For me, and most Star Wars fans, the toys and action figures released based on George Lucas’ sci-fi saga are among the greatest memories of my childhood.
I can remember recreating the battles from the movies as well as the adventures that developed with my friends that would make George proud – at least we thought so in our 8 year old minds. Well we now have a documentary that gives a behind the scenes look at how the toys and merchandise got started.
Presented by Star Wars “Super fan”, David Whiteley, the documentaries will show never before seen footage, interviews with designers and other legends from the film industry including Gary Kurtz, Roger Christian and more!
You can watch it now on BBC iPlayer for a limited time HERE.
“I think it’s about connecting back to the past and being in that safe place as a kid,” said Whiteley in the Star Wars Reporter interview,“having that nostalgia in the form of Star Wars toys really does transport you back in time. I remember interviewing Rogue One Director, Gareth Edwards about being on set. He said it felt so natural to be surrounded by Stormtroopers, because it was like being a kid again, being in that world of Star Wars.”
“Star Wars superfan David Whiteley celebrates the unlikely toy heroes of the 1970s.
Toy manufacturer Palitoy based in Coalville, Leicestershire, was chosen to make toys for the new Star Wars movie in the UK. The company was already successful with Action Man and Tiny Tears. But Star Wars toys were about to become the must have toys of a generation. It was an unexpected success. At that time toys from films didn’t sell well. Rich archive brings the nostalgia of the 1970s back to our screens, as David Whiteley meets the men and women who made it happen against all the odds, and the enthusiasts whose pocket money toys now fetch eye watering sums.
‘Toy Empire: The British Force Behind Star Wars Toys’ tells the success story of the toys would change the way movies are marketed forever.”
Related Article: “The Force Behind” The Galaxy Britain Built and Toy Empire: An Interview with Presenter, David Whiteley
“Toy Empire: The British Force Behind Star Wars Toys” will be available to watch free for a limited time on the BBC iPlayer HERE.
Check out David Whiteley’s new book, The Galaxy Britain Built – The British Talent Behind Star Wars.
