{"id":1571,"date":"2011-09-08T09:29:19","date_gmt":"2011-09-08T14:29:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/?p=1571"},"modified":"2015-02-09T15:04:00","modified_gmt":"2015-02-09T20:04:00","slug":"to-kill-a-senator-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/to-kill-a-senator-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"To Kill a Senator – Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Five minutes into Attack of the Clones<\/em>, one thing is perfectly clear. Someone is trying to kill Senator Amidala. Two major attempts to assassinate her are made early in the film. The first takes place on a Coruscant landing platform. Let’s take a look at some of the deleted\/altered scenes involving this first attack in the film.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a0THE LANDING PLATFORM<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the 2nd draft of the script, Jar Jar Binks was originally supposed to be in the film’s opening scene on the landing platform. Padm\u00e9’s handmaiden, Dorm\u00e9, was also supposed to be with Jar Jar greeting the Senator upon her arrival. This version mentions a group of dignitaries as well. I don’t remember seeing a greeting party in the finished film at all. The dignitaries start to move forward when the explosion happens, and are subsequently “hurled to the ground” with everyone else.<\/p>\n

Here’s an excerpt from the 2nd draft of Attack of the Clones<\/em>:<\/p>\n

EXT. CORUSCANT, LANDING PLATFORM<\/strong>
\nTwo Naboo fighters land on one leaf of a three-leaf-clover landing platform. The Royal Starship lands on the central leaf, and the third fighter lands on the remaining platform.<\/em><\/p>\n

A small GROUP OF DIGNITARIES waits to welcome the Senator. One of the members of the group is a well-dressed JAR JAR BINKS, a member of the Galactic Representative Commission, and Dorm\u00e9, Senator Amidala’s handmaiden.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On a non-Jar Jar related note, a friend of mine named Erwin had the distinct pleasure of seeing an early “Press Screening” version of Episode II<\/em> at a theater near him. He mentioned that there were a few small differences in that version from the final cut. Here’s something he mentioned about the landing platform scene:<\/p>\n

When Amidala’s ship explodes, one of the N1 Starfighters accompanying Amidala, is hurled over the edge and falls into the clowds, it can be seen at the far left, in the theater version we cut to the following shot, but in the press-screening version the camera kept following the N1 as it fell, and fell… and fell… just as in The Phantom Menace where an N1 fighter is shot by a Battle Tank and falls right out of the hangar into the plains lots lower.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PADM\u00c9 ADDRESSES THE SENATE<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Included with the\u00a0Episode II<\/em> DVD is a deleted scene where Senator Amidala goes before the senate and gives her impassioned speech. The scene was to take place after the landing platform explosion scene at the beginning of the film and before the first meeting in Palpatine’s office. The filmmakers explained that the scene was just too long and slowed down the film, and it was almost immediately apparent that the scene needed to be removed during editing.<\/p>\n

There are a few notable characters who ended up on the cutting room floor in this scene.\u00a0 Palpatine’s aide, Uv Gizen, is one of them. Another is Senator Darsana, who was voiced by ILM Lead Animator Rob Coleman, for all you trivia buffs.<\/p>\n

The scene, as it is on the DVD, is one of the better ones they decided to include. Unfortunately, it does not appear to be the full scene as it exists in the original script. In that version, Palpatine explains Amidala’s assassination, some other senators express their opinions on various matters, plus a few other small details.<\/p>\n

Here’s an excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones<\/a><\/em>:<\/p>\n

EXT. SENATE BUILDING – DAY
\nThe massive Senate Building glistens in the afternoon sun. Small patches of fog have still to burn off.<\/em><\/p>\n

INT. SENATE CHAMBER – DAY
\nThe vast rotunda is buzzing with chatter. Mas Amedda, the Supreme Chancellor’s majordomo, tries to quiet things down as Palpatine confers with an aide, Uv Gizen, riding a small one man floating scooter.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mas Amedda
\nOrder! We shall have order!
\nThe motion for the republic to
\ncommission an army takes precedent,
\nand that is what we will vote
\non at this time.<\/p>\n

Everything quiets down. The aide disperses, and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine steps to the podium.<\/em><\/p>\n

Palpatine
\n…My esteemed colleagues, excuse me
\n…I have just received some tragic and
\ndisturbing news. Senator Amidala of the
\nNaboo system has been assassinated!<\/p>\n

There is a shock silence in the vast arena.<\/em><\/p>\n

Palpatine (continuing)
\nThis grievous blow is especially personal
\nto me. Before I became Chancellor,
\nI served Amidala when she was Queen.
\nShe was a great leader who fought
\nfor justice, not only in this honorable
\nassembly, but also on her home planet.
\nShe was so loved she could have been
\nelected queen for life. She believed
\nin public service, and she fervently believed
\nin democracy. Her death is a great loss to
\nus all. We will all mourn her as a relentless
\nchampion of freedom\u2026
\nand as a dear friend.<\/p>\n

There is a moment of silence. Ask Aak, the Senator of Malastare, moves his pod into the center of the arena.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ask Aak
\nHow many more Senators will die
\nbefore this civil strife ends! We must
\nconfront these rebels now,
\nand we need an army to do it.<\/p>\n

A second pod moves into the center of the area with Darsana, the Ambassador of Glee Anselm.<\/em><\/p>\n

Darsana
\nWhy weren’t the Jedi able to stop
\nthis assassination? We are no longer safe
\nunder their protection.<\/p>\n

Senator Orn Free Taa swings forward in his pod.<\/em><\/p>\n

Orn Free Taa
\nThe Republic needs more security
\nnow! Before it comes to war.<\/p>\n

Palpatine
\nMust I remind the Senator from
\nMalastare that negotiations are
\ncontinuing with the separatists.
\nPeace is our objective here\u2026not war.<\/p>\n

The Senators yell pros and cons. Mas Amedda tries to calm things down. Senator Padm\u00e9 Amidala, with Captain Typho, Jar Jar, and Dorm\u00e9, maneuvers her pod into the center of the vast arena.<\/em><\/p>\n

Padm\u00e9
\nMy noble colleagues, I concur
\nwith the Supreme Chancellor.
\nAt all costs, we do not want war!<\/p>\n

The Senate goes quiet, then there is an outburst of cheering and applause.<\/em><\/p>\n

Palpatine
\nIt is with great surprise and joy
\nthe chair recognizes the Senator
\nfrom Naboo, Padm\u00e9 Amidala.<\/p>\n

Padm\u00e9
\nLess than an hour ago, as assassination
\nattempt was made against my life.
\nOne of my bodyguards and six others
\nwere ruthlessly and senselessly murdered.
\nI was the target but, more importantly,
\nI believe this security measure before
\nyou was the target. I have led the opposition
\nto build an army\u2026 but there is someone
\nin this body that will stop at nothing
\nto assure its passage\u2026<\/p>\n

Many of the Senators boo and yell at Senator Amidala.<\/em><\/p>\n

Padm\u00e9 (continuing)
\nI warn you, if you vote to create this
\narmy, war will follow. I have experienced
\nthe misery of war firsthand;
\nI do not wish to do it again.<\/p>\n

There is sporadic yelling for and against her statements.<\/em><\/p>\n

Padm\u00e9 (continuing)
\nWake up, Senators\u2026you must wake up!
\nIf we offer the separatists violence, they
\ncan only show us violence in return!
\nMany will lose their lives. All will lose their freedom.
\nThis decision could very well destroy the very
\nfoundation of our great Republic.
\nI pray you do not let fear push you into
\na disastrous decision. Vote down this
\nsecurity measure, which is nothing less
\nthan a declaration of war!
\nDoes anyone here want that?
\nI cannot believe they do.<\/p>\n

There is an undercurrent of booing\u2026and groaning. Senator Orn Free Taa moves his pod next to Amidala.<\/em><\/p>\n

Orn Free Taa
\nMy motion to defer the vote
\nmust be dealt with first.
\nThat is the rule of law.<\/p>\n

Amidala looks angry and frustrated. Palpatine gives her a sympathetic look.<\/em><\/p>\n

Palpatine
\nIn view of the lateness of the hour
\nand the seriousness of this motion,
\nwe will take up these matters tomorrow.
\nUntil then, the Senate stands adjourned.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The images here are courtesy DVDCC.com<\/a> and PadawansGuide.com<\/a>. The video clip was captured from the DVD and sent in by Dylan McDermond.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Click<\/a><\/td>\nDownload: <\/strong>Clip of Padm\u00e9 making her speech before the senate from the Episode II<\/em> DVD.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

MACE WINDU AND YODA IN THE HALLWAY<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>This scene introduces the (ultimately deleted) concept of Yoda going off alone to probe the Dark Side of the Force for clues about the strange goings on lately. This probing of the Dark Side is a dangerous process, of course. Yoda feels the Sith are involved and memories of a decade ago still linger.\u00a0 The idea was ultimately dropped from the final film.<\/p>\n

This scene takes place after Anakin and Obi-Wan meet with Senator Amidala, Captain Typho, Dorm\u00e9 and Jar Jar Binks in Amidala’s apartment. It’s a scene that was deleted in favor of combining its dialogue with another scene where Mace Windu was to walk Obi-Wan to his starfighter to see him off . Instead of having two scenes, Lucas was able to combine them into one and accomplish the same feat, getting all his ideas across perfectly. Oddly enough, that scene with Obi-Wan\u00a0 also ended up deleted although some of its dialogue was used elsewhere.<\/p>\n

The original scene took place in a dark hallway somewhere in the Jedi Temple. There are different versions of this scene depending on where you get your information. I’m including two excerpts: one from the 2nd draft that leaked onto the Internet before the film was out and another from The Art Of Attack of the Clones<\/a><\/em> which includes a slightly different version of the final script. They’re very similar except for a few short phrases.<\/p>\n

If you check out the Episode II<\/em> “Making of” documentary #10 called “Good to G.O.”, you’ll see a brief clip of the shooting of this scene.<\/p>\n

Here’s the excerpt from The Art Of Attack of the Clones<\/a><\/em>:<\/p>\n

15 INT. JEDI TEMPLE, CORRIDOR – EVENING
\nMace Windu and Yoda walk down the long hallway, silhouetted by a lit room at the end.<\/em><\/p>\n

MACE WINDU
\nWhy couldn’t we see this
\nattack on the Senator?<\/p>\n

YODA
\nMasking the future, is this
\ndisturbance in the force.<\/p>\n

MACE WINDU
\nThe prophecy is coming true,
\nthe dark side is growing.<\/p>\n

YODA
\nAnd only those who have turned to
\nthe Dark Side can sense the possibilities
\nof the future. Only going through
\nthe Dark Side can we see.<\/p>\n

MACE WINDU
\nIt’s been ten years and the Sith
\nstill have not shown themselves.
\nDo you think they are behind this?<\/p>\n

YODA
\n\u2026Out there, they are.
\nA certainty, that is.<\/p>\n

There is a long silence as they walk away. Only footsteps are heard.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here’s the excerpt from the 2nd draft:<\/p>\n

[Same dialogue as above, but numbered scene 12]<\/strong><\/p>\n

YODA
\n\u2026Out there, they are.
\nA certainty, that is.<\/p>\n

MACE WINDU
\nDo you think Obi-Wan’s apprentice
\nwill be able to bring balance
\nto the Force?<\/p>\n

YODA
\nOnly if he chooses to
\nfollow his destiny.<\/p>\n

There is a long silence as they walk away. Only footsteps are heard.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Five minutes into Attack of the Clones<\/em>, one thing is perfectly clear. Someone is trying to kill Senator Amidala. Two major attempts to assassinate her are made early in the film. The first takes place on a Coruscant landing platform. Let’s take a look at some of the deleted\/altered scenes involving this first attack in the film.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001004,"featured_media":1086,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,4],"tags":[178,150,104,28,179,29,149,111,63,182,180,115,122,133,166,107,177,91,181],"class_list":["post-1571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cutscenes-aotc","category-cutscenes","tag-ask-aak","tag-attack-of-the-clones","tag-coruscant","tag-cut","tag-darsana","tag-deleted","tag-episode-ii","tag-galactic-senate","tag-jar-jar-binks","tag-jedi-temple","tag-mace-windu","tag-mas-amedda","tag-orn-free-taa","tag-padme","tag-padme-amidala","tag-palpatine","tag-senator-amidala","tag-sith","tag-yoda"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1571","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1001004"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1571"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1571\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3348,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1571\/revisions\/3348"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1571"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}