Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Written by George Lucas, Leigh Brackett

Directed by Irvin Kershner

Running Time: 130 minutes (approx)

Production Year: 1980

Rating: U Certificate

Production Country: USA

Filmed in Colour

After recieving a vision from the great Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) the Rebels flee the ice world of Hoth and the Galactic Empire, after an Imperial attack, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) journeys to the marsh planet of Dagobah. Here is taught by the great Jedi master, Yoda (Frank Oz), the ways of the Force.

Meanwhile Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) escape in the damaged Millenium and are now making their way to the planet of Bespin. Here they are greeted by a gambling friend of Han's, Landi Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). However they are ambushed soon after their arrivel and become imprisoned by the evil Darth Vader (David Prowse).

Luke, on hearing of this imprisonment leaves Dagobah to rescue his friends but is met on the way by Darth Vadar who has a shocking revelation for the young Jedi. Will Skywalker manage to rescue his friends from the dark lord?

The machines still look sharp - the X-wing fighters and other space vehicles broke the mould of what was expected from action verisimilitude. But it is the screenplay which carries the biggest punch. George Lucas underpins traditional Boy's Own heroics with a layer of mythic morality - the neverending struggle of good against evil, painted in stark black and white. The phrase "evil empire" was actually lifted by Ronald Reagan directly from the film to label the Soviet Union. It is impossible to ignore the feeling of oppression and conflict generated by the Imperial forces, which draws parallels with the Cold War experience of the West in opposition to the Communist Eastern Bloc countries.

The film received 11 Academy Awards, mainly for its technical virtuosity, as well as nominations for several other major Academy Award categories, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (Alec Guinness).

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Cast

	Mark Hamill		Luke Skywalker
	Harrison Ford		Han Solo
	Carrie Fisher		Princess Leia Organa
	Billy Dee Williams		Lando Calrissian
	David Prowse		Darth Vader
	Peter Mayhew		Chewbacca
	Alec Guinness		Obi-Wan Kenobi
	Anthony Daniels		C-3PO
	Kenny Baker		R2-D2
	Frank Oz		Yoda
	Jeremy Bulloch		Boba Fett
	John Hollis		Lando's Aide
	Jack Purvis		Chief Ugnaught
	Des Webb		Snow Creature
	Kathryn Mullen		Performing Assistant for Yoda