details. Both of these versions should also
be available at the Cut Scenes Web Page soon (see below). Be
forewarned that both versions weigh in at well over 3 megs when
expanded.
Parts of the enhanced versions of the compendium are interactive.
Click on icons to hear sound samples, zip to various chapters, and
(someday) play movie clips.
I'd like to apologize for inconsistencies in the quality of the
scanned images and sound samples. All the material used in the
compendium comes from a wide variety of sources, ranging from my own
collection to anonymous contributions. In some cases, I've not been
able to find a duplicate source in hopes of obtaining a better quality
file. Also, I've been having some trouble with my header graphics.
Some look fine when I create the GIF versions but when imported into
these documents, they end up looking below par. I made the decision to
get the FAQ out on time rather than fiddle with them for the moment.
Finally, we have tried to eliminate all misspellings and grammar
errors, but if you find such glitches, please send e-mail to me or Tim
Elliott (lastgasp@aol.com).
Star Wars Cut Footage Web Site:
I've recently connected with Evan Reynolds, the fellow behind the Cut
Scenes Web Site. (I didn't have WWW access, so was hitherto unaware of
its existence.) It has the advantage of easier, if not instant,
updates, so I predict that it will become the definitive source for
all of your cut footage needs. If you want to check it out, cruise:
http://www.cs.utk.edu:80/~ereynold/cgi-bin/swcut.cgi
I'm working with Mr. Reynolds to incorporate as much of my
information as possible into his cut footage site, and I thank him for
his contributions to this version of the compendium.
Open Letter to Lucasfilm and/or LucasArts:
I would be overjoyed to widely distribute the compendium without
fear of legal action. The desire to have this information available
exists. We've done the hard work for you; jazz it up a bit and release
it to grateful Star Wars fans world wide.
-----------
Re-editing Star Wars:
From "Star Wars" to "A New Hope":
The reissue of "Star Wars" that ran for three weeks starting on
Wednesday, August 15, 1979, DID NOT contain the "Episode IV: A NEW
HOPE" subtitle. A trailer for "Empire" was shown, however, and a
Kenner toys discount booklet was given out (both of which are
announced on the poster for the reissue).
The first appearance of "Episode IV: A NEW HOPE" was on the new
prints struck for the two-week reissue of "Star Wars" on April 10,
1981, nearly one year after the premiere of "Empire."
By the way, when the subtitle was added, the roll-up itself was
changed. Lines of text were condensed differently so the length of the
roll-up remained the same despite the addition of two lines at the
top. The capitalized words DEATH STAR appear on one line in the first
version and are broken on the revised version.
For the record, "Empire" was reissued later that year, on July 31, 1981.
In 1982, "Star Wars" returned on April 10 and "Empire" on November 19.
Both of these reissues featured identical "Revenge of the Jedi"
trailers.
Yes, Virginia, there is a bootleg:
Floating around the black market limbo of sci-fi conventions and
fanboy heaven is a forgotten bootleg of "Star Wars," a film transfer
of the original 1977 theatrical release. It's interesting mainly as a
curiosity, because the transfer is awful, the image is cropped poorly,
and I'm sure that we all have much better, legal copies lying around.
Nevertheless, as an account of the minor changes made to "Star Wars"
over the years, it's priceless.
Following is a list of differences sent to me by an anonymous
informant:
I synched up the tape to my THX laserdisc (with picture-in-picture)
and tried to find the differences...
*Video differences:
First, the tape isn't really panned and scanned. It's panned all
right, but not scanned--the picture just sits on the center of the
widescreen frame. The only video difference I could find was in the
opening scroll. Not only was the "Episode IV: A New Hope" tag missing,
but the lines were formatted differently.
Laserdisc: Pre-ANH video:
Episode IV
A NEW HOPE
It is a period of civil war. It is a period of civil war.
Rebel spaceships, striking Rebel spaceships, striking
from a hidden base, have won from a hidden base, have
their first victory against won their first victory
the evil Galactic Empire. against the evil Galactic
Empire.
During the battle, Rebel
spies managed to steal secret During the battle, Rebel
plans to the Empire's spies managed to steal
ultimate weapon, the DEATH secret plans to the Empire's
STAR, an armored space ultimate weapon, the
station with enough power to DEATH STAR, an armored
destroy an entire planet. space station with enough
power to destroy an entire
Pursued by the Empire's planet.
sinister agents, Princess
Leia races home aboard her Pursued by the Empire's
starship, custodian of the sinister agents, Princess
stolen plans that can save Leia races home aboard her
her people and restore starship, custodian of the
freedom to the galaxy . . . . stolen plans that can save
her people and restore
freedom to the galaxy . . .
ely2b@aol.com adds:
Oddly enough, there is ONE visual difference. As the stormtroopers
are distracted by the duel between Vader and Kenobi, Threepio turns
and says, "Come on, Artoo. We're going." CUT to Han who says, "Now's
our chance, go!" In the version with the mono mix, these two shots are
reversed!
*Audio differences:
As maniacally documented by ely2b@aol.com:
The nine 70mm prints contained a 6-track Dolby mix that was considered
unfinished. When the properly cut prints were made, both 70mm and
35mm, they went into wide release accompanied by finished soundtracks.
BUT, Dolby Stereo prints of the time were not mono-compatible as they
are now, so sound designer Ben Burtt created a totally different
monaural sound mix for 35mm, knowing that there were not many stereo
theaters at the time. In my experience, this mix got its widest
exposure during the "extended first run," which is erroneously (though
widely) referred to as the "1978 reissue."
The "Story of Star Wars" narration record was made using this
different sound mix (with stereo sound effects laid over it); in it
one can hear some of these differences.
The echo at the chasm is only on the stereo mix, by the way, and
it must be played back in stereo in order for it to be heard. It
cannot even be heard on a Dolby print played in a mono theater or on a
laserdisc played over a mono television monitor.
Threepio's lines ("The tractor beam is coupled...") were added
back into the home video sound master in 1986. For the recent boxed
set laserdisc, a new soundtrack was created for ANH, incorporating all
of the above. Oddly enough, Threepio's lines were left out once again!
Between Ely2B's post and my other informant's list, I put together the
following list of audio variations between the original release and
the recent laserdisc version:
1) Alarms and klaxons are different.
2) Added panel sound effects aboard the Falcon, including a descending
whine as they come out of hyperspace.
3) The communications to Tarkin via comlink are completely different.
4) When Threepio and Artoo are hiding from the Imperials on Tatooine,
the stormtrooper's dubbed voice is different, and so is the line:
Laserdisc:
"All right, check this side of the street. The door's locked. Move on
to the next one."
Pre-ANH video:
"All right, check that side of the street. It's secure. Move on to the
next one."
5) A different actress dubs for Aunt Beru. Neither version features
the real voice of actress Shelagh Fraser, who has a thick British
accent.
6) Some Threepio dialogue uses different takes. The additional lines
("The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations.
A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to
leave....") are missing from the laserdisc version.
7) The echo in the core shaft ("I think we took a wrong turn...") is
present in both versions. However, the echo is more pronounced in the
laserdisc version--probably because the video is missing the surround
channels.
8) The laserdisc is missing the now-famous "Close the blast doors!"
line.
9) Intership voices during the final battle are not synthesized.
10) During the final battle, "countdown" voices on the Death Star and
at the Massassi base on Yavin IV are completely different.
11) Luke's line on the laserdisc, "Blast it, Biggs. Where are you?" is
different on the pre-ANH video: "Blast it, Wedge. Where are you?"
(from the collection of Peter Poulakakos).
-----------
Cut footage from Star Wars:
Biggs Darklighter:
The early Biggs Darklighter scenes were filmed and eventually cut, as
was almost every reference to him. Early in the movie, Luke is fixing
a moisture vaporator with a treadwell droid (see picture in the
Introduction) when he sees the Blockade Runner/Star Destroyer battle
as bright specks. He checks it out with his macrobinoculars, gets
excited and speeds to the power station, a local hang-out in
Anchorhead. He means to get his friends Fixer and Camie to verify his
sighting, but is momentarily sidetracked upon discovering that Biggs
has returned to Tatooine from the Academy to say goodbye. The group
moves outside, but by this time the battle is over and the scene cuts
to where Threepio and Artoo split up to search for settlements. The
film later cuts back to a scene with Biggs and Luke, where Biggs
reveals his plan to join the Rebellion.
(From the script:)
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- DESERT WASTELAND -- DAY.
A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The
tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone figure,
Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations who looks
much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy hair and
baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable lad with
a prize-winning smile.
A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the
desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided by
a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot
appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions.
A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye and he
instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his utility
belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying the
heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired
Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet
above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the tiny
robot to follow him.
LUKE: Hurry up! Come with me! What are you waiting for?! Get in gear!
The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his arms
up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps into his
Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum madly.
(From the script--Vader enters Blockade Runner, Leia with Artoo)
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty empty
street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to get out of
the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist at Luke as
he flies past.
WOMAN: I've told you kids to slow down!
INTERIOR: POWER STATION -- DAY.
Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged
mechanic, and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been
asleep in his lap. They grumble as he races through the
office, yelling wildly.
FIXER: Did I hear a young noise blast through here?
CAMIE: It was just Wormie on another rampage.
Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy city
attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics of the
farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the background.
LUKE: Shape it up you guys!.... Biggs?
Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to
great joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.
LUKE: I didn't know you were back! When did you get in?
BIGGS: Just now. I wanted to surprise you, hot shot. I thought you'd be
here...certainly didn't expect you to be out working. (he laughs)
LUKE: The Academy didn't change you much...but you're back so soon?
Hey, what happened, didn't you get your commission?
Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.
BIGGS: Of course I got it. Signed aboard the Rand Ecliptic last week.
First mate Biggs Darklighter at your service...(he salutes)...I just
came to say goodbye to all you unfortunate landlocked simpletons.
Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing
friend is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out
of it.
LUKE: I almost forgot. There's a battle going on! Right here in our
system. Come and look!
DEAK: Not again! Forget it.
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD -- SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie and
The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes. Luke
has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.
LUKE: There they are!
Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke as the others strain
to see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars
Biggs sees two small silver specks.
BIGGS: That's no battle, hot shot...they're just sitting there!
Probably a freighter-tanker refueling.
LUKE: But there was a lot of firing earlier...
Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the
building in the process. Luke grabs them.
LUKE: Hey, easy with those...
CAMIE: Don't worry about it, Wormie.
The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy
shrugs his shoulders in resignation.
FIXER: I keep telling you, the Rebellion is a long way from here. I
doubt if the Empire would even fight to keep this system. Believe me
Luke, this planet is a big hunk of nothing...
Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The
group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
Luke's ineptitude.
(from the script--Vader confronts Leia, Threepio and Artoo part
company)
EXTERIOR: TATOOINE -- ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT -- POWER STATION -- DAY.
Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer and
the others can be heard working inside.
LUKE: (very animated)...so I cut off my power, shut down the
afterburners and came in low on Deak's trail. I was so close I thought
I was going to fry my instruments. As it was I busted up the Skyhopper
pretty bad. Uncle Owen was pretty upset. He grounded me for the rest
of the season. You should have been there...it was fantastic.
BIGGS: You ought to take it easy, Luke. You may be the hottest
bushpilot this side of Mos Eisley, but those little Skyhoppers are
dangerous. Keep it up, and one day, whammo, you're going to be nothing
more than a dark spot on the down side of a canyon wall.
LUKE: Look who's talking. Now that you've been around those giant
starships you're beginning to sound like my uncle. You've gotten soft
in the city...
BIGGS: I've missed you, kid.
LUKE: Well, things haven't been the same since you left, Biggs. It's
been so...quiet.
Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.
BIGGS: Luke, I didn't come back just to say goodbye...I shouldn't
tell you this, but you're the only one I can trust...and if I don't
come back, I want somebody to know.
Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.
LUKE: What are you talking about?
BIGGS: I made some friends at the Academy. (he whispers)...When our
frigate goes to one of the central systems, we're going to jump ship
and join the Alliance...
Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.
LUKE: Join the Rebellion?! Are you kidding! How?
BIGGS: Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth bigger than a meteor
crater!
LUKE: I'm sorry. I'm quiet. (he whispers) Listen how quiet I am. You
can barely hear me...
Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.
BIGGS: My friend has a friend on Bestine who might help us make
contact.
LUKE: You're crazy! You could wander around forever trying to find
them.
BIGGS: I know it's a long shot, but if I don't find them I'll do what
I can on my own...It's what we always talked about. Luke, I'm not
going to wait for the Empire to draft me into service. The Rebellion
is spreading and I want to be on the right side -- the side I believe
in.
LUKE: And I'm stuck here...
BIGGS: I thought you were going to the Academy next term. You'll get
your chance to get off this rock.
LUKE: Not likely! I had to cancel my application. There has been a lot
of unrest among the Sandpeople since you left...they've even raided
the outskirts of Anchorhead.
BIGGS: Your uncle could hold off a whole colony of Sandpeople with one
blaster.
LUKE: I know, but he's got enough vaporators going to make the place
pay off. He needs me for just one more season. I can't leave him now.
BIGGS: I feel for you, Luke, you're going to have to learn what seems
to be important or what really is important. What good is all your
uncle's work if it's taken over by the Empire?...You know they're
starting to nationalize commerce in the central systems...it won't be
long before your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving for the greater
glory of the Empire.
LUKE: It couldn't happen here. You said it yourself. The Empire won't
bother with this rock.
BIGGS: Things always change.
LUKE: I wish I was going...Are you going to be around long?
BIGGS: No, I'm leaving in the morning...
LUKE: Then I guess I won't see you.
BIGGS: Maybe someday...I'll keep a lookout.
LUKE: Well, I'll be at the Academy next season...after that who knows.
I won't be drafted into the Imperial Starfleet, that's for sure...Take
care of yourself, you'll always be the best friend I've got.
BIGGS: So long, Luke.
Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads toward the
power station.
Just before the Battle of Yavin, Luke runs into Biggs and they gab a
bit, then Red Leader shows up and mentions that he had met Anakin,
Luke's father.
(From the script...)
INTERIOR: MAIN HANGAR DECK -- LUKE'S SHIP.
...Leia gives Luke a little kiss, turns, and goes off. As Luke
heads for his ship, another pilot rushes up to him and grabs
his arm.
BIGGS: Luke! I don't believe it! How'd you get here...are you going
out with us?!
LUKE: Biggs! Of course, I'll be up there with you! Listen, have I got
some stories to tell...
Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, comes up
behind Luke and Biggs. He has the confident smile of a born
leader.
RED LEADER: Are you...Luke Skywalker? Have you been checked out on the
Incom T-sixty-five?
BIGGS: Sir, Luke is the best bush pilot in the outer rim territories.
Red Leader pats Luke on the back as they stop in front of his fighter.
RED LEADER: I met your father once when I was just a boy, he was a
great pilot. You'll do all right. If you've got half of your father's
skill, you'll do better than all right.
LUKE: Thank you, sir. I'll try.
Red Leader hurries to his own ship.
BIGGS: I've got to get aboard. Listen, you'll tell me your stories
when we come back. All right?
LUKE: I told you I'd make it someday, Biggs.
BIGGS: (going off) You did, all right. It's going to be like old
times, Luke. We're a couple of shooting stars that'll never be
stopped!
*Evidence remaining:
There are a few cards in the original "Star Wars" cards, especially
the Green series, that show stills from the Tatooine segment. These
include treadwell, Luke in "Gilligan Hat" and Luke and Biggs together.
The Story of Star Wars photo book also contains pictures of Luke
looking in the sky with the macrobinoculars (not along the horizon, as
if looking for Artoo, but up overhead), a still of Luke talking to
Biggs, and a photo with Luke and Biggs on a raised platform, with Luke
pointing in the air.
The NPR "Star Wars" radio drama, the Marvel comic series, and the
novel each contain or expand on these scenes. The West End Games
second edition of the Star Wars Role Playing Game (RPG) contains a
photo of what must be the Fixer's garage, because it isn't the Lars
homestead from a different angle. In addition, the "Making of Star
Wars" contains a large chunk of the pre-Death Star scene. I imagine
this is the reason that a lot of us insist that we've seen the
footage.
quest32681@aol.com had this to add:
Just as Luke is climbing into his X-wing, you can catch a few seconds
of a pilot walking off to the lower right hand corner of the screen
wearing his helmet--his helmet design matches that of Biggs! And since
Biggs was the only one shown who flew at the battle of Yavin in that
particular helmet design, this must be him, just after he talks with
Luke and Red Leader.
The back of Topps' "Star Wars" Widevision card #85 shows the
Biggs scene on Yavin IV being shot from a distance.
"Fine, but were the Biggs scenes ever shown?" :
My answer: NO (although I still can't vouch for foreign showings).
Until someone from Lucasfilm convinces otherwise, I'm going to stick
with my opinion. Read the following and decide for yourself:
From ely2b@aol.com:
This requires a bit of explanation, so please bear with me. When "Star
Wars" was released on May 25, 1977, it was only in nine theaters in
nine different cities, all in 70mm. Because so many people over the
years have come forward claiming that they saw a version with
additional footage, I have THEORIZED the following:
These nine 70mm prints could have been originally longer during
preview showings. When the final cut was determined, rather than scrap
the nine long prints, they could have been physically cut to conform
to the version as we all know it. This was common practice for many
years, particularly with 70mm prints, which were expensive and took a
lot of time to make. If some theaters were lax in making the cuts,
perhaps a few audiences saw some extra footage before the prints were
replaced with properly cut ones.
People clearly remember seeing the Biggs scenes, but because this
has been glimpsed through the novelization, comic adaptation, trading
cards, storybook, behind-the-scenes documentary, and radio show, it's
possible that memories are mixing together. An entirely different
group of people seem to recall seeing Luke at the chasm throw his
grappling hook and miss the first time, then throw it again before
swinging across with Leia. The above is a conceivable explanation, in
my opinion.
From Vian Lawson came the following:
Last year (1993), it was my pleasure to attend a Con that had Don
Bies, [at the time] the archivist for Skywalker Ranch, as guest of
honor. He told us (among other things) that Koo Stark was originally
cast as Camie, a local Tatooine lass, in the infamous Biggs scene.
(Which did not appear in *any* commercial release of "SW," he says.
Not any. Not ever.)
NOTE: I have spoken to Don Bies since then, and while he acknowledges
that he's responsible for the above statement, he added that he can
not be 100 percent sure that the scenes were never shown anywhere. It
is his PERSONAL opinion that they were not. He's checking on that with
one of the other people who worked on "Star Wars," and I'll include
that info as soon as I get it. Here's the message, with a little
tidbit about another "Star Wars" myth:
Date: Thu, 5 Jan, 1995 12:17 AM EDT
From: Don Bies
Subj: Footage
To: Talkytoast
I'll try and ask Ben Burtt next time I see him--he was puzzled by the
other infamous myth--that of someone shouting "Carrie!" at the end of
"Star Wars"...It's possible they showed the [Biggs] film in preview,
but I doubt...and this is a PERSONAL opinion...that it was ever part
of a general release.
Don
From Starlog #120, July 1987:
This issue was dedicated to the 10th anniversary of "Star Wars." In
it, there is an article by Roy Thomas entitled, "How I Learned to Stop
Worrying and Love 'Star Wars' (Within Limits)" (nice "Strangelove"
homage), which features his recollections of working on the "Star
Wars" comics for Marvel.
"...anyhow, soon Howard, Steve and I were sitting in the front row in
George's private screening room while the Hollywood heavies slouched
further back with George, and the rough cut began.
It opened with a 'crawl' of copy meant to suggest the old Flash
Gordon serials that had influenced the movie. But this was NOT the
crawl with which moviegoers are now familiar, nor was there any 'Long
ago, in a galaxy far, far away' lead-in. Rather, the crawl consisted
of totally different copy telling the movie's backstory. (If you want
to know what it said, all you have to do is pick up a back issue of
Marvel's "Star Wars" #1, since the caption there was taken from that
original crawl. George evidently had last-minute thoughts and changed
it just before the opening. In fact, one ILM worker told me that the
story was that, on opening day, George would probably be in the
projection booth at Mann's, pasting on some last bit of film.) [NOTE:
Original crawl text follows this entry.]
Original opening crawl as published in the Marvel adaption of "Star
Wars" #1:
"It is a period of CIVIL WAR in the galaxy. A brave Alliance of
UNDERGROUND FREEDOM FIGHTERS has challenged the tyranny and oppression
of the awesome GALACTIC EMPIRE. To crush the rebellion once and for
all, the EMPIRE is constructing a sinister new BATTLE STATION.
Powerful enough to destroy an entire planet, its COMPLETION will spell
CERTAIN DOOM for the champions of freedom. Striking from a fortress
hidden among the billion stars of the galaxy, REBEL SPACESHIPS have
won their first victory in a battle with the powerful IMPERIAL
STARFLEET. The Empire fears that ANOTHER defeat could bring a THOUSAND
MORE solar systems into the rebellion, and IMPERIAL CONTROL over the
galaxy would be LOST FOREVER."
Then in came the spaceships. Even in the rough cut and on a
relatively small screen, it was an impressive beginning, and I was
only moderately surprised months later at Mann's Chinese to hear the
shocked gasp of the audience when Big Ship came after Little Ship.
Next, the fight: stormtroopers vs. rebels. But there were no rays
zipping back and forth across the screen in San Anselmo. Just the
flicker of hand-drawn arrows on the film, to show where the FX would
go.
Soon, Darth Vader came on and began to speak--with a British
accent. (This was actor David Prowse's own voice, before James Earl
Jones' sepulchral tones were laid in.)
The movie went on. I noted with chagrin that one scene in the
script--between Luke and some childhood chums, near the beginning--had
been CUT, though it was currently being printed in the comic's first
issue. (And a few irate readers would later castigate us for inserting
things into 'George's Movie.')"
From Screen Superstar magazine #8, "Star Wars: the Full Story," 1977:
"His editors, including his wife, Marcia (Lucas' daughters had earlier
appeared in the film as Jawas), had put together a rough cut. With
Lucas they trimmed it down to preview size. And the previews were VERY
successful. Excitement spread at Twentieth, and through the movie
colony--Lucas had a winner!
But winner or not, Lucas still wasn't entirely satisfied. The
film ran for over two hours (123 minutes), and Lucas wanted maximum
audience turnover. Thus, the film had to be UNDER two hours, so back
went Lucas and the editors, and six minutes of Biggs Darklighter,
Luke's boyhood pal and fellow rebel pilot, were trashed. The film was
finished."
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\ | Alec Usticke AOL Star Wars Host | /
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