Craig Stevens’s The
Star Wars Phenomenon in Britain: The Blockbuster Impact and the Galaxy of
Merchandise 1977-1983 takes a very deep look at how the original trilogy
rocked British kids. Stevens provides a chronological history of the trilogy’s release
in the UK, the reactions of the British press, special appearances by original
cast members and the hired hands who made a few quid by dressing up in Vader
gear, Palitoy’s spin on the Kenner toys, the UK version of Marvel’s comics, and
pretty much anything else you might think of that would fit under his book’s
lengthy banner. Fan recollections are generously sprinkled throughout to bring
home these details with personal stories you don’t have to be British to grok.
In fact, a good deal of this book—particularly the lengthy synopses and
assessments of Marvels’ stories that take up a good deal of this book—are not
particular to the UK at all.
Yet, the British did have a somewhat different Star Wars experience than we Americans
did with the painfully delayed release of the original film, the somewhat
different toys they received, and the television specials that only aired
across the pond. So there is, indeed, a unique story here, and it is one that
will delight fans regardless of what flag they wave because The Star Wars Phenomenon in Britain really
conveys the nostalgic sensation that Stevens was surely intent on transmitting.
This is particularly palpable when fans recall their own Star Wars experiences in theaters, toy stores, and playgrounds. By
including such material, which would become tiresome quickly on its own,
Stevens achieves a perfect balance between the historical and the personal,
which makes The Star Wars Phenomenon in
Britain both informative and tremendous
fun.
