Legacy of Star Wars

It’s been 25 years since the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Besides making some of us feel very old, the anniversary is as good a reason as any to take a look at what we have in the catalogue on the history of the saga, the individuals involved in making it (most prominently, creator George Lucas) and its enduring impact on popular culture.

Movies of interest

25-5-77 (BeamaFilm)
“Alienated film-maker hopeful Pat Johnson’s epic story of growing up in rural Illinois, falling in love and becoming the first fan of the movie that changed everything.” (Description from Beamafilm)

I am your father
“David Prowse, the actor who played Darth Vader at the first Star Wars Trilogy, never revealed his face during the films. He could have done it only once at Return of the Jedi, but something happened. Another actor did that sequence and that fact marked David Prowse life for ever. Thirty years later, a young filmmaker discovers why the producers took that decision, and is determined to pay Dave a deserved tribute, almost impossible.” (Catalogue)

Elstree 1976
“Explores the stories of ten actors who appeared in smaller roles in the film “Star Wars” (USA/1977), the community they formed following their filmmaking experiences, and the impact of the film on their lives.” (Catalogue)

The people vs. George Lucas
“We all loved Star Wars– until George Lucas went and ruined it! The passion the original Star Wars trilogy inspires in its fans is unparalleled, but when it comes to George Lucas himself, many have found their ardour has cooled into a complicated love-hate relationship. This hilarious, heartfelt documentary delves deep into Lucas’ cultural legacy asking all the tough questions: Has Lucas betrayed his masterwork? Should he just have left the original trilogy alone? Is The Phantom Menace so bad it should carry a health warning? Using interviews taken from over 700 hours of footage and peppered with extraordinary Star Wars recreations lovingly immortalised in needlepoint, Lego, claymation and puppetry, The People vs. George Lucas asks the question: Who truly owns that galaxy far, far away? The man who created it or the fans who love it?” (Catalogue)

Spaceballs
“The farce is with you in this hilarious space oddity from comic genius Mel Brooks that lampoons everything from Star Wars and Alien to Star Trek and Planet of the Apes. The fearless – and clueless – Lone Star and his half man/half dog sidekick Barf race against time to free Princess Vespa from the evil clutches of Dark Helmet. Along the way they confront gooey gangster Pizza the Hutt, sassy robot Dot Matrix and wise little imp Yogurt, who teaches them the mysterious power of “the Schwartz” in order to bring Peace – and merchandising rights – to the entire galaxy.” (Catalogue)

Books of interest

I am C-3PO : the inside story / Daniels, Anthony
“C-3PO is one of Star Wars’ most iconic characters, and Daniels is the man who knows him best. With his gleaming golden body and good-intentioned (yet worrisome) personality, the droid was there at the very beginning; he even spoke the first words uttered in any Star Wars movie. Daniels tells C-3PO’s story in its entirety, from seeing the first concept images to the early stages of the final film. In the process, he tells his own story — encounters with movie legends, the friendships he formed on-set, and the hardships, pain and in some cases real physical danger of being encased in a solid shell for countless hours.” (Catalogue)

I find your lack of faith disturbing : Star Wars and the triumph of geek culture / Jameson, A. D.
“A.D. Jameson takes geeks and non-geeks alike on a surprising and insightful journey through the science fiction, fantasy, and superhero franchises that now dominate pop culture. Walking us through the rise of geekdom from its underground origins to the top of the box office and the bestseller lists, Jameson takes in franchises such as The Lord of the Rings, Guardians of the Galaxy, Harry Potter, Star Trek, and in particular, Star Wars–as well as phenomena like fan fiction, cosplay, and Youtube parodies. Along the way, he blasts through the clichés surrounding geek culture: that its fans are mindless consumers who will embrace all things Spider-Man or Batman, regardless of quality; or that the popularity and financial success of Star Wars led to the death of ambitious filmmaking. A lifelong geek, Jameson shines a new light on beloved classics, explaining the enormous love (and hate) they are capable of inspiring, while exploding misconceptions about how and why they were made. I Find Your lack of Faith Disturbing tells the story of how the geeks have inherited the earth.” (Catalogue)

George Lucas : a life / Jones, Brian Jay
“May 25, 1977. A problem-plagued independent science-fiction film opened in a handful of movie theatres– and became one of the biggest box-office-smashing movie franchises of all time. Lucas went on to develop the Indiana Jones series, and then transformed the worlds of special effects and movie sound. His entire career has been stimulated by innovators– and Jones provides a behind-the-scenes look at the man who is as unmatched as his unforgettable characters.” (Catalogue)

How Star Wars conquered the universe : the past, present, and future of a multibillion dollar franchise / Taylor, Chris
“Why do most people know what an Ewok is, even if they haven’t seen Return of the Jedi? How have Star Wars action figures come to outnumber human beings? How did ‘Jedi’ become an officially recognised religion? When did the films’ merchandising revenue manage to rival the GDP of a small country? Tracing the birth, death and rebirth of the epic universe built by George Lucas and hundreds of writers, artists, producers, and marketers, Chris Taylor jousts with modern-day Jedi, tinkers with droid builders, and gets inside Boba Fett’s helmet, all to find out how STAR WARS has attracted and inspired so many fans for so long.” (Catalogue)