Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Inspired & Intense Soundtrack for an Epic Film, October 6, 2005
I still remember the first time that I ever saw the original "Star Wars" film back in 1977 in a local theater. In silence, the classic line, "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...," appeared against a black screen. Suddenly, a blaze of John William's main title for "Star Wars" filled the theater and began to capture the minds and hearts of the audience for an adventure of epic proportions. Rich with percussion, brass instruments and a string orchestra, the main title for "Star Wars" is probably one of the most recognized pieces of music in the world today.
Following the power of the main title, the music momentarily softens to a flute solo only to quickly crescendo once again as a rebel passenger ship is under attack from a powerful Imperial Starcruiser. With a blaze of laser blasts, the rebel theme is squashed by the power of the Imperial Attack music with the eventual entry of Stormtroopers and Darth Vader into the captured rebel ship. It is here that two robotic characters, R2-D2 and C-3PO, take center stage as they escape to the desert planet of Tatooine. The music that accompanies their long journeys across its arid surface is quite appropriate, followed by the Jawa mechanical-sounding march.
The music that accompanies the introduction of Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) at his uncle's moisture farm/home becomes his personal theme music throughout the film, but I prefer the more emotional theme music written for Princess Leia (played by Carrie Fisher). One of the most dramatic musical scores in the film is the theme that accompanies the destruction of the peaceful planet of Alderan, which was Princess Leia's home. This is similar to the theme used towards the end of the film during the final destruction of the Death Star, but some of the music in "Star Wars" was rather comical, such as the two cantina band songs on the planet of Tatooine.
Shortly after seeing the film in 1977, I purchased the complete "Star Wars" soundtrack when it was first made available on a dual LP album and loved to listen to it. Even years after the film was released many friends and acquaintances of mine also owned the film's soundtrack in one form or another. The film and its music captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of people and continues to do so to this day. The film would never have been as good without an impressive soundtrack, but thanks to George Lucas' selection of John Williams as the primary composer, both the film and its soundtrack will no doubt capture hearts and imaginations for decades to come. Therefore, I rate the dual CD soundtrack for "Star Wars: Episode IV--A New Hope" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it. Listening to the intensity and emotion of the music without simultaneously watching the film can be wonderful experience.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Will outlast the movies, no question., June 18, 2006
I have listened to John Williams score for this film from start to finish more times than I've watched the film!
This music captures the essence of the story extremely well - maybe even better than the film itself. While the first disc moves extremely slowly, the music begins to pick up speed as things actually begin to happen in the film ("Tales of a Jedi Knight", track 8, is the start of the really engaging music). At the end of the first disc, you get the special treat of hearing the different takes of the original Star Wars scores (16-20). The first two takes were discarded, and the one we hear on disc and in the movies is a blend of takes 18, 19, and 20. Very nice touch, and interesting in terms of knowing the evolution of the music.
Disc two starts with a concert suite of Princess Leia's theme which is extremely touching, lots of strings/French horn. Then the rest of the disc, after "The Destruction of Alderaan" and "The Death Star/The Stormtroopers", is mostly action music, besides the music for Ben Kenobi's sneaking around.
The last several tracks are what many consider the crown jewel here, beginning with "Ben Kenobi's Death/TIE Fighter Attack" - a great piece of bombastic action music, accelerating into "The Battle of Yavin IV" (the pronouncement of the 'Force Theme' when Ben tells Luke to use the Force is still the most touching moment)and finishing with one of Williams's crowning achievements - that of course being the "Throne Room/End Credits" sequence, five and a half minutes of pure magic, and probably my most played track from this set. A reprise of this music could actually be heard in the 13-minute long end credits to Revenge of the Sith - it's a pity that Williams's didn't reference themes from other movies there, but the fact that he chose this one should tell you something...)
This soundtrack - with its myriad themes, cues, variations and all - this introduced me to film score music, and I honestly would not have had it any other way. It is dear to my heart.
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In 1977, Lucas thought that this was the only thing about Star Wars that he was happy with. This happens to be the only part of the movie that he DIDN'T change in 1997, so that should also clue you in. Get this now.
One note - if you have the spare change, get the scores for all three movies separately; not the 2004 Sony versions that are remastered, but the 1997 RCA/Victor versions. The tracklists are identical, however; the Sony packaging is much cheaper and DO NOT come with what I consider ESSENTIAL liner notes, which explains Williams's music, the way he uses various instruments and themes throughout, etc.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The first and perhaps the strongest of the Star Wars score, May 18, 2005
From the opening Fox Fanfare to the first notes of John Williams score, Star Wars: A New Hope is the one of the greatest scores of all time. While I prefer the maturity of Return of the Jedi, A New Hope is just as good, because it is the score that began it all. It is the classic score from the trilogy. While there are not as many of the themes so well known to Star Wars, the classics are there. Luke's theme, the Force theme, Leia's theme and the old school style of the orchestra. Themes like the Imperial march are hinted at, but not fully realized. Overall, however, this is a great score, one of the greatest of all time.
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Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.
~ John Williams
~ Howard Shore
See all 13 tracks on this disc
