Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace The Illustrated Screenplay [Paperback]

George Lucas (Author)

Book Description

Series: Star Wars | Publication Date: April 21, 1999

For the first time in more than a decade, movie fans can revel in the complete illustrated screenplay from a brand new STAR WARS film: Episode I--the long-awaited story that begins the epic saga. Revisit your favorite characters . . . encounter new heroes and villains . . . journey back to familiar places . . . and enter strange, exciting new worlds . . .

From the page to screen, this beautiful volume unveils the origins of the world's greatest space epic--starring young Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, the plucky droid R2-D2, the ever-efficient C-3PO, and all of their daring and exotic allies as they face the growing threat ignited by political intrigue and the decay of the Galactic Republic.

As a bonus, this special volume is lavishly illustrated with pages of original line-art storyboards pulled from the legendary Lucasfilm archives. These sequential drawings whisk you through the wondrous events of the movie itself, transporting you behind the scenes and revealing a vital part of the creative process--one in which filmmaker George Lucas choreographs every shot of the action from the opening titles to the final roll of the credits.

Whether you're a serious collector or a new STAR WARS fan, this book allows you to experience the wonder of EPISODE I firsthand--today and for years to come.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

While the serious Star Wars buff should settle for nothing less than the comprehensive Phantom Menace Illustrated Screenplay, this PM storybook packs a lot of punch in its 64 pages, with well-chosen screen shots and an abbreviated, novelized script. This young-adult adaptation hits all the major plot points, from the Trade Federation's ambush of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon through to Anakin's wild starfighter ride and the triumphant victory parade on Naboo. Crystal clear stills from the movie stop the action, zooming you in for a closer look. Finally, you get to check out every member of the Jedi Council, study a Podracer as it's blown to bits, and decide at long last just who's uglier, Watto or Darth Maul. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

The Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Movie Storybook is the definitive souvenir book of the movie Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. Packed with over 140 big, full-color photographs from the movie, The Phantom Menace Movie Storybook retells the Episode I adventure from beginning to end with easy-to-read text based on the screenplay by George Lucas. Freezing the most thrilling and poignant frames of the movie, this book is the perfect collector's item for young (as well as older!) Star Wars fans. Every saga has a beginning, and The Phantom Menace Movie Storybook will let you relive that beginning over and over again! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (April 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345431103
• ISBN-13: 978-0345431103
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.5 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #717,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

George Lucas is the founder of Lucasfilm Ltd., one of the world's leading entertainment companies. He created the Star Wars and Indiana Jones film series. Among his story credits are THX 1138, American Graffiti, and the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films. He lives in Marin County, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very cool for the more hardcore fans........., May 2, 2002

By 

Blaine C. Atkinson "taranwalker" (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace The Illustrated Screenplay (Paperback)

First off, I thought the flick was pretty good, though a little too slow in the middle. It needed more action, more depth, less clumsy dialogue, and less kiddie stuff. We all know that now. Okay. With that in mind, the screenplay is great in some parts, and groan out loud bad in others. If you're one of the more forgiving (and less bandwagon-jumping obsessed) hardcore fans, it's a treasure. Even with all it's faults, it's cool to sit down and read how the pieces begin to fall into place. Also, this is an uncut script, so a lot of the deleted stuff you see on the DVD is in here, as is some cut dialogue. Again, I wouldn't advise this for the passive Star Wars fan, but it is a must-have for the REAL (being a relative term, of course) Star Wars fan.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the Movie., May 5, 2000

By 

James "James" (Melbourne, VIC Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace The Illustrated Screenplay (Paperback)

This book is by far better than the movie. Why? Because lines in the script that were cut in the final product actually fill in the blanks and add more substance to the plot movement. The scene where Amidala appeals to the senate is just one example. There were a lot of little lines that were cut out here but, I feel, important lines. Another facet of this book is when you read it you really feel Anakin should have been at least 14 rather than nine years old and Amidala 16 rather than 14(You'll undertand why when you read the book but the "Angel" dialogue at Watto's was cut so you don't experience it in the movie). It also explains why Anakin was able to enter the Droid Control Ship when everyone else couldn't! The only downside is there isn't any color photos or reasons for the cuts made (Like in JC's Titanic Illustrated Screenplay). A Must Read for ALL Star Wars fans.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A best bet, May 13, 2000

By 

murphy "[e-mail]" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace The Illustrated Screenplay (Paperback)

If you are willing to buy the TPM screenplay(you can get it for free on the Internet), this is your best bet. It has a selection of the orginal storyboards, cut scenes(this is the uncut screenplay), a introduction by producer Rick Mccalum, and the underwater and battle storyboards in order, kinda like a movie effect. If you like Star Wars, buy this!