Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is a 1999 space opera film. It is the first film of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. The film follows with two Jedi Knights, who flee the planet Naboo with the planet's queen Padme Amidala in the hope of finding a peaceful end to a trade dispute. Along the way, the ship must stop for repairs on the planet Tatooine, where the Jedi encounter Anakin Skywalker, a young slave boy who is unusually strong with the Force. When the group returns to Naboo, they realize that the situation is much worse than they thought &mdash; the evil Sith Lords have returned.
 * Written and directed by George Lucas.

Every Generation Has A Legend. Every Journey Has A First Step. Every Saga Has A Beginning. (taglines)

Opening crawl
Hoping to resolve the matter with a blockade of deadly battleships, the greedy Trade Federation has stopped all shipping to the small planet of Naboo. While the congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict....
 * Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. The taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems is in dispute.

Ki-Adi-Mundi

 * Impossible. The Sith have been extinct for a millennium.

Yoda

 * Hard to see, the dark side is.

Mace Windu

 * I do not believe the Sith could've returned without us knowing.
 * We will use all our resources to unravel this mystery. We will discover the identity of your attacker. May the Force be with you.
 * You refer to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it's this boy?

Dialogue

 * Obi-Wan Kenobi: I have a bad feeling about this.
 * Qui-Gon Jinn: I don't sense anything.
 * Obi-Wan: It's not about the mission, Master. It's something... elsewhere. Elusive.
 * Qui-Gon: Don't center on your anxieties, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs.
 * Obi-Wan: But Master Yoda said I should be mindful of the future.
 * Qui-Gon: But not at the expense of the moment. Be mindful of the living Force, young Padawan.
 * Obi-Wan: Yes, Master. How do you think this Trade Viceroy will deal with the Chancellor's demands?
 * Qui-Gon: These Federation types are cowards. The negotiations will be short.


 * Darth Sidious: What is it?
 * Daultay Dofine: [interrupts] This scheme of yours has failed, Lord Sidious. The blockade is finished. We dare not go against the Jedi.
 * Sidious: Viceroy, I don't want this stunted slime in my sight again. [Daultay leaves] This turn of events is unfortunate. We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops.
 * Nute Gunray: My Lord! Is that... legal?
 * Sidious: I will make it legal.
 * Gunray: And the Jedi?
 * Sidious: The Chancellor should never have brought them into this! Kill them immediately!
 * Gunray: Yes... yes, my Lord. As you wish.


 * Tey How: Sir, a transmission from the planet.
 * Rune Haako: It is Queen Amidala herself!
 * Gunray: At last, we are getting results. Again, you come before us, your highness. We are very pleased.
 * Queen Padmé Amidala: You will not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy. Your trade boycott of our planet has ended.
 * Gunray: I was not aware of such failure.
 * Padmé: I have word that the Chancellor's ambassadors are with you now, and that you've been commanded to reach a settlement.
 * Gunray: I know nothing of any ambassadors. You must be... mistaken.
 * Padmé: Beware, Viceroy. The Federation has gone too far, this time.
 * Gunray: We would never do anything without the approval of the Senate. You assume too much.
 * Padmé: We'll see. [ends the transmission and the screen goes blank]
 * Haako: She's right. The Senate will never―
 * Gunray: It's too late now!
 * Haako: Do you think she suspects an attack?
 * Gunray: I don't know, but we must move quickly to disrupt all communications down there!


 * Qui-Gon: You almost got us killed! Are you brainless?
 * Jar Jar Binks: I speck!
 * Qui-Gon: The ability to speak does not make you intelligent. Now get out of here.
 * Binks: No, no! Mesa stay! Mesa called Jar Jar Binks! Mesa your humble servant!
 * Qui-Gon: That won't be necessary.
 * Binks: Oh, but it is! 'Tis demanded by the gods, it is!


 * Qui-Gon: Do you hear that?
 * [a rumbling is heard in the distance]
 * Binks: Yeah.
 * Qui-Gon: That is the sound of a thousand terrible things headed this way.
 * Obi-Wan: If and when they find us, they will crush us, grind us into tiny pieces and blast us into oblivion!
 * Binks: Hmmm... yousa point is well seen. This way. Hurry!


 * Sidious: And Queen Amidala... has she signed the treaty?
 * Gunray: She has disappeared, my lord. One Naboo cruiser got past the blockade.
 * Sidious: [annoyed] I want that treaty signed!
 * Gunray: My Lord... it's impossible to locate the ship! It's out of our range!
 * Sidious: Not for a Sith. [hologram of Darth Maul appears in front of Viceroy Gunray] This is my apprentice, Darth Maul. He will find your lost ship. [holograms of Sidious and Maul fade]
 * Gunray: This is getting out of hand. Now there are two of them!
 * Rune Haako: We should not have made this bargain.


 * Anakin Skywalker: Are you an angel?
 * Padmé: What?!
 * Anakin: An angel. I heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They live on the moons of Iego, I think.
 * Padmé: You're a funny little boy. How do you know so much?
 * Anakin: I listen to all the traders and star pilots who come through here. I'm a pilot, you know, and someday, I'm gonna fly away from this place.
 * Padmé: You're a pilot?
 * Anakin: Mm-hmm. All my life.
 * Padmé: How long have you been here?
 * Anakin: Since I was little. Three, I think. My Mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt, but she lost us betting on the pod races.
 * Padmé: You're a slave? What's your name?
 * Anakin: I'm a person, and my name is Anakin. Anakin Skywalker, to be more precise.
 * Padmé: I'm sorry. I don't fully understand; this is a strange place to me.


 * Watto: Here it is... a T-14 hyperdrive generator! Thee in luck, I'm the only one hereabouts who has one...but thee might as well buy a new ship. It would be cheaper, I think. Saying of which, how's thee going to pay for all this?
 * Qui-Gon: I have 20,000 republic dataries...
 * Watto: Republic credits? Republic credits are no use out here. I need something different, something more real...
 * Qui-Gon: I don't have anything else, but credits will do fine. [waves his hand, attempting to use the Jedi mind trick]
 * Watto: No, they won't-a.
 * Qui-Gon: Credits will do fine. [tries the mind trick again]
 * Watto: No, they won't-a! What, you think you're some kind of Jedi, waving your hand around like that? I'm a Toydarian. Mind tricks don't work on me; only money. No money! No parts! No deal! And no one else has a T-14 hyperdrive, I promise you that.


 * Darth Maul: Tatooine is sparsely populated. If the trace was correct, I will find them quickly, Master.
 * Darth Sidious: Move against the Jedi first. You will then have no difficulty taking the Queen back to Naboo to sign the treaty.
 * Maul: At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge.
 * Sidious: You have been well trained, my young apprentice. They will be no match for you.


 * [Qui-Gon Jinn is talking to the Jedi Council about Anakin Skywalker]
 * Qui-Gon: With your permission, my Master, I have encountered a vergence in the Force.
 * Yoda: A vergence, you say?
 * Mace Windu: Located around a person?
 * Qui-Gon: A boy. His cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I have seen in a life form. It is possible that he was conceived by the midi-chlorians.
 * Mace: You refer to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it's this boy?
 * Qui-Gon: I don't presume to…
 * Yoda: But you do. Revealed, your opinion is.
 * Qui-Gon: I request that the boy be tested, Master.
 * Yoda: Oh… trained as a Jedi, you request for him, hmm?
 * Qui-Gon: Finding him was the will of the Force. I have no doubt of that.
 * Mace: [resigned] Bring him before us, then.


 * Finis Valorum: The chair recognizes the Senator from the sovereign system of Naboo.
 * Palpatine: Supreme Chancellor, delegates of the Senate, a tragedy has occurred... which started right here with the taxation of trade routes... and has now engulfed our entire planet... in the oppression of the Trade Federation.
 * Lott Dod: This is outrageous! I object to the senator's statements!
 * Valorum: The chair does not recognize the senator from the Trade Federation at this time.
 * Palpatine: To state our allegations, I present Queen Amidala, recently elected ruler of the Naboo, who speaks on our behalf.
 * Padmé Amidala: Honorable representatives of the Republic, I come to you under the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by the droid armies of the Trade...
 * Dod: I object! There is no proof! This is incredible. We recommend a commission be sent to Naboo to ascertain the truth.
 * Senator Teem: The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate from the Trade Federation. A commission must be appointed.
 * Valorum: The point...
 * Mas Amedda: Excuse me, Chancellor. [whispers to Chancellor Valorum]
 * Palpatine: [Whispering to Queen Amidala] Enter the bureaucrats, the true rulers of the Republic. And on the payroll of the Trade Federation, I might add. This is where Chancellor Valorum's strength will disappear.
 * Valorum: The point is conceded. Will you defer your motion to allow a commission to explore the validity of your accusations?
 * Padmé: I will not defer. I've come before you to resolve this attack on our sovereignty now! I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee! If this body is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed. I move for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum's leadership.
 * [The Senators begin arguing over Queen Amidala's decision, as Valorum sits down, stunned]
 * Mas Amedda: ORDER!
 * Palpatine: Now they will elect a new Chancellor, a strong Chancellor. One who will not let this tragedy continue.


 * Yoda: How feel you?
 * Anakin: Cold, sir.
 * Yoda: Afraid, are you?
 * Anakin: No, sir.
 * Yoda: See through you, we can.
 * Mace: Be mindful of your feelings.
 * Ki-Adi-Mundi: Your thoughts dwell on your mother.
 * Anakin: I miss her.
 * Yoda: Ah, afraid to lose her, I think, hmm?
 * Anakin: What has that got to do with anything?
 * Yoda: Everything! Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you.


 * [The Jedi Council has just completed their examination of Anakin Skywalker]
 * Ki-Adi Mundi: The Force is strong with him.
 * Qui-Gon: He is to be trained, then?
 * Mace: No. He will not be trained.
 * Qui-Gon: No?!
 * Mace: He is too old.
 * Qui-Gon: He is the Chosen One. You must see it.
 * Yoda: Clouded, this boy's future is.
 * Qui-Gon: [resigned] I will train him, then. I take Anakin as my Padawan learner.
 * Yoda: [referring to Obi-Wan Kenobi] An apprentice, you already have, Qui-Gon. Impossible, it is, to take on a second.
 * Mace: The Council forbids it.
 * Qui-Gon: Obi-Wan is ready.
 * Obi-Wan: [steps forward] I am ready to face the trials.
 * Yoda: Our own counsel, we will keep, on who is ready.
 * Qui-Gon: He is headstrong, and has much to learn about the living Force... but he is capable. There is little more he can learn from me.
 * Yoda: [after a long pause] Young Skywalker's fate will be decided later.
 * Mace: Now is not the time for this. The Senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor and Queen Amidala is returning home, which will put pressure on the Federation and could widen the controntation.
 * Ki-Adi-Mundi: [referring to Darth Maul] And draw out the Queen's attacker.
 * Mace: Go with the Queen to Naboo and discover the identity of this dark warrior. This is the clue we need to unravel the mystery of the Sith.
 * Yoda: May the Force be with you.


 * Qui-Gon: [dying] It's too late, it's...
 * Obi-Wan: No!
 * Qui-Gon: Obi-Wan, promise... Promise me you will train the boy.
 * Obi-Wan: Yes, master.
 * Qui-Gon: He... is the Chosen One. He... will bring balance. Train him.


 * Yoda: Confer on you the level of Jedi Knight, the Council does. But agree with your taking this boy as your Padawan learner, I do not!
 * Obi-Wan: Qui-Gon believed in him.
 * Yoda: The Chosen One, the boy may be. Nevertheless, grave danger, I fear in his training.
 * Obi-Wan: Master Yoda, I gave Qui-Gon my word. I will train Anakin... without the approval of the Council, if I must.
 * Yoda: Qui-Gon's defiance, I sense in you. Need that, you do not. Agree with you, the Council does. Your apprentice, Skywalker will be.


 * [After Darth Maul's defeat]
 * Mace: There's no doubt the mysterious warrior was a Sith.
 * Yoda: Always two, there are. No more, no less. A master and an apprentice.
 * Windu: But which one was destroyed: the master or the apprentice?

About Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

 * Harrison Ford wears the same outfit for three flicks, and I was complaining that I wear, like, six outfits. And my mother – Natalie Portman – she wears three million. She walks through a doorway and there's another outfit. It's like the Liberace of sci-fi changing of clothes.
 * Carrie Fisher, commentary to Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Special Edition (DVD, 20th Century Fox, 2004).
 * Star Wars fame turned my life into a living hell
 * When you have something like that there's a lot of expectations for it to meet the standards of the public and I don't think George did that.
 * For me to go back and watch it now would be kind of creepy.
 * Jake Lloyd "'Star Wars fame turned my life into a living hell': Former child star Jake 'Anakin Skywalker' Lloyd on why he quit acting" J.J. Anisiobi, DailyMail.com, 5 March 2012.
 * Jar Jar is the key to all of this.
 * George Lucas as quoted in "Red Letter Media Star Wars Episode - The Phantom Menace Review", Red Letter Media.
 * Again it's like poetry, it's sort of. They rhyme, every stanza kind of rhymes with the last one. Hopefully it'll work.
 * George Lucas again as quoted in "Red Letter Media Star Wars Episode - The Phantom Menace Review", Red Letter Media.
 * Caserta was one of the most beautiful palaces on the planet and once we saw this there was no question that we wanted to shoot here.
 * George Lucas Anticipation: The Real Life Story of Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace by Jonathan Bowen p. 8
 * Someone of that stature would automatically be changing their costumes to fit the occasion.
 * George Lucas, Costume Featurette, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Special Features, (DVD, 20th Century Fox, 1999), disc 2.
 * You can't just go and do a location shoot of Coruscant; there's nothing like it that people have ever seen.
 * Rick McCallum Anticipation: The Real Life Story of Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace by Jonathan Bowen p. 7
 * I watched it once, at the premiere, so I'm not in a good position to judge. They had a tall order, the three films I did. The fans waited so long and wanted to feel like they did when they watched the first film, but they were grown-ups by that time. I don't mind the criticism. I've heard it to my face.
 * Ewan McGregor "What Ewan McGregor Thinks Of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace In Retrospect", Eric Eisenberg, Cinemablend.com, 2015.
 * One of the things about Episode One I was slightly disappointed by was, I thought it was very kind of flat. I think there's much more humour and there's much more colour in Episode II: Attack of the Clones. I think it's more reminiscent of the original three Star Wars films than Episode I was.
 * Ewan McGregor, "Ewan 'disappointed' by Phantom Menace", BBC News, 7 April 2002.
 * Rastafarian Stepin Fetchit on platform hoofs, crossed annoyingly with Butterfly McQueen.
 * Joe Morgenstern (May 19, 1999), "Our Inner Child Meets Young Darth", The Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), pp. A20.
 * A huge exercise in imagination. A kid playing in a cardboard box he pretends is a house, or a spaceship.
 * Natalie Portman "'Black Swan' Oscar nominee Natalie Portman talks 'Star Wars'", Duane Dudek, Milwauke Journal Sentinel, Feb. 21, 2011.
 * It was wonderful playing a young queen with so much power. I think it will be good for young women to see a strong woman of action who is also smart and a leader.
 * Natalie Portman, quoted in "Production Notes".
 * I was very disappointed when the film actually came out, because I didn't think it was very good! But it was certainly an extremely exciting thing to be a part of.
 * It was a real shame, because I think the first Star Wars film is my favourite film ever. That would be my desert island film. For me it's got everything. There's not a beat wrong in that film.
 * It's a testament to the resilience of the Star Wars universe itself, that even with all the tweaks and whatever that George Lucas has done to the original film, and all the inferior prequels, that the universe still manages to be so exciting and cool and endures.
 * Peter Serafinowicz "'Star Wars: Episode I' wasn't very good, says Peter Serafinowicz", Mayer Nissim, Digital Spy, 22 October 2011.


 * I didn't feel like he was a director of actors; he was more interested in stuff and effects. He didn't interest me and I wouldn't think I interested him.
 * I did meet her and she was absolutely enchanting. But on the day I'm supposed to do my scene with her, for which I'd traveled halfway around the world, I said, 'Where's Natalie?' And George says, 'That's Natalie,' and points to a bit of paper on the wall. It was just boring.
 * Terence Stamp "Terence Stamp Reflects On The Misery Of Shooting Star Wars The Phantom Menace", Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend, 2013.

Taglines

 * Every generation has a legend. Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning.
 * One Truth, One Hate

Cast

 * Liam Neeson — Qui-Gon Jinn
 * Ewan McGregor — Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * Natalie Portman — Queen Padmé Amidala
 * Jake Lloyd — Anakin Skywalker
 * Silas Carson — Nute Gunray, Ki-Adi Mundi
 * Ian McDiarmid — Senator Palpatine/Darth Sidious
 * Ray Park — Darth Maul
 * Kenny Baker — R2-D2
 * Keira Knightley - Sabé, Padmé's decoy

Voices

 * Frank Oz — Master Yoda
 * Ahmed Best — Jar Jar Binks
 * Anthony Daniels — C-3PO
 * Andy Secombe — Watto
 * Lewis Macleod — Sebulba
 * Brian Blessed — Boss Nass
 * Peter Serafinowicz — Darth Maul
 * Greg Proops/Scott Capurro — Fode and Beed