25.05.07
David
A long time ago…
In a galaxy not too far away, 20th Century Fox realised Star Wars and today (the best sci-fi movie of all time?) celebrates its 30th anniversary. I was 7 at the time, but had to wait till the mid-80’s to watch it on TV where I remember ‘taping it’ (on our top of the range Toshiba Betamax!) and watching it over and over till I almost knew the entire script off by heart.
I loved everything about the movie (spaceships, heroes, badies, robots, effects, soundtrack – all brilliant) and even before seeing it, knew almost all about it through programmes like The Making of Star Wars and the characters seemed to be always popping up on Swap Shop. My brother hated it, insisting 2001: A Space Odyssey was more realistic (which it was) but at the time, it never bothered me that the occupants of the Millennium Falcon seemed unaffected by zero gravity.
In 1997 I finally got to see Star Wars ‘at the pictures’. Admittedly, this was the special edition with new scenes, new affects, but sadly, the old haircuts. I loved this as much as the original and remember pointing out all the ‘new bits’ to my missus. Rather alarmingly, she doesn’t remember much of the experience and afterwards, said that Star Wars “… always made her sleepy” which I put down to the numerous times it aired on TV during Christmas afternoon (and not the fact it’s highly overrated with dubious acting and a heavily reused plot).
You will no doubt remember the first time you saw the movie and I think everyone has a view on whether it is a great film or not (and whether CGI Yoda is better than ‘muppet’ Yoda). The BBC offers some interesting reading, so take a look at Barry Norman’s original review from 1977 and a virgin’s first time review of the film (as well as 30 top trivia – did you know the Falcon was based on a burger?).
Celebrations in Hollywood are abound this week, but if you’re more local, check out the Star Wars Exhibition at County Hall, Westminster (runs till 1 September).
