'STAR WARS' AT 45: DISCONNECTING THE TRACTOR BEAM!

Filmed at Elstree Studios on Friday June 4th, 1976 (with an additional day of Second Unit work on Tuesday 8th), Obi-Wan Kenobi’s perilous mission to de-activate the chasm-facing Tractor Beam control access terminal is realized on a set (a redress of the previously filmed chasm area from April) that is built literally only three feet off the floor (with a higher up walkway set corridor/bridge behind and above it (with futuristic piping set decorations that were a combination of specially built props and cardboard photo blow ups previously used in the chasm sequence)). The looking down view of the Tractor Beam control set would be enhanced with a matte painting overlay added on in post production by P.S. Ellenshaw. 

The set would be the favourite of Continuity Supervisor Ann Skinner during filming.

Discovering the tractor beam power terminal.

Moving to the controls.

Either a specially posed dramatic image (most likely) by photographer John Jay, or a lost moment of Kenobi witnessing the long drop below.

At work on the controls.

Turning off the power.

Alternate B/W of the classic scene image.

As seen in the film.

Watching an alternate early edit of the film - famously and now incorrectly known back in 1999 as 'The Lost Cut' - Dr. David West Reynolds would recall to Star Wars Insider of the special effects-less sequence put together in rough form back in 1976:

"We see quite a few additional angles of the tractor beam coupling zone - more passageways, catwalks and bridges. Ben scurries around, hides, and sneaks past the guards in this dark lattice-work environment of strange tunnels and platforms, making his way to the tractor beam which here seems very hidden in the bowels of the Death Star, It is an interesting alternate feel for the scene- very similar, and yet the nuances are all different." 

ILM storyboard.

Harrison Ellenshaw working on the matte painting for the scene at ILM.

Matte and studio final combination.