On 25 May 1977 everything changed. Audiences sat in awe as that first note of John Williams’ theme blasted out in b-flat major and two words appeared on screen: Star Wars. George Lucas’ space opera made its debut in US cinemas forty years ago today and gave birth to a mythology that would change the world. We’ve had forty years of lightsabers, wookiees, Sith Lords, X-Wings, force chokes, mind tricks, hokey religions, ancient weapons, sand people, mouse robots, Stormtroopers, scoundrels, masters, apprentices and (variously) Han and Greedo shooting first.

To celebrate this day in history, and to wish the saga a very happy birthday, here are a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes photos from the ’77 original, right up to last year’s Rogue One. We’ve had four glorious decades of Star Wars and here’s to many more.