2007-01-02 07:18:05 · 12 answers · asked by tjtowns74017 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Movies
When the original theatrical version was first released, it was simply titled Star Wars.The opening crawl was changed to "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" during the 1981 re-release.
2007-01-02 07:20:42 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The film was originally released as — and consequently often called — Star Wars, without Episode IV or the subtitle A New Hope. The 1980 sequel, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, featured the episode number and subtitle in the opening crawl. When the original film was re-released in 1981, Episode IV: A New Hope was added above the original opening crawl. Although Lucas claims that only six films were ever planned, representatives of Lucasfilm discussed plans for nine or twelve possible films in early interviews.[18] The film was re-released theatrically in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1997.
2007-01-02 15:32:12 · answer #2 · answered by Bohdi 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some of you are half-way correct. When it first showed at theatres, during the scroll it said 'Star Wars Episode IV' but did not say 'A New Hope' until it's first re-release after 'Empire' and 'Jedi' came out. I know this for a fact because I am looking at my original video release of Star Wars that I've had for nearly 27 years. I also saw the original at theatres nearly 100 times the first time it came out and me and my friends had all that scroll memorized like the Bible...LOL!
2007-01-02 16:01:28 · answer #3 · answered by Army Of Machines (Wi-Semper-Fi)! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Upon its original release, the opening crawl did not include "Episode IV: A New Hope." According to Lucasfilm, this was added upon its re-release in 1978 or as late as 1981. The later print was the first one to be released on video, and all video, laserdisc or DVD releases have featured the subtitles. The theatrical cut DVDs, set to be released in September 2006, will be the first time that the original opening crawl, without subtitle, has been released on home video.
2007-01-02 21:09:03 · answer #4 · answered by rules27 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ted is correct. The scroll writing which comes on the screen and fades into the universe before each film starts indicated that the original Star Wars was Episode IV-A New Hope.
2007-01-02 15:23:41 · answer #5 · answered by turkey 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
on the dvd trilogy with the documentary, lucas clearly states that when the film was first released in theaters, there was no mention whatsoever of any episode of any kind. it was called star wars and that was it. ya heard.
2007-01-02 16:21:43 · answer #6 · answered by Ground Xero 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When it came out in 1977 then there was no mention of Episode IV or even Chapter IV.
2007-01-02 15:20:46 · answer #7 · answered by Obtuse Triangle Fan 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, George Lucas started with episode four to capture the moviegoers. As you know, episode one is quite dull compared to 4. Also, Lucas wanted to throw the audience into a new, "used" world.
2007-01-02 15:30:30 · answer #8 · answered by Ben R 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
In 1977, no.
But when it was re released when they knew Empire was going to be made, yes it was added for the theatre.
2007-01-02 20:32:41 · answer #9 · answered by Nick C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'm pretty sure it did. if i remember correctly, in the beginning sequence where the words scroll across the screen, it starts with episode vi: a new hope.
2007-01-02 15:20:45 · answer #10 · answered by Nichole M 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋