EPISODE I: JOHN AND JAR JAR!

Amidst the 100 degrees-plus heat of their Tunisian location filming, John Knoll uses the reference head of unique comedy Gungan Jar Jar Binks for the camera/lighting rehearsal of an upcoming Episode I scene linked to the Homestead, and our heroes readying of Anakin's repaired podracer.

EPISODE I: 'WESA GOIN' HOME!'

A battle to liberate Naboo from its Trade Federation captors looms, but that doesn't mean Jar Jar Binks can't enjoy the notion of returning home, watched by an amused Anakin Skywalker and Artoo on Coruscant, in a great behind the scenes moment from Episode One.

EPISODE I: FRIENDS, WARRIORS AND HEROES!

The two Jedi heroes who'd excitingly kick off the Prequel Trilogy of 1999, and help cement a new legacy for worldwide fans and audiences of all ages alongside the existing Original Trilogy, pose for a great image with the iconic Artoo Detoo, taken within one of the Trade Federation vessel corridors at the UK's Leavesden Studios.

 A terrific shot from 1997 for Episode I, one of numerous character publicity images for magazine/media usage, taken by popular US lensman Matthew Rolston.

https://people.com/movies/liam-neeson-recalls-son-hugging-r2-d2-on-star-wars-set-as-2-year-old-it-was-really-touching/

BEHIND THE SCENES: INSIDE THE POD RACE HANGAR!

Despite the rise of CGI with the new Star Wars Prequel filmmaking universe, may critics and fans still need to be reminded that Episode One regardless had many partial and practical sets/props built for its storytelling at Leavesden Studios during 1997, like this impressive Pod Hangar bay.  

EPISODE I: COSTUMED ROYALTY!

A look at just one amazing costume for Queen Amidala seen in EPISODE I. Stunning image by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair magazine.

Never has there been a Star Wars film before or since where the costume design of the characters has been so important to the overall storytelling function than in The Phantom Menace, and especially with regards to the life and duties of Naboo's beloved Queen Amidala, as played by a very young Natalie Portman, who instantly fell in love with the designs, and inspired her acting choices, brought to her in full creation by Trisha Biggar over three months filming in 1997. 

Three shots taken by Nigel Parry for Lucasfilm to use in publicity.

A French film magazine cover from 1999.

EPISODE I: BATTLE ON THE PLAINS!

The battle between the heroic Gungans and the evil Trade Federation Battles Droid legions reaches a fiery escalation on the plains of Naboo, in another great conceptual art piece by Doug Chiang for EPISODE I.

EPISODE I: WHAT HAPPENS ON TATOOINE...

All cover arts by Timothy Bradstreet.

The Phantom Menace's critics may often have complained that the film didn't have much plot for our main heroes to be involved in, but the drama taking place on Tatooine with our stranded heroes looking for a hyperdrive generator, and the introduction of Anakin, would open the doors to exciting side story potential that would be adeptly explored in comics via a special one-shoot, four-issue set of Dark Horse Comics. 

Released in Summer 1999, each separately showcased Queen Amidala, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker in some impressive work filling in the story gaps on the aforementioned desert planet, executed by a fine team of writers (including Ryder Windham and Henry Gilroy) and artists (including Martin Egeland and Steve Crespo). It's no surprise to me that the series was so well received by fans and later reprinted as part of Disney's Expanded Universe merchandise, via Marvel Comics.

 

Original Dark Horse Comic cover that would be re-used by Marvel.

A fifth mini-story also appeared exclusively for Wizard magazine.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE FLIGHT FROM NABOO BEGINS...

Now liberated from droid guards by her new Jedi protectors in Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, the young Queen Amidala, flanked by her trusted handmaidens, must make a brave decision that will see her removed from her world, her people, her society, as a phantom menace makes its powerplay via the Trade Federation's unforeseen invasion of Naboo. From this worsening scenario playing out, Qui-Gon's instincts also reveal that she will be killed if she stays. 

A great scene from Episode I, and an important moment for the series key female heroine/s.

A brief look back at the film from actor/writer/director Sofia Coppola, who played the handmaiden Sache, who can be seen in the above image second to the far right.

Sofia Coppola Looks Back at Forgotten Star Wars Cameo, Relationship With George Lucas

Sofia Coppola as Sache (seated right) as a security officer (Carmine Coppola) checks communications. A scene shot on location at Caserta Palace, Italy. 

For more on the invasion of Naboo linked to Queen Amidala and her enigmatic Handmaidens, check out last year's popular hardback release from E. K. Johnston, Queen's Peril.

Get it here: Star Wars: Queen's Peril: Amazon.co.uk: Johnston, E K: 9781368057141: Books

CLASSIC ART: SYMBIOTIC JEDI!

The unique bond between Master and Apprentice Jedi in the Force has never been better exemplified nor more conflicted on screen than the one between the charismatic veteran Qui-Gon Jinn and his dutiful student in the raw, Obi-Wan Kenobi, during the exciting and tragic events of EPISODE I.

The duo are well rendered here by the ever-popular, and much-missed artist and talent, John Alvin.  

Liam Neeson says Star Wars magic is being diluted by its spin-offs | EW.com

Liam Neeson is back as Qui-Gon Jinn in new Star Wars show Tales of the Jedi | GamesRadar

BEHIND THE SCENES: PREPPING THE PODS!

The 1997 Tunisian location may have been hit by violent storms and winds the night before filming, but the nature-damaged pod racing vehicles specially built in the UK for EPISODE I's epic Boonta Eve Pod Race sequence would be repaired quickly, with their diversity and distinctive visual appearances showcased anew before the cameras... 

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.

EPISODE I: A WHOLE NEW UNIVERSE TO PLAY IN...

Circa 1997, George Lucas and his 'major domo' of producing for the then eagerly awaited Prequel Trilogy, Rick McCallum, visit ILM to inspect the wide array of upcoming ships, droids, aliens, and monsters that will be a firm and iconic part of the opening episode. Their guides for such inventive and diverse all-new additions: Doug Chiang and Steve Gawley.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ANAKIN'S JOURNEY BEGINS!

Looking beyond the emotional goodbye of his mother at Mos Espa, young Anakin Skywalker begins his journey to destiny as a Jedi, rushing across the desert alongside Qui-Gon Jinn to their awaiting, nearby Naboo Royal starship. But danger will soon strike...

A classic image of Jake Lloyd as young Anakin Skywalker that was a popular publicity image for EPISODE I. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GEORGE LUCAS!

On location in Tunisia for Episode I - 1997.

Seventy-nine years young today and still blessed with more talent, imagination and pioneering insight than many of today's modern directors could ever hope to gain, George Lucas remains the original, the ultimate 'Father of Star Wars'.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE BUILD-UP TO WAR!

On the green grass plains of Naboo, two enemy forces - one of Trade Federation metal, the other of humanoid Gungan flesh and bone- square up to one another, as the battle for control of the planet and its freedom reaches its zenith point, in this great shot of expectant action from EPISODE I. 

A 'War and Peace' moment that George Lucas would describe to an enthused Steven Spielberg during the film's pre-production in London, 1997.

CLASSIC ART: JAR JAR OF THE DESERT!

Departing their sleek ship, the Naboo Royal party and their intense Jedi protectorate have newly arrived on the outskirts of Mos Espa on Tatooine, and now the Gungan goofball Jar Jar Binks must get used to the twin suns heat and the hostile desert realms. Lovely production painting art, rarely seen, by Doug Chiang, for EPISODE I.

EPISODE I: COLO CLAW FISH ATTACK!

A voyage to the bottom of the sea and through Naboo's planetary core soon turns into a perilous adventure for our Jedi heroes, and the hapless Gungan known as Jar Jar Binks, when they encounter a deadly, and very hungry to eat them, Colo Claw Fish. A memorable aquatic moment from EPISODE I, and a sequence George Lucas was keen to keep in the film as it was set within a kind of environment not previously explored in the Star Wars saga.

EPISODE I: DUELLING AN 'EXTINCT' FOE!

On the outskirts of the harsh Tatooine deserts beyond Mos Espa, a chilling lightsaber duel is underway between noble Jedi Knight (and Queen Amidala protectorate) Qui-Gon Jinn and a mystery foe resolutely and impressively skilled in the Jedi arts. From the visual and physical evidence, it looks as if the long thought perished Sith clan, ancient enemies of the Jedi and the light side of the Force, have returned...

Terrific production painting art by Doug Chiang for a memorable duelling scene from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: WHICH ONE'S THE DECOY?

Though captured by the Neimoidians, the tide of battle and potential victory is turning back into Queen Amidala's favour with the unexpected arrival of her decoy, in another great moment from the Battle of Naboo sequence for EPISODE I. 

EPISODE I: 'WOBBED AND CWUNCHED'!

Having explored the seedy locale of Tatooine's Mos Espa spaceport and encountered its denizens, lovable coward Jar Jar Binks is unwilling to take another foray into the busy landscape, but he will soon have no choice as the rest of Qui-Gon Jinn's small group continue their search for a new hyperdrive.