MovieChat Forums > Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) Discussion > David Prowse was done a complete injusti...

David Prowse was done a complete injustice

posted 8 years ago by indialm
21 replies | jump to latest

David Prowse was done a complete injustice by not being used in the death scene where they used a different actor completely. I remember the first time I saw Vader's human face I was totally disappointed and thought "who is that?" Uncanny considering, that at that time, I had never seen David Prowse yet but knew who I was seeing was not the man who had been in the Vader costume in all those films. I really think that the filmmakers screwed up hiding by using Sebastian Shaw
(who I am sure was a great actor) instead of Prowse.

[–] Kruleworld 8 years ago

I don't know how Prowse felt about it, but he wasn't hired for his acting ability, only his stature. he also has a thick scottish(?) accent, so they would have had to dub him over anyway.

"He's dusted, busted and disgusted, but he's ok"

[–] Oh_My_Aching_Ackbar 8 years ago

Southern English accent. He's from Bristol. Some of our English posters could give you a better, accurate description, but think "deep southern American" for a comparison.
(Deep southern American here, so light on the flames, please.) 


It's a nap!

[–] chriscougar7 8 years ago

Yeah, if you see the raw footage of him talking as Vader it would of been awful for the unmasking scene. With a lot of make up and a dubbed over voice what would be the point, much better to give it to a real actor who can deliver facial expressions and not need to get the lines sounding authentic in a recording studio

[–] RobsBottin 8 years ago

I disagree. Sebastian Shaw was perfect as the unmasked Darth Vader.

It's all a deep end.

[–] Hendry_William_French 8 years ago

Exactly.

David Prowse wasn't an actor thus his voice and face should never have been seen in star wars. He was purely a guy in the suit - that's it. This mythical status he has with star wars fans is weird. James Earl Jones was Darth Vader, not that butthurt prowse guy.

Either put on these glasses or start eatin' that trash can

[–] RobsBottin 8 years ago

Indeed, he was just a man in a suit. Listen to his voice before James Earl Jones became the voice of Darth Vader:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQFho0_G1VI

Hilarious!

It's all a deep end.

[–] GorchBrother 8 years ago

David Prowse deserves credit for providing a screen presence that Jones voice would enhance.

It was a great decision for him not to flounce around, hands on hips all the time (like in his intro).

The body language in his first scene in ESB fits perfectly with the curt dialogue. "That's it! The rebels are there."

(I love comparing that scene with Ren's indecision and then belated identification of Finn as a potential deserter even when he senses it on Jakku.)

"Who can't use the Force now?! I can still use the Force!" - Yarael Poof

[–] crisso 8 years ago

Wasn't he actually fired during the production and replaced with Bob Anderson? Now surely THAT was an injustice (if true).

"I don't think there's anything extraordinary about me except this passion for the truth."

[–] GorchBrother 8 years ago

Bob Anderson did much of the sword fighting. I don't think Prowse was fired.

It's been widely reported that Prowse was not happy about being given told, like Mark Hammill was about the different lines that were going to be put in later.

"Who can't use the Force now?! I can still use the Force!" - Yarael Poof

[–] RobsBottin 8 years ago

David Prowse deserves credit for providing a screen presence that Jones voice would enhance.

Agreed and I was being (unintentionally) a little disingenuous, he was the right build for Darth and his mannerisms gave the character a sinister edge.

It's all a deep end.

[–] Hendry_William_French 8 years ago

David Prowse deserves credit for providing a screen presence that Jones voice would enhance.

True, but only one person in the world could've given Vader that type of voice (JEJ), but there was certainly more than one muscle man who could've effectively played Vader in the suit.

That's why I get bemused when Prowse signs autographs as "I *am* Darth Vader" or something along those lines. It's like, dude, James Earl Jones was Darth Vader.

Either put on these glasses or start eatin' that trash can

[–] RobsBottin 8 years ago

It was a bilateral role. Prowse was the physical manifestation of Vader, JMJ was simply the voice. You can't have one without the other so it's fair to give both actors credit for bringing Vader to life.

It's all a deep end.

[–] Hendry_William_French 8 years ago

I understand that but they still could've found other physical actors to competently fill Prowse's role. That's not the case with James Earl Jones. Therefore Prowse's role just wasn't anywhere near as vital as JEJ's.

Put it this way, imagine Vader with Prowse in the suit and someone else voicing him. Now think of another big guy in the suit and JEJ voicing him. Think of which one would make more of an impact.

I heard someone else played Vader for a portion of ROTJ since Prowse fell out with Lucas. Can you really tell the difference?

Either put on these glasses or start eatin' that trash can

[–] RobsBottin 8 years ago

We could talk endlessly about the different actors who could have donned the suit but it's really a moot point. Whoever played the physical manifestation of Vader would have deserved equal merit.

It's all a deep end.

[–] Kruleworld 8 years ago

Funnily enough JEJ wasn't even credited in the first movie, as he described his work as being only an 'effect'. I guess he didn't expect George's little kids movie to do very well.

"He's dusted, busted and disgusted, but he's ok"

[–] LanceDance (1397) 3 years ago

While I never bought into the mythical status, I do think his body language was more intimidating than the stunt actor in Rogue One.

Prowse moved slower and felt more imposing, the guy in Rogue One did a decent job but one scene that always stuck out to me was when he first spoke to Krennic, then when Vader walked away he moved to the side so as to not bump into Krennic. I feel like Vader would’ve nudged into him, pushing him out of the way.

My point is, as cool as the hallway fight was, Vader didn’t feel as scary in Rogue One as he did in the OT. I give Prowse credit for moving like a big lumbering warrior-giant and looking scary doing it.

[–] Jeorj Euler 8 years ago

I Am Your Father (2015)

[–] CoriSCapnSkip (2768) 3 years ago

David Prowse was credited at the end. Was Sebastian Shaw's name further down in small print or something?

[–] PaladinNJ (21785) 3 years ago

Sebastian Shaw was credited as Anakin Skywalker.

[–] Ripkens25 (2064) 3 years ago

Who did the stunts/swordplay in the Vader costume?

[–] CoriSCapnSkip (2768) 3 years ago

Bob Anderson, fencer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Anderson_(fencer)