Leia was female but also a rich/privileged aristocratic snob and the whole Rebellion was, in the first two films, also pretty monochromatic and nearly as if not totally as speciesist as the Empire; it was, at least or especially by the third film, more tolerant and diverse but it generally seems more like two pretty-similar factions fighting for control.
Disney Scraps Plans For Further Star Wars Storys
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Leia was female but also a rich/privileged aristocratic snob and the whole Rebellion was, in the first two films, also pretty monochromatic and nearly as if not totally as speciesist as the Empire; it was, at least or especially by the third film, more tolerant and diverse but it generally seems more like two pretty-similar factions fighting for control.
The rank and file sure, largely I imagine down to practical considerations when casting the extras. I met Ken Colley once at Comic con who told me he'd actually played four parts in ESB other than Admiral Piett because of the demand for bodies.
Nonetheless the real face of the Rebel Alliance was the "Scooby Gang", variously consisting of Luke, Leiea, Han, Obi Wan, Chewie, Lando Calrissian, Yoda, C3P0 and R2D2.
That's one female, one black guy and four non humans, fighting for a cause which would protect the hugely diverse galaxy we saw represented in scenes like the Tatooine bar against an enemy who were exclusively white males wearing Nazi inspired uniforms. Yes, ideally they'd have gone further but the point still stands, one side is notably more diverse than the other and is fighting to protect a much more diverse civilian population from all white male tyranny.
But the first film also suggested that most of the people in Tatooine, including or especially the aliens in the bar, didn't care about the Empire being around or not, shared Luke's initial belief that it was really far away from them. Although it did also show that that kind of thinking was wrong, that the Empire was expanding and capable of being destructive anywhere and everywhere.
I think it has to be born in mind how remote Tatooine was, how much of a backwater off the beaten track. That's why Luke was hidden there in the first place, why so many aliens (specifically those with criminal leanings) chose to be there in the first place. They didn't much care about the Empire because they imagined the Empire didn't much care about them, at least not whilst they were out of the way on the fringes of known space.
Frankly they were right for the most part, Vader and his Storm Troopers only really showed up looking for one thing, R2D2, else they seem to have been left alone there for the most part. That they had to be on the fringes of civilisation to be afforded the rather dubious luxury of a scavenger or privateer criminal existence without oppression is telling, they were away from the eyes of the Empire which would otherwise have oppressed them at every turn.
Yup.
The Empire had a presence on Tatooine before R2 and 3PO ended up there and came into contact with Luke; it was just minimal because the planet was controlled by the Hutts.
Of course but, as you say, minimal. They were doing little more than a token presence, half heartedly flying the flag. Had R2 not become such hot property that situation would likely have remained the status quo for some time.
Probably, I got the impression that the only reason he was going there was because it was the best place to improve his flying.
I think Luke wanted to go to the Imperial Academy for a few reasons:
1. Biggs (and presumably Tank) went. Although it was presented more clearly in the book adaptation, Biggs was very much a 'big brother' figure to Luke.
2. It was his ticket to a better life- off Tatooine. Luke wasn't a farmer at heart; he craved adventure.
3. He was already 'quite a good pilot' and wanted to exploit that talent.
In the book/deleted scenes, he expresses surprise when Biggs mentions that he is planning to jump ship and join the Alliance. While he might 'hate the Empire,' I don't think Luke knew enough about the rebellion before he got caught up in it to seriously contemplate defecting on his own, although he may very well have come to it later, especially if it meant following in Biggs' footsteps yet again.
I think at the root of his character, Luke was the typical bored teenager with farmboy/ small town syndrome- he's bored and wants to get out, any way he can. In his own mind and because his friends made it work, he saw the academy as the way to make that happen.
1. Biggs (and presumably Tank) went. Although it was presented more clearly in the book adaptation, Biggs was very much a 'big brother' figure to Luke.
2. It was his ticket to a better life- off Tatooine. Luke wasn't a farmer at heart; he craved adventure.
3. He was already 'quite a good pilot' and wanted to exploit that talent.
In the book/deleted scenes, he expresses surprise when Biggs mentions that he is planning to jump ship and join the Alliance. While he might 'hate the Empire,' I don't think Luke knew enough about the rebellion before he got caught up in it to seriously contemplate defecting on his own, although he may very well have come to it later, especially if it meant following in Biggs' footsteps yet again.
I think at the root of his character, Luke was the typical bored teenager with farmboy/ small town syndrome- he's bored and wants to get out, any way he can. In his own mind and because his friends made it work, he saw the academy as the way to make that happen.
Yeah. And of those #2 is the one most directly supported by the film.
For someone watching SW for the first time, the appearance of Biggs right before the Death Star battle is probably something of a WTF moment, even though Luke mentions him in passing back on Tatooine. While cutting the Luke/Biggs scene at Toshi Station may have helped the movie's pacing, it did contribute to some later confusion. SW is already very slow from the time the droids take the escape pod until the Falcon 'blasts its way out of Mos Eisley.' Most of what happens is essential to the story, but it does make the middle part of the movie drag.
That's probably fair, but one of the few SE changes I actually appreciate is the addition of that Biggs scene. It does help a little bit, because otherwise you've got Biggs in the battle and Luke's reference to "Beggar's Canyon back home" when speaking to Biggs. You know there's a passing familiarity to the guy. If you're paying attention, you can figure out that the Biggs of "Biggs and Tank" are probably one in the same and its a nice bit of color added to the scene. Plus it helps with the whole going from Luke being super mournful when talking to Leia then giddy when he tells the X-Wing mechanic he doesn't want another R2 unit.
However, there's a missing bit that talks about Red Leader knowing Luke's father. Based on what they did in the prequels, there's no real reason that bit couldn't have happened. It seems a little strange to cut it. And then there's the awkward cut with R2 being raised up to the fighter and is suddenly significantly higher. Oh well!
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This is historical revisionism. The original Star Wars did not have such an overt ideological axe to grind. The film was shot mostly in the UK and is stocked with white actors on both sides, although some of them had their lines dubbed to get rid of their accents (like Aunt Beru). The inclusion of Lando in Empire was sort of an obligatory attempt on Lucas' part to make things more diverse. I'll shy away from the word "token" but it feels that way considering how much Lando is sort of a black Han with the serial numbers filed off, especially in ROTJ when he flies the falcon.
I just think people are trying to see things in the OT that were never intentional in the first place. Star Wars OT is diverse not for the sake of promoting diversity ala the IDIC but because it looks cooler to have a cantina full of different creatures and each one can have their own toy. It assists in suspension of disbelief/worldbuilding and gives the production more of a high-budget look.
Is it?
Why then do the Empire not include a single alien or female whilst wearing notably nazi esque uniforms or armour reminiscent of the teutonic knights so idolised by many of the nazis?
Oh and EDIT because I'm a bit bemused...what does filming in the uk have to do with it?
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Yes, it was only inspired by Vietnam and framing America as the "evil empire" against a heroic band of freedom fighters. No ideological ax to grind at all.
Lucas worked with what he had, including borrowing many props from production houses that were already in existence. Remember that Star Wars was considered a "stupid kids film" by both British and American studios so it wasn't like Lucas was swimming in resources.
Yes, it was only inspired by Vietnam and framing America as the "evil empire" against a heroic band of freedom fighters. No ideological ax to grind at all.
Lucas worked with what he had, including borrowing many props for production houses that were already in existence. Remember that Star Wars was considered a "stupid kids film" by both British and American studios so it wasn't like Lucas was swimming in resources.
Yup, it was massively underfunded considering his ambition and that shows, but I'm still really confused by the UK/racial diversity thing. Any ideas?
Apparently there is no racism in the UK? That's the only thing I can guess
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