BEHIND THE SCENES: IMPERIAL GATHERING!

The Death Star is nearing fully operational status as Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader assemble to discuss the latest developments of the Empire and the Rebels stolen plans, in this great and iconic scene from the original STAR WARS.

Patrick Jordan as Cass (far left), with Richard LeParmentier far right as Motti.

Richard LeParmentier confers with Ann Skinner prior to filming.

Joining Peter Cushing's Tarkin and the Vader-suited Dave Prowse for the May 1976 filming at Elstree were a host of Imperial officers, diagram listed in Script Supervisor Ann Skinner's notes as played by Don Henderson (Tagge), Richard LeParmentier (Motti), Patrick Jordan (Cass) - fourth seat left from Tarkin, Charles Gray (not to be confused with BOND UK film actor Charles Gray), Ian Selby, and Robin Clarke. Another actor was listed, only as "Monk"? The empty seats around the conference table were always planned that way. Also noted and red ILM work underlined in her January 1st, 1976 script was the moment where "a cup mysteriously floats into Vader's hands"- a scene that was not filmed but made it to the Alan Dean Foster novel adaptation and the 1976 comic adaptation and has become a fan favourite legendary moment. Footage was shot of Dave Prowse as Vader referring to the Force as "the cosmic force", as written in the Revised Fourth Draft Script (15th March, 1976). ROGUE ONE director Gareth Edwards recently saw this scene/outtake material as part of his research in filming and directing upcoming scenes involving Vader.

The meeting continues.

Motti feels the Dark Side of the Force!

Skinner's costume notes for the "Imperial guards (human)"- "shiny wide hats with brim straps, gloves, boots, gun at hip".

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI.

Photo thanks to STAR WARS ARCHIVES and Chris Baker.

BEHIND THE SCENES: INSIDE THE DEATH STAR OVERBRIDGE

The true charm of Peter Cushing comes out. Image: Ann Skinner/BFI.

They're fiendishly plotting the destruction of a planet and control of the galaxy forever with their ultimate weapon in the Death Star, but that doesn't mean that Peter Cushing and his acting colleagues in Don Henderson, Richard Le Parmentier and Dave Prowse as Darth Vader can't have the odd laugh between takes, as seen in this great behind the scenes Polaroid image shot as continuity reference by the original STAR WARS first Script Supervisor Ann Skinner back in May 1976, of which the much-loved Cushing filmed all in his scenes as the despicable Tarkin in a short space of time due to other acting commitments. Held in the BFI Special Collection is a so far unpublished second B/W Polaroid image, similar to the classic one used in the film's publicity below, as Tarkin gesticulates a point with his hands- whether its a deleted moment or just a casual off-camera take is unknown, though I'm plumping for the former.

Ann Skinner's advance script characters/costume notes, from 1976:

GOV. MOFF TARKIN: Thin evil man in his late 50's.

COMMANDER TAGGE: Fat disgusting general.

MOTTI: Part of their group.

Tarkin makes a point.

Amongst the extras seen in Tarkin's sequences within the Overbridge were Keith Ashley as a background operator, whilst John Ketteringham played one of the controllers in his mushroom-esque cubical, wearing earphones, as was Robert Clarke, for the later scene of Chief Bast (Leslie Schofield) warning Tarkin of the Rebels attack.

One of only a few rare images showing a maskless Dave Prowse on the set of the original STAR WARS. Image: Ann Skinner/BFI.

Another version of the above image from Skinner also resides at the BFI- a more fuzzy B/W Polaroid also showing Prowse maskless with Cushing. Two further so far unpublished B/W Polaroids on this set are interesting but lack any info, showing Miss Skinner with Assistant Director Tony Waye and two other unknown crewmen having a laugh as she's holding some strange toy animal.

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DISCUSSING THE REBEL SITUATION!

Two of the Death Star battle station's key Imperial Officers, General Tagge (Don Henderson) and Chief Bast (Leslie Schofield) listen intently to a tense conversation between Moff Tarkin and General Motti, in a classic scene from the original STAR WARS.