Filmmaker unearths legend of buried Star Wars toys in Coalville

A long time ago, in a field not so far away… One of the most enduring of Star Wars stories — a tale of Jedi Knights and the dark forces of the Empire, passed down by word of mouth for decades — has been brought to life in a documentary about the lost landfill of Palitoy action figures. Legend had it that when the Coalville factory, which made highly collectable toys for the franchise, closed in the 1980s, leftover stock was driven out to a field in Leicestershire and buried. Filmmaker Matt Holt has made a documentary about the supposed hoard and said: "Next year marks 50 years of Star Wars — let's celebrate the fact we were part of pop culture history." Through the 1970s and into the 1980s, Palitoy produced millions of figures, vehicles, and playsets using moulds shipped over from the US. As well as the likes of Action Man, Pippa and the Care Bears, the factory in Jackson Street was the origin story for the plastic figures which became a staple of children's toy boxes for a generation. Palitoy shut down most of its operations in 1985, with workers laid off and production of Star Wars toys ending. While the factory left its mark on the town - including Action Man Road, and a roundab

May 31, 2026 → May 31, 2026