Revisiting 'Star Wars' Before 'The Force Awakens'

In 1977, former NPR movie critic Tom Shales reviewed “Star Wars,” later renamed “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.” That was back in the day when the first Apple II computers went on sale and Space Mountain was opening at Disneyland.

This Thursday, “Star Wars” returns to the big screen for its seventh episode and the first to be directed by J.J. Abrams.

In honor of the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which hits theaters Thursday, Here & Now dug up NPR’s 1977 review of the original “Star Wars” from our archives. Shales called the first “Star Wars” movie “U.F.O. — Ultra Far Out.” He also said George Lucas’ sci-fi thriller was the best kids’ movie for adults since “The Wizard of Oz.”

Guest

• Tom Shales, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American TV and movie critic. He tweets @RealTomShales.

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