The Art of Star Wars, Episode IV - A New Hope [Paperback]

Carol Titelman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Art of Star Wars (Numbered) | Publication Date: January 14, 1997

To compliment the new Special Edition versions of the classic Star Wars films being released in theaters, these new editions of the bestselling companion books each include sixteen pages of all-new material, plus all of the breathtaking photos, and artwork that have made them a must for all Star Wars collectors and movie buffs.  Complete scripts for A New Hope and Return of the Jedi are also included.

Some highlights of the three volumes:

Storyboards of action sequences detailing the evolution of the story and characters
Spectacular US and foreign movie posters
Costume sketches
Design and animation techniques used for the immense Imperial Walkers
The evolution of Yoda
Model construction of the new Death Star
Blueprints and sketches of the Imperial shuttle design
Rebel and Imperial vehicles
And much more!

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

A NEW HOPE was part of the original title of the movie that became STAR WARS, the ultimate movie entertainment experience of the 1970s that lives on as one of the most-loved movies of all time. THE ART OF STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE contains the complete script by George Lucas of the first movie, beautifully illustrated with the movie's fantastic works of art. In this unique compilation of all the imagination and beauty that went into the beginning of the film trilogy, the magic of STAR WARS lives on. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey; Rev Sub edition (January 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345409809
• ISBN-13: 978-0345409805
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

George Lucas is the founder of Lucasfilm Ltd., one of the world's leading entertainment companies. He created the Star Wars and Indiana Jones film series. Among his story credits are THX 1138, American Graffiti, and the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films. He lives in Marin County, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLY WONDERFUL, October 9, 2002

By 

J. C. Alvarez (Long Island City, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Star Wars, Episode IV - A New Hope (Paperback)

I can't even to begin to express how delighted I am with this visit to George Lucas' galaxy, "far, far away". To see designs from the minds of these amazing creators, popular gadgets, gizmos and vehicles as they were conceptionalized, is a real treat and forever an inspiration of how the magic of film making and imagination can transport an audience.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Five stars for content, minus one for durability, April 15, 2003

By 

Alex Diaz-Granados "fardreaming writer" (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Art of Star Wars (Paperback)

In 1979, Ballantine Books (then the sole licensed publisher of Star Wars novels and most tie-ins) published two versions of this book. One was a limited edition hardcover, which I have never seen, the other was one of those "trade paperback" editions (coffee table size but in softcover). What made this book a must-get was that it contained the entire fourth revised draft of the screenplay for A New Hope (it was the first time I had seen the Episode IV subtitle...even though I bought this book AFTER seeing The Empire Strikes Back). The screenplay I read included scenes that were later edited out of the final film (mainly scenes on Tatooine focusing a bit on Luke's life there and introducing Biggs Darklighter. Another deleted scene -- later restored for the Special Edition 20 years later -- introduced Jabba the Hutt...he would have been very different in look and demeanor from the final Jabba, but at least he was there. Some of these scenes appear both in the novelization (make that ALL) and in the Radio Drama.

The other attractive thing of this book was the amazing artwork. It ranges from pre-production paintings, costume concepts, actual photos, storyboards, and poster art. It even has a section devoted to spinoff art and some cute fan art, mostly drawn by small children.

The one flaw in the book is not content related but the choice of paper and binding. The pages are glossy, like those of a yearbook...but the glue that holds the pages to the binding was not strong enough to hold the pages together. I went through three copies of this book in the time it was in print...I only looked at the last one ONCE and the pages still came loose. Thus, out of 5 stars, I give this book 4.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Original and Still the Best!, April 2, 2003

By 

Alex Diaz-Granados "fardreaming writer" (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Star Wars, Episode IV - A New Hope (Paperback)

Okay...I have owned several copies of this book. Never the hardcover, since that one is rare ... It is lovely to look at and the screenplay...the fourth draft, which has scenes that were cut in the first version and some adapted in the Special Edition, gives us more of the story as it would be presented in the novel and radio dramatization. It is a wonderful book to look at, ALTHOUGH my other copies had the weakness of falling apart even if one was careful when perusing it. Some problem with the binding, I imagine. It is worth getting, though.