Why Watch? Because some student films lead to iconic careers.

We posted the trailer for the feature-length THX 1183 a few days ago, and it seemed only natural that we’d post up the student short film that led to its creation. As far as student films go, George Lucas defies all expectations. It’s strange sci-fi blended with experimentalism and a healthy dose of what seems like somehow anachronistic futurism.

Looking back on this story trying to predict our dark future carries with it the kind of nostalgia that bubbles up when watching something like War Games. How quaint those computers, how little that generation might have realized where we’d be in a few decades.

And yet THX 1183 4EB is timeless, even in its technology. See if you can spot all the style influences (because there are dozens). And for those wondering, the “EB” stands for “Earth Born.”

More importantly, see if you can connect the student that made this short to the man who made Star Wars. The early alien seeds are there.

What does it cost? Just 15 minutes of your time.

Check out Electronic Labyrinth THX 1183 4EB for yourself:

ELECTRONIC LABYRINTH THX 1183 4EB (1967)

Trust us. You have time for more short films.