Star Wars: new trailer celebrates The Force Awakens' British heritage

From its beginnings, before Star Wars was a global phenomenon, its universe was built by British crews on a British set. Now Disney, Lucasfilm, JJ Abrams and the cast and crew of The Force Awakens are celebrating the UK’s unique contribution to the films with the Star Wars: Made GREAT in Britain campaign, which is part of the government’s wider GREAT Britain campaign.  

From 1976, almost 40 years ago, Elstree studios and then Pinewood played host to the Star Wars movies. The original lightsaber was designed by British set decorator Roger Christian, who built it – as he did most of the set – from spare parts of machines, in this case a camera. Darth Vader’s costume and many more were designed by British-born John Mollo.

Iconic director of photography Gilbert Taylor helped create the look of the first film. And then there is the legendary theme music by John Williams, which was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and recorded at Abbey Road studios.

Now, in 2015, the films two new leads are homegrown British talent: Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey, and John Boyega, who plays Finn. Captain Phasma, the leader of the Stormtroopers, is played by Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie.

The new behind the scenes The Star Wars: Made GREAT in Britain trailer, which features appearances Oscar Isaac, Daisy Ridley, JJ Abrams and John Boyega, is produced in association with the Industry Trust for IP Awareness: a UK copyright education body that champions creativity and copyright laws. The Moments Worth Paying For campaign encourages audiences to keep the cinema industry alive by paying for the experience of watching movies on the big screen.  

Isaac, who plays X-Wing pilot Poe Dameron and can be seen off screen chatting with Boyega between takes, said the movie was made with “such love and such enthusiasm. I think you’ll be able to feel that coming off the screen”. Director Abrams said that filming Star Wars was “a wonderful experience”.

South London’s Boyega, who plays stormtrooper-turned-good Finn, said “Star Wars is a part of everyone’s history. It’s a beautiful thing to be involved in”. You just know it’s going to be worth it at the cinema” said Ridley, who is also from London.

This trailer shows footage of the Millennium Falcon on set, which was originally constructed in a hangar at Pembroke Docks in Wales by local workers in the time between their regular work of building oil rigs for BP.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced the production of the films on British soil in 2013. Now, speaking ahead of the launch of the finished product,  he said: “Nearly 40 years ago British creativity brought Star Wars to the big screen and I’m delighted that British talent in front and behind the camera is set to captivate cinema audiences around the world again. Just as this film represents another chapter in the extraordinary star wars story - so it also represents a new chapter in British filmmaking.”

The campaign will continue to celebrate Britain’s contribution over 40 years to the world’s most successful franchise with a series of videos from the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver and Jessica Ennis-Hill describing what the movies have brought to British culture.