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The Empire Strikes Back Vader Costume For Sale

Posted by samzenpus on from the best-costume-ever dept.

Now is your chance to own an original Darth Vader costume from the best of the Star Wars movies. Christie's auction house plans on putting it up for sale on Nov. 25 and it would be unwise to underestimate the value of this costume. From the article: "The jet-black helmet, mask and armor worn by the intergalactic villain are expected to sell for between 160,000 pounds and 230,000 pounds ($250,000 and $365,000) at a sale of pop culture memorabilia next month."

136 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. Forget it by elrous0 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I could buy David Prowse for a lot less than that.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:Forget it by cayenne8 · · Score: 1
      Seriously....The Empire Strikes Back was the "best" of the movie series??

      I dunno, I remember being excited to see the sequel to Star Wars in the theater...and frankly, was disappointed in how it ended...just kinda stopped.

      I wasn't expecting a middle chapter of a movie, it ended on a sour note, unlike the first one, etc.

      I enjoyed it for it being a Star Wars movie, and I will admit I've warmed up to it more over the years, but my first impressions as a teen watching it back in the day, after waiting for it for so long..I was disappointed and I admit, that still effects my opinion of it to this day.

      I much preferred the last one, Return of the Jedi to the Empire Strikes back.

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    2. Re:Forget it by rthille · · Score: 3, Funny

      You preferred Ewoks? Are you fucking kidding me?

      --
      Awesome furniture, accessories and cabinetry in Santa Rosa, CA: http://humanity-home.com/
    3. Re:Forget it by Gizzmonic · · Score: 1

      I'll never understand why people shit on Return of the Jedi. Didn't you enjoy seeing Luke reach his full potential, and Darth Vader recover his good side? Also, compared to the prequels, Return of the Jedi is a masterpiece.

      --
      (-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)
    4. Re:Forget it by Stupid+McStupidson · · Score: 1

      The Battle for Endor is a masterpiece compared to the prequels.

    5. Re:Forget it by cayenne8 · · Score: 1
      "You preferred Ewoks? Are you fucking kidding me?"

      As a kid, I really didn't notice them being terribly bad. Not my favorite characters, but certainly better that fucking Jar-Jar.

      But over all, yes, I liked the movie better. It had a beginning, middle and exciting end with the heroes winning, like in the first one (at the time only 3).

      Empire Strike Bad...didn't feel like a real movie, it was mostly just filler to link the first and last one. It was dark, and didn't have resolution at the end.

      It certainly wasn't what I was expecting as a kid who had eagerly waited for the second Star Wars movie, after seeing the first one like 6-8 times on first release.

      That impression of it from then...still colors my impression of it now like I'd mentioned in the OP.

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    6. Re:Forget it by gknoy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      At the time (when I was a kid), I hated ESB. No happy ending, Luke gets his hand cut off, Han gets his ass kicked, and Luke's Jedi training seemed ... meh.

      Watching it later, I like it much more. It sets up the big surprises in the movie (holy shit, he's his dad!? Vader wants to overthrow the emperor?), shows Luke growing from Hot Shot Pilot Kid into a more experienced veteran, and shows much more of the romance between Han and Leia. (In ANH, you could kindof go either way if you were trying to imagine Leia ending up with one of them.) The story has much more depth, in many ways. It has betrayals, "I had no choice" moments, and so on, which ANH and RotJ didn't have.

      Return of the Jedi had some more depth, in some ways, than ANH, but seemed notable (to me) more for the fact that it wrapped things up, gave the happy ending, and had the good guys kicking ass all over town. I'm not saying I LOVE Empire Strikes Back, but I have a lot more respect for it now than I did when I was a kid. I'd probably enjoy watching it more than ANH, in many ways, but that may be because I've seen them all so many times that it all runs together. ("Wait, they're on the Death Star already? Did I fall asleep or something?")

    7. Re:Forget it by norminator · · Score: 3, Funny

      The Star Wars Christmas Special is a masterpiece compared to Caravan of Courage.

      Wait, no that's not right.

    8. Re:Forget it by BoberFett · · Score: 1

      I actually bought the DVD with both of those movies on it. I must have been drunk.

    9. Re:Forget it by binary+paladin · · Score: 1

      They liked it when it came out... but with age smugness set in and it became cool to hate the things they used to love.

      (I saw RotJ 7 days in a row when it was in the theaters originally. It was my favorite. It is my favorite. Mind you, I was 3 when it came out in '83 but still, I love it to this day.)

    10. Re:Forget it by Rotting · · Score: 1

      I much preferred the last one, Return of the Jedi to the Empire Strikes back.

      How is this not modded up Funny?

    11. Re:Forget it by elrous0 · · Score: 1

      I can still remember sitting in a theater in 1983 and hearing the sold-out audience in a huge (by today's standards) theater go absolutely batshit when Vader threw the Emperor down that shaft. We cheered so loudly that they heard it way out in the mall next to the theater. These days, with big movies playing on so many screens in relatively small theaters, you just don't see huge crowds like that much anymore (and this wasn't even some midnight showing, mind you, this was a daytime show). I think even if the prequels had been better, they still wouldn't have been able to match that. These days it's hard to get the same kind of experience--with tiny theaters, dozens of multiple screens, and home video.

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    12. Re:Forget it by Gizzmonic · · Score: 1

      I'm the same age as you and watching in the theater is one of my earliest memories. Lining up out to the street, getting a free Star Wars Marvel Comic, drinking a giant Dr Pepper etc. But people who take Star Wars too seriously discount it because it has too many puppets. I guess only the wrinkly green puppets are worth their consideration.

      --
      (-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)
  2. Question: by Pojut · · Score: 3, Funny

    Does it come with the ability to use the Force? No? Then no deal.

    --
    Living With a Nerd
    1. Re:Question: by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Funny

      It does come with the unlimited right to say "Luke, I am your father", which would normally get you kicked in the balls if said more than twice a year.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    2. Re:Question: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      "No, I am your father."

    3. Re:Question: by Mongoose+Disciple · · Score: 5, Funny

      It does come with the unlimited right to say "Luke, I am your father", which would normally get you kicked in the balls if said more than twice a year.

      Eventually, your friends would alter that deal. Pray they don't alter it any further.

    4. Re:Question: by Tyler+Durden · · Score: 1

      I find your lack of faith... disturbing.

      --
      Happy people make bad consumers.
    5. Re:Question: by Isaac-Lew · · Score: 1

      What if your son (or daughter) really is named Luke?

    6. Re:Question: by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 2, Funny

      You know... If you sound just a LITTLE disinterested, you might be able to get them to throw in a lightsaber. But a No-deal off the bat... They'll go to the next customer.

    7. Re:Question: by by+(1706743) · · Score: 2, Funny

      Does it come with the ability to use the Force? No? Then no deal.

      Well, that depends on the number of midi-chlorians in your bloodstre...no wait, wrong movie -- that wasn't from Star Wars...

    8. Re:Question: by RevWaldo · · Score: 1

      "No, I am your father."

      - "Luke, I am your father!"
      - No, its "No, I am your father!"
      - Geek check! (kicks the correcter in the balls) Uh-oh, twice for flinching! (kick kick!)

      .

      --
      Prisencolinensinainciusol. Ol Rait!
    9. Re:Question: by natehoy · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Then the little shit's gonna kick you in the balls anyway, so you might as well give them a reason.

      --
      "This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
    10. Re:Question: by MightyMartian · · Score: 1

      That's why you need to buy this suit. I bet no one ever kicked Darth Vader in the balls!

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    11. Re:Question: by PDX · · Score: 1

      How will they get out the liquor stains? I understand the actor was a heavy drinker. Just pass it off as Vader's unique life support fluid.
      Other jobs for Darth Vader wannabes http://www.theonion.com/articles/sevenyearold-enjoys-fun-toxicspill-evacuation,1597/

    12. Re:Question: by PitaBred · · Score: 1

      I'm just wondering why that required a wikipedia link?

      --
      My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.
    13. Re:Question: by syousef · · Score: 1

      It does come with the unlimited right to say "Luke, I am your father", which would normally get you kicked in the balls if said more than twice a year.

      Eventually, your friends would alter that deal. Pray they don't alter it any further.

      You're walking around saying shit like that? What friends!?

      --
      These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
    14. Re:Question: by ThePromenader · · Score: 1

      You couldn't kick Darth Vader in the balls anyhow, because according to the last prequel, they got burned off.

      --

      No, no sig. Really.

      ThePromenader
    15. Re:Question: by gknoy · · Score: 1

      Awesome friends. I wish all my friends were so nerdy.

    16. Re:Question: by MightyMartian · · Score: 1

      I'm sure the Emperor would have given him cybernetic testicles.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    17. Re:Question: by Sulphur · · Score: 1

      That's why you need to buy this suit. I bet no one ever kicked Darth Vader in the balls!

      If they did they would be featured on Wikileaks.

    18. Re:Question: by syousef · · Score: 1

      Awesome friends. I wish all my friends were so nerdy.

      I think you mean imaginary.

      --
      These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
  3. Sithspawn! by fahlesr1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The auction isn't in time for Halloween! What were they thinking!?!

    1. Re:Sithspawn! by scuzzlebutt · · Score: 1, Funny

      I find their lack of marketing savvy disturbing.

      --
      In C++, your friends can see your privates.
    2. Re:Sithspawn! by Frederico+Camara · · Score: 2, Interesting

      What do you mean? It's not a costume.

    3. Re:Sithspawn! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      What do you mean? It's not a costume.

      The story title: "The Empire Strikes Back Vader Costume For Sale"

      The first sentence of summary: "Now is your chance to own an original Darth Vader costume from the best of the Star Wars movies."

      I think you need to elaborate on your argument that the item is not a costume. Your brief comment may not be giving the impression you had intended.

    4. Re:Sithspawn! by blair1q · · Score: 1

      I'll alert the costume department that they let a real space suit slip through their fingers.

    5. Re:Sithspawn! by interval1066 · · Score: 1

      Mod up, dawg. Excellent point.

      --
      Python: 'And then suddenly you have a language which says "we're all stuck with whatever the whiniest coder wants".'
    6. Re:Sithspawn! by Stregano · · Score: 1

      Now what am I going to wear for Halloween?

      I wanted to just throw crap at people and keep my arm extended so I can blame it on the force. Unfortunately, last time the cops did not buy that one and I got hauled downtown to take a drug test for thinking I could use "the force"

      --
      The world is how you make it
    7. Re:Sithspawn! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      You do realize your argument depends on the accuracy of Slashdot summaries?

      How could the summary be erroneous with respect to "costume"? Whether it is something authentic from the movie props / costumes department or something made by a fan it is still a costume. For it to be "not a costume" it would have to be a uniform from a long time ago and from far far away ...

    8. Re:Sithspawn! by nabsltd · · Score: 1

      I'll alert the costume department that they let a real space suit slip through their fingers.

      Obviously, the costume department needed to loosen their grip a bit.

    9. Re:Sithspawn! by chrb · · Score: 1

      One of the definitions of "costume" is something like "The garment worn by an actor to depict a certain character in a particular period" or an "actor's stage clothing".

      I was actually a little disappointed when I saw one of the Darth Vader suits in real life. In the movies it looks awesome, but in real life you can see that it doesn't look realistic at all. The pack on the front of the belt was the most obvious flaw - it looks like a bit of cardboard painted matte black with red circles painted on it that are meant to be buttons. The other bits of "electronics" look equally as tacky unfortunately. The materials bill was probably only a few hundred dollars. Yes, I know it's what it was used for that makes it valuable, but I can't help but feel that for $300k you'd be able to build your own Darth Vader suit kitted out with loads of electronics that was actually fun to mess around with, rather than having an investment piece that you'll want to preserve rather than use.

    10. Re:Sithspawn! by RealGrouchy · · Score: 1

      They're probably thinking "we're in the UK, where people generally don't dress up in costume for Hallowe'en."

      - RG>

      --
      Hey pal, this isn't a pleasantforest, so don't waste my time with pleasantries!
    11. Re:Sithspawn! by Frederico+Camara · · Score: 1

      I was quoting The Big Bang Theory.

      I agree, at this cost you wouldn't customize this costume.

  4. I don't say this often... by damn_registrars · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ... But I'm actually a little too short for it. The actor who was in the costume was 6' 6.5", I don't quite make that height. And really, what good is a Vader costume that you can't wear?

    --
    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
    1. Re:I don't say this often... by jandrese · · Score: 4, Insightful

      My guess is that if you're spending a quarter or a half million dollars on an outfit, you're not going to wear it much period. I suspect that it is going to end up behind a glass case for the remainder of its life.

      --

      I read the internet for the articles.
    2. Re:I don't say this often... by M8e · · Score: 2, Insightful

      ... But I'm actually a little too short for it. The actor who was in the costume was 1 fathom 1 shaftment, I don't quite make that height. And really, what good is a Vader costume that you can't wear?

      Get your units right!

    3. Re:I don't say this often... by noidentity · · Score: 1

      ... But I'm actually a little too short for it. The actor who was in the costume was 6' 6.5", I don't quite make that height.

      Wow, I always thought Rick Moranis was shorter than that.

    4. Re:I don't say this often... by blair1q · · Score: 2, Informative

      You sure about that?

      If I buy it, you can better well bet that I'll try it on at least once. Not that I'll advertise that when it's my turn to auction it off...

    5. Re:I don't say this often... by demonbug · · Score: 5, Funny

      My guess is that if you're spending a quarter or a half million dollars on an outfit, you're not going to wear it much period. I suspect that it is going to end up behind a glass case for the remainder of its life.

      You are utterly, 100% wrong.

      Obviously it will be in the glass case. Why would you put it behind a glass case? That doesn't make any sense at all.

    6. Re:I don't say this often... by nine-times · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Are you also a little short for a Storm Trooper?

    7. Re:I don't say this often... by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Borrow some dragon platform boots from Gene Simmons. What could be cooler than Star Wars and KISS?

    8. Re:I don't say this often... by geekoid · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Because the first glass case is a decoy.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    9. Re:I don't say this often... by acedotcom · · Score: 1

      Glass. REALLY? Real collectors keep their valuables in Carbonite. Havent you seen Empire Strikes Back?

      --
      they say it is often more relevant then the comment above, all we know is its called the Sig!
    10. Re:I don't say this often... by nickdwaters · · Score: 1

      That's the same thing I've argued for years. You don't take a shit, you give it.

    11. Re:I don't say this often... by Arthur+Grumbine · · Score: 1

      What could be cooler than Star Wars and KISS?

      Star Trek and Insane Clown Posse? BSG and Alice Cooper? Teletubbies and GWAR? Wait - scratch the sarcasm on that last one - that would be cool.

      --
      Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure everything I just said is completely wrong.
    12. Re:I don't say this often... by syousef · · Score: 1

      ... But I'm actually a little too short for it. The actor who was in the costume was 6' 6.5", I don't quite make that height. And really, what good is a Vader costume that you can't wear?

      Apparently according to the article $250,000 and $365,000 worth of good. Sell it and you could by a home in a less expensive area, or one heck of an expensive car. Or heck, just take a year or two off work!

      --
      These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
    13. Re:I don't say this often... by syousef · · Score: 1

      My guess is that if you're spending a quarter or a half million dollars on an outfit, you're not going to wear it much period. I suspect that it is going to end up behind a glass case for the remainder of its life.

      You are utterly, 100% wrong.

      Obviously it will be in the glass case. Why would you put it behind a glass case? That doesn't make any sense at all.

      I don't know. If you're dumb enough to spend that amount of money on a costume...

      Even if I had that sort of cash spare I don't think I could bring myself to buy much in the way of Starwars since those awful prequels.

      --
      These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
    14. Re:I don't say this often... by skuzzlebutt · · Score: 1

      Not if the Pope buys it...He won't wear it, but he has a matching cloak, and his top bishops will have to take turns wearing it and pretending that he is force-choking them during meetings.

      --
      My debut novel AMITY now available: http://jeremydbrooks.c
    15. Re:I don't say this often... by Provocateur · · Score: 1

      More importantly, how scary would a short Darth Vader be?

      Here, have some candy, go scare the neighbors in the next house.

      --
      WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.
    16. Re:I don't say this often... by Ginger+Unicorn · · Score: 1

      you'll like this

      --
      (1.21 gigawatts) / (88 miles per hour) = 30 757 874 newtons
  5. Perfect Gift by gblfxt · · Score: 5, Funny

    We know what Cheney is getting for an early Christmas present.....

    1. Re:Perfect Gift by Reverberant · · Score: 2, Informative

      Why would he want it? The TESB costume was based off the ordinal Cheney has.

    2. Re:Perfect Gift by cgenman · · Score: 2, Informative

      Why would he need a costume? He can already force-choke.

      http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/12/22/alg_cheney-waves.jpg

      --
      The ______ Agenda
  6. Yes but... by assemblerex · · Score: 1

    will it blend???

  7. Thought to have been made? by BoberFett · · Score: 2, Insightful

    "Christie's said Wednesday that the costume is thought to have been made for "The Empire Strikes Back," the second film in George Lucas's sci-fi series, released in 1980."

    I would think that somebody who may well drop a few hundred thousand Imperial credits on Star Wars memorabilia would want a bit more certainty than "We think this might be what it is, but we're fairly certain that some guy didn't just whip this up in his basement."

    1. Re:Thought to have been made? by j00r0m4nc3r · · Score: 1

      These might be the droids you're looking for...

    2. Re:Thought to have been made? by natehoy · · Score: 1

      About an hour after I get back from the fabric store, I'll have about a dozen that are "thought to have been made" for the first movie. I just gotta find someone gullible enough to think that.

      --
      "This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
    3. Re:Thought to have been made? by flimflammer · · Score: 1

      I was thinking the same thing. I even had the quote copied into my clipboard! What that tells me is they don't know the authenticity of the piece. With movie memorabilia, authenticity is everything. No serious collector is going to accept "Might be authentic" into their collection unless they have reasonable evidence to back it up. If they're selling this without some proper paperwork, then whoever buys this is likely just purchasing a really expensive Halloween costume.

    4. Re:Thought to have been made? by Rary · · Score: 1

      It's entirely possible that it originally came from a costume warehouse where all the Vader costumes were stored, and none of them had labels indicating which movie they were from. This would mean it's known to be an original costume, but not known for certain which movie it was used in.

      --

      "You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war." -- Albert Einstein

  8. Awesome Christmas Card by SpasticWeasel · · Score: 3, Informative

    Click through to the slideshow. The first pic is quite a nice one of Darth and Mrs Vader.

    --
    No sooner do I get over one, then you put a better one right next to me. Bastards.
  9. intergalactic? by doconnor · · Score: 4, Informative

    Darth Vader was hardly an intergalactic villain. His villainy was strictly limited to one galaxy.

    1. Re:intergalactic? by viking099 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      But he's also considered a villian HERE, because of his actions as shown in the documentaries.

      And since it happened long ago in a galaxy far, far away, I think it's not totally inaccurate.

    2. Re:intergalactic? by Arthur+Grumbine · · Score: 2, Informative

      But he's also considered a villian HERE, because of his actions as shown in the documentaries.

      Also because of his actions robbing our banks, presumably to pay for his war.

      --
      Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure everything I just said is completely wrong.
    3. Re:intergalactic? by syousef · · Score: 1

      But he's also considered a villian HERE, because of his actions as shown in the documentaries.

      And since it happened long ago in a galaxy far, far away, I think it's not totally inaccurate.

      I wish the prequels had happened in a galaxy far, far, far, FAR, FAR away. Preferably inside a black hole.

      --
      These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
    4. Re:intergalactic? by metrix007 · · Score: 1

      documentaries? Jesus Christ, that's just depressing.

      --
      If you ignore ACs because they are anonymous - you're an idiot.
    5. Re:intergalactic? by Kjella · · Score: 1

      Just because the Al Capone and the Unabomber became known far outside the US borders, doesn't make them international mafia bosses or international terrorists. The logic doesn't work the way to claim it does.

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    6. Re:intergalactic? by gknoy · · Score: 1

      Ah, but they did! Unfortunately, the documentaries were transported here ... ;)

    7. Re:intergalactic? by LordKronos · · Score: 1

      Darth Vader was hardly an intergalactic villain. His villainy was strictly limited to one galaxy.

      How do you know that? At the end of TESB, you can see the rebel fleet traveled a good distance outside the galaxy. It's very feasible they could travel between galaxies in a reasonable time. AOTC indicated that there are even 2 very nearby galaxies.

    8. Re:intergalactic? by doconnor · · Score: 1

      I don't consider villainy among satellite galaxies to be intergalactic any more then villainy among the moons of a planet to be interplanetary.

  10. ob. Spaceballs by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 1

    That helmet is so big!

    --
    You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  11. Can anyone lend me some cash....? by BatGnat · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm a little short....

    1. Re:Can anyone lend me some cash....? by epedersen · · Score: 1

      Sure, I will loan you a 10, but I get to use it for Halloween 2011.

    2. Re:Can anyone lend me some cash....? by EnsilZah · · Score: 1

      You mean with the kind of pay you get as a stormtrooper?

  12. Times must be tough by Jack9 · · Score: 1

    Someone is choosing to liquidate this now, after Halloween. Other than complete random circumstance, I'd wager that the collector is looking for income or to cover a loss. Economic times are tough for mr. anon high end collector.

    --

    Often wrong but never in doubt.
    I am Jack9.
    Everyone knows me.
    1. Re:Times must be tough by jo_ham · · Score: 1

      It's being sold in the UK, where we don't really "do" halloween like the USA does. Sure, we have the event, but it's nowhere near as big.

      It's entirely a coincidence that it's being sold just after halloween I think.

  13. I sense by moeluv · · Score: 1

    a disturbance in the force, it's as if a million aalowance dependent voices cried out from a million basements in desperation and then were silenced.........

  14. Empire was not the best of the movies. by blair1q · · Score: 3, Informative

    I really don't get why people think Empire was the best. It was all connective tissue, with no real story to it, and deliberately ended without a resolution. The first one was self-contained and is rightly deemed one of the greatest movies ever made. The third one resolved the trilogy, but of course...ewoks...so it can't contend.

    What? There were three more? Huh. Not part of this series, certainly... No matter.

    The point is, Star Wars is the best Star Wars movie. Empire is flashy and necessary to continuing the story, but is still just a sequel and certainly not superior.

    Regardless, I will be auctioning my left nut in order to raise funds to bid on this dress. Precisely because I'm rational.

    1. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by ArsonSmith · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I mostly agree, and am a bigger than most star wars fan. Some might say much bigger. Empire seems to be one of the few that I fall asleep while watching. I find it to be one of the better played but less interesting or fun of the 3 originals. If that makes any sense.

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
    2. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by tuffy · · Score: 1

      I believe "Empire" is so fondly remembered because it expanded so much on the first and delivered so much potential for a third. Obi-Wan had lied to Luke about his father. The Luke-Leia-Han triangle suddenly got more complicated. There was another Jedi.

      All that glorious potential that the third movie promptly piddled down its leg by resolving it all in the least dramatic ways possible. But still, when I rewatch "Empire" to this day, I can still recall how good its sequel could have been.

      --

      Ita erat quando hic adveni.

    3. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      What? There were three more? Huh. Not part of this series, certainly... No matter.

      Oh, good, that means Lucas can finally make them. That's good, because he's always wanted to make a three-hour documentary on Nabuu bureaucracy as narrated by an Ewok, and since he never made any prequels, he can get to work!

      Or maybe you can drop the overused meme, take your fingers out of your ears, admit your god-director made a mistake, and pray said mistake is explicitly remembered through all time so someone else doesn't try to make it worse.

    4. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by blair1q · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Yeah. Whatever did happen to Highlander 2?

    5. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 1

      I really don't get why people think Empire was the best.

      Leia's metal bikini?

    6. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by blair1q · · Score: 1

      Oh crap. That's a game-changer...

      Uhh....no. Still going to go with "has beginning, a middle, and an end" as a big part of what makes a movie good.

    7. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by universalconstant · · Score: 1

      No, that was in Return of the Jedi after she gets captured trying to rescue Hans who was frozen in Empire. It's still the worst of the three films, despite the bikini.

    8. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by insertwackynamehere · · Score: 1

      Wrong film bucko

    9. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by blair1q · · Score: 1

      Aha!

      And I fell for it.

      I think the Ewoks have made me forget that there's still contained regions of awesome in Jedi.

    10. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by BobMcD · · Score: 1

      You seem to have been fooled into believing that there were three films in the original 'trilogy'. This is not the case. There was one movie, Star Wars, which did really well and got remade via two separate parts: Empire and Jedi.

      Synopsis:

      Luke learns about who he is, his history and the force. Plucky rebels blow up the death star.

      Was I describing the first movie, or the second two?

    11. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by blair1q · · Score: 1

      Funny creatures fly space ships. Some die and some win.

      Was I describing the Star Wars trilogy, or the Apollo missions from an alien perspective?

      By limiting the scope of your analysis you can turn almost anything into almost anything else.

      The difference between the first movie and the trilogy is that in the first Luke defeats an imperial unit. In the trilogy he defeats the Empire. Yes, there are similarities, but there are important differences. That's the beauty and drama of fractals.

      What I'm hoping is that someday the franchise gets treated like Superman and Batman do, and better movie makers "reboot" their lesser components over and over again until they have it right. But I fear this won't happen unless the 11 dimensions of space around George Lucas' head are unwrapped and allowed to relax with 3 different ones as x, y, and z.

    12. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 1

      It all kind of blurs together after a while. I read Empire, but dain bramage caused by watching the Christmas Episode (Life Day!) caused me to think Jedi.

    13. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by UpooPoo · · Score: 1

      Three words: Battle of Hoth.

    14. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 1

      The point is, Star Wars is the best Star Wars movie. Empire is flashy and necessary to continuing the story, but is still just a sequel and certainly not superior.

      Why not, you make some claims but don't really defend them at all. Empire had actual character development, they were actually dynamic, which lends itself to be a much better story than the original. If you don't understand the conflict, it's in the title - it's the Empire striking back. The story of Darth Vader hunting down and capturing the leaders of the Rebel Alliance is ultimately just as good a story as the Rebel Alliance destroying a space station.

      Don't get me wrong, I love the original as much as the next Star Wars fan, but I don't think you're giving Empire it's due credit. It deliberately ended where it was because it had already developed the story to an excellent Arc -Leia and Han profess their love, Han Solo Captured, Luke learns his heritage, any more story you try to push in there would over do it!

    15. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by blair1q · · Score: 1

      It deliberately ended where it was because it had already developed the story to an excellent Arc

      That's not an ending, it's a cliffhanger.

      Empire isn't a story, it's Act 2. In fact, with everyone spread out dealing with their own problems, it's a collection of second acts. It's not a whole movie on its own. Much is begun, little is resolved. It doesn't leave you satisfied, it leaves you starved. It doesn't even serve as a whole movie from an Imperial POV, since all they manage to do is trap Han and cut off Luke's hand.

      Yes, there are some cool bits. Tauntaun guts, floating city, Yoda, carbonite, "Luke, I am your father." But so what? If those bits aren't used to construct something whole, they're just studies in an animated sketchpad.

    16. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 1

      But Cliffhangers don't always make bad endings though - look at movies like Inception.

      Empire Strikes back is at least as much of a story as A New Hope or Return of the Jedi, seriously you can twist any little bit of the movies to sound small and insignificant if you want. All they manage to do in the first one is blow up a second station. Then they do it all again in the third one.

      It is a whole story, so much more happens because the characters are split up - you just don't think its an ending because the conflict wasn't resolved. Technically it wasn't resolved in the first one either but they just spun it that way.

    17. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by gknoy · · Score: 1

      I thought the rule was that Highlander movies get odd numbers, and Trek movies use even numbers?

    18. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by blair1q · · Score: 1

      I haven't seen Inception, but in order to get away with leaving an open question you have to have closed an even bigger one, even if you only did it symbolically (such that people taking the movie literally probably won't get it until it's explained to them), and your point is to have people decide for themselves what might come next.

      That's not what happened with Empire. Empire was a utility episode, not a story by itself. It was nothing but setup. Which is fine, since by then the trilogy was deliberately a trilogy. But really, it would have been a better trilogy if the second part had been constructed to stand on its own the way the first does and the third almost does.

    19. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by lymond01 · · Score: 1

      Leia's metal bikini?

      Wasn't that with Jabba in Return?

    20. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by SpeZek · · Score: 4, Funny

      No. When it comes to Highlander, There can be only one.

    21. Re:Empire was not the best of the movies. by hey! · · Score: 1

      I really don't get why people think Empire was the best.

      Because it had a script written by somebody other than George Lucas and was directed by somebody other than Lucas. In fact, Lucas' involvement in Ep V was remarkably small. Now I will admit that Lucas really *is* a genius, but that doesn't mean he can do everything well. In my opinion he has three serious shortcomings as an auteur director/screenwriter: (1) he can't write dialog and (2) he can't direct actors (3) he has a kind of creative Asperger's that never seems to pick up on an idea that's outlasted its welcome.

      Now those of you who grew up with Star Wars probably don't realize this, but Ep IV really changed the movies. Before Ep IV, movies took their time setting up and unfolding the story. They were slow, in other words. Ep IV was something new, a movie whose plot ran through it like a dose of castor oil. This was making a virtue of necessity. Not having the money or prestige to do the space opera Lawrence of Arabia he wanted to make, and doubting he'd get a crack at a sequel, Lucas stuffed a three and a half hour epic into 121 minutes runtime.

      After that, he didn't have so much story left over for the rest of the envisioned middle trilogy, and as you point out most of that ended up in Episode VI, which ran a stately 131 minutes. This left 124 minutes of what writers call "world building" in Ep V, but by then the fans were already invested in the world and the characters. They'd have paid good money to watch an imperial travelogue, but this movie also treated us character development in the hands of a competent screenwriter and director. Ultimately, characters the thing that binds fans to any serial story, so it is no wonder that Ep V is remembered so fondly.

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  15. What the hell does that mean? by qoncept · · Score: 1

    and it would be unwise to underestimate the value of this costume.

    What the fuck does that mean? Can you imagine if you thought this costume would sell for $200k and came in to work next week only to find out someone paid $280k?

    --
    Whale
    1. Re:What the hell does that mean? by peteinok · · Score: 1

      “Never underestimate the power of the dark side”. So says Yoda to Luke in the second Star Wars trilogy. Words learned from bitter experience. play on words, ya douche.

  16. Or maybe not by SilverJets · · Score: 1

    Christie's said Wednesday that the costume is thought to have been made for "The Empire Strikes Back," the second film in George Lucas's sci-fi series, released in 1980.

    In other words, they don't know the lineage of this suit. So it could be something made by a collector and not have actually been used in any of the movies.

    1. Re:Or maybe not by blair1q · · Score: 1

      Sounds more like a game of telegraph than a clue to a scam.

      Christie's isn't going to get itself involved in selling knockoffs using verbage that might allow people to mistake it for the genuine goods.

      Rather than a fake, it's probably got papers saying it came from ILM's storage unit, but that ILM doesn't remember which version of the costume this was or which movie it was in.

      In any case, the auction catalog will be more distinct about it. And a quick scan shows they get very detailed about what parts of the costume are original and which are copies based on the original parts, plus letters from principals, yadda yadda The catalog also includes some other things of almost the same level of importance, like James Bond props and animation cels from Danger Mouse.

      I may have to sell my right nut, too...

    2. Re:Or maybe not by blair1q · · Score: 1

      Oh, and did I mention the Captain Janeway uniform and... pardon my drool... a HAL 9000 faceplate (like this only more worn)?

  17. Investment Options by BJ_Covert_Action · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You know, most of my older co-workers keep telling me to invest in real estate as it is the best sure-fire long term investment out there. For the price of a condo in California, I could afford this Darth Vader costumer. I wonder if investing in iconic Hollywood paraphernalia is actually a better investment strategy than real estate...

    --
    Motorcycles, Robots, Space Gossip and More!
    1. Re:Investment Options by natehoy · · Score: 2, Insightful

      See, now, there's your problem. You're confusing condos with actual real estate. The actual value of a condo is in the building, and those deteriorate. A condo is a very-long-term lease you pay for up front. If you want a relatively cheap place to live, a condo may not be a terribly bad deal. Just compare it to rental and see how things work out for you based on how long you think you'll be living there, what the condo market has done, what you think it might do, etc.

      If you want to invest in real estate, invest in real estate. As in something where you own the land underneath it. That way, even if the house itself devalues as it ages, you've still got a pretty much permanent asset.

      --
      "This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
    2. Re:Investment Options by JustinOpinion · · Score: 1

      I wonder if investing in iconic Hollywood paraphernalia is actually a better investment strategy than real estate...

      The problem is that these well-publicized stories about massive prices for movie props or other fan items can leave people with the impression that movie props in general have investment value. However what you don't hear about is the massive number of movie props that are totally worthless. Sure, if you can know ahead of time what movies are going to become cult classics, then you can buy up their props or early merchandise for cheap, and sell it decades later at a massive profit. However if you have that kind of prescience then you could probably make even more money investing directly in the movies or in some other market.

      The fact is that these high-profile sales represent a vanishing minority compare to all the movie props and movie merchandise that is absolutely worthless. And once items become extremely valuable, they become like many other kinds of art. Yes, they do tend to go up in value over time, so you could buy this costume and try to resell it years later. But the market for resale is quite small and fickle, so the investment is not at all liquid, and the investment is fairly risky. Not a great combination if your intention is to make money. Rich people buy expensive art as status symbols (or because they genuinely like it), they don't make much money from the value of the art appreciating over time. (Yes, there are always exceptions.)

      So, no, investing in Hollywood paraphernalia is not a good investment strategy.

    3. Re:Investment Options by nizo · · Score: 1

      Plus I'd wager that, unless you have a pocketful of cash, your chances of getting a loan for the condo are slightly higher than your ability to get a loan for the Darth Vader costume.

      --
      I Am My Own Worst Enemy
    4. Re:Investment Options by natehoy · · Score: 1

      Even so, it's a very tiny portion of the purchase price due to the vertical construction found at most condo units.

      I live in a semi-rural area on three acres. Even if my house burned to the ground tomorrow, I'd still retain nearly half the value of the property.

      --
      "This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
    5. Re:Investment Options by Kjella · · Score: 1

      Either the US market works differently than the Norwegian one, or you are wrong. With pretty much every condo here you get an ideal share of the grounds. What does that mean in practice? Well consider if you and your SO owned a house and it got split 50-50 in a divorce (and let's not get side tracked here) then it's not like each own their own square feet - even if you've lived that way. You both own an ideal half to the entire house, just as if you owned 50% of a company. In the same way, there's some 60-70 owners in my condo block and it's adjusted by apartment size but I own somewhere around 1% of it.

      What does that mean it practice? From day to day it means very little, you can't really do anything with it on your own and it just tags along with the condo when you sell it. There's a lot of legalese giving the condo owner rights to the ground, so even if the board tried selling it out from under you it doesn't really work. In practice, it really only matters if it burns to the ground or the building is so old it has to be condemned. If it did, we combined would own a rather large chunk of prime downtown real estate and I'd get my $100k of a $10m value when we sold it to a real estate developer.

      One of the ugly things about owning a large chunk of land where the property value is much greater than the building value is that a lot of it is potential that is up to the whims of politicians about zoning laws, permission to set up buildings and things like that. For example, I have a relative that owns a rather large farm which for some time now has been on the outskirts of town. As a land property, it doesn't give more crop than any other. As a housing area it would be worth at least ten times - maybe a hundred times as much. He has tried now for 30-40 years to make that happen, but the politicians have not wanted to expand the city in that direction so nothing has happened until some five years ago. Then he got to sell the area closest to the city, but he's still only realized at most 20% of the potential. Another ugly example is volume caps because an area is built too dense compared to what the politicians want, you rarely find about it until the grounds is bought and your building plans are rejected.

      In that sense, a fully developed property is in ways safer because you're not so exposed to the whims of politicians. But that generally means lots of buildings, lots of people and not so much real estate. Or you could just buy a big luxurious property, there will be a market for that but it also usually means some fairly big expenses to maintain...

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    6. Re:Investment Options by wideBlueSkies · · Score: 1

      >>you've still got a pretty much permanent asset.

      Tell that to the landowners on Alderan.

      --
      Huh?
    7. Re:Investment Options by gamecrusader · · Score: 1

      250 grand for a condo in california? where? northern southern california around the beaches aim for 500 grand at least

    8. Re:Investment Options by BJ_Covert_Action · · Score: 1

      Oceano, California. Twenty minutes south of SLO, right next to Pismo Beach. There have been quite a few foreclosures around here and there are definitely some condos less than two miles from the beach that are going for well under $300,0000.

      --
      Motorcycles, Robots, Space Gossip and More!
  18. Also for sale! by countSudoku() · · Score: 1

    The vacuum cleaner and toaster from Hardware Wars and one of the seat cushions from Luke's land speeder! NOW how much would you pay?!

    --
    This is the NSA, we're gonna geet U h@x0r5! Also, what is a h@x0r5?
  19. Re:star wars ? by Conception · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is the most amazing reply I think I've seen on slashdot. What doesn't it have?! Trolling? Flaming? Irrationality? Presumptions? Arrogance? Everything!

    I think we may have a winner here, guys.

  20. Spaceballs (The Movie) Dark Helmet by PatPending · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm gonna wait for the Dark Helmet outfit worn by Rick Moranis in Spaceballs

    --
    What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
    1. Re:Spaceballs (The Movie) Dark Helmet by Jon+Abbott · · Score: 1

      If I were Rick Moranis I'd still wear it from time to time.

      --
      Slashdot's first reaction to VMware
  21. Auction value is incorrect by srailsback · · Score: 1

    Sadly, the custom does not include the original box and the light saber is missing. It's only worth half the value listed.

  22. Who cares anyway... by DBCubix · · Score: 1

    It was a long time ago in a place far far away

    --
    I called it a mighty Sperm Whale, she called it Finding Nemo.
  23. Another nerdy item at auction by Verdatum · · Score: 1

    According to the catalog for the November 25th auction, Slashdotters may be interested to know they will also be auctioning a HAL-9000 faceplate, believed to have been used in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.

  24. Re: empire strikes back by Fubari · · Score: 1

    Speaking of The Empire Strikes Back, this was especially good.
    Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side (trailer)

    Not all of the FamilyGuy works for me, but one this was very well done. I haven't laughed that hard for a good long while.

  25. In related news, Derek Jeter... by tofi · · Score: 1

    ... gets The Force!
    (see below TFA, "Explore Related Content").

    So much for automated news aggregation. ;-)

  26. Seller? by VWE+PropWash · · Score: 1

    I'm guessing this belongs to Paul Allen. I say this because a bunch of stuff (costumes and props) from his collection were touring various museums. They made a stop here in Kalamazoo for a few months, and there was an Empire Vader costume in the set. Now, if they were selling the TRON costume from the same collection...Sign me up.

  27. Stumps Required by vortex2.71 · · Score: 1

    Too bad you need to have stump hands and legs in order to fit into it. Would be worthwhile to buy it just to reverse engineer the prosthetics. I guess the voice synthesizer could help you get a bunch of voice over ad deals also.

  28. More than Kirk's chair? by sproketboy · · Score: 1

    Is that more than Kirk's chair sold for? Oops sorry that will start a flame war.

  29. Poor planning by wiedzmin · · Score: 1

    Why would you sell a *costume* immediately *after* Halloween?

    --
    Bow before me, for I am root.