Tuesday 13 August 2013

CLASSIC DESIGN WEEK. PIC FOUR - THE EMPEROR'S THRONE ROOM


Out in the UK this week is the long-awaited, new nice price edition of the lavish and informative STAR WARS: BLUEPRINTS hardcover book by J.W. Rinzler, available from TITAN BOOKS.
In celebration of the must-have title, we're having a week-long tribute to some of the six film's classic production designs.

If you're going to be the "Emperor of the Universe", you need a pad that reflects your considerable status, and Production Designer Norman Reynolds detailed, expansive Throne Room set, built for the finale of the Classic Trilogy-RETURN OF THE JEDI (here inspected by director Richard Marquand and George Lucas in Feb/March 1982), more than exemplifies the dark and twisted mind of its sole occupant, the insane genius Palpatine- a two-level gothic labyrinth arena of industrial technology showing the full power and clarity of the Empire he has created, and its nightmare dark alcoves and shadows-where worlds of tragic past and present collide. There is no better place to lure young and innocent Jedi hero Luke Skywalker to the Dark Side of the Force than here.

Home to several key, highly-charged dramatic moments, and two lightsaber duels between father and son Skywalkers, including the rousingly epic moment when an anger-fuelled Luke eventually slays Darth Vader, this superb set, with its deliberate continuity/tribute echoes of John Barry's original Death Star designs from STAR WARS, ends the Original Saga on a layered and sad, yet exciting note.


Get hold of STAR WARS: BLUEPRINTS here: Star Wars - The Blueprints: Amazon.co.uk: J.W Rinzler: Books

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