Star Wars: A New Hope Trailer Analysis

 

The title of the film initially appears in a stylized, white font. However, the second part of the title isn’t present, as it wasn’t intended to be a franchise when it was first released. It appears almost like a tall building, with it decreasing in size towards the top. This could suggest the enormity of the film, both in terms of production value at the time, as well as audience appeal. It was an epic, having roots in serial adventures of the 1940’s such as Flash Gordan, which evoke tradition by following the conventions of folk tales. Stylistically, it appears very modern, with very little use of curved lines. 

The title appears several other times throughout the trailer, reinforcing the themes mentioned in the voiceover. They differ to the first time it is seen, as they are no longer solid white, instead just an outline to allow scenes from the film to be viewed simultaneously. Images of such action may then be triggered in the mind of the audience when they next see the title.

The mentioning of such themes may increase its appeal; a male audience would primarily want to watch the film for the action element, whilst a female audience would more likely want to watch for the romance between the heroes and heroine. Leia is represented as being desirable, but at the same time a strong character; female viewers would likely want to be her, whilst male viewers would want to be with her. With the use of popular themes and character types, the overall appeal of the film is very high. 

It is made clear from the start of the trailer who the heroes are. The first to be introduced is quite conventional, in that he is male, fairly young and outnumbered. The fast paced, orchestral music, accompanied by the Foley sounds of gunfire and fast paced editing, reinforce his heroic nature and highlight the danger he is faced with. The emphasis placed on him through the use of mid shots in which his facial expressions are visible, show that he is of importance to the storyline. His initial look of surprise quickly turns to one of concentration and he adopts a slightly exaggerated heroic stance when he engages with some Storm Troopers.

As it is a sci-fi film, it wouldn’t seem odd to the audience for an alien character to be seen alongside more, human male heroes. However, Chewbacca is also alongside a woman, who would more conventionally be cast as a ‘damsel in distress’. She also fills this more convention for her gender character type, as she is imprisoned and pleas for help.

There are also several ‘helper’ characters. Ben Kenobi’s age makes him conventional for this role, as age is typically associated with knowledge.  ‘Heroes’, ‘villains’ and ‘aliens’ are all overtly mentioned in the voice over in addition to narrative themes. 

As it is a science- fiction film, the story takes place on alien planets. However, the trailer is primarily set in space. For this reason, and possibly the fact that it’s a futuristic film, the colours used are mainly quite dull and sterile. This is likely to be a means of providing a contrast to the organic colours of the planets the Rebellion inhabit, also reflecting the moral intentions of both opposing forces; The Empire want to destroy life, whereas the rebellion want to preserve it.

 
The use of bright light and colour during space scenes is mainly reserved for fight sequences, in which red strangely represents good, and green evil. This is perhaps the most prominent binary opposition in the film. It is further reinforced through the conflict between Luke and Darth Vader. Their dress codes overtly symbolise this, with them being dressed in white and black respectively. These colours are commonly recognised as being signifiers of this binary opposition. Through the use of a low angle shot, dark costume and overall presence, it is clear that Darth Vader is the ‘villain’ character in the film. This, and the fact that has captured the ‘damsel in distress’. The shots which include both Luke and Leia, it is established that it is he who saves her.

The roles of the various characters are exemplified through costume, sound and narrative exposition. An example is the dark clothing of Darth Vader, which obscures his identity and clearly portrays him as a villain when he is contrasted to the mainly white attire of characters such as Princess Leia.

Lighting is high key, low contrast, which is typical of a family orientated action adventure film. The use of such lighting is not conventional of the more ‘adult’ films belonging to the genre such as Blade Runner, The Matrix, Alien etc, but it is of the family action adventure genre. 

   The main enigmas created are probably those concerning the identity of the main characters and the reason for the conflict, as no back story is given due to the nature of trailers; there needs to be a reason for the potential audience to go and watch the film.

    

The overall pace of the trailer is very slow and one particular clip, in which Han Solo escapes from a group of Strom Troopers, is nearly 30 seconds long. This may be due to the fact that it is a dated film, with few trailers at the time being anywhere near the standard that is expected today. Very few modern trailers would dedicate half a minute to one scene in a trailer that is nearly three minutes long.

   The edits used occur almost entirely in sync with the voiceover and are mainly straight and elliptical, as is expected from a much shorter representation of a film. They create meaning, as when ‘heroes’ is mentioned, the audience are shown a scene with Luke and Leia.

    An immediate sense of danger is created in the use of ominous non-diegetic, yet slow-paced orchestral music and diegetic explosions. This immediately suggests that there will be an element of threat and conflict in the film. 

As mentioned before, very few enigmas are created. Instead, the story is established through the use of well known and Proppian character types and themes. The main theme of good vs. evil is conveyed through Barthes’ proairetic codes in the action sequences. Such as the shoot out between Han Solo and a group of Storm Troopers. The reader then questions how this conflict will be resolved.

With the establishment of many themes such as heroism through the use of the very low pitched, yet non-intimidating voiceover, the audience appeal of the film is very large. However, with being a science-fiction film, it is more likely to appeal a male audience, although certain elements would probably appeal to a female audience. A BBFC rating and favourable critical quotes are not given, but it is stated in the voiceover that it is directed by George Lucas and ‘American Graffiti’ is mentioned may also add to audience appeal. 

The voiceover anchors a preferred reading, as the main characters and themes are stated, creating very little confusion in the audience and effectively removing any other alternative interpretations.

       

        

    

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