<p>Huge crowds flocked to the UK's cinemas on this day in 1977, as the first Star Wars film was released in Britain, having taken America by storm.The long-awaited sci-fi epic beat the 1976 blockbuster Jaws when it grossed $156m (£108m) at the box office. In the first 'Star Wars Christmas', thousands braved the cold festive weather to buy non-reserved tickets, with many cinemas being booked up to see the film until the following March.Star Wars went on to become an international movie franchise phenomenon, with follow-ups The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi being released shortly after, followed by the first of three prequels in 1999.</p>
