Lightsaber props from Star Wars on display...

To celebrate 20th Century Fox's 75th Anniversary, the London Film Museum had a special exhibit of costumes, models and props from many of the studio's films including this collection of lightsabers from Star Wars, including those used by Jedi Knight and Sith Lord alike, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.

Obi-Wan Kenobi lightsaber

Darth Vader lightsaber

Luke Skywalker lightsaber

If you like these lightsabers used in the Star Wars movies be sure to check out this Darth Maul costume and double-bladed lightsaber from The Phantom Menace on display.

Star Wars movie poster

Also on display at the London Film Museum on January 25, 2011, was this model X-Wing Fighter.

X-Wing fighter model from Star Wars

If you like this spacecraft, be sure to also check out this original TIE Fighter model from Star Wars.

Princess Leia Star Wars blaster

In addition to these lightsabers, on a recent visit to Las Vegas I chanced upon this gun prop at the Planet Hollywood Cafe which claims to be Princess Leia's blaster from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope used by Carrie Fisher (although interestingly stamped on its side it says 'Made in the U.S.S.R.').

Star Wars movie poster

Buy the movies: Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI) [Blu-ray]

Original TIE Fighter model used in Star Wars...

In the inaugural film in the Star Wars saga, George Lucas used vintage newsreel footage of arial dogfights to convey to his special effects team the type of battle scenes he wanted them to create between the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire.

Original TIE Fighter model used in Star Wars

This original model of an Imperial TIE Fighter, which is a Twin Ion Engine space craft, was used in the production of Star Wars climactic battle scenes that lead to the destruction of the Death Star super-weapon.

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope movie poster

Colin Cantwell was responsible for the original TIE Fighter concept design, including the ball cockpit and distinctive hexagonal wings, and it makes for a suitably foreboding spacecraft for the evil Empire. Originally blue in colour, the limitations of bluescreen technology at the time (Star Wars was released in 1977) required the starship to be recoloured in a visual effects friendly grey.

TIE Fighter concept sketch

Apparently the signature screaming sound of a TIE Fighter was created by Ben Burtt, who mixed the trumpeting cry of an elephant with the sound of vehicles skidding along a wet road.

Actual Imperial TIE Fighter model on display

This iconic spacecraft model was on display at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando on September 22, 2010, alongside costumes for Star Wars villains Darth Vader and Darth Maul.

But the official behind-the-scenes companion book: The Making of Star Wars (TM): The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film

Buy the movies: Star Wars Trilogy

Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope (1977 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)

Iconic Darth Vader costume from Star Wars on display...

In the 1977 original Star Wars movie that started it all, British bodybuilder David Prowse filled the now iconic black costume of 'Darth Vader', whilst James Earl Jones provided the Dark Lord's distinctive voice.

Iconic Darth Vader costume on display

Costume Designer John Mollo won an Oscar for Best Costume Design in 1978 for his work on Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, plus he also received a second Academy Award for 1982's Gandhi.

Star Wars movie poster

Darth Vader costume from Star Wars

This legendary costume, which now has a special place in pop culture history, was created especially by Lucasfilm for display at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Darth Vader's costume design really has stood the test of time and his classic Star Wars costume was photographed as part of The American Film Institute movie villain showcase at Disney's Hollywood Studios on September 22, 2010.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back movie poster

If you like iconic villain costumes be sure to also check out Darth Maul's costume and double lightsaber from the first installment in George Lucas's Star Wars prequel trilogy, The Phantom Menace.

Go behind-the-scenes with the official books: The Making of Star Wars (TM): The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film

The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

The Making of Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

Buy the movies: Star Wars Trilogy

Darth Maul costume and lightsaber from Star Wars The Phantom Menace...

In the first installment of George Lucas's Star Wars prequel trilogy, Ray Park played 'Darth Maul' the deadly apprentice of the evil Sith Lord, 'Darth Sidious'.

Actual costume worn by Ray Park as Darth Maul

This is the actual costume the actor and martial artist wore in 1999's Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, on his mission to destroy the Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace movie poster

Darth Maul's Sith Lord look was the work of Costume Designer Trisha Biggar.

Original Darth Maul costume and double-bladed lightsaber

This original Darth Maul costume and his signature double-bladed lightsaber were photographed at The American Film Institute Showcase of movie villain costumes at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, on loan from the Lucasfilm Archives, on September 22, 2010.

Learn more from the official

behind-the-scenes

book:

The Making of Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Buy the movie: Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace (Widescreen Edition)