AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: DARK LORD'S FURY!

A shoulder wounded Vader fiercely reacts to Luke Skywalker's challenge, of which the boy escapes a lightsaber move that severs a nearby piece of gantry. Vader's continued swordsman skill, however, will soon severely injure the boy...

Getting the gantry area ready for filming- note the assembled floor boxes for stunt fall support.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: LUKE FIGHTS ON!

Having deflected a blow from Vader, the cornered Luke manages to pick himself back and up the stairs to the end of the gantry fin, as the duel continues- a brief duelling scene that never made the final cut of the movie.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: CORNERED!

Dave Prowse returns to playing Vader, suiting up for the tense moment where the Dark Lord corners Luke at the end of the Cloud City gantry vent area. A great behind the scenes shot (a different take image from the one normally seen in magazines) watched on by/involving Assistant Director David Tomblin (left, by rail) and his team, plus Stunt Coordinator Peter Diamond (looking at Prowse and Hamill).

"You are beaten. It is useless to resist."

Luke fights back, deflecting Vader's approaching blade.

Another great outtake behind the scenes image, as Kershner can also be seen on set.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: CLASHING DAMAGE!

Image: Star Wars Screen Caps site.

As the scene builds in dramatic intensity, the surroundings battle damage caused by the Sith/Jedi combatants' clashing lightsaber blades continues unabated...

Overall, the gantry lightsaber duel took a full week to complete at Elstree, but then required additional reshooting after the filmed footage was noticeably damaged when seen in rushes.

Heightening the conflict further, and establishing the setting with a spectacular matte painting.

Harrison Ellenshaw works on the painting at ILM.

FESTIVE FUN WITH 'A VADER FAMILY SITHNESS' - OUT NOW

May the Force be with us, every one!

Christmas is a time for everyone, even for a former Jedi turned Sith Lord, whose psychological profile is burdened with persistent family issues. It's time to enjoy another fun and offbeat children's book celebrating Darth Vader from acclaimed American talent Jeffrey Brown: A Vader Family Sithmas, available for the festive season and beyond from Chronicle Books.

Here's the publicity info:

How does Santa deliver gifts to the Death Star with no chimney? Where does the Imperial Sithmas tree come from? What's the best gift for a Wookiee? Sithmas time is here, and author/artist Jeffrey Brown returns to the galaxy far, far away to bring holiday humour and cheer to his New York Times bestselling Star Wars series in A Vader Family Sithmas.

This sweetly funny seasonal celebration sees Vader doing his best to raise his rebellious kids while running the Galactic Empire and navigating holiday cheer. From Force-wielding snowball fights, and Jabba the Hutt's hit holiday party, to sledding with Han Solo, and a special message delivered by R2-D2, this charming family album of festivity is the stocking stuffer of the season for fans of all ages and throughout the galaxy.

Get it here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Vader-Family-Sithmas/dp/1797207733/ref=sr_1_1?crid=150KZCSJDJQRI&dchild=1&keywords=a+vader+family+sithmas&qid=1634124424&s=books&sr=1-1

Official site:

https://www.chroniclebooks.com/

'SOLO': MAKING FRIENDS!

Their unique relationship may have gotten off to an extremely rocky and violent start on the hostile world of Mimban, but soon enough the familiar bonds of diverse friendship are cemented between Han Solo and Chewbacca (soon known as 'Chewie', to Han) as they are accepted into the unusual trio of criminals led by Tobias Beckett, in a memorable and charming moment from Solo: A Star Wars Story.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: DUELLING TO THE EDGE!

Now outside, the duo fight on, but Vader is winning the battle with a devastating offensive, forcing Luke into a precarious situation on the gantry as he fights back but retreats, soon running out of space to fight.

A selection of superb duelling images, plus behind the scenes...

On the left edge of the set, Bob Anderson and Mark Hamill await their cue to begin lightsaber duelling.

Bob Anderson confers with Mark Hamill between duel filming takes.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: RETURN TO DANGER!

Image extended via wide matte painting.

Having recovered from his latest ordeal during his conflict against Darth Vader, Luke finds the energy to return back to the area of battle, of which the worst is yet to come...

ILM storyboard.

Bob Anderson and Mark Hamill soon fighting on the exterior ledge.

Closer-in version of image.

Matte Painting around the entrance area set filmed at Elstree.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: LUKE'S NEXT MOVE!

Barely recovered from his latest encounter with Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, reunited with his lightsaber, make his way back into the control area in a sequence filmed at Elstree Studios that will be enhanced with matte painting work by ILM.

Establishing matte painting for the sequence.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: THE FALCON ESCAPES!

Back in the piloting seat, Chewie maneuvers the Falcon off of the landing platform and into the clouds, and just in time as more Imperial Stormtroopers flood the area, blasting away at the departing craft...

Matte painting for departure scene,