American Graffiti (Blu-ray) Blu-ray, 1973

George Lucas's second feature, American Graffiti, was an enormous box-office hit and heralded a wave of rock'n'roll nostalgia, inspiring the TV series 'Happy Days'. Harrison Ford also appears in an early role.

A Californian night in 1962 finds four young men leaving high school and beginning to party in this love letter from Lucas to the vanished world of his youth. Ron Howard is the nominal hero, though Harrison Ford scores in the showy role that was to lead ultimately to Star Wars, but this is really an ensemble piece; young love, the future, and a realisation that something a little wonderful is disappearing, all flow seamlessly to the accompaniment of a great rock and roll soundtrack. And if it's all a little idealistic, why not?