Since the first “talkies” were introduced in the mid-1920s sound has been an integral part of films. A film’s dialogue, sound effects, and music work together to create the mood and theme while telling the story. Sounds in a movie can be either diegetic or non-diegetic. Diegetic sounds are sounds that occur in the world of the film: characters dialogue and narration by a character in the story, sound effects which accompany sources seen on the screen, and any music that is heard or performed by characters in the story (Goodykoontz and Jacobs, 2014). Sounds and elements that do not occur in the world of the film, such as the music score, voice-over narration by someone who is not a character in the story, and superimposed titles, are called non-diegetic (Goodykoontz and Jacobs, 2014).
Dialogue in a film occurs when characters talk to each other. In a film, dialogue performs three basic functions: to further plot development, develop characterizations, and to establish information that the audience needs to know to be able to understand the action, such as, names, backstory, locations, motivations (Goodykoontz and Jacobs, 2014). Dialogue which can accomplish two or all three of these functions at the same time is the most effective form of dialogue. The following clip from Star Wars: Episode IV is an example of effective dialogue. In the scene, Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are meeting Han Solo and Chewbacca for the first time in order to hire them to transport them to Alderaan, which furthers the plot development. Han Solo explains that the Millennium Falcon is “the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs. I’ve outrun Imperial Starships, not the local bulk cruisers mind you, I’m talking about the big Corellian ships now” (Kutz and Lucas, 1977). This bit of dialogue establishes some of Han Solo’s backstory along with his character.
Another element of sound in a film is sound effects. A sound effect could be as seemingly insignificant as the sound of crickets at night or as teeth-rattling loud as an explosion. Many sound effects from Star Wars: Episode IV can be identified by fans without needing to actually see the accompanying images: the hum of the light sabers and the sounds of them crashing together, Darth Vader’s mechanical breathing, R2-D2’s distinctive beeps, a tie fighter flying and firing its blasters, and many more. Many of the sound effects in Star Wars: Episode IV had to be generated specifically for the film, without real life examples of a blaster, light saber or tie fighter, the sounds needed to be created by sound technicians. The sound effects from Star Wars: Episode IV have become synonymous with the science fiction genre.
From the moment the audience hears the first note of John Williams’s music score during the opening crawl at the beginning of Star Wars: Episode IV they are drawn into the movie. Before films had pre-recorded dialogue and sound effects they had music, typically it was a single piano player, a trio, or even a full orchestra playing in the theater. Goodykoontz and Jacobs (2014) note that “musical accompaniment that supports a film’s moods and actions is really just an artificial convention to help manipulate audience response” (Section 8.2, para. 1). The musical score of Star Wars: Episode IV which was written by John Williams pulls the audience into the movie and sets the mood for every scene. During battle scenes as the music reaches a crescendo you can feel your heart beating faster, the softer score accompanying the death of Obi-Wan Kenobi evokes feeling of sadness, and the triumphant score during the final scene in the throne room makes you want to clap and cheer. Following is a clip of the scene from the throne room.
Now imagine the previous scene without the score. It would seem strangely quiet just watching the trio walk down the aisle. The following clip shows the scene without the score and with some added sound effects. The scene is awkward to watch and it actually seems to take longer. Also, the feeling of triumph is less and the impulse to clap and cheer is no longer present.
Almost forty years after its theatrical release the music, sound effects, and many lines of dialogue are still recognizable to most people, many of whom who were born even decades later.
References
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Auralnauts. (2014, Sep. 10) Star Wars Minus Williams – Throne Room. (video file). Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/Tj-GZJhfBmI
Benguitar9000. (2012, Mar. 22). Star Wars IV: A new hope – Final Scene (The Throne Room) and End Title. (video file). Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/yixG8pfncOs
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Kobayashi, D. (2011, Sep. 2) Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) – Han Solo – Bounty Hunter (Harrison Ford). (video file). Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/bosSsgzgenA
Kurtz, G. (Producer), Lucas, G.(Director). (1977). Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope. [Motion picture]. United States: 20th Century Fox.
Nova, M. (2014, Oct. 31). Darth Vader Breathing Sound Effect. (video file). Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/o1u7ySOiJIk
Shadowtriber666. (2008, Jun. 6). Star Wars: Light Saber Sound FX. (video file). Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/EzQkdy7cpV4?list=PLDgv8nHxCzL2h_tGwhPL5HSR9xWq5tXIU
Sleepovershows. (2010, Aug. 25). Tie Fighter Sound. (video file). Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/S5_svSADYks
Taller de Cine ENS (2013, Oct. 28) Cortos Audiovisuales – Star Wars Episode IV A NEW HOPE Opening 1977 VHS). (video file). Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/sbJw77YXoyM
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