Star Wars (as it is commonly referred to and hereafter will be called) is a classic story of good vs. evil. The plot centers around an energetic Princess, Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), a young farm boy, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and a brash starpilot, Han Solo (Harrison Ford), who, accompanied by an old Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guiness), an eight-foot wookie, Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and two droids, R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), are drawn into a conflict between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire, represented by Grand Moff Tarkin (Peter Cushing) and Darth Vader (David Prowse, voiced by James Earl Jones). "It is a period of civil war," says the opening script. Princess Leia equips the droids with the plans of the Death Star, a moon-sized device with planet-destroying capabilities. She is captured by Vader and taken aboard the Death Star. The droids encounter Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, to whom they relay the message, who enlist the aid of Han Solo and Chewbacca to transport them to Alderaan, Leia's home planet. En route, Alderaan is destroyed by the Death Star, and the group is beamed aboard the station. After several struggles, Princess Leia is rescued, and Obi-Wan is killed in a confrontation with his old pupil, Darth Vader. The group then travels to Yavin-4, the secret location of the rebel base, where they are tracked and nearly destroyed by the Death Star, operated by Tarkin. However, the rebels discover a weakness in the battle station, exploit it in an epic fight (wherein Han Solo returns at a crucial moment, assuring his loyalty to the cause), and destroy the Death Star, scoring a major victory for the alliance. The heroes of the battle are honored at a ceremony; however, Vader escapes, and the Empire is still in control of the galaxy.
Star Wars debuted to record-breaking audiences and rave reviews, despite a limited budget requiring groundbreaking special effects. The movie's total cost was only $9.5 million dollars, in over-inflated 1970s currency. (1) It used new computer technology, including about 363 effects, compared to 35 for Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, to which it was frequently compared. Miniature spacecraft were created from "cannibalized . . . model kits and . . . parts from old tanks and World War II planes. (2) Discomfort was also encountered, especially in the hot Tunisian desert, where Anthony Daniel's C-3PO suit of "plastic, rubber, fiber glass, steel and aluminum," nearly caused him to expire as its softer parts began to melt. (3) Grotesque alien creatures were found from Uglies, Ltd., a London firm, who were made uglier by Makeup artist Stuart Freeborn. (4) Other innovations in all areas of production made Star Wars a highly imaginative film.
Star Wars enjoyed nearly universal acclaim for its story. Time magazine called it "a grand and glorious film that may well be the smash hit of 1977, and certainly is the best movie of the year so far. . . . The only sadness . . . is that the film ends and cannot go on and on and on." (5) Newsweek calls it "pure sweet fun all the way . . . and Lucas makes fun a sparkling pop metaphor for the sheer joy of goodness." (6) The Saturday Review claimed "The era of the 'feel good' movie . . . is upon us-with Star Wars to offer lavish, glittering, and nostalgic confirmation thereof," (7) while The New Yorker saw that "there is something dazzling about a sci-fi film that manages to call upon the energies of both futurism and long-held faith. . . . It is exuberantly entertaining." (8) This praise continued into the Academy Awards where Star Wars was nominated for ten Oscars®, including Best Picture, and won six, though the Oscar® for best picture went to Woody Allen's Annie Hall. Today, the movie is ranked on the Internet Movie Database as the #8 movie of all time (imdb.com).
The praise of audiences was seen as Star Wars became the top-grossing film of all time. Its premiers in a handful of theaters caused it to be regarded as a "phenomenon." (9) By the end of the year, it had grossed nearly $200 million, surpassing 1975's blockbuster record, Jaws, and had begun to enjoy similar results abroad. (10) Even today, when totals from 1997's Special Edition are included, it ranks behind Titanic as the second-highest grossing film of all time with $431 million. Its sequels and prequel, The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), and The Phantom Menace (1999) are also included among the top eleven grossing movies to date. In addition, Star Wars spawned a new era in merchandising, outdoing ticket sales with the promotion of various movie paraphernalia. Star Wars' praise among audiences and critics has been nearly universal as the movie has enjoyed great publicity in the nearly quarter-century since its release in 1977.
Current or recent issues at the time that Star Wars was developed included the Cold War with the perceived communist threat, the Viet Nam War and student protests and rebellion, an economic malaise, with widespread inflation, political corruption in high office, as evidenced by the Watergate scandal, and the civil rights and women's rights movements. (11) All of these issues find their place in Star Wars. The Cold War is seen as the valiant rebel forces fight against an evil galactic empire, which seeks to enforce a totalitarian regime. The conflict also symbolizes the Viet Nam War, with the double symbolism of the United States vs. Communism, and the student rebellion fighting U.S. policies. Economic conditions in Star Wars are less than ideal, as characters wistfully remember "a more civilized time . . . in the Old Republic. Before the dark times. Before the Empire." (12) Corruption is also seen among the leaders of the Empire, who dissolve the last vestiges of the Old Republic, holding their power through fear. The Civil rights and women's rights movements are associated with good, as the Rebels employ a variety of different creatures in their resistance against the Empire, and include Leia as a prominent, capable, female leader. The Empire, on the other hand, uses only humans, often seen in storm trooper suits, exact replicas of each other. Each of these issues will be analyzed in greater detail.
The origins of the Cold War and the Viet Nam War were "in the Truman Doctrine and its goal of containing communism." Viet Nam was seen as "a barrier to the spread of communism throughout the region and perhaps the world. (13) Such ideas were based on "America's responsibility to preserve the 'free world' from godless, immoral communism." (14) In 1983, in what may have been a distinct reference to Star Wars, Ronald Reagan referred to the Soviet Union as "'an evil empire . . . the focus of evil in the modern world.'" His Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) itself was quickly dubbed "Star Wars." (15) The portrayal of the Soviet Union as an "evil empire," a totalitarian regime with little or no concern for human life, is portrayed directly in Star Wars. At one point, Tarkin boasts that "Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station." The main opponent of the Empire is the Rebel alliance, which seeks to "restore freedom to the galaxy," in a definite parallel to American standards and values. The Jedi, now nearly extinct, were "the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic." The conflict between the forces of good and evil are played up as each centralizes its power, the Empire through the Death Star, and the Rebel Alliance becoming "well equipped. They're more dangerous than you realize," as Commander Tagge explains in a conference on the Death Star.
Conflict is also seen as symbolic of student protests of the 1960s. "Parallel wars were now being fought, one between two systems of government in Vietnam, another between the American government and masses of its citizens." (16) Young people on college campuses protested the war in Viet Nam, especially as they became eligible for the draft. It can be inferred that a similar agenda is reflected in the world of Star Wars. Most of the soldiers and actors are young people. Carrie Fisher was twenty years old when Star Wars was released, Mark Hamill was twenty-five. Luke Skywalker epitomizes the idealistic notions of the young people of this era, as he seeks to leave his surroundings and leave his home planet and "become a Jedi like my father." Leia underscores the attitude of rebellion toward authority of the time, as she taunts her captors with statements like "Lord Vader. I should have known. Only you could be so bold," and "Governor Tarkin, I should have expected to find you holding Vader's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board."
The 1970s in America brought a time of "skyrocketing prices, rising unemployment, and low economic growth," collectively termed "stagflation." (17) The world of Star Wars experienced a similar period of economic malaise, as characters remembered better times before the current regime had taken power. Luke's farmer uncle appears to have experienced several consecutive years of poor crops, resulting in Luke's remaining on Tatooine when he would like to study at the Academy. It's "only one more season," says Owen Lars, hopefully, "This year we'll make enough on the harvest so I'll be able to hire some more hands. And then you can go to the Academy next year." As mentioned, Obi-Wan Kenobi refers to the Old Republic as a "more civilized time." This idea is further highlighted with Star Wars' total production cost-a fraction of the cost used to produce The Phantom Menace.
In order to insure his reelection, President Richard M. Nixon engaged in "assorted 'dirty tricks.'" As a result of the break-in of the Watergate hotel, Nixon, facing certain impeachment, was forced to resign on August 9, 1974. (18) Leaders, such as Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader, as well as the yet unseen Emperor exemplify political corruption in high office. It's interesting to note the scenery and costuming associated with these characters. The Death Star and Imperial spacecraft are composed almost entirely of metallic white and black components, as contrasted with the natural features of Tatooine and Yavin-4, associated with the rebels and the colors on rebel uniforms and craft. Imperial Storm Troopers are dressed in black and white uniforms, without indication of their humanity. Darth Vader himself is entirely dressed in black. Moff Tarkin and other leaders are dressed in green military uniforms, which harken back to Nazi uniforms of World War II, as does the use of the name, "storm troopers" as foot soldiers. The evil corruption of these leaders is especially evident when Tarkin threatens and then orders the destruction of Leia's home planet of Alderaan. Such filmmaking techniques may point out Lucas' views of presidential scandal and corruption. (19)
The women's liberation movement saw its strongest force during the 1960s and 1970s, as former women activists "resented the sexist attitudes and behaviors of their fellow male activists." (20) This movement is personified in the character of Princess Leia Organa. She was a young member of the Imperial Senate, and a leader. Although she has to be rescued, she still portrays much knowledge and skill. Her abilities as a leader are impressive, she has means to carry out her mission ("You needn't worry about your reward"), and she displays an ability to ignore emotion and take stock of pressing situations ("We don't have time for our sorrows, commander"). This portrayal of Leia indicates Lucas' general support for the tenets of the Women's Rights movement.
"The mass movement for civil rights was arguably the most important domestic event of the twentieth century. . . . By the early 1960s this community-based movement had placed civil rights at the very center of national political life." (21) From the 1950s through the 1970s, leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X sought to obtain increased rights for African-Americans. Other leaders fought for the rights of other minorities such as Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans and Asian-Americans. In Star Wars, an acceptance for all kinds of different creatures is endorsed. This can be seen as paralleling the different minorities in America. Although one center of interplanetary mixture is referred to as a "wretched hive of scum and villainy," various species are accepted in the Rebel Alliance. Chewbacca, a Wookie resembling a "big walking carpet" is a skilled co-pilot. Droids R2-D2 and C-3PO serve useful roles throughout the movie. This pattern becomes even more apparent in the sequels as characters such as Yoda, Admiral Ackbar, and Nien Nunb take on prominent, respected roles. By contrast, non-humans are never seen among the Imperial forces. In this manner, George Lucas effectively symbolizes and approves of the Civil Rights movement.
Star Wars was indeed a product of its time. Incorporated in the film are nearly all of the major trends and social issues of the period in which it was made. These include the Viet Nam War as an idealistic fight against communism, the student protests as civil disobedience to public leaders, high office scandals and corruption, economic turbulence of the age, and the women's and civil rights movements. As a result, besides being a well-crafted picture and a phenomenal blockbuster, Star Wars is also a remarkable commentary on its society.
"A Star is Born," Newsweek, June 13, 1977 (89:24), 81.
Crist, Judith, "'Feel Good' Film," Saturday Review, July 9, 1977 (4:20), 40.
Faragher, John Mack, Mari Jo Buhle, Daniel Czitrom, and Susan H. Armitage, Out of Many: A History of the American People Volume II: Since 1865, Prentice Hall: New Jersey, 2000.
Gilliat, Penelope, "Current Cinema: Galaxy Crisis," The New Yorker June 13, 1977 (53:17), 69-70.
Kroll, Jack, "Fun in Space," Newsweek, May 30, 1977 (89:22) 60-61.
Lucas, George, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Twentieth Century Fox, 1977.
Lucas, George, Star Wars-Fourth Draft-Public Version,
"Second Strike," Time, January 2, 1978 (111:1), 72.
"Star Wars: The Year's Best Movie," Time, May 30, 1977 (109:22), 54-62.
1. "Star Wars: The Year's Best Movie," Time, May 30, 1977 (109:22), 61.
2. Ibid., 61.
3. Ibid., 58.
4. Ibid., 58.
5. Ibid., 54, 62.
6. Kroll, Jack, "Fun in Space," Newsweek, May 30, 1977 (89:22) 60-61.
7. Crist, Judith, "'Feel Good' Film," Saturday Review, July 9, 1977 (4:20), 40.
8. Gilliat, Penelope, "Current Cinema: Galaxy Crisis," The New Yorker June 13, 1977 (53:17), 69-70.
9. "A Star is Born," Newsweek, June 13, 1977 (89:24), 81.
10. "Second Strike," Time, January 2, 1978 (111:1), 72.
11. Faragher, John Mack, Mari Jo Buhle, Daniel Czitrom, and Susan H. Armitage, Out of Many: A History of the American People Volume II: Since 1865, Prentice Hall: New Jersey, 2000, 878-912.
12. Lucas, George, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Twentieth Century Fox, 1977. All Star Wars quotes are taken from the transcript at Lucas, George, Star Wars-Fourth Draft-Public Version,
13. Farragher, 881.
14. Ibid., 834.
15. Ibid., 953.
16. Ibid., 887.
17. Ibid., 916.
18. Ibid., 907-910.
19. It's interesting to note that in The Phantom Menace, two of the bad guys are named Nute Gunray, and Lott Dodd, references to United States government leaders of the 1980s and 1990s Newt Gingrich, Ronald Reagan, Trent Lott, and Christopher Dodd, thus perhaps indicating a continued distaste for government actions since the Nixon era.
20. Farragher, 898-899.
21. Ibid., 875-876.
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