Star Wars trilogy day
Aug 31st
Headgate Theatre, Colchester
After the cancellation of the original planned Star Wars convention this weekend, we had a private screening with invited friends and guests, showing various oddities to begin with in the morning, starting with From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga**, Richard Schickel's absorbing behind-the-scenes documentary not just about Return of the Jedi but as the title suggests, encompassing the rest of the saga as well, with the always interesting George Lucas giving his views on the saga as they were in 1983.
Then came Hardware Wars**, an amusing little trailer for a spoof Star Wars, uncannily similar to some of the hardware used in the original first film, but for comedic effect. Finally there was Elstree Strikes Back*, a nostalgic video by a fan named Joseph Sales, reminiscing about his growing up with the saga, as well as featuring some snippets from the "Star Wars Day" at The Venue in Elstree in 1994. Finally switching from DVD over to Super 8 film, we had some original release trailers for the three main films, before the main event itself:
_______________
Star Wars**** (U)
aka: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
US 1977. Twentieth Century Fox/Lucasfilm. 121m. Panavision
In a distant galaxy a young desert farmer is hurled into a space adventure after seeing an escaped robot reveal a message from a captured princess.
Quintessential space fantasy which set the tone of film making this director would have to follow for the next thirty years. One of the all time great movies, no matter what vices it (or Jaws) may have unwittingly given Hollywood - by its nature Hollywood often imitates but rarely emulates. Although the film contains an array of mechanical creations and odd creatures, they never detract from the enjoyment. The designs are original, the direction and the acting are a treat, in what is a first-class adventure for kids with enough added elements to appeal to adults too, factors which have ensured the crowd-pleasing success of this saga over the years. Always a joy to watch.
Written and Directed by: George Lucas.
Producer: Gary Kurtz.
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), David Prowse (Darth Vader - with the voice of James Earl Jones), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca).
Photography: Gilbert Taylor.
Music: John Williams.
100 Favourite Films: Star Wars
Barry Norman review (Film 77)
_________________
The Empire Strikes Back**** (U)
aka: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
US 1980. Twentieth Century Fox/Lucasfilm. 124m. Panavision
Commander Luke Skywalker trains to become a Jedi Knight after escaping a spectacular battle on an ice planet, whilst his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader, who is obsessed with finding young Skywalker...
An enthralling and unusual sequel, darker (literally) and sluggish at times, and also hard to judge on its own merits because it cross-references the original so much; nor does it offer a definite resolution at the end. Peerless entertainment nonetheless, with a surprising twist that whettens the appetite for the next exciting instalment, and the creation of new characters is a welcome addition, with the the midget-sized Jedi Master Yoda a masterpiece of puppetry and technical coordination, which as before is excellent.
Written by: Leigh Brackett, Lawrence Kasdan, from a story by George Lucas.
Producer: Gary Kurtz.
Director: Irvin Kershner.
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, David Prowse, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz (voice of Yoda), Alec Guinness.
Photography: Peter Suschitsky.
Music: John Williams.
+ this particular Super 8 version also came, rather amusingly, with German opening titles!
100 Favourite Films: The Empire Strikes Back
_________________
Return of the Jedi**** (U)
aka: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
US 1983. Twentieth Century Fox/Lucasfilm. 132m. Panavision
The Galactic Empire builds a a new Death Star, whilst Luke Skywalker rescues Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, and then together with the Rebel Alliance prepares to face Darth Vader once again.
Arguably the best of the original trilogy, full of surprising twists, monstrous apparitions and a more human side, which the director blends well. The film shows tendencies of rambling on after a few viewings, and a little derivative of its predecessors (especially Star Wars), but the climax is a treat and worth waiting for. A memorable saga.
Written by: Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas.
Producer: Howard Kazanjian.
Director: Richard Marquand.
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Ian McDiarmid, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Alec Guinness, Frank Oz.
Photography: Alan Hume.
Music: John Williams.
100 Favourite Films: Return of the Jedi
Headgate Theatre, Colchester
After the cancellation of the original planned Star Wars convention this weekend, we had a private screening with invited friends and guests, showing various oddities to begin with in the morning, starting with From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga**, Richard Schickel's absorbing behind-the-scenes documentary not just about Return of the Jedi but as the title suggests, encompassing the rest of the saga as well, with the always interesting George Lucas giving his views on the saga as they were in 1983.
Then came Hardware Wars**, an amusing little trailer for a spoof Star Wars, uncannily similar to some of the hardware used in the original first film, but for comedic effect. Finally there was Elstree Strikes Back*, a nostalgic video by a fan named Joseph Sales, reminiscing about his growing up with the saga, as well as featuring some snippets from the "Star Wars Day" at The Venue in Elstree in 1994. Finally switching from DVD over to Super 8 film, we had some original release trailers for the three main films, before the main event itself:
_______________
Star Wars**** (U)
aka: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
US 1977. Twentieth Century Fox/Lucasfilm. 121m. Panavision
In a distant galaxy a young desert farmer is hurled into a space adventure after seeing an escaped robot reveal a message from a captured princess.
Quintessential space fantasy which set the tone of film making this director would have to follow for the next thirty years. One of the all time great movies, no matter what vices it (or Jaws) may have unwittingly given Hollywood - by its nature Hollywood often imitates but rarely emulates. Although the film contains an array of mechanical creations and odd creatures, they never detract from the enjoyment. The designs are original, the direction and the acting are a treat, in what is a first-class adventure for kids with enough added elements to appeal to adults too, factors which have ensured the crowd-pleasing success of this saga over the years. Always a joy to watch.
Written and Directed by: George Lucas.
Producer: Gary Kurtz.
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), David Prowse (Darth Vader - with the voice of James Earl Jones), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca).
Photography: Gilbert Taylor.
Music: John Williams.
100 Favourite Films: Star Wars
Barry Norman review (Film 77)
_________________
The Empire Strikes Back**** (U)
aka: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
US 1980. Twentieth Century Fox/Lucasfilm. 124m. Panavision
Commander Luke Skywalker trains to become a Jedi Knight after escaping a spectacular battle on an ice planet, whilst his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader, who is obsessed with finding young Skywalker...
An enthralling and unusual sequel, darker (literally) and sluggish at times, and also hard to judge on its own merits because it cross-references the original so much; nor does it offer a definite resolution at the end. Peerless entertainment nonetheless, with a surprising twist that whettens the appetite for the next exciting instalment, and the creation of new characters is a welcome addition, with the the midget-sized Jedi Master Yoda a masterpiece of puppetry and technical coordination, which as before is excellent.
Written by: Leigh Brackett, Lawrence Kasdan, from a story by George Lucas.
Producer: Gary Kurtz.
Director: Irvin Kershner.
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, David Prowse, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz (voice of Yoda), Alec Guinness.
Photography: Peter Suschitsky.
Music: John Williams.
+ this particular Super 8 version also came, rather amusingly, with German opening titles!
100 Favourite Films: The Empire Strikes Back
_________________
Return of the Jedi**** (U)
aka: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
US 1983. Twentieth Century Fox/Lucasfilm. 132m. Panavision
The Galactic Empire builds a a new Death Star, whilst Luke Skywalker rescues Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, and then together with the Rebel Alliance prepares to face Darth Vader once again.
Arguably the best of the original trilogy, full of surprising twists, monstrous apparitions and a more human side, which the director blends well. The film shows tendencies of rambling on after a few viewings, and a little derivative of its predecessors (especially Star Wars), but the climax is a treat and worth waiting for. A memorable saga.
Written by: Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas.
Producer: Howard Kazanjian.
Director: Richard Marquand.
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Ian McDiarmid, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Alec Guinness, Frank Oz.
Photography: Alan Hume.
Music: John Williams.
100 Favourite Films: Return of the Jedi
posted by Joe at 11:30 PM
1 Comments:
Glad you had fun, and nice to see those great posters! Thankfully I've managed to collect a few of those original ones as well (and an original "ET", "Tron", "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" etc etc.)
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