No other director staged the story of the fight between good and evil as epically as George Lucas with Star Wars. Since 1977, when the fanfare of the films’ soundtrack sounded and the magical ‘A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...’ script appeared on our screens for the first time, Star Wars has rooted its place in popular culture. Even 40 years later, the heroic journey of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, R2-D2, and C-3PO continues to captivate millions of views. And we’re not sure Darth Vader has ever relinquished his position as the world’s most frightening villain. 

Of course, the original films’ special effects, many of which are still used in the digital age, also contribute to our fascination with Star Wars. Taschen has just published an illustrated tome that should find a permanent place in the library of every real-life Jedi knight. Over 600 pages, Star Wars Archive: 1977–1983 tells the story of how Star Wars was filmed. Many of the documents and photos are likely to be new to even the most hardcore of fans, while the exclusive interview with George Lucas offers readers a unique glimpse behind the scenes. 

Photos: Courtesy TASCHEN/TM & © 2018 LFL. All Rights Reserved.