Violence

There is some mild violence, but all in a clear fantasy setting. Most of the violence is theatrical and bloodless, lacking in any strong detail. The strongest examples include sight of a man using a lightsaber in a bar brawl and slicing off an alien’s arm; we briefly see the arm on the floor. There is also the sight of some charred bodies after a family is attacked, and some scuffles and fights with fantasy weapons including ray guns and light sabers. The baddie Darth Vader also grabs subordinates and enemies by the neck, killing them. The film also includes some explosions and space battle scenes, as spaceships are shot from the sky and hit during a battle sequence.

Violence

A man's wrist is chopped off by a lightsaber and, during a dream sequence, a man is decapitated; both moments of violence are brief and without any sight of blood or injury detail. There are also scenes of fantasy violence including dogfights, lightsaber fights, scenes of hand-to-hand combat in which men are punched, and sequences in which men are shot with blasters. It is implied a man is tortured.

Threat and horror

Threatening scenes including those in which a man is kidnapped by a snow creature, and a sequence in which a man is forced into a small chamber and encased in carbonate. There are also scenes in which men are attacked and, during battles, their lives are endangered.

Violence

There are large-scale battle sequences and dog-fights in space, but there is no blood or injury detail. There are some scary monsters in the film, but they are all fantastical in nature. There is a confrontation between a main character and a sharp-toothed creature, but the man seems only mildly concerned.

Threat

A main character is tortured by the baddies. However, there is no detail to the violence and the hero emerges unscathed. This is an example of heroism in the face of adversity, and although it produces some anxious moments, the anxiety is safely resolved in an appropriate manner.

• Did you enjoy the films? How did they make you feel? Were there any bits of the story that you didn’t like? Who was your favourite character? Did you learn anything, if so what?
• Do you agree with the BBFC age ratings? What about the info for parents? Would you add or remove anything? Is it helpful to know about what is in a film before you watch it?
• Think about how the story of Star Wars is told. What techniques does the film maker employ to take you on a narrative journey? Did you find the film violent at any point? Does the age of the film change the way the violence comes across?
• In the films, the Jedi represent good whilst the Sith are the villains. What motivates each group? How do the methods of the Jedi differ from the methods of the Sith?
• The Jedi lightsabers are blue and green whilst Darth Vader has a red coloured lightsaber, what do the colours represent and how do they tell you who is good and who is evil? Star Wars has some brilliantly funny lines.
• Can you identify the comedy moments in Star Wars? Which characters are responsible for making the audience laugh? Who is your favourite funny character, and why? Luke is clearly the hero of Star Wars.
• How do the filmmakers tell his story over the course of the films, and what do you think are the main scenes which send him on his journey?’ Luke goes on what is known as ‘a hero’s journey’, which is where a main character goes on an adventure and a personal transformation.
• How does the character of Luke change from the beginning of the films? What are the differences between Han Solo and Luke Skywalker? Which is your favourite character, and why?
• Princess Leia is not your typical princess, how is she different than what you might expect a stereo typical princess to behave, and why?
• In the films, we see Luke training hard to become a skilled Jedi. How does this show his self-control and perseverance?
• Can you think of a time you had to practise a skill in order to become good at it? It took up to seven puppeteers to control Jabba the Hutt, including three inside Jabba controlling his movements, two people radio-controlling his eyes, and two more creating smoke and operating bellows for the lungs. How realistic do the characters look? Do you think special effects have changed?
• In The Empire Strikes Back, there is a very famous twist about Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker? Did you expect it and if not, did it surprise you?

Violence

The film contains several battle scenes, lightsaber duels and chase/ escape sequences. The violence mainly takes place during skirmishes between human and non-human characters such as robots. However one prominent lightsaber fight takes place between two main characters and a villain. During the sequence a key character is killed, after which a small dark patch is seen on a cloak. Later in the film, another character is cut in two when he is hit by a lightsaber strike. This occurs offscreen, although a very faint red mist is briefly visible indicating the strike has occurred. After this, the two parts of the body fall down a chasm, although without any blood or injury detail. The film includes a racing scene in which a young boy is in danger; however, he is presented as resourceful and skilled. Other chases and battles are presented but with a clear fantastical element.

The film also includes some very mild rude humour, including an animal breaking wind.

Violence

Violence includes scenes in which space ships fire lasers at each other and some more personalised violence, with characters swiping at each other with lightsaber weapons. A character in a helmet delivers a headbutt and another character’s arm is severed, without bloody detail.

Threat & Horror

The moderate threat includes some chase sequences and scenes in which characters are surrounded by monsters with sharp claws. A character falls into a vat and just escapes being covered in molten metal.

Violence

The film contains some intense scenes of violence and injury, the strongest of which is the ‘burning’ of Anakin at his final transformation. There is focus on his body on fire, and on his agonised face, and he later lies injured and in pain. Some battle scenes are intense and action-packed, with sight of characters beheaded or having limbs chopped off, although this is bloodless. As Anakin changes from heroic to evil and cruel, there are references to him murdering young children who trusted him.

• Did you enjoy the films? How did they make you feel? Were there any bits of the story that you didn’t like? Who was your favourite character? Did you learn anything, if so what?
• Do you agree with the BBFC age ratings? What about the info for parents? Would you add or remove anything? Is it helpful to know about what is in a film before you watch it?
• Anakin plays an important part in these films. Can you identify any scenes which foreshadow his future?
• What role does Obi Wan Kenobi play in shaping Anakin’s future? Do you think he failed Anakin? How do you think he could have done better?
• The galaxy in which the Star Wars films are set is very hierarchical, what do you think the film teaches you about respecting your elders? Which characters do you think are the best teachers and leaders?
• How does the role of Padme change throughout the films? All the main characters are from very different backgrounds and even species. What does the film teach you about working together?
• You can’t see the Force, but all Jedis believe it is there. What does the film teach you about hope and faith?
• The events in Star Wars happened “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.” But have similar events happened in this world? What historical events do you think Star Wars draws upon?
• When has a small army of rebels taken on a massive empire? Where have humans beings been held in slavery? What other echoes of world history do you see in the “Star Wars” saga? How?
• There are lots of special effect in these films. What do you think a real lightsaber would be made of? Do you think weapons shown in the films will be possible one day? Why? How?

Violence

There are frequent scenes of moderate violence, including use of blasters and lightsabers, and dogfights between spaceships. Sight of blood and injury detail is limited and brief.

Threat

Occasional scenes of moderate threat include characters being interrogated using 'the Force', which it is implied causes them pain, and characters being held at lightsaber-point.

There is infrequent use of very mild bad language ('hell', 'damn').

Violence

Moderate violence includes gunfights, aerial dogfights between spaceships, and use of lightsabers and other hand-held weapons. Blood and injury detail is limited and brief.

There is occasional mild threat and infrequent mild bad language ('ass', 'bastard', 'bloody').

Violence

Fights with fantastical weapons include impalements and brief sight of blood and injury. A character's face is melted by fantastical energy.

Threat and horror

A young woman finds herself alone amidst an arena of sinister enemies, taunted by their leader. A character briefly becomes fanged and demonic.

There is infrequent mild bad language, including 'ass', as well as use of milder terms such as 'hell' and 'damn'. There are mild upsetting scenes.

• Did you enjoy the films? How did they make you feel? Were there any bits of the story that you didn’t like? Who was your favourite character?
• Did you learn anything, if so what? Do you agree with the BBFC age ratings? Would you add or remove anything? Is it helpful to know about what is in a film before you watch it?
• How do you think these recent films are similar to the original trilogy? How are they different?
• Rey is one of the main characters in these films, how does her journey mirror that of Luke Skywalker? How is it different throughout the films?
• Another main character is Kylo Ren. How does his journey mirror those of Luke and Anakin Skywalker? What do you think are the main scenes where he chooses his path?
• These films teach us that good and evil are often intertwined, and are full of grey areas. Which characters do you think are truly good, and truly evil? Why? What choices do they make to take them down these paths?
• In these films, The Empire has regrouped as The New Order. What similarities and differences are there between the two regimes?
• What role do women play in these films? How are the female characters different in these films than the original trilogy, and the prequels?
• What does this film teach you about friendship? Which characters do you think have the strongest friendships? Why? Which character would you like to be your best friend, and why?