4K Star Wars 1977 Original / 'Despecialized' - Battle of Yavin - Full Battle

Relive the iconic Battle of Yavin Death Star assault in its original 1977 brilliance, meticulously restored to 4K without CGI and 1997 'Special Edition' enhancements. The original Star Wars trilogy, as seen theatrically during their initial runs, is no longer publicly available. Since 1997, George Lucas has designated the Special Edition as the official release, a stance maintained even under Disney's ownership, with no plans for the despecialized versions to be released.

With the analysis of the Death Star plans, a weakness is found in the exhaust port. The Rebels send 30 X-wings and Y-wing in hopes of destroying it before it can destroy them.

Sourced from the despecialization project known as D+77

[PrometheusOfVideos]

Calling OG Star Wars veterans! If you were there for the original 1977 release... PLEASE share your tales of witnessing the original 1977 theater experience in this thread and how Star Wars first entered your life! Let's embark on a journey through this timeless universe together!


When this video was initially posted, it sparked a fascinating comment thread filled with firsthand accounts of experiencing Star Wars on the big screen in 1977. It was captivating to read about everyone's unique experiences— their age at the time, where they saw it, and the impact it had on them. Let's continue sharing and celebrating these cherished memories!

[logicaldude]

"We're in position, I'm gonna cut across the axis and try and draw their fire."

*John Williams intensifies*

[KNSDFS]

"Estimated time to firing range: fifteen minutes." I never noticed, but this scene nearly takes place in real time.

[SalimSivaad]

Only Boomers and Gen X know the thrill of seeing this in a darkened theater with no backstory; no expectations…and being totally blown away two hours later. We knew a world before Star Wars: we watched it happen in real time. Nothing would ever be the same. You can’t imagine the roar of the entire audience when Han flew in out of nowhere and saved Luke. People were ecstatic! Moments later, the Death Star was in bits and we screamed for joy like our team won the World Series. 1st standing ovation I ever saw in a movie theater. You had to have been there to truly understand.

[InevitableTruthTeller]

I was there, opening day, in 1977. It was The Stanley Theater, in Vancouver. 70mm Dolby. We stood in line for 5 hours. It was a mind blowing experience. When the credits faded, the music twinkled, we dropped down to see the planet...then the ships took over the screen. I went in an innocent 8 year old boy. I left with a heart full of magic and dreams.

[tsukkomigordo]

The military style aspect builds the tension so well. People repeating commands and doing call-outs for each other and no quick cuts to speed up the action is great.
In newer star wars movies they are either saying bad jokes the whole time or trying to say an emotional speech in the middle of a battle.

[hoosier]

The “Get setup for your attack run” command is so underrated. The man is a leader of a rag tag last ditch effort. He’s a hardened veteran who has the most experience. He should be it, by military standards.

But he doesn’t comply with Luke’s request. He knows he done for, and the last useful thing he can do in his life is buy time for said last ditch effort. He’s a man of the mission and not of himself. A true leader, and a man who deserves to be followed into battle.

[tuneablestar]

It's so cool to see tie-fighters actually fighting x-wings on equal terms. Nowadays, the tie fighters would get destroyed like they were nothing, but back then they were actually good pilots.

[Veers]

What's crazy is like twenty minutes before you were watching a sword and sandals fantasy film, and now we're in a gritty space age war film

[anon]

The way Luke takes command when Red Leader dies and the immediate acknowledgement from (the more experienced) Wedge.
"Right with you Boss"

[sky]

I had a bootleg version of this just after it came out in the theater... long before it was released on VHS. My dad 'knew the right people'. They gave me a perfect copy on tape. At the time I was around 10 years old. I watched it almost every day. It was such an inspiration to me. Thanks for the memories. This is the way it was meant to remain. Cheers.

[sandytinky]

It was 1977, I was 12 years old. Me and my best friend sitting in the theater waiting for the movie to start. The lights go down. "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..." Blown back in our seats when the music suddenly thundered to life and the logo blazed. Two hours later, we were different kids. Our lives had changed. Our obsession with everything Star Wars began that day. So glad I experienced it at the beginning.

[thatcanadian]

Admittedly some of the special effects do look a bit dated now, but for1977 this was revolutionary. Even the special effects artists themselves were wowed when they saw the completed film for the first time. That speaks volumes.

[logicaldude]

3:43 I always loved how Vader already knows what's happening and realizes the main battle is just a diversion.

[darthvaydr]

I was born in September of 1970 so I was six years old when Star Wars first came out. I am now 53 years old and I still remember that summer morning when my mom took me and my sister to stand in line through two showings just to get in to see this.

I am proud to say that I was part of the generation that grew up with this film. I remember the excitement that everybody had when this film was released and for almost an entire year, this film was still being shown in theaters. Something unheard of these days.

The visuals, the sounds and the excitement that this film brought to us was unlike anything that anyone had ever experienced. I was part of that audience that was in total awe from the very beginning when the star destroyer flew over to the very end.

I had the topps bubble gum cards, the underoos, the action figures, the ships, the laser guns, the shirts, the posters, the soundtrack, the novel. People that did not grow up when this film was released will never experience what we experienced in 1977. There was no movie at the time that had the advanced special effects, costumes or impact that this film had on the world. Then when you add John Williams score to this movie made it that much more epic.

This film had mostly no name actors and actresses but most of them went on to become huge successes and household names. When we all saw this film, it was an instant hit worldwide.

Imagine seeing a movie these days where the technology was so far advanced from what you’re used to seeing, theaters having lines going out the door for blocks, the theaters being packed for months on end, merchandising everywhere you went, fans going back for repeat viewings and everybody in the theater cheering to the top of their lungs at the end of the film and wanting more. That’s what it was like. But even those words does not describe or help you to feel what we felt and saw back in 1977. It was an experience that will never be repeated….and an experience I will never ever forget.

[nofmcgoff]

These despecialized versions saved Star Wars for me! I recommend any fan of the original Star Wars supporting the project. Unbelievably worth it.

[vparikh]

I was 4 years old when I went to see this with my oldest cousin. We waited in line for 8 hours. What people today will not realize is there was NOTHING like this on the screen ever before. No one had seen anything else like it. When the movie ended it was a standing ovation - people were literally jumping up and down and clapping - in fact, I remember us just turning around and going right back into the theater to view it again. We did that for the entire summer - every thursday morning at the first showing. And it was packed overtime. I miss those days, when going to the movies was special and a communal event. And this trench run still inspires modern movies -- Top Gun Maverick anyone?

[delavalmilker]

It's difficult today for people to realize what impact this movie had on viewers back in 1977. There was VERY little pre-release hype and publicity of this film. Nobody really knew what to expect. I was 22 at the time, and when I came out of the theater, I was a changed person. I truly felt I had actually been "in a galaxy far far away" for the past 2 hours.

[alc]

1:27. How can anyone not love that shot of the X-Wings rolling into the attack to that trumpet fanfare. Just epic.

[billvenner]

Also I'll never forget when the movie was over EVERYONE gave a standing ovation. Then we all sat and watched the credits until the very end. Listening to the awesome music and finding out if the crew was actually human. Goosebumps till this day. 45 years later