I've only lived in Bristol for 25 years, but I must say I get a bit annoyed on the city's behalf when George Lucas describes David Prowse's accent as "hilarious" (to say nothing of "Scottish"). Why shouldn't Darth have a Bristol accent, as much as any other?
What's even more annoying is that even when he was Green Cross Man Prowse was still overdubbed by an actor with something closer to Received Pronunciation.
Just to note - if ever I get to cast Alexander the Great he will have an Inverness accent, as is proper. Alfred the Great will be pure Somerset.
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steepholm As for the Bristol accent, it's pure snobbery - initially by the British themselves, who routinely mock that accent much as they do the Brum, but indirectly by the Americans, for whom it is not among the few British accents they recognize (hence I assume Lucas's managing to confuse Scotland and southwest England). That's all the more reason to cast him, though, in my opinion. Without role models, how will real Bristolians ever grow up to believe that one day they too could command a Death Star?
