By Jed Arico · Contributing Writer
The year is 1976.
A 31-year-old man is in the middle of the Tunisian desert, a place he’s wanted to be for a long time. It’s the first day of filming his new movie. This creation has been his dream for years, but obstacles have been everywhere.
Before filming even started, props broke, actors quit and the weather didn’t cooperate in the slightest. The most pressing challenge has been the extremely limited budget. Almost every studio in Hollywood rejected this director, with only 20th Century Fox hesitantly agreeing to finance it. And the funding is meager: an $11 million budget for one of the most ambitious movies of all time. It’s not enough, but he knows it will have to do. Without another word, George Lucas pans the camera towards the scene and calls “Action!”
It’s been 50 years since that day in the desert. In that time, “Star Wars” has bloomed into one of the biggest franchises of all time. When it hit theaters in 1977, the first movie was a smash hit, with eager moviegoers lining up around the block to see this new creation. As viewers left the theater, few seemed sad. People were buzzing with excitement and optimism at what they’d just seen, and there’s a lot to love. The main character is remarkably relatable, the story is wonderfully charming and the film’s universe draws the audience to full immersion.
History had been made, and yet the journey didn’t stop there. Since 1977, “Star Wars” has released 11 more theatrical movies, over 20 television series and hundreds of books. As a result, the franchise has gained millions of lifelong fans.
What truly puts “Star Wars” in its own class, however, is the incredible cultural relevance it has gained. Though most people haven’t seen it (it’s estimated that 1 billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, have watched at least one Star Wars movie the societal influence the franchise has had globally is like nothing else. Compared to other films, few wouldn’t instantly recognize Yoda; it feels like almost everyone could likely place Darth Vader’s iconic breathing. And who hasn’t heard the phrase, “May the Force be with you ?” One thing is for sure: the impact “Star Wars” has made on the modern world is hard to overstate.
The fact remains, however, that swathes of people have never seen “Star Wars.” If you are one of those people, perhaps you enjoy missing out on one of the greatest cinematic creations humanity has ever achieved, remaining in your ignorance.
But if you want to experience the magic that has captivated millions over the decades, then this is the perfect time. For its 50th anniversary, “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” is being re-released in theaters, so younger generations can get the same experience their parents had in the 1970s. Soon, a theater near you might be playing the most impactful movie of the century, and it is not something to pass up.
See it when you can! And of course, may the Force be with you.
