When Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace hit cinemas, the initial reaction was one of disappointment (if not quite the mass hatred which that evolved into), although not without a few clear positives. The story got thrashed for its reliance on pseudo-politics, the acting was found more wooden than an Ewok city and everybody finally agreed with Harrison Ford that George Lucas might not be the best wordsmith. But one thing everyone could find time to praise was the visuals. The world Lucas created for Star Wars is phenomenal, an oft-described used future that serves as a fantasy realm of knights and rogues, and is so expertly realised that even cynics (be they prequel haters or those who "don't get" the saga in general), can't deny that the galaxy far, far away looks great. That'd be all for nothing, though, if it was for the cinematography, which translates the worlds to the big screen. It's often said that the photography of Star Wars, at least the first six movies, is for the most part incredibly classical - wide establishing shots, mid-range conversations and the odd close-up for emphasis - but that misses the numerous ingenious moments of flair. Filmed by Gilbert Taylor (Star Wars), Peter Suschitzky (The Empire Strikes Back), Alan Hume (Return Of The Jedi) and David Tattersall (the prequels), the movies boast some simply astounding shots that, even by themselves, come across brilliant and beautiful. Here are the twenty-five greatest from across the saga.
