The opening of Star Wars perfectly illustrated the might of the Empire.
We look back at the making of the films classic shot…
This story originally appeared onDen of Geek UK.
Were bathed in the inky blackness of space.
As Williams orchestra builds to a crescendo, another, unexpectedly huge shape looms into view.
Its our first ever glimpse of an Imperial Star Destroyer a vast, skull-white battleship.
The speed of its movement is vaguely reminiscent of a Great White shark on the hunt.
Its shape recalls the tip of a spear.
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Yet that opening shot was far more than merely a fancy special effect.
Like all great cinema, it told acres of story without a word being spoken.
Its the perfect visual representation of the tiny rebellion pitched against the fascist might of the Empire.
Whats all the more remarkable aboutStar Warsfirst shot is that it was among the last to be completed.
Star Warstorturous path to the silver screen is well documented.
But as the release deadline loomed,Star Warsopening sequence still hadnt been filmed.
There was a script, Johnston toldStar Wars Insiderin 2012.
We were really just tossing ideas back and forth.
The big question was, how to execute this immensely complicated sequence?
With time running out, visual effects supervisor Richard Edlund was growing increasingly nervous.
But we didnt have enough track to do that.
Then we had this 24mm lens that could go incredibly close to these models.
I could tilt the lens and hold horizontal focus very well.
We were dumbfounded the next day, Edlund said; it was just amazing how well it worked.
Everybody thought, Oh, heres a nice starfield and heres a nice little planet.
Whats going to happen?
Is there going to be a nice little ship that comes in slowly.
People were expecting a 2001 shot and then… its like the Indians attacking a stagecoach in space.
It was just a good design.
More than 40 years later, the after-effects ofStar Warsclassic opening shot are still being felt.
