BFI unveil UK’s first ever open-air screenings of the original Star Wars trilogy

Fans can experience incredible al fresco showings of the space opera saga and other blockbuster sci-fi classics – including Aliens and Back to the Future – at a host of venues across London.

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This summer, the BFI, in partnership with The Luna Cinema, will present a season of screenings of the nation’s best-loved sci-fi films, including the first ever open air screenings of the original Star Wars trilogy, Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983).

Fans of George Lucas’s cinematic classics will be offered the chance to be the first to see the remastered, original Star Wars films under the stars on a giant screen with state of the art sound and visuals, set against the incredible backdrops of Hampton Court Palace and Hatfield House, Hertfordshire. Launching on the 3 August at Hampton Court, the iconic films will be screened in order, one per evening for three nights, followed on Saturday 6 August by a special family day, giving younger fans the chance to take part in special Jedi master classes. Under the watchful eye of the Jedi Master and a Jedi Knight, young Padawans will don Jedi robes, learn the ways of the Force and discover how to master a lightsaber, before a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope.

In addition to the Star Wars titles, the BFI and Luna will present a specially curated series of events as part of their Sci-fi Under The Stars season, which will include screenings of many of the most iconic science fiction films ever made, all presented at incredible outdoor locations. These include Aliens (1986) at Greenwich Park, Back to the Future (1985) at Tonbridge Castle, and The Matrix (1999) at Victoria Tower Gardens, next to the Houses of Parliament, with the big screen backing on to the Victoria Tower. Other titles in the season will include Blade Runner (1982) at Opera Holland Park and Inception (2010) at Victoria Embankment Gardens.

Tickets for screenings of Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi are available using the link below.

Ticket details for other films in the season are to be announced.

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