Today I find myself taken back in time to 1977 when as a young and impressionable sprog of no more than 8 years old (damn now the world knows my age – or at least my faithful reader) I cued up outside the cinema to see the much talked about and much hyped first (now fourth) Star Wars movie.
I remember it well. All my little friends at school were so desperate to see it that Star Wars dominated the conversation with all of us competing over who had the most memorabilia, comics, toys and trivia knowledge.
The day came when finally I got to see it and I remember oh so well the chills that ran up and down my spine when the famous 20th Century Fox fanfare announced the beginning followed by the immortal ‘A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away’ gracing the screen. I have vivid memories of sitting open mouthed at the opening scene with the star destroyer filling the screen. At the time a friend told me that he’d timed how long it took for this huge space cruiser to fly seemingly overhead and that it was a full five minutes. Being young and with a peanut for a brain I believed him however in later years I came to realise that it was he that had a peanut for a brain and that the timing was closer to around 15 seconds or so. (Die hard fans will probably go away and time this now to prove me wrong. Personally I have a life and so am not that concerned with absolute accuracy). This in no way diminished the impact of that opening scene and even though I have probably watched it well over one hundred times by now (well the film is over 30 years old) it still fills me with a boyhood excitement.
Now I know that this is somewhat sad to admit and further I have mentioned in this blog already what a huge impact James Bond had on my young fertile imagination, still I have to admit that from the age of 8 until around about 12, I was Han Solo. I tried my best to be smart and cocky; I even wanted to change my name. Fortunately my parents advised me that this might not be such a good idea. Still over the years I still retained my love of the films and watched over and over. I collected loads of the toys which I sold shortly after getting married. (Women… you just don’t understand us do you?). I later regretted this after finding out how much it is all worth nowadays. Still… you live… you learn… you cry…
Anyway, years went by and despite still being an avid fan, other things kind of occupy ones life so that obsessions with films take a back seat to slightly more important things like work, kids, DIY etc… until of course the hype started to build for the return to the big screen of the Star Wars series. I remember well sitting in the cinema waiting for Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace to begin. The 20th Century Fox fanfare, the immortal ‘A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away’ and the signature Star Wars fanfare burst through the air in full digital surround sound. I was immediately transformed back into an 8 year old boy and found myself with tears streaming down my face for something I thought I had lost – my childhood enthusiasm, excitement and sense of wonder.
Why am I reminded of this rather sad occurrence?
Because yesterday was Star Wars day. A day to celebrate all things Star Wars.
So break out the DVD’s, watch all 6 films back to back, party with your fellow geeks and a belated…
May the 4th be with you.
Freddy
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What a sweet post Freddy! I totally understand what you mean re the childhood enthusiasm. I feel sad when I realise that sometimes I can’t remember it but all in all I still feel that childhood excitement.
Yes, I also think that those Star Wars toys would be extremely expensive nowadays
Oh, well…I also threw away a couple of toys and stuff that I wish I hadn’t and now I regret it but well, as you said, you live, you learn, you cry.
May the 4th be with you