San Francisco Ca USA
Written by Michael Martin
In a galaxy far, far away… where Jedi, aliens, spaceships, lightsabers, and Wookiees battle the dark side, only the power of the Force could unite them with the sonic realm of winds, brass, and strings. If you’re a true Star Wars fan, you know Return of the Jedi is the third cinematic installment of George Lucas’s glorious original space trilogy. The film debuted in 1983 at San Francisco’s historic single-screen movie house, the Coronet on Geary Boulevard in the Richmond District, a theater known for hosting major Star Wars openings. Yes, I was there in the summer of 1983, wearing my Members Only jacket and top-siders, waiting in line with my uncle for what felt like an eternity, almost three hours.
An unspoken ritual marked ’80s opening weekends. As moviegoers exited, you watched the expressions on hundreds of fans’ faces. Those expressions offered clues to the kind of theatrical experience waiting inside, and Lucasfilm rarely disappointed its loyal Star Wars audience. As we inched closer and closer to the Coronet’s entrance, the excitement swelled until, upon entering, it felt like an explosion the size of the Death Star. You were part of something special, almost tribal, not unlike the Ewoks—the arboreal species living in village communities on the Forest Moon of Endor. And with every new Star Wars movie came the excitement of a whole new universe of toys, including action figures, cards, posters, and comics. This was the lifeblood of many 12-year-olds at the time, and our imaginations ran wild.
Decades later, I was invited to experience Star Wars: Return of the Jedi once again on the big screen, this time at Davies Symphony Hall, with another of John Williams’s incredible scores performed live by the San Francisco Symphony under conductor Anthony Parnther. Parnther is also music director of the San Bernardino Symphony and conductor of the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra. Davies Symphony Hall was filled with fans from all walks of life, with Star Wars serving as the common thread. Even seeing the Star Wars merch booth set up brought back memories, and naturally, I wandered over to check out the shirts.
I arrived a bit late thanks to San Francisco’s notorious traffic, leaving just enough time for a quick walk to my seat. Onscreen, the iconic Star Wars logo commanded the room until an ominous voice came through the speakers. Sounding like one of the saga’s darker characters, he playfully worked familiar themes from the film into reminders to silence our phones. Then our beloved SF Symphony was locked and loaded as Parnther quickly took the stage. Up went the conductor’s baton, and John Williams’s timeless Star Wars theme came roaring to life. Cheers and applause filled the hall, followed by silence as the film began.
All our favorite Star Wars characters were now a bit older and wiser. Luke was a Jedi, Han Solo a General, and Princess Leia a key leader in the Rebel Alliance. Star Wars music feels custom-built for the SF Symphony, and hearing Williams’s score performed live takes the film to another level. Sweeping strings, powerful brass, thunderous percussion, and unforgettable themes filled Davies Symphony Hall, making moments like the Battle of Endor, the Millennium Falcon’s final attack, and
Luke’s confrontation with Darth Vader feel even more epic and emotional. It’s essentially Return of the Jedi transformed into a live concert, with the full force of the orchestra happening right in front of you.
Return of the Jedi also carried a strong creature-fantasy influence in its alien designs and practical effects. Frank Oz returned as Yoda for a brief but memorable scene with Luke Skywalker, and at times I felt shades of The Dark Crystal, especially in the film’s imaginative creatures. The movie also seemed to reach toward a younger audience with the Ewoks, that cute, furry community of tiny, bear-like creatures you just want to cuddle. Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi remain timeless classics for generations of fans, and I suggest watching all three as a movie package deal with friends and family.
The original Star Wars (1977) is set to return to theaters for its 50th anniversary on February 19, 2027, with a newly restored version of the original 1977 theatrical release planned for digital IMAX and select IMAX 70mm locations. What could make that experience even better? Teleporting the SF Symphony right into the theater with us. One can only dream.
More info: www.sfsymphony.org
