Star Wars: A New Hope - Why It's The Best
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On 'The Hart Beat', Chris Hartwell reviews Star Wars: A New Hope. Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, David Prowse, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew. Written & Directed by: George Lucas. - Zábava
One of my favorite juxtapositions in this movie is when you're introduced to the idea of the Force by Obi-Wan. He explains it as this energy field that connects everything together, very mystical and mysterious. Then in the very next scene, you get to see Vader's interpretation of it: power. He says that the Death Star doesn't come close to matching the power of the Force and then proceeds to use it to choke out that guy who questions him, asserting his dominance. It gives you two completely different understandings of what this mysterious thing is and how differently it can be viewed and wielded based on the perspective of who is using it.
My stomach literally turned when Chewbacca and Leia walked past each other after Han's death in TFA. I think JJ Abrams actually apologized for that scene, if I'm not mistaken.
Yeah he said that he wanted to go back and fix this but now that Carrie is gone its probably impossible
it feels very odd when she has known chewbacca for so much longer, and chewbacca has been han's companion and friend for such a long time
Eh, Leia never really liked that walking carpet.
@@guyr3618 I think you're forgetting Empire Strikes Back, where she literally hugs Chewie while Han is put into carbonite.
@@lukar7306 Eh, she would have hugged C3PO in that moment if he was standing next to her. It was hardly a sign of great affection.
Mark Hammill's performance was fantastic in A New Hope. He reacts realistically
I gotta say star wars really rides on the back of John William's score. It just ties everything together perfectly. It adds heart to scenes that otherwise had very little. Other amazing scores feel very fitting but not defining in the way star wars' score does. The score to the lord of the rings movies is absolutely amazing but it doesn't define the movies like John William's score defines star wars.
You've got an excellent point! John William's contribution cannot be understated!
The original Lord of the Rings trilogy did have a great soundtrack. It kind of lacks that marching soundtrack that is recognizable in Star Wars, so perhaps that's the only weakness. However, in every other regard, I actually think the soundtrack of Lord of the Rings is superior. They're just different. The Lord of the Rings is more artistic. Too artistic, perhaps. The original Star Wars just had more catchier tunes and that might have worked better for Lord of the Rings. I think the bigger issue with Lord of the Rings is that the tone is just off. It's not really child-friendly. Not really gory and adult-oriented either. It's too serious for children to fall in love with, but not "crazy" enough for adults. They're better films than Star Wars and yet they lack the magic of Star Wars, because of how they are perceived. It's very interesting how it matters how the movies are presented.
Agreed. Without John Williams, SW would have been a very different kind of film. The same goes for many other movies too, e.g. imagine the Hitchcock films (or Truffaut's "Fahrenheit 451") without Bernard Hermann. The same goes for "Gladiator," which was a fine film in itself, but would only have been half as good without the haunting score.
The music, a tight core cast, not all those throw away "Hey again, take this you'll need" heads and it's paced decently. Because lets face it some of the things that happen and the lines are hammy as hell.
Every great movie/ video game rides on the soundtrack
It’s the only Star Wars film that doesn’t require seeing any of the other movies. It is its own film from beginning to end and tells a complete and satisfying story. While Empire was great, it can’t stand on its own, and only works when paired as a sequel to the original. Star Wars is a perfect, self-contained movie, just like Jaws, The Godfather or E.T. and will always be the greatest film in the franchise.
Yes, indeed. Best Star Wars movie ever made. A standalone masterpiece of cinema
Could not agree more. It is a perfectly crafted movie. One of the greatest films ever made - period. Gorgeous cinematography, stunning score, fantastic characters, incredible iconic dialogue, simple but strong and entirely self contained story (no sequel is needed), ground breaking visual FX (that are more impactful than a lot of today's CGI), great actors, brilliant editing, perfect pacing and direction. There is not a single minute of the movie that is out of place. Whilst Empire is brilliant, it has flaws IMO, whereas A New Hope is just perfect.
@@zx7-rr486 despite A New Hope being a brilliant masterpiece, Empire Strikes Back is still the definitively better movie.
@@zx7-rr486 i like esb more
@@nikoniortnike ......NO empire is NOT DEFINATLEY better......... WO Star Wars there is NO Empire .....And Star Wars is a COMPELTE movie .....Empire is just a cliff hanger ....it needs Jedi to complete it ....and biggest proof of all look at the BOX OFFICE RECEIPTS ...... Star Wars made twice as much as Empire.........
ESB is overrated if anything.@@_SWFB
It's cool you used the ORIGINAL 1977 version to illustrate your points.
I saw Star Wars the weekend it came out (Feb-78 in Wolverhampton, UK) and it means so much to me. 53 years old I love it to this day. Your video has helped me understand why it was so important. Thank you!
This movie is 40 years old... Damn...
D D And Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones
I have to say, this is the perfect review for the first Star Wars. You bring up a ton of the incredible things about the movie's filmmaking that made it so good like the editing, the sound design, the way other films, serials and stories are referenced and the use of juxtapositions (which is something I never even noticed) while summing why it's so beloved by so many people. Excellent job on this! Loved it.
Bloody hell, I never noticed the T-16 outside....
Cool stuff, right?!
Well, yes. But I'm also mildly concerned that in 30 something years of rewatches, I've never noticed the bloody thing :D
I saw it but never knew or cared about what it was
When I see this, when I see the first movie that started it all -- I still get that lump in my throat, those tingles in my tummy in anticipation, my eyes widen with every crescendo of William's score and then I watch The Last Jedi and my heart absolutely sinks.
I really love these kinds of videos. You make a lot of good points about the structure and elements of Star Wars. Keep doing what your doing chris!
Thanks, Josh! I feel like I'm finding a new groove with this type of video essay, and am really liking the process! Looking forward to producing many more!
Star Wars for me isn't just my favorite film, it's also the best film. For the reasons you gave and so much more. There is so much in, not just the series, but this film alone that is both so familiar and yet new, because of the culmination of the things we know in society and is a good reflection of that not just in 1977, but today as well.
This deserves more views
Hey, thanks!
Why do people hate a new hope it maybe slow not the best CJI but remember it was back in 1977
And the story is good
@@legendarycreator9897 What??!! Nobody hates on the new hope. And people who do are bunch if idiots
@@legendarycreator9897 New hope is not slow! It is fast pased
@@turbo9698 no I have heard a few hate it and to me it's slow passed but to you it maybe diffrent
Empire Strikes Back is the superior film, but Star Wars will always be my favorite. Great video.
My thoughts exactly.
James Robinson To me it was Return of the Jedi
Return is my favorite Empire is the best
Jedi has some absolutely great scenes and I loved watching it, but the ewoks may have been a bit poorly executed. Should've been wookies. I get that you have to have some humour to make the serious scenes more important, but ewoks? I wasn't really feeling it.
It's the best sequel
While Empire is better, the story was pretty much wrapped up in a new hope. There was no need for any more sequels. They mention this in the first movie, that with no senate, or Death Star, to maintain order; the rebellion would have received a huge influx of new systems and money from the galaxy to the point, with sheer numbers, would allow the rebellion to easily overcome the technological advantage of the Empire. Kind of like another war in real life, involving a certain national socialists movement. The point being, a new hope was its own self contained story, and doesn't need any sequels or prequels to tell its story. Which is why it is 2nd best in my book. Empire, is just better.
In a way, Episode 4 was the finale when it came out
A New Hope is a classic, I loved it more than the other 2
@Tom Ffrench idk
1 Episode 3
2 Episode 6
3 Episode 5
4 Episode 4
5 Episode 7
6 Episode 2
7 Episode 1
8 Episode 8
9 Episode 9
@@AyanKhan-og3sd I have no recollection of writing this comment-3 years ago. Funny how you forget these things.
You are absolutely correct. A New Hope is easily the best Star Wars movie. All the aspects of movie making in this film are just superb - gorgeous cinematography, amazing sets, costumes, dialogue, story, characters, sound design, visual FX, editing, an incredible score - and when combined make one of the best movies ever made .. full stop. It is perfectly paced, there is not a single minute of the movie that is out of place or redundant. There is not a single moment where you stop and think "wait a minute, that doesn't make any sense!!", It is also perfectly self contained - there is no need for a sequel. The number of incredible scenes and sequences in the movie is quite breath taking : Vader's entrance, Leia uploading the plans into R2D2, Luke discovering the dead bodies of his foster parents, Han Solo and Greedo, the Falcon battling the Tie Fighters, Garbage disposal crusher scene, Luke and Leia swinging across the shaft, Han stalling over the intercom in the prison bay, Vader using the force to throttle a General, Obi-Wan versus Vader, Peter Cushing's Destruction of Alderaan scene, and The Death Star battle "trench" scene - "Use the Force Luke!".
The Empire Strikes Back, oft claimed to be the "best", does not have anything like the same number of beautiful and powerful iconic moments (maybe two or three - Solo and Leia's kiss, "I am your father" scene). It also has a number of irritating, illogical and completely daft and unnecessary scenes which should have been cut or rewritten, the prime example being the "Asteroid monster". Maybe some of the elements of movie making are better in Empire (although I personally don't think the art design in Empire is any better than A New Hope) but the whole is considerably inferior to A New Hope. It is a great sequel, and a brilliant evolution of the story, but it is not a masterpiece whereas A New Hope clearly is.
Man you have some awesome videos. And speaking of juxtaposition. Marcia Lucas, was the editor that made George's film into what they are. Through craft that is at it's essence all about juxtaposition. I wish she would give her take on this franchise, she won an oscar for a reason.
Androshi wasn’t it her and two other editors though?
Beautiful. Thanks for moving me to the brink of tears. I was 6 when I saw Star Wars in 1977 at a one screen 70 mm theater and was hooked. You made me feel like that child again. Subscribed and watching for more. May the Force be with You.
Most people will say that Empire is the best Star Wars film, but not me. I've always thought A New Hope (which was just called "Star Wars" way back when I 1st saw it) was the better film. And now, thanks to your awesome video, I have something to refer people to to explain why I feel that way.
Fun fact: in german speaking parts of the world, it was called Krieg der Sterne. Which is basically star wars in german 😅
Textbook example of a 3-Act story with a hero's journey. Almost to a fault. A perfect movie.
This is my favourite style of video from you, I love the whole thing. Just the way you analyse each scene and the structure is amazing, your passion for movies and the way they're made is so clear and makes these videos what they are.
That's extremely encouraging to hear! Though they're exponentially more time consuming, I too, far and away, enjoy this style of review/analysis as well!
Chris Hartwell you can tell that a lot of time and work went into this video to achieve this level of perfection.
You don’t need to convince me, its my favorite
A saved in the editing take that acknowledges that doesn't shit on Lucas and instead acknowledges his significant role in the editing? Impressive, most impressive.
Thank you so much for what is for in my humble opinion the best review of Star Wars. I saw it on my fifth birthday when it originally opened and it molded me as a person. The love I feel for not just the original movies but the prequels as well since I was lucky enough to share them with my children when they opened was a great experience. Thanks again Chris.
Great video!! Fantastic editing! Love the way you convey the message! May the force be with you!
I literally teared up by the end , very beautiful , just a brilliant video essay , buy an underrated one!
Keep it up!🍀
Wonderful video. I'm also so glad you used clips from the original theatrical cut.
Thank you for this, Chris. That was purely delightful!
Thank _you_. Trust me; it was purely delightful to put together!
🌿
This is going to sound strange but your vid made me whelp for my childhood. You encapcelated my childhood and how we all felt about it sw back then.
The ideas the inaction resonated into everyone's life and made use creative thinkers.
Then I think of the man hating soulless and boring SW of today and I weep for the future. I hope that the kids of today get a SW or something that everyone can talk behind that shows the future is good and fun and positive.
Great work.
Jerry Glaze So well said. This review is heart breaking in a way. It made me realize more than ever that not only will the magic never be recaptured, but that the people behind the current SW films are actively trying (and succeeding) in destroying the characters and story.
This was a phenomenal video, awesome job!
My favourite movie of all time.
4:15 Historic density: "See to it personally, Commander. There will be no one to stop us _this time."_
I always felt this was the best movie in the saga, and that's also probably why I love Force Awakens so much. It parallels many of the same beats and images I've come to love.
Poor rote copy that is
Great vid! You have brought up some great points that I haven't thought about making one of my all time favorite movies even have more meaning and enjoyment. Thanks!
Really fantastic to get that feed back. Thank you!
totally agree with you, that original star wars movie always seems so much more personal than all the others, its a labour of love for George made with great passion and that comes across on screen, and like all true art you get out what you bring depending on your level of understanding, beneath all its spectacle is a finely layered symbolic journey, containing lessons and wisdom where all the elements are distilled down to their purest simplest form, mythology reimagined. One gets the impression the concepts and ideas were more about a subtractive process, the way a sculptor chisels away a stone until the truth is finally revealed. In my opinion if it came out tomorrow it would just as popular, because the themes and mythology are universal and timeless
Lucas's wife was the editor. She's a badass
Fuck off mate, she and her team saved the fucking movie.
Evoo What people do in thier lives can be seperated from the work they do. Im not gonna defend Kevin Spacey but just cuz he's an arse, doesnt make him any less of aa great actor.
@@evooff Stop projecting, she saved star wars. Keep your judgements to yourself. Nothing changes this.
Any true Star Wars fan needs to be eternally grateful for her efforts, period.
Found your channel through Jedi Council, great video, has given me a fresh perspective on ANH
Fantastic to hear! Definitely looking forward to exploring more films, in the same manner, and continuing to provide those fresh perspectives! Cheers!
Love this video, great work Chris!
I thought you were talking about they toy!
I NEVER KNEW THE SKYHOPPER WAS RIGHT THERE
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Thank you for this. I had just turned 7 when I saw Star Wars! It changed my life.
Star Wars A New Hope is the Greatest Movie. ESB is very good, just because it ends on a sombre note, doesn't make it more edgy. A new hope is filled with iconic lines, scenes and music. No comparison. First is the undisputed greatest SW movie ever.
1:05 completely agreed, nothing can hold a candle to star wars imo, love this video
Thank you for the neat essay. Star Wars is my favorite of the franchise, and I gained new insight into it from this.
Mr. Hartwell, your 'Why it's the best' videos are, well, THE BEST!! So much great info and depth in such a short video, bravo. *claps*
I genuinely got goosebumps at the end. :p
A New Hope is my favorite Star Wars film, and this video had many points that I never thought about, making this film even better for me. I sincerely Thank You. :)
Can't wait for the next one. Perhaps, it will be The Dark Knight or The Matrix. *fingers crossed*
Thanks so much, Mr. Khan! I'm so happy to hear that you're enjoying these reviews, because goodness knows I desperately want to make more!
I LOVE both of your suggestions and actually just rewatched _The Matrix_ over the Christmas Holidays; blown away, all over again, by how _amazing_ that film is! Don't be surprised if you some day see both of those films in this series ;)
You're welcome. Now I feel like re-watching The Matrix as well. :D
And, I'm looking forward to that day. :)
Amazing piece of art. Just watched A New Hope for the first time in decades and it was an amazing and enthralling experience. Not many movies really compare. An incredible film that ends on such an uplifting positive note.
Did you watch the theatrical version or the special edition?
Great breakdown. Caught you on Schmoes last night and enjoy your reviews I can tell
Fantastic! So glad that they're working for you, Stefan! Cheers!
7/10 without Yoda.
9/10 with Yoda.
This was awesome man. You deserve so many more subscribers!
i love a new hope because it gives you that cheesy 70s move feel.
???? Some of the greatest movies in history were made in the 70s. And Star Wars is one of them. The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Exorcist, The French Connection, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, The Sting.... the list is long.
This is REALLY solid ~ an AMAZING analysis of the art of Star Wars: A New Hope! 5 STARS for EFFORT, EXECUTION, and INSIGHT !
I love content about Star Wars (1977), i feel it is truly the greatest film ever made, and the most impactful.
ESB may be a better story, but the original will always be the genius work. Also Lucas' cinematography is just jaw dropping. Every frame a painting level. Sound. Score. Casting. Editing. This is the film. This is it, folks!
That was an amazing and very interesting video. I am a huge Star Wars fan, but also a high school media student, and I thorough enjoyed the video.
Absolutely amazing insights into one of my all time favorite films!
Great review and retrospect! Keep it up!
Saw your video on collider Jedi council and I knew I had to subscribe right away. Great work!
Skyler Olson me too saw thr video on collider jedi council
Skyler Olson Thank you, so much! Welcome aboard!
Love this. Great job!
Your analysis was spot on!
This is the best Star Wars movie in my opinion, the effects kinda still hold up. Vader’s first appearance is badass. The pasting is really good in A New Hope. The Death Star trench still gives me chills and the lightsaber fight is the second best in my opinion. Yeah it’s slow, but it tells you more about Vader’s and Obi Wan’s relationship. It’s a classic! A boy who visits a mentor who happens to be a wizard, get’s a sword and saves the princess. It’s just like King Arthur and I love it!! About Empire, it’s slow in comparison. The opening battle scene is the best battle scene.(not lightsaber duels) Empire really felt long in my opinion and the twist is what makes it more. Return of The Jedi is ok in my opinion. The ewok’s are dumb and the middle chunk is just very bad. Luke’s plan also makes no sense. The effects are amazing, they used stop motion for the creature effects and paintings! Jabba looks so good and that’s what makes me think practical is better than CG. The prequel trilogy is just something else. The lines make me cringe and acting, oh the acting.... The sequel trilogy is not good but not bad in my opinion. Yes Last Jedi is shit, but 2 outta 3 movies. Here’s my score:
OG Trilogy: 10/10
Prequel Trilogy: 4.5/10
Sequel Trilogy: 6.7/10
I always hear people talk about why Empire rules or why Jedi was amazing... without episode 4 the others wouldn't exist. This is still my favorite episode.
Wow. Nice. A very good study of this film.
A New Hope was my favorite as a kid, then as i grew older, it was The Empire Strikes Back was my favorite. Now it's Return of the Jedi. It brings together all the characters were were introduced to in the previous films and well crafted showdown.
نادر الی راحمان ROTJ is the weakest of the originals
I'm new to your channel. I absolutely love it! And this one was really great!
Thanks so much! By far, this style of video takes the most time/effort... but is also the most rewarding! Glad to know that others are enjoying it as well!
I love this movie so much it's the reason I love star wars.
This was brilliant, I loved it!
This is a fantastic creation thank you
The ending gave me chills
I would LOVE one of these video essays on the first Harry Potter
Well said, Chris! I completely agree with everything you said! I can tell that you have great insight in film! I look forward to seeing more of your videos! You just earned a new subscriber and friend! :)
I'm starting to really dig this channel, reminds me so much of Nerdwriter and Lessons From the Screenplay
Considering since the dawn of man we have been looking up to the stars this was the first time with the special effects and sound of that quality that really took you away.
You just got a new subscriber. This was a really good video
Great job!
holy shit, u again, ur really good at this. well done.
Excellent video!
Thanks, Scott!
This film is literally my life
The Force/Luke's theme always gives me goose bumps
Thank you
Absolutely Brilliant Chris..... BRÁVO👏🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
45 years ago. Today. The world has been changed forever by this film.
I wish Chris Terrio and JJ Abrams had taken to heart the lessons on pacing for episode IX, every moment in that film when I felt the ball should rolling was when it was still, and every moment the film took some time to breath was when I wanted the plot to develop.
ANH is the original and best. Every scene is a classic.
A New Hope will always be my favourite Star Wars movie. But I've noticed that for young audiences, through the filter of all modern pop culture, they find it very simple and pretty slow (which is the case for most movies from the 70's or 80's, compared to movies today). They can still watch it, but it reduces their potential for enjoyment, hence it will rarely be their favourite Star Wars movie.
I disagree the pacing is absolutely perfect meaning that it always makes it engaging and snappy then other modern movies nowadays
I don't agree. My niece and nephew saw all of the Star Wars movies they are 10 and 8 years old and A New Hope is their favorite by far especially once it gets rolling. They love the banter and camaraderie of Han, Luke, and Leia and the blowing up of the Death Star and awards ceremony at the end. It has an exciting and happy ending and the kids enjoy that.
The prequels were an odd mix of political maneuvering and mumbo jumbo and little Anakin talking like a 3 year old in the Phantom Menace.
@@STONESGAM I'm glad they do. The movie being more simple (and almost naive), it's no wonder that they enjoy it a lot.
I realise that my comment could be confusing, I didn't really mean a young audience as in child, I meant more like 'current', they could be in their 20's.
REVENGE OF THE SITH IS THE BEST!!! IT HAS EPIC FLIPZ AND LIGHTZABER FIGHTZ!!!!
Andrew Meyer
He is obviously being sarcastic.
Andrew Meyer I dont understand why do so many people like Revenge of the Sith. For me that movie is just extremely boring, I saw it a few days ago and the entire movie is just people sitting on a couch and talking with a few poorly made action sequences in between. I think I actually like the phantom menace more than revenge of the sith, at least the phantom menace feels more like an adventure
I’m joking guys, okay. I really can’t understand why so many people like Revenge of the Sith. It feels like their only argument is that it’s ”more epic” which is a word that I absolutely despise. Saw Three Billboards yesterday and that movie was really fucking good, but I wouldn’t really call it epic. I guess they just want pointless CG spectacle instead of interesting characters and a plot.
if you think Revenge of the sith is about lightsaber fights than you didn't understand shit
Alek Wester Explain for me then.
The use of juxtaposition in Star Wars is very well laid out in this video.
You deserve far more subs and views.
Chris, how did you achieve the removal of music and sound at the 10-1/2 minute mark?
I had to find the sound effects and reconstruct the audio of the scenes myself.
quality video. lightyears above the youtube average.
Great video essay and commentary.
Sorry for calling you Todd and/or dad too much.
That's all I ever wanted to hear.
Great video, thanks for sharing! Would love to see a video essay on The Dark Knight and Jurassic Park!
Huzzah! I was hoping you'd check this one out :) _Jurassic Park_ is on my top 20, so that will happen for sure! And I have gotten a lot of requests for _The Dark Knight_, so that will likely get thrown in there eventually too!
Seriously, this essay (even more so than the FOTR in my opinion) puts exactly into words how I feel about this movie. I could not be happier with how it turned out!
Honestly, what i really want to see from you is an Episode III video essay so I can understand why you rank that one so high on your Star Wars list, because I don't see it!
WOAH. Amazing vid man just earnt a sub
Thank the Stars for Marcia Lucas and her editing brilliance.
I'm surprised he didn't mention this.
I objectively rank ANH (mostly because of what you said in the vid) and ESB as objectively the best ones, even though ROTS is my favorite.
amen
What version of the movie did you use to get that clear picture of the original version. The Harmy Despecialized looks good but not that good.
The original is my favorite too (though I also love and adore Empire and Jedi). It's the classic hero's journey... A fairy tale adventure in outer space with a perfect, simple 3 act story...
Act 1-Introduces the heros and their quest.
Act 2-Save the princess from the "dark castle."
Act 3-Destroy the dark castle.
There's an innocence and purity to the original that probably can't be matched again. They can never again have a film that's unencumbered by the weight of Star Wars canon, fan expectation, etc.
Everyone always thinks I'm crazy when I rank New Hope above Empire Strikes Back, but this video perfectly articulates why I think so. Just make sure you're watching Harmy's de-specialized edition.
Damn how does he only have 8k subs
Because it’s awesome