20 Small But Poignant Details From 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace'

Mark Rennie
Updated February 11, 2021 16.8K votes 3.0K voters 383.6K views
Voting Rules
Vote up the details that are strong with midichlorians!

Released in 1999, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was hugely anticipated and bound to provoke debate. Fans have also never stopped watching the movie since it came out. They've picked up on the small details that would be easy to miss on one viewing. Be sure to vote up your favorites. 

  • 1
    1,182 VOTES

    The Only Time Darth Maul Blinks

    The Only Time Darth Maul Blinks
    Photo: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace / 20th Century Fox

    From Redditor u/aidennesc:

    The only time Darth Maul blinks in The Phantom Menace (1999) is right after Obi-Wan Kenobi cuts him in half.

    1,182 votes
  • 2
    1,486 VOTES

    A Jedi In Disguise

    A Jedi In Disguise
    Photo: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace / 20th Century Fox

    From Redditor u/GeorgeNZL:

    An extra with a yellow line across his face can be seen in the background of one of the scenes in Mos Espa. This extra was later revealed to be 'Quinlan Vos' an undercover Jedi who was coincidentally on a mission at the same time as Obi Wan & Jinn.

    1,486 votes
  • 3
    1,158 VOTES

    The End Credits Reveal Who Played Jabba The Hutt

    The End Credits Reveal Who Played Jabba The Hutt
    Photo: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace / 20th Century Fox

    From Redditor u/Akihirohowlett:

    Jabba the Hutt is credited as playing himself.

    1,158 votes
  • 4
    1,057 VOTES

    The Parade Music Is The Same Melody As The Emperor's Theme In 'Return Of The Jedi'

    The Parade Music Is The Same Melody As The Emperor's Theme In 'Return Of The Jedi'
    Photo: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace / 20th Century Fox

    From Redditor u/badwolf422:

    The parade music from the finale is the same melody as the Emperor's theme from Return of the Jedi, just in a major key and higher tempo. This subtly indicates that Palpatine is the one who truly comes out on top by the end of the film.

    1,057 votes
  • 5
    963 VOTES

    Naboo's Waterfalls Are Made Of Salt

    Naboo's Waterfalls Are Made Of Salt
    Photo: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace / 20th Century Fox

    From Redditor u/ThisBirdBangsHorses:

    The waterfalls on the planet Naboo were created by filming a stream of salt, rather than using water or CGI.

    963 votes
  • 6
    1,050 VOTES

    The Pod From '2001' Is In Watto's Scrapyard

    The Pod From '2001' Is In Watto's Scrapyard
    Photo: MGM / 20th Century Fox

    From Redditor u/7Unit:

    Check out the scrapyard behind Watto’s shop in The Phantom Menace (1999) you'll find the missing "EVA Pod 2" from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).

    1,050 votes