Team Negative 1, an all-volunteer Star Wars nerd squad, have spent thousands to source, digitize and restore an original 1977 theatrical print of Star Wars (known in contemporary canon as “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope”).
The original print has been de-Lucased, released without the later additions of CGI and recut Greedo-shot-first business.
Other 1977 versions in circulation were cut together from later prints, or transferred from low-quality DVD bonus features.
The only issue with Team Negative 1’s version of the film is that it isn’t exactly legal. That said, it isn’t hard to track down online. While that might be a bit too risky for some, Team Negative 1 believes that plenty of people will want to watch its “Silver Screen” restoration.
“We know that anyone under 30 kind of prefers the clean, sharp, detailed look,” Team Negative 1 told Movie Web. “Then the older crowd, the retro crowd, is like, ‘give me the grain and give me the matte boxes and give me a little weave in the picture.’ It’s kind of like CD vs. vinyl.”
Original 1977 Star Wars 35mm print has been restored and released online
[Mark Walton/Ars Technica]
(Image: Kenner Collector)