National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was released by 20th Century Fox in May 1999, marking George Lucas's return to the director's chair after more than two decades. The film reopened the Star Wars saga as a prequel, drawing enormous global attention and becoming one of the defining theatrical events of its era. Shot on 35mm before Lucas transitioned to digital acquisition, the original camera negative represents a particular moment in the franchise's production history.

This cell, titled Obi-Wan Kenobi Duels Darth Maul, captures three frames from the climactic lightsaber confrontation set within the Theed Generator Complex. Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ray Park as Darth Maul are visible across all three frames, with the blue and red lightsabers cutting against the industrial cylindrical architecture of the set. The progression across frames subtly shifts emphasis toward Darth Maul's red blade.