AN OUT of this world exhibition is on show at The Willis Museum – and it is one that is not to be missed by anyone who loves science-fiction films as it brings together aliens, monsters, props and costumes.

Standing head and shoulders above any other alien forms is Darth Vader, looming menacingly at the entrance of the Alien Invasion exhibition in The Sainsbury Gallery.

Clad in black, this striking character has become synonymous with power and evil and was the main villain in Star Wars.

The film became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon when it hit the big screens back in 1977.

Among its stars were Sir Alec Guinness, who lived in Petersfield and played Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Peter Cushing, who trod the boards of the Haymarket Theatre in 1975. He played Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars. The film also starred Harrison Ford and two newcomers – Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, and Carrie Fisher, who was Princess Leia.

The body – if not the voice – of Darth Vader was former bodybuilder and Mr Universe David Prowse, who in the 1970s was the face of road safety as The Green Cross Code Man.

Following Star Wars’ release in London in December 1977, Basingstoke film buffs had the chance to go to the Odeon in Southampton to see the blockbuster at the end of January 1978.

There was a great deal of excitement around the film.

The build-up and hype even led to store wars, as shops sold all sorts of products, including T-shirts, lightsaber torches, sweets, jigsaws, watches and food.

Even The Gazette got in on the act, running a serialisation of the screen’s space epic in February 1978 as well as publishing a popular Star Wars puzzle competition.

Gazette film reviewer Alan Cairns gave the film a fair appraisal, although perhaps it was not his cup of tea.

He said the movie, “sways more to the wide-eyed following of boys rather than the dads. It’s great stuff for the younger generation – there’s a feminine hero for the girls – but I’ve got my doubts that it will be regarded as a classic by those past their early teens.”

He was clearly proved wrong, although even the film’s director George Lucas had his concerns about the ‘low budget’ movie, worrying it may be a flop.

He needn’t have worried as it made £294.29million worldwide.

About 900 people were involved in the original film, which was made in Tunisia, Death Valley, California, and at the Elstree Studios, in Borehamwood.

Such was the success of the film, it was followed by two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. And then, almost 20 years, later the first of three prequels was released.

Apparently, George Lucas wanted these last three films to be withheld until technology had improved to provide much more sophisticated special effects.

As well as Darth Vadar and an Imperial Stormtrooper, Alien Invasion features exhibits from Doctor Who, Predator and Mars Attacks!. The impressive exhibition is free and runs until Saturday, September 3.