The original Star Wars trilogy, also known simply as the Star Wars trilogy, was the first Star Wars trilogy to be filmed and released. Chronologically, it is the second Star Wars trilogy, preceded chronologically by the prequel trilogy. It began in 1977 with the release of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, continued in 1980 with Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and concluded in 1983 with Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Beginning with Star Wars Episode VII in 2015, the sequel trilogy will continue the Star Wars Saga after the events of the original trilogy.
Films[]
A New Hope[]
- Main article: Star Wars (film)
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released simply as Star Wars, is, chronologically, the fourth chapter of the Star Wars film saga, and the first released into theaters. It is the first film of the original trilogy and is followed by two sequels, a prequel trilogy, and a forthcoming sequel trilogy. The film was written and directed by George Lucas, and produced by Gary Kurtz. It would be the last film Lucas directed until Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
Chronologically, the film is set nineteen years after Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and centers around the character of Luke Skywalker, the secret son of Darth Vader—a fact neither of them know yet. As the story unfolds, Luke takes his first steps towards his destiny as a Jedi Knight. Other characters include Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The film builds up to a final battle to destroy the Galactic Empire's Death Star, a weapon that can destroy entire planets.
A New Hope was a major box office success and became a global cultural phenomenon, earning near-universal praise from critics and fans alike. As of 2013, between the original release and multiple re-releases, the film has earned over $2.5 billion dollars when adjusted for inflation. This makes A New Hope the second highest-grossing inflation-adjusted film of all time, second only to Gone with the Wind. Critically, the film holds a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.[1] The film has since been re-released in theaters in 1978 and 1997, as well as on VHS, DVD, and Blu Ray throughout the 1980s, 90s, 00s, and 10s. In 1989, the film was preserved in the National Film Registry, part of the United States Library of Congress, for its historical and cultural significance.
The Empire Strikes Back[]
- Main article: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, originally released simply as The Empire Strikes Back and sometimes called Empire, is, chronologically, the fifth chapter of the Star Wars film saga, and the second released into theaters. It is the second film of the original trilogy and is followed by Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. The film was written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan from a story by George Lucas, produced by Gary Kurtz, and directed by Irvin Kershner.
Chronologically, the film is set three years after Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and shows the Rebel Alliance on the run from the Galactic Empire, which is determined to defeat the Rebels after the destruction of the Death Star in A New Hope. Meanwhile, Darth Vader furiously hunts for Luke Skywalker, to whom he later reveals the truth about their shared destiny: Vader is Luke's father. Other characters include Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and the ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi. The film also introduces Lando Calrissian, Yoda, and Emperor Palpatine.
The Empire Strikes Back was a major box office success and has gone on to be widely regarded as the best Star Wars film, earning near-universal praise. As of 2013, between the original release and multiple re-releases, the film has earned over $800 billion when adjusted for inflation. The Empire Strikes Back currently has a score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.[2] The film has since been re-released in theaters in 1982 and 1997, as well as on VHS, DVD, and Blu Ray throughout the 1980s, 90s, 00s, and 10s. In 2010, the film was preserved in the National Film Registry, part of the United States Library of Congress, for its historical significance.
Return of the Jedi[]
- Main article: Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, originally released simply as Return of the Jedi and sometimes called Jedi, is, chronologically, the sixth chapter of the Star Wars film saga, and the third released into theaters. It is the third and final film of the original trilogy, and was followed in theaters by Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The film was written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan, produced by Howard Kazanjian, and directed by Richard Marquand. Famously, it was once titled Revenge of the Jedi before Lucas decided that Jedi do not take revenge.
Chronologically, the film is set one year after Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and opens with a plot by Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Lando Calrissian to rescue Han Solo from the gangster Jabba the Hutt. Later, they join up with the Rebel Alliance in an attempt to destroy the Galactic Empire’s new Death Star, more powerful than the first, which Emperor Palpatine is personally overseeing the construction of. In the final battle over the forest moon of Endor, the Rebels destroy the Death Star, Luke redeems Darth Vader and becomes a Jedi Knight, and Vader sacrifices his own life to destroy the Emperor. In doing so, the Sith are destroyed and Vader fulfills the the prophecy of the Chosen One.
Like its two predecessors, Return of the Jedi was a major commercial and critical success, nearly widespread praise. As of 2013, between the original release and multiple re-releases, the film has over over $750 million when adjusted for inflation. Return of the Jedi currently has a score of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.[3] The film has since been re-released in theaters in 1985 and 1997, as well as on VHS, DVD, and Blu Ray throughout the 1980s, 90s, 00s, and 10s. Though George Lucas originally contended that Return of the Jedi was the end of the film saga, as it ended the story of Darth Vader, Star Wars Episode VII and the rest of a sequel trilogy are currently in production.
References[]
External links[]
- Original trilogy on Wookieepedia: a Star Wars wiki
- Original Trilogy on Star Wars Canon Wiki: a Star Wars Canon wiki
This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The article or pieces of the original article was at Star Wars original trilogy. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with 20th Century Studios Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License. |