however, I do think one significant distinction is that the prequels HAD to have been made with at least one eye toward the marketing and tie-ins, and I don't know that ESB was. ANH definitely wasn't cause who knew if toys and shit would even sell? but ROTJ was the beginning--that interview bit from lucas (in one of the many books) where he reveals he created the ewoks so that he could have a toy ewok to give his daughter. THAT is merchandise-driven filmmaking. as are the prequels, IMHO.
however, I do think one significant distinction is that the prequels HAD to have been made with at least one eye toward the marketing and tie-ins, and I don't know that ESB was. ANH definitely wasn't cause who knew if toys and shit would even sell? but ROTJ was the beginning--that interview bit from lucas (in one of the many books) where he reveals he created the ewoks so that he could have a toy ewok to give his daughter. THAT is merchandise-driven filmmaking. as are the prequels, IMHO.