captainsolo said:
... or make a visual companion to the radio drama. (Anchorhead that would be right up your alley...;)
Because I'm more familiar with the larger story now, I'd dig a version like that. It could be done (provided you have the footage). The story starts one day sooner than the film, but it's still handled in such a way that the central character is introduced properly. The isolated\outcast\dreamer farm boy is established immediately and is the main focus of the first chapter.
It opens with him listening to a recruiting presentation to the Imperial Space Academy, alone, out in that tech dome we all know so well. A friend comes over and then they go to visit all their other friends (Camie, Fixer, Deke). Once they're there, Deke makes fun of him for listening to the recruiting presentation and they all tease him about his higher aspirations. The friend that came over to visit him is the first one to turn on him.
That all establishes the character we know and sets the ground work for his being seen as an outsider, even by his only friends. They also manage to name check Biggs so that you know Luke misses him. I don't know about there ever being footage shot for anything like that. I'd have to reread Kaminski's book or the original script.
The second day into the story is the part we all know from seeing the footage through the years - the vaporator scene - "shape it up you guys" - watching the space battle - Biggs coming back - the two of them saying goodbye, etc.
I've read plenty of articles and interviews through the years discussing the pacing of the 77 version and their thoughts on introducing the characters in the way & order they did. I certainly have no issue with the 77 film. It works very well. However, I've grown to prefer the NPR. A fan version rearranged to fit the NPR would be something I'd certainly give a look.
