10 Award-Winning Documentaries About Star Wars
The Star Wars series has exploded into one of the biggest and most beloved franchises that ever graced cinema screens. George Lucas, who wrote Star Wars in 1977 with John Williams first movie score, probably didn’t realize his project would blossom into a cultural phenomenon.
Over the years, several documentaries have attempted to capture the magic that the Star Wars universe emanates. This blog post will give an overview of some of the most award-winning film documentaries that provide an inside look into the making of Star Wars.
1. Elstree 1976 (2015)
Elstree 1976 is a unique documentary about Star Wars. It’s not about the making or influence of the iconic franchise but reveals a glimpse into the lives of stars who played minor characters in the films.
One of the best awarded documentaries, it tells the stories of actors who played background characters and the impact working on Star Wars has had upon them. It’s a fascinating insight into the faces behind the makeup and one of the few documentary films that concentrate on the series’ minor characters.
👉 Watch Elstree 1976 on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Elstree 1976 as DVD on Amazon UK
2. Star Wars: Star Warriors (2007)
Star Wars: Star Warriors concentrates on the lives of many fans who transformed their passion for Star Wars into almost an obsession.
It features interviews with fans and enthusiasts from different parts of the world who share their personal connection with the universe created by George Lucas. It’s a tribute to the fandom that the Star Wars franchise has created over the years.
Star Wars: Star Warriors on IMDb
3. The Prequels Strike Back: A Fan's Journey (2016)
The Prequels Strike Back: A Fan's Journey examines the three controversial prequels and how the perception and reaction to them drastically changed over the years.
The story of the Star Wars prequels is told through the eyes of fans, who either loved or hated them, and how discussions and dialogues become part of the Star Wars experience. The documentary provides an insightful commentary on fan culture, how it works, and how Star Wars has been a driving force behind it.
👉 Watch The Prequels Strike Back: A Fan's Journey on Amazon Prime
4. Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible (2010)
Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible is not exclusively about Star Wars, but it’s still a must-watch for any Star Wars fan.
The documentary addresses how the special effects house Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) was created, and how it revolutionized the cinema industry with George Lucas’s unique vision for Star Wars. The detailed visual and cinematic processes that into making and shaping both visual and sound effects in cinema are well-documented in this film.
👉 Watch Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible on Amazon Prime
5. The Force Is with Them: The Legacy of 'Star Wars' (2004)
The Force Is with Them: The Legacy of 'Star Wars' is a documentary that offers an overview of the history of Star Wars. The film shows the creative process that went into the creation of the original trilogy, and interviews the cast and crew of the film.
The documentary also tackles the franchise's cultural influence and popularity and talks about how it spawned sequels and prequels. The Force Is with Them will surely provide viewers with a trip down memory lane with its celebration of all things Star Wars.
The Force Is with Them: The Legacy of 'Star Wars' on IMDb
6. The Making of 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)
Considered the best Star Wars movie by many fans, The Empire Strikes Back is often hailed for its production design and its special effects.
This documentary, directed by Roger Cherrill, offers an in-depth look at how the film was made. From the creation of Yoda to the design of the Hoth planet, this documentary covers it all. The documentary highlights the chaotic and challenging nature of the film production and how director Irvin Kershner and producer Gary Kurtz overcame many obstacles to deliver a masterpiece.
The Making of 'The Empire Strikes Back' on IMDb
7. Star Wars Tech (2007)
The Star Wars universe is full of cutting-edge technology, from lightsabers to blasters, to battle droids. But what inspired the creators to come up with these gadgets, and how were they designed?
This documentary, hosted by MythBusters Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, explores the technological advancements of the Star Wars universe and how they relate to real-world technology.
8. Jedi Junkies (2010)
What does it mean to be a Star Wars fan, and how far are fans willing to go to express their love for the franchise? Jedi Junkies provides an insight into the world of Star Wars fandom and the devoted fans' dedication to the franchise.
From cosplaying to fan films, this documentary spotlights the fans' creative and passionate expressions of their love for the films.
👉 Watch Jedi Junkies on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Jedi Junkies as DVD on Amazon
9. A Conversation with the Masters: The Empire Strikes Back 30 Years Later (2011)
Thirty years after the release of The Empire Strikes Back, director Irvin Kershner, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, and producer Gary Kurtz reunited to reflect on the film's legacy and impact.
Hosted by filmmaker Kevin Smith, this documentary is a fascinating conversation between the three maestros on their approach to storytelling, the challenges they faced, and how they managed to make a movie that transcended its genre.
A Conversation with the Masters: The Empire Strikes Back 30 Years Later on IMDb
10. Anatomy of a Dewback (1997)
While the Dewback only appears for a brief moment in the original Star Wars movie, its design is fascinating and memorable.
This documentary, directed by John Shenk, takes a closer look at how the creature was created. From the original design sketches to the finished product, this documentary provides insight into the movie's production design process.
Conclusion
The Star Wars movie collections have been groundbreaking and inspirational, and it’s amazing how several documentaries have been created all around this franchise to detail the making of the movies, the fandom, and the cultural impact it has had over the years. Another addition is the 2004 Ken Burns documentary, Empire of Dreams, detailing the Star Wars trilogy and the recent Disturbance in the Force documentary, which is a comedy behind-the-scenes story of the making of the infamous The Star Wars Holiday Special.
The documentaries reviewed in this blog post provide various insights into the Star Wars franchise. They have taken us through the lives of minor actors and fans who turned their passion into obsession, reflecting on the good times and the bad and celebrating the fact that the Force will always be with us! And is ET part of Star Wars? Yes, he was in Episode I - The Phantom Menace. George Lucas included him to repay a favor to Steven Spielberg. And finally, who wrote StarWars? George Lucas wrote the scripts for several of the Star Wars films and created the concept.
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