If you’re a historian of Star Wars there are a handful of places you should be visiting, and one of the most illuminating and enjoyable is Star Wars at the Movies, where Stephen Danley takes us back in time to nights like this, 9th April 1984 when Return of the Jedi brought the GFFA back to the Academy Awards – a happy hunting ground for the original trilogy films – and went back to the west coast with some gold.
A clip package seems to have run, then Cheech comments that he “likes the part where they blow them up” (presumably the second Death Star’s destruction?). The crew of ILMers then come on stage to the tune of “Parade of the Ewoks” performed by the house orchestra, with each giving their thanks to colleagues, mentors and family. Phil Tippett gives nods to familiar names like visual effects art director Joe Johnston, ILM general manager Tom Smith and production supervisor Rose Duignan. Ken Ralston then closes it out by paying tribute to the 120 artists at ILM who worked on Jedi, as well as “the force behind the Force: George Lucas.” Phil emphatically reiterates the praise for The Maker with an emphatic “GEORGE!” as the gang exits with their Oscars.
Be sure to check out Stephen’s fantastic podcast which accompanies the site, including the very first episode featuring my good self.
