Galactic Empire = German Empire?

Many epic directors and writers based their works on true historic events to give their view and commentary on that matter, and also for audience appeal. The Lord of the Rings, for instance, is said to be based on JRR Tolkien's experience in WWI.

Correct me if i'm wrong, i saw a star wars documentary where it said that Episode IV was released during the heat of the vietnam war, hence giving it an appeal to the masses, for the film deals with freedom fighting and all.

I noticed that vader's helmet might be inspired by the german soldiers'.Below are pictures of actual german helmets. Episode III's rise of the Empire also echoes the rise of Germany's Third Reich.

Who else noticed any instances in the movies where parallels to the real world can be noted?

look's like a shorter version of vader's, isn't it?

1977 is hardly in the midst of the heat of Vietnam!

This is an old subject; whilst the allusions to Nazism are not non-existant, the style of the British Empire is clearly in there also.

yah..i knew i got it wrong..didn't bother to check the books when writing the thread.. so 1977, what was the war that's going on?

there wasnt one

lol.

Ever heard of The Ogaden War (1977-1978) ?

Apparently not.

Ever heard of storm troopers during wwII??
Some things do get taken from history.
If you notice all the empire guys are british and the rebels are northamerican.

The cold war was blazing in '77.

Actually the German helmets have an offspring: the American helmets our boys have worn since Gulf War I.

The Empire reflects all empires in world history. Rome, Britian, Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, and even America are all examples the Lucas used to create the Empire in Star Wars

The Roman Empire in Attack of the Clones - quote Sidious on defending the republic.

They just made up an empire, then you will always recognize things from the real things on earth...

Vin

george lucas borrowed the aesthetic feel of WW2 in his ships and vader's kaiser helmet...etc, but as far as politics he was simply mimicking every oppressive empire in the history of mankind. i really wouldnt look too far into it.

Originally posted by chinabing
The cold war was blazing in '77.

Actually the German helmets have an offspring: the American helmets our boys have worn since Gulf War I.

yeah, thanks for politicising the thread with your high and might prejudicial bullshit.

C'mon some of you americans are letting the media controll you.

Aaaaaaaah communism, aaaaaaah terrorism. There's more chance to get killed by riding in your car than dieing in a terrorist attack dudes. Why the paranoia?

Keep the politics out of here, thankyou.

I always thought Vaders helmet was inspired by the Samurai headgear. Star Wars being influenced by "The Hidden Fortress" and all that.

Why is this always a subject, can noone just see the Galactic Empire for what it is...a piece of fiction.

An evil Empire spanning an entire galaxy ruled over by oppressive and powerful Sith made for a very good story.

If it's so bothersome then what would George Lucas use instead of said Empire? A Fanclub that won't lets members leave without a swirly?

There's only SO many types of helmets you can use that have an impressive style to them. The type that comes to the ears is one. Maybe it's just coincedence.

Originally posted by amity75
I always thought Vaders helmet was inspired by the Samurai headgear. Star Wars being influenced by "The Hidden Fortress" and all that.

Indeed, it was.

This topic is touched upon by the Magic of Myth exhibit, as well as the accompanying book and the 20 minute movie that was played during the exhibit.

In the book, Lucas admits that Palpatine was influenced by Hitler, Vader by the warriors of old Japan(stylistically). That the look of the empire is based on the strict military state that arose during WW2 era Germany. However, the inclusion of Joesph Campbells influence over Lucas was specifically to show that the reality of his influences were so basically-human, in that the lack of specific influences became apparent. That all good and evil is basically indestictive from one human culture to the next.

Just to note, Tolkien himself refuted that LOTR was based on WW1 experiences. He wrote The Hobbit while in the trenches, though.

Palpatine, IMO, seems to have all the worst qualities of the world's past and current dictators. Same for his empire.