"EVERY SAGA HAS A BEGINNING..."

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: BOMB SURPRISE!


Now under the belly of the Imperial Walker, Luke uses his lightsaber to open a panel and deposit an explosive charge, then leaps down to the ground as the lumbering vehicle explodes from the inside. The scene was achieved with three individuals playing Luke: Mark Hamill swinging from an upper set rig at Elstree, producer Jim Bloom doubling for insert shots filmed by George Lucas in ILM post production, and stuntman Colin Skeaping achieving the drop from both a helicopter and a large scaffold erected during second unit filming in Finse, shot earlier in 1979.

"I wish someone was there to take pictures of me hanging on wires in mid-air totally helpless like a limp Howdy Doody puppet."

Mark Hamill - Questor magazine 1980

Mark Hamill hangs around, helped by UK film veteran Les Dilley.

Jim Bloom is Luke for insert photography handled by George Lucas.



Colin Skeaping stunt performs as Luke.



Hamill, Skeaping and the film team witness the helicopter on location.

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