In early 1977, as young parents with a habit of watching late night TV, we saw blurbs on "Creature Features" on KTVU about a new movie coming out called "Star Wars." And, being Sci-Fi fans, we were intrigued!
May 25th came and went, and without a babysitter we had to wait a while before we could go see it. Eventually my sister said, "You have to see this movie!" So, she babysat, and off we went.
It was called "Star Wars" in those days, no "Ep. IV", no "A New Hope", just "Star Wars." And it was amazing. When I saw that ship pass over my head on the big screen, my jaw literally dropped. I've heard many others say this was the defining "Star Wars" moment for them, the moment that hooked them for all time.
Years later Ewan McGregor told the story of going to "the cinema" to see "Star Wars" with his brother and that they were "totally blown away." I can think of no better description!
As Mark Hamill, the love object of my twenties, once said in an interview, "What's not to like?" There's a farm boy, a wizard, a princess in distress, a pirate, a villain, etc. (I'm paraphrasing Mark, here)
And he's right; Star Wars has something for everyone.
The "Story of Star Wars" record album started out with, "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a great adventure took place!" And how true that was. An adventure! A naive and unhappy farm boy has his life changed forever, and embarks upon an adventure without parallel.
He acquires a mentor, and considering that he's just lost his family, it's not surprising that he trusts old Ben enough to follow him off on "some damn fool idealistic crusade". And he's being offered adventure and excitement, a chance to make something of his life.
Luke was overprotected by his uncle, who of course thought he was doing the right thing, but was it up to him to decide Luke's fate? We all have to make our own mistakes!
But Luke is charmed it seems, and his mistakes always turn out all right. We find out later that it's not luck, it's the Force! I love the Force, it fascinates me. Imagine holding all that power in your hand, and only using it for good. No wonder I love Jedi!
Han Solo, the role Harrison Ford almost didn't get. Can you imagine? No, I can't either. I've seen the old clips of screen tests... Kurt Russell? Puleeeze... Harrison gives Han Solo a touch of maturity, compared to younglings Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, which makes his wise guy and slightly jaded attitude believable.
Chewbacca makes the idea of a non-human sentient totally believable, whether he's wearing pants or not.
It never occurred to me to think of Chewie as anything less than human.Princess Leia, a terrific role model for young girls. Strong, fierce and independent, she's not afraid to do her hair and be feminine, too. A pleasant surprise that's not really expected when our heroes go off to the rescue a damsel in distress.
And of course, we had our villain, Darth Vader. What sort of monster was lurking under that helmet? He gets way more evil in Ep. V, but even without that, we just KNOW he's the bad guy. Bad to the bone.
Peter Cushing was great as the cadaverous Governor Tarkin. "Fear will keep the locals in line!" Well, I wouldn't want those cold eyes staring me down.
And then there was Sir Alec Guinness. The great Obi-Wan Kenobi, hero of the Clone Wars, who is only in half the movie, and yet becomes an icon. Sir Alec gives him an air of dignity and grace in spite of his disheveled appearance. Don't judge that book by its cover!
"For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knight were the guardians of peace and justice in the old Republic." Wow! The possibilities that opened up!
And that final, epic battle, the Battle of Yavin. Whoa, nothing like it. And the good guys win! And the bad guy loses, but gets away to be bad again another day! And boy, did he. More on that tomorrow!
And, by the way, not only did Han shoot first, Greedo never shot at all!
EDITED FOR TRUTH, May 2012
9 comments:
leia19886
Someone get this big walking carpet out of my way ...
date Posted: Feb 22, 2009 9:33 AM
Great review!!
I too was sucked in by the imperial ship flying over head accross the screen
and NO I can't imagine any one else playing Han Solo.
amidalooine
The Emotional Galaxy
date Posted: Feb 22, 2009 12:39 PM
I blogged about this eons ago, but I think that what I remember most about the first time I saw the "real" Star Wars, was the scene when Darth Vader realizes that "the Force is strong with this one." I've been hooked on Anakin Skywalker eber since,,,even before I knew his name.
FAN4YRS
A Rebel's Ramblings
date Posted: Feb 22, 2009 1:31 PM
I agree with your assesment of Chewbacca. :)
Green Am I
Mudhole? Slimy?! My blog this is!
date Posted: Feb 22, 2009 5:17 PM
I really enjoyed this post! It really reminds me (yet AGAIN) why I love Star Wars so much.
I remember the quote from Mark Hamill you were talking about, by the way. I agree with it completely. My all-time favorite out-of-character Hamill quote, though, comes from when he was talking about the producers stressing out about ANH. "Of all the things to worry about... the wookiee has no pants."
I agree with your assesment of Chewbacca.
You would. :p
Darth_Hiram
A Journey into The Force
date Posted: Feb 22, 2009 10:51 PM
Great blog. I think all the things you describe are what fascinates us and hooks us onto Star Wars. This is the one that started it all, and always will be. No matter what comes out in terms of EU or even the other movies, they will always be benchmarked against the original.
The Viridian Saber
Virtual Unrealities (A victim of Order 66.)
date Posted: Feb 23, 2009 1:00 AM
I've heard many others say this was the defining "Star Wars" moment for them, the moment that hooked them for all time.
It is quite a moment. But I'd have to say that the moment that I reached the point of absolutely no return was right here when I surrendered my heart to the Jedi Order. :x
And he's right; Star Wars has something for everyone.
That's partly why it has endured for so long. Besides the fact that it's an ever-expanding, ever-changing phenomenon.
Kurt Russell? Puleeeze
Kurt Russell? You're kidding! ,:_| I've heard that Burt Reynolds was also going to play Han. How weird would that have been?
Princess Leia, a terrific role model for young girls.
Beats the living crud out of the role models that young girls are supposed to be adhereing to nowadays.
And the bad guy loses, but gets away to be bad again another day! And boy, did he. More on that tomorrow!
Whoohooo!!
Gidrea Lightsky
The Galaxy According to Gidrea
date Posted: Feb 23, 2009 10:00 AM
I too was sucked in by the imperial ship flying over head accross the screen
Some people I've talked to were drunk or high when they saw this for the first time, but that's another story! :D
I've been hooked on Anakin Skywalker eber since
No, really, are you? :^O But seriously, he was the BAD GUY!!!!
"Of all the things to worry about... the wookiee has no pants."
:D
This is the one that started it all, and always will be
That's why it's endured so long, it was an instant classic, a high-water mark as far as adventures go, and space adventures in particular.
when I surrendered my heart to the Jedi Order.
Oh yes, the Jedi. The heroes of Star Wars. That expression about the guardians of peace and justice gets me every time.
Beats the living crud out of the role models that young girls are supposed to be adhereing to nowadays.
I know you're too smart to fall for that skinny-as-a-rail, dress-like-a-slut, -no-brains type of girl that's out there now!
hansgirl3
Invoking the Squee
date Posted: Feb 23, 2009 10:52 AM
Great trip down memory lane, Gidrea! What fun!!!
Truth be told, I got chills reading it. ;)
:x
JediMelindaWolf
Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.
date Posted: Mar 03, 2009 8:24 AM
Fanfare blares!!! :D
Loved this, gl! While ROTJ is my current favorite of the saga (it vascillates between the original 3. Not that I didn't like the PT. I most certainly did!!! It's just that I grew up on the OT, lived with it for so much longer, that it just holds a very special place in my heart. :x), for a very long time -- a very, very long time -- ANH earned that top honor. It was, afterall, what started it all. :D
And, no, I just can't see KR in the role of Han Solo. Interesting how everything just seems to work out. ;)
MTFBWY :)
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