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A dissertation could be written about "a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away." That phrase is also a hypnotic induction all by itself. And as that sinks i

A dissertation could be written about "a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away." That phrase is also a hypnotic induction all by itself. And as that sinks in, consider that someone told me that Star Wars' past is Dune's present.

damon_c 13y ago
I like to think that the light rays from that far away galaxy could just be arriving here any moment, treating all with a good enough telescope to a free showing of Star Wars from a really boring camera angle.
- greedoinaspeedo 13y ago
  I like that idea. Similar to an episode of Star Trek, where the alien child's telescope allowed him to view earth live, yet in the past. Would this camera angle show who really shot first in the Cantina?
  - CapitalistCartr 13y ago
    There is no first, second, etc. Han Solo shot, period.
lukifer 13y ago
My understanding is that Dune is Earth's future (http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Earth http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Earth), so that doesn't really fit. :) But the opening line of Star Wars is truly impressive in its economy and efficacy. It tells the viewer all that they need to know so that they have permission to accept the truly fantastic. No need to connect it to Earth or anything vaguely familiar, no reason to wonder if this "future" could really happen, because everything they're seeing has already happened. It even has a beautiful rhythm and cadence, despite never being spoken aloud. That iconic phrase is one of many little touches that prevents Episode IV from slipping into the silly B-movie niche occupied by so much prior sci-fi.
- jonnathanson 13y ago
  Correct; Dune is meant to take place in the far future of our galaxy. Star Wars is a "far away" galaxy and in the distant past. The "long time ago / far away" disclaimer is brilliant in a number of ways, not the least of which is that it helps the viewer suspend disbelief. It's also an elegant way to future-proof the technology, clothing choices, etc., on display in the movie. If Star Wars had made a claim about being the future of our galaxy, it would age pretty badly (the way that the "futuristic" inventions in Star Trek tend not to age well; consumer technology tends to advance more quickly than projections thereof).

damon_c 13y ago

I like to think that the light rays from that far away galaxy could just be arriving here any moment, treating all with a good enough telescope to a free showing of Star Wars from a really boring camera angle.

greedoinaspeedo 13y ago
I like that idea. Similar to an episode of Star Trek, where the alien child's telescope allowed him to view earth live, yet in the past. Would this camera angle show who really shot first in the Cantina?
- CapitalistCartr 13y ago
  There is no first, second, etc. Han Solo shot, period.

lukifer 13y ago

My understanding is that Dune is Earth's future (http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Earth http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Earth), so that doesn't really fit. :) But the opening line of Star Wars is truly impressive in its economy and efficacy. It tells the viewer all that they need to know so that they have permission to accept the truly fantastic. No need to connect it to Earth or anything vaguely familiar, no reason to wonder if this "future" could really happen, because everything they're seeing has already happened. It even has a beautiful rhythm and cadence, despite never being spoken aloud. That iconic phrase is one of many little touches that prevents Episode IV from slipping into the silly B-movie niche occupied by so much prior sci-fi.

jonnathanson 13y ago
Correct; Dune is meant to take place in the far future of our galaxy. Star Wars is a "far away" galaxy and in the distant past. The "long time ago / far away" disclaimer is brilliant in a number of ways, not the least of which is that it helps the viewer suspend disbelief. It's also an elegant way to future-proof the technology, clothing choices, etc., on display in the movie. If Star Wars had made a claim about being the future of our galaxy, it would age pretty badly (the way that the "futuristic" inventions in Star Trek tend not to age well; consumer technology tends to advance more quickly than projections thereof).