An epic motion picture franchise and international cultural phenomenon started in 1977 with “Star Wars.” The story, which takes place “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” focuses on the Rebel Alliance, led by one Princess Leia Organa and later by Luke Skywalker, a farm boy from an isolated planet, and their struggle for freedom against the Galactic Empire.
The cast of actors fit like a hand in glove in their respective roles. Carrie Fisher, the daughter of Hollywood legends Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, played Princess Leia Organa. Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford, virtual unknowns, were perfect as Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, respectively. Alec Guinness personified Jedi veteran Ben “Obi-Wan” Kenobi, and theatrical Peter Cushing hammed it up as Governor Tarkin. Others include David Prowse/James Earl Jones (voice) as Darth Vader, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, and the pair that would go on to be featured in all “Star Wars” projects, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO and Kenny Baker as R2-D2. Denis Lawson and Garrick Hagon appear as rebel pilots. Phil Brown and Shelagh Fraser deserve honorable mention as Owen and Beru, Luke’s uncle and aunt.
Director-screenwriter George Lucas was the creator of the entire film series, involved in every detail of the first six movies, which includes “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and “Return of the Jedi” (1983). A second trilogy, which is a prequel to the series, came out in 1999, 2002, and 2005. In 2012, Lucas sold his LucasFilm Ltd. to The Walt Disney Company for $4 billion. Disney came out with their own conclusion trilogy in 2015, 2017, and 2019, with several standalone films, animated films, television projects, and more.
The importance of “Star Wars” in film history cannot be understated. It caused the motion picture industry to focus on action-oriented blockbusters, develop innovations in special effects, and return to the filmmaking style of the Golden Age of Hollywood with simplistic themes of good vs. evil, after a steady diet of “artsy” movies in the 1960’s and 1970’s from New Hollywood and Europe.
Audiences flocked in droves to “Star Wars,” which contained virtually no sex or violence, making George Lucas a billionaire. Alec Guinness was the only star of the show to foresee a hit, as he negotiated to receive 2.25 percent of the “Star Wars” revenue. He made a small fortune. This original “Star Wars” movie is estimated to be the second biggest money-making film in history, accounting for inflation, after “Gone With the Wind” (1939).
“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” is very watchable entertainment from producer Gary Kurtz, director-screenwriter George Lucas, LucasFilm Ltd., and 20th Century Fox. It was nominated for twelve Academy Awards, winning eight: Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, Special Achievement Academy Award, Scientific and Engineering Award, and Best Original Score (John Williams). Williams also won three Grammy Awards for composing the film’s musical score. May the force be with you!
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
cinema
My Review
An epic motion picture franchise and international cultural phenomenon started in 1977 with “Star Wars.” The story, which takes place “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” focuses on the Rebel Alliance, led by one Princess Leia Organa and later by Luke Skywalker, a farm boy from an isolated planet, and their struggle for freedom against the Galactic Empire.
The cast of actors fit like a hand in glove in their respective roles. Carrie Fisher, the daughter of Hollywood legends Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, played Princess Leia Organa. Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford, virtual unknowns, were perfect as Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, respectively. Alec Guinness personified Jedi veteran Ben “Obi-Wan” Kenobi, and theatrical Peter Cushing hammed it up as Governor Tarkin. Others include David Prowse/James Earl Jones (voice) as Darth Vader, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, and the pair that would go on to be featured in all “Star Wars” projects, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO and Kenny Baker as R2-D2. Denis Lawson and Garrick Hagon appear as rebel pilots. Phil Brown and Shelagh Fraser deserve honorable mention as Owen and Beru, Luke’s uncle and aunt.
Director-screenwriter George Lucas was the creator of the entire film series, involved in every detail of the first six movies, which includes “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and “Return of the Jedi” (1983). A second trilogy, which is a prequel to the series, came out in 1999, 2002, and 2005. In 2012, Lucas sold his LucasFilm Ltd. to The Walt Disney Company for $4 billion. Disney came out with their own conclusion trilogy in 2015, 2017, and 2019, with several standalone films, animated films, television projects, and more.
The importance of “Star Wars” in film history cannot be understated. It caused the motion picture industry to focus on action-oriented blockbusters, develop innovations in special effects, and return to the filmmaking style of the Golden Age of Hollywood with simplistic themes of good vs. evil, after a steady diet of “artsy” movies in the 1960’s and 1970’s from New Hollywood and Europe.
Audiences flocked in droves to “Star Wars,” which contained virtually no sex or violence, making George Lucas a billionaire. Alec Guinness was the only star of the show to foresee a hit, as he negotiated to receive 2.25 percent of the “Star Wars” revenue. He made a small fortune. This original “Star Wars” movie is estimated to be the second biggest money-making film in history, accounting for inflation, after “Gone With the Wind” (1939).
“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” is very watchable entertainment from producer Gary Kurtz, director-screenwriter George Lucas, LucasFilm Ltd., and 20th Century Fox. It was nominated for twelve Academy Awards, winning eight: Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, Special Achievement Academy Award, Scientific and Engineering Award, and Best Original Score (John Williams). Williams also won three Grammy Awards for composing the film’s musical score. May the force be with you!