The Bearded Trio

A look back at the Welsh filmmaker whose work on Return of the Jedi deserves far more recognition. Every now and then I like to shine a light on the filmmakers who helped shape the movies that meant so much to us growing up. Today I’m revisiting one of them: Richard Marquand, the Welsh director of Return of the Jedi . I’m sharing a video tribute I made to him more than ten years ago. The quality is a little rough because it was created long before modern editing tools were easily available, but the heart behind it is still very much there. Marquand is one of those names that often slips through the cracks when people talk about Star Wars. Ask many fans who directed Jedi and you’ll hear the same line repeated again and again: “George Lucas basically took over.” It’s a comment that has been repeated so often it has become part of the mythology. But if you’ve ever read The Making of Return of the Jedi , you’ll know that Marquand’s involvement was far deeper and far more hands‑on than he’...

As we get older, I often wonder if nostalgia loses its effect on us, or becomes more powerful. On one hand, as we age, we gain wisdom about the people and world around us; a normal thought is “Why couldn’t I have this understanding when I was younger?” On the other hand, in the modern world it can often be a challenge to find positive things about said world. Our parents age and depart. Our political leaders fail us. Everything is worse than it was, which naturally gives rise to wishing for a time when things weren’t so bad. Hence, nostalgia. I don’t think any single thing stirs nostalgia in me quite like Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983). I am often amazed at how I look back on my life and see how significant Star Wars events coincide with inflection points within my life. Friday, May 27, 1983, my dad picked me up after completing his work week and we drove to the local theater in Farmington Hills, Michigan, not long before the 6 p.m. showing. But he had a plan, due to the lines a...

This Classic Clip Is a Retro Treasure Trove. Every now and then you will get a gem of a video that will materialise out of nowhere and thanks to the awesome BBC Archives YouTube channel that's exactly what has happened. This clip is from the British news programme called "Newsnight" and is entitled, " Is the BRITISH SFX Industry in CRISIS? "  It features Bernard Falk with quite literally an explosive introduction.  He asks if with the lack of funding is the British special effects industry in crisis?   The clip just keeps giving in regards to movie history.  We get to hear from Oscar-Winning Brian Johnson who has set up a new FX company called "Arkadon."  Johnson explains that they face an uncertain future with little development being done in the UK for motion control and if it doesn't change and adapt to the techniques being developed in the US then they will go down hill fast.  Their reputation he explains is what is currently getting them work...

Check out all four CLASSIC TRADE DRESS VARIANT COVERS, debuting on select Star Wars titles this July! Marvel Comics and Star Wars’ decades-long history of comics storytelling will be spotlighted in a unique way this summer with a new line of CLASSIC TRADE DRESS VARIANT COVERS. This month marks 46 years since Marvel’s initial venture into a galaxy far, far away with the publication of the official comic adaptation of 1977’s Star Wars, now known as A New Hope. Hitting stands over a month before the film’s May theatrical release, the first-ever Star Wars comic series was a mega success, and Marvel continued the tradition of comics adaptations with the subsequent films, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi, artist Jerry Ordway pays tribute to legendary artist Bill Sienkiewicz’s iconic covers for 1983’s Star Wars: Return of the Jedi comic series with these new CLASSIC TRADE DRESS VARIANT COVERS. Teaming up with colorist Nola...

Return of the Jedi Monopoly Is A Must! I t's Star Wars Celebration weekend and it's inevitable that there will be a lot of exciting announcements.  More movies to new action figures From Indiana Jones and Star Wars. Naturally they are going to grab the relevant headlines which will of course lead to some other announcements being a little stifled but I felt it was only worth bringing to your attention this little beauty.  The Return of the Jedi edition of an old classic, Monopoly.  Just look at that box artwork!  It's worth buying just for that but look inside too and you will see they've really gone to town on the board and the pieces. I make no secret that Return of the Jedi is my favourite Star Wars movie and seeing anything Jedi makes me smile.  I don't collect Monopoly but this beauty might just be in my collection come May 23. (HASBRO/Ages 8 years & up/Players: 2-6/Approx. Retail Price: $44.99/Available: Summer 2023) Imagine traveling to Tatooine, Dago...

A Retrospective Look Back I was lucky enough— and just old enough— to see Return of the Jedi at the cinema in 1983. At eleven years old, I was the perfect age. Already a huge Star Wars fan thanks to the first two films, I was completely swept up in the hype surrounding the third. The promotional buzz was everywhere. Cast members appeared on TV more frequently (on our four UK channels), and I recorded as many of these appearances as I could on my prized VHS tape. The trailer seemed to air constantly, and newspapers featured pull-out specials dedicated to the film. Every bit of my pocket money went toward Return of the Jedi merchandise, especially the sticker album (which I never managed to complete) and Kenner action figures and vehicles. It’s safe to say I was ready for this movie. The Big Day The day finally came, and a friend and I queued for two hours at our local cinema, which boasted two whole screens. The atmosphere was electric—except on my right, where the smokers were lighting...

The footage below is a complete 30 minute, fully restored Return of the Jedi raw footage scene from the EditDroid Laserdisc including all off-camera audio with multiple angles of Scene 50 between Luke and Yoda on Dagobah.

Video Showing On Set Action From Return of the Jedi Th is a seven and a half minute video showing the filming of Return of the Jedi in Buttercup Valley CA,1982.  There is no sound and the whole video was shot on gloriously vintage 8mm and "sand-o-vision" to give a grittier look. Look out for Anthony Daniels, George Lucas and director, Richard Marquand.  We also get to see the Sail Barge fight scene in action from a different angle and poor old Boba Fett dangling in the air.

Brad’s April Escape - Part 17 April 27 - Return of the Jedi Each weekday this month, I’ll screen a film from The Bearded Trio Cinematic Universe and list 10 random scenes, characters, musical cues or performances that I particularly enjoy and look forward to upon every viewing. I’d love to hear similar little things you enjoy about these films, and hope you join me in this escape from the present-day world. Next up is the conclusion of the beloved original Star Wars Trilogy, Return of the Jedi (1983). Return of the Jedi - An Introduction Yes, I skipped over Empire Strikes Back . Don't worry, I have a three-part mega-post coming on that film to coincide with its 40th anniversary from May 20-22. Until then, I suppose we have to settle for this gem of a film, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983), wonderfully directed by Richard Marquand. I've been looking forward to analyzing this film for a long time, though I hardly know where to begin. Watching ...

Friend of the site and our Facebook page , Suzanna Charlton Francis has been sending us some wonderful photos over the last few weeks and I just had to share them on our site.  The photos are from the time Suzanna's mother was enjoying being on the set of the The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.  Pamela Mann was part of the crew as continuity and as you can see had a blast on the set mingling with the stars and crew. Return of the Jedi crew photo Suzanna tells us: "My mum Pamela Mann, enjoying some downtime during filming return of the jedi with Carrie fisher" Patricia McDermott (hairdresser) Pamela Mann (continuity) and Carrie fisher having fun during a break from shooting. The prop guys built an igloo for Pamela Mann on location in Norway on Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back. On the set of The Empire Strikes back enjoying a snowmobile in Finse, Norway Suzanna: "The birthday (spelt wrong) one was drawn by Alan Tomkins who was the art ...

Hey!  it's normally Chewie who doesn't get the joke.  Laughing it up on the set of Return of the Jedi.

Originally posted in 2015.  Reposting as 2017 marked 30 years since the passing of Richard Marquand Richard Marquand, the director of Return of the Jedi, was born in Cardiff, Wales which is just down the road from where I live.  It may be because of this that I have a fondness for the Welshman but another reason may be the need to get the recognition out there for the talented director's work on Jedi. It's often said by fans that George Lucas really directed Return of the Jedi and at times Marquand was out of his league.  Well let's look at the evidence and see if that statement is really true. What had Marquand directed up to Return of the Jedi to catch the eye of George Lucas?  Well Marquand's directing career began in TV with Edward II way back in 1970 and a couple of episodes of a TV mini-series called The Search For The Nile.  Marquand's first feature film came in 1979, a horror film called The Legacy starring Katharine Ross and Sam Elliot.  ...

I f I can be British for just a second...Ewoks!  They are like Marmite , you either love them or hate them.  Okay  Brit humour over.  The latest Star Wars: Forces of Destiny episode is out and as you can guess it has those furry rascals in it. Episode 3 is called Ewok Escape and we leave Jakku behind and start our new adventures on the forest moon of Endor.  Princess Leia is voiced by Shelby Young and does a wonderful job.  The short cartoon is full of fun and finally explains how Princess Leia got a change of clothes on the forest moon of Endor in Return of the Jedi.  I did always wonder. Forces of Destiny is canon too so this is now the official story. Rob "Yub Nub" Wainfur @thebeardedtrio Read our review of episode one here The Bearded Trio - The Site For Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Williams and a whole lot more. THE BEARDED TRIO ON FACEBOOK THE BEARDED TRIO ON TWITTER THE BEARDED TRIO ON GOOGLE+ THE BEARDED TRIO ON...