A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far, Far Away…Remembering The STAR WARS EPISODE 1: THE PHANTOM MENACE Teaser Trailer

This teaser for Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace was released alongside Meet Joe Black on 13 November 1998. People couldn’t wait to see it and apparently they bought tickets for the pricey Brad Pitt starrer and left before the film started. In a time before broadband internet we spent ages waiting for the trailer to load online (often to frustrating results). When we did see it, it was a mind-blowing sight to behold. 

George Lucas returned to directing for the first time since 1977 with this CGI-filled Star Wars prequel that blew minds and disappointed with equal measure when it opened in the US May 19, 1999 (in the UK on 16 July).

Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman were no match for Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill or Carrie Fisher, but you can’t really complain too much – it was Star Wars on the big screen. It was always destined to disappoint – but like I always say: it was like having the greatest meal in your life and complaining that your second helping wasn’t as nice. You got what you wanted but you can’t really complain.