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.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE SWEET TASTE OF VICTORY!

The conquest of Naboo by the Trade Federation lackeys Nute Gunray and Rune Haako's Battle Droid forces has been an overnight success with little to nothing in counter attack response from the planet's populace. The decadent and greedy aliens now arrive in Theed City to inspect their new prize for plunder, in this brief but effective moment 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.

'SPECIAL EDITION' CLASSIC IMAGE: ANOTHER NABOO CELEBRATION!

The Naboo civilisation, both human and Gungan, celebrates in epic style the death of the Emperor and the beginning of the end of the Galactic Empire, as they joyously teem in their masses within the streets and buildings of Theed City. A welcome over time additional closing scene fusing Prequel/Original Trilogies added by George Lucas and ILM to the DVD release of the 'Special Edition' of Return of the Jedi, back in 2004.

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. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: THEIR PATHS AHEAD!

The Battle of Naboo has seen a great victory for the races of that planet previously attacked by the Trade Federation, and ushered-in a meteoric rise to power for that friendly and benign Senator Palpatine, now elected to the highest office in the Galactic Republic as the newly inaugurated Supreme Chancellor. With the further discovery of the latent gifted Jedi powers of young Anakin Skywalker, it seems that peace and justice will surely and swiftly prevail in the galaxy...

CLASSIC IMAGE: ROYAL PROTECTORS!

Loyal as ever, Captain Panaka (Hugh Quarshie) and his elite, skilled guard force are ready to do their Queen's bidding during the Battle for Naboo, as EPISODE I nears its action-packed conclusion.

Find out more about the original invasion and battle of Naboo this summer, with the eagerly awaited second book in the Padme Amidala/Handmaidens saga by E.K. Johnston: Queen's Peril, published in the UK by Egmont.

Get it here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Queens-Peril-Emily-Johnston/dp/1368057144/ref=sr_1_1?crid=161LMUOLXU7C2&keywords=star+wars+queens+peril&qid=1583333918&sprefix=star+wars+queens+p%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: GOODBYE MY FRIEND...

Critically wounded from Darth Maul's double lightsaber blade, the dying Qui-Gon Jinn departs the world of reality and 'the living Force' showing dignity and tender compassion for his loyal friend and Padawan in Obi-Wan Kenobi. A genuinely sad moment from EPISODE I, as Obi-Wan makes a promise to train Anakin Skywalker with Qui-Gon's passing....

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: TO SLAY A SITH!

Though suddenly aware of the building power of the Force in Obi-Wan, Darth Maul is nonetheless unable to act on the lightning moves made by the young Jedi, now leaping out of the pit to deliver a lightning fast killer blow, courtesy of Qui-Gon's retrieved lightsaber- poetic justice. The Sith falls down the pit, cut in half and supposedly dead...

Great art from the EPISODE I comic adaptation of 1999 by Rodolfo Damaggio and Al Wiliamson.

Darth Maul cut in half, as seen in EPISODE I.

"I wanted something that revealed a little more understanding of what an apprentice is, obviously because that is where it's all going. At one point, when Obi-Wan kills Darth Maul, he just fell in the pit.I looked at it and thought this isn't going to work because, if people liked him enough, they're going to want him back and they're going to assume somehow that he gets out of it. So I had to cut him in half to say that this guy's gone, he's history, He isn't coming back. I'll come up with another apprentice. The whole issue of having apprentices, poor Darth Sidious trying to replenish his apprentice supply, is one of the main plot points."

George Lucas - Empire magazine - 1999

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: RETAKING HER THRONE!

Captured by Droidekas, Queen Amidala and her party are taken to the Neimoidians. Things look grim but, thanks to Sabe's clever decoy work, our heroine seizes her opportunity to retrieve the hidden weapons in the Throne Room, as she and Captain Panaka finally surprise/capture the enemy overlords. Now the tables are turned, and it's time to discuss a new treaty: surrender!

Sabe's decoy force arrives.

Panaka seizes the attack initiative!

Natalie Portman has fun with Lucas and John Knoll between filming scenes.

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.