star wars: a new hope

Star Wars (retroactively retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) is a 1977 American epic space opera science fiction film written and directed by George Lucas, produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by 20th century studios.

The cast includes Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse, and James Earl Jones.

Set a long time ago in a far away galaxy that is ruled by the tyrannical Galactic Empire, the story focuses on a group of freedom fighters known as the Rebel Alliance, who aim to destroy the Empire's newest weapon, the Death Star. When Rebel leader Princess Leia is apprehended by the Empire, Luke Skywalker acquires stolen architectural plans of the Death Star and sets out to rescue her while learning the ways of a metaphysical power known as "the Force" from Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Star Wars was followed by The Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978, The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and Return of the Jedi in 1983, which concludes the original film trilogy.