DATE=4/9/02

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

TITLE=STAR WARS / BROOKLYN MUSEUM OF ART

NUMBER=5-51395

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=NEW YORK

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A traveling exhibit devoted to the saga of the four "Star Wars" films has made its final stop in its national tour at New York's Brooklyn Museum of Art. Filmmaker George Lucas has loaned original props, models, and costumes from the landmark movies to the museum. Jenny Badner in New York toured the exhibit "Star Wars: the Magic of Myth."

TEXT: /// SOUND STAR WARS THEME FADE UNDER ///

The science-fiction films, which tell the story of a group of rebel heroes who fight an evil Empire in outer space, permanently altered the art of moviemaking.

/// BRING UP MUSIC ///

/// OPT /// Just before the first "Star Wars" film was released in 1977, the remake of "King Kong," featuring a man dressed in a gorilla suit, won an Academy Award for special effects. But the creative team of "Star Wars" produced captivating action sequences and giant simulated space stations never seen before. /// END OPT ///

Some of the elaborate models built to create the films' special effects are on display at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, where some of scenes are replayed.

/// SOUND FROM FIGHT SCENE FADE UNDER ///

Curator James Romano says that the exhibition salutes the elaborate story set to film by George Lucas. At first Mr. Romano, who specializes in ancient Egyptian art, was taken aback by the suggestion that he curate the show on "Star Wars." Then he realized that he was perfect for the job.

/// 1ST ROMANO ACT ///

The more I began to think about it, and the more that I began to look into the whole notion of the "Star Wars" saga, particularly the first three movies, the more I realized that George Lucas had tapped into a series of mythological themes - [including] the return of the hero, the redemption of evil by good. All of these themes that have been expressed by time in memorial by cultures as diverse as the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Chinese, etcetera, just in different trappings.

/// END ACT ///

Many of the puppets and drawings on display illustrate the movies' mythological and spiritual themes. The character, "Yoda," a tiny, wise elder, bears a resemblance to ancient Asian statues of the Buddah. "Jabba the Hut," the disgusting, slimy, reptile-like "bad-guy," looks strikingly similar to images of dragons.

More than 150-original costumes remind visitors of the characters who reappear in the first three "Star Wars" films, which helped launch the careers of actors Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.

Mr. Romano says that the contrast between hero Luke Skywalker's simple white robe and the black cloak and large metal helmet of villain Darth Vader provide clues to the story's meaning.

/// 2nd ROMANO ACT ///

You have to understand that one of the themes about "Star Wars" is the conflict of the individual as represented by Luke Skywalker against the anonymous, mechanical totalitarian state. After all, the Empire is the ultimate totalitarian state. They control everything. And here is this one little farm boy fighting against it.

/// END ACT ///

Some critics have objected to the exhibit devoted to the "Star Wars" films at one of New York's most acclaimed fine art museums. But Brooklyn Museum of Art Director Arnold Lehman argues that the films played a pivotal role in the recent history of popular culture.

/// BEGIN OPT. LEHMAN ACT ///

"Star Wars" has to take its place as one of those essential elements of that history. And when you think of the pervasiveness of it, and how it has affected all of our thinking about films of this kind, about animation, about digitalization. And how all of those became intertwined with an evolving artistic culture, clearly an exhibition like this has a place in an art museum.

/// END ACT // END OPT. ///

Mr. Lehman says that "Star Wars: the Magic of Myth" also attracts younger visitors, expanding the museum's audience. The traveling exhibition has broken records in its tour around the United States, drawing nearly two-million people.

/// OPT /// Audiences line up to see the original gold-metallic suit worn by actor Anthony Daniels, who played the android and herald C-3-P-O. Mr. Daniels, who appears in all the "Star Wars" films, explains the story's unexpected longevity.

/// OPT DANIELS ACT ///

Nobody in 1970 whatever realized that Star Wars was going to become this phenomenon. And I think that is why the original film was so innocently charming. But because George [Lucas] had done so much research and thought about the principles of story telling, it has allowed it to exist all this time.

/// END ACT // END OPT ///

The exhibition's organizers reject accusations that they are promoting the next Star Wars film (Episode II Attack of the Clones), but props and models from that movie will be displayed after it is released next month.

The exhibit will travel to Australia in July, also coincides with the anniversary of the original Star Wars film, which opened in theaters 25-years ago. (SIGNED)

NEB/NY/JB/BJS/RAE