'STAR WARS' AT 45: "DEATH STAR APPROACHING!"

Ready to destroy the hidden now found Rebel base once and for all, the technological might of the Galactic Empire is formidably represented by the ominous Death Star space station, as it enters the Yavin star system.

Despite it’s intimidating on-screen presence, in reality the model of the Death Star was only about 3 to 4 feet in diameter. It was made from two Plexiglas domes and lit from inside and behind. Once painted grey by artists Ralph McQuarrie and David Jones, they scratched the surface down to the clear plastic to create all the points of light. The space station originally had its laser eye along the equator, and one early matte painting of it by McQuarrie would be abandoned, replaced with a model which now had the laser eye moved above the equator. However, the computer graphics for the Rebel briefing room scenes for UK filming in May 1976 had already been completed by this stage, and it was too late to change them, so the original design can still be seen in the movie.

Enjoy this great selection of ILM behind the scenes images linked to the superb model and its filming back in late 1976...

Original Death Star prototype model, glistening with surface weaponry, by Colin Cantwell, 1975.

Joe Johnston holding the Cantwell prototype Death Star model, likely circa late 1975/early 1976.

The second ILM prop version under construction

Dennis Muren checks the exterior shell rear of the later in construction Death Star which had no detailing.

 ILM matte painting from Ralph McQuarrie for the first version of the Death Star, where the superweapon was located at its horizon.

Presumably a lighting test overlay for the first matte painting.

Various shots of the new spherical model filmed against blue screen at ILM.

Dennis Muren prepares to light and film the model.

Byron Werner and Liz Ziegler add additional light to the Death Star model.

Enhanced by light and mist.

Richard Edlund adjusting the model's stand for additional filming.

Additional close-up shot from 1977, this is likely a production painting than from the model.

More close-in details of the space station.