release of the latest Star Wars movie and you run the risk of being questioned if you've been living on the planet Earth.

"You would have to be on Mars not to feel the buzz...'' Liberty manager Nelda Simons told The Royal Gazette .

"There's a huge buzz about it,'' said Ms Simons who has been inundated with calls, "and I've had a tremendous number of requests for tickets and advance bookings.'' The cinema is not doing any advance bookings, but advance ticket sales for the opening day will go on sale tomorrow.

Much of the excitement around the Bermuda screening comes because it will take place at the same time as the release of this latest Star Wars film in the United States.

Ms Simons pointed out that the Star Wars fever is becoming contagious.

"I am getting very excited as I've never experienced this sort of excitement for a movie here before and it's gathering momentum,'' she said.

"It has been so hyped in America that when people in Bermuda see it in the paper, they think it's already here,'' she added. "They call up and come in asking if they can get tickets for tonight.'' The original Star Wars movie was released in the 1970's and was considered leading edge for its use of special effects. An almost cult-like following was formed and fans eagerly awaited the two sequels, "The Empire Strikes Back'' and "Return of the Jedi''.

This fourth Star Wars film, the series prequel, promises the same sort of big box office special effects as the original. Entirely digital, both the picture and sound quality should be better than anything ever seen or heard in the film world before.

The simultaneous release of Star Wars locally with the US means that the first screening will take place at a very odd time -- one minute past midnight next Tuesday, or really one minute into Wednesday morning.

"The reason why locals are feeling the buzz too is that they won't have to wait to see it,'' Ms Simons pointed out. "This is especially great for the fans for whom Star Wars is huge.'' Six showings will take place on opening day -- Wednesday, with the 10:30 a.m.

and 2:00 p.m. screenings costing $4.00. All other shows will cost $7.00.

Tickets for Wednesday's shows go on sale from 11.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. tomorrow at Liberty Theatre. Tickets for shows on subsequent days will be announced.

"We are going to deal just with opening day on Friday so that we can ensure we have a handle on it,'' Ms Simons said.

The cinema has 270 seats and it is anticipated that all will be sold. It is just a question of how fast.