In a galaxy far, far away, a civil war is raging between the evil Galactic Empire and rebel forces. The Empire is building a powerful new weapon called the Death Star. During a battle, rebel spies steal the plans for the Death Star and secret them away in a droid named R2-D2. Luke Skywalker, a young farmer, finds R2-D2 and must help deliver the plans to the rebel forces on the planet Alderaan in order to help the rebellion.

1. Star wars: A new hope
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CASE STUDY

2. Narrative
In a distant galaxy before the creation of Earth a vast amount of civilians evolved, including
mythical creatures. A interstellar Empire is ruling this mythical galaxy. A civil war breaks
out as solar systems have broken away from the empire and are influencing a war of
rebellion. During the rebellious battle a giant space station known as the Death Star is
discovered by spies. A young woman who is a member of the Imperial Senate is on a
mission to planet Alderaan, trying to smuggle these plans into the rebellion. The space craft
on the mission is attacked by a war ship of the Empire and is seized. The women is captured
however the plans for Death Star aren’t. Soldiers from the Empire are searching for these
plans, and incidents occur with a desert farmer who is dreaming of fighting in the Rebellion.
He winds up with the Death Star plans and has the assistance of a elderly hermit who was
once a warier whose chosen weapons; powerful energy swords called lightsabers. The pair
tried to smuggle and reach planet Alderaan but they need to rescue the young women who is
held as a prisoner by the Empire first.

3. Codes And Conventions
• Star wars is a science fiction film due to the setting of a distant planet. The film also involves
robots, which weren't around at the time, and other mythical creatures. Throughout the film the
robots R2D2 and C3PO are treated as slaves. They are used and are isolated even though they are
actually really smart and helpful. This is questioning how people with power treat others and how it
affects the person who is isolated for. This also links to current tv shows which question how we
treat robots and if they should be treated like humans as they have feelings/emotions. Star wars also
questions empires, the rebellion (citizens) are trying to escape the empire. The empire is seen as a
terrible thing, especially as innocent people are being captured and held as prisoners. Star wars was
released in 1977 just before the end of the second British empire. This suggests that star wars
actually was giving this message to indicate that the British empire was a bad thing and shouldn't
carry on.

4. Representation
• Princess Leia is presented as brave and quite powerful in the film which is a odd view of
women in a film as they are usually labelled as weak. However Princess Leia does need Obi-
Wan kenobi’s help which suggests women aren't strong enough to fight for themselves. She is
wearing all white which suggests innocence. Luke skywalker is presented a teenager who
moans and cant be bothered to begin with however throughout the film he becomes a hero,
which is a typical representation of men in films.
• The film has a key theme of good vs evil throughout the whole film. The empire are shown as
evil and the rebellion are presented as the good. We are encouraged to be on the rebellions side
as the evil empire have a lot of power over citizens. Also the rebellion are only trying to reach
the ‘Death Star’ before the empire so they can save everything and can be ‘heroes’.

5. Audience
• Star wars originally had a target audience of children/teens due the idea of a distant
galaxy and fantasy creatures. However all ages enjoyed and still enjoy star wars.
Typically men enjoy star wars as they are more into the idea of what could happen
with technology in the future and what the world could be like. When star wars
first came out it was a insanely popular film, people went crazy for it. It was so
advanced graphics and effects wise compared to any other films in that time.
• The audience of star wars like to call it a space opera. However this is arguable as
many people see it as a fantasy and many people see it as a science fiction. A
fantasy is a film that is made up and will most likely never happen. A science
fiction is a film largely focused on science and science objects e.g. robots and
technology. Now star wars is made up and is largely focused on science so what is
it, a sci fi fantasy? Or is it what fans call a space opera; a fantasy set in space.

6. Institution
• Star wars was made by 20th century fox. The Director
and writer was George Lucas. The budget of the film
was $11,000,000 (estimated). The box office earnings
was $775.4 million. Star wars made such a change to
films in 1970’s. They technology used was just seen as
absolutely amazing and was unheard of. People believe
that star wars changed the face of film.