Quick Lost Cut Facts
Here are some quick facts about the Lost Cut that Dr. David West Reynolds mentions in his article:
Silent, Black-and-white, 35mm, 13 reels
Cut together by British editor, John Jympson
30-40% different footage (including alternate/longer takes and deleted scenes)
Reel cans labeled "The Star Wars" which was the original title
Less dramatic feel than final cut; more documentary-like
Used live projected backgrounds in place of bluescreen effects wherever possible
More time given to both main and secondary characters
Meant to be a work-in-progress, nothing more or less
Here's a quick rundown of some of the moments from the Lost Cut mentioned by Reynolds in his article:
Luke at his vaporator with Treadwell droid
Luke and friends (including Biggs) at Toshi Station
Han Solo and a human Jabba the Hutt (later restored with CG Jabba fro Special Edition)
References to the Rebel's "Hidden Fortress" (Kurosawa reference?) via dialogue from Darth Vader and Tarkin
Alternate establishing shot of Kenobi's hut and landspeeder parked outside
One long shot of landspeeder traveling from trooper checkpoint to the cantina
Longer indoor shot of the "cantina snitch" who alerts the troopers to Kenobi's confrontation
Han Solo and "Jenny" in the cantina booth watching the Kenobi confrontation and kissing afterwards
Luke decides not to replace C-3PO's restraining bolt in Kenobi's hut
Luke and Han congratulate each other after the TIE attack on the Millennium Falcon
Footage Luke and C-3PO in the landspeeder looking for R2-D2
More footage of Kenobi sneaking around the Death Star in search of the tractor beam
Many extra Death Star corridor shots including gags like heroes walking calmly past officers hiding weapons
Random Mos Eisley citizens and aliens
More Rebel Briefing Room shots
Jawas and a partially built sandcrawler
View of Mos Eisley from cliff before matte painting added
Aunt Beru using a blue milk dispenser
Darth Vader and Chief Bast walking and talking on the Death Star