CLASSIC IMAGE: COSTUMED CHARM!

Being fictional royalty (of a sort) doesn't mean you can't have fun, as a very young Natalie Portman proves in this lovely posed image of the actress, wearing her most famous Queen Amidala costume. Originally taken during 1999 EPISODE I magazine publicity, it was exclusively used in the US Premiere film title, from respected British photographer Nigel Parry.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DANCE OF THE SABERS!

Poisonous gas may work its deadly effects on normal human beings, but Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are beyond that, as they launch into attack mode against the Trade Federation's surprised Battle Droids during this action-packed scene from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC ART: EPISODE I - THE STORY SO FAR...

Great scene-setting work from UK artist Steve McGary for the Sunday People magazine supplement of April 18th, 1999, who, recognising potentially strong sales, devoted a whole issue to EPISODE I, previewing an eagerly-awaited film and its story/characters that wouldn't be released in the territory until July of that year.

CLASSIC IMAGE: IN THE THICK OF IT!

Obi-Wan Kenobi heads the valiant surprise attack on the captured Theed hangar on Naboo, whilst young Anakin Skywalker rushes for blaster fire cover, in another great action shot from EPISODE I recently released in the excellent Paul Duncan written The Star Wars Archives book devoted to the Prequel Trilogy, available from Taschen Books.

Out now from Taschen Books.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DROID DEBARKATION!

Newly arrived on the peaceful world of Naboo, Trade Federation Battledroids begin dispersing their armies out into the planet's forests, in this great conceptual art by Doug Chiang for Episode One.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THREEPIO IN GENESIS!

The Prequel Trilogy behind the scenes news filters slowly but surely revealed that Threepio would return to the saga in one shape or form, but his final visual reveal, and historical storytelling place at the saga's beginning, proved both surprising and intriguing, as seen in this great concept/production art by Doug Chiang from 1995. 

CLASSIC ART: WARRIORS OF THE PLAINS!

 

Captain Tarpals and his brave Gungan warriors assemble on the plains of Naboo, astride their loyal Kaadu mounts, before their great battle against the Trade Federation begins, in lovely production painting art by Doug Chiang for EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A 'BELEAGURED' POLTICIAL FORCE FOR GOOD

Though sadly underused in his role as Supreme Chancellor Valorum during the political Coruscant-set events of EPISODE I, the casting of iconic sixties/seventies actor Terence Stamp in the role was nonetheless a welcome one, with the character thankfully going on to appear in The Clone Wars animated series, too. Posed character reference shots, also used for merchandise and publicity, taken at Leavesden Studios Summer 1999, by Keith Hamshere.

CLASSIC IMAGE: BATTLE-READY JEDI!

With a mysterious warrior suddenly emerged and on the attack with his group's near-departure from Tatooine, a defiant Qui-Gon Jin stands ready, in this great image from Episode One. 

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/liam-neeson-says-hes-proud-of-the-phantom-menace?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE SITH'S SLIPPERY SERVANTS!

In the best filmic tradition of slippery secondary baddies- crafty and duplicitous alien versions of Peter Lorrie and his noir ilk, if you will - the mysterious Sith's accomplices in Nute Gunray and Rune Haako are in this blockade of the peaceful Naboo purely for the promises of power and greed beyond anything seen with their Trade Federation heritage. But watch out for those two Jedi!

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE DREAM MAKERS!

The artistic future of the then upcoming Star Wars Prequels couldn't have been in better hands via new recruits Doug Chiang and Iain McCaig, both respecting fans of the Classic Trilogy and its iconography, working on creating a varied and altogether more different galaxy for the Old Republic from within one of the attic areas of Skywalker ranch, in top secret mode for an enthused George Lucas, from the mid-nineties onwards.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ENTERING MOS ESPA!

Our disguised heroes enter the Mos Espa community in search of a new hyperdrive for their disabled ship. It will surely be a difficult task whilst trying not to attract attentions, dealing with all kinds of scum and villainy, in the process. A terrific image showing the specially built exterior sets for Mos Espa in Tunisia (heightened with extra ILM work) during the long hot summer there in 1997.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TROUBLING CURIOSITY!

In Watto's junkyard at Mos Espa, Jar Jar Binks' inspection of a unique work droid soon gets him into trouble- I know, what's new about that! - along with a blink-and-you-miss-it kick to his lower regions, in this comedy moment from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: UNDER WATCHFUL EYES!

An almost Planet of the Apes-esque moment from EPISODE I, as Anakin Skywalker, within the grass plains of Naboo, coordinates with a Gungan lookout scout firmly atop an ancient embedded statue, in this terrific visual image from EPISODE I that would mix a model, CGI and live action plate filming with Jake Lloyd to notable effect.

An important look back at EPISODE I from a key former Lucasfilm employee:
https://www.upworthy.com/lucasfilm-insider-phantom-menace-reconsidered

CLASSIC IMAGE: ROYAL PROTECTORS!

Loyal as ever, Captain Panaka (Hugh Quarshie) and his elite, skilled guard force are ready to do their Queen's bidding during the Battle for Naboo, as EPISODE I nears its action-packed conclusion.

Find out more about the original invasion and battle of Naboo this summer, with the eagerly awaited second book in the Padme Amidala/Handmaidens saga by E.K. Johnston: Queen's Peril, published in the UK by Egmont.

Get it here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Queens-Peril-Emily-Johnston/dp/1368057144/ref=sr_1_1?crid=161LMUOLXU7C2&keywords=star+wars+queens+peril&qid=1583333918&sprefix=star+wars+queens+p%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1

BEHIND THE SCENES: A BOY'S FASCINATION...

Ever fascinated with the worlds of film-making and Star Wars, young Jake Lloyd clearly had a blast working on EPISODE I, seen here in the desert of Tunisia with a background street prop worker droid during filming of the Mos Espa scenes during mid-1997.

In recent years, Jake has been through some tough personal life/health struggles, for which we at Star Wars Aficionado send our best wishes and support to him and his family for better times ahead...

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/jake-lloyd-update-and-statement-from-family/

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: ICONS FOR A NEXT GENERATION...

We finish our exhaustive and unrivalled 20th Anniversary coverage of EPISODE I with another great art showcase, this time Hugh Fleming's splendid piece that adorned the complete version of Dark Horse Comics 1999 adaptation of the film. The art is a fitting end in showcasing the story's iconic characters in colourful fashion...

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: LUCAS WORLDWIDE!

George Lucas on the Episode I promotional circuit- this time in Japan- 1999. Photo: Getty Images.

Its post production completed, May 1999 onward saw Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace 'escaped' into the world to be loved and hated in equal measure by expectant fans. But one important factor remains- the Star Wars saga was back anew, and pretty much back for good in the public consciousness thanks to the worldwide box office success of the Prequel Trilogy, an event that would launch a new generation of devoted enthusiasts, primarily thanks to the imagination and skills of its writer/director, George Lucas.

"Well, I had mixed feelings about being George (Star Wars) Lucas. That was a hard thing, but I did finally accept that there was probably nothing I was going to do with the rest of my life that was going to change that, that I might as well live with it. It's not the worst thing in the world."

George Lucas- Time magazine - 2005

'HAPPY HALLOWEEN!' - 2019

With its 20th anniversary continuing, it's only right that EPISODE I gets in on the crazy Halloween act, as seen in this great poster art re-imagining for The Zombie Menace, from the mind and brushwork of the ever-talented Matt Busch.

'HAPPY HALLOWEEN!' TO ALL READERS WORLDWIDE!

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: THE MAESTRO OF A UNIVERSE!

Together again! George Lucas and John Williams.

With Lucas back in the writing/directing duties for EPISODE I, it was a given that his ultimate collaborator in bringing the sweeping musical scope to the Star Wars saga would also return in John Williams. Williams had seen a raw temporary cut of the movie, mixing live-action with animatics, by October the previous year, with recording of the composed music beginning from January 1999, and back in the UK.

Over the sessions period (normally at weekends), the unbeatable London Symphony Orchestra were reunited with Williams to bring the new Prequel saga to life, with music engineering duties once more be handled by Williams longtime friend and SW veteran Eric Tomlinson. Meanwhile, in the recording booth area, an impressed and enthused Ewan McGregor, as well as Anthony Daniels and other key production team members, would be guest visitors to the recordings, taking place at the prestigious Abbey Road Studios in London.

"The challenge for me was to write music as effective as in the first trilogy but that would also be wedded to the tapestry of the earlier films so that it would sound like a natural outgrowth."

John Williams - Empire magazine - 1999

Using the talents of the London Voices choir as part of the 'Duel of the Fates' theme for EPISODE I.

"My first impression upon watching these things that George comes up with is that it's always fantastic, but then I think about how difficult it's going to be. It's a phenomenal thing, the opportunity to create a whole glossary of musical themes, and keep adding them to the body of work of a much larger piece."

John Williams - Premiere magazine - 2002

"There is a stanza in the poem (Robert Graves' "The Battle of the Trees' - translated into Sanskrit for Williams epic 'Duel of the Fates') which is roughly translated as "Under the tongue root a fight most dread/Whilst another rages behind the head." And for no conscious or sensible reason, the idea of a fight, something more raging and imagined in the head more than anything else, seemed to be a good mystical, cryptic piece of business (for EPISODE I)."

John Williams - Empire magazine - 1999