AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: VADER UNMASKED!

A disturbed Vader, his helmet having been temporarily removed within his meditation chamber, receives news from a nervous-for-his-life Admiral Piett (Kenneth Colley) about the Falcon's hiding in the asteroid belt.

Dave Prowse played the disfigured Vader in this scene, with make-up applications provided by Stuart Freeborn and his team. Some footage from the meditation scene was shot by Irvin Kershner and possibly by Gary Kurtz too ,with his second unit, for extra pick-ups. In total, popular character actor Colley would spend a week working on the film for his scenes set on the Star Destroyer.

Norman Reynolds concept art for disfigured Vader.

Built on Stage 5, Darth Vader’s meditation chamber included a chair and spherical consoles, plus a mechanized arm that holds his helmet in place- in one memorable scene, David Prowse wears the make-up (provided by Stuart Freeborn's and his team) of the disfigured Vader before being interrupted by Admiral Piett. Kershner shoots the scene carefully, only wanting a small amount of Vader’s destroyed features being shown on screen-he wants the audiences to fill in the blanks as to how horrific the rest of the character’s injuries are. The filmed scene ends differently to the one seen on screen-when Vader says “I want that ship not excuses,” he had dialogue: “How long until you can have Skywalker and the others in the Millennium Falcon before me?” When Veers replies, “Soon, Lord Vader”, Vader then says ominously, “Yes, Admiral…soon.” It would then have cut to the filmed scene with the chamber firmly closing shut, sealing Vader back into his thoughts. 

Close in shot of the disfiguring make-up.

In the filming of the scene, Prowse, knowing his voice was being redubbed, used to make the most of any potential on-set humour, recalling to Starlog magazine in 1980: “When I was wearing the mask on the set, people had difficulty hearing me, so I used to change my dialogue. I’d take a line like, “The asteroids do not concern me, I want that ship,” and change it to, “Hemorrhoids do not concern me, I need a sh=t.” 

As filming continues, Prowse, asked if he reckons Darth Vader keeps fit, replies: “He’s single-minded. You’ve got to be strong to be evil. In any case, the Devil looks after him.” 

Concept ideas for the Vader helmet sequence.

Ralph McQuarrie ideas for the Vader helmet removal sequence

More scene images and behind the camera shots...

Camera rehearsal/lighting test with an unknown stand-in for Dave Prowse, watched by Gary Kurtz.

A crew member assists Dave Prowse and holds the Vader helmet as filming preparations are made.

Prowse as Vader in this behind the scenes shot.

The face mask is lowered as audiences see the disfigured back of Vader's head.

Alternate angle footage.

A nervous Captain Piett (Kenneth Colley) enters the chamber.

Interesting angle not seen in the film showing more detail of the head support.

UK practical effects created the rotating chair for Vader to face his officer.