For many people, the film ‘Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace’ was their introduction to the Star Wars universe. The film, which comes first in the Star Wars timeline, was made 22 years after the very first “Star Wars Star Wars” and begins to tell the story of the legendary epic. The classic movie, written by George Lucas, was released in 1999 and is considered a controversial part of the Star Wars saga, as it expands on a supposedly completed story and explains its background in more detail. For many fans, this was no reason to rejoice, as they had imagined the beginning of their favourite films to be different. 16 years had passed since the previous film, ‘Return of the Jedi’, had caused a sensation and amazement in cinemas and at the same time brought the classic triology to a close.
‘Star Wars Episode 1: The Force Awakens’ is set 30 years before the classic trilogy and therefore without the popular main protagonists Leya Irgana, Luke Skywalker and Ha Solo, as well as the popular antagonist Darth Vader, in a completely different time in completely different circumstances.
What makes this controversial movie so special? How was the first part of the Prequel triology introduced? What is behind the most modern film of all time for its time? Let’s go back to 1999 to understand why the film caused such a stir.
1 Chapter
HARDFACTS
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WHAT
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FACT
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Original title
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
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Direction
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George Lucas
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Script
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Country of production
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USA
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Original language
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Englisch
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Year of publication
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1999
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Length of the film
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136 minutes
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Age rating
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FSK 6
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Mask
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Rick McCallum
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Cut
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Ben Burtt
Paul Martin Smith |
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Production
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Rick McCallum
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Camera
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David Tattersall
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Music
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John Williams
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Publication USA
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1999
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Publication EU
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2000
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Affiliation
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Prequel Triologie
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Chapter 2
CONTENT OF THE FILM
The Trade Federation, which has already secretly joined the Separatists and the unknown Sith Lord Darth Sidius, establishes a blockade off the planet Nabu. Meanwhile, the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic sends two Jedi Knights, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, to resolve the conflict on Nabu. The Emperor then issues an order to liquidate the two Jedi.
Escape to Naboo
However, pupil and master manage to escape and make their way to the planet Nabo with the help of a druid transport ship, which they sneak onto. There, the two Jedi encounter the Gungan Jar Jar Bings. The chaotic, clumsy but lovable Gungan led the two Jedi to his home, the Gungan underwater city. Once there, the experienced Jedi, Qui-Gon Jin, tries to persuade the head of the city, Boss-Nass, to help the inhabitants of Naboos. After a long but unsuccessful exchange between the two, the Jedi head to the capital of Naboo ‘Feed’ with Jar Jar Binks in tow to free Queen Amidala. They succeed in their endeavour and escape with the Queen of Naboo.
Emergency landing on Tattoine
After the successful escape from Naboo, the travellers want to travel to Corruscant to report to the Senate about the invasion on Nabu. During the escape, however, their spaceship suffers considerable damage. The protagonists of the first Star Wars movie are forced to make an emergency landing on the nearby planet Tatoine. While Obi Wan Kenobi stays on the Queen’s damaged ship to keep her company, Qui Gon Jin, Jar Jar Binks R2-D2 and the Queen’s servant Padme Amidala go to the city of Mos Espar with the aim of finding spare parts for their ship. Tatooine is a desolate desert planet with little to no vegetation. They are lucky that their ship is close to the ‘hotspot’ of the planet Mos Espar.
Meeting with Anakin
During their search, they quickly come across the scrap dealer Watto. The Toydarian, who is known for his dodgy and usually never fair dealings, owns the part that is defective on their ship. However, as Qui-Gon Jin cannot pay with Republic credit, they have to think of another way to get hold of the spare parts for their spaceship. When they encounter the scrap dealer in his shop again, Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala meet for the first time.
"Are you an angel? I've heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They live on the moons of Iego, I think. They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe. I listen to all the traders and star pilots who come through here. I'm a pilot, you know, and someday I'm going to fly away from this place."
When Anakin Skywalker warns the travelling party of an approaching sandstorm as they leave the junk shop, he lets them stay at his home. There, Qui-Gon Jin, Padmé Amidala and the clumsy Jar Jar Binks make their first acquaintance with Shmi, Anakin’s mother. As the day progresses, Qui Gon Jin notices the distinct force in the young Skywalker and realises once again that the young Anakin must be something special. Spurred on by this praise, the cheeky but brave little boy presents his new friends with his latest construction project: C3PO.
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Das Podrennen
As Anakin confidently mentioned while sitting with his new friends at his home that he was always pod racing, the Jedi Qui-Gon Jin had the idea that winning the pod race would give the Chosen One the spare parts for their spaceship!
After making a bet with the scrap dealer and owner of Anakin Skywalker, Watto, Anakin would be given his freedom if he won the upcoming pod race. Should the boy lose, Qui-Gon Jin would lose his spaceship to the scrap dealer.
To make sure that Anakin loses the race and Wattho subsequently gets Qui-Gon Jin’s spaceship, the scrap dealer sabotages the race. Firstly, he hires Tuskin raiders to shoot at the young Skywalker’s podracer at regular intervals. He also bribes Sebula, a direct opponent in the podracer race, to defeat the boy at all costs. The unsportsmanlike racer rams the young Skywalker’s speeder at regular intervals. When Anakin keeps his wits about him in a situation that almost ends fatally for him, the young Skywalker wins the race and is no longer a slave!
Darth Maul
The travelling party decided to leave the desert planet of Tattoine in order to begin the fade-out to Jedi. As they were about to board their spaceship, an unknown Sith suddenly appeared out of nowhere with a double-bladed sword and attacked Qui-Gon Jin! Anakin ran to the Jedi’s spaceship while Qui-Go Jin resisted the unknown Sith’s attacks! The unknown adversary with a black-painted face, who later turned out to be Darth Maul, dealt quick and powerful blows against Qui-Gon, who could only fend them off with difficulty.
Obi Wan Kenobi ordered the captain of their ship to take off low so that his master could jump over the hatch that had been left open. His plan worked and the Jedi and Anakin were able to escape from the desert planet of Tattoien.
Return to Corruscant
After returning to Corruscant, Qui Gon Jin informed the Jedi Council of his incident with Darth Maul and that he had taken a young boy with an unprecedented level of midi-chloriana and a strong Force aura from Tattoine to train him as a Jedi. Furthermore, Master Obi Wan Kenobi explained that Anakin Skywalker could be “The Chosen One” and would therefore want to train him.
Due to Anakin’s age and their fear of “Anakin’s imminent danger”, the Jedi Council rejected Qui-Gon’s plan to train Anakin as a Jedi!
Meanwhile, Queen Amidala has arrived at the Senate and requests help from them. After lengthy debates in the Senate, the negotiations ultimately fail. For this reason, Senator Palpatine proposes to the Queen of Naboo, who suggests to Queen Amidala that a motion of censure be passed against the current Chancellor Velorum. Queen Amidala follows the advice of the much older senator and is subsequently nominated for the office of chancellor.
Fight of the Gungans
Following Jar Jar Binks’ tip-off about the Gungan army, Queen Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi, his master Qui Gon Jin and the clumsy Jar Jar Binks fly to Naboo to meet the King of the Gungans, Boss Nas. During the conversation with Boss Nas, Padmé Amidala is suddenly revealed to be the actual Queen of Naboo. The previously imagined queen was merely acting as protection for the real Queen Padmé Amidala.
Together, the travelling party and the Gungans devise a plan for the upcoming battle: the Gungans are to fight the druids, while Padmé marches into the capital with a small group to arrest Viceroy Gunray.
Another encounter
When Padmé, her men and the two Jedi in tow head for the Hagner of Naboo, they suddenly encounter Darth Maul again. The two Jedi confront the dark Sith with his double-bladed sword, while Padmé and her followers carry out their part of the aforementioned plan. Meanwhile, the intrepid Anakin Skywalker accidentally launches a Nabo starfighter, and helps the other pilots destroy the command centre that has been maintaining the blockade on Naboo. The moment the command centre is destroyed, all the Druids fighting the Gungangs on the battlefield instantly collapse, leaving the Gungans victorious!
The battle between the two Jedi and the Sith Darth Maul is still ongoing. Maul managed to separate Obi Wan Kenobi from his master with a light blockade. The Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jin engages in a splendidly staged duel with the Sith, but dies when he forgets to take cover for a moment! Afterwards, however, Obi Wan Kenobi manages to take down his adversary and his master’s murderer. When the young Obi Wan Kenobi had defeated his adversary, he rushed in panic to his master, who was lying on the ground and uttering his last words. He asked Obi Wan to train Anakin Skywalker, who according to Qui-Gon Jin was definitely “the chosen one”!
Sieg der Handelsföderation
To celebrate the victory against the droid army and Darth Maul, the main square of Naboo became a place of festivities. After the burial of Qui-Gon Jinn, the people of Naboo join the Gungans in celebrating their regained freedom and victory over the Trade Federation.
Chapter 3
CHARAKTERS
Anakin Skywalker
Main protagonist
Anakin Skywalker, played by Jake Lloyd, grows up as a slave on the desert planet Tatooine. He is a good pilot and technician.
Qui-Gon Jinn
Main protagonist
Qui-Gon Jinn, played by Liam Neeson, is a wise but wilful Jedi Master and mentor to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Qui-Gon was never accepted into the Jedi Council because of his egotism and constant defiance of its decisions. He firmly believes in the old Jedi prophecy and sees Anakin as the Chosen One.
Obi Wan Kenobi
Main protagonist
Obi Wan Kenobi, played by Ewan McGregor, is the Padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn. He has great respect for his master and the rules of the Jedi. However, Kenobi often doubts his master’s final decisions.
Padmé Amidala
Protagonist
Padmé Amidala, played by Natalie Portman, is the Queen of Naboo. Her goal is to protect her kingdom of Naboo from the Trade Federation.
Darth Maul
Main antagonist
The antagonist of the first part of the Prequil trilogy, played by Ray Park, is a Darthomirian Zabrak and a Sith Lord. He is one of the only warriors in the Star Wars universe to possess a double lightsaber.
Watto the scrap dealer
Antagonist
Watto is a Toydarian scrap and slave trader who owns both Anakin and Shmi Skywalker. The Toydarian, who is known for his shady and usually never fair dealings, owns the part that is defective on their ship.
Jar Jar Binks
Protagonist
The clumsy Jar Jar Binks, played by Ahmed Best, is a Gungan who repeatedly gets others into awkward situations with his clumsy behaviour.
R2-D2
Protagonist
Probably the best-known droid, R2-D2 is an astromech droid that serves the kingdom of Naboo. He is primarily used as a companion and assistant to the queen. However, R2-D2 can also override circuits and various security mechanisms, which makes him a helpful companion.
Sebula
Antagonist
Sebula is a ruthless and violent pod racer and is descended from the Dug. The former slave has seriously injured or even killed various opponents in various pod races due to his reckless driving style!
4. Kapitel
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
Chapter 5
ENTSTEHUNG
Screenplay & dramaturgy
"All I need is an Idea."
A desk in front of an open window. To his left, you can hear cheerful film music coming from a tube television. It is the summer of 1999 and George Lucas is sitting at his desk, writing the beginning of his legendary epic. The creator and creative mind behind the most famous science fiction saga, which was to leave its mark on viewers across generations, took advantage of the technological progress that was rapidly increasing at the time and created the first part of the Prequel trilogy. And he did it like most creative people: without pressure in a harmonious environment, allowing his mind and soul to unfold completely.
“I think about sceens all the time. And they come in an mosaic. Than there come some messy ones. Therfore I have to sit down and write them down. It starts with me sitting here, doodling little miner, but it ends up with 1.000 People, who working togetter, in a very emotional creative way.“
Preparations
5 months before filming begins:
George Lucas, the mastermind behind the complex movies of the Star Wars universe, is in a room with his assistants. In front of him is a huge screen on which various scenes from the upcoming film are sketched in black and white. George Lucas is using a coloured pencil to mark all the relevant scenes for the upcoming filming of the sketched scenes. George Lucas holds two coloured pencils in his hands. With the help of these pens, the mastermind behind the film marks which scenes are ‘real’ and which are ‘unreal’ and therefore have to be added in post-production so that the scene corresponds to how the script and George Lucas imagined it.
Shooting
We are in Watford, England. George Lucas’ team rented the Rolce Roys Factury for the filming. The 850,000m2 area was remodelled into various set locations in which they were able to build various backdrops. Over 600 people were involved in the filming, working 24 hours a day in shifts.
Action scenes
The filming of the battle between the antagonist Darth Maul and the newly appointed Jedi Obi Wan Kenobi provides interesting insights into how various scenes were shot. For example, when Obi Wan Kenobi hangs from the edge of a platform and catapults himself back onto it, it is a conventional trampoline, which is also used in schools for PE lessons, to give Ewan McGregor the necessary upward momentum to get back onto the platform.
The fight was fought with metal rods.
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optical effects
We are in the middle of a meeting in the animation department. Rob Coleman, the animation director, who is responsible for many of the movie´s animations and visual effects, is discussing with his colleagues how they should be filmed in the scene when Qui Gon Jin negotiates with Wattho the scrap dealer. Coleman thinks it would be even better if the camera was more on the faces of the characters during the negotiations than it was before, capturing the whole bodies.
If you would like to read more about the filming of Star Wars Episode 1, we have written a separate article that provides more behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the first Star Wars film:
Publication
„I haven´t felt this since 1977!“
It is 19 August 1999 and huge crowds have gathered outside American cinemas, eagerly waiting for the doors to open for the midnight premiere of the long-awaited film ‘Star Wars Episode 1 – The Force Awakens’. Suddenly the time has come. The cinema staff open the glass doors. The first fan to enter the cinema falls gratefully to his knees. At the same moment, he jumps up and, full of euphoria, runs screaming into the cinema, followed by others.
„For 50 Hours now, this place is now my hom. I promissed myselve, 10 years ago, that I will be the forst one in line tot eh forst available show, if they ever make another Star Wars Movie!“
To shorten the waiting time until the film starts and admission, Star Wars fans compete against each other with the lightsaber dummies they have brought with them. The excitement, anticipation and nervousness before the film premiere is literally written all over everyone’s face.
The cinema owner is greeted with thunderous applause in front of the screen of his cinema. He doesn’t need to say more than: ‘This is going to be great!’, because the whole cinema is filled with cheers and enthusiasm! Suddenly the lights go out. And all you can see are the light scissor dummies in 4 successive colours scattered around the auditorium at the entrance to the cinema. When the lights in the cinema go out and the legendary words ‘A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….’ appear on the screen, the euphoria of the audience knows no bounds. The iconic theme music can barely be heard, if at all, over the roar of the fans.
Chapter 6
RUNNING TEXT BEFORE THE FILM STARTS
The Galactic Republic is shaken by unrest. Taxation of trade routes to distant star systems is the catalyst.
Hoping to settle the matter by blockading it with powerful battleships, the insatiable Trade Federation has stopped all transport to the small planet of Naboo.
While the Republic Congress holds endless debates over this disturbing chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor secretly dispatches two Jedi Knights, guardians of peace and justice, to settle the conflict….
6. Kapitel
MEDIA REVIEWS
‘If this were the first Star Wars film, The Phantom Menace would be celebrated as a visionary breakthrough. How quickly we get used to miracles!’
‘We are pleased to rate the film Star Wars Epiusode 1 The Force Awakens as ‘valuable’. The film alone deserves a rating ‘as a milestone in the further development of animation technology’!’
‘If this were the first Star Wars film, The Phantom Menace would be celebrated as a visionary breakthrough. How quickly we get used to miracles!
The film service praised ‘extraordinary effects’ and ‘brilliantly choreographed fight scenes.’ In addition, Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace offers ‘the usual kind of naive entertainment, which also produces a lot of idle time due to sentimentality and endlessly extended fighting.’
‘If this were the first Star Wars film, The Phantom Menace would be celebrated as a visionary breakthrough. How quickly we get used to miracles!’
6. Kapitel
EINSPIELERGEBNISSE
6. Kapitel
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