Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher

In a distant galaxy, a long time ago, young Luke Skywalker assembles his motley crew of allies including space rogue Han Solo and two droids -- C3PO and R2D2 -- to rescue Princess Leia, the rebel lead...( read more  read more... )er of her planet from the clutches of the evil Empire as embodied by its enforcer Darth Vader.

Flixster Users

93% liked it

540,431 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

61 critics

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: George Lucas

Release Date: May 25, 1977

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Flixster Reviews (42,778)


  • October 11, 2006
    This is a film that forever changed the face of the motion picture industry. Even with the CGI effects and darkness of sci-fi, it holds up and keeps getting better every time it's seen.
  • August 28, 2009
    This is a nice little film you might have heard of. Although I'm far from being an obsessed mega fan, I do like this film a lot because it reminds me of running around the playground at school pretending to be Chewbacca. Technically its quite far from being a brilliant film, it d...( read more)id have brilliant special effects for its time but in the long run, Lucus's reworking *ahem* of Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece, The Hidden Fortress, is a cheap and tacky remake. A pretty damn good cheap and tacky remake at that!
  • May 7, 2009
    Errr, what can I say? you all know this, its the greatest movie ever made. Almost perfect, combined with the rest of the series its unbeatable. The first Star Wars film and the film that made cinematic history, it changed history and created film going for a new generation of vie...( read more)wers and directors, this film is a landmark in human history, its that big.
    Even though its cheesey, hammy and very predictable its still probably the greatest film ever made, mainly due to its design and effects which STILL look good and better than modern films.

    This film was everybodies childhood for people now in their 20's onwards, I find it so hard to believe that kids nowadays probably dont play Star Wars.
  • December 30, 2008
    "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."

    The movie that changed the world of cinema. After Star Wars, special effects started to take a bigger role in the business. A lot of people love this series, the original I mean, but I've never got that far.

    "Star Wars" is pure ma...( read more)gic, that I can say from my heart. I've probably seen it more than enough. Nowadays, it just doesn't give that same feeling, that sensation of "Wow!".

    George Lucas couldn't leave his masterpiece(s) alone, he had to go and add some new SFX. Why? Why change something that has already won the hearts of moviegoers.

    "Star Wars" has some of the most memorable characters in the history of cinema. Darth Vader, Han Solo and the robot sidekicks C-3PO and R2 D2. The film also has a lot of action and humor.

    All in all, it's the start to one of the best series in the world. But in my opinion, none of the Star Wars films are that strong alone, you gotta watch them together in the true movieamarathon way.

    "I find your lack of faith disturbing."
  • December 25, 2008
    "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."

    The story, for the tiny number of people not familiar with it, concerns a farm boy named Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) who discovers that the used robot recently purchased by his family plays back a message from one Princess...( read more) Leia (Carrie Fisher), begging for help from Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke asks his father's friend Ben Kenobi (Alec Guinness) about this, and he discovers that Ben and Obi-Wan are one and the same. Kenobi tells Luke of the battle of the rebels against the ruling Empire and the spiritual energy called "The Force." Soon Luke, Kenobi, and a mercenary named Han Solo (Harrison Ford) join forces to rescue Princess Leia from the Empire's mammoth warship, the Death Star, controlled by evil genius Darth Vader (David Prowse, with the voice of James Earl Jones).

    Review
    This is the classic, benchmark, and landmark science fiction movie by which all others should be measured. It was cutting edge when it hit the theaters and has a great story and terrific characters. I cannot say enough about the quality and intensity of this film. This is truly a unique experience and should be the first science fiction movie a person sees.
  • November 7, 2009
    The central myth of my childhood, and the classic of my generation. This is also the movie that shows how a strong mythic lifeline in a story can overcome numerous technical flaws. Despite being plagued by poor dialogue and now-legendary uncut bloopers, the mythic vein shines t...( read more)hrough, and its connections with other powerful myths like the Arthurian cycle only serve to empower it. Less "Sci-Fi" than mythic fantasy, this movie not only puts forth a compelling story of a youth destined to lead a rebellion against an evil Empire, but it also hints strongly at a rich tapestry of history and backstory, tantalizing with glimpses and casual mentionings. Seems to me it was probably a very good thing that Lucas was unable to manifest all the special effects he now says he wanted in these movies, as it allowed the myth and the archetypes to shine. I'd even go so far as to say that Joseph Campbell's part in the making of this movie was probably more influential in its success than Lucas' part was -- or if not, then certainly Campbell and Williams together. This is a movie that still evokes magic, excitement, adventure, and wonder, not only in me but in my children as well.
  • November 5, 2009
    Hilarious - Seen it way too many times !
  • November 4, 2009
    One of the greatest movie ever made! I'm a big fan!
  • November 3, 2009
    The original Star Wars movies are still the best.
  • November 2, 2009
    Super clasico de clasicos! Eterno. Nunca pasara de moda.

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Lucas fills his screen with loving touches. full review

View more Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • Pigfaced
    July 23, 2008
    such a ashame they've been ruined with cgi story changes, i only watch my vhs's copied dvd remastered versions . HAN SHOOTS FIRST
  • sithlordsmistress
    February 27, 2008
    this star wars film brings back so many memories.. a total classic.
  • filmaker99
    December 4, 2007
    star wars freaks can add me
  • grandmasterbaradar
    August 11, 2007
    Ah, my first movie experience.

    ANd to the fellow fan, I'd say Naboo, Cato Nemoidia, or Coruscant.
  • JATbobDYLAN93
    July 25, 2007
    This is a verry cool movie. I actuly Hate SCI-FI FILM but Star wars is the only one good film SCI-FI film
  • shakithree
    July 21, 2007
    just want to say,
    this is to the starwars fans.
    if u had the chance what starwars planet would u live no
    mine would be endor or naboo!
  • acidwolf
    June 23, 2007
    This movie's lame.
  • pullupyourshirt
    June 17, 2007
    woot. star wars
  • bpcowboy
    May 31, 2007
    My name is bobby pounds,i went to see starwars when it came out in 1977, i was 13 years old i was in junior high school,at poplarville junior high school!i was a teenager,i have the star wars movie poster!i saw star wars twice!i grew up with harrison ford ,mark hamill,and carrie fisher!i wanted to be han solo,and luke skywalker!i always wanted to go hollywood to meet harrison ford,mark hamill,and carrie fisher! Bobby Pounds
  • DaniManson
    May 28, 2007
    10 years ago my dad took me to the cinema to see the special edition release and my mind was officially warped, 30 years ago my grandpa took my dad to see the same film and the same happened. Truly and utterly timeless!! Happy 30th Birthday Star Wars.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Trivia

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hop... Trivia


  • A 1977 film in which a Princess, her twin, and a smuggler join forces to save the universe. Name that film.  Answer »
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