Orchestrated and Conducted by John Williams

Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra

Produced by John Williams

Release Date: February 18, 1997

       BMG Classics / RCA Victor

     I'm sure that when Lucas first saw the completed cut (the original completed cut I might add) to his first Star Wars film, he could never have imagined the cultural icon it would become. That this relatively small-budget sci-fi/fantasy film would spawn two sequels, three prequels, and countless knock-offs. The same goes for John Williams masterpiece of a score. While he was no stranger to producing strong, emotional scores (he had scored Jaws the previous year), the music from Star Wars is probably some of the most recognized music that exists today. And while the following scores continually added different layers of complexity, the score to A New Hope hasn't fallen to the wayside simply because instead of just being the score that set the style for the films, it has a charm all its own.

     When Lucas decided to re-release the original trilogy in 1997 (to mark the 20th anniversary of the first film), the fans were delighted. Then, word came out that not only where the films being digitally re-mastered, but also that new scenes and effects would be added to the films. Such a move was not unheard of, but still relatively rare at this point. One of the few major examples had been Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind. As I see it, the Special Edition versions have plenty of pluses and minuses, and getting into an argument over each is a review in and of itself. But one plus that definitely cannot be argued is RCA's release of the complete scores on CD.

     While the previous soundtrack releases had not been too shabby, RCA completely blew all of them away with their nicely packaged 2-disc set. In addition to the complete score (along with several minute of bonus material), the linear notes were quite extensive, featuring a glimpse of the actual scoring process itself as well as a track-by-track analysis. The CD case itself is of top quality construction and littered with some excellent stills. The only beef I had with the case is that the sleeve which contains the CDs is apt to scratching them, and it isn't advisable to leave them in there. These versions are very hard to find now, but the regular CD jewel case release still contains the excellent linear notes.

     The sound quality of the set is top-notch. I was amazed at just how good the score sounded considering that it was recorded over two decades ago. The 20th Century Fox fanfare track is the only one that doesn't sound good, but that was the original recording made back around the fifties (Williams would later record a new version for The Empire Strikes Back). The tracks are arranged quite well and are presented in chronological order.

     Of course, I have yet to say a word about the music...but then why should I? It's not like this isn't a world-renowned score. If you've never heard it, then you haven't even seen the film yet. And you should if you haven't. Otherwise, if you loved the film you should not be without this release. Get it at any cost.

Disc 1

1 - 20th Century Fox Fanfare (0:23)

2 - Main Title / Rebel Blockade Runner (2:14)

3 - Imperial Attack (6:43)

4 - The Dune Sea of Tatooine / Jawa Sandcrawler (5:01)

5 - The Moisture Farm (2:25)

6 - The Hologram / Binary Sunset (4:10)

7 - Landspeeder Search / Attack of the Sand People (3:20)

8 - Tales of a Jedi Knight / Learn About the Force (4:29)

9 - Burning Homestead (2:50)

10 - Mos Eisley Spaceport (2:16)

11 - Cantina Band #1 (2:47)

12 - Cantina Band #2 (3:56)

13 - Binary Sunset (Alternate) (2:19)

Disc 2

1 - Princess Leia's Theme (4:27)

2 - The Millennium Falcon / Imperial Cruiser Pursuit (3:51)

3 - Destruction of Alderaan (1:32)

4 - The Death Star / The Stormtroopers (3:35)

5 - Wookiee Prisoner / Detention Block Ambush (4:01)

6 - Shootout in the Cell Bay / Dianoga (3:48)

7 - The Trash Compactor (3:07)

8 - The Tractor Beam / Chasm Crossfire (5:18)

9 - Ben Kenobi's Death / TIE Fighter Attack (3:51)

10 - The Battle Of Yavin (Launch From The Fourth Moon / X-Wings Draw Fire / Use The Force) (9:07)

11 - The Throne Room / End Title (5:38)