Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I'm not obsessed with the Star Wars films, although I did enjoy them. But the great thing about this book (and the other "Art of Star Wars" books) is that you don't have to be a huge fan to appreciate the conceptual artwork. As an artist, I consider this book to be one of my favourite reference books. It shows much about what goes into the preparation of a film. This book IS rather fan-oriented, and lacks some critical information such as the sizes of sketches, and other technical information about the paintings and drawings which would have been helpful to aspiring artists & designers. However, it is never-the-less an almost daily source of inspiration for me as I do my own futuristic art.
As for the script, I could take it or leave it. I've never read the whole thing, only bits here and there. What amuses me is how the script is subtly different from the movie. It's clear that although Lucas has a great mind for stories, his writing is only adequate. The script is rather awkward. If you want a good story, see the movies: the script doesn't do them justice. But for great behind-the-scenes production and concept artwork, see the book.
I would also recommend getting the modern 1995 re-issue of the book, not the 1979 version, if durability is an issue, because mine, like so many others I see here, has fallen apart.

Length:: 1:48 Mins

The Art of Star Wars, Episode IV - A New Hope builds upon the images originally released in the book called The Art of Star Wars in 1979. It does so by adding hundreds of new images from costume designs, production paintings, matte paintings, blueprints, sketches and storyboards. The most interesting images I found in the book are the early character and droid sketches and how they evolved to what we came to see on the screen. This book goes far beyond what some other ART books contain by giving the reader descriptions and stories that go along with the image on the page.

The vast majority of the artwork in the book is from the mind and talents of Ralph McQuarrie. Mr. McQuarrie is best known for his work on the Star Wars Trilogy (A New Hope / The Empire Strikes Back / Return of the Jedi) (Widescreen Edition with Bonus Disc) and his later work on Star Wars Omnibus: Shadows of the Empire and the artwork in the bible at the beginning of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (Special Edition). His work earned him a cameo in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980 & 2004 Versions, Widescreen Edition) as General Pharl McQuarrie.

As noted by some other reviewers the book does have some binding issues. When the book is opened widely you can hear the glue cracking which over time may cause some pages to come unattached. Over all this book is an outstanding production. Recommended.

This is a nice book for the addicted fans who are looking for more. Well, there is not much more than in the movie, but is nice to read the original script (expecially for those like me who are not from an anglophone country) and take a look at the pre-production sketches and to the matte paintings. I appreciated it very much, but if you aren't an addicted fans it's sufficient to search in the net to see the same pictures.

The book was exactly what I expected. High quality prints and photos of the original Star Wars concept art. Very well done. One of my most prized Star Wars collectors books. It recreates the entire feel of the vision of the Star Wars concept from the mind of Lucas and its producers.

this book shows you the runner up costumes for the charachters. the script is very detailed.

I just got the new S. E. (Specail Edion) yeterday and it's so cool, I mean I now I saw it in the theathers but now I owen It, only It's not on the BIG screen. And Oh ya, It rules! -By Peit

I recently bought all four "Art of Star Wars" books, and was profoundly disappointed by the "New Hope" and "Jedi" books. Of the books I was disappointed by, this book, "A New Hope," is the lamer of the two. "A New Hope," huh? What an absolute misnomer. Lucasfilm crammed the script into this book, as well some awful childrens' art, and a bunch cartoons that refer to Star Wars. I DIDN'T BUY this book for the script, which can be found a zillion other places, I DIDN'T BUY it for some weak attempts at humour that play off of Star Wars, and I CERTAINLY didn't shell out my money for some nursery school scribblings! I bought it for the artwork, but, sorry to say, this book tells me NOTHING about it! Unfortunately, I wanted the art badly enough that I decided in the end to put up my hard-earned cash, but man, I'm NOT happy about it.