A long time ago, in a galaxy, far, far away, George Lucas created a fantasy adventure that would change filmmaking forever. Lucas combined an old-fashioned appreciation for classic storytelling, drawing on the mythological structure of fables and legends plus the rousing adventure and action emphasis of Hollywood Westerns, war movies, swashbucklers and serials¬, with the most advanced and innovative screen special-effects work yet seen. STAR WARS became a worldwide phenomenon, and launched a movie and merchandising franchise that would become the standard against which all others would be measured — often imitated but never equaled.

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center | 8633 Colesville Road, Downtown Silver Spring

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may 3 - 7, 2019

20th AnniversarySTAR WARS: EPisode i - THE PHANToM MENACEFri, May 3, 4:00 p.m.STAR WARS fans the world over thrilled to the news in 1993 that George Lucas would write and direct a new trilogy of films that predated events in the original STAR WARS trilogy. THE PHANTOM MENACE arrived in 1999 with a new story set in the time of the Galactic Republic, before its government was toppled by trade wars and the machinations of the Sith Lords, to be replaced by the Empire. In EPISODE I, Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), along with the refugee Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), make a fateful emergency landing on the desert planet of Tatooine, where they meet a young slave boy named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd). DIR/SCR/PROD George Lucas; PROD Rick McCallum. U.S., 1999, color, 136 min. RATED PG

STAR WARS: EPisode ii - ATTACK oF THE CLoNESFri, May 3, 7:00 p.m.Ten years after the events of THE PHANTOM MENACE, the Galactic Republic is on the brink of civil war, undermined by a separatist movement led by former Jedi master Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). Could he be behind the assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman)? Entrusted with the Senator’s protection, young Jedi Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) finds that he is falling in love with her. Meanwhile, on the ocean planet of Kamino, the Republic develops a new army of clones to defend its union from the threat of insurrection. DIR/SCR/PROD George Lucas; SCR Jonathan Hales; PROD Rick McCallum. U.S., 2002, color, 142 min. RATED PG

STAR WARS: EPisode iii - REvENGE oF THE SiTHFri, May 3, 10:00 p.m.; Sat, May 4, 11:00 a.m.Three years after the Clone Wars erupted between the Republic and the Sith-led separatists, Jedis Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) lead a mission to rescue the kidnapped Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from the separatist forces led by General Grievous and Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). But friend and foe will soon change places as Anakin becomes increasingly drawn to the dark side of the force. With Samuel L. Jackson as Jedi master Mace Windu. DIR/SCR/PROD George Lucas; PROD Rick McCallum. U.S., 2005, color, 140 min. RATED PG-13

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center | 8633 Colesville Road, Downtown Silver Spring

STAR WARS: EPiSoDE iv - A NEW HoPESat, May 4, 2:30 p.m.; Sun, May 5, 5:30 p.m.A long time ago, in a galaxy, far, far away… The original that started it all follows Luke Skywalker as he teams with Jedi Knight Obi-wan Kenobi, cocky pilot Han Solo, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy and rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader. Among the many factors that went into the movie magic of George Lucas’ history-making, paradigm-shifting, swashbuckling space adventure were John Williams’ heroic fanfares, harkening back to the music of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Also, the authoritative screen presence of Alec Guinness, nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar® for his iconic turn as Jedi Knight Kenobi, leading a cast of young unknowns including Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. The film won six Oscars®, including Williams’ third Academy Award® for Best Original Score. DIR/SCR George Lucas; PROD Gary Kurtz, Rick McCallum. U.S., 1977/1997, color, 121 min. RATED PG

STAR WARS: EPiSoDE v - THE EMpiRE STRiKES BACKSat, May 4, 5:30 p.m.; Sun, May 5, 8:30 p.m.; Mon, May 6, 6:30 p.m.With a richer story, more complex themes and a darker tone than STAR WARS: EPISODE IV – A NEW HOPE, this is the gold standard for blockbuster sequels. Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, the Rebel Alliance is dealt a stunning blow by the evil Empire, and heroes Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) set out across the galaxy in search of their destiny. John Williams’ Oscar®-nominated score includes the debut of “The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme),” now one of the best-known symphonic movie themes of all time, heard everywhere from sporting arenas to cell phone ringtones. DIR Irvin Kershner; SCR Leigh Brackett, Lawrence Kasdan; PROD Gary Kurtz, Rick McCallum. U.S., 1980/1997, color, 127 min. RATED PG

STAR WARS: EPiSoDE vi - RETuRN oF THE JEDiSat, May 4, 8:30 p.m.; Mon, May 6, 9:20 p.m.The cliffhangers and conflicts of STAR WARS: EPISODE V – THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK are resolved in a most satisfying fashion in the climactic finale to the original STAR WARS saga. Han Solo — frozen in a carbonite coffin! Princess Leia — taken prisoner by Jabba the Hutt, and forced into that Mata Hari-on-Mars metal bikini! Luke Skywalker — the force grows stronger in him, the new hand works fine and his rematch with Darth Vader looms! Ewoks! DIR Richard Marquand; SCR Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas; PROD Howard G. Kazanjian, Rick McCallum. U.S., 1983/1997, color, 135 min. RATED PG

STAR WARS: Episode vii - THE FoRCE AWAKENSSun, May 5, 11:00 a.m.; Tue, May 7, 6:30 p.m.J.J. Abrams was entrusted with launching the third trilogy of the continuing STAR WARS saga. THE FORCE AWAKENS is set 30 years after THE RETURN OF THE JEDI, where the Rebel Alliance upended the Galactic Empire. But now supporters of the old Empire have reorganized as the First Order, and seek to destroy the fragile New Republic. Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher all reprise their roles from the original, joined by Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson and Max von Sydow. DIR/SCR/PROD J.J. Abrams; SCR Lawrence Kasdan, Michael Arndt; PROD Bryan Burk, Kathleen Kennedy, Jason D. McGatlin. U.S., 2015, color, 136 minutes. RATED PG-13

STAR WARS: EPisodE viii - THE LAST JEDiSun, May 5, 2:00 p.m.; Tue, May 7, 9:20 p.m.Rian Johnson takes the directorial reins for the tricky middle chapter of the latest STAR WARS trilogy. Rey (Daisy Ridley) hones her skills with the Force under the tutelage of Jedi master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill); Resistance pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) goes rogue to strike a deadly blow against the First Order, but disobeys orders from General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), with disastrous consequences; and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) wrestles with his divided loyalties, between Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and his strong connection to Rey. Also featuring John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio del Toro. DIR/SCR Rian Johnson; PROD Ram Bergman, Kathleen Kennedy. U.S., 2017, color, 152 min. RATED PG-13

the star wars saga