Product Description

The Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Movie Storybook is the definitive souvenir book of the movie Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. Packed with over 140 big, full-color photographs from the movie, The Phantom Menace Movie Storybook retells the Episode I adventure from beginning to end with easy-to-read text based on the screenplay by George Lucas. Freezing the most thrilling and poignant frames of the movie, this book is the perfect collector's item for young (as well as older!) Star Wars fans. Every saga has a beginning, and The Phantom Menace Movie Storybook will let you relive that beginning over and over again!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #899957 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-25
• Released on: 1999-05-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

Amazon.com Review
While the serious Star Wars buff should settle for nothing less than the comprehensive Phantom Menace Illustrated Screenplay, this PM storybook packs a lot of punch in its 64 pages, with well-chosen screen shots and an abbreviated, novelized script. This young-adult adaptation hits all the major plot points, from the Trade Federation's ambush of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon through to Anakin's wild starfighter ride and the triumphant victory parade on Naboo. Crystal clear stills from the movie stop the action, zooming you in for a closer look. Finally, you get to check out every member of the Jedi Council, study a Podracer as it's blown to bits, and decide at long last just who's uglier, Watto or Darth Maul. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

From the Inside Flap
The Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Movie Storybook is the definitive souvenir book of the movie Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. Packed with over 140 big, full-color photographs from the movie, The Phantom Menace Movie Storybook retells the Episode I adventure from beginning to end with easy-to-read text based on the screenplay by George Lucas. Freezing the most thrilling and poignant frames of the movie, this book is the perfect collector's item for young (as well as older!) Star Wars fans. Every saga has a beginning, and The Phantom Menace Movie Storybook will let you relive that beginning over and over again!

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Obi-Wan Kenobi said to his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn.

The two Jedi Knights waited inside the massive battleship that served as the headquarters for the Trade Federation fleet. Their own vessel was docked in the battleship's vast hangar, and they had been escorted to this conference room by a shiny Federation protocol droid.

Obi-Wan had sensed trouble from the moment they arrived.

"Don't center on your anxiety," Qui-Gon instructed his apprentice. "Be mindful of the living Force. These Trade Federation types are cowards. The negotiations will be short."

In another part of the battleship, the protocol droid was reporting to its masters.

"The ambassadors are Jedi Knights, I believe," the droid announced to the Trade Federation viceroy, Nute Gunray, and his lieutenant Rune Haako, the two Neimoidians in command of the Naboo blockade.

The viceroy glanced at his lieutenant in fear and alarm. Jedi Knights were powerful and wise, and could easily ruin their carefully planned blockade.

Unsure of their next move, the two Neimoidians decided to contact their master, a Sith Lord named Darth Sidious. Within moments, a menacing hologram appeared before them.

"This turn of events is unfortunate," said the flickering image of the evil Sith. "We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops."

"And...the Jedi?" Nute asked.

"The Chancellor should never have brought them into this," Darth Sidious said icily. "Kill them immediately."

In the battleship hangar, the Trade Federation cannons aimed at the Jedi's starship.

In the conference room, the two Jedi Knights heard a giant explosion, then a low hissing sound.

"Gas!" Qui-Gon cried, jumping to his feet.

Holding their breath, the Jedi drew their lightsabers. A moment later, the conference room door opened, and deadly green fog billowed around them as they stepped into the hallway. Battle droids, firing blasters, blocked their way. The Jedi were under attack!

With lightsabers flashing, the Jedi held their own against the battle droids. But dead ahead, ten large destroyer droids rolled forward -- then transformed into battle position.

"Master!" Obi-Wan warned Qui-Gon. "Destroyers!"

Swiftly, the Jedi escaped the deadly droid attack. But when they finally reached the main hangar, they found that their ship had been destroyed. They were trapped!

From a hidden perch, the Jedi watched the activity in the hangar. Thousands of battle droids were being loaded onto a giant landing craft.

"It's an invasion army," Obi-Wan whispered.

Qui-Gon knew they would have to find a way off this battleship. "We've got to warn the Queen of Naboo that her planet is about to be attacked. And we must contact Chancellor Valorum."

"You were right about one thing, Master," Obi-Wan said. "The negotiations were short."

Customer Reviews

very cool for the more hardcore fans.........
First off, I thought the flick was pretty good, though a little too slow in the middle. It needed more action, more depth, less clumsy dialogue, and less kiddie stuff. We all know that now. Okay. With that in mind, the screenplay is great in some parts, and groan out loud bad in others. If you're one of the more forgiving (and less bandwagon-jumping obsessed) hardcore fans, it's a treasure. Even with all it's faults, it's cool to sit down and read how the pieces begin to fall into place. Also, this is an uncut script, so a lot of the deleted stuff you see on the DVD is in here, as is some cut dialogue. Again, I wouldn't advise this for the passive Star Wars fan, but it is a must-have for the REAL (being a relative term, of course) Star Wars fan.

A best bet
If you are willing to buy the TPM screenplay(you can get it for free on the Internet), this is your best bet. It has a selection of the orginal storyboards, cut scenes(this is the uncut screenplay), a introduction by producer Rick Mccalum, and the underwater and battle storyboards in order, kinda like a movie effect. If you like Star Wars, buy this!

Better than the Movie.
This book is by far better than the movie. Why? Because lines in the script that were cut in the final product actually fill in the blanks and add more substance to the plot movement. The scene where Amidala appeals to the senate is just one example. There were a lot of little lines that were cut out here but, I feel, important lines. Another facet of this book is when you read it you really feel Anakin should have been at least 14 rather than nine years old and Amidala 16 rather than 14(You'll undertand why when you read the book but the "Angel" dialogue at Watto's was cut so you don't experience it in the movie). It also explains why Anakin was able to enter the Droid Control Ship when everyone else couldn't! The only downside is there isn't any color photos or reasons for the cuts made (Like in JC's Titanic Illustrated Screenplay). A Must Read for ALL Star Wars fans.