Episode I - Deleted Scene #7

**Char Ell** · 10-11-2006, 11:26 PM

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace - Deleted Scene #7 starts out with the young Anakin giving Jira some of the credits Qui-Gon gave to him from the sale of Anakin's podracer.

One of Darth Maul's probe droids is seen floating into the scene as Anakin gives Jira a hug goodbye. The droid follows Anakin as he hurries to catch up with Qui-Gon and slides in close behind the two. Qui-Gon, in one swift motion, ignites his lightsaber and slices the droid in two. He examines the droid's remains and tells Anakin that it's an unusual probe droid he hasn't seen before, looks quickly around the area, and then he and Anakin immediately set off at a run towards the outskirts of Mos Espa.

The entire scene is about 60 seconds long.

The question: Was GL's decision to delete the scene a good choice or would GL have done better by leaving the scene in the movie?

MachineCult · 10-12-2006, 05:08 AM

He was right to leave it out. Him destroying the probe droid and then fleeing meant that he suspected something, and he wouldn't have been surprised by Darth Mauls appearance as the duel suggests.

TSR · 10-12-2006, 06:15 AM

I think it would have been quite good had he left it in. it would explain more as to how Maul knew where they were headed and could catch them before they left. (i.e finding destroyed droid, tracking footsteps/general direction)

PoiuyWired · 10-12-2006, 12:12 PM

Movie folows better without the scene. THough the event should be included in EU.

Then again, numerous jarjar scenes can be cut to make for a better story. Yes I say numerous, but not all. JarJar is actually acceptable in some scenes.

TSR · 10-16-2006, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoiuyWired

JarJar is actually acceptable in some scenes.

QFE. Some scenes wouldnt be the same without him, i.e the first time anakin starts up the podracer adn JJ gets his tounge and hand stuck etc. Pointless, but lightens the mood sometimes.

**Negative Sun** · 10-16-2006, 02:38 PM

It would make sense as to why they were running when they got to the ship...

**Char Ell** · 10-16-2006, 10:22 PM

So y'all probably guessed that I wouldn't pose the question just for the sake of it, right?

I think GL should have left the scene in the theatrical release. I remember wondering why Qui-Gon was running to the Queen's transport and leaving Anakin in the dust when I first watched the movie. Obviously I knew that Darth Maul was on Tatooine and hunting them but I didn't think Qui-Gon was aware of that. And sure Qui-Gon was in a hurry to get back to the ship so they could get to Coruscant. But in the movie we see the scene where Anakin leaves his mother in Mos Eisley and walks off with Qui-Gon then the next thing we see is Anakin eating Qui-Gon's dust as they both are running towards the Queen's transport. It didn't make much sense to me until I saw this deleted scene after buying TPM on DVD. So while I'm glad GL included this deleted scene on the DVD release I think he would have done better to have left the scene in the movie.

Q · 10-17-2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Negative_Sun

It would make sense as to why they were running when they got to the ship...

Yup. He should have left it in.

TSR · 10-19-2006, 09:57 AM

My point exactly, only worded in a better way... of course

Pho3nix · 10-19-2006, 04:22 PM

I guess I don't really care, but what the hell.
I say GL should have included it in the TR.

***Jeff*** · 10-19-2006, 06:19 PM

I've never seen the scene since I have this one on VHS but I'm fine with it being left out.

RC-1162 · 10-23-2006, 11:54 AM

maybe he should have left it in, i mean, it was just 1 min, so that would have been okay right?
and it would also explain why he was running so fast that lil Ani couldnt catch up.

*Kurgan* · 10-23-2006, 10:03 PM

Episode I is long enough as it is. It just detracts from the action sequences, which is I think what most of us went to the theater to see, originally...

That said, I'm not against any of the deleted scenes being included on the DVD to watch. Even having the option to watch the movie with all those scenes cut back into the film is cool for those who want to see it. But when you're showing it in the theater and for the default cut on the DVD, keep the story going. You don't need to add in more cute moments or extra bits to just pad things out.

IMHO, anyway.

**Char Ell** · 10-23-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurgan

Episode I is long enough as it is. It just detracts from the action sequences, which is I think what most of us went to the theater to see, originally...

Sure Episode I is long enough but would it really have made the movie too long to keep that 60 seconds worth of footage?

And yes, I wanted to see the action but I also wanted to enjoy the story. I distinctly remember the transition between the two scenes that occur before and after deleted scene #7 and thinking to myself, "Why is Qui-Gon running to the ship and leaving Anakin in the dust if he doesn't know that Darth Maul is on Tattoine and hunting for him and the queen?" With this deleted scene we now know why and this is the reason I think the movie would have been better with that scene left in. And there is even some decent action in the deleted scene when Qui-Gon hacks Maul's probe droid in two with one quick slash of his lightsaber.

*Kurgan* · 10-24-2006, 12:39 AM

True enough. The action was already padded out with the longer pod race stuff.

That said, I'm a sucker for action sequences, and on DVD you can always skip past stuff, true enough. But you get the point.

With LOTR they added a lot of padding, but some of it felt necessary because certain characters were just not very developed otherwise... plus the way the extended editions were setup, they were ideal for viewing episodically, rather than all in one sitting.

When it comes to Episode I however, it almost feels like a chore for me to sit through. I guess I've been ruined by the great action of the other movies, but it just wears thin. If you can look past all its flaws and just flow with it, then sure. One more gap filled. But I can see why it was cut. I just kind of agree that Lucas could have done another edit of TPM before it was released... too much boring/silly stuff was left in.