The Dark Redemption

1999 Australian film

Peter Mether
Dwight Bonecki
Derek Curtis

Based onStar Wars expanded universe
by George LucasProduced byWarren Duxbury
Peter MetherStarringMartin Grelis
Leah McLeod
David Wheeler
CinematographyMark Seton Chapman
Tom Gleeson
Roger Grant
Andrew Oliver
Paul PandoulisEdited byRoger Grant
John Hresc
Craig Sue
Peter WorlandMusic byWilliam Bawden
Craig SueDistributed byTheForce.Net

Release date

5 March 1999 (1999-03-05) (Australia)

Running time

25 minutesCountryAustraliaLanguageEnglishBudget$30,000^[1]

The Dark Redemption is a 1999 Australian Star Wars fanfilm featuring Mara Jade, a character featured in Star Wars books and comics.^[1] Peter Sumner returns to the role of Imperial Officer Lt. Pol Treidum, whom he played in Star Wars.^[2]

An attempt was made to submit the film to an official fan film contest in 2003 that was sanctioned by George Lucas; however, the short was not considered to be eligible as it was set prior to the events of Episode IV: A New Hope, which violated the contest's rules by adding new content to the series, which Lucas also considered to be a copyright violation.^[3] The film was briefly removed from the Internet at Lucas' request.^[4]

Synopsis

Set just before the events of the original Star Wars, the film tells of how Mara Jade (a character from the Star Wars expanded universe) worked with other Rebels to capture the plans for the first Death Star. While on the mission, though, Mara hears the Emperor's call to turn to the dark side of the Force.

Other crucial moments in Star Wars history are explained in this film, such as how Han Solo got in trouble with Jabba the Hutt.

Cast

Damian Rice ... Zev Senesca
Jason Chong ... Klaus Vanderon
Michelle Ellard ... Hah'Shyyk Baba
Martin Grelis ... Boba Fett
Leah McLeod ... Mara Jade
Peter Sumner ... Lieutenant Pol Treidum
David Wheeler ... Garrock
Drew Sneddon ... Darth Sidious
William Bowden ... Voice of Darth Sidious and Cantina Alien
Nathan Harvey ... Kyle Katarn
Uncredited voice actor ... Han Solo
Ben Craig ... Darth Vader
Alan Cinis ... General Towa and Voice of Darth Vader
John Griffiths ... Admiral Melaan
Robert McDougal ... Captain McDougal and Imperial Officer
Andrew Gibson ... Rebel Officer
Maynard ... Lieutenant Arras
Jake Downs ... Lieutenant Drovas
David Lucas ... Lieutenant Raltar
Will Usic ... Lieutenant Valle
David Edwards ... Lieutenant Tighe
Yul Kannan ... Zelig, Kessel Slave Miner, and voice of Cantina Alien
Tabitha ... Bitha Tah'
Jabba ... Ramsa Lenam
Daniel Budd ... Royal Guard, Stormtrooper, and Imperial Officer

Production

Warren Duxbury and Dwight Boniecki worked on a script for The Dark Redemption for eight months before approaching Mether to help them make the film. It was considered an ambitious fanfilm at the time, with 72 scenes and 20 CGI sequences. A team of 20 3D artists worked on the short. At the time of filming, Mether was a director-producer at Foxtel, and many Foxtel presenters acted in the film.^[1]

Reception

The film was screened twice at the Noosa Film Festival.^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Juddery, Mark (1 May 1999), "Labour Of Love For "Star Wars"", Canberra Times, page 20. (Via ProQuest)
^ Barton, Kristin M.; Lampley, Jonathan Malcolm (2013-11-07). Fan CULTure: Essays on Participatory Fandom in the 21st Century. McFarland. p. 18. ISBN 9780786474189.
^ Sullivan, John L. (2012-10-23). Media Audiences. SAGE. p. 223. ISBN 9781412970426.
^ Casamento, Jo; Ewen, Amy (14 July 1999), "Film wins reprieve", Daily Telegraph – via Factiva
^ Idato, Michael (29 August 1999), "BENELONG - Top guns cruise off target.", Sunday Telegraph – via Factiva