"Cracks" in Trooper leg armor

[Kurgan]

Anybody else notice how the lower leg parts of the Stormie armor (on the backs of the lower legs) is "split" down the middle and opens and closes as they walk (noticable in the blockade runner assault scenes in ANH)?

Should we chalk this up as a costume bug or what?

[Spanky The Dolphin]

Yes, obviously.

[SPOOFE]

Stormie armor isn't designed to be a full-coverage heavy armor like Darktrooper suits... it's designed for light armor, just a couple levels above a standard uniform, meant to help protect against your average laser shot.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

He meant cracks (as in where the plastic has broke) that run down the length of the shins of the stormtrooper costumes that are sometimes visible in shots.

I saw a website that mentioned it about two weeks ago. I'll see if it's still in my history folder.

[Mitth`raw`nuruodo]

Maybe the costumes were old, or the people's legs were too big?

[Spanky The Dolphin]

How could they be old when it was for ANH?

They simply broke, that's all...

[Darth Garden Gnome]

I think this is one of those "outside the continuity" things. The suits were made out of cheap plastic, they weren't meant to last indefinatley. I see no reason why they wouldn't crack after extended use.

[Mitth`raw`nuruodo]

How could they be old when it was for ANH?

They simply broke, that's all...

Eh? oh, nm then. Didn't read it right.

[Kerneth]

Off-topic, but Mitth'raw'nuruodo, do you have a full-size image of the Darth Vader pic?

[Mitth`raw`nuruodo]

Erm, ya, somewhere. I shrunk it down because I couldn't find a good avatar.

EDIT: I can't find the web addy, but if you want I can E-Mail it to you.

[Kurgan]

I remember that avatar! Lol... that was hilarious. ; )

[Death from the Sea]

Anybody else notice how the lower leg parts of the Stormie armor (on the backs of the lower legs) is "split" down the middle and opens and closes as they walk (noticable in the blockade runner assault scenes in ANH)?

Should we chalk this up as a costume bug or what?

but with "suspension of disbelief" there is no room for costume bugs,

so the armor is easily cracked or when troopers do crack it they aren't always able to get it replaced right away(which is true of real militaries and their gear)

[NecronLord]

but with "suspension of disbelief" there is no room for costume bugs,

Yes there is, else all officers in Rotj have the same insignia.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

Found the site:
http://index.echostation.com/trilogy/introindex.htm

The section relating to the cracked armour is on this page:
http://index.echostation.com/trilogy/tantive.htm

Here's the picture on that page of the cracked armour:


And the relating text:

Stormtrooper Splits
The plastic nature of stormtrooper armor becomes quite apparent when you watch the opening battle. When the troopers first breach the blockade runner, and the camera’s behind them, watch the backs of the troopers’ legs when they advance. The armor keeps splitting open. Also, watch when Vader arrives. Take a look at the trooper that’s checking on a fallen comrade. Again, that trooper’s leg armor shows its seams.

And keep in mind that they're referring to the armour costume in real life, not in universe.

Overall, it's a very interresting site and worth taking a look at. Basically it disects ANH (comparing the Original and Special Edition), going over everything from in universe facts, cinematic goofs, and little hidden things.

[Icehawk]

The Stormtrooper leg shots don't really look like "cracks" to me. They look more like wrap-around style pieces that are supposed to be that way for flexiblity issues and ease of removal.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

Yeah, that's what I thought, too.

[Patrick Ogaard]

The Stormtrooper leg shots don't really look like "cracks" to me. They look more like wrap-around style pieces that are supposed to be that way for flexiblity issues and ease of removal.

Which would bring the stormtrooper leg armor in line with ancient Greek "snap-on" bronze greaves. The rear portions of the stormtrooper leg armor just have to be sufficiently flexible to allow the armor gap to be pulled open far enough to slip the lower leg in, then the armor snaps shut, and that's that. Simpler than complex straps or seals that would be more appropriate for the arms.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

No no no no no.

No.

We're not refering to in universe, but to the costumes that were used for ANH in REAL LIFE.

On the same site I mentioned in one of the pages for the Death Star portion of the film they show at least one trooper with a piece of armour on his arm that has a similar cut down the length.

[Slartibartfast]

but with "suspension of disbelief" there is no room for costume bugs,

Yes there is, else all officers in Rotj have the same insignia.

And Vader flips his chest controls upside down every so often...
And there are invisible TIE fighters. And TIE fighters have a square forcefield around them that's slightly gray over the black background.
And the Flintstones' house is actually several kilometers long and it repeats itself over and over.