Elstreet 1976 tells a Star Wars (extra) story

Ever wonder what filming one of the greatest films series’ of all time was like for the Stormtroopers and X-Wing Pilots in the Star Wars movies? That’s the story that Elstree 1976 tells.

Premiering at the BFI London Film Festival last year, Elstree 1976 looks like a real gem of a movie for Star Wars fans to sink their lightsabers into. Taking into account the original film trilogy, the film explores what filming was like for some of the people behind all those memorable characters.

As you can see too from the trailer, we’re not just talking about Stormtroopers and Jaws here. Roles like Boba Fett and even Darth Vader were almost as thankless, in no small part because the actor’s faces were really never seen throughout the entirety of the movies. And heck, even David Prowse’s voice was dubbed by the ever-intimidating tones of Mr. James Earl Jones.

Starring the likes of Prowse, and also a bunch of people that you may or may not know by name like Jeremy Bulloch, Derek Lyons, Pam Rose, Paul Blake, John Chapman, filmmaker Jon Spira’s Elstree 1976 opens in theaters this coming Friday, May the 6th.

Here’s where you can catch a viewing:

• LOS ANGELES, CA at the Laemmle NoHo7
• NEW YORK, NY at the IFC Center
• PHOENIX, AZ at the AMC Arizona Center
• ORLANDO, FL at the AMC Universal Cineplex 20
• ATLANTA, GA at the Plaza Theater
• SCHAUMBURG, IL at the AMC Streets of Woodfield 20
• ARLINGTON, MA at the Regent Theatre
• SOUTHFIELD, MI at the AMC Southfield 20
• ROCHESTER, NY at the Little Theater
• COLUMBUS, OH at the Gateway Film Center
• HIGHLAND VILLAGE, TX at the AMC Highland Village 12
• HOUSTON, TX at the AMC Studio 30
• VANCOUVER, WA at the Kiggins Theatre