Star Wars

Rating:
Summary: The real story!
Review: The fun of the SW Radio drama is not so much the rehash of Star Wars ANH itself, but all the background which is revealed! The Radio Drama goes beyond the films and answers questions like: Where did Leia get the Death Star plans? How did she join the Rebellion? Why was Tarkin really put in charge of the Death Star? An absolute must-hear for anyone who loves Star Wars!

Rating:
Summary: Not to be Missed
Review: The new material (and there's lots of it) is masterfully intertwined with the original dialogue. The translation to a radio format is done marvelously well. We couldn't stop listening!

This is a first-rate production, in many ways superior to the movie. A must-have!

Rating:
Summary: If only there was more....
Review: This expands and explains so much of the underlying story. I only wish there was more! This was the only CD in the player of my truck for 4 weeks! I listened to it a bit at a time at least 5 times before even turning on the radio again! Well made and executed drama.

Rating:
Summary: If only there was more....
Review: This expands and explains so much of the underlying story. I only wish there was more! This was the only CD in the player of my truck for 4 weeks! I listened to it a bit at a time at least 5 times before even turning on the radio again! Well made and executed drama.

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This Radio Dramatization is excellant. It keeps the original spirit of Star Wars (A New Hope) while telling the story in a different way. The scenes and diologue that were not in the movie give a different perspective to the story that does nothing short of enrich it.

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This Radio Dramatization is excellant. It keeps the original spirit of Star Wars (A New Hope) while telling the story in a different way. The scenes and diologue that were not in the movie give a different perspective to the story that does nothing short of enrich it.

Rating:
Summary: Expanded and Excellent
Review: This was an incredible way to pass 6.5 hours of driving. Some eps are better than others, but all are consistently high quality. The voices are very good, with both original cast members and newcomers. My only quibble is Perry King's characterization of Han Solo. He made the character even more unlikeable than he was in the movie. (True depth on Solo comes in ESB, not Star Wars) Some of the conventions of radio drama sound hokey to those raised on video, but for someone raised on radio plays, this was just terrific. And yes, Episode 8, Death Star's Transit is even more disturbing than I remembered.

Rating:
Summary: Expanded and Excellent
Review: This was an incredible way to pass 6.5 hours of driving. Some eps are better than others, but all are consistently high quality. The voices are very good, with both original cast members and newcomers. My only quibble is Perry King's characterization of Han Solo. He made the character even more unlikeable than he was in the movie. (True depth on Solo comes in ESB, not Star Wars) Some of the conventions of radio drama sound hokey to those raised on video, but for someone raised on radio plays, this was just terrific. And yes, Episode 8, Death Star's Transit is even more disturbing than I remembered.

Rating:
Summary: ...A Time Of Revolution
Review: When the Star Wars Radio Drama made its debut in 1981, on the NPR network, it was an instant success. Saga creator George Lucas sold the rights of the story to his alma mater for a dollar After that, a highly creative team took on the task of adapting the very visual film, for the radio medium. The end result is an enjoyable and very worthwhile, experience that makes the film come alive all over again, despite the lack of any of the film's landmark visuals

Using sound effects, the original score by composer John Williams, and with 2 key actors reprising their roles from the film, the radio drama boasts lavish production values. This is not some cheesy adaptation that they slapped together, quickly and put the name Star Wars on it, hoping for the best. Author Brian Daley's radioplay expands on the film verison by including additional "scenes" and backstory. Directed by John Madden (Shakespeare In Love), the radio drama has a top notch cast. Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels add some additional class by recreating their film roles as Luke Skywalker and C-3PO respectively. Brock Peters as Darth Vader, makes the part his own, while Ann Sachs gives Leia the right amount of spunk. Perry King, as smuggler Han Solo, may not be Harrison Ford, but he could be Solo, and that's what counts. Bernard Beherns as Ben Kenobi and the late great character actor, Keane Curtis, as Grand Moff Tarkin, round out the main cast, with style. While I was listening to this, I got the impression that, even though it must have been a lot of work to put this production together, it seems like everyone had a good time too. Sure some of it may sound a bit off at times, because most of us know the film so well. But one must remember that no one working on the project set out to just copy the film. The Star Wars Radio Drama captures the sprit of its of source material perfectlly...and that's all it needs to do.

I highly recommend this presenation. The Star Wars Radio Drama on CD contains all 13 episodes as originally presented, spread over 7 discs, with a running time of about six and a half hours. The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi radio drama adaptations are also available as well.