SPFX: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) (TV)

Director:

Robert Guenette

Writer:

Richard Schickel (writer)

Release Date:

22 September 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the special effects in the second Star Wars installment. |

Plot Keywords:

Behind The Scenes | Star Wars | Special Effects

Cast

Mark Hamill	...	Himself - Host
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bob Anderson	...	Himself
Ben Burtt	...	Himself
Peter Diamond	...	Himself
Richard Edlund	...	Himself
Harrison Ellenshaw	...	Himself
Carrie Fisher	...	Princess Leia Organa (archive footage)
Harrison Ford	...	Han Solo (archive footage)
Stuart Freeborn	...	Himself
Laurel Hughes	...	Student Filmmaker
Brian Johnson	...	Himself
Irvin Kershner	...	Himself
Gary Kurtz	...	Himself
Jessica Lange	...	Dwan (archive footage)
George Lucas	...	Himself
Peter Mayhew	...	Himself / Chewbacca
Dennis Muren	...	Himself
Frank Oz	...	Himself
Phil Tippett	...	Himself
Des Webb	...	Himself / Wampa Ice Creature
Bill Westley	...	Himself
Billy Dee Williams	...	Lando Calrissian (archive footage)
John Williams	...	Himself
Fay Wray	...	Anne Darrow (archive footage)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:PG (video rating)

Company:

Lucasfilm

Movie Connections:

Features King Kong (1976)

a piece of history

This may have been made for TV but it a class example of cutting edge special effects circa 1980. Since George Lucas has changed the original Star Wars movies forever, this making of documentary is even more of a must see. Mark Hamill narrates this delightful look at SCI-FI movie making. It even includes footage of fan films made by teenagers in the late 1970's with Super 8 cameras. Pure gold. Impossible to get, so if you find a copy hang onto it! This will be part of Star Wars folklore one day. As long as Lucas keeps changing his movies, documentaries like this one will become even more special. See also the Making Of Star Wars.