Fergie's Tech Blog

25 May 1977: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Opens in Theaters

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally titled Star Wars, is a 1977 science fantasy film written and directed by George Lucas. It was the first film to be released in the Star Wars saga, but it is the fourth film by chronology of events. Among fans it is sometimes referred to as ANH.

Nineteen years after the formation of the Galactic Empire, Luke Skywalker is thrust into the struggles of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived in seclusion for years on the desert planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan begins Luke’s Jedi training as Luke joins him on a daring mission to rescue the Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of the evil Empire. Unlike the later prequel films, this film, along with the two films that follow, mostly focuses on the events of one particular sector of the galaxy, rather than the interstellar perspective that the first three films take.

The film was released on May 25, 1977, and was re-released several times, sometimes with significant changes in its later releases. Most notable were the 1997 Special Edition theatrical re-release and the 2004 DVD version, which were modified with CGI effects and re-done scenes. The original, unaltered version of the film will be released, along with the digitally enhanced version of 2004, in a new DVD set scheduled for September 2006. A 3-D release is planned for 2007.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is a 1983 science fantasy film directed by Richard Marquand. It was the third film to be released in the Star Wars saga, but it is the sixth, and last, film by chronology of events. Among fans it is sometimes referred to as ROTJ.

In the epic conclusion to the saga, Luke Skywalker and friends travel to Tatooine to rescue their friend Han Solo from the vile Jabba the Hutt. The Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, while the Rebel fleet mounts a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts his father, Darth Vader, in a final climactic duel before the evil Emperor.

The film debuted on May 25, 1983, and was released on VHS and LaserDisc in this form multiple times during the 1980s and 90s. The film was re-released with changes in 1997, and this version was later released on VHS and Laserdisc as well, and finally on DVD in 2004. The original, unaltered version of the film will be released, along with the digitally enhanced version of 2004, in a new DVD set scheduled for September 2006. A 3-D release is rumored for 2007.

posted by Fergie @ 5/24/2006 10:01:00 PM