Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Two Jedi escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to claim their old glory.

Director:

George Lucas

Writer:

George Lucas

Stars:

Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 26 wins & 65 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Liam Neeson	...	Qui-Gon Jinn
Ewan McGregor	...	Obi-Wan Kenobi
Natalie Portman	...	Queen Amidala / Padmé
Jake Lloyd	...	Anakin Skywalker
Ian McDiarmid	...	Senator Palpatine
Pernilla August	...	Shmi Skywalker
Oliver Ford Davies	...	Sio Bibble
Hugh Quarshie	...	Captain Panaka
Ahmed Best	...	Jar Jar Binks
Anthony Daniels	...	C-3PO (voice)
Kenny Baker	...	R2-D2
Frank Oz	...	Yoda (voice)
Terence Stamp	...	Chancellor Valorum
Brian Blessed	...	Boss Nass (voice)
Andy Secombe	...	Watto (voice) (as Andrew Secombe)

Storyline

The evil Trade Federation, led by Nute Gunray is planning to take over the peaceful world of Naboo. Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to confront the leaders. But not everything goes to plan. The two Jedi escape, and along with their new Gungan friend, Jar Jar Binks head to Naboo to warn Queen Amidala, but droids have already started to capture Naboo and the Queen is not safe there. Eventually, they land on Tatooine, where they become friends with a young boy known as Anakin Skywalker. Qui-Gon is curious about the boy, and sees a bright future for him. The group must now find a way of getting to Coruscant and to finally solve this trade dispute, but there is someone else hiding in the shadows. Are the Sith really extinct? Is the Queen really who she says she is? And what's so special about this young boy?

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Plot Keywords:

r2 d2 character | c 3po character | jedi | torso cut in half | slavery | 

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Taglines:

At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sci-fi action/violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Star Wars: Episode I - The Beginning

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$115,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$64,820,970, 23 May 1999

Gross USA:

$474,544,677

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,027,082,707

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lucasfilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX SDDS (8 channels) DTS-ES

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Frank Oz (the voice of Yoda) directed Terence Stamp in Bowfinger (1999).

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Goofs

In Otoh Gunga (the Gungan city), when Captain Tarpals comes to arrest Jar Jar, the background in the shots of Obi-Wan and Jar Jar doesn't match the background in the previous and following shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Qui-Gon Jinn: Captain.
Republic Cruiser Captain: Yes, sir?
Qui-Gon Jinn: Tell them we wish to board at once.
Republic Cruiser Captain: [to communication device] With all due respect, the ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor wish to board immediately.
Nute Gunray: [on view screen] Yes, of course. As you know, our blockade is perfectly legal and we'd be happy to receive the ambassadors.

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Crazy Credits

Jabba The Hutt - Himself

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Alternate Versions

The 2011 Blu-ray release has significant changes. 1) The Jedi Speed Force has been altered to a more realistic speed effect. 2) Nute Gunray and Rune Haako observing the Jedi fleeing from the droideka on a viewscreen has been changed to a new and wide shot. It also features a new digital effect for the screen itself. 3) The pink tint in the whole movie has been removed to make it more natural. 4) Almost all scenes shows more of the image. 5) The grainy look in some shots have been cleared.

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Connections

Referenced in The Flash: Versus Zoom (2016)

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Soundtracks

Original 'Star Wars' Themes and Compositions
(uncredited)
Composed, Arranged and Conducted by John Williams

User Reviews

Quite good, despite what some people say.

This film was actually really good, and I can't believe some of the reviews it got. While it's not my favorite Star Wars film(Return of the Jedi holds that title), it's still pretty high up there. First, let me just say that I don't get why so many people hated JarJar Binks. He didn't annoy me at all, and I found him to be a funny, worthwhile character who played an important role in helping to defeat the evil Trade Federation. I only had two big problems with this film: 1.Darth Maul was a wasted character, which is a real pity. He could have been an awesome villain if he had appeared in more scenes and been given more lines, instead of only being in a few scenes and having three or four lines. 2. Obi-Wan did not have as big of a part as he could have had, and he should have at least accompanied Qui-Gon to Tatooine. I just felt that Ewan Mcgregor's fine acting skills were wasted.Other than that, though, I liked this movie. The film's best performances came from Liam Neeson and Jake LLoyd. Ian McDiarmid also did quite well as the suave, sinister Senator Palpatine. John Williams did an excellent job composing the film's music. I particularly enjoyed Duel of the Fates(the intense, fast- paced composition played during the climactic lightsaber battle between Darth Maul and the two Jedi) and also the festive, light-hearted music played during the final victory parade.Basically, I just really liked Episode I, and I look forward to seeing Episode II next Spring!