BBC News - British Darth Vader fighter dies aged 89
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Robert James Gilbert Anderson (15 September 1922 – 1 January 2012) was an English Olympic fencer, and a renowned film fight choreographer, with a cinema career that spanned more than 50 years and included films such as Highlander, The Princess Bride, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and Die Another Day. He was regarded as the premier master of Hollywood sword-fighting[1], and during his career he coached many actors in swordsmanship, including Errol Flynn, Sean Connery, Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp. He also appeared a stunt double for Darth Vader's light-saber battles in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Backand Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Anderson_(fencer)
The character was created by
George Lucas and numerous actors have portrayed him. His appearances span all six
Star Wars films, and he is an important character in the
expanded universe of television series, video games, novels, literature and comic books. The films establish that there was originally a
Jedi Knight named Anakin who fell to the
dark side of the
Force;
[4] he is also revealed to be the father of both
Luke Skywalker and
Princess Leia Organa, the two main protagonists of the original trilogy. Vader is ultimately redeemed in
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, when he sacrifices himself to save his son, Luke.
Vader's name has become used as a synonym for a powerful form of evil, in both televisual
pop culture and political discourse."
Brian Muir sculpted Darth Vader's costume using Ralph McQuarrie's design.
[5]
Darth Vader design being shown in a
Star Wars exhibit. Lucas' vision of Darth Vader's design is to have a cape that fluttered in the wind and a wide-brimmed helmet similar to the headgear of a medieval samurai. The costumiers, Bermans Nathans and
John Mollo, who completed the character with elements from four separate departments: a monk's cloak from the ecclesiastical division, a World War II German helmet and gas mask from the military department, a leather undersuit from the motorcycle department, and a metal breastplate from the
medievalsection.
[6]
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