On Wednesday, May 25, 1977, Star Wars began its theatrical run on thirty-two U.S. screens, including the legendary Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. The rest, as they say, is history.

In the original May 1977 release of Star Wars, the opening crawl did not feature an Episode number or the subtitle “A New Hope.” Those would be added with the film’s April 10, 1981, theatrical re-release.

A small Alderaanian cruiser is chased to the ends of the galaxy by an Imperial Star Destroyer, as Darth Vader and his forces try to track down the stolen Death Star plans.

Darth Vader throttles Captain Antilles, a member of the Rebel Alliance, in an effort to find the stolen Death Star plans.

Aboard the Alderaanian starship Tantive IV, Darth Vader interrogates Princess Leia on the location of the stolen Death Star plans.

A group of sandtroopers scouring Tatooine for the rebel droids come across a remnant of C-3PO.

After their escape pod crash lands into the barren wastes of Tatooine, R2-D2 and C-3PO split up, leaving the little blue astromech vulnerable to the scavenging Jawas.

Luke nearly misses the opportunity to meet the trusty Artoo when his uncle purchases a different astromech from the Jawas. When the red astromech blows a motivator, though, Luke convinces his uncle to pick up the little blue unit, R2-D2.

While traveling through the Jundland Wastes of Tatooine on a hunt for R2-D2, Luke Skywalker and C-3PO are attacked by a violent group of Tusken Raiders.

Inside his home on Tatooine, Obi-Wan tells Luke about his father, Anakin Skywalker, although his name goes unmentioned. Obi-Wan attributes Anakin's death to a rogue pupil of his, Darth Vader, who betrayed and murdered the young Jedi.

As the military commander of the Death Star, Tarkin was one of the few Imperial officials who dared to command Vader.

Heading into Mos Eisley, Luke, Obi-Wan, C-3PO and R2-D2 are stopped by a squad of stormtroopers in search of the droids carrying the Death Star plans. Obi-Wan quickly uses the Jedi mind trick on the troopers to avoid capture.

Though Luke claims to be "ready for anything," the bizarre interior of the Mos Eisley Cantina proves almost too much.

May the Fourth be with you! Celebrate Star Wars Day with a fascinating look at the dawn of digital filmmaking.

Ben Burtt invites you into his office at Skysound to show the inspiration for the sound of the iconic Lightsaber. The Star Wars Digital Movie Collection is available for the first time ever on Digital HD April 10th.

Iconic sound mixers Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood share some of the nearly 1 million different sounds that made the Star Wars movies come to life. The Star Wars Digital Movie Collection is available for the first time ever on Digital HD April 10th.

Design director Doug Chiang reveals one of the design principles he learned from George Lucas. Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection is available for the first time ever on Digital HD April 10th.

Set Designer Roger Christian shares memories of his early days on George Lucas’ creative team and the surprising inspirations behind R2-D2. The Star Wars Digital Movie Collection is available for the first time ever on Digital HD April 10th.

Longtime collaborators Roger Christian and Joe Johnston meet for the first time to discuss the impact that George Lucas had on their lives and share memories of building the Millennium Falcon.

Legendary sound editors Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood meet at Skywalker Ranch to discuss how they came to work on the Star Wars films, share the surprising sounds that made the movies roar to life and celebrate the franchise that defined their careers.

Star Wars concept artist Ralph McQuarrie discusses his work and paintings that helped to visually define a galaxy far, far away, and bring George Lucas' vision to life.

Star Wars creator George Lucas, actor Mark Hamill, and sound designer Ben Burtt discuss the concept and creation of the lightsaber.

Part 5 of of the Ralph McQuarrie tribute Dreams and Visions Press produced for Star Wars Celebration VI in 2012, drawing from interviews conducted for a feature length documentary on Ralph McQuarrie that is currently in production.

Part 4 of the Ralph McQuarrie tribute Dreams and Visions Press produced for Star Wars Celebration VI in 2012, drawing from interviews conducted for a feature length documentary on Ralph McQuarrie that is currently in production.

This recently unearthed George Lucas interview covers the evolution of the first Star Wars script.