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
Product Description: 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.?
?To the Official Star Wars Web Site? ?Check out other Star Wars titles published by Chronicle Books!?
A very decent but certainly not complete archive ^ Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RIT55HRIM381Y 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.)
Good Films, Good Book ^ 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.
Great Collection. ^ 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.
Why George Lucas will always eclipse the Star Trek Franchise ^ This book is proof positive why George Lucas and Speilberg will always be superior to the Star Trek Franchise with their brand of movies. The pictures in this one are a must have for any fan of Star Wars or Indiana Jones. The complete story boards. Not just crude renderings. The masks, the designs that didn't make it into the movie. The characters in all their films are not by formula. All the Star Wars aliens and models from Return of the Jedi are in this volume. You can see how closely the story boards match what would eventually would become the movie.
Great pictures ^ 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.
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Trevor
