Star Wars is based on many conflicts. WWII being the big one, the Empire had the look and feel of Space Nazis, the trench run was based on a dam busting raid in WWII, the battle on Hoth is based on Dunkirk, Lando is Neville Chamberlain trying to make a deal with fascists, etc.
RotJ was trying to depict Vietnam, but it’s depiction was problematic. It was originally conceived to be Wookies against the empire but Lucas decided against that and went with Ewoks because he could make them to be primitive in the same way he saw the Vietnamese as being. It was the start of the Lucas trend of making aliens that were problematic depictions of various real world races, which wasn’t a good thing.
the original Star Wars trilogy drew clear inspiration from a plethora of classic movies. However, creator George Lucas revealed one of his biggest influences was the Vietnam War.
Star Wars is based on many conflicts. WWII being the big one, the Empire had the look and feel of Space Nazis, the trench run was based on a dam busting raid in WWII, the battle on Hoth is based on Dunkirk, Lando is Neville Chamberlain trying to make a deal with fascists, etc.
RotJ was trying to depict Vietnam, but it’s depiction was problematic. It was originally conceived to be Wookies against the empire but Lucas decided against that and went with Ewoks because he could make them to be primitive in the same way he saw the Vietnamese as being. It was the start of the Lucas trend of making aliens that were problematic depictions of various real world races, which wasn’t a good thing.
https://www.cbr.com/george-lucas-vietnam-war-star-wars-inspiration/