First time watching STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE

[@ShaneLochlannBlack]

Something needs to be pointed out here: That hyperspace effect? The one from 47 years ago? Still leaves people speechless. That is all.

[@DC_Prox]

For some reason, it seems like the last month or so has seen a sudden increase in the number of reaction channels starting the Star Wars saga, so it's super fun that one of my favourite channels is on board. To quote Obi-Wan, "you've taken your first step into a larger world".

[@yourlifeisagreatstory]

I’ve noticed that once one of the top reactors watches a movie, others will start to watch them as well. I watch about 5 channels and like to see the difference in reactions but some of these smaller channels are just “over reaction” channels.

[@Anson_AKB]

@@yourlifeisagreatstory the same applies to lots of other (non-movie) reaction channels. when one of them finds something new to react to, many more will react to exactly the same original video (not only the same type of videos) and thus i mostly watch at most two of them. exceptions are really good movies that i enjoy rewatching over and over anyway, and even more so when someone sees them for the first time, since that is the second best besides watching it myself for the first time (too bad that i can't watch a movie more than once myself 'for the first time' :-)

[@jeffburnham6611]

And most say they have no idea what to expect, and know nothing of the film, but go on to explain things. Star Wars has had a much bigger impact then they realized.

[@KthulhuXxx]

@@yourlifeisagreatstoryIn fairness, some of the bigger reaction channels are also "over-reaction" channels.

[@CristyReacts]

I don’t ever mean to “overreact” on purpose - that’s just how I react to events in real life too. That’s actually why I decided to start this channel, because of how animated I am when I get invested in a story. You should see me when I’m hearing hot gossip 😆

[@michaelschroeck2254]

When this came out in 1977 it was a phenomenon of historic proportions.

[@jeffb407]

It was just called 'Star Wars' back in 1977. SW was updated in '97 with new effects.

[@patmurray9730]

Star Wars was supposed to be a stand alone project but George Lucas had an outline for more. When it was released it was just Star Wars. When Empire Strikes Back was released , it was the first time an episode was numbered, #V. So the New Hope was created.

[@allanalogmusicat78rpm]

That's true, but apparently late in its initial theater run, which lasted about a year, they created a new title crawl, with the Episode 4 added. All home video and cable TV releases had the Episode 4, also.

[@MLJ7956]

It wasn't just new effects in 1997 but George Lucas also added in several short deleted sequences from the original film back into it as well.

[@DigitalJediMaster]

The episode name and chapter were, in fact, added for the 1981 re-release. But George said he wanted it initially and they didn't use it to avoid confusion.

[@callmeshaggy5166]

Episode 4 was added to the title back when Empire came out. Lucas had his prequel vision all the way back then.

[@DanielTate-wt9jt]

When Lukes on his home world (Tatooine) looking at the horizon, those arent two moons. They are two suns. It's a double sunset.

[@anthonyyoutubefan7567]

Binary Sunset.

[@mikejankowski6321]

I refer to it as the "Luke Skywalker Moment" when he was obviously contemplating his destiny. A brief pause to let everything sink in and simmer while we appreciate visual beauty. In Star Trek (2009), James Kirk has his own "Luke Skywalker Moment" staring at the Enterprise, giving all the same vibes.

[@derekstein6193]

Too bad Tatooine was so arid. If it had more moisture in its atmosphere, it could experience a quadruple rainbow.

[@jaknazryth2488]

How is it that every man, woman, and child (including me as a 9 year old child) first seeing this movie in 1977 immediately recognized that it was a binary sunset, yet sooooo many who watch this for the first time today think they are seeing two moons? Christy is not the first new watcher to think these are moons. Most new watchers make the same mistake. Maybe it's because we watched it on the big screen, and the cinematography and lighting filled the theater with the soft warm glow of a glorious sunset combined with the crescendo of emotional yearning, ... the brilliance of John Williams score... but new reactors are watching it on a little monitor? Who knows... but it happens a lot.

[@mikejankowski6321]

@@jaknazryth2488 Yeah, that!

[@thewheatharvester9156]

R2 is short for R2-D2 Chewie is short for Chewbacca Threepio is short for C-3PO And Luke is short for a Stormtrooper! 😂

[@jumpman83]

😆😅😂🤣

[@CigarMick]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 You win the internet this month.

[@Endgame_01]

R2-D2 was played by Kenny Baker, who was a little person actor. So actually both droids were played by actual people

[@brucechmiel7964]

There where multiple Artoo’s built. Kenneth was stuck in a puppet. While another was radio controlled. Funny thing though sand has a nasty habit of interfering with radio waves. So one day Artoo wondered off on his own and was found on the Jerusalem set when they were filming Jesus of Nazareth.

[@affalaffaa]

@@brucechmiel7964I loved Ceethreepeeoh and Artoo Deetoo as well. Epic Lucus child talk in the buffed versions to really hammer home his point...

[@seanmalloy0528]

​@@brucechmiel7964so the sand was corse, rough, and it got everywhere

[@mevb]

​@brucechmiel7964 And it got into R2's gears so he got stuck more than once. It was si bad that they had to reshoot a lot R2's scenes in Death Valley during post-production.

[@lazyperfectionist1]

19:47 "Mos Eisley spaceport. You will _never_ find a more _wretched_ hive of _scum_ and _villainy."_ Until the _Internet_ comes along.

[@joepangia4413]

I went to the cinema to watch this 11 times back in 1977 at the age of nine! Saturday and Sunday Matinees at the time would run you $1.50 kids would go back every weekend to watch it again with a different friend and we’d always sneak in some candy bars and a drink from a nearby CVS. With No internet, no cell phones, no gaming consuls and no Cable TV this was the most exciting thing to have ever impacted our little lives :)

[@bryanrhenderson6510]

I was 12, I remember talking my mom into dropping me off at the theater to see it. I came out feeling like I had the force 🤣😂🤣

[@kimwatchesstuff]

I was 8 years old and I made my dad take us seven or eight times.

[@joepangia4413]

Those were the days!

[@cejohnson32]

Dude!! This was and is still a masterpiece. I saw this back in 77 at least 9 times myself with my Dad. I love how this generation is experiencing this classic now.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Yup, same, although age 11 for me. Saw it 20 times in the first two weeks, and a total of 30 times that summer. In September, I entered the 6th grade a changed young man.

[@johngelnaw1243]

The movie itself is remarkable, but in 1977, it was unlike anything we had seen before. Sitting in the theater (with a brand new sound system) in 1977, watching the Star Destroyer slowly consume the screen is one of my most vivid memories. The entire audience gasped. The special effects were groundbreaking. They used lots of models, blue screen, and I believe, the first motion capture rigs. And-- No, the theater release didn't say "Episode IV - A New Hope"-- that was added a bit later.

[@jaknazryth2488]

I saw this as a 9 year old in 1977. My dad was really old fashioned, we grew up on a farm in nowhere America, and he refused to take us to see this movie. I had to listen to all my friends tell me how fantastic this movie was... all summer long. I watched the local AND national news. People would see this movie many, many times in a row. I saw a kid from California on the National News... (ABC I think) brag that he had seen it 27 times. I'm not joking about this... in my small town there was one Movie house with 2 theaters inside. In one theater they show all other movies during that summer... in the other they showed Star Wars... and only Star Wars on constant rotation. For the first month the line was so long that it wrapped around the entire building, back past the entry door, out to the highway, then up the highway at least 100 yards. I saw this line multiple times. My dad would drive us by on our way to church and make fun of all the kids standing in line. On the weekends, High School and college kids would get in line on a Friday night, slowly make their way, camping at night, to finally see the movie on Sunday. Yes... that's right. During the first few weeks, kids would wait in line for 2 days just to see the movie! Finally in late September my older cousin, who had just turned 16 and go her drivers license, took my sister an I to see the movie. Needless to say.. I was blown away. Star Wars changed EVERYTHING in the movie industry. It still stands on its own all these years later. Just imagine.. in a few short years this film will be 50 years old!

[@poeleabois]

Did your father ever get to see the movies ?

[@jaknazryth2488]

@@poeleabois Eventually yes. I think he drove us to the drive in theater in 1979 when Lucas re-released it... this is when it became "Episode 4, Star Wars - A New Hope"... to proceed the release of Episode 5, Empire Strikes back a few months later. And in the 80's he watched it from time to time when it was on cable. But... he never really liked it. He was more of a Roy Rogers and John Wayne western movie kind of a guy. lol

[@blakewalker84120]

28:22 "Oh? Like what? Should we just walk into the Death Star?" One does not simply _walk_ into the Death Star.

[@Misantroph0]

And throw the one ring into the exhaust port.

[@BTAColorado]

Props to the editing for throwing Rosie in there as the Robot!

[@mattfinleylive]

-Same!

[@Tarlkov]

You hit that nail on the head, Cristy. Obi-wan became one with the force.. a 'force ghost' .

[@peterkoester7358]

Lucas had an overall story plan in mind when he first approached the studios to make Star Wars in the mid-70's. But his overall plan was financially and technically infeasible to produce at the time, so he broke up the story into three basic 'acts' and decided the beginning of the second act was the most interesting place to start the story in terms of audience interest, and that if the movie(s) proved successful he could always go back and film the earlier act. It took 16 years after the first trilogy was completed for technology to advance far enough to feasibly film what would become the prequel trilogy without wiping out his entire fortune.

[@hansachter5657]

In the cell block when Han gets on the microphone, he didn't have lines for it so it was just ad libbed which is why he sounds so ridiculous lol but it's so genuine and realistic

[@Isaac-vl3bf]

Really enjoyed your reaction can’t wait for us to see the next one!

[@alexspindler1]

Bar none my absolute favorite first time reaction to Star Wars! You're a gem! You're like all of us were when we first saw this. Even without the revamped special effects in the 90s, it was mind blowing and a perfect combo of design and execution. Tons of creativity in every nook and cranny. I CAN'T WAIT to see you react to the rest! : )

[@Paul_1971]

This is one of the best reactions i've seen to Star Wars, enthusiastic, thoughtful, insightful and genuinely invested, making sensible & intelligent comments throughout.

[@CristyReacts]

Oh why thanks! This made my day!

[@hopduncan7905]

I love watching peoples reactions to seeing crispy Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru because it's just so unexpected to see something that grizly in these films it's kinda out of place. Your reaction was one of the best 😂

[@eqgilethan]

Carrie Fisher had trouble when filming the scenes with Leia and Grand Moff Tarkin. She found Peter Cushing so charming and likeable she had a difficult time acting angry with him.

[@brucechmiel7964]

He wore bedroom slippers and smelt like lavender.

[@hansachter5657]

Love this 😂

[@DigitalJediMaster]

​@@brucechmiel7964- Conversely, Greedo was wearing high heels.

[@stalefurset9444]

She also wasn't allowed to wear a bra because George Lucas said there was no bras in space.

[@jamesbrown4092]

There's a blooper where Peter Cushing flubs his line about asking for the last time, so he ad-libs by grabbing Carrie by the shoulders and saying, "Tell me! I want to know!", and Carrie totally cracks up.

[@wiseoldman53]

I was seven years old when this first came out in the theaters, and it may sound cliché, but it truly does feel like just yesterday sometimes. I remember it vividly, standing in line with my parents, only two screens in the cinema back then. And, while anxiously awaiting to be let into the theater, I was staring at the movie poster in the lobby with that iconic artwork. It is one of my truly favorite memories from childhood. Great reaction, Cristy!

[@eqgilethan]

I was 6, going on 7 later that year when my older brother took me to see Star Wars. I still have memories of the 3 times we went to see it. He is also a Tolkien fan, so many years later when he was visiting from out of town, it felt good to take him to see LOTR, Fellowship of the Ring for the first time.

[@wiseoldman53]

​@@eqgilethanThose are great memories to have.

[@danielberg7644]

I was eight. We had to wait in a long line too. My dad insisted on getting popcorn and beverages before we found our seats.. We missed the first 15 minutes of the movie. For years I thought the movie began in the desert as we only saw it once.

[@wiseoldman53]

​@danielberg7644 Oh, yikes. Hopefully, you still enjoyed it then. It sounds like you did.

[@danielberg7644]

@@wiseoldman53 oh, I did. My Dad loved it too. Right after the movie we went to a record store at a mall and my dad bought the soundtrack. At least that's how I remember it. My Dad never bought anything on impulse so that's why it stuck in my memory.

[@KamramBehzad]

I'm 58. I've been watching Star Wars since I was 13. For me the most adorable and respectful character in all 9 episodes is ... Chewie. Who else.

[@MrAquinas1]

The guys at the bar were cool looking, much like my neighborhood bar, but less ugly.

[@raiderlove5923]

I'm 49, having watched the Star Wars movies for years and I have to agree with you.

[@raiderlove5923]

I'm 49, having watched the Star Wars movies for years and I have to agree with you.

[@raiderlove5923]

I'm 49, having watched the Star Wars movies for years and I have to agree with you.

[@raiderlove5923]

I'm 49, having watched the Star Wars movies for years and I have to agree with you.

[@jonathanstewart351]

When Star Wars came out it was the one you are watching today. It was just called Star Wars and was followed by The Empire Strikes Back and then Return of the Jedi. What are now the first three films came years later and the original Star Wars renamed A New Hope. Then, more recently, the final trilogy was released, the last three movies in the series. Here they are in their original release order by date: “Star Wars” (1977) “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) “Return of the Jedi” (1983) “The Phantom Menace” (1999) “Attack of the Clones” (2002) “Revenge of the Sith” (2005) “The Force Awakens” (2015) “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016) “The Last Jedi” (2017) “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (2018) “The Rise of Skywalker” (2019)

[@harveybojangle475]

The Guardians of the Galaxy comic came out in 1969. Star Wars came later, but was not based on any of those characters. One of the (many) unfortunate aspects of having CGI added to this film is that it pulls focus from the visual achievements of 1977. Many of the effects that you might think are CGI were actually created 47 years ago.

[@parissimons6385]

So many practical effects were massive, immersive, and hugely impressive on the cinema screen in 1977, blowing my mind when I saw it the first time, and the second, and third on its first release... What became Industrial Light and Magic, the effects department, set a completely new standard!

[@Endgame_01]

I get what George Lucas was trying to do. He felt he was making improvements without realizing the authenticity that he was sacrificing

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

The real problem for me was that they removed all of the original version so that you cannot buy it anymore.

[@jeffburnham6611]

​@@parissimons6385and special cameras and techniques were created for the film. Two of George Lucss film classmates at the time, Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola, were blown away by the effects. Both of them, and many other directors, would rely heavily on ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) for their Special Effects in their films.

[@TrueKoalaKnight]

I'm pretty sure she was referring to the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, which is of course influenced by Star Wars whether they intended it or not.

[@Fuzz32]

(Just to show how much of a nerd I am) The band playing at the bar is called the Modal Nodes. The members are Tech Mor, Tedn D’hai, Figrin D’an, Nalan Cheel, and Doikk Nats. And their instruments are the Omni Box, the Fanfar, the Kloo Horn, the Bandfill, and the Fizz (aka the Doremian Beshniquel). And they are Bith. Thank you. 😊

[@princeofpcos9804]

Hard to get the breathing on the Kloo Horn right.

[@Fuzz32]

@@princeofpcos9804 and that’s why mostly only Bith play them. 😊

[@wolfythedev]

I still can't get over the fact that George Lucas decided to call the genre of music playing in the bar "Jizz Wailing"

[@krjames203]

You really hit the bullseye with one of your first comments - that the story was a “serious” adventure, but also had a thread of humor running through it. When the movie first came out (which is when I saw it), *everyone* picked up on that - that it was an exciting story with a light touch. Your other comments, about the chemistry and relationships between the characters, as well as the way the different characters “come together” over the course of the story, were also spot on. I really like how you got right to the heart of the matter about how and why the story works.

[@jughead4845]

Great reaction! One of the best. But more importantly, great editing! This is the best editing I've seen of this movie. You included all the important parts and left out what wasn't needed. Like watching a condensed version of the movie. Great job. Looking forward to my favourite movie.

[@CristyReacts]

Thank you!! I’m excited to continue the journey🤩🤩🤩🤩 I didn’t expect to like it this much!

[@erikbailey2525]

Good call on recognizing that Obi-Wan joined the Force! And with him being your favourite character, I think you'll REALLY enjoy episodes 1-3! As for these original movies, these were the biggest movies from my childhood, so it's really great to see new people coming in with almost no context and enjoying it like we did in the 70s and 80s!

[@Cm42TV]

Been looking for someone new to watch for the whole "first time watching" of Star Wars and couldn't find one who is genuinely curious about the journey - until you! Looking forward to watching along with you. :)

[@kennethdavis3736]

George Lucas always wanted to label the original Star Wars film as "Episode IV: A New Hope" because the Star Wars saga was an homage to his beloved Sci-Fi / Fantasy Serial Short movies that used to run before feature films in the cinema but 20th Century Fox refused because it would "confuse everybody". After the unprecedented success of Star Wars, on April 10, 1981, roughly a year after The Empire Strikes Back was released in theaters, 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm re-released the original Star Wars film to theaters this time labeling it as "Episode IV: A New Hope". So George got his way... Eventually.

[@SapSapient]

It's hard to understand how influential this movie was. So much of what we've come to expect from blockbuster, maybe didn't start with Star Wars exactly, but became expected with Star Wars. I remember seeing this as a six year old. We went back to see it again a few days later, which was something my family just didn't do.

[@Perktube1]

I remember. I got to see Star Wars at the town's drive in theater. Friday and Saturday. I was blown away. I dont know who i was with the first time. Second time was with my next door neighbor. My mom wouldn't let me see it Sunday. I cried like a baby, and I didn't know why. By the time i was seventeen, i had a copy of it on video disc. I watched it all i wanted.😊

[@tektoniks_architects]

I was a thirteen year old sci Fi and comic book nut when this film came out in 1977...I was the target audience. There is no way to describe how cool it was to be there at that time and see something no one ever saw anything like before.

[@neospock5034]

I saw it at the Chinese theater in Hollywood... yeah it was unlike any other moviegoing experience!

[@robertembury6094]

We lived at the Twin drive in that summer.Ten car caravans,some in the trunk🙂

[@davidbourhenne8540]

In 1977 it was just Star Wars. It was re-released in 1980 just before Empire Strikes Back and had the episode IV added since Empire was episode V. Being six years old in 1977, this was the start of my nerd-dom. Sci-fi, horror and superheroes. My life in three words.

[@ckrowne]

Originally when released in 77, it was just “Star Wars” - but even then, Lucas knew there was way more story to tell. Upon subsequent rereleases throughout the late 70’s and early 80’s (they would often bring back big blockbusters, like star wars, into theaters for “limited engagements”) they added “Episode IV: A New Hope”. So while it wasn’t in there for the initial 77 premiere, it definitely ended up in prints for rereleases as well as the VHS tapes that were released mid-80’s. In 1997, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Star Wars, all three OG movies were rereleased back into theaters with upgraded sound and added CGI characters / explosions. However, it’s safe to say that the majority of the amazing FX in this movie, from the enormous Star destroyer flying overhead in the beginning, to the space battles between the various ships and flying through the death star are all ORIGINAL FX and are just as impressive today as they were when everyone first experienced them.

[@ckrowne]

Not in the original theatrical release. It would play out as follows: - 20th Century Fox Logo - Green Lucasfilm card (non animated logo) - Blue font “A long time ago…etc” - STAR WARS - Crawl just begins with “It is a period of civil war…”

[@MLJ7956]

Also several short deleted sequences from the original 1977 film were added back into the 1997 upgraded re-release...

[@AlaskanGlitch]

@@willwilliamson9580 : Yes, "Episode IV" has always been part of the text. I was at the opening premiere of Star Wars at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in 1977.

[@D.D.-ud9zt]

I saw it first on VHS very early when VHS came out. A friend told me about the 4 which I hadn't really noticed and he insisted Lucas was going to make more. I told him it was bs. I remember him saying about Vader getting cut up by Obiwon on a lava planet and they were going to show that. No internet back then so we argued a bit about it, and then we agreed to wait and see. Besides episode 1 not being up to snuff I had about 15 years of anticipation so you can imagine my reaction on seeing it (not good). A lot of people my age and even a bit older seemed to be into it, but it felt a bit forced as they were excusing the bad and mentioning some good scenes. I saw it a second time in theaters thinking I had missed something but it was still the same feeling. I never saw ROTS in theaters feeling a bit burned, I think I saw it on tv at some point. Still flawed, but much better.

[@jwolfeshelton4360]

Ok let's not be too hard on her, this movie was still groundbreaking for 1977! Even without a few extra critters running around.

[@CigarMick]

I watched this in the theater when it first came out. I was 10 years old. I remember my Dad took me to see it I was in awe at what I was seeing. I have been a dedicated Star Wars fan every since. Going to this movie in the theatre is one of the best memories I have with my Dad. I wish that version was still available so you could see it as we saw it the first time. The kicker is that a lot of the special effects you see in movies today can be traced back this this movie being created. Mr. Lucas had to invent most of the special effects and his companies are still in the business today. Skywalker Sound and Industrial Light and Magic.

[@CigarMick]

C-3PO and R2-D2 are like an old married couple. They bicker constant but in the end they are there for each other. 3PO is like the old lady and R2 is like the old man.

[@Lethgar_Smith]

Of all the people I've seen react to this movie, yours is the most like the way people reacted to it in 1977. I sat in the theater throughout most of that summer and watched this movie at least 12 times with 12 different audiences, most who whom were seeing it for the first time. Your reaction, the comments you were making, they way you interpreted certain scenes, the way you responded to the characters, the way you understood the humor, it was all exactly like I remember people reacting to this in the theater in 1977. Awesome!

[@bobbuethe1477]

In the theater in 1977, practically the whole audience stood up and cheered when Han came back.

[@ThrashyThrash]

I've seen this movie dozens of times over the years and I still cheer a little bit each time Han returns. It's one of my favorite movie moments of all time.

[@Jmyth44]

One of the things that made Star Wars so popular back in the day was that people wanted to talk about every aspect of the movie. What was the force like? How do you access it? Do you have to be born with it in order to have it developed . and the ensemble cast is pretty cool and then Han acting mercenary like he didn’t care about anything, but in the end he did . Everybody wanted to talk about Star Wars all the time just like you did after the movie. Wait till you see the next movie you’re gonna love it. You’re hooked now “May the force be with you”

[@JohnBullard]

Everyone is a little kid the first time they see it. Lucas was brilliant in using psychological archetypes from the the hero's journey motif. That's one reason it hits deep. Its based on Kurosawa 's THE HIDDEN FORTRESS, which is a fine film. I saw this in the theater when it came out. I was 17, and I wish I could have seen it through younger eyes. Little kids just love it.

[@Caseytify]

In truth Lucas lifted the story from Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress. The whole "Episode" business came later. I had just graduated high school when this came out. Before this all we had were a few B&W classic SF movies like Forbidden Planet (based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, a bunch of grade B sci fi movies, Star Trek (the original TV show) and Kubrick's 2001 from 1968. Star Wars used many of the same FX people as Kubrick. It was a real game changer. The cinematographer deserves a lot of credit, as does Lucas' then current wife as editor. That's not to mention John Williams' magnificent soundtrack. Originally what Lucas wanted to do was recreate the Saturday afternoon matinee serials shown before the main movie. Supposedly they based the fighter movement on WW2 maneuvers, except that there's no air in space, thus no banking, etc. One nice bit is that Han came out of the sun in the final scene, which _was_ a tactic used in real aerial combat. Lucas upset a lot of the original fans when he "improved" the trilogy. As mentioned, the first movie was just Star Wars, no "Episode" in the title. Jabba wasn't in the original at all. We didn't see him until Empire Strikes Back the first time around. It's almost impossible to find decent copies of the original theatrical releases, but a large group of fans crowdsourced "unenhanced" copies. I think there's even 4k versions available these days.

[@Janusmannen]

Darth Vader = Often referred to as ”the most beloved villain in movie history”. 👍🏼

[@onepcwhiz6847]

I was 10 when l saw Star Wars in the theater in 77. So amazing!

[@6LVRDRGN]

“You’ve just taken your first step into a larger world.”

[@MisterItchy]

Love this comment!

[@Irka87]

Yes, more Star Wars! Since you started from episode 4, just continue on with 5, then 6, then episodes 1-3. Been a subscriber here since your MCU reactions! 😁

[@glenmartin7978]

Anthony Daniels is inside c-3po, Kenny Baker was inside r2-d2, Peter Mayhew was Chewbacca

[@SeedFactoryProject]

I got to surprise Anthony Daniels at a sci-fi/media convention some years back. We were both guests of the convention that year, and sitting in an area reserved for guests during the costume contest. I had snuck back-stage ahead of time by wearing my own costume, and photographed many of the contestants. The convention hotel had a photo processing shop (this was before smartphones), and I got the film developed and printed, then brought the photos to my seat. So I was able to show him photos of the costumes *before* they came on stage. By the way, very few people recognize Mr. Daniels, because you never see his face in the movies. I didn't either until I said hello and heard his voice, which I immediately recognized. That year I also got to meet George Takei (Sulu from Star Trek) and Stan Lee (Marvel). Stan Lee's personality in real life was exactly the same as in his MCU cameos. My real life job was working in the space industry. So my reason for being a guest was to give some talks about future space projects.

[@FuzzyMarineVet]

The reason Star Wars is so enduring is that Lucas combined two of the most classic story arcs in human literature. The three episodes IV through VI are the classic hero's journey following Luke into the completion of his life's mission. The six put together are the redemption arc of Luke's father, Aniken.

[@Dirkus17]

"I didn't actually know Darth Vader was a bad guy" Oh time, oh youth, oh innocence, why hast thou forsaken me?

[@SYLTales]

_A long time ago, in a movie theater about 50 miles away ..._ *THERE WAS NO EPISODE TITLE* The studio didn't think this film would make much money. Lucas was crossing his fingers that it didn't bomb. For all he knew, Lucas was making one standalone movie. "Episode IV" and "A New Hope" were added in later releases, to be in line with the numbering adopted with Episode V. I first saw _Star Wars_ in 1977, at the Indian Hills Theater in Omaha, Nebraska, US (a city of about 1M). The Indian Hills was one of the last remaining Cinerama theaters in existence (it's long gone, now). Cinerama was an experimental widescreen format seen in the 1950s and 1960s. It had an extremely curved screen, such that films shot in Cinerama used _three cameras_ and _three projectors_ : one for the center of the screen and one for each side. Everything had to be constantly synchronized so that the film looked normal onscreen. If you see Cinerama films on DVD/Bluray/streaming today, it often looks distorted on the left and right. This is caused by converting a curved film to a flat screen. So there I was at the Indian Hills at the tender age of 12 -- the film's precise target demographic. The Indian Hills seated 810 patrons: 662 on the main floor and 148 in the balcony. It was completely packed, as was every screening of _Star Wars_ in every theater in the world, until the film left theaters. I'd gotten to the theater rather late, forcing me to sit in the center seat of row one. This turned out to be fantastically good bad luck. Today, the center of row one is a terrible seat due to parallax distortion. In a theater the size of the Indian Hills, that distortion didn't exist because the screen was far enough away from the seats. However, it was close enough so that it filled my field of view from top to bottom. The screen was large and curved enough so that it filled my field of view from periphery to periphery. _Star Wars_ was shot in CinemaScope, a more popular widescreen format that we still see today. While not technically the same as Cinerama, it still lent itself well to that screen. I watched _Star Wars_ with the film filling my entire field of view from top-to-bottom and side-to-side. I didn't have to turn my head to watch it unless I wanted to, and I usually didn't. It was an astonishingly immersive experience. Not even IMAX comes close. Add to that the massive audience reaction that shouldn't be overlooked. It was a shared experience that I've only seen at _Infinity War_ and _Endgame_ on their opening nights, when there were a lot of fans present. This audience reaction happened at every screening, in every theater, everywhere in the world, until _Star Wars_ left the screens. Imagine 810 people all cheering, clapping, jumping to their feet, and occasionally crying all at once. The shared experience was amazing, as it fed on itself. No one held back, it just kept growing and growing until the destruction of the Death Star -- which prompted massive roaring from the audience. The film itself was like nothing put to the screen at that time. While cinematically based on old _Flash Gordon_ and _Buck Rogers_ movie serials of the 1930s, this was a big-budget, big-screen version like nothing anyone had ever seen before. It completely changed science fiction on the movie screen. Until that time, you occasionally got a good science fiction film, but they tended to be years apart. After _Star Wars_ , there were multiple good science fiction movies every year, a trend that continues to this very day. There would be no modern _Star Trek_ without _Star Wars_ . _Star Wars_ was such a massive hit for 20th Century-Fox that Paramount quickly looked around and said, "Aha! We have this _Star Trek_ thing that Trekkies are always saying they want more of. Let's make it into a movie!" Thus _Star Trek - The Motion Picture_ was released in 1979. Without that, there would be no _Star Trek_ today. _Star Wars_ changed filmmaking from a business perspective. The film grabbed audiences like nothing seen in the entire history of cinema. While _Jaws_ was technically the first summer blockbuster, _Star Wars_ cemented summer as the time to release action-heavy, family-friendly films. The special effects of _Star Wars_ were utterly innovative, and the tools created by the likes of John Dykstra became commonplace in films that don't even have special effects. Almost all special effects in the Original Trilogy were achieved either in-camera, with optical effects, miniatures, extremely detailed paintings, or a combination of those techniques. CGI that allows an entire film to be shot on a green screen wasn't even a glimmer in anyone's eye. In 1977, the most advanced computers were the size of an SUV and didn't have the computing power of your phone. CGI as a primary filmmaking technique wasn't popularized until _Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow_ in 2004. By then, computing power/square centimeter had skyrocketed exponentially. The special effects spawned Industrial Light and Magic, a company created and owned by George Lucas. ILM is still in existence today, constantly innovating with new technologies to create visual effects for many, many films and TV series. From it's inception, ILM has been considered the gold standard of VFX companies. In short, this film was nothing like what had come before. It changed _everything about cinema_ . And I got to see it with an audience of 810, on a screen so immersive that I got nauseous during the Trench Run.

[@alschulz4737]

Next you'll tell us you aren't familiar with Indiana Jones! And you saw chemistry with Luke did you? 😮

[@tehawfulestface1337]

For the space battle scenes, very intricate and detailed models were created and filmed. To make them fly, it was the camera that moved. The models were static while the cameras moved on tracks. Filmed against a blue screen. To create the ‘lived in ‘ look, all the models were ‘distressed and weathered. Rust and oil stains were painted on. Metal panels were missing or unpainted. All the tricks that professional model makers do today. For the rebels and pirates, mercenaries, the weathering were heavy. Less so for the Imperials who had better maintained ships. The effect is subliminal and most people are not even aware, but it works to make things more believable. Those were two suns, appropriate for a harsh desert planet.

[@Greybeardmedic]

During some of the battle scenes in the trench on the Deathstar they filmed it using a pick up truck driving by the massively large model in a parking lot

[@tehawfulestface1337]

The explosions were actual explosions. Models of the spaceships were blown up. Fireballs, sparks and debris would be pulled down by gravity, their solution was genius. To create the illusion of the explosions taking place in zero gravity in space, they filmed the explosions from below. The camera pointing up so the debris would fly past the camera.

[@zmarko]

I was 6 when this came out and forced my family to let me see it 5 times in the theater. It was the greatest thing I had ever seen. I SO wish people seeing it for the first time these days could understand just how groundbreaking this film was. Not just with its special effects, but with the scope of the universe building. Simply epic. My best friend's parents had a 16mm movie projector and had a ~20 min trimmed down version of the film. I begged them to play it every time I was there. I'm in my 50s now, and have probably seen this film over 2000 times, and it never gets old, and I still get that feeling I felt seeing it as a 5 year old. Nostalgia is a hell of a drug.

[@DrewPicklesTheDark]

Star Wars release,, Pokemania, the Internet Golden Age, etc. are all "You had to be there" moments. I was not around for Star Wars, but I remember my mother and some of her friends telling me about the phenomenon. How the movie the movie theater line went down all of main street and stuff like that, and how the special effects were never scene before and such. I find in the past few years I have told stories of Pokemon in the 90s and the early internet to kids and realize I sound like my mother talking about Star Wars in 77 lol. It's fine, just kind of funny when I stop and realize it.

[@positivelynegative9149]

5:00 They're both men in costumes. Kenny Baker stood 3'8". 😃 12:30 Tatooine has 2 suns and 3 moons. 😃

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Kenny is only inside Artoo when he's erect.

[@Tiresias55]

Long comment below, skip if you wish: 8:52 The basic answer is by creating ground breaking techniques that utterly changed movie making forever. The entire reason why we have CGI today is thanks, in no small part, to Star wars. I was rather late to the party myself when it came to Star Wars, only seeing it for the first time in the year 2000, when the original trilogy was rereleased in a DVD box set. The box set, also included a fourth DVD containing hours of additional material, as well as interviews with the directors, producers, model designers, stunt co-ordinators, and actors who worked on the trilogy. It gives a break down of more or less every creative decision made at each point of the movie making process, describing how new techniques had to be created to put George Lucas' vision on the big screen. Computer science had to be updated and completely revolutionized to make this dream come true, and several ground-breaking ideas were put forth to change how things were done. One thing that isn't touched upon much is the amazing matte paintings produced by conceptual artist Ralph McQuarrie. Many of the backgrounds in the original 1977 version were not CGI but were instead McQuarrie's work, matte paintings he produced to bring the films to life. He was also asked by George Lucas to produce conceptual art to give the actors auditioning for parts a motive, a way to identify with the characters they were reading for. Actor Anthony Daniels personally credits Ralph with his getting involved with Star Wars, as when reading the part for C3PO, Daniels stated how he saw the conceptual art of the main characters over George's shoulder, and felt C3PO's face had such a vulnerable expression, that he felt compelled to help him. Years later when he once again met Ralph McQuarrie, he jokingly told him, this is all your fault. :) Likewise, another vital part of the movies is the gold standard sound design, produced by the legend Ben Burtt. Ben Burtt is responsible for creating the magnificent panaplee of sounds within the franchise, including the breathing of Darth Vader, the growls and grunts of Chewbacca, and the beeping language of R2D2. Burtt produced the sound of Vader's iconic breathing by placing a mini microphone within a regulator on a scuba diving tank. Darth Vader's breathing is in fact Burtt's. Likewise, he created Chewbacca's language by recording several large animals at zoos, including walrusses, bears lions, and tigers. He was then able to string together several different grunts and growls to give the Wookie commando a voice. R2D2 was creating by Burtt imaging the famous little robot as a toddler, and created an electronic synthesizer that had different beeps and boops coded to each key. Using this he was able to create R2's iconic beeping babble. With the amount of problems on set with costumes and set locations it's a miracle the movie ever made it to the big screen, but somehow, thanks to ingenuity of the creators and the hard work of so many people all together, not only was Star Wars A New Hope successful, but it completely changed how science fiction movies at that point were viewed by the public. If you can find the making of Star Wards documentary that goes over each movie, I would highly recommend giving it a watch once you've completed the original trilogy. I personally, found it to be a phasinating look at the creation process, and how they changed things forever. Also, I credit most if not all of the above nerd info to that making of documentary. ;)

[@timbothegreat7767]

As someone who has seen this over 1000 times, it blows my mind that there are people who have never seen it lol

[@kennyhogg5820]

My understanding is Lucas had the whole story drawn up, but realized he couldn't fit the whole thing into one movie, it would have to be done in parts. Since it was an original work and unknown there was no way to know if it would do well enough for the studio to green light other releases, so Lucas started at this point in the overall story in case it flopped or just did ok. When we saw it at the theater in 1977 it was just titled "Star Wars" and we all thought it was just a single movie, no "episode IV" or "New Hope". There wasn't even any hype so the studio had a pretty hard time getting it on screens. Within just a couple of weeks it was selling out where it was shown and it just blew up and was everywhere. Movie theaters now clawing to get it on their screen(s).

[@fredrickrodriguez8848]

Oh shit. Dipping your toe into Star Wars. I grew up watching these on TV. I finally got the trilogy on tape when i got older. Enjoy.

[@mckrackin5324]

The special effects company that was formed for these movies is Industrial Light and Magic. Most modern special effects have this movie to thank for their existence.

[@yourlifeisagreatstory]

I’m almost positive ILM helped out with the MCU movies. They even appear in the credits of many movies you wouldn’t think. It will be amazing to see what the future of movies will be with the evolution of StageCraft/The Volume set replacing the green screen.

[@Greybeardmedic]

He IS a CPAP machine. He is the very FIRST CPAP machine! Invented in the 70's

[@herbertkeithmiller]

Nice reaction It was fun to watch you become totally invested. You are now a Star Wars fan.

[@AndrewSmoot]

Pure talent, that's how they achieved that back in the 70s, also, they flipped the camera and the models upside down and ran the camera along the bottoms of the Tantive IV, the rebel ship, and the Devastator, the imperial ship/Star Destroyer. So, when they ran the film in the correct orientation for viewing, the ships entered the frame from the top of the screen.

[@AndrewSmoot]

Close enough, both a C-pap and Darth Vader's suit help the user breathe.

[@steveg5933]

Back in the 70's, no CGI, those were actual models built from scratch by enormously talented artists. Yes even the Death Star was a physical model. As for the droids, C3P0 & R2-D2, there were actors in both Anthony Daniels (C3P0) & Kenny Baker (R2-D2) The mock up of the Jawa's sand crawler nearly started a war- The desert scenes were filmed in Tunisia near the Libyan border. A giant tank like object made the Libyan government uneasy. Sadly the only way to watch the original versions of the trilogy is to have a copy of the VCR version (which I have) & and a VCR player (which I no longer have)

[@RaynorBear]

The original (with no episode name or number) is also available as a BONUS DISC in the 2007 DVD boxset of the movie.

[@steved1135]

Well... actually, there are digital version of the original releases... The 2006 Star Wars dvd limited edition set sneakily added the original, unaltered versions on the second discs, unadvertised. Also, there are digital versions floating around online...

[@isaackellogg3493]

Apparently it’s actually _illegal_ to stream the original, unaltered version, or so one reactor has claimed.

[@toddjones1480]

The Death Star plans were CGI back in 1977.

[@dsscam]

45:49 Luke and Leia are definitely a match made in heaven. It's as if they have been together since before birth.

[@HeatherDeweyPettet]

Hey, spoilers…

[@kevincaulder96]

I've seen these movies since they were originally released. Somehow, you've made watching them again special. I've decided to subscribe to your channel as you go on this journey. Chewbacca is my favorite character in this series, along with Darth Vader. I remember after leaving the theater after my first time seeing this on the big screen being absolutely mind blown. I had never seen anything like it before. The movies we had grown up with from the 195o's and 6o's were relegated to the past with the release of Star Wars. Keep going and enjoy

[@CristyReacts]

Thanks so much for joining me! I don't want to rush through this so I'll be posting Star Wars movies every 2 weeks! :) Empire coming April 11th!

[@kevincaulder96]

@@CristyReacts You're welcome

[@kevincaulder96]

By the way, I used to live on Ft. Lauderdale. Near US-1and Davie Blvd. I had to leave in 2o2o because of health reasons. Wish I was still there. I miss my trips to Tate's Comics.

[@andrewneese6484]

23:15, I got to say it, Han shot first. The scene was re-edited for later releases, but in the original only Han fired a shot.

[@brentleask3877]

I love how C-3PO calls Luke, "Sir Luke" when they first meet foreshadowing gim training to become a (Jedi) Knight.

[@Julini89]

Welcome to (in my humble opinion) the greatest entertainment franchise ever created. This franchise never fails to make me feel the excitement I felt when I as a kid was introduced to the galaxy far far away.

[@randyburrill2340]

The jump-to-light-speed reaction was epic. Worth every moment!

[@dax977]

I'm so glad you're now doing the famous Star Wars Saga! This is going to be amazing and each movie will grow on you and the character development and attachment will be brilliant ❤ great reaction x

[@BubbaCoop]

There's a Japanese film called Hidden Fortress that lends some of its structure to this film. It's told though the POV of the lowliest peasants, has a princess and a rogue trying to get around warring factions to their destination.

[@shogunn2517]

If it hasn't been said, the reason why it starts at episode 4 is to emulate how theatrical experiences were when George Lucas was a kid. Back before television, filmmakers had begun episodic or serialized stories. But because the only way was to go to a theater, people would routinely miss earlier episodes of theater serials. Moviegoers would come in 2 to 3, even 4 epsiodes in to serials without having seen or knowing what happen with only scant details to lead them in but enough to still hold interest. So to carry that same feel 30 years later, George Lucas made Star Wars in the style of the serials people would watch in the 40s.

[@CristyReacts]

Woooowww good to know!! Thanks for this awesome fact!

[@carrollmusician]

Asking how they did this in the 70’s is the perfect question. They were truly innovators and pioneered vfx.

[@kaleemdin7963]

A small man is inside R2-D2. An actual actor is wearing a C-3PO costume.

[@omid3254]

This is where the fun begins

[@gbrown932]

Vomits

[@NoChance345]

I’m sure someone has told you by now, but they added in some special effects in the late 90’s right before the prequels started coming out. I still remember buying the box set of the original trilogy that had the new special effects.

[@warrenbfeagins]

When you opened your mouth when the Falcon took off from the planet and then went into light speed, it reminded me of us kids in the 70s. We couldn't believe what we were looking at. We'd never seen ANYTHING like it before. Lol!

[@paulinoaz]

34:49 He is using the Force to influence where others are looking and not looking, he can control their minds to look away at just the right time so he can slip by them.

[@glenmartin7978]

Original versions were released as Star Wars, Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Return of the Jedi. Later they added Episode 4, 5 and 6 to the Title scrawl, with added scenes and updated Graphics. They then made The Prequels as Episode 1, 2 and 3

[@nathanburr]

I recently discovered (from a Star Wars super fan) that a “parsec” is a unit of distance not of time. So when Han says the Millennium Falcon “made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs” he’s saying he found the shortest route not the fastest.

[@RaynorBear]

It was originally released as just "Star Wars". The episode name "A New Hope" and episode number were added starting with the 1981 re-release.

[@stalefurset9444]

But a year before the re-release, the Empire Strikes Back premiered with the subtitle Episode 5, making audiences confused thinking they missed episode 2, 3 and 4.

[@RaynorBear]

@@stalefurset9444 YES!!! I still remember seeing "Empire Strikes Back" for the first time in 1980, and wondering what the episode number "V" was all about. After all, the original had no episode number (or name), and then WHAM... the 1981 re-release of "Star Wars" added that episode name and number... and then we were wondering what happened to I, II, and III.

[@drb6771]

OMG Cristy! Yes! Finally! I grew up with these movies and absolutely love them, okay 'most' of them! This is the only one I didn't see in the theater since I was a wee bit too young. I have a pretty nice Star Wars collection, a lot of stuff from the 70s 80s! At the time Lucas didn't know if the movie would be a success or not, he had no idea if he would be able to make more. So he choose this part of the story because it would be a good stand-alone story. When it first came out it didn't have a number, that was added later after it became a phenomenon and he realized he could make more. Two moons, no those are two stars setting. The music playing is called Binary Sunset. Even without the addition of some CGI, the original movie still has amazing special effects for the time. People are going to tell you all kinds of orders to watch these in, my recommendation is release order. The next one, part 5, is my favorite movie of all time. BTW after you've watched these movies, check out Empire of Dreams, you can find it on KZbin, it's the making of Star Wars and a great watch. May the force be with you. ✌✌💖💖👏👏😊😊👋👋

[@henrytjernlund]

I was there (high school) when this hit the theaters. It was not like anything ever to have come before. people were going back to rematch the movie many times. Thanks for reacting.

[@North.van_john]

Glad you liked it 👍 The next one is my favorite. Can't wait for you to see it.

[@srameypr]

This was fun! PLEASE watch the others!

[@GenXDaddyO]

38:38 Discovering the LEE-ah vs. LAY-ah question. 😂😂😂

[@mikeaninger7388]

When Vader boarded the ship in the beginning, he was beyond livid, and one of the only times you hear him yell. You’ll find out the reason for this and say … seven movies.

[@domingocurbelomorales8635]

I cannot wait to see with you the next one... taking into account your final thoughts!!😄

[@escribahaydee]

Chico, no le des ideas...

[@dsscam]

0:52- 1:19 Brilliance. Especially Rosey from The Jetsons. lol! You'll see, especially from one specific plot line, that they had NO IDEA they would be making sequels. This movie was just called STAR WARS when it was released. The "Episode IV: A New Hope" came much later.

[@08191906]

"The ORIGINAL Guardians of the Galaxy." Good call...I love it!

[@brad378]

Young Cristy….you’ve taken your first steps into a larger world! ❤️❤️

[@bertpayne3004]

You have some great surprises in store for you as you continue your STAR WARS journey.

[@MaxLeGrand33]

Blast those special editions! I recommend the "Despecialized Edition", which has wonderfully restored the original theatrical versions.

[@michaeldodson4892]

Those are two suns at sunset. Tatooine is, after all, a desert planet. Right? Right. Moving on…

[@loftyguy11]

Wow, it seems like there are a few key things in the next couple movies that have NOT been spoiled for you. Don't Google anything about Star Wars so it stays that way! I'm SO excited for these next couple reactions!!!

[@whoarocket]

You had my same thought, except in reverse order, when you said, "This feels like the old version of Guardians of the Galaxy." I grew up with Star Wars all my life, so I knew it first, but when I watched Guardians, it reminded me of this same feel and style.

[@FeaturingRob]

Congratulations, Cristy! You've just taken your first step into a larger world! Here's some of the skinny on Star Wars... - In 1977, Star Wars was the full title. Star Wars. When the sequel The Empire Strikes Back was released in 1980, Lucas decided to slap Episode IV - A New Hope onto the title of the first film. He had originally written a huge sprawling storyline, but ne decided that to start the story at the easiest access point, where everything is happening was the best course of action. The plan was to finish the first three, then see what happened. Well, technology caught up with what he was able to envision, so he did the three prequels, but there was an initial plan for 9 films. The story for the first film was basically inspired by a film by Akira Kurosawa called The Hidden Fortress, as well as the movie serials of the 1930s. In the that time, studios would make long films that had lots of cliffhangers and release them on a weekly basis in 15-miniute installments. Star Wars was particularly inspired by the Flash Gordon movie serials, a property that Lucas tried to get his hands on, but could not...so he created the Star Wars universe. The version you are watching was revamped in 1997, The Special Editions, with cleaned-up special effects, new special effects, and formerly cut scenes restored in all three films. They were a test run to try special effects concepts for the Prequel Trilogy (1999-2005). - It isn't two moons...its two suns! Tatooine is in a binary star system. So, Luke is looking into the sunset on Tatooine. - The late Peter Mayhew, the man who played Chewbacca, had English dialogue (he was English) during the scenes, and the growls, roars, and grunts were put in later. He was 7'3" or 2.21 m tall. David Prowse, who was inside of Darth Vader's armor was 6'6" or 1.98 m tall, but in the armor was almost 7' tall. Vader's voice was provided by American actor James Earl Jones. - Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia Organa) was a princess, in a way... Her parents were both major stars in the 1950s and 1960s. Her mother was Academy Award-nominee Debbie Reynolds (Singing In the Rain, The Unsinkable Molly Brown) and her father was singer Eddie Fisher. When her parents divorced, Carrie's step-mother was one of the biggest actresses in Hollywood, the legendary Elizabeth Taylor. Carrie had a second career as a writer of novels and doing "script doctor" work on screenplays in production. During the production of this film...Carrie and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) had an affair that she forgot about until she found diaries she kept during the making of Star Wars.This all came to light while the Sequel Trilogy films were being made, when Carrie released her last book, The Princess Diarist. - Obi-wan Kenobi became one with the Force. That is why his body disappeared, it was something that he had been training himself for. The Force is hard to explain now...but an explanation comes in the films. Suffice it to say, all living beingsare a part of it, but only some people, regardless of their species, can feel and access the energy to channel it into abilities they have. - Chewbacca is a Wookie, from the planet Kashyyyk (Ka-Sheek). His growls, grunts, and roars are a full language that Han understands. They are best friends.

[@arsewynd]

Love seeing someone new discover Star wars.

[@peterkoester7358]

There were actors inside BOTH R2-D2 and C-3PO. Kenny Baker was only 3' 8" tall and performed R2 during most of the scenes when the droid was required to emote and interact with 3PO. In later films (particularly the sequel trilogy) R2 was more often portrayed by a remote-controlled robot but Baker still inhabited the R2 costume through Episode II. Baker passed away in 2016 at the age of 81. Anthony Daniels has played or voiced the character of C-3PO for the entirety of Star Wars, including The Clone Wars animated series and cameos in Star Wars: Rebels and Rogue One. He was also the host for the Star Wars 30th Anniversary Concert Tour, wearing a gold waistcoat and often reverting to the 3PO persona for various scenes in the performance. While any version of Star Wars you may be able to watch now includes the updated special visual effects created for the Original Trilogy Special Editions in 1997 - which were used as a test-bed to verify George Lucas' vision of the prequel trilogy could be accomplished within a reasonable budget - the original Star Wars films in 1977 and the early-80's had their visual effects provided by Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), a special effects company created by Lucas specifically for the Star Wars films and were groundbreaking at the time. ILM had and still has the highest reputation for special effects in the industry and few films came close to their quality at the time Star Wars was released in 1977.