Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)

Star Wars: Clone Wars

The DVD Volume One cover art for Star Wars: Clone Wars
Genre
Created by
Written by
  • Bryan Andrews
  • Mark Andrews
  • Darrick Bachman
  • Paul Rudish
  • Genndy Tartakovsky
Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
Voices of
Theme music composer John Williams (original)
Composer(s) James L. Venable
Paul Dinletir
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 25 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Sam Register
George Lucas
Producer(s)
  • Genndy Tartakovsky
  • Shareena Carlson (Season 3; line producer, Season 1–2)
Running time
  • Volume I: 3 minutes
  • Volume II: 12–15 minutes
Production company(s) Lucasfilm Ltd.
Cartoon Network Studios
Release
Original network Cartoon Network
Original release November 7, 2003 (2003-11-07) – March 25, 2005 (2005-03-25)
Chronology
Preceded by Star Wars: Droids
Star Wars: Ewoks
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Followed by Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Star Wars: Clone Wars is an American animated microseries created by Genndy Tartakovsky, set in the Star Wars universe. Chronologically, the series fills the three-year gap between prequel films Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. The show follows the actions of various characters from the Star Wars prequel trilogy; notably Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Yoda, and other Jedi Knights during the conflict, leading the clone trooper forces of the Galactic Republic against the battle droid armies of the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Sith.

Clone Wars was produced by Cartoon Network Studios in association with Lucasfilm Ltd., and was aired on Cartoon Network in 25 chapters from 2003 to 2005. The first two seasons, comprising Volume One, were produced in a two- to three-minute "micro" format, while season three was produced as fifteen-minute episodes making up Volume Two. Both volumes were later released on home video edited as feature-length films. Since release, it has received critical acclaim and won multiple awards.

Plot

Backstory

Star Wars: Clone Wars is part of the Star Wars prequel storyline, surrounding the fall of esteemed Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and his subsequent transformation into the Sith Lord Darth Vader. The series begins in the year 22 BBY, a few months following Attack of the Clones. The Clone Wars have just begun, with the failing Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order under siege from the Confederacy of Independent Systems wishing to secede from Galactic society with the help of the Sith. As the war rages, more and more planets slip from Republic control. Both the Jedi and the Sith use a metaphysical power source known as the Force for a variety of purposes, but in different manners: the Jedi draw on the "light" side which is fueled by selflessness and compassion, while the Sith draw on the "dark" side which is fueled by primal urges such as greed and hate.

Synopsis

The main storyline of Volume One features the Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (James Arnold Taylor) being assigned to lead an assault on the planet Muunilinst, home of the Intergalactic Banking Clan, benefactors of the Confederacy of Independent Systems wishing to break away from the Galactic Republic. His apprentice, Anakin Skywalker (Mat Lucas), is personally appointed to lead the space forces by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Nick Jameson), the secret alter ego of Sith Lord Darth Sidious. Also on Muunilinst, ARC (Advanced Recon Commando) Captain Fordo (André Sogliuzzo) leads more clone troopers on an assault. Meanwhile, Separatist leader Count Dooku (Corey Burton) takes in the Dark Jedi Asajj Ventress (Grey DeLisle) as his apprentice and sends her to eliminate Anakin. Anakin diverts his attention in the middle of the space battle to pursue Ventress to Yavin 4, where he manages to defeat her in a lightsaber duel, though only through the means of fear and anger, the path to the dark side of the Force.

Surrounding this storyline are various battles focusing on other Jedi and their wartime exploits: Jedi Master Mace Windu (T.C. Carson) faces an entire droid army unarmed on Dantooine; Grand Master Yoda (Tom Kane) travels to the ice world Ilum in order to save two imperiled Jedi Knights; the amphibious Kit Fisto (Richard McGonagle) leads an aquatic regiment of clone troopers on the waterworld Mon Calamari; and a team of Jedi encounter the dreaded General Grievous (John DiMaggio in season 2; McGonagle in season 3) on Hypori.

The Volume Two storyline picks up two years after Anakin's victory over Ventress and Obi-Wan's victory on Muunilinst. With Grievous emerging to claim victories for the Separatists, the Republic is in need of more Jedi Knights. After much consideration, the Jedi Council decides to promote Anakin to a Knight. Three years later, Anakin has become a strong Jedi Knight and has helped the Republic several times, such as aiding Obi-Wan in capturing a fortress, saving Saesee Tiin (Carson) from a space battle, and rescuing a couple of Jedi from bigger droids. During the rest of the war, Anakin and Obi-Wan are assigned to find Grievous on the planet Nelvaan, but instead end up liberating a group of Nelvaanians who had been enslaved and mutated by the Techno Union.

Meanwhile, General Grievous leads an assault on Coruscant and, despite the best efforts of Yoda, Windu, Shaak Ti (DeLisle) and others, kidnaps Palpatine for his Master, Dooku. Anakin faces a spiritual trial that shows him becoming Darth Vader and also manages to rescue the Nelvaan warriors, though he once again draws upon his anger, then sets out with Obi-Wan to rescue the Chancellor over Coruscant. This leads directly into the beginning of Revenge of the Sith.

Production

The series was produced by Genndy Tartakovsky and employs a similar animation style to Tartakovsky's Samurai Jack. Tartakovsky revealed in his Hyperspace commentary tracks on the official Star Wars website and on the Volume I DVD that he purposely animated C-3PO with moveable expressive eyes to pay homage to the animators of and the animation style of Nelvana, the production company behind the animated segment from Star Wars Holiday Special and the 1980s Droids cartoon series. George Lucas who inspired the Clone Wars television series served as an executive producer in addition, he gave Tartakovsky all the major events during the Clone Wars.

Broadcast

The pilot series, produced primarily with traditional animation, originally ran on Cartoon Network. In addition to being shown on television, the episodes were released online simultaneously at the Star Wars and Cartoon Network websites. The series was heavily advertised by Cartoon Network, and was originally shown immediately before their popular Friday night programming block Fridays.

Episodes

Season 1 (2003)

Season 1 consisted of 10 episodes, lasting 3 minutes each. These episodes were released on DVD together with those from the second season as Volume One.

No.
overall 
No. in
season 
Title  Directed by  Written by  Original air date  Prod.
code 
11"Chapter 1"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasNovember 7, 2003 (2003-11-07)101
Three months after the battle of Geonosis, the Clone Wars rage across the galaxy. Obi-Wan Kenobi is given the task of leading the assault on Muunilinst while Anakin Skywalker gets command over the space forces. Anakin bids farewell to his secret wife, Senator Padmé Amidala.
22"Chapter 2"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasNovember 10, 2003 (2003-11-10)103
Obi-Wan's ARC troopers are shot down over the capital of Muunilinst as the assault on the Intergalactic Banking Clan's planet begins.
33"Chapter 3"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasNovember 11, 2003 (2003-11-11)102
Pinned down by droid enemy fire, the ARC troopers must make use of their specialist training to reach their target.
44"Chapter 4"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasNovember 12, 2003 (2003-11-12)107
With the battle of Muunilinst raging in space as well as on land, San Hill orders Durge and his IG-lancer droids to defend the city.
55"Chapter 5"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasNovember 13, 2003 (2003-11-13)104
On Mon Calamari, Kit Fisto and his Scuba Troopers defends the Calamari council against Manta Droid sub fighters army of the Quarren Isolation league. Mon Calamari Knights riding giant Keelkanas provide the Republic forces with back up.
66"Chapter 6"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasNovember 14, 2003 (2003-11-14)105
Count Dooku arrives on Rattatak to witness the gladiator fights at the "Cauldron". A force sensitive woman beats every opponent in the Arena and claims to be a Sith.
77"Chapter 7"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasNovember 17, 2003 (2003-11-17)108
Dooku submits Asajj Ventress to a test with a lightsaber before sending her on her way to find and eliminate Anakin Skywalker.
88"Chapter 8"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasNovember 18, 2003 (2003-11-18)106
General Kenobi and his troopers mount up on speeder bikes to take on Durge and the droid forces from the Intergalactic Banking Clan.
99"Chapter 9"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasNovember 19, 2003 (2003-11-19)110
General Kenobi and the ARC Troopers capture the Banking Clan's headquarters but Durge remains in pursuit, displaying almost unstoppable regenerative powers.
1010"Chapter 10"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasNovember 20, 2003 (2003-11-20)111
Anakin proves himself to be the best star fighter in the galaxy battling Geonosian fighters above Muunilinst.

Season 2 (2004)

Season 2 consisted of 10 episodes, lasting 3 minutes each. These episodes were released on DVD together with those from the first season as Volume One.

No.
overall 
No. in
season 
Title  Directed by  Written by  Original air date  Prod.
code 
111"Chapter 11"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasMarch 26, 2004 (2004-03-26)201a
Anakin chases a mysterious rogue pilot (Asajj Ventress) piloting a Geonosian fanblade starfighter and against his master's orders, pursues her into hyperspace.
122"Chapter 12"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasMarch 29, 2004 (2004-03-29)201b
Young Paxi Sylo looks on as Mace Windu battles Separatist droids backed up by enormous seismic tanks on Dantooine.
133"Chapter 13"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasMarch 30, 2004 (2004-03-30)203
Having lost his lightsaber, Master Windu must take on a battalion of Super Battle Droids hand to hand.
144"Chapter 14"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasMarch 31, 2004 (2004-03-31)204
The sacred Jedi temple on Ilum is attacked by Chameleon droids just as Luminara Unduli's padawan, Barriss Offee is completing her training.
155"Chapter 15"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasApril 1, 2004 (2004-04-01)202
Master Yoda, traveling aboard Senator Amidala's ship, persuades Captain Typho to take a detour to Ilum in order to mount a rescue operation.
166"Chapter 16"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasApril 2, 2004 (2004-04-02)205
Padmé, worrying about Master Yoda, is attacked by Chameleon Droids. Luckily she has C3PO to use as a decoy.
177"Chapter 17"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasApril 5, 2004 (2004-04-05)208
Anakin has followed Asajj Ventress to Yavin IV. Although a clone squadron has been sent after them by Obi-Wan in a Republic carrier, they prove to be no match for the Sith hopeful.
188"Chapter 18"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasApril 6, 2004 (2004-04-06)206
Ventress leads Anakin through the jungles of Yavin VI towards the ancient Massassi temples once inhabited by Exar Kun.
199"Chapter 19"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasApril 7, 2004 (2004-04-07)207
Driven to the edge by Asajj Ventress, Anakin almost gives in to the dark side in a final bid to defeat her.
2010"Chapter 20"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasApril 8, 2004 (2004-04-08)209
The Republic has won the battle of Muunilinst, but news arrives of a new droid general hunting down Jedi on the planet Hypori. There, a group of Jedi consisting of Ki-Adi Mundi, Shaak Ti, Aayla Secura, K'Kruhk, Tarr Seirr and Sha'A Gi are driven into a corner by the formidable General Grievous.

Season 3 (2005)

Season 3 consisted of 5 episodes, lasting 12 minutes each. These episodes were released on DVD as Volume Two.

No.
overall 
No. in
season 
Title  Directed by  Written by  Original air date  Prod.
code 
211"Chapter 21"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasMarch 21, 2005 (2005-03-21)301
Captain Fordo and his ARC troopers rescue Ki Adi Mundi, Aayla Secura and Shaak Ti from Grievous. The Jedi council grants Anakin Skywalker the title of Jedi Knight, after which Senator Amidala allows him the use of R2D2 as co-pilot for his Jedi Interceptor starship.
222"Chapter 22"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasMarch 22, 2005 (2005-03-22)303
Leading the third army of the Republic, General Kenobi and Commander Skywalker blow up a shield generator on Bomis Korri IV. Meanwhile, Separatist forces move in on Outer Rim planets such as Kashyyyk, Orto and Bal'demnic. As Darth Sidious launches his final operation, Obi-Wan and Anakin are sent to Nelvaan, where young Skywalker disrupts a young native's rite of passage by defeating a giant Horax.
233"Chapter 23"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasMarch 23, 2005 (2005-03-23)302
Coruscant is attacked by Separatists forces. Mace Windu takes to the air while Yoda rides his Kybuck to defend the city. Meanwhile, Saesee Tinn leads his troops into battle just above the planet's atmosphere. On Nelvaan, Obi-Wan volunteers Anakin to take the trial of fire.
244"Chapter 24"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasMarch 24, 2005 (2005-03-24)304
Jedi Shaak Ti, Roron Corobb and Foul Moudama fight to keep Supreme Chancellor Palpatine out of General Grievous' mechanical claws. Anakin finds a hidden laboratory where the Techno Union is conducting mutation experiments on Nelvaan warriors.
255"Chapter 25"Genndy TartakovskyGeorge LucasMarch 25, 2005 (2005-03-25)305
Shaak Ti takes a desperate stand against Grievous' Magnaguards. Anakin, surrounded by mutated Nelvaan Warriors, must destroy the geothermal crystal powering the siphon generator. Mace Windu hurries to face General Grievous, who abducts Palpatine. When Anakin and Obi-Wan learn of this, they set out on a dangerous rescue mission, leading into...

Reception

Critical reception

In 2009, Clone Wars was ranked 21 on IGN's Top 100 Animated Series list.[1]

Awards and nominations

Award Type Season(s) Year
Saturn Award for "Best Television Presentation" in the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA[2]Nominated1 and 22004
Emmy Award for "Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More)"[3]Won1 and 22004
Emmy Award for "Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More)"[4]Won32005
Emmy Award to background key designer Justin Thompson for "Outstanding Individual in Animation"[4]Won32005
Annie Award for "Best Animated Television Production"[2]Won32006

Home media

Chapters 1–20 of the series were released March 22, 2005, as Star Wars Clone Wars: Volume I. The episodes were edited together into one continuous feature. The set featured English subtitles, and commentary tracks on all the episodes, as well as art galleries, behind the scenes information, and the featurette "Bridging the Saga: From Clone Wars to Revenge of the Sith", the Revenge of the Sith teaser trailer: with interviews of George Lucas, Genndy Tartakovsky, and the Clone Wars production crew. The disc also featured a glimpse of Volume II, an Episode III game trailer, and a playable level of the Xbox game Star Wars: Republic Commando.

Chapters 21–25 of the micro-series were released on December 6, 2005, as Star Wars Clone Wars: Volume II. The release was an edited together compilation of the five chapters, similar to the Volume I release. The set featured English subtitles, and commentary tracks on all the episodes. Features included a Revenge of the Sith movie trailer, art galleries, trailers for the Star Wars games Battlefront II and Empire at War, an Xbox demo with two levels from Battlefront II, and the LEGO short film Revenge of the Brick. Also included was the featurette "Connecting the Dots", which highlighted the creative process that Genndy Tartakovsky and his team used to link Clone Wars to Revenge of the Sith. Volume II was released significantly later than the DVD release of Revenge of the Sith. According to Van Ling, the producer of both DVDs, the Volume II disc was released at such a late date due to an extremely tight schedule in producing the DVDs. According to http://starwars.com, both DVDs were produced at exactly the same time, but the Clone Wars DVD could not be finished in time for the DVD release of Revenge of the Sith. Ling apologized to fans for this.

DVD releases

Title Release date Episodes
Region 1 Region 2
Star Wars: Clone Wars: Volume One March 22, 2005 May 9, 2005 1–20

This release contains all 20 of the show's 3-minute episodes, edited together into one continuous feature with English subtitles and an optional commentary track. Extras include art galleries, behind the scenes information, and the featurette "Bridging the Saga: From Clone Wars to Revenge of the Sith", the Revenge of the Sith teaser trailer: with interviews of George Lucas, Genndy Tartakovsky, and the Clone Wars production crew. The disc also features a glimpse of Star Wars: Clone Wars – Volume Two, an Episode III game trailer, and a playable level of the Xbox game Star Wars: Republic Commando.

Star Wars: Clone Wars: Volume Two December 6, 2005 December 5, 2005 21–25

This release contains all 5 of the show's 12-minute episodes, edited together into one continuous feature with English subtitles and an optional commentary track. Extras include a Revenge of the Sith movie trailer, art galleries, trailers for the Star Wars games Battlefront II and Empire at War, an Xbox demo with two levels from Battlefront II, and the LEGO short film Revenge of the Brick. Also included was the featurette "Connecting the Dots", which highlighted the creative process that Genndy Tartakovsky and his team used to link Clone Wars to Revenge of the Sith.

References

  1. "IGN - 21. Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003)". Tv.ign.com. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
  2. 1 2 "Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series) : Awards". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  3. "Star Wars: Clone Wars". Emmys.com. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
  4. 1 2 "Star Wars Clone Wars Vol. 2 (Chapters 21-25)". Emmys.com. Retrieved 2012-10-02.

External links

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