By Jason Apuzzo. Star Wars was released 35 years ago today. It’s hard to believe it’s been so long! All these years later, the original Star Wars and Errol Flynn’s The Adventures of Robin Hood are still my favorite films of all time. Unlike with Robin Hood, however – which I first saw on TV – I had the good fortune of seeing Star Wars when it first came out in theaters back in 1977. My six year-old imagination was completely overwhelmed, and I was hooked on the movies for good.
If memory serves, the trailer above represents all that many of us knew about the film prior to its release – and it was pretty exciting stuff. And although a lot has changed about the Star Wars universe since that time, it’s worth remembering how fresh, original and imaginative the film seemed back in 1977. I know that watching Star Wars in 70mm Dolby stereo with excited crowds at the then-Plitt Century Theater in Century City (Los Angeles) still represents the most fun I’ve ever had at the movies. And really, the film hasn’t changed that much for me after all these years – the many special editions and digital revisions aside. I still love the film, and I don’t think it’s ever been topped.
Writer-director George Lucas did a marvelous job with this film, breaking a lot of new ground and opening up a whole new imaginative universe to audiences and filmmakers. I’d say even more about the film, but I have to go over to the Toshi station right now to pick up some power converters. 😉 Congratulations on Star Wars‘ 35th.
Posted on May 25th, 2012 at 10:56am.
Lucas caught lightning in a bottle when he did the first Star Wars movie. Something which he was never able to do again – using SFX and marketing to compensate for what serendipity no longer supplied.
Well, he caught a helluva lot of lighting with Empire and Raiders, although I assume you’re talking about his work as a director.
Thanx 4 reminding me of this historic date–I was one of the first nighters 4 this movie, being a nerd b4 it was cool. I was finishing up an AS at SCCC and had been accepted to SFSU for the Spring ’78 semester where I was going to study Film. When I got there, they proceeded to un-teach me everything I’d learned from Lucas. I shoulda gone to USC, no?
Do you have a favorite moment that you wish you could experience for the first time, again? The whole dogfight sequence did it for me. Especially when the first rebel fighter lurches into the deathstar trench. you-are-there cinema at its best. Ah, well…
Despite Cameron’s one-two punch of Titanic and Avatar, I’ll always believe that STAR WARS was the more popular film. I mean, really, it was playing for months; we saw it over and over and over; lines around the block… Anyway, I don’t know anyone who fondly remembers Avatar, or quotes dialogue, or discusses the world of the film, etc. Maybe they’re crazy about it in China? Anyway, Jason, Thanx 4 the memories from a more elegant, civilized age.
My pleasure, Curtin/Dobbs. It’s hard to pick out just one moment, but I think that the scene that touched me the most was when Luke shuffled out to look at the twin setting suns. That moment really captures everything that young people feel when they want to break away and fulfill their dreams. It’s certainly one of the quieter, more poetic moments of the film – and to me it’s the best.
By the way, on the list of all-time box office hits, adjusted for inflation, Star Wars is still ahead of Avatar and Titanic:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm
Star Wars is the first film I ever saw in the theater. I was only three, but I can say that my dad took me to see it upon its release.
It stuck with me my entire life, and I’m convinced it brought out any creative impulses I ever had.
It was also my gateway to my love of film. As I got older, I started watching everything that inspired Star Wars. I was probably the only kid in junior high who was looking for a copy of The Seven Samurai or The Searchers in his local video store.
Then you and I followed along a very similar path! Although it took me until my college years to catch up with those two films. I had a slight preference for Kurosawa’s Hidden Fortress, as it turns out. The Searchers had an enormous impact on me, as well. Still does.
The first film I remember seeing in a theater was Jaws. As you can imagine, that was pretty memorable. Those were some good summers!
Check out this link:
http://www.cinemark.com/cinemark-classic-series
THE SEARCHERS plays on the 27th, but there’s also THE EXORCIST, CITIZEN KANE, COOL HAND LUKE, THANT’S ENT., CLOCKWORK OJ, NORTH BY NW, and CABARET.
I’ve seen some of these digital projections of classics before (WIZARD OF OZ, CASABLANCA, WINGS) and I still prefer the look of a pristine film print, but the revelation is the sound on these things! It’s like having Bogie, or better yet, Ingrid whispering 2-inches from your ear.
Thanks for that link! That’s great – I’m definitely going to keep a look out for these …