This is the film which started it all! In May 1977 “Star Wars” landed in theatres to long lines and critical praise. The film was still showing in some theatres months later, as late as December of that year! The story is great, and a relatively young George Lucas was nominated for an Academy Award as best director for 1977. The rebels fight against the evil Galactic Empire for freedom in the galaxy. The movie features great characters such as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, Han Solo and his companion Chewbacca the wookie. When you throw in Obi-Wan Kenobi, R2-D2 and C-3PO, what’s not to like? The film’s violence is relatively mild, with the majority of it centering around the opening sequence when the Empire boards a rebel cruiser, and the space battle at the end which results in a loss of some lives. This is a fantastic good vs. evil tale and video games and space-themed movies literally exploded on the scene following the success of this film. It is no exaggeration to say this movie changed the face of films. There has been much speculation about “the force,” but Lucas has stated it is allegorical for a belief in God.