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I have been going through and watching the episodes of the Star Wars movies and have read and noticed some historical references which play into the storyline. I think I only vaguely thought of it while watching, but when I read through the trivia section on imdb.com it talked about how the way the Chancellor Palpatine assumes control (through the appointment of “emergency powers” to suppress seperatists) was the way that Adolf Hitler gained power in Germany in the 1930s. IMDB.com also mentions that the rifles used by the Clone Army was based on the MG-42 (see it here in the second image) which was used by Hitler's forces. Later on Darth Vader has his army of “Stormtroopers”, which I'm guessing is a reference to Hitler's SS (I'm thinking these were also refered to as “Stormtroopers”, were they not?).Perhaps there are more references in the movies that I have missed.
Interesting. I have heard there are referances to Roman history as well, but I would have to look that up, mostly political I think.
The Galactic Senate is supposed to resemble the Roman Senate and Chancellor Palpatine is the equivalent of a usurping senator who becomes “Caesar” when he assumes the title of Emperor. Once the Republic is dismantled and the Empire replaces it, the titles of the Imperial government resemble the British and Turkish Empires. Grand Moff Tarkin is an example of an Ottoman style autocrat. Interesting post. I'll have to think on this one some more.
O.K. I havnet had much luck getting links to work when I post but try this one it has some info on star wars and its origins and references.http://www.spookybug.com/origins/index.html
Looks like Lucas just rehashed and mixed up a lot of other material to forge his vision. Not uncommon and does not detract from Lucas's creativity at all since he obviously incorporated a great deal of his own touch in the formula. George found a way to use special effects to tell a simple story on a spectacular scale. So in this regard he is just as much a pioneer as Tolkien, Herbert, Kurasawa, and H.G. Wells who inspired him.
I think there's also an element of Greek tragedies that is evident. Think of it – a father turns to the dark side in order to save his loved one, only to lose her in the process, and the son later comes back to battle the father, who in the end saves his son despite his choice of the dark side. Now that I finished with Episode III last night I have to say that the movies are much more enjoyable as a complete story than when i first saw them in the theaters.
Yes Star Wars is similar to Greek Tragedy sort of like Sophocles or Euripides. I guess it could be said that Lucas married Greek Tragedy to Orientalism….a West meets East sort of synthesis. Truly a product of the free speech movement Star Wars is.
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