Star Wars: Behind the Magic is an interactive CD-ROM released in the fall of 1998 by LucasArts. It was designed as an in-depth look at the original trilogy and features a preview for Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. The features are spread over two discs. The very similar Star Wars: Episode I Insider's Guide was released the following year.
A partial version of the software, titled Star Wars: Behind the Magic Vehicles Special Edition was released as part of The LucasArts Archives Vol. IV: Star Wars Collection II.[3]
Details ‡
Behind the Magic's menu screen
Behind the Magic's features include a detailed look at the original trilogy (with a complete script); details of the characters, locations, and technology; and a look at the making of the movies. A searchable glossary of entries is available. Several games are also included, including a trivia game and an area where you can test weapons on a stormtrooper.
The CD-ROM also included a preview of Episode I, which was set to premiere in the following year. It featured a detailed look at a few elements of the film, as well as a cast list with early descriptions of the main characters.
Continuity
Star Wars Lost Scenes menu screen
Perhaps the most celebrated feature of Behind the Magic is its inclusion of several deleted scenes from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. These include the famous "Biggs scene," where Luke Skywalker and Biggs Darklighter talk on Tatooine, and a scene where Luke talks to his friends after witnessing the opening space battle. Two other bits of rough footage are included: one of Luke watching the space battle through binoculars and a rough cut of the Mos Eisley cantina scene.
The CD-ROM also contained a timeline of Star Wars events, which is now outdated by the release of the prequel trilogy and more Expanded Universe material. Some details later overturned include setting Obi-Wan Kenobi's birth year to 60 BBY instead of 57 BBY, placing the events of Episode III at 20 BBY, and placing the birth of the Skywalker twins at 18 BBY.
Palpatine is referred to as a "Dark Jedi". The Prequel trilogy would later establish that Palpatine was never a Jedi.
The ancient history timeline says that Exar Kun was "swayed toward the dark side by the spirit of Naga Sadow", but in fact it was the spirit of Freedon Nadd who convinced Exar Kun to use the dark side.[4][5][6]
Contents - Disc 1 ‡
Characters
Most bulleted entries can be "Explore[d]", each of those offering: a "Full Description", an "Image Gallery", a "Behind the Scenes" and "BtS Images" gallery, some "Audio Clip" and a "Trivia" question.
Main Characters
- Luke Skywalker
- Princess Leia
- Han Solo
- Darth Vader
- C-3PO
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Anakin, Jacen, and Jaina Solo
- Bounty Hunters
- Droids
- Imperials
- Jabba's Court
- Salacious Crumb
- Bib Fortuna
- Jabba the Hutt
- Jabba's Droid Pool
- Jabba's Guards
- Mara Jade
- Max Rebo Band
- Oola
- Jedi Knights
- Rebels
- Ackbar
- Garm Bel Iblis
- Biggs
- Dodonna
- Madine
- Mon Mothma
- Nien Nunb
- Rebel Enlisted
- Rieekan
- Wedge
- Wicket
- Chief Chirpa's Tribe
- Smugglers
- Tatooine
- Garindan
- Luke's Friends
- Owen & Beru Lars
- Modal Nodes
- Mos Eisley Cantina Patrons
Aliens & Creatures
- Animals & Other Creatures
- Monstrous Beasts
Groups & Organizations
- Rebel Forces
- Organizations
Technology
Vehicles
- Starfighters
- Aircraft
- Groundcraft
- Capital Ships
- Other Vessels
- Charts
- Vehicles Speed Chart
- Vehicles Size Chart
Weapons
- Starship & Planetary Weapons
- Personal Weapons
- Weapons Test
- Ewok Rock
- Blaster
- Lightsaber
- Thermal Detonator
- Death Star Ray
Devices
- Vehicle Devices
- Industrial Devices
Locations
- Outer Rim Worlds
- Bespin
- Dagobah
- Dantooine
- Endor
- Hoth
- Echo Base
- Wampa Ice Cave
- Hoth Asteroid Belt
- Kessel
- Mon Calamari
- Tatooine
- Topics
- Real World Locations
- Hyperspace Travel Times
Events
- Ancient History
- Recent History
- Galactic Civil War
- Battle of Yavin
- After Yavin
- Battle of Hoth
- After Hoth
- Battle of Endor
- Era of the New Republic
- Early Conflicts
- Galactic Unrest
- Young Jedi Knights
Episode I Preview
- Behind the Magic - Episode I - A Preview
- Locations - Planet Naboo
- Events - About Episode I
- Behind the Scenes - Episode I Production
- Creatures, Characters and Droids - Battle Droid
- People - Episode I Cast
- Vehicles - Naboo Starfighters
- Toys and Collectibles - New Hasbro Action Figure
Contents - Disc 2 ‡
Scene by Scene
- Star Wars
- The Empire Strikes Back
- Return of the Jedi
- Lost Scenes
- Early Luke Scene
- Anchorhead Scene
- Biggs & Luke Scene
- Early Cantina Scene
Behind the scenes
- People
- Film Credits
- Cast Members
- Crew Members
- Processes
- Culture
- Critical Response
- Publicity
- Lucas Companies
- Timeline
Expanded Universe
- Sources
- Timeline
Glossary ‡
The Glossary
Found on both discs, the glossary is an encyclopedia-like reference source, based on selected information from Star Wars Encyclopedia, also released in 1998.[2] The list is sortable into various categories:
- Alien Species
- Characters - Aliens
- Characters - Droids
- Characters - Human
- Events
- Flora and Fauna
- Groups and Organizations
- Locations - Cities
- Locations - Misc
- Locations - Planets
- Locations - Space
- Locations - Systems
- Technology
- Terminology
- Vehicles (named)
- Vehicles (types)
- Weapons
Credits
| Cast | Uncredited cast | Crew | Uncredited crew | Special thanks |
Cast
|
Crew
|
Special thanks
Very Special Thanks |
Appearances
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
|
Locations
|
Organizations and titles
Sentient species
|
Weapons and technology
|
Sources
"LucasArts: Behind the Magic" — Star Wars Insider 40- "Around the Galaxy" — Star Wars Galaxy Collector 7
Notes and references
- ↑
Star Wars :behind the magic. on the U.S. Copyright Office Public Records System (backup link archived on October 7, 2025)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Star Wars: Behind the Magic credits
- ↑ LucasArts Company Store Fall 1998 Catalog
- ↑ Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 2
- ↑ Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 3
- ↑ Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith 4
External links
- Star Wars: Behind the Magic Product Spotlight on LucasArts's official website (original site is defunct)
