The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently The Empire Strikes Back is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Disney Plus, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Vudu, Spectrum On Demand, AMC on Demand
Streaming in:πΊπΈ United States
This Movie Is About.
Cast & Crew.
Mark Hamill
Luke Skywalker
Harrison Ford
Han Solo
Carrie Fisher
Princess Leia
Billy Dee Williams
Lando Calrissian
Anthony Daniels
C-3PO
David Prowse
Darth Vader
Peter Mayhew
Chewbacca
Kenny Baker
R2-D2
Frank Oz
Yoda (Voice)
Alec Guinness
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Jeremy Bulloch
Boba Fett
Jason Wingreen
Boba Fett (voice - uncredited)
John Hollis
Lando's Aide
Jack Purvis
Chief Ugnaught
Des Webb
Snow Creature
Kathryn Mullen
Performing Assistant for Yoda
Gary Kurtz
Producer
Marjorie Eaton
Emperor (uncredited)
Clive Revill
Emperor (voice)
Kenneth Colley
Admiral Piett
Julian Glover
General Veers
Michael Sheard
Admiral Ozzel
Michael Culver
Captain Needa
John Dicks
Captain Lennox
Milton Johns
Bewil
Mark Jones
Commander Nemet
Oliver Maguire
Cabbel
Robin Scobey
Lieutenant Venka
Bruce Boa
General Carlist Rieekan
Christopher Malcolm
Zev Senesca
Denis Lawson
Wedge Antilles
Richard Oldfield
Derek 'Hobbie' Klivian
John Morton
Dak Ralter
Ian Liston
Wes Janson
John Ratzenberger
Major Derlin
Jack McKenzie
Cal Alder
Jerry Harte
Rebel Force Head Controller
Norman Chancer
Tamizander Rey
Norwich Duff
Jeroen Webb
Ray Hassett
Tigran Jamiro
Brigitte Kahn
Toryn Farr
Burnell Tucker
Wyron Serper
Bob Anderson
Imperial Officer (uncredited) / Stunts
Lightning Bear
Stormtrooper (uncredited)
Richard Bonehill
Stormtrooper / Snowtrooper / Rebel Soldier / ... (uncredited) / Stunts
John Cannon
Holographic Imperial Officer (uncredited)
Mark Capri
Officer M'kae (Captain Needa's Communications Officer) (uncredited)
Martin Dew
Cloud City Guard (uncredited)
Peter Diamond
Snowtrooper Gunner (uncredited) / Stunt Coordinator
Stuart Fell
Snowtrooper (uncredited) / Stunt Double
Doug Robinson
Snowtrooper (uncredited)
Tony Smart
Snowtrooper (uncredited) / Stunts
Alan Harris
Bossk / Bespin Security Guard (uncredited) / Stand In
James Earl Jones
Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)
Mac McDonald
Rebel Pilot (uncredited)
Ralph McQuarrie
General McQuarrie (uncredited) / Visual Effects
Ralph Morse
Stormtrooper / Imperial Comms Officer / Rebel Soldier (uncredited)
Terry Richards
Wampa (uncredited) / Stunts
Treat Williams
Echo Base Trooper (uncredited)
Shaun Curry
Hoth Rebel Commander (uncredited)
Alan Austen
Stormtrooper/Snowtrooper
Jim Dowdall
Stormtrooper/Snowtrooper / Stunts
Tom Egeland
Hoth Trooper (uncredited)
Alan Flyng
Stormtrooper (uncredited)
Trevor Butterfield
Imperial Officer / Stormtrooper (uncredited)
Mercedes Burleigh
Female Hoth Control Room Tech (uncredited)
Jane Busby
Ugnaught (uncredited)
Maurice Bush
Dengar (uncredited)
Tony Clarkin
Stormtrooper (uncredited)
Mike Edmonds
Ugnaught (uncredited)
Walter Henry
Rebel Technician on Hoth (uncredited)
Paul Jerricho
AT-AT Driver (uncredited)
Joe Johnston
Hoth Rebel (uncredited)
Steven Meek
Stormtrooper / Chewbacca / Treva Horme / Solomahal (uncredited)
Peter Roy
Snowtrooper (uncredited)
Stephanie English
Hoth Rebel Technician (uncredited)
Michael Leader
Imperial Crewman (uncredited)
Egbert Sen
Willrow Hood (uncredited)
Elaine Baker
Emperor (uncredited)
Irvin Kershner
Director
Lawrence Kasdan
Screenplay
George Lucas
Executive Producer / Story
Brian Johnson
Special Effects
Leigh Brackett
Screenplay
John Williams
Original Music Composer
Gary Kurtz
Producer
Jim Bloom
Associate Producer
Bob Edmiston
Casting
Norman Reynolds
Production Design
Irene Lamb
Casting
Paul Hirsch
Editor
Leslie Dilley
Art Direction
Terry Liebling
Casting
Alan Tomkins
Art Direction
Michael Ford
Set Decoration
John Mollo
Costume Design
Harry Lange
Art Direction
Peter Suschitzky
Director of Photography
Robert Watts
Associate Producer
Tiny Nicholls
Costume Supervisor
Patricia Carr
Production Manager
Howard G. Kazanjian
Producer
Nick Maley
Makeup Artist
Bruce Sharman
Production Supervisor
Herbert W. Spencer
Orchestrator
Terry Pritchard
Driver
Paul Huston
Camera Operator
Richard Edlund
Visual Effects
David H. Watkins
Special Effects
Bonnie Koehler
Sound Editor
Phil Tippett
Animation / Makeup Effects
Eileen Sullivan
Wardrobe Supervisor
Laurie Shane
Gaffer
George Whitear
Still Photographer
Ben Burtt
Sound Designer
David Tomblin
First Assistant Director
Frank Bruton
Property Master
Pamela Mann
Continuity
Steve Lanning
Second Assistant Director
Kay Rawlings
Continuity
Richard Burrow
Sound Editor
Gregg Landaker
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Barbara Ritchie
Hairdresser
Kay Freeborn
Makeup Artist
Stuart Freeborn
Makeup Artist
Graham Freeborn
Makeup Department Head
Reg Bream
Draughtsman
Harley Cokeliss
Second Unit Director
Peter MacDonald
Second Unit Director
Roy Button
Second Assistant Director
Philip Kohler
Location Manager
John Barry
Second Unit Director
Svend Johansen
Production Manager
Rick McCallum
Producer
Rick Baker
Makeup Artist
London Symphony Orchestra
Musician
Media.
Details.
Release DateMay 20, 1980
StatusReleased
Running Time2h 4m
Content RatingPG
Budget$18,000,000
Box Office$538,400,000
Filming LocationsFinse, Norway
Genres
Wiki.
The Empire Strikes Back (also known as Star Wars: Episode V β The Empire Strikes Back) is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas. The sequel to Star Wars (1977), it is the second film in the Star Wars film series and the fifth chronological chapter of the "Skywalker Saga". Set three years after the events of Star Wars, the film recounts the battle between the malevolent Galactic Empire, led by the Emperor, and the Rebel Alliance, led by Princess Leia. Luke Skywalker trains to master the Force so he can confront the powerful Sith lord, Darth Vader. The ensemble cast includes Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, and Frank Oz.
Following the success of Star Wars, Lucas hired Brackett to write the sequel. After she died in 1978, he outlined the whole Star Wars saga and wrote the next draft himself, before hiring Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) writer Kasdan to enhance his work. To avoid the stress he faced directing Star Wars, Lucas handed the responsibility to Kershner and focused on expanding his special effects company Industrial Light & Magic instead. Filmed from March to September 1979 in Finse, Norway, and at Elstree Studios in England, The Empire Strikes Back faced production difficulties, including actor injuries, illnesses, fires, and problems securing additional financing as costs rose. Initially budgeted at $8 million, costs had risen to $30.5 million by the project's conclusion.
Released on May 21, 1980, the highly anticipated sequel became the highest-grossing film that year, earning approximately $401.5 million worldwide. Unlike its lighthearted predecessor, Empire met with mixed reviews from critics and fans were conflicted about its darker and maturer themes. Critics praised the expressive features and characterization of puppeteered character Yoda, a diminutive alien who serves as Luke's teacher. The film was nominated for various awards and won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and a BAFTA, among others. Subsequent releases have raised the film's worldwide gross to $538β549 million and, adjusted for inflation, it is the 13th-highest-grossing film in the United States and Canada.
Since its release, The Empire Strikes Back has been critically reassessed and is now often regarded as the best film in the Star Wars series and among the greatest films ever made. It has had a significant impact on filmmaking and popular culture and is often considered an example of a sequel superior to its predecessor. The climax, in which Vader reveals he is Luke's father, is often ranked as one of the greatest plot twists in cinema. The film spawned a variety of merchandise and adaptations, including video games and a radio play. The United States Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2010. Return of the Jedi (1983) followed Empire, concluding the original Star Wars trilogy. Prequel and sequel trilogies have since been released.