Film

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

Name: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
Genre: Science fiction film, Action film, Adventure film, Fantasy film
Released: 1999
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid

1999 Science fiction film Action film Adventure film Fantasy film

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is a 1999 film directed by George Lucas. It stars Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and others.

Synopsis

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is a 1999 science fiction adventure written and directed by George Lucas. It goes back in time to the years before the events of the earlier Star Wars films and shows the galaxy while the Republic is still intact.

The story begins when the Trade Federation cuts off the peaceful planet of Naboo with a blockade. The Republic sends two Jedi, the veteran Qui-Gon Jinn, played by Liam Neeson, and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, played by Ewan McGregor, to settle the dispute. Instead they find themselves targets of a larger plan, and they have to flee to the planet's surface.

After meeting the local outcast Jar Jar Binks, played by Ahmed Best, they reach Queen Padme Amidala, played by Natalie Portman, and set out with her toward the Republic's capital to ask for help. A damaged ship forces them to stop on the desert world of Tatooine. There Qui-Gon meets a young boy named Anakin Skywalker, played by Jake Lloyd, whose unusual talents catch the Jedi's attention. Ian McDiarmid appears as Palpatine, a political figure in the capital.

Crew & production

Director: George Lucas
Screenwriter: George Lucas
Producer: Rick McCallum
Director of photography: David Tattersall
Composer: John Williams
Editor: Ben Burtt
Production company: Lucasfilm
Original language: English
Filming locations: Cassiobury Park, Hever Castle, Palace of Caserta, Tunisia, Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, Whippendell Wood
Budget: $115 million
Box office: $1.03 billion (worldwide)