'STAR WARS' AT 40: A LONDON CHRISTMAS PRESENT!

Audiences gather for the London cinematic arrival of Star Wars.

With the original theatrical release of Star Wars in 1977, it had felt as if the entire western world had seen the movie before the peoples of the UK, who didn't get to immerse themselves into its epic excitement in full release until early 1978, and then only after a special exclusive engagement in West End London venues (including the Leicester Square Theater and the Dominion Theater) that started on 27th December, 1977. Whilst the snobily elitist critics pretty much derided the film as well made but ultimately childish hokum that was beneath them, the general punter UK audiences were blown away by Star Wars, finding that it was truly worth the wait and had fully lived up to months of prior expectations, and via a building publicity machine that knew something big was on its transatlantic way back in the Summer.

Outside the Dominion Theater, Tottenham Court Road.

Star Wars had come to the UK. And it was here to stay...

This is AFICIONADO's final entry celebrating the original 1977 release of Star Wars in its Fortieth Anniversary. We hope you've enjoyed this highly informative journey of love and nostalgia...

EPISODE VII: THE EUROPEAN PREMIERE - LONDON (DECEMBER 16TH, 2015)

Surely the most ambitious publicity event/premiere that Disney UK has ever realised, and certainly one of the busiest, spread across three London West End cinemas (including the IMAX Leicester Square- apparently one of only two IMAX venues in the country where the film can be seen at its optimum picture and sound quality), THE FORCE AWAKENS clearly arrived in style for its European Premiere. Security was sadly intense (sniffer dogs and bouncers prepared to remove anyone without a ticket or whom looked suspicious- a sad indicator of our post Paris tragedy world), but the joyous effects of the STAR WARS saga soon overcome such obstacles and long waiting, of which everyone who attended the premiere (including STAR WARS AFICIONADO) felt an intoxicating shot in the arm of happiness, especially when the Classic Trilogy cast arrived and began mingling with the new stars of the Sequel Trilogy, plus the dynamic duo of George Lucas and J.J. Abrams spending lots of time with the crowds and signing, with even an appearance from the upcoming ROGUE ONE's new star, Felicity Jones. But this special night rightly belonged, I feel, to Carrie Fisher's beloved Gary the Dog, clearly bemused throughout and even challenging BB-8 to a brawl live on the outdoor stage!

As we all assembled in our seats at the EMPIRE, armed for cinematic enjoyment with our complimentary water and popcorn, the lights dimmed and the clapping and cheering quickly begun from the enthused and eagerly awaiting audience- the first of many satisfying occurrences throughout the whole film.

WELCOME BACK, STAR WARS!

A wonderful homecoming for Daisy Ridley.

The name's Boyega, John Boyega.

Creative Forces! J.J. Abrams and George Lucas.

Top four images: James Gillham/Sting Media.co.uk for DISNEY UK

Star Wars 'coming home' says George Lucas at London premiere - BBC News
Star Wars The Force Awakens ANA R2-D2 L.A. to London Flight Departure - YouTube
UK Star Wars premiere: On the red carpet in Leicester Square - YouTube
London Turns Nelson's Column Into a Giant Lightsaber for 'Star Wars' Premiere - YouTube
John Boyega and Daisy Ridley Interview - Star Wars The Force Awakens European Premiere Red Carpet - YouTube

The STAR WARS AFICIONADO team joins the busy red carpet.

We watch as J. J. signs for fans before going in.

At the ODEON, the cast assemble to introduce the movie.

Star Wars The Force Awakens European Premiere Interview - Mark Hamill - YouTube
Star Wars The Force Awakens European Premiere Interview - Daisy Ridley - YouTube
Star Wars The Force Awakens European Premiere Interview - John Boyega - YouTube
Star Wars The Force Awakens European Premiere Interview - Oscar Isaac - YouTube
Star Wars The Force Awakens European Premiere Interview - JJ Abrams - YouTube
Star Wars The Force Awakens European Premiere Interview - Carrie Fisher - YouTube

Star Wars: The Force Awakens European Press Conference - YouTube

The iconic sight of Nelson's Column becomes a lightsaber to light up Europe!

Online UK premiere articles:

Star Wars The Force Awakens premiere – a round-up of what happened | Metro News
Star Wars: The Force Awakens actors Daisy Ridley and Harrison Ford arrive at London premiere | Daily Mail Online
Star Wars' Daisy Ridley shows off some serious leg at premiere afterparty | Daily Mail Online

AFICIONADO's non-spoilery first review:
STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: EPISODE VII: THE AFICIONADO REVIEW

Other reviews: (Note: potential SPOILERS in some of these)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens reviews | EW.com
New Star Wars: The Force Awakens reviewed by Mail critic Brian Viner | Daily Mail Online
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Review | Star Wars 7 | Movies - Empire
The Force Awakens Is the Biggest Movie of the Year. But Is It Great?
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens review - " rest easy, this is the real deal – and will leave you begging for more"

The front of one of the UK premiere tickets.

Other STAR WARS related news:

'Star Wars' in U.K. Presales Record - Hollywood Reporter
'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Lands on AFI's Top 10 List - Hollywood Reporter
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Breaks $100 Million In Advance Ticket Sales | Comicbook.com
Disney Stock Rises on Enthusiasm for 'Star Wars' - Hollywood Reporter
France Box Office: 'Star Wars' Soars In Paris on Opening Day - Hollywood Reporter
'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' German Box-Office Preview - Hollywood Reporter
'The Force Awakens' Cast Sings A Capella Tribute to Star Wars With The Roots on 'The Tonight Show' | The Star Wars Underworld
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher Talk 'Star Wars' Then and Now | ABC News - YouTube
Oscar Isaac Talks Star Wars: The Force Awakens | GQ
Lupita Nyong'o on Star Wars: The Force Awakens audition | EW.com
Ben Schwartz, Bill Hader: The Secret Faces Behind 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' New Droid - Hollywood Reporter
Ridley: Not Being Star Wars Fan Helped Play Rey
Ewan McGregor Had a Tiny Role in The Force Awakens (Spoiler)

With thanks to DISNEY UK for their help and support.

BEHIND THE SCENES: YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE...

Lovely actress/model/entrepreneur Orli Shoshan gets ready to film her second death scene as noble lady Jedi Shaak Ti, this time at the back-stabbing hands of Sith possessed Anakin Skywalker, in a new sequence shot in at London a short time before the release of EPISODE III that also ended up being deleted, though it eventually made an appearance on the Blu-ray release of the saga.

This was an image originally captured by the Official STAR WARS Website for its long defunct Hyperspace area.

Production Team contact sheet for reshoots filming for EPISODE III as scheduled for May to July 2004, including Anakin's shocking murder of Shaak Ti and Order 66 sequences.

Check out AFICIONADO's previous exclusive interview with Miss Shoshan from 2008, here:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B80ITjM31EVRNFBtTE4xNXRGWDg/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B80ITjM31EVRSFBNNC13SmNka0k/edit?usp=sharing

Note: to see these Google PDFs in their highest quality, it's best to download the files to your desktop.

"STAR WARS" WEEK INVADES LONDON, AND ONE MOTHER OF ALL LIGHTSABERS!

Imperial arrival! Darth Vader and the 501st inspect London. Image: FOX/SUBSTANCE.

It's been a busy week for FOX and their UK Blu-ray press team as they, with star support from Anthony Daniels and numerous iconic STAR WARS characters, launch THE COMPLETE SAGA on Blu-ray.

Here's the press release:


LONDON, UK. (September 12, 2011) – As the UK becomes the first country in the world to release STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA on Blu-ray, London will feel the Force like never before as droids, Stormtroopers, Jedi and the Sith invade the city in a week-long Star Wars spectacular culminating in the galactic transformation of the BT Tower into the World’s Largest Lightsaber™.

The week commenced with a rude awakening from the Dark Side, as Darth Vader and a sinister fleet of Stormtroopers took to the streets in an Imperial March that will sent shivers down the spines of Londoners.  The march began at St. James’ Park where they joined Changing of the Guards activities, before proceeding to HMV on Oxford Street to meet shoppers as they queued to get their hands on the highly anticipated Blu-ray release.

Star Wars legend Anthony Daniels (C-3PO in all six episodes) will provide a lighter touch on Tuesday 13 September as he meets fans at the grand opening of the HMV at the new Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford, signing copies of STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA on Blu-ray.  The loveable droid was central to all six smash hit movies and Daniels’ portrayal makes him a favourite with many Star Wars fans.

On Thursday 15 September, from inside the exclusive star-studded launch party at the top of the BT Tower, Daniels will press a button lighting up the London skyline for one night only as it morphs into a Jedi Knight’s elegant weapon of choice, projecting a giant ‘blue ray’ of light from the top of the tower.

In the words of Darth Vader himself, “This will be a day long remembered” by Star Wars fans in the UK and across the world.

For the latest news and updates for Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray, be sure to visit www.facebook.com/starwars.uk or www.bluray.starwars.com

May the force be with you…

Check out the great photos at the FACEBOOK site here: Stormtroopers in London | Facebook

UPDATE: 16/9/2011. Check out the London BT Tower lit like a lightsaber!
Darth Vader and the World's Largest Lightsaber (London BT Tower) (4)

Win a copy of the saga on Blu-ray via SCIFI NOW magazine:
Win Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray | SciFiNow

Check out the ebay related site for the Blu-ray with clips and behind the scenes info: Star Wars | eBay