'Dazzling' sci-fi epic that changed Hollywood forever is on ITV today

Prepare yourself for an extraordinary journey this afternoon (Saturday), as the science fiction masterpiece Star Wars: A New Hope arrives on television.

The first instalment of the original Star Wars trilogy to grace cinemas, A New Hope, was a revolutionary film that transformed cinema and kick-started the blockbuster era.

Under George Lucas's direction, the sweeping space opera rapidly evolved into a stunning cultural sensation after its 1977 debut.

Through its combination of remarkable special effects, captivating storytelling, and memorable characters, the entire Star Wars original trilogy has remained essential viewing for science fiction enthusiasts and cinema aficionados alike.

For viewers unfamiliar with the Star Wars franchise, A New Hope follows Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, a young farmhand from the arid planet Tatooine, who uncovers his genuine purpose after acquiring a peculiar droid carrying a distress signal from Carrie Fisher's captivating Princess Leia.

Together with his new companions Han Solo, portrayed by Harrison Ford, Chewbacca, and the amusing droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, the youthful Luke embarks on a mission to rescue Leia and unite with the Rebel Alliance in their struggle against Darth Vader's oppressive Empire.

The picture boasts an outstanding 93 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes. One reviewer declared: "A masterpiece of entertainment.

"I haven't had as much fun at a movie in years. With its technical wizardry, high-velocity storytelling, and spirited good humour, Star Wars dazzles the child in us."

Another wrote: "George Lucas' Star Wars is not a film that readily lends itself to comparisons, so it may as well begin with the superlatives. This captivating science fantasy is the finest pure entertainment to reach the screen in ages."

A third commented: "Star Wars is a landmark film, a work of such soaring imagination that it will set standards for years to come."

The impact of Lucas's Star Wars trilogy can be seen across Hollywood to this day, from science fiction cinema to contemporary blockbuster production more generally, and it continues to be amongst the most beloved films ever made.

Therefore, whether you're experiencing it for the first time or returning to it for the hundredth viewing, be sure to catch it if possible.

Star Wars: A New Hope is on ITV1 at 4pm today (Saturday).