Empire of Dreams: The Story of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy (2004)

An in-depth making of documentary about the original Star Wars trilogy, covering the productions of the three films and their impact on popular culture.

Directors:

Edith Becker, Kevin Burns

Writer:

Ed Singer

Stars:

Robert Clotworthy, Walter Cronkite, George Lucas

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Clotworthy	...	Narrator (voice)
Walter Cronkite	...	Himself - Journalist
George Lucas	...	Himself - Filmmaker
Steven Spielberg	...	Himself - Filmmaker
Irvin Kershner	...	Himself - Director
Howard G. Kazanjian	...	Himself - Producer (as Howard Kazanjian)
Gary Kurtz	...	Himself - Producer
Leo Braudy	...	Himself - Professor and Cultural Historian, University of Southern California
Bill Moyers	...	Himself - Journalist (archive footage)
Carrie Fisher	...	Herself - 'Princess Leia Organa'
Gareth Wigan	...	Himself - Former Production Executive, 20th Century Fox
Alan Ladd Jr.	...	Himself - Former Studio Chief, 20th Century Fox
Ralph McQuarrie	...	Himself - Conceptual Artist
Richard Edlund	...	Himself - Cameraman, Miniature and Optical Effects
Steve Gawley	...	Himself - Model Maker

Storyline

This documentary chronicles the making of the original Star Wars trilogy from start to finish. We get some background on George Lucas' start in the business and then continue with the making of Star Wars (1977), Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). The visual/special effects and financial problems are explained as well as casting, editing, scoring and releasing the films with tons of archival footage and interviews with plenty of cast & crew members.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to r2 d2 | reference to homer's odyssey | special effects | wookiee | ewok | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

Império dos Sonhos: A História da Trilogia Star Wars

Company Credits

Production Co:

Prometheus Entertainment, Fox Television Studios, Lucasfilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

151 min 120 min

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This feature-length documentary is featured on the 4-Disc Star Wars Trilogy DVD set, released in September of 2004.

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Goofs

During a segment on merchandising for the original Star Wars, pictures of Princess Leia dolls wearing 'space fashions' are shown. However, this clothing line never made it into production.

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Quotes

Narrator: For the pivotal role of Luke, Lucas needed an actor who could project both intelligence and integrity.
[archive footage of various screen tests]
Narrator: Twenty-four year old Mark Hamill was a familiar face on television. A newcomer to films, his wholesome, easygoing manner fit the part perfectly.

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Crazy Credits

Bloopers, outtakes and deleted scenes shown during the end credits: George Lucas and Richard Marquand clowning around inside the AT ST cockpit. Rough black and white footage of the Death Star Trench. Luke's medical face mask being removed by 21B. Han kissing his girlfriend (Jenny Cresswell) in the Mos Eisley cantina. Early bluescreen tests in the Millenium Falcon cockpit. Behind the scenes footage of Solo firing at Vader in the Bespin dining room (also used on the blooper reel). Kenny Baker inside R2D2 in Tunisia. Mark Hamill falling over in the Finse snow wearing a blue ESB parka over his orange flight suit. Hamill and Carrie Fisher relaxing on Jabba's tummy. Lucas and daughter Amanda on the sail barge. Jack Purvis and Mike Edmonds enjoying a cigar on a break in their Ewok costumes. R2D2 picking up a squirrel with a mechanical arm. More shots on location in Tunisia. A stormtrooper costume and R2 Unit under construction at ILM. Closeup of a Jawa's glowing eyes. Ewok mask under construction. Lucas on the sail barge. Fisher and her stunt double sunbathing on the barge set. Alec Guinness' birthday party in Tunisia. X-wings and a Taun Taun on location in Finse. A model Snowspeeder being blown up.

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Alternate Versions

A shorter, 90-minute version of this documentary aired on the A&E Channel September 12th 2004.

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Connections

References Earthquake (1974)

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Soundtracks

Cantina Band
(uncredited)
Composed by John Williams

User Reviews

Good(if a bit long) documentary.

Interesting and informative documentary on the original trilogy, has interviews with all the surviving creators and stars of the films, and much behind the scenes footage, anecdotes, and trivia that fans love.

Pretty exhaustive and extensive look at how the films were conceived and directed, the casting process, evolution of the groundbreaking visual effects that so captured the imagination of children, the memorable music that kids hummed in schoolyards as they re-enacted their favorite characters and battles, and the costume making process for the familiar alien characters like the droids C3PO, R2D2, and Chewbacca, not to mention Darth Vader!

On the original Special Edition DVD set, this is well worth watching.