the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) subsequent releases brought its total gross to $775 million. It grossed over $550 million during its initial run, surpassing Jaws (1975) to become the highest-grossing film until the release of E.T. The film opened to critical acclaim for its acting, direction, story, musical score, action sequences, sound, editing, screenplay, costume design, and production values, but particularly for its groundbreaking visual effects. Star Wars was released in a limited number of theaters in the United States on and quickly became a blockbuster hit, leading to it being expanded to a much wider release. It also went $3 million over budget due to multiple delays. Lucas formed the visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic to help create the film's special effects. The film suffered production difficulties cast and crew involved believed the film would be a failure.

After numerous rewrites, filming took place throughout 19 in locations including Tunisia and Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England. Lucas had the idea for a science-fiction film in the vein of Flash Gordon around the time he completed his first film, THX 1138 (1971) and began working on a treatment after the release of American Graffiti (1973). The cast includes Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, David Prowse, James Earl Jones, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, and Peter Mayhew. Luke Skywalker becomes caught in the conflict while learning the ways of a metaphysical power known as ' the Force' from Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Set 'a long time ago' in a fictional universe where the galaxy 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. It is the first film in the Star Wars film series and fourth chronological chapter of the ' Skywalker Saga'.

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

Free star wars movie clips