Wednesday 4 January 2017

'STAR WARS' AT 40: READY FOR INTRUDERS!


And so it begins- the pursuit of Princess Leia's Blockade Runner by Darth Vader and his forces on the Imperial Star Destroyer Devastator, as her brave soldiers prepare to repel boarders, whilst a trio of benevolent droids (including the silver background Threepio likely played by Anthony Daniels stand-in, Harriet Colville) are caught up in the hive of activity. A great image from the original STAR WARS.

The stretch of corridor for the Blockade Runner opening hastily created by UK Production Designer John Barry and his budget-strapped team as the film was nearing its hasty (kind of) conclusion of principal photography. It was pretty short and shot from numerous angeles and set rearrangements- I love the way we see the edge here in the above shot, with bubblewrap and other filming set dressing items nearby- the way that fantasy merges with reality. The film camera in this instance must have been on the same side as the stills lensman (presumably John Jay) taking this shot, or behind the droids facing towards the set- a moment of footage that didn't make the final film.

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