Which order to watch Star Wars?

[Abstract Actuary]

:::Warning, don't read this thread if you don't want to have the Star Wars story ruined for you.:::

If you were going to have someone watch the whole Star Wars series for the first time, in what order would you have them watch it?

By release date: IV, V, VI, I, II, III?

Or chronologically: I, II, III, IV, V, VI?

Assume that they know nothing at all about the story. What if they probably already know the backbone of the story (Luke, I am your father)? What would you want if you were watching it for the first time?

In my opinion watching either trilogy first ruins part of the mystery of the other trilogy. (RD: You know Anakin Skywalker's fate. Ch: You know that Luke and Leia are Darth Vader's children).

[Kohl]

IMHO, you are meant to know IV, V, and VI while watching I, II, and III.

[Single White Shemale]

Save yer money.

[Kohl]

Originally Posted by Abstract Actuary

If you were going to have someone watch the whole Star Wars series for the first time, in what order would you have them watch it?

It is incredible to me that this is possible. A radio show host I follow has never seen one of these movies and it is weird to think that he has no visual when C3PO is mentioned.

My wife hasn't seen I, II, or III and I find that strange as well.

[Abstract Actuary]

Think about it from your children's perspective. They won't have seen it until you show it to them (if you can show it to them before the story is somehow ruined throw friends at school or some spoof).

To your point from earlier - everyone we know saw I, II, and III knowing the story of IV, V, and VI. But what if they didn't? Would Anakin's story be that much better if you didn't ultimately know he was destined to become Darth Vader? How surprised would you be when you realized that all the Jedi's were really being whiped out, an empire was rising, and Anakin (your hero) was going to become the ultimate evil?

[Qisoneminusp]

You did not leave the option of only "IV, V, VI". As a star wars purist, the other episodes were merely patchwork filler for George Lucas to help himself write about the characters. They were never meant to be made into feature-length movies.

(I will admit that darth maul was bad ass, and the light saber duels were sweet)

[Da Bears!]

Originally Posted by Single White Shemale

Save yer money.

(and the sig as well )

[gadzookz]

Originally Posted by Abstract Actuary

How surprised would you be when you realized that all the Jedi's were really being whiped out, an empire was rising, and Anakin (your hero) was going to become the ultimate evil?

How surprised would you be to see the the empire took a huge step back technologically, that Darth Vader now takes orders from some guy in a uniform, and that the clones become poor, dumb fighters.

[Kohl]

Originally Posted by Abstract Actuary

Think about it from your children's perspective.

I think EpI may be cool. Then EpII would be confusing why Anakin slaughters women and children and retains the love of a queen turned ambassador. Then EpIII would be a big crock where the Jedis turn into assassins over a supposed democracy at war. Plus Obi leaves Anakin to torment when there could have been a more merciful ending.

[ShakeNBakes]

if it's for a first-time watcher, you have to go by release date. It's the way nature intended it to be. Watching them chronologically is like eating a square watermelon. Sure it's cool, but it's also very wrong.