AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: DARTH VADER MAKES HIS ARRIVAL...

Darth Vader makes his presence felt within the near-abandoned Echo Base on Hoth.

"(Irvin) Kershner was a real actors director. Before we started shooting Empire, he told me,"I want you to be the thinking man's Darth Vader", and really took me through things. He was lovely."

Dave Prowse - Film Review magazine Star Wars Special - 1997  

The Rebel base's shield generator has been spectacularly destroyed, and the enemy forces have mostly been wiped out by the AT-AT's and Imperial Snowtroopers. Now, the immense dark presence that is Darth Vader has arrived to oversee the final capture of Luke Skywalker and his other friends who'd prior helped in destroying the Death Star. Sadly, such a visitation and plans of revenge by the ominous Dark Lord proves too late, as the Millennium Falcon speeds off the base just in time, heading into space... 

But Vader's hunt will continue...

Vader is soon angered that the Millennium Falcon and its passengers have escaped his grip.

ROGUE ONE: A COLLISION OF IMPERIALS!

The classic ILM effects shot from ROGUE ONE: the forced collision engineered by the Rebels between the two Imperial Star Destroyers above Scarif.

Find out some of the secrets behind the realisation of that classic scene, and other parts of the Battle of Scarif, here:

Rogue One: Visual effects revealed - BBC Click - YouTube

Behind the Magic: Creating the space battle for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - YouTube

NOW ONLINE IN THE UK: 'STAR WARS AT THE BBC'

C-3PO is looking for Artoo during his 1980 appearance on the children's show SWAP SHOP. Images: BBC.

Sadly, its only available for another 20 or so days, but if you're able to you'll wanna check out the 20 minute long special BBC archive clips show on their iPlayer system for STAR WARS AT THE BBC, hosted by the always funny comedian/actor, and voice of Darth Maul, Peter Serafinowicz. Its a nice look back at the Classic Trilogy heroes at their first peak of popularity: Mark Hamill's enthused premiere appearance on the children's feature programme BLUE PETER in 1977, followed by Carrie Fisher and others in 1980, where they'd bravely consume the notorious "Star Wars Stew"! Plus Anthony Daniels on SWAP SHOP in 1980 and Dave Prowse as himself and Darth Vader in LATE NIGHT AT PEBBLE MILL, and a look at the filming of TESB for the business programme THE RISK BUSINESS.

BBC iPlayer - Star Wars at the BBC

UPDATES: Michael Rodd looks at Star Wars - Star Wars at the BBC: Exclusive - BBC iPlayer - YouTube

Star Wars' Mark Hamill appears on Blue Peter - Star Wars at the BBC: Exclusive - BBC iPlayer - YouTube

Mark Hamill talks about the prequels on Blue Peter - Star Wars at the BBC: Exclusive - BBC iPlayer - YouTube

Michael Aspel interviews Star Wars' Mark Hamill - Star Wars at the BBC: Exclusive - BBC iPlayer - YouTube

(12) David Prowse interviewed on Saturday Night At The Mill on the BBC, 1980. Star Wars - YouTube

Mark's first UK TV appearance on BLUE PETER, with Lesley Judd and an original mask wearing John Noakes. 

Mark Hamill on set talking to THE RISK BUSINESS, shown in 1980.

John Barry on set watching rehearsals for the Snowspeeder launch.

Harrison Ford talks briefly about UK technicians.

BBC presenter Michael Rod on the specially built Falcon prop at Elstree.

Another shot of Rod on the set.

Our heroes visit BLUE PETER again in 1980.

Carrie Fisher prepares to eat "Star Wars Stew"! Gulp!

Mark bravely joins in too!

Wearing his EMPIRE DAY t-shirt, Mark guested on the ASK ASPEL programme May 1980.

Mark Hamill talks about his early 1977 car accident.

Daver Prowse as Darth Vader on PEBBLE MILL in 1980.

Dave Prowse talks to Jackie Collins about how he got the role of Vader.

Anthony Daniels talks about his TESB Threepio costume and "greeblies".

Peter Serafinowicz hosts the BBC special with humour and affection.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 35: TARGETING THE FALCON!

Newly arrived Imperial Snowtroopers prepare their heavy laser cannon for firing at the Millennium Falcon, in a tense moment, and impressive photo composition (note Han in the Falcon cockpit), from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Looking forward to seeing what new scrapes the specially re-built freighter will get into for EPISODE VII.

BBC News - A long time ago... when Pembroke Dock made the Millennium Falcon