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Star Wars (1977)
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Reviews Counted:17
Fresh:15
Rotten:2
Average Rating:7.4/10
Consensus: The action and special effects are first rate.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for sci-fi violence and brief mild language.
Runtime: 2 hrs 10 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Theatrical Release:May 25, 1977 Wide
Synopsis: STAR WARS, George Lucas's stunning sci-fi masterpiece, is arguably one of the most inventive and entertaining films ever made, garnering generations of loyal fans who are forever imprinted with the... STAR WARS, George Lucas's stunning sci-fi masterpiece, is arguably one of the most inventive and entertaining films ever made, garnering generations of loyal fans who are forever imprinted with the memory of its characters and dialogue. As the adventure begins, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), an impulsive but goodhearted young man who lives on the dusty planet of Tatooine with his aunt and uncle, longs for the exciting life of a Rebel soldier. The Rebels, led by the headstrong Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), are fighting against the evil Empire, which has set about destroying planets inhabited by innocent citizens with the Death Star, a fearsome planetlike craft commanded by Grand Moff Tarkin (Peter Cushing) and the eternally frightful Darth Vader (David Prowse, with the voice of James Earl Jones). When Luke's aunt and uncle are murdered by the Empire's imperial stormtroopers and he mysteriously finds a distress message from Princess Leia in one of his androids, R2-D2 (Kenny Baker), he must set out to find Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), a mysterious old hermit with incredible powers. On his journey, Luke is aided by the roguish, sarcastic mercenary Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his towering furry sidekick Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) as they run into a host of perilous situations while trying to rescue the princess--and the entire galaxy. Magnificently referencing everything from Akira Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI and THE HIDDEN FORTRESS to THE WIZARD OF OZ to John Ford Westerns and Joseph Campbell philosophies, STAR WARS revolutionized the cinematic world with its epic storytelling and amazing special effects. In addition to film veterans Guinness and Cushing, the movie also features an unforgettable performance from the young Ford, who would, of course, go on to become one of the biggest stars of the silver screen. Even today, Lucas's astonishing film leaves viewers wanting to see it again and again. [More]
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Peter Cushing, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse, James Earl Jones, Phil Brown, Shelagh Fraser, Jack Purvis, Alex McCrindle, Eddie Byrne, Drewe Henley, Denis Lawson, Garrick Hagon, Jack Klaff, William Hootkins, Angus MacInnes, Jeremy Sinden, Graham Ashley, Don Henderson, Leslie Schofield, Richard LeParmentier
Director: George Lucas
Director: George Lucas
Screenwriter: George Lucas
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Composer: John Williams
Studio: 20th Century Fox
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Reviews for Star Wars
A grand and glorious film that may well be the smash hit of 1977, and certainly is the best movie of the year so far.
A magnificent film. George Lucas set out to make the biggest possible adventure fantasy out of his memories of serials and older action epics, and he succeeded brilliantly.
It is, all in all, hard to think of a place or an age group that would not respond to the enthusiastic inventiveness with which Lucas has enshrined his early loves.
George Lucas has made the kind of sci-fi adventure movie you dream about finding!
Like some indefatigable King of the Hill, it stands alone and triumphant, regardless of the many imitators that assail its position.
Backgrounds in some sequences are now more populated than they were, and it's fun to see all the creatures that make up the "wretched hive of scum and villainy" that Alec Guinness' Obi-Wan Kenobi describes.
None of these characters has any depth, and they're all treated like the fanciful props and settings!
Compelling backstory, exciting action and pleasantly archetypal characters.
Darth Vader and his James Earl Jones voice is a bad egg no matter how much we know about his screwy upbringing.
A dynamic entertainment, efficiently and exuberantly setting up its mythic tale of heroes and villains, rebels and rogues, princesses and monsters, good and evil.
Twenty years later, George Lucas' loved saga of the war between good and evil in a distant galaxy returns in digitally enhanced and augmented form.
Latest News for Star Wars
November 15, 2009:
Win Star Wars Prize Packs -- including the new Family Guy episode
Here's your chance to pick up new editions of the Original and Prequel 'Star Wars' trilogies, plus the forthcoming 'Family Guy' parody. More...
October 01, 2009:
Star Wars: In Concert Takes the Stage ![]()
Skeptical about "Star Wars: In Concert"? You aren't alone. In fact, John Williams had his own reservations, as detailed in the Los Angeles Times' look behind the scenes of the... More...
July 24, 2009:
Announcing Star Wars: In Concert ![]()
"Star Wars in Concert" begins its tour October 1, but you can get a sneak peek at what to expect now, thanks to the Force-powered multimedia extravaganza's brand new website. More...
June 03, 2009:
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With Star Trek entering popular culture not just as a franchise reboot but a cinematic moment in sci-fi history, talk has already turned to the sequel(s) and where the next... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
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