This landmark recording, originally broadcast on National Public Radio, features an expanded storyline with additional scenes and characters not in the films, enhanced with music and sound effects from the films. Performers on the recording include film cast members Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), with the additional voice talents of Ann Sachs, Perry King, Brock Peters, Paul Hecht, John Lithgow, Ayre Gross, Joshua Fardon, Ed Asner, David Dukes, Peter Michael Goetz, David Birney, Ed Begley Jr., and many others.

Customer Rating:
Summary: STAR WARS RADIO DRAMA
Comment: A VERY HIGH QUALITY CD SET AND THE NARRATION IS EXCELLENT.
WELL WORTH THE MONEY.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Let's get our friends, go the barn and put on a show!
Comment: If you're a fan of the first three movies, can quote lines and get lost in the moment when you see the movies on TV, this is another way to get a semi-Star Wars fix. It's a dramatization that played on NPR Radio based on the original story and films by George Lucas. Keep in mind, it isn't exactly the same material. It expands the story here and there, and it eliminates certain moments that take up time in the film with little or no dialogue. For example, when Luke gets captured by the Wampa, gets placed upside down in the ice cave and waves his light saber cutting off the Yeti-like creature's arm, all you get in the audio version is a guy saying "I got captured by a Wampa."

The downside to all this is that some of the voices and "actors" used sound like cheap versions of the real cast members. There's sort of a Mickey Rooney quality to the production--almost feels like George Lucas and his buddies were sitting around a pub late at night and someone said--"Gee--why don't we put on show?" George/Mickey Rooney and his pals gather arm-in-arm dragging every friend and brother and sister of every friend, locked arm-in-arm marching to an empty barn and decide to put on a show!

In other words, there's a real amateur, unpolished feeling to some of these sections. When Anthony Daniels and Mark Hamill speak, the material takes off. When the others enter, you break into a smile and try not to burst out laughing. Check out the guy who plays Han Solo or the lady who subs for Carrie Fisher as the princess. You realize even without seeing their faces why they didn't get the parts. Thank our lucky stars!

Now, the upside. These are great for long car-rides. You play the episodes, one after the other. The kids are enthralled. Staring in the rear-view mirror, you see their eyes glaze over. They are lost in the images painted in their imagination. It's like those old newsreels in black and white of people camped out in front of their radios listening to "The Black Shadow" or some early pioneers.

Be forewarned, you will need to endure a bookend credit that repeats over and over what you're listening to, who stars in it, etc. My son pointedly complained, "Why do they keep saying the same thing over and over." Alas, it's true. You are subjected to a pelting of credits that make you want to strangle your car stereo. Stop. We get it. We know this is based on a story by George Lucas. Please don't say the cast names over and over. I promise not to complain again.

I think you should buy it and put the tracks in your iPod. And, if your kids are behaving, tell them you've got something kind of cool to play on your next long car ride. Make it a treat for them. We did. There's a snapshot in my mind looking in the rear view mirror watching my son and his two little friends sitting there, silent, staring off in to space, as if they were entranced in some magic spell. You can't ask for more than that--

May the Force Be With You!

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