Today is May 4 - Star Wars day to many!
Southampton streets looked more like a galaxy far, far away when Star Wars fans, many dressed in costume, were waiting to hop on to a ferry to the Isle of Wight.
It was in May 1997, when fans of the science fiction movie rode the Red Funnel across the Solent to see The Empire hijack Medina Theatre in Newport.
Scroll through our gallery of photos above
Visitors to the convention saw thousands of artefacts, costumes, masks and memorabilia – including Darth Vader’s original costume.
They even got to meet Michael Sheard who played Admiral Ozzel in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. He lived on the Isle of Wight and was also known for playing Mr Bronson in Grange Hill.
The first Star Wars movie was released in the UK on December 27, 1977.
Fans had to wait seven months after the groundbreaking science fiction film was released across the Atlantic
Hundreds of eager film fans queued up outside Southampton cinemas to get their first glimpse of the movie.
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules here