Star Wars: Learning The Grand Narrative

It's 1977.  I'm 11 years old.  I'm at the cinema with my friends.  As far as I recall, it's the first time I've gone to the pictures as a 'grown up', without my parents.

The film is Star Wars.

The opening sequence rolls.

From that moment until now and, I suspect, until my dying day, I was enthralled.  I still get goose bumps as soon as I hear the music and I must have watched the film 2 dozen times (not to mention playing and replaying the LP of the soundtrack...)

I know Star Wars isn't an arty film.  I know some people are surprised when I name it as my favourite. (This is partly because my mind goes blank when asked my favourite anything - book, film, place, meal - just blank. It's only Star Wars that sticks.)  I've been to lots of film classes and learned about plot, structure, genre, narrative - but it's Star Wars that stays resolutely stuck in my mind (body, heart, soul).

In later years I've learned more about how and why Star Wars 'works': explanations of heroic archetypes and the nature of the hero's journey.  (You'll find it all in The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler). 

And this has helped me understand more about how story functions, and why narratives matter.

But it's never entirely explained to me why I love this film so much. 

I think it was partly my age, on the threshold of adulthood. 

Partly the new ground that Lucas broke with this film.  The loving attention to detail, the perfectly drawn characters, the explosive effects. 

Story told on a huge, heroic scale.

All of which means that every time I hear the music, see a movie clip, or settle down once again to watch the opening sequence roll...I'm lost again.

Falling into that remembered sense of possibility and adventure.  The call to action.  The invitation to set off and explore this wondrous universe.

Do you have a favourite film that's stayed with you over the years?  What have you learned about its impact? About the film, or about yourself?

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The author Joanna Young is a writing coach who lives and works in Edinburgh.

You can read more of her work at the Confident Writing blog.  This month she's writing about powerful writing; stay tuned for next month's focus on writing with purpose.

You'll also find Joanna on Twitter @joannayoung

Comments

[amypalko]

For me that film will always be The Wizard of Oz. That point where Dorothy opens the front door and enters Oz in all its technicolor glory takes my breath away every time. I love the journey she goes on, the friends she meets and the lessons she learns. It's a childhood favourite that continues to teach me something new each time I watch it.

[@Stephen Productivity in Context]

I too could watch that film over and over. I remain a huge fan, and one of my fondest memories is in that summer of 93 or 94 when all 3 original movies were re-released and they just smoked every other movie put out that summer. Heh.

[Karen Wallace]

Joanna, whilst I seem to have been just a couple of years older than you in 1977 (I'm sure you've caught up by now:), I too remember the beautiful old theatre in Manuka in Canberra, the plush red velvet seats (the curtains that parted as the lights dimmed and the music started), the Jaffas someone was rolling down the aisle from the back, and the fog as my girlfriends older brother drove us home afterwards... that day, that movie is also etched on my memory. And the goosebumps too!

"The remembered sense of possibility and adventure..." oh how powerful that is!

For me, the music is what does it. I only have to hear those first few chords and I am There... (It's in my head now, as I write this).

Thanks Joanna for bringing back that memory so clearly I can still smell the popcorn!

[Dawud Miracle]

I love Star Wars. Probably my favorite three films of all time - though that would depend on my mood.

I have a tough time pinpointing why, though. It's probably where I was when it came out. The universe had possibilities. I remember wondering, as a 7 year-old boy, whether these battles really were taking place somewhere in the universe.

Then the action figures...I could replay all my favorite scenes every day.

As I got older, it was Yoda and his wisdom. And it just goes on from there.

[Joanna Young]

Amy, here's a confession - I associate Wizard of Oz from my teenage years as a Christmas - saccharine film... must watch it again with adult / learner eyes. I think you might find some fellow fans round here though :-)

Stephen, funny, you're reminding me of going to see the 3 films in a row... what a sweet memory, even if did seem a strange way to spend a sunny day at the time! Thanks for stopping by at JJL :-)

Karen, this clearly explains why we are so often on the same wavelength :-)

Dawud, thanks to you too for popping over to comment. It's fun to see who's drawn in by the Star Wars refs! I remember thinking that too, about the battles going on, and I often (still) think that they are, that we have to choose, each and every day, which side we're on and which fight we're going to lend our energy to (not to mention the times I tell myself just to let go and feel the force...)

Joanna

[Tim Draayer]

May the force be with you, Joanna!

I was the tender age of 8 when Return of the Jedi was in the theaters. My recollection of that day isn't of the same quality that you and Karen both share but I do remember single-handedly convincing my parents to take me--it was my birthday.

Since that day I've been an avid fan of the movies and SF as a genre.

As for storytelling, I've always had the desire to write a SF story. In years past I've purchased books on creating characters and things of that nature but always talked myself out of the idea.

Never thought I was good enough...

Who would have thought that starting a blog would allow me to feel the force (the force is strong in this one) and explore far far more than my writing skills.

[Joanna Young]

Ah Tim, I just love a story with a happy ending!

This line makes me feel so good:

"Who would have thought that starting a blog would allow me to feel the force (the force is strong in this one) and explore far far more than my writing skills."

It's true isn't it? Works so powerfully for so many of us.

And you've just given me a great idea, thank you!

Joanna

[Karen Swim]

Joanna, I am embarrassed to admit I have never seen Star Wars! Your post, however definitely has made me interested to finally rent it and watch.

[Joanna Young]

Karen, you have never watched Star Wars? Stop everything you're doing and go and watch it now!

Just the original mind, but that'll give you everything you need. A treasure in store for you.

Joanna

[Robert Hruzek]

Joanna, I am completely floored that you would name this as your favorite movie! It's been one of my favorites for a long time. I think the reason it "works" so well (and caught on so well) is because it's not just sci-fi - it's what we would call "space opera". It's a "broad strokes" sort of tale right out of the comic-book style of storytelling. It's fast-paced, swashbuckling, and just flat out fun!

For me, the remaining 5 films turned the story into an epic, but I'll always enjoy the original one as the best because it stands on its own.

[Joanna Young]

Robert, there's an interesting conversation to be had as to why my choice of favourite floored you...!

The film does stand on its own. Once they'd got past the first three (and then changed the order and lost me completely) the brand lost some of its magic - but this film? Not a bit of it.

Swash-buckling is a great word for it, and I think it appeals to the (perhaps well hidden!) swash-buckler in me :-)

Joanna