Search Star Wars Figures and Vehicles:

Across the first two Star Wars trilogies there are plenty of framing techniques used to create a sense of cohesion between movies and across Trilogies and to give the epic form an over-arching sense of completeness. One of the most interesting instances of this for me is Lucas's use of fire and water scenes.

One example of such framing is created by the two underwater scenes in the Prequel Trilogy where one happens close to the start of the first movie The Phantom Menace, and the other towards the end of the third The Revenge of the Sith, when Order 66 is executed and Obi-Wan takes a tumble into the water. One more is in the funeral scenes where Qui-Gon is burnt in a funeral ceremony at the end of the first movie of the first Trilogy and Anakin/Vader is burnt in a funeral ceremony at the end of the last movie of the second Trilogy. Notably Episode III The Revenge of the Sith also ends with Padmé's funeral so between the three funerals we get a strong sense of a beginning (The Phantom Menace) a middle (The Revenge of the Sith) and an end (The Return of the Jedi) across the expanse of both trilogies. Once you start looking for these framing devices in the Star Wars films they start to pop up everywhere which gives them a nice sense of balance and cohesion and also clearly demarcates beginnings and endings.

When examined closer we also see another underlying motif behind this framing. Obi-Wan is associated with the element of water in his two underwater scenes and Anakin with that of fire both in his defeat on Mustafar in Episode III and in his funeral pyre scene at the end of Episode VI (not to mention that he is born under the scorching twin suns of Tatooine). This is rather neatly done and is in itself another framing technique whilst subtly creating an elemental and mystically fundamental opposition between Anakin/Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

If we try to extend the metaphor much further its not quite so convincing but it still holds together somewhat well. Yoda, for his greenness and his time as a resident of the muddy planet Dagobah could be seen as an earth sign (not to mention that with his diminuitive stature he is also closer to the ground than anyone else). Mace Windu, as his surname suggests, might well represent the element of wind, and since he is blown both off the Geonosian arena balcony and out of Palpatine's throne room window this could be interpreted as compounding his relationship with wind, at a push. Even Mace's first name is not out of keeping with this interpretation, with mace in it's aerosol form being a gaseous substance. If we accept these latter two interpretations then that would give us Jedi representing all the four elements of earth, wind, water and fire, but it is a bit of a stretch. It does seem to be pretty irrefutable however that Obi-Wan Kenobi is meant to be associated with water and a water sign. In the first two trilogies we only see open water three times and in each instance Obi-Wan is there (in two out of the three he is the only Jedi hero there). The third of these (which I haven't mentioned as yet) is on the Kamino landing pad in the midst of a stormy ocean and under a deluge of pouring rain in The Attack of the Clones.

If we do accept that we have four Jedi representing the four elements then it is also worth considering that taken all together they might also represent a balance of elements and thus the balance of the Force. It's an intriguing hypothesis. In this elemental reading of the Star Wars films Palpatine would probably represent lightning and electricity with his Force lightning bolts and thus be the disrupter of this balance.

Note: Another major instance of framing involves the character of C-3PO and you can read my article on the significance of C-3PO here: The Significance of C-3PO in the Star Wars Movies.

My articles on parallels between the Star wars movies might also be of interest:
Star Wars Movie Parallels between Episodes II and IV
Star Wars Movie Parallels between Episodes II and V
Star Wars Movie Parallels between Episodes III and VI

Note: Water would seem to be the element of the 'Light' side of the Force. Anakin is arguably the furthest away from the influence of the Sith by the water on the retreat in Naboo - and this is the closest we see him come to open water. Here the Dark Side can only reach him through his dreams under the influence of Palpatine. It also seems pertinent that when Luke Skywalker retreats into exile in the third Trilogy he surrounds himself by water. However, by the time of the Last Jedi it is clear that the third Trilogy departs from this symbolism. when Ren goes exploring she discovers that the Dark Side of the Force seems to permeate the subterranean waterways around the island.

---

All Star Wars action figures, vehicles, collectibles and Star Wars toys shown on this website are the 3.75 inch scale and from my own private Star Wars collection unless otherwise stated. Where possible original vintage accessories have been used but in some instances I have placed Kenner Star Wars figures with either reproduction weapons and accessories or for Hasbro figures close approximations have been used. This is mostly the case for modern Star Wars lightsabers where the correct item can be very difficult to identify on some ocassions. Vintage Star Wars action figures are shown with their original weapon or accessory when I have them. When a vintage Kenner action figure is shown with an accessory which is not original I have tried to point this out where possible.

All of the Star Wars action figures shown were purchased second hand, usually incomplete, and in bulk. They have been reunited with their original weapons and accessories where we could get hold of them.

Kenner Figures | Power of the Force Figures | Episode 1 Collection Figures | Power of the Jedi Figures | Saga Series Figures | Disney Star Tours Figures | Original Trilogy Collection Figures | Revenge of the Sith Collection Figures | Saga Collection Figures | 30th Anniversary Collection Figures | Clone Wars Collection Figures | Vintage Collection Figures | Legacy Collection Figures | Saga Legends Figures | Black Series Figures