CLASSIC ART: 'STAR WARS' BEGINS...

The classic Hildebrandt Brothers poster that debuted in the UK at the end of 1977/early 1978.

As a rare and pristine condition British release print of the original 1977 version of Star Wars makes for a special screening (originally housed by Rank back in 1979, and later donated), for the first time in decades in the UK, launching this year's BFI Film on Film festival in London (12th to 15th June, 2025), here's a look back to that time when George Lucas's (at first one-off) film launched across the world in 1977 and 1978, promoted via these gorgeous adventure-fuelled posters that soon captured our hearts, minds and imaginations like never before...

Early US teaser poster with the original SW logo before the 'W' was changed.

US teaser poster.

American release poster.

Tom Jung's early poster, at first primarily used for the US, then appearing in various merchandising.

Tom Jung's version of the Hildebrandt original.

Some international posters mixed the Tom Jung art with the Hildebrandts.

Three Japanese posters from 1977/78.

Photo montage mixed with the Hildebrandt art.

Other Japanese rarities.

Italian art my Michelangelo Papuzza.

The 'Dirty Dozen' poster art for the UK and US from 1978, by Tom Chantrell.

Australian 'Daybill' poster. 

Hong Kong release poster - 1978.

HAPPY 'MAY THE FOURTH...' DAY!

The British movie poster art par excellence from 1978 for the original STAR WARS, by famed illustrator Chantrell, which ultimately set the highest bar standards of excitement and imagination for STAR WARS movie posters, as well as movie posters in general, that would follow in its wake.


HAPPY 'MAY THE FOURTH...' DAY! to all readers of STAR WARS AFICIONADO worldwide!

CLASSIC ART: THE CHANTRELL/ McQUARRIE FUSION!

Poster concept art by Tom Chantrell for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

Having conceived and executed the now iconic "Dirty Dozen" artwork for the second UK poster campaign of the original STAR WARS used in 1978 (which would also appear in US movie theatres and advertising soon after, becoming equally popular with fans there), experienced film illustrator and poster legend Tom Chantrell was quickly commissioned by Gary Kurtz (who was a big fan of the "Dirty Dozen" SW piece) and 20TH CENTURY FOX UK to provide poster material ideas for the subsequent sequel. Here's one of those poster concept pieces that has since gone on to be popular with fans of the dark-hearted sequel and appear in merchandising. Intriguingly, the artist this time out uses/adapts some of Ralph McQuarrie's classic conceptual art ideas into his intergalactic pot pourri- an intriguing fusion that works well. Note on the bottom right Luke atop his crashed X-wing on Dagobah, as well as the flipped Walker firing on the early version of the Tauntaun and rider at the bottom left corner (its likely that no material of the final walker designs at ILM were released outside the production offices at that stage). There's also an X-wing used from McQuarrie's famous down the trench illustration for the original STAR WARS. The photographic reference material used here comes from stills shot at Elstree Studios between April and early June, so the poster, which also has the Lucas requested GONE WITH THE WIND mantra for Han and Leia, must likely have been commissioned and worked on around late Summer 1979, perhaps before photo material of the Dagobah sets were available (the bog planet scenarios not being constructed until late July and into August).

McQuarrie's early Tauntaun and rider come under AT-AT attack!

McQuarrie's vision of Luke and Artoo arrived on Dagobah.

Interview with Shirley Chantrell: An interview with Shirley Chantrell Film on Paper

Obituary: Tom William Chantrell

Check out DREAMS AND VISIONS PRESS John Scoleri's lovely and informative tribute/annotated guide to Ralph McQuarrie's conceptual art for STAR WARS and his commercial released THE STAR WARS PORTFOLIO from 1977: An Annotated Guide to The Star Wars Portfolio by Ralph McQuarrie | Star Wars Blog