The Phantom Menace: Juicy Politics

We get a glimpse Palpatine's underlying plan, and Qui-Gon drops a couple of bombshells on the Jedi Council.

Script copyright George Lucas
Script excerpted from this site:
http://www.supershadow.com/star_wars/episode_1/the_phantom_menace/script.html


INT. PALPATINE'S QUARTERS - ANTEROOM - DAY

QUEEN AMIDALA is sitting listening to PALPATINE. EIRTAE and
RABE stand behind the QUEEN; PADME is nowhere to be sen.
ANAKIN and JAR JAR are waiting in an adjoining room. They
can see the Queen but cannot hear what is being said.

JAR JAR
Dissen all pitty odd to my.

ANAKIN
Don't look at me. I don't know what's
going on.

Capt. Panaka enters, then goes into the room with QUEEN
AMIDALA.

INT. PALPATINE'S QUARTERS - LIVING AREA - DAY

PALPATINE is pacing as Capt. Panaka enters. EIRTAE and RABE
stand to one side.

PALPATINE
...the Republic is not what it once
was. The Senate is full of greedy,
squabbling delegates who are only
looking out for themselves and their
home sytems. There is no interest
in the common good...no civility,
only politics...its disgusting. I
must be frank, Your Majesty, there
is little chance the Senate will act
on the invasion.

AMIDALA
Chancellor Valorum seems to think
there is hope.

PALPATINE
If I may say so, Your Majesty, the
Chancellor has little real power...he
is mired down by baseless accusations
of corruption. A manufactured scandal
surrounds him. The bureaucrats are
in charge now.

AMIDALA
What options do we have?

PALPATINE
Our best choice would be to push for
the election of a stronger Supreme
Chancellor. One who will take control
of the bureaucrats, enforces the
laws, and give us justice. You could
call for a vote of no confidence in
Chancellor Valorum.

AMIDALA
He has been our strongest supporter.
Is there any other way?

PALPATINE
Our only other choice would to be to
submit a plea to the courts...

AMIDALA
There's no time for that. The courts
take even longer to decide things
than the Senate. Our people are dying,
Senator...more and more each day. We
must do something quickly to stop
the Federation.

PALPATINE
To be realistic, Your Highness, I'd
say we're going to have to accept
Federation control for the time being.

AMIDALA
There is something I cannot do.

EXT. TEMPLE OF THE JEDI - DAY (FX)

A unique building with it tall spires stands out against the
Coruscant skyline. A small transport passes by the vast
temple.

INT. TEMPLE OF THE JEDI - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - DAY

QUI-GON stands in a tall stately room. Twelve JEDI sit in a
semi-circle. OBI-WAN stands behind QUI-GON in the center of
the room.

The Senior Jedi is MACE WINDU. To his left is an alien Jedi
named KI-ADI-MUNDI, and to his right, the Jedi Master, YODA.

QUI-GON
...my only conclusion can be that it
was a Sith Lord.

MACE WINDU
A Sith Lord?!?

KI-ADI
Impossible! The Sith have been extinct
for a millenium.

YODA
The very Republic is threatened, if
involved the Sith are.

MACE WINDU
I do not believe they could have
returned without us knowing.

YODA
Hard to see, the dark side is.
Discover who this assassin is, we
must.

KI-ADI
I sense he will reveal himself again.

MACE WINDU
This attack was with purpose, that
is clear, and I agree the Queen is
the target.

YODA
With this Naboo queen you must stay,
Qui-Gon. Protect her.

MACE WINDU
We will use all our resources here
to unravel this mystery and discover
the identity of your attacker... May
the Force be with you.

YODA
May the Force be with you.

OBI-WAN turns to leave, but QUI-GON continues to face the
Council.

YODA
Master Qui-Gon more to say have you?

QUI-GON
With your permission, my Master. I
have encountered a vergence in the
Force.

YODA
A vergence, you say?

MACE WINDU
Located around a person?

QUI-GON
A boy... his cells have the highest
concentration of midi-chlorians I
have seen in a life form. It is
possible he was conceived by the
midi-chlorians.

MACE WINDU
You're referring to the prophesy of
the one who will bring balance to
the Force...you believe it's this
boy??

QUI-GON
I don't pressume...

YODA
But you do! Rrevealed your opinion
is.

QUI-GON
I request the boy be tested.

The JEDI all look to one another. They nod and turn back to
OBI-WAN and QUI-GON.

YODA
Trained as a Jedi, you request for
him?

QUI-GON
Finding him was the will of the
Force...I have no doubt of that.

There is too much happening here...

MACE WINDU
Bring him before us, then.

YODA
Tested he will be. 

The Phantom Menace: Arrival at Coruscant

We see Coruscant and get a face-to-face with Palpatine.

Script copyright George Lucas
Script excerpted from this site:
http://www.supershadow.com/star_wars/episode_1/the_phantom_menace/script.html


EXT. SPACE - PLANET CORUSCANT (FX)

MOVE with the ship as it heads toward Coruscant.

INT. CORUSCANT - CITYSCAPE - NABOO SPACECRAFT - DAY (FX)

The spacecraft dlies over the endlesscityscape of Coruscant,
the capital of the galaxy.

INT. NABOO SPACECRAFT - COCKPIT

ANAKIN looks out the cockpit window in awe.

RIC OLIE
Coruscant...the capital of the
Republic...the entire planet is one
big city.

ANAKIN
Wow! It's so huge!

INT. NABOO SPACECRAFT - DAY (FX)

The ship flies through the cityscape of Coruscant.

EXT. CORUSCANT - SENATE LANDING PLATFORM - DAY

Supreme Chancellor VALORUM, SEVERAL GUARDS, and SENATOR
PALPATINE stand on a landing platform.

The sleek Naboo spacecraft lands on the platform high above
the street level of the galactic capital. The ramp lowers.
OBI-WAN, QUI-GON, JAR JAR and ANAKIN descend the ramp first
and bow before PALPATINE and VALORUM.

Capt. Panaka, TWO GUARDS, QUEEN AMIDALA, then PADME, RABE,
EIRTAE, and MORE GUARDS descend the ramp. QUEEN AMIDALA stops
before the group.

ANAKIN and JAR JAR stand to one side, looking at the huge
city. PADME smiles at ANAKIN. PALPATINE bows before the Queen.

PALPATINE
It is a great gift to see you alive,
Your Majesty. May I present Supreme
Chancellor Valorum.

VALORUM
Welcome, Your Highness. It is an
honor to finally meet you in person.
I must relay to you how distressed
everyone is over the currant
situation. I've called for a special
session of the Senate to hear your
position.

AMIDALA
I am grateful for your concern,
Chancellor.

PALPATINE starts to lead QUEEN AMIDALA and her RETINUE off
the platform toward a waiting air taxi.

PALPATINE
There is a question of precedure,
but I feel confident we can overcome
it...

JAR JAR and ANAKIN start to follow, then stop, noticing that
OBI-WAN and QUI-GON are staying with the SUPREME CHANCELLOR.
QUEEN AMIDALA waves to the duo to follow her. ANAKIN looks
back to QUI-GON, and he nods to go ahead.

ANAKIN and JAR JAR join the QUEEN, PALPATINE, PADME, RABE
and EIRTAE in the taxi. PALPATINE gives the Gungan and the
boy in the back of the taxi a skeptical look. JAR JAR leans
over to ANAKIN.

JAR JAR
Da Queens- a bein grossly nice, mesa
tinks.
(he looks around)
Pitty hot!

VALORUM and the JEDI watch the taxi move off into the city.

QUI-GON
I must speak with the Jei Council
immediately, Your Honor. The situation
has become more complicated.
 

The Phantom Menace: A Tender Moment

Anakin and Padme get a little weepy.

Script copyright George Lucas
Script excerpted from this site:
http://www.supershadow.com/star_wars/episode_1/the_phantom_menace/script.html









EXT. THEED - STREET - NIGHT (FX)

SEVERAL FEDERATION DROIDS patrol a deserted city street. The
Palace can be seen in the distance.

INT. NABOO PALACE - THRONE ROOM - THEED - NIGHT

NUTE sits in a strange, mechanical walking chair, which
approaches SIO BIBBLE and SEVERAL OTHER NABOO OFFICIALS.
RUNE follows a few paces behind.

DROID GUARDS surround SIO BIBBLE and THE OTHERS as FOUR
COUNCIL MEMBERS watch.

NUTE
When are you going to give up this
pointless strike? Your Queen is lost,
your people are starving, and you,
Governor, are going to die, much
sooner than your people, I'm afraid.
Take him away!

BIBBLE
This invasion will gain you nothing.
We're a democracy. The people have
decided... They will not live under
your tyranny.

BIBBLE is taken away as OOM-9 approaches NUTE.

OOM-9
My troops are in position to begin
searching the swamps for these rumored
underwater villages... they will not
stay hidden for long.

INT. NABOO SPACECRAFT - MAIN AREA

The ship is asleep. The lights are dim as PADME walks into
the main room.

She goes to a monitor and watches the BIBBLE plea recording.
JAR JAR is stretched out on the floor, snoring. ARTOO is to
one side, cooing as he rests.

PADME appears tired. She senses someone watching her and
turns around with a start. She sees ANAKIN sitting in the
corner, shivering and looking verydejected. She goes over to
him. He looks up at her with tears in his eyes. He is holding
his arms to keep himself warm.

PADME
Are you all right?

ANAKIN
It's very cold.

PADME gives him her over-jacket.

PADME
You're from a warm planet, Annie.
Too warm for my taste. Space is cold.

ANAKIN
You seem sad.

PADME
The Queen is...worried. Her people
are suffering...dying. She must
convince the Senate to intervene,
or...I'm not sure what will happen.

ANAKIN
I'm...I'm not sure what's going to
happen to me. I dunno if I'll ever
see you again..
(he pulls something
from his pocket)
I made this for you. Sou you'd
remember me. I carved it out of a
japor snippet... It will bring you
good fortune.

ANAKIN hands a wooden pendant to PADME. She inspects it,
then puts it around her neck.

PADME
It's beautiful, but I don't need
this to remember you. Many things
will change when we reach the capital,
Annie. My caring for you will always
remain.

ANAKIN
I care for you too. Only I...miss...

ANAKIN is disturbed about something. Tears are in his eyes.

PADME
...You miss your mother.

ANAKIN looks at her, unable to speak. She hugs him.

A Word from Patton Oswalt re: The Prequels

Patton speculates on what he would do if he were to go back in a time machine and meet George Lucas around 1994.

Warning:  strong language

Patton and Lucas

The Phantom Menace: Obi-Wan Meets Anakin

Here we see Obi-Wan Kenobi first meet his bane.

Script copyright George Lucas
Script excerpted from this site:
http://www.supershadow.com/star_wars/episode_1/the_phantom_menace/script.html

INT. NABOO SPACECRAFT - HALLWAY

ANAKIN and OBI-WAN rush into the hallway to find QUI-GON
collapsed on the floor opposite the entry. ARTOO is looking
over him. The JEDI is breathing hard, wet with sweat and
covered in dirt.

ANAKIN
Are you all right?

QUI-GON
I think so... that was a surpirse I
wont soon forget.

OBI-WAN
What was it?

QUI-GON
I don't know... but he was well
trained in the Jedi arts. My guess
is he was after the Queen...

ANAKIN
Do you think he'll follow us?

QUI-GON
We'll be safe enough once we're in
hyperspace, but I have no doubt he
knows our destination.

ANAKIN
What are we going to do about it?

OBI-WAN gives ANAKIN a "who are you?" look. ANAKIN returns
an innocent stare.

QUI-GON
We will be patient. Anakin Skywalker,
meet Obi-Wan Kenobi.

ANAKIN
Pleased to meet you. Wow! You're a
Jedi too?

OBI-WAN gives the boy a skeptical look.

INT. COCKPIT - SPACE

RIC OLIE pulls back on the hyperdrive. OBI-WAN, QUI-GON, and
ANAKIN watch.

QUI-GON
Let's hope this hyperdrive works and
Watto didn't get the last laugh.

The stars streak outside the cockpit window.

EXT. SPACE - NABOO SPACECRAFT (FX)

The ship streaks into hyperspace.
 

The Phantom Menace: Escape from Tatooine

Qui-Gon and Anakin race to the Millenium Fal--er, Naboo ship and tangle with Darth Maul.

See comments section for our thoughts!





Script copyright George Lucas
Script excerpted from this site:
http://www.supershadow.com/star_wars/episode_1/the_phantom_menace/script.html






EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT MESA - DAY

The PROBE DROID beeps and whistles to DARTH MAUL. The SITH
LORD gets on a speeder bike and follows the PROBE DROID into
Mos Espa.

EXT. MOS ESPA - STREET - FRUIT STAND - DAY

ANAKIN and QUI-GON exit WATTO'S and stop before JIRA'S fruit
stand. ANAKIN hands JIRA some coins.

ANAKIN
I've been freed, and I'm going away.
Buy yourself a cooling unit with
this... Otherwise I'll worry about
you.

JIRA is astonished. She stares, not knowing what to say.

JIRA
Can I give you a hug?

ANAKIN
Sure.

She gives him a hug.

JIRA
I'll miss you, Annie... there isn't
a kinder boy in the galaxy. You be
careful...

ANAKIN runs to join QUI-GON, who has already started down
the street. As they walk along together, QUI-GON notices
something out of the corner of his eye. Suddenly, without
breaking his stride, he ignites his laser sword, swing around,
and lunges forward and cuts a lurking PROBE DROID in half.
QUI-GON inspects the sparking and fizzing DROID.

ANAKIN
What is it?

QUI-GON
Probe droid. Very unusual... not
like anything I've seen before.

Come on.

QUI-GON and ANAKIN start running.

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - NABOO SPACECRAFT - DAY

QUI-GON and ANAKIN run toward the Naboo spacecraft. ANAKIN
is having a hard time keeping up.

ANAKIN
Master Qui-Gon,sir, wait!

QUI-GON turns to answer and sees a DARK-CLOAKED FIGURE bearing
down on a speeder bike.

QUI-GON
Anakin, drop!

ANAKIN drops to the ground just as DARTH MAUL sweeps over
him. DARTH MAUL jumps off his speeder bike, and before he
has hit the ground, the Sith Lord has swund a death blow
with his laser sword that is barely blocked by QUI-GON.

ANAKIN picks himself up. The two galactic warriors, Sith and
Jedi, are bashing each other with incredible blows. They
move in a continual cloudof dust, smashing everything around
them. This is a fierce fight. ANAKIN gets up, bewildered by
the confrontation.

QUI-GON
Annie, get to the ship! Take off!
Go! Go!

QUI-GON struggles to fend off the relentless onslaught as
ANAKIN races to the ship.

INT. NABOO SPACECRAFT - HALLWAY

ANAKIN runs into the main hallway of the spaceship, where
PADME and Capt. Panaka are working.

ANAKIN
Qui-Gon's in trouble. He says to
take off...now!!

CAPT. PANAKA
Who are you?

PADME
He's a friend.

INT. NABOO SPACECRAFT - COCKPIT

Capt. Panaka, ANAKIN, and PADME rush into the cockpit where
OBI-WAN and RIC OLIE are checking the hyperdrive.

CAPT. PANAKA
Qui-Gon is in trouble, he says to
take off!

PILOT
I don't see anything.

OBI-WAN
Over there! Fly low!

In the distance is a small cloud of dust.

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - NABOO SPACECRAFT - DAY

QUI-GON and DARTH MAUL continue theirsword battle. Leaping
over one another in an incredible display of acrobatics, the
two warrios hear the ship fly over them a few feet off the
ground. QUI-GON almost dissapears for a moment. Before DARTH
MAUL knows what's happening, QUI-GON is on the spacecrat's
ramp.

EXT. TATOOINE - NABOO SPACECRAFT RAMP - DAY

The SITH LORD immediately jumps onto the ramp after QUI-GON,
but barely makes it. His heels hang over the edge of a forty-
foot drop. QUI-GON swings his laser sword with all his might
and knocks DARTH AMUL off the ramp and onto the desert floor.
The ramp closes, and the Naboo craft rockets away, leaving
the Sith Lord standing alone.

EXT. SPACE - NABOO SPACECRAFT (FX)

The sleek spacecraft rockets away from the planet Tatooine.

The Phantom Menace: Goodbye to 3PO, Kitster, and Shmi (Again!)

More goodbyes from Anakin, who does it all longhand.

Script copyright George Lucas
Script excerpted from this site:
http://www.supershadow.com/star_wars/episode_1/the_phantom_menace/script.html


INT. ANAKIN'S HOVEL - SECOND ROOM - DAY

ANAKIN has thrown the last of his things in a small backpack.
As he leaves, he stops and pushes the button that wakes his
droid up. THREEPIO stares at him blankly.

ANAKIN
Well, Threepio, I'm free...and I'm
going away...in a starship...

THREEPIO
Master, Annie, you are my maker, and
I wish you well. Although I'd like
it better if I were a little less
naked.

ANAKIN
I'm sorry I wasn't able to finish
you, Threepio... give you coverings
and all... I'm going to miss working
on you. You've been a great pal.
I'll make sure Mom doesn't sell you
or anything. Bye.

THREEPIO stares at ANAKIN as he rushes out of the room.

THREEPIO
Sell me?!?

EXT. MOS ESPA - STREET - SLAVE QUARTERS - DAY

KITSTER runs up to ANAKIN as he and QUI-GON exit Anakin's
hovel. SHMI stands in the doorway. ANAKIN pulls a handful of
coins out of his pocket and gives them to KITSTER.

KITSTER
There are so many of us who want you
to stay, Annie... You're a hero.

ANAKIN
I...
(looks to Shmi)
I... have to go.

QUI-GON has moved a short way down the street.

KITSTER
Well.

ANAKIN
Well.

KITSTER
Thank's for every moment you've been
here. You're my best friend.

ANAKIN
I won't forget.

ANAKIN hugs KITSTER and runs toward QUI-GON, then stops to
look back at his mother standing in the doorway. He turns
back to QUI-GON, then turns and runs back to his mother.

ANAKIN
(starting to cry)
I can't do it, Mom. I just can't.

SHMI hugs ANAKIN. QUI-GON watches from the distance. She
kneels down and looks him in the face.

SHMI
Annie, remember when you climbed the
great dune in order to chase the
Banthas away so they wouldn't be
shot... Remember how you collapses
several times, exhausted thinking
you couldn't do it?

ANAKIN shakes his head.

SHMI
This is one of those times when you
have to do something you don't think
you can do. I know how strong you
are, Annie. I know you can do this...

ANAKIN
Will I ever see you again?

SHMI
What does your heart tell you?

ANAKIN
I hope so...yes...I guess.

SHMI
Then we will see each other again.

ANAKIN
I.. will become a Jedi and I will
come back and free you, Mom... I
promise.

SHMI
No matter where you are, my love
will be with you. Now be brave, and
don't look back... don't look back.

ANAKIN
I love you so much.

SHMI hugs ANAKIN, then turns him around so he is facing QUI-
GON, and off he marches, like the brave little trooper that
he is. He marches right past QUI-GON, starring right ahead,
tears in his eyes, determined not to look back.