7' Rubies Vader Replica. Any info?

[Spidey7]

Not getting anything on this in the "props" forum. Thought I'd try here as well.

Hey all you knowledgeable Star Wars types, I'm trying to gather any information that you might know about the 1997 Rubies Darth Vader "Life Size" ESB Replica. I don't know whether this item would be considered to be a prop, or a costume, or a studio scale model, so if this is in the wrong section, then MODs, please feel free to move it to the appropriate section.

I lucked into one and I would like to know more about it. Aside from the C.O.A. that came with it, I don't really know much else. I know that it was limited to 500 pieces and that it was the only licensed, full size, Vader Replica ever made. But that's about it. I tried to find out some info on another board, and (much to my surprise) I just ended up being flamed by a bunch of people telling me about how they didn't like it and how it didn't look right, and they would never buy one or have one in their home, etc. (An actual quote from one of the posters "..no kidding....this is the worst life size Vader ever created....it is one fugly mofo!..." (On a side note: I'm not really sure why some people ALWAYS feel the need to piss in someone else's Wheaties for no reason). According to the C.O.A., it is the only Vader replica that George Lucas ever granted access to the Skywalker Ranch prop vault for. It was also supposedly the only replica ever molded off of all of the actual screen used pieces worn by David Prowse, so I'm not sure how it could be so "inaccurate", according to some others.

I really like the piece and would like to know more about it. Surprisingly there really isn't any web info on it. Most of the Star Wars collecting sites don't seem to mention it either. Is it rare? Is it valuable? Is it accurate? Can I use it as a pool floaty/sex toy? These are the sorts of things I need to know in order to be a responsible Vader owner.

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, here's a link to one of the replicas (not mine, but identical to it).

http://www.pbase.com/kepani/20050620darthvader

 

[houdiniguy]

I Love it!

 

[Spidey7]

I Love it!

Why THANK you Houdiniguy! There's a little bit of sugar for me. :lol

 

[CTF]

I know that it was limited to 500 pieces and that it was the only licensed, full size, Vader Replica ever made.

The experts will chime in, no doubt, but I will say that it is not the first 1:1 Vader to be offered. Don Post did one, then Rubies took over the license and offered the exact same thing (with a different plaque, of course).

According to the C.O.A., it is the only Vader replica that George Lucas ever granted access to the Skywalker Ranch prop vault for. It was also supposedly the only replica ever molded off of all of the actual screen used pieces worn by David Prowse, so I'm not sure how it could be so "inaccurate", according to some others.

Don't believe everything you read! The armour is said to have lineage to stunt armour that Bob Anderson wore, not Prowse... so yeah. That would explain why it is so small, though.

Honestly, you'll end up wanting to replace it. Since you are now a member of the RPF... and the accuracy bug is contagious. And the rubber suit look isn't the best. But these are found for great, great prices, so it is a good starting piece.

 

[vader71]

Basically it is a nice lifesize Darth Vader.
Is it screen accurate? No.
Sure the COA has alot of very nice marketing about the piece and it is the only lifesize approved by LFL (The DP/Rubies are the same thing).

So if it makes you happy its a great buy, I know plenty of guys that are happy with this piece as a display and I know plenty of others that want the screen accurate look so they go a different route.

 

[blewis17]

You're lucky to have one of these. They were horrendously expensive back in the day. I've actually got the chest and shoulder bells from one of these puppies.

The body position is wonky, it makes Vader look too thin somehow. And the helmet dome is way off.

The chest computer has the famous Lucasfilm copyright "LFL 1995" in auerbrush style letters below the third coin slot (which was copied over too the Wookiee Cantina version that they sold) - I find this fact hilarious.

The saber is idealized and way off. The belt is not bad. The inner cloak looks too big (or Vader too thin). Vader's torso is too long and the cod piece is too small, making him look like a bean pole.

Having said all of that, it is a GREAT display piece, and only RPFers and Vader costumers are going to know the difference.

And what do I know, anyway? My Vader is an ESB/ROTJ mash up with a ROTS bucket! But I like it lots.

 

[Darth Raijlin]

I think you have an excellent piece there. I view the whole collecting thing like art; just because something isn't "Screen accurate" in one person's eyes doesn't detract from its artistic value in another's eyes.

My focus in my collection is primarily Vader. I don't collect things and compare them to how screen accurate they are. If that were the case, half of the toys and collectibles would be shunned for their inaccuracies.

I collect them because some company or artist decided to produce their interpretation of Vader in their eyes.

Sometimes I wonder if the naysayers that are so quick to criticize and critique a person's choice are that EXACT IN DETAIL in everything in the rest of their lives, or just in the hobby. LOL ... :lol

I for one would feel honored to have this as part of my collection, even with the inconsistencies.

Congratulations on a beautiful piece.

 

[Combat Baby]

The fact that the pieces my be casted from screen used stuff has that explainable loophole, as some have pointed out, that it is stunt stuff, not prowse hero stuff.

even with that said, i'm sure just replacing the soft parts with more accurate materials would make a world of difference. I've seen rubies supreme costumes with updated soft parts that end up looking great.


some people just want to troop as vader or have a nice display piece, and this does that greatly.

it's only until you come here, like you said, that people need to "piss in your wheaties"

don't worry though, that's a cool thing to have. don't let people get you down if YOU'RE happy with it.

 

[R2B9]

Screen accurate is so over rated. Which screen? 70mm curved? 35mm drive-in? 19 Zenith B&W? IMAX??

It's awesome, it rocks. Dave Prowse would complain about the fellow in the suit being a tad sickly... :lol I think it would be a wonderful centerpiece to any collection.