CLASSIC IMAGE: TWO JEDI - ONE ARMY!

One of the very first images released by LUCASFILM in their then 1998/1999 press promotion of EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE, and its still one of my favourites. In this nicely framed shot showing lots of detail and very scene evocative of the Jedi action to come, Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson have never looked better or formidably heroic in the film than as they are here as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn, surviving a sneaky assassination attempt on their lives by the the once cowardly Neimoidians and now trying to break through to the bridge of their shield door protected Trade Federation cruiser, though their noble attempts, almost unstoppable, are ultimately interrupted by the notorious Droidekas, soon rolling onto the scene and unleashing their heavy laser artillery against them. Its all a great action packed start to the first chronological movie of the STAR WARS saga, and the invasion of the friendly and beautiful world of Naboo is just one portent of worse things yet to come...

I can't wait to see the epic adventure and grandeur of the Prequel Trilogy films, as well as their Classic counter-parts, back on the big screen again, starting next year, where they belong!

CLASSIC IMAGE: QUEEN TO A CAPTURED WORLD!

Queen Amidala of the Naboo (Natalie Portman) can only look on helplessly as the city of Theed is surrounded and then ruthlessly occupied by the Battle Droids of the unscrupulous Trade Federation, in this hauntingly beautiful frame shot on location at the Caserta Royal Palace in Italy for EPISODE ONE.