Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: The Original Radio Drama

It's that time again! Here's the Return of the Jedi radio drama, available this time all at once and in just 3 easy downloads! Though, unfortunately, each time I try to import the last bonus track, the program freezes, so if anybody has that file and would like to donate it, as it were, that would be great. I'll keep trying, however. Terribly sorry about that.

I hope everyone has enjoyed this Star Wars run and all are getting maximum listening pleasure from these outstanding productions. Have fun with this last installment, and may the Force be with you :] If you're craving more Star Wars all the time, I heartily recommend Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy, widely considered to be the sort of default Episodes VII, VIII, and IX that Lucas will never give us (and that we probably don't want from him- *Indy IV. . .*)

• Episodes 1 & 2 & Bonus Tracks
  
• Episodes 3 & 4 & Bonus Tracks
  
• Episodes 5 & 6
  

Fifteen years after the dramatic success of National Public Radio's adaptation of Star Wars, the production team re-formed to create Return of the Jedi: The Original Radio Drama. Though the running time is scaled down to three hours, listeners are still treated to an expanded story line and new scenes. Another fine cast is assembled, with radio series veterans Perry King and Ann Sachs as Han Solo and Leia Organa, and newcomer Joshua Fardon as an excellent Luke Skywalker. While Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) is the only actor from the film, Ed Begley Jr. contributes a gravely voiced Boba Fett, John Lithgow adds a rather somber Yoda, and Edward Asner, hopefully not being typecast, makes a believable Jabba the Hutt--though only an expert would be able to tell if his Huttese pronunciation is correct. The characters of this radio production inhabit a stereo soundscape created by careful blending of sound effects and John Williams's music from the original films. As with the two previous productions--Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, Jedi is a treat for the ears--and the mind's eye. Any Star Wars fan will enjoy this production, even though it does mean imagining rather than seeing Anakin with his mask and helmet off or Luke defeating the Rancor. Besides, the Ewoks are much less annoying when you can't see them. (Running time: 3 hours, 3 cassettes) --C.B. Delaney

*Star Wars geeks should keep an ear out for "Arica" in the Jabba's palace scenes.

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I really appreciated the feedback on the Godfather question, so I'm gonna give it a go with another easy question and see if we get more comments.

Q: In what order do you rank the 6 Star Wars films? And by what criteria? Quality? Enjoyment? Presence of annoying alien races, by percentage? :]

And now, a Public Service Announcement

for those who sent in inquiries-ps- Probably next week or the week after.
pps- Extra geekery points for ya if you can name that man. Come on, tell me in the comments. Don't be scared to admit you know exactly who this fella is. No seriously. Someone Star Wars geek out with me right now.
ppps- This is so cute. I want one.

The Empire Strikes Back: The Original Radio Drama, Episodes 3-10

Sorry about the delay, pretty Padawans. Enjoy, and thanks for your patience and for continuing to stop by.

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& for more geekery, Check out theforce.net's Casting Call.

The Empire Strikes Back: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 2, "The Coming Storm"

[Darth Clicky]

Episode 2, "The Coming Storm"

Han Solo, still planning to go independent again as soon as possible, sets Chewie to the task of repairing the Millennium Falcon. But when he learns that Luke hasn’t returned to the Rebel base, Han sets out alone to find his friend. Luke, in the meantime, is barely alive - but hearing the voice of his fallen mentor, Ben Kenobi. The image of Ben tells luke to seek further Jedi training on the planet Dagobah, but can offer him no other help. Han finds Luke and sets up a shelter - but his own tauntaun, a beast of burden unique to Hoth and necessary for traversing its surface, dies from exposure to the cold…and now they are both stranded without a way to return to the base.

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I'm pleased so many people are liking the Star Wars posts! Stay tuned :]

The Empire Strikes Back: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 1, "Freedom's Winter"

[Darth Clicky]

Episode 1, Freedom's Winter

In the wake of their successful mission to destroy the Death Star, the Rebel Alliance has stirred up an Imperial hornets’ nest. Driven from the relative safety of the Yavin system, the Rebels set up shop on an ice planet called Hoth, which is inhospitable bordering on unsurvivable. This distant outpost requires constant resupply of equipment (and soldiers) capable of surviving sub-freezing temperatures, but the Empire has been tightening the noose by blasting supply convoys out of space. Han and Luke are surveying Hoth’s surface to pinpoint the cause of unusual sensor readings when Luke heads out on his own to investigate what looks like a meteor impact. But before he can reach it, Luke is savagely attacked by a wampa, a vicious carnivore native to Hoth. He’s able to summon the power of the Force to help him escape the wampa’s lair, but even the Force can’t stretch the limits of human endurance - without backup or a way to get back to the Rebel base, Luke is stranded in the frozen wasteland overnight.

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Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 13, "Force and Counter Force"

Force and Counter Force

As the Rebels launch their foolhardy attack on the Death Star, Admiral Motti tries to convince Grand Moff Tarkin that, as the space station’s commander, he holds enough power to challenge even the Emperor - and despite a warning that Motti’s suggestion is treasonous, Tarkin seems emboldened by the idea, enough that he declines the option of readying his personal escape craft. Vader personally leads the Imperial TIE fighter pilots to take on the approaching Rebel force ship-to-ship. The Empire’s crack pilots whittle the Rebels down to just a handful of ships. It will take only one Rebel fighter to reach the target ventilation shaft, fire a computer-guided torpedo into it, and destroy the Death Star - and before he knows it, Luke Skywalker is that sole Rebel, and Darth Vader makes it his personal mission to eliminate him (x).

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 12, "The Case for Rebellion"

The Case for Rebellion

The Millennium Falcon arrives at the Rebel base on the fourth moon of Yavin - a base which now has mere hours to prepare for an attack by the Death Star. Luke, still mourning Ben’s death, volunteers for a Rebel attack on the huge space station - something Han feels is a suicide mission, especially given Luke’s lack of combat flying experience. For his part, Han intends to cash in his many favors and get out of the Yavin system before the Empire starts destroying planets, and his bluntness startles his newfound comrades. Luke tries to explain that the Empire will clamp down on all trade, legal or otherwise, but Han is sure that he and Chewie can survive, and after reaping his reward, blasts off for safer havens (x).

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 11, "The Jedi Nexus"

The Jedi Nexus

C-3PO and R2-D2 talk their way out of Imperial capture and try to find a safe place to plug into the Death Star and avert certain doom for Luke and the others. Meanwhile, just as Ben Kenobi has sensed his presence, Darth Vader has sensed Ben’s - and sets out to meet him face-to-face. Luke, Han, Leia and Chewie manage to escape death in the trash compactor, but immediately encounter stormtroopers while they try to return to the Falcon. What they don’t know is that a duel looms ahead which will rob Luke of his mentor, but give him a chance to escape with Leia (x).

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 10, "The Luke Skywalker Initiative"

The Luke Skywalker Initiative

Ben, Luke, Han, Chewbacca and the droids hide themselves in the Millennium Falcon’s concealed smuggling compartments - and amazingly, they survive, despite Threepio’s built-in disinclination to stop talking, which nearly gives them away. Through the Force, Ben Kenobi senses a presence aboard the Death Star, and insists that he must go on alone to face it and to disrupt the tractor beam that would end any escape attempts. He leaves Luke, Han, Chewie and the droids to cool their heels in a secure area, but when R2-D2 plugs into the Death Star’s computers and locates Princess Leia on board, Luke changes the plan. After some cajoling, Han and Chewbacca accompany him on a daring raid of the Death Star’s detention block, freeing the Princess - and then plunging into more trouble in a makeshift escape into a trash compactor (x).

Oh, and hurry on over and tell Jim what you're listening to. He did this last time and it was quite fun. I'm like that nosy neighbor in the 50s sitcom. I'm probably always washing dishes or cooking or beating the kids, too. Something like this.

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 9, "Rogues, Rebels and Robots

Rogues, Rebels and Robots

En route to Alderaan in the Millennium Falcon, Ben begins Luke’s training in the ways of the Force, starting with basic lightsaber technique and awareness of the Force. Despite Han’s teasing, Luke practices until he’s able to fend off the attacks of a remote drone while blinded by the blast shield of a flight helmet. But this small victory is short lived as Ben senses something terrible, a cataclysmic disruption of the Force. When the Falcon comes out of hyperspace, Han finds he’s arrived not at Alderaan, but in a dense asteroid field - and despite the fact that the ship has arrived at the right coordinates, there’s no planet to be found. A lone Imperial TIE fighter appears, and Han gives chase - unaware that the pursuit will lead him into the jaws of the Death Star itself (x).

Get your unreasonably yet awesomely huge New Hope screencaps here. Draft a plan for world peace, write a symphony, and take out the trash while they load!

Check it- Luke's hero pose. Waaah.

I just put some Tarkin picture up for my background, replacing the very sexy Paul Simonon, cos some day's you just feel evil. Especially now that the sun just rose.

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 8, "Death Star's Transit"

Death Star's Transit

Darth Vader's Star Destroyer arrives at the Death Star, where the mere sight of the massive battle station causes Princess Leia to say its name - proving to the Sith Lord that she knew of the top-secret weapon's existence. When a subsequent interrogation session proves fruitless, Grand Moff Tarkin suggests forcing Leia to divulge what she knows by threatening something dear to her, and sets the Death Star on a course for Alderaan. Even when Leia gives Vader and Tarkin a location where they will supposedly find the rebels, the Death Star opens fire on Alderaan anyway, obliterating the planet completely (x).

According to wikipedia, the interrogation scene is "controversial." And it is kinda intense. Haven't listened to it yet, but from what I remember it's a liddle bit whoa there now.

I am so amazing bizarrely FUCKED. And I have allergies. It could be worse, right. At least I'm not in the real world and hafta go to work- wait, I do, cos my Friday supervisor is an idiiooot. (And I don't say that about a lot of people. Just Barnard girls and my academic adviser and, you know, other things.)

Not constipated, though. He looks constipated, the poor thing.

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 7, "The Han Solo Solution"

The Han Solo Solution

Luke and Ben sell Luke's landspeeder to pay for their passage to Alderaan, while Han and Chewbacca prepare the Millennium Falcon for liftoff. Han's urgency is now doubled after doing away with Greedo, he'll be a higher profile target for Jabba the Hutt's thugs, and Han is most worried about an expert bounty hunter named Heater. Just as Luke, Ben and the droids arrive for liftoff, Imperial troops raid the Falcon's docking bay and open fire. Han and his passengers blast into space, narrowly evading Imperial Star Destroyers and slipping into hyperspace (x).

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 6, "The Millenium Falcon Deal"

The Millennium Falcon Deal

With his aunt and uncle dead at the hands of the Empire, Luke accompanies Ben Kenobi to Mos Eisley Spaceport, a disreputable place where Ben hopes to find a ship to Alderaan. A space pilot points Ben in the direction of a huge Wookiee, Chewbacca, who serves as the co-pilot on the Millennium Falcon, a Corellian freighter. Ben is introduced to Han Solo, a cocky space pilot who quickly clears his schedule when Ben promises a small fortune in exchange for a ride to Alderaan. After the deal is closed, Ben and Luke go back into hiding until Solo is ready for liftoff - and Imperial stormtroopers close in on Mos Eisley in their hunt for the droids. But they're not the only ones being hunted, as a bounty hunter named Greedo is on the trail of Han Solo (x).

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 5, "Jedi That Was, Jedi To Be"

Jedi That Was, Jedi To Be

Luke and Threepio leave just before dawn to track down R2-D2. They find the little droid, but quickly come under attack from Tusken Raiders. Luke escapes being killed only when a howling sound scares the Tuskens away - a sound made by Ben Kenobi, who admits that he was once Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. Ben takes Luke back to his secluded home, helps him repair damage Threepio received during the fight with the Tusken Raiders, and presents Luke with something that belonged to his father: a Jedi lightsaber. When Artoo replays Leia's message for Ben, the old Jedi resolves to make the trip to Alderaan to help the rebels, but when he asks Luke to join him, Luke is more worried about his uncle's reaction. But as he gives Ben a lift to Anchorhead to find a ship for the journey, Luke sees the first evidence that the Empire's search for the missing droids is getting too close to home (x).

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 4, "While Giants Mark Time"

Y'all must be like, yo that bitch is on a ROLL. Two posts in one day? Wowzzerrs. But no, it's just that I fell asleep at ten last night and am now atoning for that little sin by having to stay up super late and do all the stuff I didn't do last night which means, of course, procrastinating! And I have a tummyache from some weird cookies. So now I'm drinking copious amounts of green tea.
Housing registration is tomorrow. My requirements are as follows: a Single, a Kitchen on the same floor, and a view of Broadway or Amsterdam. We're very lucky to get four years guaranteed housing. I just finished my reading in Frantz Fanon's The Wretched of the Earth which struck me as a indulging a bit in exoticism and generalization, but I guess he knows what he's talking about so I'll just shut up. &&& one of the things I hate about texting (cell-phone) is that you can never tell when the other individual wants a reply or if you can just let it hang. . . I hear it's all the rage in Europe though. Texting, that is.

Seeeooow, we've got Ep four, with the usual, increasingly esoteric episode title. Enjoy :]

While Giants Mark Time

On Tatooine, Threepio and Artoo bicker over the smaller droid's constant chatter about an important mission, and Threepio finally leaves Artoo to his fate and wanders aimlessly through the desert. But the droids aren't alone - Imperial troops have tracked the escape pod to the planet and have guessed that one or both droids are carrying the stolen Death Star plans. Threepio seeks refuge in a ground-roving transport - but is then picked up by Jawas to be resold as salvaged goods. Threepio gives away Artoo's position to the Jawas, who pick him up as well. The Jawas take their scaveneged droids and equipment to auction off at the nearest settlement, a moisture farm belonging to Owen Lars. Artoo takes the liberty of sabotaging the only other mechanic droid - an R5 unit - to ensure that he'll be freed from the Jawas and can then continue looking for General Kenobi. Owen buys both Artoo and Threepio and then entrusts them to Luke for cleaning and repairs before they begin working on the farm. During cleaning, Luke inadvertently triggers a holographic plea for help from Leia, recorded in Artoo's memory, and Artoo protests that the message is meant for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke suspects that a local hermit named Ben Kenobi may have some connection - but while Luke reports his suspicions to Owen, Artoo slips away from the Lars farm to continue his quest (x).

Also, check out "I Harth Darth," an archived online comic. So adorable and quite cheeky.

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 3, "Black Knight, White Princess, and Pawns"

Hey kiddds, sorry about the huge delay in these posts. My schedule is snafu, I have no idea what's going on/coming up but it dunt look good. Anyway, I've only gotten through half of Ep 2 because I didn't make it to work type II on Friday (I was "sick"), so the only listening I've gotten done was at the gym yesterday before work type I. Anyway, I hope y'all are enjoying these episodes.

Black Knight, White Princess, and Pawns

The Tantive IV makes a sudden stop in Imperial space, and two droids - astromech droid R2-D2 and interpreter C-3PO - are assigned to perform an important task for Princess Leia: R2-D2 is to act as if performing extravehicular repairs on the ship's hull, though he's actually receiving a secret rebel transmission containing detailed plans of the Empire's top-secret Death Star project. Leia's next stop is to present those plans - and a plea to come out of retirement - to General Obi-Wan Kenobi, a veteran of the Clone Wars living in seclusion on the planet Tatooine. But before the Tantive IV can make its escape, an Imperial Star Destroyer gives chase, bringing the ship to a halt. A platoon of stormtroopers, with Darth Vader behind them, boards the Tantive IV, killing most of the crew in the process. Desperate to keep the Death Star plans from being found in the ship's computer, Leia hides them in R2-D2's memory and instructs him to abandon ship in an escape pod. C-3PO, trying to dissuade the little droid from following those orders, winds up in the escape pod with him - and then finds himself on the surface of Tatooine. But aboard the Tantive IV, Princess Leia cannot escape capture - and interrogation by Vader (x).

Also, I have no idea how to express how I feel about the shootings, but in the face of being able to do nothing but, I'd like to offer sincere condolences.

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 2, "Points of Origin"

Well, since I'm reading Virginia Woolf (read: can't concentrate due to the obnoxious preoccupation with her own privileged class- I call it "a horizontal view and a problematic effort," and honestly, she does it in her fiction, too, read: shutthefuckupVirge), here's Episode 2 & SongBook summary. Will provide more info after I get a chance to listen to it and refresh my memory.

Points of Origin

The Tantive IV, a diplomatic ship from Alderaan, is forced to land on Ralltiir by an Imperial blockade. Princess Leia Organa is outraged, but bluffs her way past the Imperials, even using a keen knowledge of Imperial regulations to set Lord Tion, an Imperial officer, against Darth Vader, who has just arrived to crush a rebel uprising. Leia returns to Alderaan, where her father, Bail Organa, sympathizes with the rebellion but doesn't wish to take up arms. Unfortunately, Lord Tion follows Leia to Alderaan, taken enough with her to propose marriage (with a side offer of Imperial protection for Alderaan), but the meeting turns sour when Tion learns that Leia and her father have not only sympathized with the rebels, but have aided them. In an ensuing struggle, Tion takes a fatal tumble from a balcony in the royal palace, and Bail realizes that Alderaan can no longer escape involvement in intergalactic affairs. He sends Leia, once again in the Tantive IV, to the planet Toprawa to steal the plans for a top-secret Imperial superweapon mentioned by Tion before his death.

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama, Episode 1, "A Wind to Shake the Stars"

Okay, put a hold on re-establishing my bad ass cred. Time to indulge in geekery, which is known around here as "good taste." Helllss yeahh.

Sorry this took so long to get up- I was like, I'll listen to 'em at work so I can give witty and insightful episode summaries as we go. . . and then I forgot to load the files onto the ole iPod and ending up listening to the Smiths the whole time-ugh.

Anyway, the radio drama is positively delightful. My family takes tons of roadtrips so we've got a library of radio dramas and old radio plays, and this one has been played a number of times.

"A Wind to Shake the Stars" introduces us to Luke's life on Tatooine, which is a typically and painfully teenage. He's tapping into that classic anywhere-but-here mindset, the other kids think he's weird, and he has just broken his sky hopper in a race against the local jock. The episode opens with Luke listening to an ad for the Imperial Academy, but there's little hope of actually going. Uncle Owen continues to refuse to let Luke leave, and we see them argue briefly over getting some new droids to improve the farm's efficiency and cut down on work. The episode enters movie-land when Luke spots "a battle" above the atmosphere. Running to let the other kids know, he finds that Biggs Darklighter, who has graduated, is back in town. Biggs reveals to Luke that he plans to jump ship and join the Rebellion- this is the same incident where Hobbie (for all you Rogue Squadron fans) takes off. Drama & so forth. Featuring Mark Hamill as Luke, and Antony Daniels will later appear as C-3P0. With Williams' score and fantastic sound effects by Ben Burtt, who worked on the films. It's great fun to get more of Biggs and also to see a slice of Tatooine life, finally answering the big Ep. IV question-- why is that Luke so darn whiny? ("I was going to Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!")

And here's a straight-up summary and cast list from Songbook TheatEar:

Story: On the distant desert planet of Tatooine, far from either the Galactic Empire or the Rebellion, Luke Skywalker lives the simple existence of a moisture farmer, toiling away on his Uncle Owen's farm and trying to fit in with his friends at Anchorhead. Ever since his friend Biggs left to join the Imperial Academy, Luke's been a bit of an outcast, and he doesn't win many friends by beating the local bully in a high-speed canyon race. While working on the farm, Luke spots a fierce firefight in orbit of Tatooine, and tries to tell his friends about it, but as usual they blow him off. Biggs returns for a visit, and once they're away from the others, Biggs tells Luke of a momentous decision - despite having graduated from the Imperial Academy, Biggs plans to jump ship on his first assignment and join the Rebellion.

Season One Cast: Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Ann Sachs (Princess Leia Organa), Perry King (Han Solo), Bernard "Bunny" Behrens (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Brock Peters (Lord Darth Vader), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Keene Curtis (Grand Moff Tarkin), John Considine (Lord Tion), Stephen Elliott (Prestor), David Ackroyd (Captain Antilles), Adam Arkin (Fixer), Kale Brown (Biggs), David Clennon (Motti), Anne Gerety (Aunt Beru), Thomas Hill (Uncle Owen), David Paymer (Deak), Joel Brooks (Heater), John Dukakis (Rebel), Stephanie Steele (Cammie), Phillip Kellard (Customer #2)

A Wind to Shake the Stars

Enjoy :) Oh, and since I haven't gotten around to writing up a review, just gonna get it out nice n quick for the time being-- see Grindhouse. Like whoa.