We Rank the Most Important Props in Sci-fi and Fantasy History
We Rank the Most Important Props in Sci-fi and Fantasy History
By Tim Butcher, The MINDHUT, Sparknotes, May 12, 2014
Any true die-hard geek knows exactly which iconic movie prop theyd love to put on display in their bedroom. Whats that? You dont? Well Jeez! Here are a few ideas. This is our rundown of the most important props in sci-fi and fantasy history.
10. The Harry Potter Movies Harrys Wand
Admittedly, wed be surprised if there was only one version of the wand used by Daniel Radcliffe knocking aroundbut all the more reason to covet getting your own! Plus, how much fun would it be to prance around the house pretending to stun your pets with a genuine piece of Hollywood memorabilia?
9. The Matrix The Red Pill
Has such a tiny object ever symbolized such huge ideas in any movie before or since? Whats also great about this prop is that it would be pretty much impossible to prove its genuinely the one they used. Honest, it is! Now pay me $300 for it.
8. E.T. The Extra Terrestrial Elliots BMX
We were torn between this and ET himself who, being a puppet, is technically a prop himself (and is arguably pretty darn important). But we had to go with the bikenothing sums up the movies feel of suburban innocence and eighties nostalgia better. Fun fact: according to this article , the bike actually has been boughtand riddenby the lead singer of rock band Kasabian.
7. Terminator the T-800 Arm
Its the scariest looking prop on this listbut also arguably the most bad-ass. The T-800 arm marks the moment that mainstream movie sci-fi went truly gory in the mid eightiespaving the way for blood-stained blockbusters ever since!
6. Back to the Future The Delorean
The Delorean is a reminder that great sci-fi can be big budget and exciting while retaining a grounded sense of humour about itself. After all, who would be crazy enough to make a time machine out of such a garish eighties monstrosity other than the inimitable Doc Brown? If youre going to time travel, why not do it in style?! Sure, sure.
5. Star Trek The Phaser
The Phaser sums up the ethos of the Star Trek universe perfectlyits sleek, stylish and understated, but its also humanedesigned primarily to stun rather than kill. Whats more ,an original is worth worth hella dolla. One from the 1960s series went for $231,000 just last year.
4. Star Wars Luke's Lightsaber
The lightsaberthe Arthurian broadsword for the seventies generation. Star Wars is a series that (at least in its original incarnation) was pitched somewhere between sci-fi epic and medieval folktale. Two strains that meet with this little gadget. And, like the phaser, a copy from the set will fetch a pretty penny. Lukes own sword went for almost $250,000 at an auction in 2008.
3. Doctor Who The TARDIS
It says something about how iconic a prop is when its more recognizable as something from a TV show than for what its actually designed to resemblein this case, a 1960s London Police box. Travelling back in time and walking around the city in that decade would be an excitingand highly confusingexperience for any Whovian, thats for sure.
2. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy The One Ring
Does any other single prop so effectively sum up an entire film franchise as The One Ring? We think not! Although a number of different versions of the prop were created (some of which reportedly ended up with the actors), the master prototype is valued at over $50,000.
1. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Buck Rogers Ray Gun
Thats right, weve gone ultra historical for the last entry. But were not trying to be difficult. Before Buck Rogershis first movie appearance was in 1933there were no Ray Guns. This is the prop that inspired multiple generations of high-tech-sci-fi pistolry and lazer-themed weapons in general. Truly, a piece of nerd history.
Did we miss any?
http://www.sparknotes.com/mindhut/2014/05/12/we-rank-the-most-important-props-in-sci-fi-and-fantasy-history