EPISODE I: LOCKED IN COMBAT!

Their mysterious Sith assassin enemy now fully revealed, and armed with a lethal double-edge lightsaber no less, the last Jedi standing, Obi-Wan Kenobi, faces his ultimate trial in combat against Darth Maul within the environs of the Theed power room. Another great behind the scenes image from EPISODE I.

EPISODE I: THE JEDI SLAYER!

That ominous dark servant of Darth Sidious, now fully out of hiding with the Battle of Naboo, has certainly proved himself as a murderous assassin during his striking battle against the experienced and powerful senior Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn. 

A sinister and effective image as darkness temporarily wins against the light in a pivotal and emotionally-charged moment from EPISODE I.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: OVER THE EDGE!

In another sudden attack move, Darth Maul once more gains the advantage, Force propelling Obi-Wan over the edge and down into a nearby energy well pit. The young Jedi holds on for dear life powerless, his lightsaber now gone.

Soon enough, Maul uses his own weapon to swing energy debris shards down on his opponent in order to break his grip.

Filming the scenes- more sparks would be added to the shot digitally by ILM.

Hold on, Obi-Wan!

Enjoying a break from the perils with Nick Gillard.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: OBI-WAN'S 'TRIALS' BEGIN...

The energy gates open as lightsaber battle begins anew!

The energy gate opens and a ready Obi-Wan speeds in to attack Darth Maul in a superb sequence showcasing the skills of Ewan McGregor and Ray Park in their roles...

Here's a selection of images from that ultra-fast paced lightsaber duel, including a few moves not seen in the final movie, showing the lightsaber blades both untouched (see the physical battering visual evidence they take) and cell animated.

"We got that lightsaber fight so fast, so f++king quick, that in the end they had to overcrank the camera to slow it down so you could see what was going on. There's something incredible about getting a fight to such a fluid pace that you cannot be thinking about what's next - it's beautiful."

Ewan McGregor - Arena magazine - 2005

"My lightsaber flew out of my hands. No one tells you the sabers have about 10 "D" batteries in them. They burn your hands... I tossed the saber in the air and it ended up hitting a technician in the head."

Ewan McGregor - Twist magazine - 1999

"I was used to handling weapons in my martial arts, but it was still hard work because we were rehearsing all day every day for two months before shooting. Even holding the lightsaber and getting into the posture made a big difference."

Ray Park - Cinescape magazine - 1999

"We got through about 300 lightsabers. Eventually, Ewan had to have a thicker one than anybody else."

Nick Gillard - 1999

"(Flashes a big smile.) Let's just say he (McGregor) tried (to beat me in the fights), but that's all he could do was try. (The lightsaber duel) took about three weeks to shoot, from the point where we came through the door right up until the ends. We'd screw up sometimes, almost hit each other. We'd just laugh about it, and make lightsaber noises. We'd stand here, about to fight, and Liam and Ewan would each go, "Dzzh!' (Laughs.) And I'd cock my head and say, 'Oh yeah, Dzzh-dzzh!" I don't think George needed to add on any sound effects, because we did them all. (Smiles.) I still do them now."

Ray Park - Wizard magazine - 1999

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: DEATH OF A JEDI!

Darth Maul delivers a savage, unexpected move that delivers the final death blow to a surprised Qui-Gon Jinn, all of this watched by a powerless to help Obi-Wan Kenobi, cut off from the action by the energy shield gates.

The killing stroke.

A shocked scream of pain from Obi-Wan Kenobi, as first seen in the film's second trailer.

"A very small portion of the generator room was built in England, and from that we created a huge room measuring six hundred feet across, as well as a huge pit- all through CG. The electrical beams were also computer generated. We blended the virtual set with the set built on the soundstage."

Scott Squires - The Making of EPISODE I book - 1999

"When we shot the scene, we didn't know yet how big the beams would end up being, or what colour they would be. Eventually we came up with a purplish colour, which was reflected on the actors and on all the practical parts on the set."

David Tattersall - The Making of EPISODE I book - 1999

Darth Maul stands ready for his next opponent.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: QUI-GON'S LAST STAND!

Cut off from Qui-Gon Jinn by a series of energy gate screens, Obi-Wan can only watch as his Jedi Master and friend fights on with skill, precision and inner strength against Darth Maul. But even Qui-Gon's experience and agility in fighting can be defeated by the raw power and savagery of the Dark Side...

"We developed the look of the energy doors, going from some of the concept art. We then use the Sabre (digital scanning technology) to design the energy doors and work out how they should open and close, the noise pattern, how much they should glow and the kind of energy that should emanate from them."

Pablo Helman - The Making of EPISODE I book - 1999

A series of frames from the early part of Qui-Gon's solo duel with Darth Maul.

Suddenly, Darth Maul starts to gain the upper hand...

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: THE PERILS OF THE ENERGY CHAMBER

Duel in the labyrinth!

The battle continues between Jedi and Sith, of which Darth Maul plays dirty, effectively separating Obi-Wan from Qui-Gon, though the latter fights on with noble strength and resolution...

Darth Maul is ready to strike!

A deleted moment from the duel.

Filming Mau's kicking Obi-Wan

Rehearsing an unused punch by Maul to Obi-Wan.

Maul kicks out at Obi-Wan, as seen in the film.

"They said, 'Do you wanna be in Star Wars?' I said, 'Too fu+king right!'"

Nick Gillard confers with Ray Park between scene filming.

Deleted action scene: STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: EPISODE I AT FIFTEEN: DELETED DUELLING!

Andreas Petrides performs Obi-Wan's fall outdoors at Leavesden Studios.

Falling into a special airbag.

Behind the scenes:
The Fall | Star Wars: The Phantom Menace | StarWars.com

Qui-Gon delivers a powerful blow to Maul in retaliation.

Now it's Ray Park's turn to outdoor fall, taking a hit from Qui-Gon in the finished film.

Filming Obi-Wan's close-up, separated from Qui-Gon at a lower level.

Qui-Gon determinedly fights on against the retreating Sith Lord.

Obi-Wan leaps to catch-up with the distant fighting.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: JEDI PURSUIT!

Out of the hangar, the ongoing Jedi conflict against their Sith opponent, who seems undaunted by the skills of the duo, brings further danger- their location now transferred to the deep interior energy chambers linked to the Theed royal palace and city...

"Nick Gillard told me what he wanted in the moves, but he also let me be very free in my movements and the flashier the better, which was part of Darth Maul's arrogance. He can end with a flashy pose because he's the man and he knows he's not going to make any mistake. He's nasty and he's got no remorse, no compassion for anything."

Ray Park - Cinescape magazine - 1999

Qui-Gon goes in for an attack move on Maul.

Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) and Qui-Gon (Liam Neeson) corner Maul yet watch as he back flip leaps to a nearby bridge.

Ray Park performing the forty foot across somersault from a special pneumatic ram platform.

Obi-Wan (Andreas Petrides) and Qui-Gon (Rob Inch) give chase, shot from similar platforms.

The pursuit leap as seen in the film, and from a different angle.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's lightsabers once more lock with Maul's.