CLASSIC IMAGE: AWAITING ABSOLUTE POWER...

In one of the Death Star conference rooms, the many top Imperial officers gather for a secret meeting with Grand Moff Tarkin, of which the most impatient for action and most power-ambitious of the assembled must surely be Admiral Motti (played with relish by Richard LeParmentier), born with the kind of thirst for evildom with the soon completion of the battle station that knows no end...

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.

GOODBYE, RICHARD LePARMENTIER...

No fan of Darth Vader, Admiral Motti feels the Sith Lord's wrath!

The sad news has come through that Richard LeParmentier-who played Admiral Motti with evil relish and conviction in the original STAR WARS- has suddenly passed away at the age of 67. An enthusiastic veteran of many worldwide STAR WARS conventions, he was a funny and witty raconteur of his acting life and career, not just working on the classic George Lucas film, but other various fantasy favourites made in England in which he made memorable appearances, including the James Bond adventure OCTOPUSSY (alongside ESB's Bruce Boa), SUPERMAN II and ROLLERBALL. On the Man of Steel front, he was married to that icon's sexy screen villainess, Sarah Douglas, for a period, and appeared in one of her other fantasy films: THE PEOPLE THAT TIME FORGOT.

Star Wars Episode IV: "I find your lack of faith disturbing" - YouTube

The first person to on-screen survive a mighty force-choke from Darth Vader, LeParmentier carefully choreographed his iconic scene and was able to control/flex his neck muscles for the moment when the Dark Side of the Force closed in on him. The actor was flattered and enthused to be a part of STAR WARS immense fandom, especially with the films renewed popularity with the release of the SPECIAL EDITIONS in the nineties onwards, and enjoyed his eventual HASBRO action figure with choking motion-often having one on his autograph table when happily meeting and signing for fans.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends at this tragic time. He will be much missed, though his fine contributions to film and TV, and especially STAR WARS, will live on.

Image composition by Chris Baker.