Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace — a 1999 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first film of the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the fourth chronologically in the franchise.

Plot

The Trade Federation, unwilling to pay taxes, enters into a direct conflict with Queen Amidala, who rules the planet Naboo, leading to war. On the side of the Queen and the Republic are two Jedi Knights: master and apprentice, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). During their mission, they meet a young slave, Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), who has an exceptionally high midi-chlorian count and, as Qui-Gon believes, may be the Chosen One who will bring balance to the Force. The film ends with an epic battle, where Qui-Gon dies at the hands of Darth Maul, and Anakin accidentally destroys the Federation ship, helping to secure victory.

Cast

• Liam Neeson — Qui-Gon Jinn
• Ewan McGregor — Obi-Wan Kenobi
• Natalie Portman — Queen Padmé Amidala
• Jake Lloyd — Anakin Skywalker
• Ian McDiarmid — Senator Palpatine / Darth Sidious
• Pernilla August — Shmi Skywalker
• Oliver Ford Davies — Sio Bibble
• Hugh Quarshie — Captain Panaka
• Ahmed Best — Jar Jar Binks
• Anthony Daniels — C-3PO
• Kenny Baker — R2-D2
• Frank Oz — Yoda (voice)
• Terence Stamp — Supreme Chancellor Valorum
• Brian Blessed — Boss Nass
• Ray Park — Darth Maul

Crew

• Director, Writer — George Lucas
• Producer — Rick McCallum
• Composer — John Williams
• Cinematographer — David Tattersall
• Editing — Paul Martin Smith, Ben Burtt
• Studio — Lucasfilm Ltd.
• Distributor — 20th Century Fox (theatrical), Disney+ (streaming)

Star Wars franchise chronology (chronological order of events)

• Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) — beginning of the prequels, introduction to Anakin.
• Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) — start of the Clone Wars.
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020, animated series) — events between Episode II and III.
• Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) — Anakin's fall and the rise of Darth Vader.
• Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) — original trilogy, beginning.
• Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
• Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983).
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) — sequel trilogy continuation.
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

Where to watch

• Disney+ — Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
• Netflix — Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (availability may vary by region)
• UAKino — Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace (search)

> Note: The film is not a Russian production. It was created by the American studio Lucasfilm. All links are provided according to official sources.