The original Star Wars trilogy recently made its big screen debut in China, almost four decades after it helped launch the dynasty of Hollywood blockbusters we enjoy today.
Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) were all screened on June 14, while the first film in the series (now commonly referred to as A New Hope) was screened at the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 16.
Better late than never, China.
The films received mixed reviews, despite Disney reps in China claiming “huge buzz and excitement” for the film’s People’s Republic debut, according to The Guardian.
“The visual effects are amazing for 1977,” stated filmgoer Xiaosi Buxiang on the Chinese website Douban. “But the character design is weak, the leading actress is not beautiful, the leading actor is not handsome and action scenes are like children fighting.”
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Despite the various complaints, Star Wars still managed an 8.3 out of 10 rating. The high score is likely due to filmgoers exercising a level of perspective in judging the film’s achievements and legacy.
“In 1977, the United States already had such stunning imaginative creativity and movie special effects, while China had just ended the Cultural Revolution period and its people had just emerged from a dark era,” said another Douban user posting under the handle of T-maxdo.
You’re likely wondering how this classic trilogy was never shown on the big screen in China and the answer is both expected and obvious – in the 1970s, Hollywood films were seldom (if ever) shown in the country.
In fact, China’s initial introduction to Star Wars came in the 1980s from a resourceful Guangzhou publisher who released a bizarre (yet wonderfully unique) comic book version of the story. It includes such memorable images as Darth Vader plotting to attack the Kennedy Space Center and a J&B logo in Obi-Wan Kenobi’s house on Tatooine.
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Although it was the first time the original trilogy had been shown in the country, many in attendance had previously seen the films through illegal download. Other attendees were more familiar with George Lucas’s often-ridiculed prequel trilogy and were excited to see the innovative original films on the big screen.
The Shanghai screenings come only seven months before the series' next installment, The Force Awakens, hits theaters.
“The huge buzz and excitement generated is going to be great for the Star Wars franchise and the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Disney China’s Kerwin Lo said to AFP before the showings.
Watch the teaser trailer for The Force Awakens below:
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