Historically inaccurate...

Rating: 5/10 (31 August 2007)

Although entertaining, this 1977 film which depicts the Star Wars employs too much artistic licence to be considered a historical epic.
Telling the story of Luke Skywalker (who was far from an innocent farmboy as depicted here - he was a thrillseeking billy the kid type actually, read "Skywalker, Thrillkills and Military Drills" by RM Housebottom) Star Wars Episode 4 A New Hope begins with the infamous boarding of Princess Leia's (Carrie Fisher) diplomatic mission returning to Alderaan by Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers.
Stowing plans to the Empires new weapon aboard an escape pod in the care of droid R2 D2, Leia is captured by Darth Vader and intorrogated. R2 D2 lands on Tattoine, where he meets Luke Skywalker and the adventure to rescue the princess begins.
Now, to point out some historical flaws with this film:
1. Inaccurate portrayal of stormtroopers - In reality, there were a vast number of Stormtroopers who disagreed with Vader's "use the force" policy and openly mocked him behind his back, some even inciting rebellion in the ranks. None of this conflict was depicted in this film.
2. Inaccurate portrayal of jawas - These tribal people were far from nattering little things in overcoats, they were a deeply spiritual people who would never go around selling scrap metal....that was just bizarre. Andas for that language? Everyone knows the jawas spoke Latin.
3. Laser guns - um...bows and arrows people. The real Luke Skywalker fought with his bare hands, like Captain Kirk. The old fashioned way.
4. The Death Star - was never actually called the death star, that was a rebel term given to it. To the Empire it was known as The Recreation Ball, and it was a centre of shopping and fine dining for many of the Empire's middle and upper class. In this film it is depicted as a planet killing sphere of death...which it did occasionally, but certainly not as often as this propaganda would have you believe.
So, in conclusion, if you want an accurate representation of some space war of the distant past, rent Steel Magnolias, with Julia Roberts. Great, underrrated sci-fi flick that is just the antidote to a night of "Star Wars"...lame!