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Jedi Archives In Dublin Library?
bill_gates_jnr writes "When Attack of the clones came out many Dubliners thought that the Jedi Archives looked similar to a landmark in Dublin, the Long Room in Trinity College Dublin. The library administrator of TCD, Robin Adams has story written a letter to Lucasfilms suggesting the company should acknowledge a debt to the original architect Thomas Burgh. " I was in the Long Room a few years ago - it's a gorgeous room. But while we're acknowledge debts, perhaps Lucas can also acknowledge a more significant debt.
A few more photos that aren't slashdotted. [yet]
Talk about the quitessential library. I bet it's the most photographed library in Ireland.
it's not going to stop until you wise up, no it's not going to stop. so just give up.
From March 13, 2002. Has some (currently) not /.ed pics too.
Another story (three or four links deep from the above links) here, and the Google cache here.
Do not read this sig.
I posted the following in a recent comment about this: "Actually, Frank Herbert himself was the one that originally complained about Lucas ripping off the story. I've read in various places that he considered a lawsuit. He wrote several pages in a short essay within Eye about this topic where he points out that there are statistically too many similarities for this to be mere coincidence."
The similarities between Dune and Star Wars are incredible, here are just a few:
1.) In Dune, the hero is names after a biblical person, Paul, while in Star Wars the hero is named after a biblical person too (Luke). Both of which rise from the the desert to topple the evil empire.
2.) In Dune, the chief enemy of the hero turnes out to be the heros grandfather. In SW, the chief enemy of the hero turns out to be the hero's father. (And if you take it even farther, the emperor in Dune is also related to Paul, as Duke Leto and the emperor were cousins).
3.) In Dune, there is a monolopy on space transit and shipping by the Spacing Guild. In SW (EP1-2) there is a monolopy on space transit and shipping by the Trade Federation.
4.) In Dune, you have a warrior group who have supernatural-esque powers (The Bene Gesserit). In SW you have a warrior group who have supernatural powers (The Jedi).
5.) In Dune, the Bene Gesserit have mind control abilities (The Voice). In SW the Jedi have mind control powers (The Jedi Mind trick). Both of which can be negated by a strong mind.
6.) In Dune, the galaxy is made up of an Empire with a demotractic power base (The Lansraad (Spelling?)). In SW you have an Empire with a democratic power base (The Senate).
7.) In Dune, you have both energy weapon based warfare, and melee (swords and knives) combat. Most combat takes place with energy or projectile weaponry, but key battles are fought melee. In SW, you have both energy based combat, and melee combat (swords). Most combat takes place with energy weapons, while key battles are fought melee.
I could go on but it would probably be wasted. There are other fun facts though, like early drafts of the SW script referring to the most precious commodity in the Empire being, *gasp* spice, and the Jedi fighting technigue being known as the Jedi Bendu (while the Bene Gesserit technique is called the Prana Bindu).
To give proper credit some of the above material is from: http://www.jitterbug.com/origins/dune.html
quoting from the "begind the scenes" section of the star wars databank on the jedi archives:
The stately architecture and vaulted ceilings of the Jedi Archives Room were inspired by a variety of real-world libraries, including the Vatican and those found in old English estates. A bare minimum of the set was constructed -- only Kenobi's immediate work area and several busts were constructed. The majority of the scenery -- the rows and rows of holobooks and high ceilings -- were realized as miniatures.
so if any inspiration came from dublin, it wasn't in full...
Anyways, in one scene (on Naboo?), there is a building that is very clearly inspired from the Plaza de Espana, in Sevilla, Spain.
It would be nice to include credit for the inspirations, if only to acknowledge that human creativity can positively benefit from past creations. Although it is definately not a legal requirement.
Quick Victoria Building in Sydney.
The Cleveland Arcade
Etc. I'm sure there are many more, but this is not in any way a unique architectural style that was used.
What?
If you hated the love scenes as much as I did, go check out the IMAX version of AOTC. This isn't just a 35mm print on an IMAX screen, they've digitally whizz-banged it up to cover all 7(8) stories!
Cut were several love scenes, most of Jar-Jar's dialog, and Jimmy Smits' entire role, save for a cameo at the very end of the movie. It's almost like Lucas did a Phantom Edit all by his lonesome, although we really know it was to fit into IMAX's scheduling.
Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.