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

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:

As Luke trains with Master Yoda to become a Jedi Knight, his friends evade the Imperial fleet under the command of Darth Vader who is obsessed with turning Skywalker to the Dark Side of the Force.

Plot Keywords:

Princess | Empire | Rebel | Escape | Training

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 12 wins & 14 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	...	Admiral Piett
Julian Glover	...	General Veers
Michael Sheard	...	Admiral Ozzel
Michael Culver	...	Captain Needa
John Dicks	...	Imperial Officer
Milton Johns	...	Imperial Officer
Mark Jones	...	Imperial Officer
Oliver Maguire	...	Imperial Officer
Bruce Boa	...	Rebel Force General Rieekan
Robin Scobey	...	Imperial Officer
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)
Martin Dew	...	Cloud City Guard (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)
Arve Juritzen	...	Rebel Soldier (uncredited)
Paul Klein	...	IG-88 - The Bounty Hunter (uncredited)
Tiffany L. Kurtz	...	Extra (uncredited)
Ralph McQuarrie	...	General McQuarrie (uncredited)
Ralph Morse	...	Stormtrooper / Imperial Comms Officer / Rebel Soldier (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)
Michael Santiago	...	Voice (uncredited)
Tony Smart	...	Snowtrooper (uncredited)
Harold Weed	...	Wampa (special edition) (uncredited)
Treat Williams	...	Echo Base 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

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 makeup artist
Kay Freeborn	....	makeup artist
Stuart Freeborn	....	makeup and special creature designer
Nick Maley	....	makeup 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 Cokeliss	....	director: studio second unit (as Harley Cokliss)
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
Derek Harrington	....	third assistant director (uncredited)
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)
Gerry Bourke	....	props (uncredited)
Mark Harris	....	art department assistant (uncredited)
Tom Jung	....	poster artist (uncredited)
Tom Jung	....	poster designer (uncredited)
Peter Mann	....	constructor (uncredited)
Kieron Mcnamara	....	props (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	....	sound re-recordist
Steve Maslow	....	sound re-recordist
Kevin O'Connell	....	sound 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	....	sound re-recording mixer (1997 special edition)
Gary Summers	....	sound recording technician
Peter Sutton	....	production sound
Randy Thom	....	sound effects recordist
Bill Varney	....	sound re-recordist
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
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
Sam Comstock	....	animator: miniature and optical effects unit (as Samuel Comstock)
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
Bob Finley III	....	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)
Michael McGovern	....	visual effects editor: ILM (1997 special edition)
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
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
Duncan Myers	....	laboratory technician: 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
Joshua Pines	....	digital scanning supervisor: ILM (1997 special edition)
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)
Garry Waller	....	animator: miniature and optical effects unit
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
Bruce Cardozo	....	optical line up (uncredited)
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)
Pete Kleinow	....	stop motion animator (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 Campbell	....	assistant cameraman: location second unit
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)
Billy Merrell	....	electrician (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)
Mark Nakamine	....	colorist (digital color correction)
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	....	orchestrator
Eric Tomlinson	....	music recordist
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
Ron Butcher	....	production maintenance
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)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (1980) (Argentina) (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)
• 20th Century Fox (1980) (Canada) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (1997) (Argentina) (theatrical) (special edition)
• Finnkino (1997) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Fox Films (1980) (Finland) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Japan (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (UK) (DVD)
• 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) (Argentina) (VHS)
• CBS/Fox (1980s) (USA) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• CBS/Fox (USA) (laserdisc)
• Egmont Entertainment (2000) (Finland) (VHS)
• Europa Vision (19??) (Finland) (VHS)
• FS Film Oy (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• Finnkino (1995) (Finland) (VHS)
• Fox Video (1990s) (Australia) (VHS)
• Fox Video (19??) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Fox Video (????) (USA) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• Gativideo (2005) (Argentina) (DVD) (special edition)
• Gativideo (2005) (Argentina) (VHS) (special edition)
• Home Video Hellas (HVH) (1998) (Greece) (VHS) (Special edition)
• Laserland (1995) (Finland) (video) (laserdisc)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2009) (Finland) (TV)
• Showtime (1985) (Finland) (VHS) (rental)
• SubTV (2010) (Finland) (TV)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD) (special edition)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2011) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray) (The Complete Saga)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (????) (Netherlands) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• UGC-Fox Distribution (UFD) (France)
• YLE Teema (2005) (Finland) (TV)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (1996) (Finland) (TV)

Special Effects

• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) (special visual effects produced at)

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
• Van der Veer Photo Effects  additional optical effects
• Modern Film Effects  additional optical effects
• Ray Mercer & Company  additional optical effects
• Westheimer Company  additional optical effects
• Lookout Mountain Films  additional optical effects
• 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)
• IVC  digital mastering (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: The Empire Strikes Back" - UK (promotional title), USA (promotional title)
"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

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) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

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 | 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 | Peru:PT | Italy:T

Filming Locations:

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, California, USA

Company:

Lucasfilm

Trivia:

The only Star Wars Original Trilogy film that does not take place on the desert planet Tatooine (although it is mentioned by name at the end of the film). Tatooine also appears in Episodes I, II, and III, making it the only planet that appears five times in the entire saga.

Goofs:

Continuity: The entrance to the Executor's bridge appears to vary between wide shots of the entire bridge and shots from within.

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 "Atop the Fourth Wall: Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Parts 1-3 (#4.17)" (2011)

The greatest blockbuster ever? I'd have to say YES!

Nostalgia may play a part in the reason I love The Empire Strikes Back so much, but there's far more to it than that. This film has a fully realised sense of escapism, wonder and adventure that wasn't quite nailed in the first Star Wars film. I'm not a huge fan of Episode IV, I think it's relatively clunky, wooden and dated, but let's not talk about that; Episode V is where the Star Wars universe really blossomed and became something truly special. George Lucas' limitations as a director and writer of dialogue have thankfully been sidelined this time round; here we have a different director and new scriptwriters who take the genius of Lucas' imaginative story and enhance it with rapid-fire pacing and brilliant comic-book melodrama.

This has often been praised as the best of the Star Wars films, and I agree entirely with this opinion; as all exposition was dealt with in the first film, Empire gets down to business almost immediately. As there's no loose ends to tie up (leave that for Return of the Jedi), it ends with an astounding cliffhanger that has rightly gone down in cinema history.

What makes Empire stand out is its darkness; the full-blown optimism of the first film's happy ending pushed aside for deepening conflict, worsening odds and a greater awareness of the sheer power and evil of the Dark Side of the Force. Saying that, optimism is here too; as Luke undertakes training from Yoda, the Jedi Master, who hopes his new young apprentice will learn the ways of the Good Side and not become seduced into evil as Darth Vader did. Meanwhile, after a breathtaking assault on their temporary home base of Hoth, the Rebels are forced to separate, with Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbecca and C-3PO flying through asteroid fields, taking sanctuary in a mysterious cave and finally seeking refuge in the spectacular airborne Utopia of Cloud City, where Solo is reunited with his old friend Lando Calrissian.

As for Darth Vader, his quest to find Skywalker, for reasons unknown, is bordering on the obsessive; is there something about Luke we don't know? Why is he destined to meet Yoda and become a Jedi? As previously mentioned, Empire is dark; it begins gloomily and ends with merely a glimmer of hope after a finale of tragedy, betrayal and revelation.

Empire's atmospheres are bleaker than anything seen in the Star Wars universe to date. The ice planet Hoth is barren, desolate and so cold at night you could freeze to death. The swamp planet of Dagobah, where Luke receives training, is a sinister, brilliantly gloomy world of forests, bogs and murky rivers. Even Cloud City is revealed to sit atop of a world of limitless space and bleak emptiness.

The action is often superb; the battle on Hoth is probably the best aerial fight sequence of the entire trilogy, though it's possible that Jedi's concluding space battle outdoes it. The asteroid sequence is exciting, funny and wonderfully backed by a classic John Williams score. The final half-hour is a fantastically dramatic crescendo of high drama; Luke and Darth Vader's light sabre duel is a superb sequence, brilliantly staged and lit, very powerful and the culmination of the film's darkness.

Another scene of great power occurs on Dagobah, where Luke enters a cave of horror and is confronted by a surprise visitor, leading to an even bleaker twist of events. There's absolutely nothing in the first Star Wars film that even comes close to the power of this moment, it's arguably George Lucas' strangest, most unsettling moment in any of his films.

Yet, despite the fact that Empire is the darkest Star Wars film, I also find it to be the funniest. Han Solo is splendidly grouchy, and wonderfully played by Harrison Ford. C3PO's campiness is hilariously taken to the logical limit, while Yoda is a glorious new addition to the cast of characters; his early scenes are extremely funny. Darth Vader has developed a wickedly nasty sense of humour; his penchant for killing off unsatisfactory lackeys becomes shamefully amusing. I love the scene where the computer operator tries to keep his cool in the background even as Vader's telepathically choking the commanding officer right next to him.

Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams and Alec Guinness play their roles without a hint of irony, as it should be. Escapism can lazily be delivered with a knowing wink, which can be a cop out when the creators don't have the imagination or the verve to create a truly convincing, sweeping world of wonder. The puppet-work on Yoda is pretty amazing, even to this day. I just don't think of him as a puppet, more a real character. Frank Oz's voice work is just perfect, effortlessly switching to playfully mischievous to wisely dignified. Mark Hamill as Luke is less of a bland, wet fish as he was in the first film; here he has actually has conflicts, both inner and outer, to deal with, and he handles the job nicely, especially in the ending.

Overall, The Empire Strikes Back is a remarkable example of screen entertainment; it has the proper sweep of a real space opera, it has confidence, imagination, beauty, humour, excitement and a truly brilliant story. It may very well be the best blockbuster movie of all time.