Star Wars Essentials

Overview

Whether you're a hardcore Star Wars fan or someone discovering the series for the first time, the resources listed on the tabs above are things you should consider picking up for your collection or educator's tool kit. Check out our favorite Star Wars resources!

The Force Awakens Trailer
Featured Essential

Star Wars on Blu-Ray

The Star Wars Blu-Ray set is now available. Not only do you get the six feature films in stunning 1080p, but you also get three bonus discs containing over 30 hours of special features! One of our favorite bonuses is the inclusion of Star Wars Tech, a History Channel produced documentary that compares the science "fiction" behind Star Wars to our world... a great addition to any science class!



Blu-Ray Preview
The Films

Star Wars on Blu-Ray

The Star Wars Blu-Ray set is now available. Not only do you get the six feature films in stunning 1080p, but you also get three bonus discs containing over 30 hours of special features! One of our favorite bonuses is the inclusion of Star Wars Tech, a History Channel produced documentary that compares the "real" science behind Star Wars to our world... a great addition to any science class!

Order your copy today!



Blu-Ray Preview

What's on the Discs

  • Disc One- Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace: Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Ben Burtt, Rob Coleman, John Knoll, Dennis Muren and Scott Squires Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

  • Disc Two - Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones: Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Ben Burtt, Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, John Knoll and Ben Snow Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

  • Disc Three - Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith: Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Rob Coleman, John Knoll and Roger Guyett, Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

  • Disc Four - Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope: Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Ben Burtt and Dennis Muren, Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

  • Disc Five - Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back: Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Carrie Fisher, Ben Burtt and Dennis Muren, Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

  • Disc Six - Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi: Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Ben Burtt and Dennis Muren, Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

  • Disc Seven - New! Star Wars Archives: Episodes I-III: Including: deleted, extended and alternate scenes; prop, maquette and costume turnarounds; concept art; supplementary interviews with cast and crew; a flythrough of the Lucasfilm Archives and more

  • Disc Eight - New! Star Wars Archives: Episode IV-VI: Including: deleted, extended and alternate scenes; prop, maquette and costume turnarounds; matte paintings and concept art; supplementary interviews with cast and crew; and more

  • Disc Nine - The Star Wars Documentaries

Star Wars Series



Since 2008, fans have been treated to stories beyond the seven feature films of the Skywalker arc. That year, Lucasfilm's first animated film, The Clone Wars hit theaters and provided more insight into the Republic's fight against the Separatists. Not long after the animated film left theaters, a spinoff series (also titled The Clone Wars) was launched on television's The Cartoon Network. The award-winning series ran for six seasons before it was cancelled following Disney's purchase of LucasFilm. The Clone Wars is available to stream via Netflix and is also available for purchase.



In October, 2014 a new animated series, Star Wars: Rebels was launched on Disney XD. This series takes place between Star Wars Episodes III and IV, approximately 14 years after the formation of the Galactic Empire. Rebels reveals an aggressive and powerful Empire increasing its repressive hold across the galaxy, while the Rebellion is struggling to effectively organize against the Imperials. The Emperor's issue of Order 66 or Jedi Purge has also resulted in the continued hunting of underground Jedi by Imperial forces. Rebels is currently in its second season. Season One is available for purchase on DVD and Blu-Ray

Books & Publications

Links
Random House/Del Rey
DK Books
Marvel Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Scholastic
Wiley Books

Star Wars has certainly taken on a life of its own over the last thirty years and countless books have been written to expand the stories or highlight the creatures and worlds found in a galaxy far, far away. There's no way we could ever list all of these great books here, but we hope to highlight the ones that resonate closest to our mission of linking Star Wars and education.


Exhibition Books
The Arts
Visual Guides
Engineering Books
For Young Learners
ELA Books
Making of... Books
Social Studies Books
Science Books
Legacy
Expanded Universe

The Music

Links
The Music of Star Wars
Music Samples

The scores of John Williams are another thing most fans love about Star Wars. It's hard to imagine what the films would have been like without the loud, attention grabbing musical bang at the beginning of the opening crawl or the demonstrative cadence of the Imperial March. These musical themes are among the most instantly recognizable notes in all of cinematic history. So much of any movie's flow and emotion is captured in a film's score. If done well, like in the case of Star Wars, the music adds another layer to an already great film.

The Star Wars scores are terrific ways to relive the films and help your students develop a deeper appreciation for music.

Check out the scores and see what you think!

Star Wars Art

One of the popular ways that fans can revisit the Star Wars universe or gain new perspectives on the events of the films is to view the plethora of Star Wars inspired art currently available. The connection of art and Star Wars began early on with artist Ralph McQuarrie, who George Lucas employed to provide a visual reference for his upcoming space opera. Lucas knew it would be difficult for Hollywood's executives to visualize this fantastic world he was creating, thus McQuarrie's paintings were critical in getting the project rolling (thank you, Alan Ladd, Jr.). McQuarrie's art is among the best known from the series and helped inspire the look of not only the original trilogy, but also the prequels as well. Since 1977, many talented artists have put brush to canvas to share their own visions of a galaxy far, far away. Check out some of our favorite artists below!

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