CLASSIC IMAGE: A 'BELEAGURED' POLTICIAL FORCE FOR GOOD

Though sadly underused in his role as Supreme Chancellor Valorum during the political Coruscant-set events of EPISODE I, the casting of iconic sixties/seventies actor Terence Stamp in the role was nonetheless a welcome one, with the character thankfully going on to appear in The Clone Wars animated series, too. Posed character reference shots, also used for merchandise and publicity, taken at Leavesden Studios Summer 1999, by Keith Hamshere.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: A VISION OF SERENITY!

The splendid outfit of light and beauty worn by Natalie Portman for the film's closing ceremony.

A special day of celebration for her people means that Queen Amidala must wear a special costume in response, of which Trisha Biggar and her team pulled out all the stops to deliver a truly beautiful silk and petals design for Natalie Portman to wear outdoors during Summer 1997 filming at Leavesden Studios, of which celebrated film unit photographer Keith Hamshere would take the representative publicity shots/wardrobe reference images.

Photographer Keith Hamshere at work in the studio.

"It had to be very light and beautiful with the feeling of a wedding dress. George also liked a drawing Iain McCaig had done that showed a very large, unusual collar at the back at the dress."

Trisha Biggar - 1999

The costume and designs as compiled for a TOPPS Card.

A rare publicity image taken on set at Leavesden Studios, on a palace corridor set recreation.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE B/W 'PHANTOM'!

The world of B/W newsprint was mostly a thing of the past by the time EPISODE I arrived in cinemas during 1999, but a key set of images from LUCASFILM/FOX was nonetheless available for the smaller publishing markets to use where needed. Here's the collection, showcasing the great work of regular STAR WARS saga on-set photographer Keith Hamshere.