SPECIAL EDITION CLASSIC IMAGE: BEN'S HOME

We continue our series of 1997 SPECIAL EDITION fixes that actually work and enhance the Classic Trilogy films with this great ILM matte painting/ model combo of "old hermit" Ben Kenobi's home out in the dangerous climes of the Dune Sea on Tatooine. I love the original close-in 1976/77 shot of the small real-life fisherman's hut representing it in Djerba, Tunisia (with the Landspeeder parked outside) but this new addition, with the accompanying lone moisture vaporator, works well, I think.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE SEARCH BEGINS...

Imperial Sandtroopers, with a far distant Patrol Dewback (a huge specially built prop with limited movement rather than the 1997 SPECIAL EDITION CGI creature), search for their new quarry: droids, in this slightly different image by photographer John Jay for the original STAR WARS taken on location in the deserts of Tunisia.

SCENES WE WANT ON BLU-RAY 8: BERU'S KITCHEN CONVERSATION

With homely Beru Lars appearance in EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES cut down so savagely during the film's later post production editing (she has just one line in the finished film: "Hello"!) and followed by later re-shoots of material on Anakin and Padme, it would be nice if the upcoming Blu-rays could have Luke Skywalker's adopted mum to be's deleted scene with Padme, where, in the famous Homestead kitchen (painstakingly recreated by the films production designers to match the original environment conceived in 1976 by John Barry), she briefly talks about life on and outside of Tatooine...

"Would you like some blue milk?"

The Blu-ray Prequel deleted scenes for the new release total around 45 minutes, so that's probably 15 minutes for each film. A shame it all couldn't be longer, really, as there's at least 30 minutes of deleted scenes footage alone from ATTACK OF THE CLONES that is yet to be seen, with much of the final third of the film having been changed/re-worked/re-filmed in the post-production process.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TATOOINE TOURISTS!

Awaiting news from their scout team entering the wild confines of Mos Espa, Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi and Naboo Captain Panaka patrol the desert environs of Tatooine around their damaged, secretly landed Royal Cruiser in this scene from EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE.

BEHIND THE SCENES: IN THE SHADE!

The towering figure of Liam Neeson stands near STAR WARS film visionary George Lucas: the pair taking a break from the sun whilst on location in Tunisia for the exterior Tatooine filming of EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE.

HOMESTEAD GENERATIONS: BLU-RAY COVER ART

Artist Lucamara's front sleeve work for the upcoming STAR WARS six film Blu-ray box set has been met with a mixed reaction, but here's the full piece of art previously posted at the DEVIANTART site.

CLASSIC IMAGE: HOMESTEAD ARRIVAL

Their gleaming Naboo craft parked in the not too distant Tatooine landscape (filmed once more on location in Tunisia), Anakin Skywalker, accompanied by Padme Amidala and the trusty Artoo Detoo, arrives at the wilderness boundaries of the Lars Homestead, desperate to find out news of his mother, Shmi.

A picturesque moment, leading to fateful tragedy, from EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A JAWA TROPHY

With several additional/re-shoot scenes filmed in Death Valley, USA in early 1977, as well as a small amount of original footage the year before in Tunisia (the above shot filmed there in STAR WARS CANYON (the large rock, behind the Jawas, was, I'm sure, in the finale of RAIDERS, too!)), here's the classic scene audiences loved upon the films original release, where Artoo is sneakily captured by those little scavengers of the Tatooine desert: the Jawas!

SCENES WE WANT ON BLU-RAY 3: THE SANDSTORM

This has to be the most famous and most desired deleted sequence shot for RETURN OF THE JEDI that fans worldwide want to see-in fact, this scene was the first sequence captured on film for the movie in January 1982 and one of the most difficult to realise at ELSTREE studio, as the STAR WARS actors, braving unfriendly conditions, were re-united for the first time in three years for their final Classic Trilogy movie.

For my thoughts on the famous sequence, head over to the main site: REQUIEM FOR A SANDSTORM

And don't forget, the exhaustive AFICIONADO back issue devoted to the making of the film is still available on PDF here: BACK ISSUE PDF CATALOG

SPECIAL EDITION CLASSIC IMAGE: BANTHA TREK!

Our celebration of great scenes/imagery from THE SPECIAL EDITIONs continues with this fun shot from RETURN OF THE JEDI showing a Bantha herd in its natural habitat within the Dune Sea prior to Jabba's Sail Barge being seen heading to the Pit of Carkoon. It's a lovely little moment/add on to the film which shows us a bit more of these intriguing creatures, often used for transport by Sandpeople, as well as adding another bit of evocative mystery and beauty to the landscape of Tatooine.

CLASSIC IMAGE: POD RACE PREPARATIONS!

At Mos Espa, one of the rarely seen Boonta Eve pod race pilots gets ready to fly in this fun image from EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE, returning to cinema screens where it belongs, and in 3-D, too, next year.

CLASSIC IMAGE: JABBA IN DA HOUSE!

Here's another classic B/W image sent by LUCASFILM to KENNER for reference use in 1982/83, this time of Jabba and friends from RETURN OF THE JEDI, inside the palace throne room on Tatooine. If ever there was a great image that should be released via OFFICIAL PIXS, this is certainly one worthy for consideration.

C'mon, OP, release more rare JEDI pics please!

And, check out this great and highly informative web feature from John Coppinger going behind the scenes at Jabba's creation : Star Wars - Passion4Makeup Magazine

With thanks to Chris Baker for the image.


And, linked to JEDI, check out this rare interview material (including Richard Marquand conversation)/behind the scenes footage that has returned to YOUTUBE about the making of JEDI, and most importantly, the creation of Jabba's Palace creatures/ Sail Barge.

YouTube - mrjohnavery's Channel
YouTube - ROTJ Richard Marquand, Anthony Daniels

With thanks to the YOUTUBE posters for these great TV finds.

BEHIND THE SCENES: A PERFECT MATCH

On location in Tunisia circa March/April 1976, George Lucas confers with Sir Alec Guinness as he arrives at one of the areas being used to represent the desert planet of Tatooine. Guinness considered Tunisia an inspired choice as a locale for the film, which he thought gave the project some believability, and was equally impressed with the young director, once telling an interviewer his view that Lucas was so immersed in the medium he probably went to sleep covered in film!

STORMTROOPER WARS: THE CASE CONTINUES...

The seemingly neverending and complex legal/copyright battle between the UK's SHEPPERTON DESIGN STUDIO and LUCASFILM over the Stormtrooper masks rages on...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3451228/Attack-of-the-clone-helmet-war.html

With thanks to Veronica Weller for the heads up on the article...


UPDATE: 27/7/2011. In the High Court today, SHEPPERTON DESIGN STUDIOS won their ruling against LUCASFILM so as to commercially produce Imperial Stormtrooper costumes in the UK merchandise market. Here is the YAHOO!/SKY NEWS story with video link: Empire Strikes Back In Stormtrooper Row - Yahoo!

CLASSIC IMAGE: FRIENDS LOST AND FOUND!

Searching the dark and smelly recesses of the Jawa Sandcrawler, littered with droids old and new in various working and non-working states, C-3PO is finally re-united with his loyal Astro Droid chum Artoo Detoo in a great moment from STAR WARS.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THREEPIO'S RESCUER!

A cloaked Luke Skywalker, last of the Jedi, enters Jabba's Palace on Tatooine to demand the immediate release of his captured friends, in this atmospheric, and very cool, shot from RETURN OF THE JEDI.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DEATH OF INNOCENCE!

Watched in sadness by his extended family and lover-to-be, Anakin Skywalker returns to the Lars Homestead with the body of his dead mother, Shmi, in this fateful scene from EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES, filmed at the restored Nefta salt flats location previously used in 1976 for STAR WARS.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TUSKEN TRIUMPH!

The dangerous and distinctive desert nomads of Tatooine, the Tusken Raiders, celebrate their enjoyment of the regular Boonta Eve Pod Race, having shot at its many contestant racers as they twist and turn through the various sand swept canyons of Mos Espa.

CLASSIC SCENE: ENCOUNTER WITH A JEDI!

"You will take me to Jabba now." Luke trades Force-ful words with Bib Fortuna.

Newly arrived at Jabba's Palace, Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) confers with the Hutt's Major Domo, Bib Fortuna (Michael Carter), who tries to prevent him from an audience with his master. This scene, for reasons unknown, was ultimately re-filmed a short time after, on the steps leading to the creature's Throne Room instead.

This image, which was originally provided to KENNER TOYS for reference in 1982 (note the scratches made by LUCASFILM to prevent copying), was sold online recently at an auction by the website ENTERTAINMENT EARTH.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!