What’s your favorite Star Wars movie? Return of the Jedi? The Phantom Menace? Whichever you prefer, we can all agree that Star Wars movies have provided a fully-immersive experience with both audio and visual elements, allowing viewers an escape from reality (kind of sounds like an escape room, right?). But did you know that George Lucas drew inspiration from many real life events when writing each movie? In celebration of Star Wars Week, we’re excited to announce that from May 4 – 10, we are offering 20% off full-length episodes! And to add a bit more fun, if you come to play dressed in a costume from one of the movies, you’ll get an extra 9% off (a nod to the 9 Star Wars films!). Now, let’s dig into a few ways a movie that revolutionized filmmaking has mimicked history.
Religious Beliefs
In The Phantom Menace, which is the story of how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, there is a scene when a slave child is found to have an aura about him. This is similar to how Buddhists seek out the next Dalai Lama. Through a combination of spiritual signs, oracles, and tests of a child believed to be a reincarnation of past Dailai Lamas. In an interview with Bill Moyers, a former journalist and White House Press Secretary, Lucas discussed what inspired the movie’s story. “[It’s] a mixture of all kinds of mythology and religious beliefs that have been [blended] into the movie,” Lucas said. “And I’ve tried to take the ideas that seem to cut across the most cultures, because I’m fascinated by that.”
Vietnam War
George Lucas has often shared his love of history. In an audio commentary on the 2004 re-release of Return of the Jedi, Lucas said the Viet Cong served as his inspiration for the furry forest-dwelling Ewoks. In the book Star Wars and History, William J. Astore wrote that both the Viet Cong and Ewoks were protected by their “superior knowledge of the local terrain and an ability to blend into that terrain.”
Nights Templar
The elite Jedi who guard peace and justice in the Galactic Republic are very similar to the Japanese samurai and Shaolin monks. They also echo the medieval military order known as the Knights Templar. Terrance MacMullan, another co-author of Star Wars and History, wrote that Templars “were esteemed above other knights for their minimalism, devotion and moral purity. Like the Jedi, the Templars practiced individual poverty within a military-monastic order that commanded great material resources.” Additionally, both the Jedi and the Templars were a council of 12 elders and headed by a grand master . Jedi clothing even resembled the hooded white robes worn by the Christian warrior-monks who took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
It’s pretty cool how real life events have inspired some of the most visually recognized elements of Star Wars movies. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Lucas said, “I love history, so while the psychological basis of Star Wars is mythological, the political and social bases are historical.” Hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about the saga-spanning stories that are loved by fans of all ages. Though light sabers aren’t included in your next escape adventure, we look forward to seeing you this week, especially if you have Star Wars costumes!
See you soon!
