13 Things You Learn Rewatching Star Wars: A New Hope
10. Alec Guinness Brings The Gravitas
The only Star Wars performance to generate an Academy Award nomination (for Best Supporting Actor), legendary English thespian Alec Guinness turn as the original Obi-Wan Kenobi remains the finest piece of acting in the entire saga. Its no secret that the actor didnt overly enjoy his time on the picture, calling it fairy tale rubbish and even telling one young fan - whod boasted to Guinness that hed seen it over 100 times - to promise never to do it again, and he became dismayed with his constant association with the role in the years following Star Wars release. Despite this, the actors work in A New Hope lends the film a certain gravitas, made most evident in his initial description of The Force (to Luke), which sees him imbue the somewhat mawkish dialogue with a humbled inflection that elevates the reading into something greater. Star Wars made the actor a wealthy man (Guinness agreed to a 2.25% of the gross royalties paid to director George Lucas, an inspired decision in hindsight) and his decision to have Kenobi killed off (he forced Lucas hand, saying it would make Obi-Wan a stronger character but really just wanting to not have to play him anymore) helped immeasurably in securing a fêted legacy for the franchises most revered turn.
