full titles
· Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
· Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
· Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
directors
· A New Hope: George Lucas
· The Empire Strikes Back:Irvin
Kershner
· Return of the Jedi: Richard Marquand
leading actors/actresses Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill
supporting actors/actresses Kenny Baker, Peter Cushing, Anthony Daniels, Alec Guinness, James
Earl Jones (voice), Peter Mayhew, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz, David
Prowse, Billy Dee Williams
type of work Feature film
genre Science Fiction
language English, various extraterrestrial languages
time and place produced 1977–1983, EMI Elstree Studios, England
awards
· A New Hope: Oscar for Best Visual
Effects; Special Achievement, Sound Effects
· The Empire Strikes Back: Oscar for
Best Sound Effects; Special Achievement, Visual Effects
· Return of the Jedi: Oscar for Special
Achievement, Visual Effects
date of release
· A New Hope: 1977
· The Empire Strikes Back: 1980
· Return of the Jedi: 1983
producer
· A New Hope: George Lucas, Gary Kurtz
· The Empire Strikes Back: George Lucas,
Gary Kurtz
· Return of the Jedi: George Lucas,
Howard Kazanjian
setting (time) A long time ago . . .
setting (place) A galaxy far, far away . . .
protagonist Luke Skywalker, a young farm boy from an out-of-the
way planet, who discovers that his destiny is to become a Jedi Knight and
save the galaxy from the evil Empire, and to redeem his father,
Darth Vader, from the dark side of the Force.
major conflict The conflict between the brave but outgunned Rebel
Alliance and the mighty Galactic Empire serves as the backdrop to
the struggle within Luke: should he remain true to the noble but difficult
way of the Jedi, or give in to his anger and desire for revenge—give
in, that is, to the dark side of the Force?
rising action As Luke grows in power and understanding of the Force
(and of his own past), he and his friends take part in the struggle
against the Empire, first rescuing Princess Leia from captivity,
then leading the assault on the Death Star, then fleeing from the
ice planet Hoth as the Empire counterattacks, and finally regrouping,
after a detour to save Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, for a final
assault on the Emperor and his rebuilt Death Star.
climax As Luke faces his father, Darth Vader, before the Emperor himself,
in a battle of wills over Vader’s soul, Vader at last remembers
the Jedi Knight he once was and destroys the Emperor, saving his
son but losing his own life.
falling action The new Death Star is destroyed, the friends are reunited,
the galaxy is freed of the Empire, and Luke gets a glimpse of his father’s
spirit, now freed from captivity to the dark side—Darth Vader no
longer, and once again Anakin Skywalker.
themes The mystery and power of the Force; the superiority
of nature over technology; the myth of the hero’s destiny
motifs Color used for characterization; orchestral soundtrack;
speed
symbols Luke’s cybernetic hand; lightsabers; the Death Star
foreshadowing C-3PO calls Luke “Sir Luke”; Obi-Wan tells Luke that
their destinies lie along different paths; Luke sees his own face
in Vader’s helmet in his vision on Dagobah; Yoda reminds Obi-Wan that
if Luke fails, “there is another”
