The Star Wars original trilogy completely changed cinema forever. The space opera is well known for having a visual language unlike anything seen on screen before. That was achieved through stunning cinematography, great set, costuming, and prop design, as well as excellent blocking and framing in each scene.
There are plenty of iconic and beautiful shots throughout the three films, each of which visually offers something very different. The most important aspect of these film frames is how well they tell the story, with each picture adding something important to the tapestry of shots fans are so familiar with.
10 The Cantina Setting
The Cantina scene in the original Star Wars is an incredibly important moment in establishing this world for audiences. Boasting lots of weird aliens and introducing fans to Han Solo for the first time, the initial shot within the Cantina is a vital one for setting out the moment.
The Cantina scene is famous for demonstrating just how wacky the Star Wars world can be, capturing the imagination of kids and adults alike. The shot beautifully shows off a range of costume and prosthetic designs, is contrasted with highly lit areas and shadowy corners to represent the hive of scum and villainy, and also features the grungy aesthetic associated with the franchise.
9 The Hoth Walkers
The Battle of Hoth sets the stage for The Empire Strikes Back, a film that is often associated with the upper echelon of the franchise. Fans know a great deal about Hoth now, but when first introduced it had to be represented as a planet where survival seemed almost impossible.
The establishing shot of the walkers only fills the audience with dread, with their size nicely contrasted with the soldiers fleeing for their lives. The white of the snow blends well with the greys of the walkers and the fire red shots that blast their way through the scene seem even more dangerous. The colors and scale of this frame are magnificently balanced.
8 Darth Vader & Luke Skywalker’s First Confrontation
Any duel between Vader and Luke is a moment to behold, but there’s so much emotion going into this initial battle that the confrontation feels even more spectacular. Of course, this Cloud City conflict will lead to the most famous cinematic reveal of all time. This is an important shot, therefore.
There have been many parallels made between Luke and his father throughout the film and they are both equally cast in shadow to represent this. The danger of their environment is represented with the smoke and fiery hues, but the focus is on the two lightsabers, with each of their colors showcasing the balance of the dark and the light side of the Force.
7 Han Frozen In Carbonite
The Empire Strikes Back certainly doesn’t hold back when it comes to beautiful cinematography and this moment has to capture so many emotions. Han Solo is perhaps Harrison Ford’s most iconic character and this is certainly Solo’s most legendary scene. The ad-lib of ‘I know’ will always go down in cinema history.
With Leia framed in the foreground as a reminder of the love Han is about to lose, he stares straight forward, cast in the smoke and ominous light of the carbon freezing chamber down below. The shot is also structured with the looming threat of the Empire behind Solo, giving a sense that the character really is trapped. It’s a beautiful piece of filmography.
6 The Outside Of Jabba’s Palace
Establishing shots are often vital pieces of film to show the audience where they are traveling next. Jabba the Hutt is a dangerous mob boss and a character that has to be given gravitas. The size and scale of his palace is one such way of doing this in Return Of The Jedi.
The shot utilizes the twin suns associated with Tatooine, giving a great sense of place. It also allows the full scale of the building to be shown, with the unique design allowing this to feel like an impenetrable fortress; one the heroes are about to invade. It’s crucial to the story and visually stunning in its cinematography.
5 The Death Star
The Death Star is the ultimate weapon in the galaxy far far away and multiple versions of the space station have been showcased across all three trilogies. To really demonstrate how dangerous this weapon is though, the original Star Wars had to show audiences what it was capable of.
This shot effectively does this. It frames the moment well, allowing viewers to see the iconic Death Star design but draw in the focus on the terrifying laser beam it is emitting. The way it exits the Death Star is truly genius and the bright green cuts through the darkness of space in a way that feels like a dagger. This is all about light and color contrasting.
4 Luke’s Training With Yoda
Luke’s journey to Dagobah in Empire Strikes Back is such a crucial piece of his development. He learns so much from his mentor Yoda, who fans are actually introduced to for the first time in the chronology of the movies in terms of their release. This shot does a great deal to capture their relationship in a single image.
The mysterious nature of the environment itself and its links to the Force are well established and Luke is put on the same level as Yoda, never looking down on him. It’s a moment of calm, as Yoda looks off at an unknown entity, drawing inspiration for his words. Blocking is so important for this amazing frame.
3 The Celebration In A New Hope
The finale of A New Hope could really have been the finale of the franchise if a sequel was never made. The medal ceremony feels grand in its portrayal and this shot shows audiences just how many people have been saved in the Rebellion thanks to the work of these three heroes.
It’s a shot that allows the scale of the victory to be fully celebrated, but Chewie, Luke, and Han, the three ‘everymen,’ are dwarfed in their accomplishments. The natural light that is drawn through at the end of the long walk feels ethereal and almost representative of Leia herself.
2 The Opening Shot
In many ways, the first installment of the original Star Wars trilogy could be considered the best thanks to everything that it achieved. There’s maybe no more important and beautiful shot in cinema than the opening frame from A New Hope that draws audiences into this fantastical world.
The moment sees a small ship racing away from an attacker. It shows the loneliness of space but the vastness of the planets that inhabit this specific system. It’s beautifully designed with incredible use of color and does a great deal of world-building in such a fleeting moment. It also highlights the kinds of technology used in the production that revolutionized cinema.
1 The Twin Suns
Is there anything more famous than Luke Skywalker on Tatooine hopefully looking out at the twin suns that grace the skyline? This is the classic image of the young farmer who dreams of a life outside of what he already knows, with those suns representing the bright future he may have out in the galaxy.
The concept art alone for this shot is gorgeous but the way it has been adapted to cinema allows the full level of storytelling from such a simple sci-fi concept, mixed with the fairytale imagery that audiences are already used to. This picture manages to say everything fans need to know about this young man.
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