This is one of the best science fiction movies ever made. Action-packed, funny, and all around entertaining. But there is lots of bloodless, but extremely frequent, laser bolts being pumped into white-clad soldiers. In one scene two smoldering skeletons are shown and in another Obi-Wan uses his lightsaber to dismember an alien, whose bloody arm ends up on the ground. There are four swear words, but mainly the language is fine. If you're 8 or 9, it's an awesome fantasy.
Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
First of a sci-fi phenomenon, #4 in the series.
Themes in this movie include: friendship, loss
updated 09.28.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
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What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know this 1977 movie comes in two versions: the original and the one released on DVD in 2004 that's augmented with more effects. Either one is a good introduction to the series for kids (the effects don't add much) if you decide to view them in the order they were made rather than the chronological order in which they're marketed now. Parents may notice something they didn't the first time around: The human cast isn't all that diverse. Most are white males, and the princess stands out as the only strong female character. One bar scene features "space" drinking, smoking, and shady characters, resulting in the loss of one character's limb and the shooting death of another. Two supporting characters are killed fairly early on and shown as ash-like figures; a main character dies later. There are plenty of laser blasts and swordplay with lightsabers, although this entry is the tamest of the series.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the characters' choices and motivations. Why does Luke decide to fight the Empire? Why does Han? Why does Han leave, and why does he come back?
- What background do the newer movies give this story?
- In 1977 the audience didn't have this background -- do you think they missed out?
- If you watched the updated version could you tell right away when a scene was added?
- Why do you think the director added to his work? Do you think it's the sign of a good director to let his or her art stand or to keep revisiting past work?
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More on Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope
What’s the Story?
Two robots (or "droids") escape: the elegant C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and his counterpart, the gurgling and beeping R2-D2 carry a message from Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) to Obi-Wan Kenobi, asking for help. When they arrive on the desert planet of Tatooine, they're bought by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to help on his aunt and uncle's farm. Luke finds the message from Leia and makes his way to Ben Kenobi (Alec Guinness), where he learns that his father was a Jedi knight and joins Ben on his quest to fight the Empire.
Is It Any Good?
George Lucas, who wrote and directed STAR WARS: EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE, was deeply influenced by Joseph Campbell's work on myths, as well as his own love for the great movie classics. This movie is rich in themes from both. For example, the Mos Eisley cantina scene with all the aliens is very much like a typical bar scene in a Western movie. Han Solo resembles the cowboy ideal -- the loner with no loyalty to any cause, but with his own sense of morality.
Han and Luke must both decide whether to join the fight. At first both are reluctant, but they accept the responsibility, as they must. The idea of the Force in the movie may be something kids may want to know more about, and it's definitely not a new concept. They can start by looking up Eastern religions.
Movie Details
Studio: Lucasfilm, Director: George Lucas
Run time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1977, DVD release: 8/26/1997
MPAA Rating: PG
Run time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1977, DVD release: 8/26/1997
MPAA Rating: PG
Our Members Say
See all 31 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
Great movie, with some violence mixed in
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
Perfect for those who want adventure in space!
Love it! My children can watch this movie over and over. They have momorized every line from it. It is so addicting, you can't get enough, so you will buy all 6 movies to get your fill.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Star Wars - a Great Movie! And start of a great series!
I loved it. Kind of sad though. It is also violent. Guns, lightsabers, getting captured, though violent, as strange planets and creatures pop up, it's a classic! If your kids can not get through Disney's The Wild, (what I mean is if your child thinks The Wild is too scary) then your child is not ready for Star Wars. THE STORY: It's about 2 droids who venture off, and are found, and sold on Tantoonie. A couple by the last name of Lars buys the droids. Then, one of the droids runs away. Lars' adopted son, Luke Skywalker, (age 20) goes to find it with the other droid. Then, he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi. He tells him about the force. Meanwhile,the bad guys are trying to capture the 2 droids. Will Luke protect the droids? Will Luke escape Tantoonie? Anything can happen. Watch the movie, and find out what happens to Luke. TIPS: If your goal is to watch every Star Wars Movie, watch A New Hope first, then The Empire Strikes Back, then Return of the Jedi, then The Phantom Menace, then Attack of the Clones, then Revenge of the Sith. I watched it in that order, and enjoyed the Star Wars Collection. Also, Revenge of the Sith is more violent then the other 5. I enjoyed it, even though it was really violent! DON'T WORRY IF: I sat down to watch A New Hope with my dad at 6, and started crying after Uncle Owen and Aunt Peru die. If your child cries, or feels for the characters, that's okay! That means he understands the character's feelings.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Perfect. Simply a perfect movie. Not much else I can say, except to also aknowledge how amazing the soundtrack is. Shame really, how later on they ruin this great promise of a series.
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I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
my kid loves any thing to do with star wars. i think its a good show for him too watch, would rather he watched this than some of the shows more geared to his age such as i carly,
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Who doesn't like Star Wars?
I love star wars! Hardly anything suggestive. If you haven't seen it then why not? They're all great!
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Lives in Ohio -
I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
Great for Young Kids
I recently watched this with my 5-year-old son. He's really into the Star Wars franchise, and this movie made a huge impression on me when I saw it at age 7, so I was anxious for him to see it. He probably would have gotten a bit more out of it had he been older, but he did really enjoy it. He wasn't scared by anything in it nor freaked out by the cinematic violence, but the plot nuances might have been a bit over his head. I don't believe that the violence in this movie is worth worrying about for the suggested age group, since it is pretty abstract (e.g. while people do get shot & killed, it's never graphic or distressing.) All in all, a great movie that stimulates the young imagination to no end.
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
Trolls are entertaining, but people who actually believe them are more so.
A classic - I first saw it when I was four. It didn't hold my attention very well, and I don't think some younger children would be interested in it enough to watch the whole movie when sitting by themselves, though. Umm... people who rate this movie as being 'bad for children' are probably trolls. (Have you seen 6's review for Robocop? Hilarious.) One of my most sheltered friends saw this as a child and loved it, so if her parents let her watch it, it MUST be kid-friendly.
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
The problem with nut bag fundamentalists, is, that there ARE nut bag fundamentalists!
Seriously? Most of you that are posting have a problem with this movie? Are you insane? I was taken to see this movie WITH MY PARENTS as a 4 year old child when it was released, and then to the sequel "Empire" and then "Jedi" a few years later respectively. For any adult with a parent who thinks this is "too much for their child to see", you either have completely forgotten what it's like to be a child, or, you are a nut bag fundamentalist that leans way too far to the right. There is no gore, comparatively, considering your precious little angels go over to their friends' house after school to play whichever new video game is out that shows copious amounts of blood, guts, sex, etc...Ok, so, there is a severed arm, so? There are two bodies that are clearly skeletons in a field...so? This movie is nothing more than a western in space. Han Solo is John Wayne, basically, if you want to compare. It has the hopeful "kid", the damsel in distress, the evil sheriff, and the comic side-kicks. The movie was released in 1977 and it's sequels released in 1981 and 1983 respectively (Episode 4, 5, and 6). They were so titled Episode IV, V, VI because Lucas had the idea for the first three in his head but didn't have the funding or the special effects created to make the other movies. Thsi movie is in no way a "horrible" movie for kid. When I was a child, I was taken to see "Jaws", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", the "Star Wars" movies, and pretty much every other movie that was out there, including the Star Trek movies. Seriously, remember the movies you watched as a kid, and lean a little more to the left. So what if your 4 year old kid watches Star Wars? Who cares? It'll probably help their imagination. "Irresponsible damage to a child"...*pffft* whatever. When my son was old enough to understand, which, was about 4 years old, I sat him down to watch the Star Wars movies because I wanted to share MY experiences with the movie just as my parents did with me. And you know what? He loved the movies. We watch them together about once a month. Seriously...get a life you bunch of over-inflated, over entitled windbags. Oh, and Han shot first!
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I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
DISPICABLE
WAY TO VIOLENT!! BLOODY, TERRIBLE VIOLENCE! NOT FOR AGES 16+ IN MY OPINION! I DO NOT ALLOW ANY OF MY GRANDCHILDREN TO WATCH THIS (EXCEPT FOR THE ADULT ONES) please, take my advice and stay away
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
The worst movie ever made!
I'm shocked at how the movie exclaims that violent battes between artificially created and unbelievable characters is fun. All the movie has to offer is a false view on totalarian societies the will ruin children's moral views into a simplistic "There's only good and evil" idea. I blame this for ending the anti-war craze the Vietnam War started a view that made many people cheer when we were blowing up innocent people in Iraq in 1991, and more recently in Afghanistan and (again) Iraq. Avoid at all costs.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
one of the best movies of all time
acting- 4.5/5 art direction/set direction- 5/5 editing- 5/5 musical score- 5/5 sound- 5/5 visual effects- 5/5 directing- 5/5 screenplay- 5/5 one of the greatest films of all time, everything in this film is perfect or very close to it. I am still very puzzled that CSM gave it a 4/5. the finale still gives me goosebumps years after i originally saw it, i cant begin to describe how much i love this movie
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
One of the best
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Before Harry Potter....
I take small issue with the content summary that claims all main characters are white males. The Princess is a key figure who my daughter enjoyed rooting for, and she grows in importance as the series continues (a leader in Empire Strikes Back, a rebel ground fighter in Jedi). And Billy Dee Williams rivals Harrison Ford as an important romantic scoundrel who proves his heroic worth under fire. Far superior to Episodes 1 and 2.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
still good
i know this is the oldest star wars movie but its still good
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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