The Making of the Return of the Jedi

The Making of the Return of the Jedi The latest making of book from the original Star Wars films has finally arrived. This book is one that you will keep on your coffee table with pride (I know I have). I was lucky enough to be sent a copy ahead of the release (available now at Amazon.co.uk) which, quite frankly made my September! Flicking through the pages of this book makes you feel like you were there on set with the cast and crew. This book is in honour of the 30th anniversary and is the wonderful creation of bestselling author J. W. Rinzler. Rinzler was given access to the Lucasfilm archives and found the most fascinating revelations from behind the scenes of the film. The book is full of previously unpublished photos, concept artwork, script excerpts, on-set interviews, storyboards and commentary. Here is a sneak peak to a few of the pictures in the book:

Harrison Ford in-between setups chatting with George Lucas
Harrison Ford in-between setups chatting with George Lucas
Ewoks seize the clapperboard on May 17, 1982, during second unit work near Crescent City. 215
Ewoks seize the clapperboard on May 17, 1982, during second unit work near Crescent City. 215
Mark Hamill is filmed during Luke’s moment of choice: Will he commit patricide or become a true Jedi and show compassion for his father (Simon Hume stands beside Hamill; assistant camera loader Tony Jackson, in white T-shirt, uses his tape measure; director Richard Marquand is on far right of image; Alec Mills operates the camera; holding the script pages is script supervisor Pamela Mann-Francis; in the foreground is Frank Elliott, bearded; Alan Hume adjusts the light).
Mark Hamill is filmed during Luke’s moment of choice: Will he commit patricide or become a true Jedi and show compassion for his father (Simon Hume stands beside Hamill; assistant camera loader Tony Jackson, in white T-shirt, uses his tape measure; director Richard Marquand is on far right of image; Alec Mills operates the camera; holding the script pages is script supervisor Pamela Mann-Francis; in the foreground is Frank Elliott, bearded; Alan Hume adjusts the light).
Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) on location in California’s Buttercup Valley aboard Jabba’s barge, April 1982.
Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) on location in California’s Buttercup Valley aboard Jabba’s barge, April 1982.

It is great to have such an in depth insider look at one of the most famous sci-fi films of all time (and personally my favourite Star Wars film). Now all I need to do is get the back catalogue and clear some bookshelf space…

Source: The Making of Return of the Jedi: The Definitive Story Behind the Film by J.W. Rinzler. Foreword by Brad Bird. Published by Aurum Press, £40.

© 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd.

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