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The 36 photographs below were all taken by Ben on July 14th 1999 at the Episode I Royal Premiere here in the UK. We were right next to the press at the entrance to the Odeon cinema and got very close to the stars, as you can tell by the photos.

View from our position outside the Odeon Leicester Square "One" posters from the square Main Banner and "One" posters Main Episode I banner Huge Darth Maul print and main banner "One" posters close-up

My favourite picture is probably the one of Rick McCallum coming towards us with outstretched arms, as it really sums up his whole fantastic attitude to the fans. Its just a shame the shot isn't in focus. I'm in the shot on the bottom row - I'm second from the right. Hope you all like the pics .... not bad, huh?! So here's how the day went ...

Darth Maul poster close-up Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker arrive Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker close-up Kenny Baker Oliver Ford Davies (Sio Bibble) Ray Park arrives

I (Ben) have just got back from the Episode One Royal Premiere in London, where I witnessed both the arrival and departure of the Episode I cast and crew stars! I met up with some of the UK fans who queued at the Mann's Chinese in LA, and we waited the whole day in Leicester Square.

George Lucas speaking to the media Close-up of George Lucas Anthony Daniels Warwick Davies Ahmed Best George Lucas, Rick McCallum and daughter Ally

The guests started arriving at around 6.30pm, with Professor Stephen Hawking being the first to arrive. Kenny Baker was the first Episode One star to arrive, with Peter 'chewbacca' Mayhew in tow. They were quickly followed by all the major stars, with the exception of Liam Neeson who had prior work commitments. Rick McCallum, Brian Blessed, Ahmed Best, Ian McDiarmid, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Jake Lloyd, Anthony Daniels ... and of course George Lucas himself. Actually 'seeing' George was an incredible moment.

Rick McCallum comes over to see us! Rick McCallum Natalie Portman close-up Natalie Portman talks to the media Samuel L. Jackson arrives We meet Jake Lloyd!

The fact we were all wearing the Mann's Chinese Countdown t-shirts, along with Lincoln having met the likes of Jake Lloyd and Rick McCallum before, made us easily recognisable as a group and we did pretty well in terms of actually meeting some of the stars. Rick McCallum was nice enough to chat with me about seeing the movie in New York, and Anthony Daniels shook hands and said hello. After the showing, Jake came over to see Lincoln and I shook his hand and told him "you were fantastic in the movie", to which he smiled and said thanks. Perhaps the number one jaw-dropping moment came about a minute later when Samuel L. Jackson came past and I shook his hand.

Samuel L. Jackson after the show George Lucas Leaving the cinema Crazy shot of Peter Mayhew Ray Park comes back to see us Close-up of Ray Park Hugh Quarshie

Rick McCallum though .... what a guy! He was so genuinely pleased to meet the fans, chat with them and sign autographs. A few minutes after he had gone inside the cinema he re-emerged with Ian McDiarmid, brought him over to us and said: "Guys - this is the Phantom Menace!". I was speechless, what a great gesture - especially as Ian had managed to slip in virtually unnoticed a few minutes before.

Hugh Quarshie signs his first autograph of the night! Lee, Lincoln, Ali, Rich, Ben, Antoine Jedi & Maul "One" posters "One"posters at night Huge Episode I Banner at night Front of the Odeon, just before leaving

As someone once said "it will be a day long remembered", and it will take a while for it all to fully sink in.



Star Wars © 1997 Lucasfilm Ltd.; The Empire Strikes Back © 1980, 1997 Lucasfilm Ltd.; Return of the Jedi © 1983, 1997 Lucasfilm Ltd.
Star Wars - Episode I: The Phantom Menace © 1999 Lucasfilm Ltd.; Star Wars - Episode II: Attack of the Clones © 2002 Lucasfilm Ltd.
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