Star Wars Movie Review

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away …” That's how the movie that changed the film industry begins. Even though its special effects may have been eclipsed, it's still one of Hollywood's best, the first chapter of an epic coming-of-age trilogy. Recently remastered, the tape version looks and sounds almost as good as it did in theatres. It's a solidly constructed film with a grand final act. John Williams’ stirring score can't be overvalued. In this part of the tale, the characters – a young hero, a captured princess, a hot-shot pilot, cute robots, a vile villain, and a heroic and mysterious Jedi knight – are more archetypes that individuals but that's part of filmmaker George Lucas’ point. He makes no secret of the influence of Joseph Campbell's ideas about myth and storytelling. Followed by The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). The subtitle “Episode IV: A New Hope” refers to a trilogy of films set before these three, and in production at press time.

1977 (PG) 121m/C Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse, Anthony Daniels; D: George Lucas; W: George Lucas; C: Gilbert Taylor; M: John Williams; V: James Earl Jones. Hugos ‘78: Dramatic Presentation; Academy Awards ‘77: Best Art Direction/Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score; Golden Globe Awards ‘78: Best Score; Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards ‘77: Best Film; National Board of Review Awards ‘77: 10 Best Films of the Year; People's Choice Awards ‘78: Best Film; Nominations: Academy Awards ‘77: Best Director (Lucas), Best Original Screenplay, Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Guinness). VHS, Beta, LV FOX, RDG, HMV