Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Star Wars (later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) is a 1977 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas, produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Twentieth Century-Fox. It is the first film released in the Star Wars film series and the fourth chronological chapter of the "Skywalker Saga". Set "a long time ago" in a fictional galaxy ruled by the tyrannical Galactic Empire, the story follows a group of freedom fighters known as the Rebel Alliance, who aim to destroy the Empire's newest weapon, the Death Star. When the Rebel leader Princess Leia is abducted by the Empire, Luke Skywalker acquires stolen architectural plans of the Death Star and sets out to rescue her while learning the ways of a metaphysical power known as "the Force" from the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. The cast includes Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse, and James Earl Jones. Lucas had the idea for a science fiction film in the vein of Flash Gordon around the time he completed his first film, THX 1138 (1971), and he began working on a treatment after the release of American Graffiti (1973). After numerous rewrites, filming took place throughout 1975 and 1976 in locations including Tunisia and Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England. Lucas formed the visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic to help create the film's visual effects. Star Wars suffered production difficulties: the cast and crew believed the film would be a failure, and it went $3 million over budget due to delays. Few were confident in the film's box office prospects. It was released in a small number of theaters in the United States on May 25, 1977, and quickly became a surprise blockbuster hit, leading to it being expanded to a much wider release. Star Wars opened to positive reviews, with praise for its special effects. It grossed $410 million worldwide during its initial run, surpassing Jaws (1975) to become the highest-grossing film until the release of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982); subsequent releases have brought its total gross to $775 million. When adjusted for inflation, Star Wars is the second-highest-grossing film in North America (behind Gone with the Wind) and the fourth-highest-grossing film of all time. It received Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, and Saturn Awards, among others. The film has been reissued many times with Lucas's support—most significantly the 20th-anniversary theatrical "Special Edition"—and the reissues have contained many changes, including new scenes, visual effects, and dialogue. Often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made, the film became a pop-cultural phenomenon, launching an industry of tie-in products, including novels, comics, video games, amusement park attractions and merchandise such as toys, games, and clothing. It became one of the first 25 films selected by the United States Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1989, and its soundtrack was added to the U.S. National Recording Registry in 2004. The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) followed Star Wars, rounding out the original Star Wars trilogy. A prequel trilogy and a sequel trilogy have since been released, in addition to two standalone films and various television series.

Video-background
28.7s
He says he's the property of Obi-Wan Kenobi, a resident of these parts... and it's a private message for him. Frankly, I don't know what he's talking about. Our last master was Captain Antilles. But with all we've been through, this R2 unit has become a bit eccentric. Obi-Wan Kenobi. I wonder if he means old Ben Kenobi. I beg your pardon, sir, but do you know what he's talking about? I don't know anyone named Obi-Wan... but old Ben lives out beyond the Dune Sea. He's kind of a strange old hermit.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
5.1s
I wonder who she is. Sounds like she's in trouble. I better play back the whole thing.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
16.3s
He says the restraining bolt has short-circuited his recording system. He suggests that if you remove the bolt... he might be able to play back the entire recording. Oh, yeah. Well... I guess you're too small to run away on me if I take this off. Okay.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
1.8s
There you go.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
20.8s
Where'd she go? Bring her back. Play back the entire message. "What message"? The one you've just been playing. The one you're carrying inside your rusty innards. Luke! Luke! I'll be right there, Aunt Beru. I'm sorry, sir, but he appears to have picked up a slight flutter. Here. See what you can do with him. I'll be right back.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
9s
Just you reconsider playing that message for him. No, I don't think he likes you at all. No, I don't like you either.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
21.7s
- I think that R2 unit might have been stolen. - What makes you think that? I stumbled across a recording while I was cleaning him. He says he belongs to someone called Obi-Wan Kenobi. I thought he might have meant old Ben. Do you know what he's talking about? I wonder if he's related to Ben. That wizard's just a crazy old man.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
29.9s
Tomorrow, take that R2 unit to Anchorhead and have its memory erased. That'll be the end of it. It belongs to us now. But what if this Obi-Wan comes looking for him? He won't. I don't think he exists anymore. He died about the same time as your father. - He knew my father? - I told you to forget it. Your only concern is to prepare those new droids for tomorrow. In the morning, I want them on the south ridge, working on those condensers. Yes, sir.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
8.2s
I think those new droids are gonna work out fine. In fact, I was also thinking about our agreement-- about me staying on another season.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
3.5s
If these new droids work out, I want to apply to the academy this year.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
13.9s
You mean the next semester before the harvest? Sure. There's more than enough droids. Harvest is when I need you the most. It's only one season more. This year we'll make enough on the harvest to hire more hands... and then you can go to the academy next year.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
17.4s
You must understand I need you here, Luke. - But it's a whole 'nother year. - It's only one more season. That's what you said when Biggs and Tank left. - Where are you going? - Looks like I'm going nowhere. I have to go finish cleaning those droids. Owen, he can't stay here forever. Most of his friends have gone. It means so much to him.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
10.5s
I'll make it up to him next year. I promise. Luke's just not a farmer, Owen. He has too much of his father in him. That's what I'm afraid of.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
11.3s
- What are you doing hiding back there? - It wasn't my fault, sir. Please don't deactivate me. I told him not to go, but he's faulty, malfunctioning. - Kept babbling on about his mission. - Oh, no.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
21.6s
That R2 unit has always been a problem. These astro droids are getting quite out of hand. Even I can't understand their logic at times. How could I be so stupid? He's nowhere in sight. Blast it! Pardon me, sir, but couldn't we go after him? It's too dangerous with the Sandpeople around. We'll have to wait till morning. Luke, I'm shutting the power down. I'll be there in a few minutes.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
6.8s
Boy, am I gonna get it. That little droid's gonna cause me a lot of trouble. He excels at that, sir.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
1.7s
Come on.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
14s
Have you seen Luke this morning? He said he had things to do before he started today, so he left early. - Did he take those new droids with him? - I think so. He better have those units in the south range repaired by midday... or there'll be hell to pay.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
5.8s
There's a droid on the scanner. Dead ahead. It might be our little R2 unit. Hit the accelerator.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Video-background
2.2s
Where do you think you're going?

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope