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

User Rating:

8.8/10   

Director:

Irvin Kershner

Writers:

Leigh Brackett (screenplay) and
Lawrence Kasdan (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

21 May 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The Adventure Continues...

Plot:

While Luke takes advanced Jedi training from Yoda, his friends are relentlessly pursued by Darth Vader as part of his plan to capture Luke.

Plot Keywords:

Princess | Empire | Rebel | Training | Rescue

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 10 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

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	...	Ben 'Obi-wan' Kenobi
Jeremy Bulloch	...	Boba Fett
John Hollis	...	Lando's Aide
Jack Purvis	...	Chief Ugnaught
Des Webb	...	Snow Creature
Clive Revill	...	Emperor (voice)
Kenneth Colley	...	Imperial Force Admiral Piett
Julian Glover	...	Imperial Force General Veers
Michael Sheard	...	Imperial Force Admiral Ozzel
Michael Culver	...	Imperial Force Captain Needa
John Dicks	...	Other Imperial Officer
Milton Johns	...	Other Imperial Officer
Mark Jones	...	Other Imperial Officer
Oliver Maguire	...	Other Imperial Officer
Robin Scobey	...	Other Imperial Officer
Bruce Boa	...	Rebel Force General Rieekan
Christopher Malcolm	...	Rebel Force Zev - Rogue 2
Denis Lawson	...	Rebel Force Wedge - Rogue 3 (as Dennis Lawson)
Richard Oldfield	...	Rebel Force Hobbie - Rogue 4
John Morton	...	Rebel Force Dak - Luke's Gunner
Ian Liston	...	Rebel Force Janson - Wedge's Gunner
John Ratzenberger	...	Rebel Force Major Derlin
Jack McKenzie	...	Rebel Force Deck Lieutenant
Jerry Harte	...	Rebel Force Head Controller
Norman Chancer	...	Other Rebel Officer
Norwich Duff	...	Other Rebel Officer
Ray Hassett	...	Other Rebel Officer
Brigitte Kahn	...	Other Rebel Officer
Burnell Tucker	...	Other Rebel Officer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bob Anderson	...	Imperial Officer (uncredited)
Lightning Bear	...	Stormtrooper (uncredited)
Richard Bonehill	...	Stormtrooper / Snowtrooper / Rebel Soldier / Tauntaun Handler (uncredited)
Stephen Buchanan	...	Holographic Officer (uncredited)
Morris Bush	...	Dengar (uncredited)
Mark Capri	...	Officer M'kae - Captain Needa's Communications Officer (uncredited)
Peter Diamond	...	Snowtrooper Gunner (uncredited)
Tom Egeland	...	Hoth Trooper (uncredited)
Stuart Fell	...	Snowtrooper (uncredited)
Michael A. Frandy	...	Imperial Shuttle Mechanic (uncredited)
Alan Harris	...	Bossk / Bespin Security Guard (uncredited)
Susie Hudson	...	Bespin Woman (uncredited)
James Earl Jones	...	Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)
Tiffany L. Kurtz	...	Extra (uncredited)
Ralph McQuarrie	...	General McQuarrie (uncredited)
Ralph Morse	...	Stormtrooper (uncredited)
Cathy Munro	...	Zuckuss / E-3PO (uncredited)
C. Andrew Nelson	...	Darth Vader (special edition) (uncredited)
Chris Parsons	...	4-LOM / K-3PO / Stormtrooper (uncredited)
Doug Robinson	...	Snowtrooper (uncredited)
Tony Smart	...	Snowtrooper (uncredited)
Harold Weed	...	Wampa (special edition) (uncredited)
Treat Williams	...	Jess Allashane - Echo Base Trooper / Jerrol Blendin - Cloud City Trooper (uncredited)
Jason Wingreen	...	Boba Fett (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
Irvin Kershner

Writing credits
Leigh Brackett		(screenplay) and
Lawrence Kasdan		(screenplay)
George Lucas		(story)

Produced by
Jim Bloom	....	associate producer (as James Bloom)
Gary Kurtz	....	producer
George Lucas	....	executive producer
Rick McCallum	....	producer (1997 special edition)
Robert Watts	....	associate producer

Original Music by
John Williams		(music by)

Cinematography by
Peter Suschitzky		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
T.M. Christopher		(1997 special edition)
Paul Hirsch
George Lucas		(uncredited)
Marcia Lucas		(uncredited)

Casting by
Bob Edmiston
Irene Lamb
Terry Liebling

Production Design by
Norman Reynolds

Art Direction by
Leslie Dilley
Harry Lange
Alan Tomkins

Set Decoration by
Michael Ford

Costume Design by
John Mollo

Makeup Department
Graham Freeborn	....	chief make-up artist
Kay Freeborn	....	make-up artist
Stuart Freeborn	....	make-up and special creature design
Nick Maley	....	make-up artist
Barbara Ritchie	....	chief hairdresser
David Barkley	....	special makeup effects trainee (uncredited)
Nick Dudman	....	special makeup effects trainee (uncredited)
Bob Keen	....	special makeup effects trainee (uncredited)

Production Management
Patricia Carr	....	assistant production manager
Sven Johansen	....	production manager: location second unit (as Svein Johansen)
Bruce Sharman	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John Barry	....	director: studio second unit
Roy Button	....	second assistant director
Harley Cokliss	....	director: studio second unit
Dominic Fulford	....	assistant director: studio second unit
Steve Lanning	....	second assistant director
Peter MacDonald	....	director: location second unit
Andrew Montgomery	....	second assistant director: studio second unit
Ola Solum	....	assistant director: location second unit
David Tomblin	....	first assistant director
Bill Westley	....	assistant director: location second unit
Paul Tivers	....	third assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Ted Ambrose	....	draftsman
Ivor Beddoes	....	sketch artist
Michael Boone	....	draftsman
Reg Bream	....	draftsman
Frank Bruton	....	property master
Steve Cooper	....	draftsman
Richard Dawking	....	draftsman
Joe Dipple	....	property dressing supervisor
Fred Evans	....	modeller
George Gunning	....	head carpenter
Fred Hole	....	assistant art director
Michael Lamont	....	assistant art director
Ralph McQuarrie	....	design consultant and conceptual artist
Dave Middleton	....	construction storeman
Allan Moss	....	modeller
Edward Rodrigo	....	chief buyer
Bert Rodwell	....	head plasterer
Janet Stevens	....	modeller (as Jan Stevens)
Charles Torbett	....	property supervisor
Bill Welch	....	construction manager
Andy Aitken	....	plasterer (uncredited)
Mark Harris	....	art department assistant (uncredited)
Peter Mann	....	constructor (uncredited)
Per Mørk	....	construction manager (uncredited)

Sound Department
John Benson	....	assistant sound editor
Richard Burrow	....	sound editor
Ben Burtt	....	sound designer
Ben Burtt	....	supervising sound effects editor
Joanna Cappuccilli	....	assistant sound editor
Joanne D'Antonio	....	dialogue editor
Don Digirolamo	....	consultant: Dolby
Teresa Eckton	....	sound editor
Ken Fischer	....	assistant sound editor
Howie Hammerman	....	recording technician (as Howie)
Scott Hecker	....	foley editor
Craig S. Jaeger	....	assistant sound editor (as Craig Jaeger)
Nancy Jencks	....	assistant sound editor
Bonnie Koehler	....	sound editor
Laurel Ladevich	....	assistant sound editor
Gregg Landaker	....	re-recording
Steve Maslow	....	re-recording
Kevin O'Connell	....	recording technician
Gary Rizzo	....	digital sound mix technician (1997 special edition) (as Gary A. Rizzo)
John Roesch	....	foley assistant
Ronald G. Roumas	....	sound re-recordist (1997 special edition)
Robert R. Rutledge	....	foley editor (as Robert Rutledge)
Curt Schulkey	....	dialogue editor
Leslie Shatz	....	dialogue editor
Edward M. Steidele	....	foley assistant
Lisa Storer	....	assistant sound editor (1997 special edition)
Gary Summers	....	re-recording mixer (1997 special edition)
Gary Summers	....	recording technician
Peter Sutton	....	production sound
Randy Thom	....	sound effects recording
Bill Varney	....	re-recording
Don Wortham	....	sound boom operator
Fred Clemons	....	machine room operator (1997 special edition) (uncredited)
Steve Kinsey	....	sound mix technician (1997 special edition) (uncredited)
Lionel Strutt	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
David E. Turner	....	machine room operator (1997 special edition) (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Nick Allder	....	mechanical effects supervisor: production and mechanical effects unit
Alan Bryce	....	location unit supervisor: production and mechanical effects unit (as Allan Bryce)
Gilly Case	....	effects secretary: production and mechanical effects unit (as Gill Case)
Rob Dickinson	....	electrical consultant: production and mechanical effects unit
Brian Eke	....	effects technician: production and mechanical effects unit
Martin Gant	....	effects technician: production and mechanical effects unit
John Hatt	....	electrical engineer: production and mechanical effects unit
Ron Hone	....	robot fabrication and supervision: production and mechanical effects unit
Guy Hudson	....	effects technician: production and mechanical effects unit
Andrew Kelly	....	robot fabrication and supervision: production and mechanical effects unit
Phil Knowles	....	effects technician: production and mechanical effects unit
Stephen Lloyd	....	effects engineering: production and mechanical effects unit (as Steve Lloyd)
Dennis Lowe	....	effects technician: production and mechanical effects unit
Robert McLaren	....	effects assistant: production and mechanical effects unit
Digby Milner	....	effects assistant: production and mechanical effects unit
Roger Nichols	....	effects engineer: production and mechanical effects unit
John Pakenham	....	model construction: production and mechanical effects unit
Alan Poole	....	effects engineer: production and mechanical effects unit
Neil Swan	....	senior effects technician: production and mechanical effects unit
David H. Watkins	....	senior effects technician: production and mechanical effects unit (as Dave Watkins)
Barry Whitrod	....	effects technician: production and mechanical effects unit

Visual Effects by
Julie Adrianson-Neary	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Julie Neary)
Peter Amundson	....	optical line-up: miniature and optical effects unit
Chris Anderson	....	assistant cameraman: miniature and optical effects unit
Okan Ataman	....	digital effects technical assistant: ILM (1997 special edition)
Charles Bailey	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Craig Barron	....	matte photography assistant: miniature and optical effects unit
John Bartle	....	assistant visual effects editor: ILM (1997 special edition)
Carol Bauman	....	model and creature maker: ILM (1997 special edition)
Randall K. Bean	....	digital scanning operator: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Randall Bean)
Greg Beaumonte	....	machinist: miniature and optical effects unit
James Beaumonte	....	camera and movement design: miniature and optical effects unit (as Jim Beaumonte)
William Beck	....	stage technician: miniature and optical effects unit
Wendy Bell	....	video assistant: ILM (1997 special edition)
David Benson	....	sofware research and development: ILM (1997 special edition)
Jon Berg	....	stop motion animation: miniature and optical effects unit
David Berry	....	optical printer operator: miniature and optical effects unit
Doug Beswick	....	stop motion technician: miniature and optical effects unit
Earl Beyer	....	digital scanning operator: ILM (1997 special edition)
Ken Beyer	....	production engineering: ILM (1997 special edition)
Don Bies	....	model and creature maker: ILM (1997 special edition)
Andrea Biklian	....	negative line-up: ILM (1997 special edition)
Patricia Blau	....	production secretary: miniature and optical effects unit
Mike Bolles	....	design engineer: miniature and optical effects unit
Ed Breed	....	stage technician: miniature and optical effects unit
Daniel Brimer	....	digital effects resource assistant: ILM (1997 special edition)
Kris Brown	....	systems programming: miniature and optical effects unit
Ronn Brown	....	digital matte artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Thomas Brown	....	production associate: miniature and optical effects unit
Conrad Buff IV	....	visual effects editorial supervisor: miniature and optical effects unit (as Conrad Buff)
Chris Bushman	....	optical supervisor (1997 special edition)
Donald S. Butler	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Don Butler)
Dave Carson	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Dave Carson	....	visual effects supervisor: ILM (1997 special edition)
Chris Casady	....	animator: miniature and optical effects unit
Eric Chauvin	....	digital matte artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Peter Chesloff	....	digital effects technical assistant: ILM (1997 special edition)
Terry Chostner	....	still photographer: miniature and optical effects unit
Donald Clark	....	optical printer operator: miniature and optical effects unit
Samuel Comstock	....	animator: miniature and optical effects unit
Michael Conte	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Caitlin Content	....	Sabre artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Ken Corvino	....	production engineering: ILM (1997 special edition)
Julie Creighton	....	visual effects production staff: ILM (1997 special edition)
Laura Crockett	....	assistant accountant: miniature and optical effects unit
Giovanni Donovan	....	model and creature maker: ILM (1997 special edition)
Dick Dova	....	stage technician: miniature and optical effects unit
Don Dow	....	camera operator: miniature and optical effects unit
Loring Doyle	....	optical line-up: miniature and optical effects unit
Lisa Drostova	....	digital paint & roto artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Selwyn Eddy	....	assistant cameraman: miniature and optical effects unit
Richard Edlund	....	special visual effects
Harrison Ellenshaw	....	matte painting supervisor: miniature and optical effects unit
Mike Ellis	....	digital scanning operator: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Michael Ellis)
Robert Elswit	....	matte photography assistant: miniature and optical effects unit
Phillip Feiner	....	optical supervisor (1997 special edition)
Rick Fichter	....	assistant cameraman: miniature and optical effects unit
Robert Finley Jr.	....	stage technician: miniature and optical effects unit (as Bobby Finley)
Richard Fish	....	assistant cameraman: miniature and optical effects unit
Brian Flora	....	digital matte artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Warren Franklin	....	optical line-up: miniature and optical effects unit
Roberta Friedman	....	optical coordinator
Michael Fulmer	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Dick Gallegly	....	production administrator: miniature and optical effects unit
Steve Gawley	....	modelshop foreman: miniature and optical effects unit
Tim Geideman	....	laboratory technician: miniature and optical effects unit
Tim Geideman	....	negative line-up: ILM (1997 special edition)
Rob Gemmel	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Howard Gersh	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
David Grafton	....	special optics designer: miniature and optical effects unit
Timothy Greenwood	....	projectionist: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Tim Greenwood)
Grant Guenin	....	Sabre artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
James Hagedorn	....	3D matchmove artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Wendy Hendrickson	....	digital plate restoration: ILM (1997 special edition)
Edward Hirsh	....	stage technician: miniature and optical effects unit
Jim Hourihan	....	software research and development: ILM (1997 special edition)
George Hull	....	visual effects art director: ILM (1997 special edition)
Paul Huston	....	assistant cameraman: miniature and optical effects unit
Paul Huston	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Tom L. Hutchinson	....	computer graphics supervisor: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Tom Hutchinson)
Jerry Jeffress	....	electronic systems designer: miniature and optical effects unit
Brian Johnson	....	special visual effects
Joe Johnston	....	art director visual effects: miniature and optical effects unit
Doug Jones	....	negative supervisor: ILM (1997 special edition)
Ed Jones	....	laboratory technician: miniature and optical effects unit
Zoran Kacic-Alesic	....	software research and development: ILM (1997 special edition)
Florian Kainz	....	software research and development: ILM (1997 special edition)
Michael Kelly	....	effects editor: miniature and optical effects unit
Tom Kennedy	....	visual effects producer: ILM (1997 special edition)
Kim Knowlton	....	animator: miniature and optical effects unit
Marshall Richard Krasser	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Marshall Krasser)
Neil Krepela	....	matte photography: miniature and optical effects unit
Peter Kuran	....	animation and rotoscope supervisor: miniature and optical effects unit
Alexander Laurant	....	assistant visual effects art director: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Alex Laurant)
Michael Lawler	....	additional matte photography: miniature and optical effects unit
Angela Leaper	....	video editor: ILM (1997 special edition)
Gary Leo	....	electronic engineer: miniature and optical effects unit
Joshua Levine	....	digital effects technical assistant: ILM (1997 special edition)
James Lim	....	optical line-up: miniature and optical effects unit
Leo Loverro	....	stage technician: miniature and optical effects unit
Mike MacKenzie	....	electronic engineer: miniature and optical effects unit
Joshua Marks	....	visual effects production staff: ILM (1997 special edition)
Scott Marshall	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Tia L. Marshall	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Tia Marshall)
Dawn Martin	....	video assistant: ILM (1997 special edition)
Stuart T. Maschwitz	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Terrence Masson	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Bill Mather	....	digital matte artist: ILM (1997 special edition) (as William Mather)
Dawn Matheson	....	digital effects technical assistant: ILM (1997 special edition)
Michael J. McAlister	....	assistant cameraman: miniature and optical effects unit (as Michael McAlister)
Pat McClung	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Mary McCulloch	....	Sabre artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Mickey McGovern	....	visual effects editor: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Michael McGovern)
Roberto McGrath	....	lab assistant: miniature and optical effects unit
Dan McNamara	....	Sabre group supervisor: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Daniel McNamara)
Ralph McQuarrie	....	matte artist: miniature and optical effects unit
Gary Meyer	....	production engineering: ILM (1997 special edition)
Lhary Meyer	....	electronic engineer: miniature and optical effects unit
Duncan Meyers	....	laboratory technician: miniature and optical effects unit (as Duncan Myers)
Ted Moehnke	....	supervising stage technician: miniature and optical effects unit (as T.E. Moehnke)
Melissa Monterrosa	....	digital plate restoration: ILM (1997 special edition)
Thaine Morris	....	miniature pyrotechnics: miniature and optical effects unit
Wendy Morton	....	model and creature maker: ILM (1997 special edition)
Dennis Muren	....	effects director of photography: miniature and optical effects unit
Bill Neil	....	camera operator: miniature and optical effects unit
Bruce Nicholson	....	optical photography supervisor: miniature and optical effects unit
Ken Nielsen	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Ease Owyeung	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Jenny Oznowicz	....	production assistant: miniature and optical effects unit
Clint Palmer	....	assistant camera: miniature and optical effects unit
Udo Pampel	....	machinist: miniature and optical effects unit
Michael Pangrazio	....	matte artist: miniature and optical effects unit
Eddie Pasquarello	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Lorne Peterson	....	chief model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Glenn Phillips	....	assistant accountant: miniature and optical effects unit
David Pier	....	miniature pyrotechnics: miniature and optical effects unit (as Dave Pier)
Tam Pillsbury	....	optical line-up: miniature and optical effects unit
Josh Pines	....	digital scanning supervisor: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Joshua Pines)
Gary Platek	....	special projects: miniature and optical effects unit
Anne Polland	....	model and creature maker: ILM (1997 special edition)
Ken Ralston	....	effects cameraman: miniature and optical effects unit
Ricardo Ramos	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Arthur F. Repola	....	assistant effects editor: miniature and optical effects unit (as Arthur Repola)
Nilo Rodis-Jamero	....	assistant art director: miniature and optical effects unit
Thomas Rosseter	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Tom Rosseter)
Thomas Rosseter	....	optical line-up: miniature and optical effects unit
Jonathan Rothbart	....	animatic artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Tom Rudduck	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Nina Saxon	....	animator: miniature and optical effects unit
Stanley W. Sayer	....	matte photography consultant (as Stanley Sayer)
Ray Scalice	....	production accountant: miniature and optical effects unit
Wesley Seeds	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Dan Shumaker	....	digital effects technical assistant: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Daniel Shumaker)
Mark Siegel	....	model and creature maker: ILM (1997 special edition)
Kenneth Smith	....	optical printer operator: miniature and optical effects unit
Tom St. Amand	....	stop motion technician: miniature and optical effects unit
Howard Stein	....	assistant effects editor: miniature and optical effects unit
Lawrence Tan	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Chad Taylor	....	Sabre artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Rick Taylor	....	animator: miniature and optical effects unit
Ed Tennler	....	draftsman: miniature and optical effects unit
Jonas Thaler	....	apprentice editor: miniature and optical effects unit (as Jon Thaler)
Paul Theren	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Marc Thorpe	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Phil Tippett	....	stop motion animation: miniature and optical effects unit
Lisa Todd	....	visual effects coordinator: ILM (1997 special edition)
Pam Traas	....	assistant accountant: miniature and optical effects unit
Hans Uhlig	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Michael Van Eps	....	digital plate restoration: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Mike Van Eps)
John T. Van Vliet	....	animator: miniature and optical effects unit (as John Van Vliet)
Mark Vargo	....	optical line-up: miniature and optical effects unit
Bruce Vecchitto	....	color timing supervisor: ILM (1997 special edition)
Jim Veilleux	....	effects cameraman: miniature and optical effects unit
Laurie Vermont	....	optical coordinator: miniature and optical effects unit
Joe Viskocil	....	miniature pyrotechnics: miniature and optical effects unit (as Joseph Viskocil)
Gary Waller	....	animator: miniature and optical effects unit (as Garry Waller)
Steve Walton	....	model and creature maker: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Steven Walton)
Harold Weed	....	chief creature maker: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Howie Weed)
Li-Hsien Wei	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Ken Wesley	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Jody Westheimer	....	assistant cameraman: miniature and optical effects unit
Gene Whiteman	....	equipment engineering supervisor: miniature and optical effects unit
Diana Wilson	....	animator: miniature and optical effects unit
Ron Woodall	....	digital effects artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Jeffery Yost	....	software research and development: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Jeff Yost)
Heidi Zabit	....	digital paint & roto artist: ILM (1997 special edition)
Stuart Ziff	....	special project coordinator: miniature and optical effects unit
Rita E. Zimmerman	....	Sabre artist: ILM (1997 special edition) (as Rita Zimmerman)
Samuel Zolltheis	....	model maker: miniature and optical effects unit
Fon Davis	....	model maker: ILM (1997 special edition) (uncredited)
Giovanni Donovan	....	Wampa lair construction (1997 special edition) (uncredited)
Aaron Haye	....	model maker: ILM (1997 special edition) (uncredited)
Todd Mitchell	....	scanning operator: ILM (1997 special edition) (uncredited)
Ben O'Brien	....	Sabre artist: ILM (1997 special edition) (uncredited)
Matt Wallin	....	digital artist: ILM (1997 special edition) (uncredited)

Stunts
Bob Anderson	....	stunt double
Peter Diamond	....	stunt coordinator
Colin Skeaping	....	stunt double
Lightning Bear	....	stunts (uncredited)
Marc Boyle	....	stunts (uncredited)
Peter Diamond	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jim Dowdall	....	stunts (uncredited)
Stuart Fell	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Stuart Fell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Richard Hammatt	....	stunts (uncredited)
Reg Harding	....	stunts (uncredited)
Terry Richards	....	stunts (uncredited)
Doug Robinson	....	stunts (uncredited)
Colin Skeaping	....	stunts (uncredited)
Tony Smart	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Maurice Arnold	....	assistant cameraman
Frank Batt	....	dolly grip: location second unit
Mike Brewster	....	assistant cameraman: location second unit
John J. Campbell	....	assistant cameraman: location second unit (as John Campbell)
John Clark	....	rigging gaffer
Greg Dupre	....	second assistant cameraman: second unit
David Garfath	....	operating cameraman
Geoff Glover	....	director of photography: location second unit
Ron Goodman	....	aerial cameraman
Margaret Herron	....	assistant aerial cameraman
John Keen	....	second assistant cameraman: second unit
Red Lawrence	....	head rigger
Dennis Lewis	....	dolly grip
Chris Menges	....	director of photography: studio second unit
Madelyn Most	....	second assistant cameraman
Brian Osborn	....	dolly grip
Kelvin Pike	....	operating cameraman
Peter Robinson	....	second assistant cameraman
Laurie Shane	....	gaffer
Bob Smith	....	operating cameraman: location second unit
Chris Tanner	....	assistant cameraman
George Whitear	....	still photographer
Steve Blake	....	lighting chargehand (uncredited)
Miles Cook	....	assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Brian Q. Kelley	....	photographer: additional footage (1997 special edition) (uncredited)
Paul Kenward	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Martin Kenzie	....	second assistant camera: second camera (uncredited)
Jon Sorensen	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Tiny Nicholls	....	wardrobe supervisor
Eileen Sullivan	....	wardrobe mistress

Editorial Department
Duwayne Dunham	....	assistant film editor
Barbara Ellis	....	assistant film editor
Ted Gagliano	....	post-production executive (1997 special edition)
Bob Hart	....	negative cutter (as Robert Hart)
Samuel H. Hinckley	....	first assistant editor (1997 special edition) (as Samuel Hinckley)
Darrell Hixson	....	negative cutter
Mike Jackson	....	assistant editor: avid (1997 special edition)
Robin Lee	....	assistant editor: avid (1997 special edition)
Ed Lemke	....	color timer
Robert Marty	....	first assistant editor (1997 special edition)
Robert Raring	....	color timer (1997 special edition) (as Robert J. Raring)
Ray Sabo	....	negative continuity (1997 special edition)
Phil Sanderson	....	assistant film editor
Steve Starkey	....	assistant film editor
Paul Tomlinson	....	assistant film editor
Brian Q. Kelley	....	editor: additional material (1997 special edition) (uncredited)

Music Department
Herbert W. Spencer	....	orchestrations
Eric Tomlinson	....	music recording
Kenneth Wannberg	....	supervising music editor
Paul Kegg	....	musician: cello (uncredited)
George Lucas	....	music producer (uncredited)
Angela Morley	....	additional orchestrator (uncredited)
Maurice Murphy	....	musician: trumpet (uncredited)
Lionel Newman	....	music supervisor (uncredited)
John Williams	....	conductor (uncredited)
John Williams	....	music producer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Robert Martin	....	transportation: miniature and optical effects unit

Other crew
Bunny Alsup	....	assistant to producer
Alan Arnold	....	unit publicist
Jane Bay	....	assistant to executive producer
Leon Briggs	....	film restoration consultant (1997 special edition)
Ron Butcher	....	production maintenance
Pete Comandini	....	film restoration supervisor (1997 special edition)
Ron Cook	....	location accountant
Kathryn Farrar	....	production controller (1997 special edition)
Tim Fox	....	archivist (1997 special edition)
Ken Gordon	....	set cost controller
Barbara Harley	....	production assistant
Miki Herman	....	production coordinator
Philip Kohler	....	location manager
Michael Larkins	....	assistant accountant
Nick Laws	....	production assistant
Pamela Mann	....	continuity
Wendy Midener	....	yoda fabricator
Kathryn Mullen	....	performing assistant: Yoda
Ron Phipps	....	production accountant
Kay Rawlings	....	continuity
Debbie Shaw	....	assistant to director
Charles B. Wessler	....	production assistant (as Charles Wessler)
Kristen Wing	....	assistant publicist
Marc Wolff	....	helicopter pilot (as Mark Wolfe)
David Alan Barclay	....	assistant puppeteer (uncredited)
Des Carey	....	film archivist (1997 special edition) (uncredited)
Liz Coke	....	stand-in: Ms. Fisher (uncredited)
Jack Dearlove	....	stand-in: Mr. Ford (uncredited)
Alan Harris	....	stand-in: Mr. Daniels (uncredited)
Mark Marshall	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Craig Miller	....	marketing consultant (uncredited)
Chris Parsons	....	stand-in: "4-LOM", "K-3PO" and "C-3PO" (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Lucasfilm (as A Lucasfilm Limited Production)

Distributors

• Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation (1980) (USA) (theatrical) (as A Twentieth Century-Fox Release)
• 20th Century Fox (1980) (UK) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (1980) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Hoyts Distribution (1980) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation (1981) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1987) (USA) (TV) (pan/scan)
• Finnkino (1997) (Finland) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Japan (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (UK) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (Argentina)
• 20th Century Fox of Germany (Germany)
• Abril Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (1980s) (Australia) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• CBS/Fox Video (1984) (Belgium) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• CBS/Fox (1980s) (USA) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• CBS/Fox (USA) (laserdisc)
• Egmont Entertainment (2000) (Finland) (VHS)
• FS Film Oy (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• Finnkino (1995) (Finland) (VHS)
• Fox Video (1990s) (Australia) (VHS)
• Fox Video (????) (USA) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• Gativideo (1980s) (Argentina) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• Showtime (1985) (Finland) (VHS) (rental)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD) (special edition)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (????) (Netherlands) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• UGC-Fox Distribution (UFD) (France)

Special Effects

• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) (special visual effects)
• Van der Veer Photo Effects (additional optical effects) (as Van Der Veer Photo Effects)
• Modern Film Effects (additional optical effects)
• Ray Mercer & Company (additional optical effects)
• Westheimer Company (additional optical effects)
• Lookout Mountain Films (additional optical effects)

Other Companies

• London Symphony Orchestra, The (LSO)  music performed by
• Fox Fanfare Music  original music copyright © 1980 by
• Bantha Music  original music copyright © 1980 by
• Lee Lighting  lighting equipment and crew (as Lee Electric)
• George Randle Co.  optical printer component manufacturer
• J.L. Wood Optical Systems  special optics fabrication
• Fries Engineering  optical printer component engineering
• Mitchell Camera  high speed camera movements
• Bruce Hill Productions  ultra high speed camera
• Wesscam Camera Systems (Europe)  aerial camera system
• Dollar Air Services  helicopter supplied by
• Continental Camera Systems  cloud plates photographed with Astrovision by
• Aktiv Fisher  snow vehicles supplied by
• White Horse Toy Company  R2 bodies fabricated by
• Giltspur Engineering and Compair  special assistance
• Anvil Studios  music recorded at
• Samuel Goldwyn Studios  re-recording at
• RSO Records  original soundtrack on
• Ballantine Books  novelization
• Skywalker Sound  digital remastering (1997 special edition)
• Pacific Title  optical restoration (1997 special edition)
• YCM Laboratories  film restoration (1997 special edition)
• RCA Victor  soundtrack available on (1997 special edition)
• Lucasfilm THX / TAP Theater Alignment Program  quality assurance (1997 special edition)
• Audiolink Radio Communications  walkie talkies (uncredited)
• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production (uncredited)
• Flying Pictures  helicopter pilot provided by (uncredited)
• Lowry Digital Images  digital restoration (2004 re-release)
• Mayflower Recording  adr recording (uncredited)
• Sony Classical  soundtrack released by (2004 re-release)

Also Known As:

Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (USA) (video box title)
The Empire Strikes Back (USA) (short title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for sci-fi action violence. (special edition, DVD version)

Runtime:

124 min | USA:127 min (special edition)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | DTS (special edition) | Dolby Digital (special edition) | SDDS (special edition) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #26034) | Iceland:12 (original rating) (theatrical release) | Iceland:12 (special edition) | Iceland:LH (original rating) (video release) | Germany:6 (video rating) | Malaysia:U | Canada:G (British Columbia/Quebec) | South Korea:All | Brazil:Livre | South Africa:PG | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) (special edition) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Chile:TE | Denmark:11 (special edition) | Denmark:12 (original rating) | Finland:K-10 (special edition) | Finland:K-12 (original rating) | France:U | Hong Kong:I | Ireland:G | Netherlands:AL (video rating) (special edition) (1990s) | New Zealand:PG | Norway:11 (re-rating) | Norway:12 (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG (special edition) | Spain:T (special edition) | Sweden:11 (special edition) | Sweden:15 (original rating) | UK:U | West Germany:12 | Mexico:AA

Filming Locations:

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, California, USA

Company:

Lucasfilm

Trivia:

One of the bounty hunters that Darth Vader hires to find Han Solo, IG-88, can be seen in the Cloud City. IG-88 is a droid, and his dead body is sitting next to a furnace in the room where C-3PO is dismantled.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Luke is running out of the beast's cave you can hear the sound of his lightsaber being turned off. However, his lightsaber is on in his hand.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Luke: Echo Three to Echo Seven. Han, old buddy, do you read me?
Han Solo: Loud and clear, kid. What's up?
Luke: Well, I finished my circle. I don't pick up any life readings.
Han Solo: There isn't enough life on this ice cube to fill a space cruiser. Sensors are placed. I'm going back.
Luke: Right. I'll see you shortly. There's a meteorite that hit the ground near here. I want to check it out. It won't take long.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Jesse: The Cheese Ship (#1.8)" (1998)

All the fun of the original with a much better, darker plot

The Rebellion has struck an important blow to the power of the Empire by destroying it's Death Star, however the power of the Dark Side of the Force remains strong and continues to hunt the rebellion. While the Rebellion base on Hoth is under treat, Luke has gone to a distant swamp planet to receive further Jedi training from Master Yoda. However the power of the dark side should not be underestimated and many dark truths are revealed as the threat of the Empire looms large.

Following Star Wars was never going to be easy but this is actually better. Empire retains the same characters and the same sense of fun that the first had – the battle on Hoth is just one of THE moments of the series. However what gets added to that is a much darker strand. The Empire is not beaten by the destruction of one ship – it's power is barely dented in fact. This sees some startling revelations (I won't spoil it in case you've been living under a rock!) but also sees significant blows to the rebellion. In fact the ending of this film could not be more different from the end of Star Wars.

Like the recent episode two this follows two strands – the more pedestrian scenes with Luke and Yoda and the more action based scenes with Han and company. The scenes with Yoda add depth to the film and hint at the truth. Meanwhile the other half is a lot more action orientated and has comedy and good new characters such as Bobba Fett. The two work well together and come together well for a great finale. The addition of a dark strand to the film makes it all the better as it can be enjoyed as a story and not just a fun sci-fi film with good effects.

The characters are better here than the first. The strong characters from the first (Han, C3P0 et al) are all still good here. However we also get a much more interesting version of Luke as he continues his journey into becoming a full Jedi. Yoda is a good addition (despite sounding like Fozzie Bear!) and Darth Vader becomes a lot more than just a good villain – we learn his past, a revelation then, but a thing of common knowledge now.

Overall this is as good as Star Wars at it's heart, but the darker nature of the film makes it much better. Where the first one was a victorious uprising this is, as the title suggests, the time in history where the Empire strikes back against the uprising. All the music, characters and things that make Star Wars Star Wars are here and it's simply one of the best of the series to date.