Assuming copyright laws don’t change by then, otherwise there is no way to know.

A plausible answer is 1977 (when the film was released as Star Wars) + 95 years (for pre-1978 works) = after 2072. However, the film had been edited by George Lucas for the 1997 “Special Edition” release. Does this mean that I cannot publicly play the Special Edition VHS tape I have at home in 2073 and have to wait until 2093, or perhaps 70 years after GL’s death?

George Lucas has been infamously attempting to erase copies of the original movie. Therefore, no HD home video release for the 1977 film exists, however, a fan effort known as the “Despecialized Edition” compiled different versions of the movie from various sources, patching the Special Edition 4K Blu-ray rip to try to replicate the original 1977 experience. Does this legally questionable version enter public domain in 2072, or does this only apply to official (SD) releases?

Anyway, the Despecialized Edition project as well as George Lucas’s treatment of the originals is an interesting rabbit hole to delve into for any movie nerd.

  • ChaoticNeutralCzech@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
    2·
    10 months ago

    I think that at least the sub-title “Episode IV: A New Hope” was added in that DVD release… Anyway, a “4K77” scan of a 1977 film reel distributed directly by the studio exists, it’s just noisy and needed color correction.

    • wjrii@kbin.social
      2·
      10 months ago

      That was added in 1981 when it popped back into theatres after Empire. It was not original, but it was a very early addition, and since ESB came out in the interim as Episode 5 from the get-go, very much a retcon in the George style.