While monitored and pursued, a man races to escape through a futuristic labyrinth.

“Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB” is a science fiction short film written and directed by George Lucas, which was released in 1967. The film is notable for being Lucas’ first cinematic work, and for serving as a precursor to his later feature-length film “THX 1138.”

The short film depicts a dystopian future society in which citizens are controlled by a totalitarian government through the use of drugs and surveillance technology. The film follows the attempts of a character named THX 1138 (played by Dan Natchsheim) to escape this society and find freedom.

The film was made while Lucas was a student at the University of Southern California, and was produced with a very limited budget. Despite its low production values, the film received critical acclaim and helped launch Lucas’ career as a filmmaker. Without this little ahead-of-its-time masterpiece, we can all assume it’s safe to say we would of never had any of the Star Wars films as we know them today, and all of their fan film offsprings.