A New Hope Opening Scene (1/3) [4k UltraHD] - Star Wars: A New Hope

The Imperial Forces -- under orders from cruel Darth Vader hold Princess Leia hostage, in their efforts to quell the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalke and Han Solo, captain of the Millennium Falcon, work together with the companionable droid duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess, help the Rebel Alliance, and restore freedom and justice to the Galaxy.

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[cerebralsamurai]

The fact A New Hope jumps straight into the action is what makes this movie instantly legendary

[blockmasterscott]

I cannot stress enough just how groundbreaking that Star Destroyer shot was in 1977 with the soundtrack in the theater. To this day I can remember the sides of the theater vibrating from the roar of the engines.

[shadepizza]

The first blaster fight is ironically the best. Stormtroopers aren't blind, both sides are competent and have sensible strategy, both sides have losses.

[Sharkakaka]

This actually demonstrates how terrifying stormtroopers are when you don't have plot armor (or isn't your bosses kid you are shooting at)

[ZoidiusPlasmaReaper]

My only complaint is not being born to see this in theatres for the first time when it was first released. I would love to know what people thought back then, seeing the Star Destroyer just overtake the entire screen as it passed over it.

[billvenner]

The greatest opening in cinematic history ! Saw it in the movies on opening day.
A day long

[sandandcedar]

I saw in a packed movie theater in 1977 the first week that it opened in my area. I was 21. We were seated in the middle of first row....not my favorite, but those were the only seats left. So as soon as the movie began I was already looking upward. The first few shots rapidly went from nothing to twinkling stars and then a couple of moons and then a ship being fired on... I remember thinking "what the heck is going on?". Then something began to slide into the screen from the top of the frame. Just a triangle, unrecognizable at first. As it kept getting bigger and bigger, my brain finally registered with a shock that this was a ship... which just kept on coming until it filled the frame... and yet still kept coming. At that point, I realized I was shrinking back into my seat because this massive thing was literally over my head. IT FELT SO REAL! John Williams music just cemented the feeling of something of massive size overtaking you. I had never seen nor felt anything like it in a movie... and it was AWESOME. All these years later, an unforgettable moment.

[Gepedrglass]

Even though everyone looks so sleek and clean, the blinding flashes and obscene amounts of dust and smoke that results from the blasters makes the whole scene gritty. The lulls in the fighting as the rebels regroup amd the Stormtrooper press on makes it realistic and believeable.

The chaos is given to us without people screaming and yelling, mindnumbing camera shake, or some character having to tell us that the "situation is dire/lost/impossible." I wish I could get more like this.

[MagicAlF]

You wouldn't think a three-foot model would be big enough for this shot, but there it is.

[ButchersNailsEnjoyer]

This has to be shown in history classes at least 100 years from now because the cultural impact this movie has had since is incredibly significant

[archsteel]

I think 2:38 is my favorite part. We see one of the Stormtroopers trying to assist another wounded, or perhaps dead, Stormtrooper. And then the moment Vader walks in he just drops him like a rock to stand at attention.

[Pamlico]

literally the greatest opening shot in all of film. it tells us everything we need to know about the conflict without saying a single word.

[berntkristoffersen]

No matter how many times I watch that opening shot with the Tantive IV and the Star Destroyer, it will always amaze me. This was the 70s and it still holds up.

[BJenno]

What makes this scene so awesome is that it just goes straight to the point. Just straight up chaos that make you go: “What the fuck is going on?!?!”. It really puts you in a state of confusion and intense anticipation

[mcleanstudios]

When I first found out C3PO had a silver leg the whole time, I couldn’t eat for weeks

[nightwing]

And so was born the greatest most iconic Sci-Fi Franchise of all time…

[chrisenglish]

Best opening scene ever. I was in 4th grade when our teacher took our whole class to Times Square to see this. Watching this scene changed my life when it comes to sci-fi, forever.

[lekarzkto]

This was completely unbelievable at the time in 1977. There was massive queues going round the corner. I went and watched it so many times. It was so mind blowing at the time

[davemardon]

Watching this back in 77 as a 11 year old...Never realized what a major impact it would have on my live. Model building and music....Even now I get chills watching this. Thank you Mr. Lucas and Mr. Williams.

[Lttsumm]

i think one incredibly note worthy thing is the silver protocol droind traveling with C-3PO and R2-D2 at the beginning, not only do they seem to be important like the other two, but 3PO even acknowledges their presence with them as they are moving through the ship. I cant even begin to imagine how different star wars might have gone if that protocol droid hadn't broken off from them and had joined the adventure.

a What If? universe I suppose...