Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

1977

Director: George Lucas

Distributor: Fox Movies / Lucasfilm

Key Element: Story – Concept – Visuals – Characters – Lines – Music

My Review:

This film is movie history.

Lucas broke major ground with his special effects and a story that echoed elements of classic mythology – making this movie of universal appeal.

An evil has taken power. A boy is forced into the role of rebel fighter. A knight comes out of retirement to be his mentor. A princess needs rescuing. A maverick joins the fight. Everything you need for a great fairytale, only this story takes place in outer space.

The best thing about these movies, and perhaps why they were so popular, is that they aren’t just sci-fi. A lot of sci-fi movies have a science premise and then become nothing more than action-adventure movies. But the Star Wars movies are actually movies about humanity, simply placed in a sci-fi setting.

In these early movies, it was still possible to interpret the Force as God – making the hero’s struggle a spiritual one.

If there’s an element of the gospel here, it’s when Obi Won surrenders his life to Darth Vader, enabling him to become an even more powerful help to Luke. It’s similar to how Jesus surrendered his life to give us new life.

Clip:



Quotes:

• A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
• Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're my only hope.
• The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.
• The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.
• These aren't the droids you're looking for.
• Traveling through hyperspace isn't like dusting crops, boy!
• If money is all you love, then that's what you'll receive.
• Wonderful girl. Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to like her.
• That's no moon. It's a space station.
• I'm Luke Skywalker. I'm here to rescue you.
• Don't underestimate the Force
• If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.
• It's not impossible. I used to bull’s-eye womprats in my T-16 back home, they're not much bigger than two meters.
• Use the Force, Luke.
• The Force is strong with this one.

Stills: