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In preparation for the general release of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Leicester Square saw the marathon screenings of all six Star Wars films back-to-back.

For those fans who took part in the epic sixteen and a half hour intergalactic journey, there was much more than just the films on offer throughout the day.

Legions of Stormtroopers led by Darth Vader, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing the score from a large stage, and writer and director George Lucas, where all in Leicester Square.

In his introduction speech Lucas described London as 'the home of Star Wars'.

But why is there such a strong link between the capital and Star Wars - the biggest cinema phenomena of all time?

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ London's Clark Ainsworth joined 1,300 other fans for the Star Wars Marathon - and met the series' creator too! Read his account and see pictures of the Episode III Celebration Day>>

Impressed

Episode I A New Hope was shot at Elstree and Borehamwood studios during 1976.

George Lucas was so impressed with the facilities that he returned to shoot the sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of The Jedi.

The majority of filming for the prequels was done in Sydney but the final scenes of Revenge of the Sith were shot at studio 8 at Elstree Studios.

Rick McCallum, producer of Revenge of the Sith told the Borehamwood and Elstree Times: "We could have shot anywhere in the world, but Elstree's our home, even when we're not shooting here, we have a production office there."

Elstree was started in 1914 by Percy Nash and John East, who decided that the location was close to London but far enough away to escape the smog.

Thrived

Despite several owners and a few rough patches, the studio thrived through the 50s, 60s and 70s attracting big name directors including Stanley Kubrick, Steven Spielberg, Jim Henson, and of course George Lucas.

With the big names came big investment and a huge 30,000 square foot silent sound stage was built, the largest of its kind in Europe, and the set for Indiana Jones Trilogy amongst others.

In later years the films started to dry up. In 1996 facing financial difficulties and the threat of closure looming, the studio was bought by Hertsmere Borough Council.

The facilities were renovated, and leased to a separate company to run ensuring the continuation of film making at Elstree.

In 2001 the Studio named one its new sound stages "The George Lucas Stage" in recognition of his work.

Props

Paul Harrison works at Elstree Props, as did his Father. He remembers working at Elstree in 1976 as a sixteen year-old during the making of Star Wars.

"I was born in Borehamwood, and lived in a house that backs on to the studios. My Father, Norman, ran an engineering company called Norank Eng Co Ltd, and he used to make lots of things for the set made from metal - C3PO's arms, bits of R2D2, Luke Skywalker's Light Saber for Return of the Jedi.

"We used to play around the sets, and once dressed up in Chewbacca's suit - They needed it back for a scene, so they had to come and find us!"

From working as a Saturday Boy at the studios with his Father in the 1970s Paul Harrison has now progressed to Manager.

Unique

Then there are the cast members. Londoner, and veteran actor Christopher Lee reprises the role of Count Dooku in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Lee, hails from Belgravia, and as of January 2005, had appeared in 223 films, including two of the Star Wars episodes.

"There's no question about that. The scale of imagination and the scale of production and the impact that it had on the entire world was a first.

"It created an impact in the cinema that was unique. This particular series of film will be a mythic saga on a vast scale." (Starwars.com)

One of Star Wars most famous London stars was the late Sir Alec Guinness, who played Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first three films.

Alec Guinness de Cuffe was born in Marylebone to mother Agnes on April 2nd 1914.

Legend

Although Guinness never knew his bank director father he provided schooling for his son until he started out in the workplace.

Guinness spent his wages on trips to the theatre and acting lessons at the Fay Compton School of Acting.

The lessons paid off and Guinness was judged to be a winning pupil by John Gielgud.

In a career spanning more than 60 years his roles ranged from Shakespeare to Ealing comedies.

In 1977 Guinness took on the Star Wars role of Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi that he would carry on with over three movies and six years. and

He shrewdly took a percentage of the fims' profits and made a fortune in royalties.

Although a legend Guinness claimed his best performances were not in his films "I gave my best performances during the war - trying to be an officer and a gentleman."

Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith opens at cinemas on Thursday the 19th of May 2005.

Find Episode III: Revenge of The Sith with our Film Finder: click here.

Are you looking forward to seeing the final instalment of the Star Wars' series? Add your comments and Jedi-related memories below...

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