A partial version of the software, titled Star Wars: Behind the Magic Vehicles Special Edition was released as part of The LucasArts Archives Vol. IV: Star Wars Collection II.
Behind the Magic's menu screen
Behind the Magic's features include a detailed look at the original trilogy (with a complete script); details of the characters, locations, and technology; and a look at the making of the movies. A searchable glossary of entries is available. Several games are also included, including a trivia game and an area where you can test weapons on a stormtrooper.
The CD-ROM also included a preview of Episode I, which was set to premiere in the following year. It featured a detailed look at a few elements of the film, as well as a cast list with early descriptions of the main characters.
Star Wars Lost Scenes menu screen
Perhaps the most celebrated feature of Behind the Magic is its inclusion of several deleted scenes from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. These include the famous "Biggs scene," where Luke Skywalker and Biggs Darklighter talk on Tatooine, and a scene where Luke talks to his friends after witnessing the opening space battle. Two other bits of rough footage are included: one of Luke watching the space battle through binoculars and a rough cut of the Mos Eisley cantina scene.
The CD-ROM also contained a timeline of Star Wars events, which is now outdated by the release of the prequel trilogy and more Expanded Universe material. Some details later overturned include setting Obi-Wan Kenobi's birth year to 60 BBY instead of 57 BBY, placing the events of Episode III at 20 BBY, and placing the birth of the Skywalker twins at 18 BBY.
Most bulleted entries can be "Explore[d]", each of those offering: a "Full Description", an "Image Gallery", a "Behind the Scenes" and "BtS Images" gallery, some "Audio Clip" and a "Trivia" question.
- - A Preview
- - Planet Naboo
- - About Episode I
- - Episode I Production
- - Battle Droid
- - Episode I Cast
- - Naboo Starfighters
- - New Hasbro Action Figure
- Star Wars
- The Empire Strikes Back
- Return of the Jedi
The Glossary
Found on both discs, the glossary is an encyclopedia-like reference source, based on selected information from Star Wars Encyclopedia, also released in 1998. The list is sortable into various categories:
- Alien Species
- Characters - Aliens
- Characters - Droids
- Characters - Human
- Events
- Flora and Fauna
- Groups and Organizations
- Locations - Cities
- Locations - Misc
- Locations - Planets
- Locations - Space
- Locations - Systems
- Technology
- Terminology
- Vehicles (named)
- Vehicles (types)
- Weapons