From Star Wars to Indiana Jones: The Best of the Lucasfilm Archives [Paperback]

Mark Cotta Vaz (Author), Shinji Hata (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

George Lucas has produced some of the most popular movies ever, including the classic Star Wars and Indiana Jones trilogies. Thanks to Lucas's foresight and the dedication of Lucasfilm archivists, the artifacts used in the making of his films have been painstakingly preserved. From Star Wars to Indiana Jones presents some of the best of Lucasfilm's enduring creations, from Yoda and R2-D2 to the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail. Now readers everywhere can take a tour of the marvelous world of the Lucasfilm Archives, with its incredible collection of costumes, props, puppets, models, and matte paintings used in the making of both the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies. Veterans of the legendary first Industrial Light & Magic effects team that created Star Wars share their secrets, along with an astonishing array of behind-the-scenes production illustrations, storyboards, and prototypes—many appearing for the first time in book form—all accompanied by a lively text that tells the fascinating stories behind the art of movie-making. Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of full-color photographs and illustrations, this treasury captures the remarkable imagery, as well as the wonder, of the Lucasfilm universe in an essential acquisition for countless fans the world over.?

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The director of the Lucasfilm Archives says that before Return of the Jedi, it just never occurred to anyone to formally store and catalog the accumulated "stuff" associated with the Star Wars films. Stormtrooper helmets and lightsabers were crammed next to models of tauntauns and sandcrawlers in closets and cubbyholes. Only when George Lucas was surrounded by all this junk for a Jedi publicity shot did the Lucasfilm folks realize what an amazing collection they had.

That collection only grew when Lucas scored with the popular Indiana Jones trilogy, which added all manner of whips, swords, and idols to the archive. This photo-packed book chronologically surveys the collection's highlights: props, models, storyboards, backdrops, and sketches, spanning all six films. Fans of either (or both) series will be gratified by a glimpse at these oh-so-cool artifacts. Unfortunately, the text isn't quite as edifying as the pictures. Behind-the-scenes insights, such as the fact that Imperial Walkers were a late substitution for Norwegian army tanks and that Indy's shooting of the swordmaster in the market was a fatigue-induced ad lib, often take a back seat to unnecessary plot recaps and equally superfluous explanations (for example, that the Force is sort of like chi). Of course, the artifacts from the archive are the real attraction, and they don't disappoint. --Paul Hughes

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Reprint edition (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811809722
• ISBN-13: 978-0811809726
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #550,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark Cotta Vaz is the author of over twenty-one books, including four New York Times bestsellers. His recent works include Mythic Vision: The Making of Eragon, The Spirit: The Movie Visual Companion, and the biography Living Dangerously: The Adventures of Merian C. Cooper, Creator of King Kong, which was a Los Angeles Times bestseller

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is why the franchises are so solid and popular May 17, 2000

By Mark Hills

Format:Paperback

This book provides the reader with a rare glimpse of a lot of concept art and even model making that ILM produced for the 3 Star Wars and 3 Indiana Jones movies. And unlike, the Art of Star Wars Episode 1 for example, there is more text than simple art credits, and includes descriptions on how the different tools (say, matte paintings), are used for effects in the films. The book also provides an excellent look at ILM's story boards, which are usually so well drawn that they would make ideal comic books. It has a beautiful series of pictures of props-from Colt pistols to blasters, from scimitars to lightsabers, all held together with great informative text by Mark Gotta Vaz and Shinji Hata. This is one of my favorites.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for every fan of Star Wars or Indiana Jones movies April 25, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Great close ups of most of the models and props used in all the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies. Every fan will love to get a look at the detail of many objects (Especially love the detail of Darth Vaders mask when Luke took it off Darth's face).

Includes models, props, costumes, masks and mattes. A fan's dream. I'm taking off a point because I want more! more! more!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Films, Good Book June 16, 2005

By Kristy M. Ross

Format:Hardcover

I love archival books like the "From Star Wars to Indiana Jones: The Best of the Lucasfilm Archives" and this is one of my favourites, it's got tons of images from all the Star Wars and Indy movies. The text is somewhat unsubstantial, however the layout and design make up for any flaws. All this and quality you can expect from the best "Making Of" guy in the buisness, Mark Cotta Vaz. This makes for perfect coffee table reading for any film buff and a great price too. A great addition to any film fan's bookshelf.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Collection. April 28, 2002

By tvtv3 TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This book offers an inside look at the huge collection of the Lucasfilm Archives. Conceptual art, models, props, puppets, masks, and various other movie making elements from the original STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES trilogies are examined and the last few pages look at three or four items from other Lucasfilm projects including WILLOW and HOWARD THE DUCK. The text is more than just element descriptions and some of the information is interesting and rather fascinating. A great book for any STAR WARS and/or INDIANA JONES fan and a must for a Lucas buff.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for any movie watcher! April 4, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This book is only rivaled by the catalogs of the Smithsonian archives. Take a jaunt through movie history with the props, costumes, and artwork of the two greatest trilogies in movie history. A must have

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You wont regrett buying this. July 29, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is infinitely worth the price to any fan of Star Wars, George Lucas, Indiana Jones, Lucasfilms or any of his other movies. There are so many pictures and so much info you wont notice half of it until youve searched through the book several times. There are many unique parts of this book, so don't worry if you expect this to be a compliation of everything you already have.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A very decent but certainly not complete archive November 26, 2009

By Parka TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

Length: 0:26 Mins

Here's a book for all those Star Wars and Indiana Jones fans. This book showcases the models, creatures, props, costumes, matte paintings and art used for the movies, the Star Wars prequels and the three Indiana Jones.

There's not a lot of writeup but they are always interesting to read. It's a great look behind the scenes are all the props used during filming. Sometimes the models are miniatures, sometimes they are life size, like Jabba the Hutt. There are a lot of close up shots on the miniature spaceships which shows details (or in-jokes) like tiny Star Wars and Playboy posters hanging on the cockpit. The book really features too many items to mention.

The matte paintings for backgrounds are pretty spectacular. It will definitely make you see the movies differently on re-runs, wondering what's real and what's not.

This is a nice archive that will sure to delight the fans. However for the comprehensive definitive guides, check out Star Wars Chronicles, Star Wars Chronicles: The Prequels and The Complete Making of Indiana Jones: The Definitive Story Behind All Four Films.

(More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great pictures July 26, 2001

By H. Coffill

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun book to peruse. I'd have liked more details about construction of props or pics of props being built. Also, more "Star Wars" than "Raiders" despite the title.