Weakest Entry But More of Original Story Inspiration revealed

Rating: 6/10 (23 February 2007)

Long ago, in a Galaxy far away came a film which saved FOX studios from bankruptcy. It was conceived by a 16 year old George Lucas after he saw the 1959 film Ben Hur. This gave him the ideas which are now lynch pins of the entire series - an all powerful force, an evil empire, emperor, a purpose for our universe.
This film reveal more of what inspired Lucas in the pod race sequence. It is so eerily similar to the chariot race in Ben Hur that it is not hard to imagine where the idea came from. It is interesting how one of the great films was turned into a 6 movie series of science fiction. When a man stands upon the greatness of others fiction (General Lew Wallace), Lucas has created a work which is to the 20th Century what Ben Hur was to the 19th century. History repeats itself.
The major problem with this movie is though the actor is charmingly played, Anakin is just too young to be believable in this kids body. If the young actor had been in the 14 to 16 year old range, such as Lucas was when he saw Ben Hur, this movie would have been better. None the less, this film provides a lot of great special effects work & also shows another hint of the Ben Hur original - explaining Anakins Birth as a divine event. This in effect molds him as the Christ child of this series. At the same time, they also make Anakin a slave, mixing his character with that of Judah Ben Hur who was a slave too.
This is a true first film of the series as this reveals that in 1959, 16 year old Lucas saw Ben Hur at the movies and used it as a basis for the entire Star Wars Series.
This film is an essential piece of the story leading to the next 2 pieces. While the divine birth is only mentioned here, there is no doubt about George Lucas divine inspiration for the entire series after seeing this film.