Star Wars
Written and Directed by
George Lucas
1977
Star Wars was a direct product of the desperate times in which it was made, and the message and spirit that the movie instilled in the public may have saved aspects of society and culture from the brink of collapse. That’s quite a bit of credit to give to a movie, but considering the circumstances, it is deserved. Star Wars ‘s biggest audience, children, had spent much of their youths receiving mixed messages from pop culture and media regarding good and bad, and right and wrong. Star Wars tore through the clouds of doubt and delivered a moralistic story of heroes and villains at just the right time. It marks the time period, in many ways, but one of which is by being the antithesis of everything else in media in the late 70s.
-Eric Salmonsen, EPS
Listen to the original conversations
Add to the discussion
The initial conversation addresses some of the questions that are used to analyze a primary source, but not all. Please record your insights on the following prompts, and what it can tell us about everyday American life in the era. Then, submit them to the site for publication:
There has been at least one Star Wars film made in every decade since the 1970s. Select one and decide how it reflects its time period.
Unlike Star Trek, Star Wars is less science-fiction and more space fantasy. Star Trek has inspired much in the area of popular science and technology. What has Star Wars inspired in society and culture?
Gallery
As the podcast episodes suggest, Star Wars has found its way into nearly every part of our collective culture. Send photographs of any and all things Star Wars that you have or come across to be included in the gallery.