Redwoods & Star Wars, Return of the Jedi, Endor
Episode VI, Endor Scenes Filming Location
Continued from: Largest Coast Redwoods
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There are several versions online about where Star Wars Episode VI Endor scene was filmed. The following should be correct based on reliable sources including Dr. Silllett the redwood researcher, news sources and reports by local residents. It was not filmed in Redwood National Park Tall Trees Grove or Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. When I first read hearsay about Jedediah Smith Redwoods or Redwood National Park for Star Wars Endor it was hard to believe so much impact would be permitted in the redwood park groves like the one shown in the image below. Rather, the movie was produced utilizing other locations in Humboldt and Del Norte.
Return of the Jedi Endor set was very unlike the movie Bird Box which did included some scenes from Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. But that was subtle like an actor or stunt double rolling down a hill rather than machines and groups of extras.
Continue reading below the image ...
Also, Tall Trees Grove is not in Jedediah Smith Redwoods for those who may have read something along those lines. That grove is farther in Redwood National Park, requires a permit and gate lock combination, and would be quite difficult to access for gear and materials. The best known grove in Jedediah Smith is Stout Grove but that's not the place either.
California State State Parks Facebook page had wrong locations as late as winter 2013 - 2014 using old data remaining in files. Incorrect information has been propagating for years now.
The Correct Information
Del Norte county California provided the land of Endor backdrop where rebels and Ewoks fought the evil Empire in Star Wars Return of the Jedi. Lucasfilm shot scenes for moon of Endor near Smith River on Miller-Rellim Redwood Company land, April to May, 1982.
In commentary producer George Lucas said he wanted a primitive look. To take down a technological super-power, rebels and Ewoks used natural resources like stone and wood.
"A jungly kind of place, the color of life, a cradle of life environment."
The crew was on Morrison Creek Rd., where old-growth redwoods were slated to be logged. Before filming, some ground had to be leveled.
"We came in about 11 months ago with bulldozers to level the ground and replant ferns and seeds so we had an area that looked natural" (Kazanjian).
Filming included a chase scene through redwoods, shot by a cameraman walking through the forest. Actors shot their sequences in front of green screen. Throughout battle scenes, redwoods smash to the ground and the shield generator is blown up amidst giant redwoods.
"Here it is on film and at least the process entertained everyone before it had to be cut down"
One person relayed from Dennis Muren who worked on the film that some sideview speeder filming was done along the Avenue of the Giants. A few side by side photos & screenshots online suggest steadycam sequences at Owen Cheatham Grove in Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. That's not Avenue of the Giants, but is close NE of it, in Humboldt
See also Triplicate News: Redwood Film Making
Web surfing one day, I stumbled upon several images someone shared of an original drawing they acquired of the Endor set in the redwood forest. The drawings appear hand drawn on large drafting vellum. Apparently copied as blueprints and distributee to the cast and crew. The image at right is a small crop of the artifact photo to illustrate. Apparently the blog post vanished. Maybe the Death Star got it. Anyway, I saved a few screen captures from my monitor and put a sample at the bottom of this page.
The previous image, was Simpson Reed grove in Jedediah Smith redwoods. That's not the area of the movie but about 10 miles south of the real filming location. It still shows the general appearance of the forest in that area and Humboldt redwood parks.
Unlike Jedediah Smith redwoods which still remains as protected old growth, the redwood forest seen in Return of the Jedi for Endor was completely logged and harvested. More or less what you would call a clearcut.
Over the years it was interesting to hear observations or experiences from various people who were local residents at the time. Some remember whether actors of Return of the Jedi or Bird Box would make eye contact during brief visits into town. One man who worked at the refuse station near Crescent City recalled a bunch of dump trucks after filming was finished, loaded with huge fake tree trunks that were placed for various needs among the real trees.
As I sit here today editing this page again, May 3rd, let me close with:
May the 4th be with you !
