American Graffiti

Here's how critic Roger Ebert described the unique and lasting value of George Lucas' 1973 box-office hit, American Graffiti: "[It's] not only a great movie but a brilliant work of historical fiction; no sociological treatise could duplicate the movie's success in remembering exactly how it was to be alive at that cultural instant." The time to which Ebert refers is the summer of 1962, captured here—the look, feel, and sound—over one memorable night in the lives of several young Californians on the cusp of adulthood. (In essence, Lucas was making a semiautobiographical tribute to his own days as a hot-rod cruiser in this phenomenally successful film that would help pave the financial way for Star Wars.) The action is propelled by the music of Wolfman Jack's rock & roll radio show—a nonstop soundtrack of pop hits that would become as popular as the film itself. As Lucas develops several character subplots, American Graffiti becomes a flawless time capsule of meticulously re-created memory, as authentic as a documentary and vividly realized through the innovative use of cinematography and sound. The once-in-a-lifetime ensemble cast comprise a who's who of performers—several of whom went on to stellar careers—including Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips, Charles Martin Smith, Candy Clark, and Paul Le Mat. Digitally remastered for this special edition, extras include new audio commentary by Lucas (video commentary on the Blu-ray edition), the feature-length “The Making of American Graffiti,” and screen tests. A true American classic, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (J. Shannon)