The first step to figure out was Lucas’ original vision was is to disregard anything he said in interviews, as he only talks about his Original Vision™, i.e. stuff that he thinks makes him look like a brilliant writer and director. That’s where this “I had it all planned from the beginning” myth comes from.
Thats a bit cynical dont ya think? I highly doubt that in 1977/78’, during his interview about his target audience, that he had the forethought to be that egotistical. He was a budding/struggling film maker hoping to break through and Star Wars was his break through. Its no mystery what his influences came from for the film. But we digress. The OP asked at what point we felt George let us down/“felt a disturbance.” I read many replies about how the PT didnt live up to folks expectations, mine as well, and thought Id point out that its tough to see something that many of us fell in love with as a child with the same enthusiasm and interpretation as an adult. As much as the PT fell short with me, I find ways to look at it differently, to conjure up my inner child and grow to like/love it. Trust me, its tough, but I do get some fullfillment from watching them, key word being SOME. I know I said I felt no disturbance in an earlier reply, but Ill be a good sport and say that I felt it while watching the SE in 97’ in the theater. I know this sounds clicheic, but Greedo shooting first was straight up asinine.