'Star Wars: The Radio Drama' Episode Review: 'A Wind to Shake the Stars'
(C) 1981 Lucasfilm, Ltd. and National Public Radio. Poster art by Celia Strain A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away there came a time of revolution, when Rebels united to challenge a tyrannical Empire. - Introduction to every episode of Star Wars: The Radio Drama Back in the spring of 1981, National Public Radio aired "A Wind to Shake the Stars," the first episode of Brian Daley's 13-part radio adaptation of Star Wars. At the time, the notion of Star Wars - a movie known for its array of spectacular visual effects - as a radio drama seemed to be, in Obi-Wan Kenobi's words, "a damn fool idealistic crusade." But special effects scenes of space battles or a life-or-death lightsaber duel are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why Star Wars became a major cultural event; it had a classic coming-of-age/hero's journey plot, a brilliant score by John Williams, and the unforgettable sound effects by Ben Burtt. All of these were the ingredi...