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Last theatrical screening of the pre-SE trilogy?

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I know about the 1985 triple feature and the 1987 screenings but I’m not sure if there was anything after that.

Here’s what I know about 70mm theatrical releases of the original trilogy

https://www.in70mm.com/library/engagements/film/s/star_wars/openings/index.htm

https://www.in70mm.com/library/engagements/film/e/empire/index.htm

For ROTJ all that came up was its first run, I’m focusing on re-releases and special screenings after the first run to find out when the last chance to see the movies in theaters was before the Special Editions.

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What I’ve found out is that after 1982, other than the double and triple features, ANH and TESB were screened in 1987 but for ROTJ all I know about is the 1985 re-release.

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I think there were some one off trilogy screenings to benefit charity in the 90’s, but no nationwide reissues.

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

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I saw Return of the Jedi in 1985. I don’t think they ever were re-released again after that. Not the originals anyway.

Star Wars hit video in 1982, Empire in 1984 and Jedi in 1986.

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Prints were available for rental into the early 90s - at least, they were in the UK.

My local cinema used to run a free show (aimed at children, but open to all) at Christmas. In 1992, they screened Star Wars - I still have the newspaper ad somewhere.

I imagine the embargo/moratorium dropped soon after that, as soon as the SEs were in the pipeline.

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I saw the entire trilogy at the American Film Institute theater at the Kennedy Center in 1994 or 1995. The best print of Empire that they could find had the opening crawl in Korean and a pinkish color to the red laser blasts.