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| Photo Credit: Simon Kremer / picture alliance / Getty Images |
The first instalment of the Star Wars film series, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, premiered in 1977, transporting audiences to a world far outside of our own. While the film may have taken place in a galaxy far, far away, filming took place right here on planet Earth.
Tunisia becomes Tatooine
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| The ‘Star Wars‘ Tatooine movie site in the Tunisian desert. (Photo Credit: Education Images / Universal Images Group / Getty Images) |
Specifically, when it came to filming the desert planet of Tatooine, the home of Luke Skywalker and a pivotal location in the Star Wars universe, Tunisia served as the perfect backdrop.
The home of Luke Skywalker
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| The Ksar Ouled Soltane, a fortified granary, was used to represent the slave quarters of Mos Espa, where the character Anakin Skywalker lived as a boy. (Photo Credit: Thierry Monasse / Getty Images) |
The Lars Homestead, Luke’s iconic home, was constructed in Chott el-Djerid, near the city of Nefta.
Fans will recognize the landscape
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| Fans stand outside of structures previously used in the film. (Photo Credit: Thierry Monasse / Getty Images) |
Here, several key scenes were shot, making the area a significant visual hallmark of the franchise.
Filming took place all over the Tunisian desert
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| More structures that were part of the movie set in Tunisia. (Photo Credit: Education Images / Universal Images Group / Getty Images) |
Other locations in the Tunisia desert included Gour Beni Mzab, the Eriguet dunes, the Maguer Gorge, Ksar Hadada, Ksar Ommarsia, the Ong Jemel outcrop, the Sidi Jemour Mosque, and more.
It was a difficult environment to film in
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| A door built for the ‘Star Wars‘ film series to the right of Hotel Sidi Idris compound in Tunisia. (Photo Credit: Andrew Woodley / Education Images / Universal Images Group / Getty Images) |
As one could expect, filming in such a unique location came with a slew of problems. Capturing the arid, otherworldly landscape did not come without its challenges.
Temperatures were all over the place
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| The desert proved to be a difficult environment to film in. (Photo Credit: Thierry Monasse / Getty Images) |
The cast and crew were at the mercy of the harsh desert conditions. During the day, temperatures would soar under the sun. At night, those temperatures would drop significantly.
Sandstorms were the enemy
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| Conditions were difficult for the cast and crew. (Photo Credit: Education Images / Universal Images Group / Getty Images) |
Production was interrupted by sandstorms rather frequently, which was only the first of the issues brought forth by the sand.
Equipment took a beating
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| Inside the famous bar in the ‘cantina scene’ in the ‘Star Wars‘ series. (Photo Credit: Robert DEYRAIL / Gamma-Rapho / Getty Images) |
Not only was production often postponed by the sandstorms but the equipment was suffering damages as well. Maintenance of the equipment became a much bigger dilemma to tackle for the crew.
Rain in the desert?
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| Unpredictable weather impacted production. (Photo Credit: FETHI BELAID / AFP / Getty Images) |
In a rare occurrence for the Tunisian desert, a freak rainstorm also interrupted production.
The set got damaged pretty bad
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| Efforts are trying to prevent the ‘Star Wars’ set from slowly falling apart. (Photo Credit: Simon Kremer / picture alliance / Getty Images) |
Parts of the set sustained damage, forcing the crew to pause and repair the backdrop before they could continue filming.
The cast and crew proved their resilience
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| This is an aerial view of the ‘Star Wars‘ set, located in the middle of the Tunisian desert. (Photo Credit: DigitalGlobe / Getty Images) |
Utilizing such a unique location showcased the unpredictable nature of such a remote and unforgiving environment.
It was all worth it
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| The Tunisian desert was the perfect backdrop for Tatooine. (Photo Credit: Mikel Bilbao / VWPics / Universal Images Group / Getty Images) |
All the same, the Tunisian desert perfectly conveyed the arid climate of Tatooine.
You can visit the sets!
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| The sets are open for visitors and fans of the ‘Star Wars‘ franchise. (Photo Credit: Thierry Monasse / Getty Images) |
Today, the Tatooine sets have become a kind of pilgrimage for Star Wars around the world.
Restoration efforts are trying to keep the sets preserved
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| Several visitors explore the set. (Photo Credit: Thierry Monasse / Getty Images) |
Several structures have deteriorated over time due to the harsh climate, but efforts from fans and local groups have been made to restore and maintain these iconic movie sets.
Walk where Luke walked
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| Tourists snap photos in front of the abandoned desert set used in the filming of ‘Star Wars‘ films. (Photo Credit: Jason George / Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service / Getty Images) |
As Star Wars continues to be a popular franchise, visitors from around the world make their way to Tatooine to walk in the footsteps of their favorite characters.