IMDb > Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) More at IMDbPro »

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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) -- Open-ended Trailer from Lucasfilm
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   184,675 votes
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Down 28% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
George Lucas (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
19 May 1999 (USA) more
Tagline:
Every generation has a legend. Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning. more
Plot:
The evil Trade Federation, led by Nute Gunray is planning to take over the peaceful world of Naboo.... more | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 49 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(360 articles)
Lucas Discusses Star Wars on Daily Show
 (From newsinfilm. 7 January 2010, 10:38 AM, PST)

George Lucas Enjoys Doing "Goofy and Fun" Television
 (From ReelzChannel. 7 January 2010, 2:30 AM, PST)

User Reviews:
Generally Enjoyable, Highlighted By Pod Race; A Tip - Use Subtitles more (3314 total)


Additional Details

Also Known As:
Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace (USA) (video box title)
Star Wars: Episode I (USA) (working title)
Star Wars: Episode I - The Beginning (USA) (working title)
The Phantom Menace (USA) (short title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG for sci-fi action/violence.
Runtime:
133 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Jabba the Hutt's full name is Jabba Desilijic Tiure. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Same point-of-view footage of the crowd is used twice during the pod race - watch the characters on the steps make the exact same moves each time. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Qui-Gon Jinn: Captain.
Radiant VII captain: Yes, sir?
Qui-Gon Jinn: Tell them we wish to board at once.
Radiant VII captain: [to communication device] With all due respect, the ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor wish to board immediately.
Nute Gunray: [on view screen] Yes, of course. As you know, our blockade is perfectly legal and we'd be happy to receive the ambassadors.
more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

Does Anakin have a father?
What are the differences between the theatrical version and the DVD version of this movie?
Does Qui-Gon Jinn die in the end of the film?
more
20 out of 32 people found the following review useful.
Generally Enjoyable, Highlighted By Pod Race; A Tip - Use Subtitles, 4 September 2007
8/10
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

I believe George Lucas said he was inspired by the chariot race in the 1959 epic Ben-Hur, and thought of it often when he staged the big pod race scene in this movie.

So, when I watched the film again the other day, the third or fourth time I've seen it, I kept looking for comparisons. Well, suffice to say nothing will surpass that chariot race, which had no benefit of any special-effects while this was almost all computer-generated. Nevertheless, the pod race in here was a lot of fun to watch, had excellent surround sound, was exciting and the highlight of the film. Oddly, in this movie instead of a man you have a small boy as the good guy- driver, so to speak. Young Jake Lloyd who plays "Anakin Skywalker." He's the key character in this Star Wars saga, the boy who later becomes the father to Luke Skywalker and winds up being revealed as Darth Vader. But....this is long before that

This movie, the first Star Wars movie after a long hiatus (16-years) disappointed a lot of fans but I thought it was entertaining overall. My main complaint was trying to understand "Jar Jar Binks," but on the DVD I can use English subtitles and thus understand all the strange things he says with his Caribbean accent. It makes the movie more enjoyable and I strongly recommend doing that.

As usual, there is a ton of astounding visuals in here, all kinds of strange characters and excellent "effects." Yes, the action gets hokey in spots, especially near the end, but what modern-day action film doesn't?

Liam Neeson makes for a solid male hero and Natalie Portman is a appealing as Queen (Padme) Amidala. Lloyd is no Haley Joel Osment, but what can you do? At least his character wasn't some brat, and he's tolerable. He has acted in much since then, although I saw him in a nice movie called "Madison," with Jim Caviezel.

People who are really "into" this Star Wars saga, and take it seriously, were, as mentioned generally let down with this movie. I guess they expected a lot more after waiting so long for the next installment. I just watch it for the enjoyment of an escapist film and as someone who usually enjoys good visuals. I repeat: put on the "English subtitles." That helped a lot, believe me.

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planet core Fred_82
my opinion spitfireXXT911
Why didn't Qui-Gon wait for Obi-wan in the end ? Tapasya
Hilarious review (Dec 09) forager-1
Natalie Portman - Please Answer This! neckbonej
IMO: the weakest Star Wars, the only redeeming factor is Jar Jar Binks. Antioch_Peverell
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