Classic 70s Movie: “Star Wars”

September is Classic 70s Movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Bretton Zinger.

Title: Star Wars

Note: Let’s get one thing clear: The movie should rightfully be called Star Wars, not Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope. Titles of movies are what they were upon release. No need to change them after the fact. Thus: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith.

Year: 1977

Writers: George Lucas

Lead actors: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alex Guiness

Director: George Lucas

IMDB plot summary: Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a wookiee and two droids to save the universe from the Empire’s world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader.

Why I think this a classic 70s movie: Is it really necessary for me to answer this question about this movie? There are many classic ’70s movies, to be sure. But this is the starting point. If someone hasn’t seen The Godfather, shame on them, but we can still talk movies. If they haven’t seen Star Wars, though, let’s move on to something else.

So I’ll get into personal reflection here. I was 7 years old when Star Wars came out in May of 1977, turning 8 in August. I actually remember seeing the commercial for the first time. I was watching T.V. with my neighbor friend, John Evans. After that bit where Luke grabs Leia and they swing across that Death Star chasm thing, John turned to me and said, “Whoa.”

I didn’t get to see the movie right away. But I got a Star Wars T-shirt for my birthday before I even saw the movie. I remember my stepmother pointing to C-3PO on my shirt and saying how she liked how he bossed R2-D2 around. Oddly, I don’t remember much about actually seeing the movie, other than I thought it was the greatest experience of my life. (And to be honest, even looking back, I can say it probably the highlight of my life until that point.)

I remember the movie played for what seemed like forever at the Glenwood Theatre in my hometown of Overland Park, Kansas. The other screen was showing Close Encounters. The fact that Close Encounters was released in November, while Star Wars came out in May, shows you how radically things have changed, even for “blockbusters.” The Glenwood was the movie house in the greater Kansas City metro area. Plush seats, tons of legroom. Circular concession stand. Huge, curved screen. A lobby that was way too small. Supposedly, the Glenwood sold a million dollars of Star Wars tickets in the first year of release, setting some sort of record. I saw a preview of Burton’s Batman there, and some kids in the front row started doing The Wave right before the screening started. Seriously. They tore it down in 2000 but moved the comfy seats to the Glenwood Arts down the street in a desolate mall.

I had some of the action figures, but never the coveted Millenium Falcon. And I didn’t get the empty box for Christmas with the note inside promising that they’d send the stuff in a couple of months.

My favorite moment in the movie: I do still remember seeing for the first time that opening shot. That tiny little ship firing behind it. Then that pointed tip of the Star Destroyer appears. And keeps going and going and going. I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.

My favorite dialogue in the movie: You don’t watch Star Wars for the dialogue, but a few stand out, beyond “May The Force be with you.”

Dopey and earnest: “I’m Luke Skywalker. I’m here to rescue you.”

Glib and cocky: “Into the garbage chute, flyboy!”

Underplayed: “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

Key things you should look for when you watch this movie:

In preparing to write this, I started looking through an early draft, dated July 1974. It’s hard to see how it became the movie we know, considering how different it is. Consider just the description of Luke Skywalker:

It is General Luke Skywalker, Commander of the Townowi Star Force. He is a large man, apparently in his early forties, but actually much older. Everyone senses the aura of power that radiates from this great warrior. Here is a leader: A Dai general. He looks weary, but is still a magnificent looking warrior. His face, cracked and weathered by exotic climates, is set off by a close silver beard, and dark penetrating eyes.

In fact, practically everything is different. Even lightsabers are called “lazerswords.” The Jedi are “Dai Nogas.” The Empire is “The Legions of Lettow.” But there is a Darth Vader (described only as “a tall, grim looking general”), Jawas, Han Solo and other identifiable elements. I’d be curious to know how many drafts it took Lucas to get to the production script.

I realize I’m not writing about the actual movie much, but I’m not sure what I could say that would enlighten anyone, especially a group of screenwriters, about Star Wars.

What I’ve realized on repeat viewings is how much the film, with all the effects and gee-whiz appeal, relies on the performances to overcome dialogue that is unquestionably clunky quite often. Just take a look at Alec Guinness working wonders with miles of exposition early in the film when explaining all the backstory to Luke.

But this film supports William Goldman’s axiom: Screenplays are structure. The structure here is perfect.

Thanks, Bretton! To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!

We already have a set of 80s Movies and 90s Movies. This month, we’re working on 70s Movies.

Thanks to all of you for your participation in this project, creating a resource for writers, movies we should all watch to help learn the craft of screenwriting!

Comment Archive