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 A New Hope was released in 1977 when I was 24. Can you imagine how many sci-fi flicks I had seen before 1977?
One of my favorite movies of all time besides SW is Jason & the Argonauts. I was 10 when the 1963 film version was released in movie theaters. For those of you who weren't around in 1963...the movie is based on a legend in Greek Mythology. Jason, rightful heir to the throne of IOLCUS, makes a voyage to retrieve a ''Golden Fleece" that once belonged to the kingdom and was in the "possession" of the Kingdom of Colchis. Only by returning the Golden Fleece to Iolcus would the throne be returned to him by his evil half uncle who murdered his father. With the help and challenges of the gods...Zeus, Aphrodite , Hera, Eros, Athena, his quest to find the Golden Fleece was accomplished. (His story is much longer but I only give you what this movie covers.)
I don't know much about special effects at all, but I can say that this movie would probably have benefited from ILM technology. Only being 10 at the time, I sat in awe as I watched harpes (winged beasts with the head & breasts of a woman and the body of a bird) swoop down on a blind man, a humongous crowned water creature (I believe it was Poseidon) rise out of the sea to steady floating rocks that otherwise would have smashed Jason's ship to pieces, a multiple headed fire-breathing dragon Jason had to kill, giant statues and skeleton warriors with swords coming to life to duel with the brave captain and his Argonauts. This movie so impressed me I thought to myself right then and there, if I ever have a son I will name him Jason. My oldest son Jason is now 34 years old.
There were other "sci-fi" movies that I really liked....The Forbidden Planet, where Robbie the talking Robot (from Lost in Space TV show fame) was first introduced and the Godzilla movie from the 60's whose special effect was a plastic monster walking around in a "dollhouse" city, yet the movie was so good. I especially liked the Godzilla vs. Mothra movie with Mothra the "flying moth"...strings attached. I'm sure these classic movies would have been spectacular had ILM existed then, but as they are there is nothing like them. They are classics and I still watch these movies. I love them, they're part of MY pop culture.
GL has created flying starships with no cables attached, alien creatures, jumping Jedi and slithering Jabba the Hutt that doesn't look ridiculous or fake. One of the reasons the SW Saga has the following it does is due to HIS special effects. Can you imagine the Death Star hanging by a thread in mid-air?
Yes after 1977, sci-fi movies changed for the better and I consider myself lucky to be around for the "before & after".
MTFBWU ALL
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http://blogs.starwars.com/jedilily1026/37 |
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Kenobi-fan
The Jundland Wastes Journal
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 1:43 PM
I can't think of much with regards to sci-fi fantasy effects before Star Wars...at least nothing I found impressive (I'm sure this is because I was so young too). However, when I see films you describe now-a-days, more important than even the effects, are the camera angles and cinematic views we were granted in Star Wars. It just seems more dramatic, more exciting, more thrilling (ex. the first scene...HELLO, STARDESTROYER!). I agree the effects were (and still are) awesome, but the cinematography ensured the effects were put to grand use turning a sci-fi fantasy into a grand epic. Great discussion!
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The Stooge
Star Wars Joke-A-Day
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 1:44 PM
My father raised me on the classic sci-fi, stuff like Forbidden Planet and 2001... though those movies still impress the hell out of me, SFX included. But yeah, SW (and subsequent sci-fi pics) clearly benefited from better visuals. It really gave a legitimacy to the entire genre -- hooray for ILM! 
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Jedi Master Mina
Another Galaxy, another time
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 1:52 PM
Yes after 1977, sci-fi movies changed for the better and I consider myself lucky to be around for the "before & after".
Thank the Maker!!1 I agree with both Kfan and Stoogey. I loved 2001. But the Master of special effects and changing it for the better is none other than Da Maker himself. All hail the Maker!! 
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nob01
Oil Bath Bubbles
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 2:14 PM
I am in agreement with everyone here - however, I would like to be a pest and suggest that Jason and the Argonauts would lose most of its charm if it were as slick as GL's modern masterpieces.
All of Schneer's and Harryhausen's films had a profound effect on me growing up, and I never grow tired of watching Jason fight skeletons or Sinbad take on a multi-armed deity.
It is little wonder that Lucasfilm chose to honor these films with the arena fight in AOTC - possibly one of my favorite sequences from the entire PT.
Great post Lily!
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hansgirl3
Invoking the Squee
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 2:17 PM
I'm so thankful the GL came to "save the day" for effects!!
Some movies before did a pretty good job, but some were horrible! GL is genius and I can't imagine where we would be movie-wise without him!!
Great blog, Lily!!
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jedilily1026
Years Matter Not (Gone Crazy...Be Back Soon)
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 3:11 PM
I am in agreement with everyone here - however, I would like to be a pest and suggest that Jason and the Argonauts would lose most of its charm if it were as slick as GL's modern masterpieces.
You know you're right..It would lose it's charm. I just love that movie as is and wouldn't change a thing.
However, when I see films you describe now-a-days, more important than even the effects, are the camera angles and cinematic views we were granted in Star Wars.
I'm glad you pointed this out b/c but it's all "greek" to me. LOL
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JediPug1
Like My Father Before Me
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 3:20 PM
I love SW for the advances it made in special effects, no doubt. But, give me a good Harryhausen film any day! Stooge mentioned Forbidden Planet... awesome movie! The oldies are still goodies as far as I'm concerned. 
Nice blog, lily!
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jediprincess77
I Know...
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 3:22 PM
Great blog, lily!!
I'm in a different boat...SW was pretty much the first sci-fi thing I ever really knew. Seeing that Star Destroyer in the opening shot wasn't all that spectacular for me. My mom, on the other hand, has told me the story of her viewing it with my dad (on a date not long before the became engaged!) and being absolutely blown away by that shot. She was completely hooked for the rest of the film. Her story, and stories like yours, help put GL's contributions in perspective for me...but I feel like I missed out on something important.
Good thing there are wise people like you to help me out a little! 
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GalacticBabe
I Have a Bad Feeling About This!
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 4:16 PM
I'm actually impressed that the special effects on "Jason" were as good as they were for the time. I don't know why I thought it was made in the early 70's.
We've come a long way, baby!
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Jedi Arwen Skywalker
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 4:32 PM
I haven't seen anything sci-fi that's younger than SW, so I'll take your word for it!
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padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 6:07 PM
I am with JP77 on the "different boat" in terms of sci-fi. SW was also the first series I saw, so I have nothing to compare it to. However, I am still impressed with the effects of the OOT. I do notice a difference between "today's films" and "yesterday's films" whenever I catch parts of those older movies on television. I agree...many of the films of yesterday are better left unaltered
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amidalooine
The Emotional Galaxy
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 7:17 PM
I consider myself lucky to be around for the "before & after".
My parents raised me watching the "old" stuff, and I do remember a lot of it on my own (I was alive in 1963 but as I was born the last week of 1962, I don't remember it...no feelings...images really, lol) There was a show on Saturday nights called Chiller Theater, and they showed the coolest old movies. I remember Godzilla vs. Mothra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really interesting stuff!
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jedilily1026
Years Matter Not (Gone Crazy...Be Back Soon)
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date Posted: Jan 08, 2007 7:38 PM
There was a show on Saturday nights called Chiller Theater,
Ami, Chiller Theater...I forgot about the good times I had with my younger brother watching movies like Attack of the 50 foot Woman and other sci-fi films from way back when when Chiller Theater was aired.
I advise every younger person to rent some of the old sci-fi movies(if they can find them). They'll have a great time watching those classics.
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Michelle1968
M68- Star Wars Kid at Heart
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date Posted: Jan 09, 2007 5:31 AM
Yay for GL!
That movie sounds very interesting and reminds me a little of Clash of the Titans, a movie I loved as a kid and which also could have benefited from ILM Technology (pretty fake looking watching it now). 
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Cousin Itt
You don't know how to fix the hyperdrive...!
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date Posted: Jan 09, 2007 6:11 AM
I was the tender age of 4 when I first saw SW and indeed ILM has done much for the spectical that is movie going.
However, I am in complete agreement about Jason & the Argonauts - besides being into mythical type films anyway the effects were great for the time - Ray Harryhausen is Lucus' forunner and we should not forget the leaps forward he made in special effects before the great GL took over the Crown as King of Special Effects.
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JediPug1
Like My Father Before Me
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date Posted: Jan 09, 2007 8:55 AM
Chiller Theater...I forgot about the good times I had with my younger brother watching movies like Attack of the 50 foot Woman and other sci-fi films from way back when when Chiller Theater was aired.
I remember watching all those great films on Saturdays, too! So much fun and great memories. I used to love Son of Svengoolie, too, here in Chicago. He showed all those great movies, too. And, lest I foget to mention, Mystery Science Theater 3000.... sure they lampooned those movies, but they did it with affection.
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slow
Slow's Rebel Ramblings
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date Posted: Jan 23, 2007 7:04 AM
BRAVO!!!!!
I did a paper in college about Special Effects and George Lucas. Thanks to this post, I must now go and dig it out, if I still have it. It got me an A
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