How to Host a Star Wars Marathon

We all love the Star Wars Saga, we all love film marathons. Here's the definitive guide to watching them all right the way through back to back!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• All films on DVD, you can get the first 3 on boxset
• DVD player
• TV, the bigger the better
• A very comfy sofa, or beanbag
• Enough snacks and drinks to cover half a day!
• A group of friends

1. 
    

   The first step is to put aside nearly 14 hours of your life! The entire film collection equates to around 13.5 hours of cinematic glory but you'll need 6 x 5 minute toilet/stretch your legs breaks. Your best chance is on a Saturday starting the first film at 10am and finishing at around midnight. Here's a schedule that has worked for me:
   
   9:50am - Everyone meets up with supplies
   10am - Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (125mins)
   12:05pm - Five minute break
   12:10pm - Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (127mins)
   2:16pm - Five minute break
   2:21pm - Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (135mins)
   4:36pm - Five minute break
   4:41pm - Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (136mins)
   6:56pm - Five minute break
   7:01pm - Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (142mins)
   9:22pm - Five minute break
   9:27pm - Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (146mins)
   11:52pm - FINISH!

2. 
    

   Choose whether you want to watch the chronologically by release or story. This is a toughie. If you want the story as laid out by George Lucas then you have to prepare yourself for some huge leaps in cinematographic style, special effects and direction but the story will be consistent. Watching the original trilogy first is not much different but will allow for an appreciation of their impact before moving on to the modern releases. The choice is yours!

3. 
    

   Make sure you have enough supplies! I mean this troops, there's no time for meals here and you're going to be sat down for long stints. Better have some ready to eat, snack foods at the ready. Crisps/potato chips, dips, popcorn and simple buffet-style fingerfoods all washed down with cans of soda/fizzy drinks work well right? Yes and no. While all these are convieniant they don't give a lot of energy, leave you dehydrated and annoy those around you while you rustle louder than the film! Empty those packets first in to bowls, that way there's no noise, easier access and you can share! Also make sure there's a bottle of water around for hydration. Try keeping fruit or Nutrigrain bars about, suprisingly filling, tasty and gives a lot of energy.

4. 
    

   So now you have your schedule, food and drink and everyone sat in their comfy seats of choice. Make sure no one needs the toilet (cos that can be very annoying!). Now it's time to fire up the widescreen, insert the disc of choice and enjoy the glory.
   
   Key points here are to assign one person to each of the films so they have to get up and change the disc, makes it fairer than one person all the time! Also make sure that if anyone leaves the room for whatever reason to pause the film, only fair! Keep bathroom breaks to strictly 5 minutes that's all anyone should need to freshen up or stretch those legs and have a chat. Also keep the remote somewhere safe, you don't want to lose that! Keep the volume up high (but not too high for your neighbours sake!), turn off all the lights and keep curtains shut to enhance the experience. Keep all cell phones off or on silent, this is just like George would have wanted it! Remember this isn't exactly like the cinema, discussion of the films with your buddies is encouraged, just try not to narrate the over the entire film!
   
   Apart from some of those hints, above all ENJOY!

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare well! There's no use going at this half-assed, you have to plan to get the most out of the experience!
• Only use good quality DVDs on a large TV,, crowding round a computer screen won't do the movies justice!
• Conversation is encouraged, there's nothing like having a laugh with your friends over the film or discussing how cool 'that bit' was!
• Get comfy! It might seem like a good idea to crash on the floor but you'll get pins and needles in no time! Snuggle up on the couch.
• Sitting around for 14 hours isn't good for you, remember to take some fresh air and exercise before and after a marathon.
• Eating junk isn't good either, be varied in your diet and keep the snacks to a minimum.
• Don't sit too close to the screen especially in the dark as this will cause eye strain.
• People who talk at inappropriate moments or mess about with their cell phones are annoying - DON'T DO IT!
• Drinking alcohol can be fun but keep it to a reasonable limit, drunken Star Wars is not something you or your friends want to be subjected to!

[AudreyBrown]

on 3/7/2008 Excellent article! One way to kick up a movie marathon is to rent a projector, and project it on a really big wall. We've often done his with Christopher Guest movies, and it feels like you have your own private theater. I imagine that it would kick large amounts of butt to do with with the Star Wars movies.