BEHIND THE SCENES: AN EPIC IN THE RAW!

The infamous raw screening of Star Wars to George Lucas's filmmaking chums.

Think that the original rough cut of Star Wars had made many of the FOX suits in Hollywood nervous? Well, so too were many of George Lucas's friends, who really didn't know what to make of the film, what with so many 'scene missing' moments, stock music overlays, and undubbed voicing rawness inherent within it, by the time they watched it with its writer/director in February 1977. Brian DePalma was the most critical opponent to the film, allegedly, much to the apparent dismay and concern of Marcia Lucas, though the late Gloria Katz, co-writer of American Graffiti, would recall Steven Spielberg's singular enthusiasm, telling the assemblage he thought the film was gonna make a hundred million dollars. Privately, Spielberg bet with Lucas that Star Wars would make 50-60 million dollars, at least.

'I think it's gonna make a hundred million dollars!' Only Spielberg was truly savvy to recognise the film's hidden runaway potential.

Paul Hirsch, Brian DePalma (above George) and friends circa 1979.

More on fellow writer/director Brian DePalma's thoughts on the film at that time:

http://epicstream.com/news/AltheaSerad/This-Renowned-Director-Thought-The-Early-Cut-Of-Star-Wars-Didnt-Make-Any-Sense

http://uk.businessinsider.com/brian-de-palma-george-lucas-star-wars-2017-5