'STAR WARS' AT 40: VICTORY HONOURS!

Camera rehearsing Luke's medal reaction shots at Shepperton Studios, 

Despite all the time-consuming work needed to arrange and rearrange extras, there is a good atmosphere to the filming of finale scenes for STAR WARS at Shepperton Studios in May 1976. The move to a countryside based studio environment outside of busy Elstree is welcomed by the cast, as a lighter and more fun air pervades the several days that the Throne Room sequence takes to film, of which new of-their-time friendships are born between selected cast and background extras offset. The main cast, however, jokingly hopes that the sequel, if one ever happens, doesn't start up right from where the finale left off!

Hamill shares a laugh with UK focus puller technician Peter Taylor.

Hamill gets enthused with Ford, watched by Gary Kurtz.

Though also enjoying himself, Anthony Daniels is still finding life awkward inhabiting the Threepio costume. By this point he has been discreetly distributing specially made cigarette match packets to cast and crew on set, reminding them that '3PO is Human', though many fail to get the gist of Daniels on-set personal sufferings and occasional humiliations playing the role.

Harrison Ford clowns about in this outtake moment.

Han gets his medal, whilst Luke tries to hide his impatience.

Luke receives his award from the Princess.

A key image from a set used across numerous magazine and merchandise pieces from 1977 to now.

According to filming legend, the adapted ski-suit jacket worn by Mark Hamill as Luke, bought in from a London costume house Bermans and Nathans, was apparently dyed yellow and was originally worn by Pondo Baba/Walrus Man from earlier Cantina filming at Elstree. The jacket, lost after filming, now resides in a French private collection, apparently much to the chagrin of aspects of the Lucasfilm Archives.