I listened to this dramatization over and over as a kid in the early 80s, playing out all the parts with my brother's action figures. I had seen the movie once or twice, but wasn't able to see it over and over till I was in my early teens. This was the version that I fell in love with. The acting, music, and sound effects make it possible to fill in all the details with your imagination. This is masterful radio storytelling. Even the intros and outros for each episode bring back strong memories.

This was really a great listen for Star Wars fans. Even though only a couple of the actors are originals, the dramatized format does a good job of replicating the excitement and drama of the movie. All the great lines from the film are maintained though many scenes are elaborated to give more depth to the interactions and to make up for what the listener cannot see. I particularly enjoyed the extra material concerning Luke's piloting at home and his jedi training with Ben Kenobi. In nearly all cases, the extra material filled in gaps and explained actions that were largely inexplicable in the movie. It really felt like watching an extended cut of the movie in my car as I listened during each day's commute to work.

Keeping the original score in this audiobook and playing the relevant bits during vital scenes helped to remind me that the biggest star of the original movie was John Williams' music. The story would be much diminished without it.

The only downside was the lack of editing, as many other reviewers have complained, to remove the end credits and intro for each episode of the original 30-minute long programs. Perhaps there was some contractual reason to keep it in, but it is quite annoying to have the action stop every 30 minutes for 5 minutes of filler. Still, the overall experience is worth overlooking this.

The overall experience is comparable to seeing the original film. If you don't care for the movie, you probably won't enjoy this. If you do like the movie, you probably will.

Not the actual worst thing in the world. And to give some credit to the performance, the lines were the worst. I've listened to some of The Empire Strikes Back which was pretty good. Finally, it's okay, just could have been so much more enjoyable. Afterall, it does include some original soundtrack by John Williams which is still brilliant.

Listening to a story i already know by heart via the movies, with a few added tidbits and backstory.

Old Time Radio plays

Mark Hamill and Tony Daniels are solid and straight from the movie. Luke is fleshed out a bit more.

The same stirring scenes from the film.

I enjoyed it immensely. Its an easy listen and fleshes out Luke and Leia a bit more than in the original movie. Would have been interesting to see those additional bits filmed. Its a bit jarring at first to hear some of the voices as I'm used to the original actors that portrayed Han and Leia. Its interesting to hear the dialogue ive heard a thousand times with different tones and inflictions.

I definitely will. I doubt an explanation is needed, but its such a joy to revisit in depth a story that shaped my childhood.

So many memorable moments, I cant pick just one.

Probably the one where Luke raced his friend because it was a new scene i hadnt already seen in the movie.

Absolutely, and I did. It was so much fun.

Nope, I think you know what your getting here. It was a credit well spent.

Wish I heard this before seeing it. Hearing the credits over and over gets tiring but being the original broadcast I'm glad they didn't change anything so we can enjoy the very same production.

I love Star Wars - the kids are getting into it too. This radio program has interesting details that you don't get in the movie, especially about Luke and Leia's back stories.

I would listen to this recording again to share with friends and my young son. For the initiated, it provides a new take on the story as it was made popular by the George Lucas blockbuster motion picture. While true to the motion picture in sound effects, characters, and overall tone, the dramatized version provides additional dialogue and scenes that enhance the listener's understanding of the story. Listening to this recording is like experiencing a hybrid of the novelization and the film: you get more depth while still experiencing many of the aspects that made the film thrilling. For those -- like my son -- who are yet to experience the Star Wars motion pictures, this recording still creates vivid images in the minds' eye. It's a great radio serial that is broken into hour-long segments, so it can be taken in incrementally and makes for good listening on car trips.

There are numerous additional scenes and bits of dialogue that are not in the motion picture. Luke's interactions with his child-hood friends from Tatooine stand out to me.

Hamill and Daniels embody their characters with the even greater zeal than they do in the motion picture.

The depiction of Darth Vader interrogating/torturing Princess Leia is disturbing on many levels.

Note: Because of the intense violent scenes depicted in this dramatization, it may not be suitable for very young audiences. I think the absence of visual images causes the listener to internalize the story more within their own imagination. Recommended for listeners over ten-years old.

If you liked the movie, you'll love the radio dramatization! It's about 5 hours long, which allows for expansion on the movie - there are scenes detailing how Leia came to be on the Tantiv IV and how they stole the plans for the Death Star. It also greatly expands the character of Biggs. In all, a great listen.

I love these radio dramas. They're so true to the original movies! The additional scenes from the original script are great as well. And they don't become wordy in explaining whats going on like some radio drams I've listened to. Final thoughts: Completely a joy to listen to, and it's Star Wars!