Description
The film that started the entire franchise. It was released in American theaters on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars; the subtitle with the number of the fourth episode and the words A New Hope was added for a re-release in the early 1980s. George Lucas served as director and screenwriter, Gary Kurtz as producer; the film was released by 20th Century Fox, and the music was written by John Williams.
The film's success was phenomenal and changed the industry: the visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic was founded for the production, and the film itself won several Academy Awards, mostly in technical categories, and spawned a merchandising industry of unprecedented scale.
The action takes place roughly two decades after the establishment of the Galactic Empire. It marks the first appearances of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi played by Alec Guinness, the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, as well as Darth Vader and the Death Star battle station. It is this film that sets the basic vocabulary of the universe: the Force, the Jedi, the Empire, and the Rebel Alliance.
Related events
- Formation of the Rebel Alliance — 19 BBY; era only
- Destruction of Alderaan — 1 BBY; approximate date
- Interception of the diplomatic ship — 1 BBY; approximate date
- Rescue of Princess Leia — 1 BBY; approximate date
- Battle of Yavin — 0 ABY; exact date
- Destruction of the first battle station — 0 ABY; approximate date