Star Wars (or Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope as it later became known) is the first film in the epic space-opera saga (although it's actually positioned fourth in the series chronology).

Kick-starting a franchise that'd leave an indelible mark on cinema, A New Hope is a surprisingly straightforward tale, inspired as much by the samurai films of Akira Kurosawa as it was by the space-set serials of the '50s.

Farmboy Luke Skywalker dreams of 'something more', not realising what his destiny holds in store for him. Elsewhere, Princess Leia is leading a rebellion against the generally-rather-nasty Galactic Empire, until she's kidnapped by Darth Vader.

Thankfully, she's able to send out word (and the blueprints of the Death Star) before she's caught, via two droids. The mechanised odd couple then set in motion a grand old adventure, that culminates in an iconic interstellar dogfight.

Along the way, we're introduced to series favourites Han Solo and Chewbacca, and Obi-Wan comes to an evaporatory end during a lightsaber clash with Vader.

Written and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars: A New Hope originally opened in the US on 25 May 1977, and has enjoyed many a re-release in the years that have followed.

Is A New Hope your favourite Star Wars? Or do you fail to see the appeal? Tell us in the comments section below.