Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back (also known as Star Wars: Episode V – 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 Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. As the Empire goes on the offensive, Luke trains to master the Force so he can confront the Emperor's powerful disciple, 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 more mature themes. Critics praised the expressive features and characterization of the puppeteered character Yoda, a diminutive creature 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 $538–549 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.
Echo Three to Echo Seven. Han, old buddy, do you read me? Loud and clear, kid. What's up? Well, I finished my circle. I don't pick up any life readings. There isn't enough life on this ice cube to fill a space cruiser. The sensors are placed. I'm going back. 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. Steady.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
Solo. No sign of life out there, General. The sensors are in place. - You'll know if anything comes around. - Commander Skywalker reported in yet? No. He's checking out a meteorite that hit near him. With all the meteor activity, it's gonna be difficult to spot approaching ships. General, I gotta leave. I can't stay any more. - I'm sorry to hear that. - There's a price on my head. If I don't pay off Jabba the Hutt, I'm a dead man. A death mark's not an easy thing to live with.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
- Yes, Your Highnessness. - I thought you had decided to stay. The bounty hunter we ran into in Ord Mantell changed my mind. Han, we need you. - We need? - Yes. - What about you need? - I need? I don't know what you're talking about. - You probably don't. - What precisely am I supposed to know? Come on. You want me to stay because of the way you feel about me. Yes. You're a great help to us. You're a natural leader. No. That's not it. Come on. - Come on. - You're imagining things. Am I? Then why are you following me? Afraid I'd leave without giving you a goodbye kiss? - I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee. - I can arrange that. You could use a good kiss!
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
Don't blame me. I didn't ask you to turn on the thermal heater. I merely commented that it was freezing in the princess's chamber. It's supposed to be freezing. How we're going to dry her clothes I really don't know. Oh, switch off! Why did you take this apart now? I'm trying to get us out of here. - Excuse me. - Put them back together right now. - Might I have a word? - What do you want? Princess Leia's been trying to get you on the communicator. I turned it off. I don't want to talk to her. Princess Leia is wondering about Master Luke. He hasn't come back. - She doesn't know where he is. - I don't know where he is. - Nobody knows where he is. - What do you mean, nobody knows? Deck Officer. - Deck Officer. - Excuse me, sir. Might l... Do you know where Commander Skywalker is? I haven't seen him. It's possible he came in the south entrance. It's possible? Why don't you go find out? - It's getting dark out there. - Yes, sir. Excuse me, sir. Might I enquire what's going on? - Why not? - Impossible man. Come along, R2. Let's find Princess Leia. Between ourselves, I think Master Luke is in considerable danger.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
Commander Skywalker hasn't come in the south entrance. - Maybe he forgot to check in. - Not likely. Are the speeders ready? Not yet. We're having trouble adapting them to the cold. - We'll have to go out on tauntauns. - The temperature's dropping too rapidly. That's right, and my friend's out in it.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
You must come along now, R2. There's really nothing more we can do. And my joints are freezing up. Don't say things like that. Of course we'll see Master Luke again. And he'll be quite all right. You'll see. Stupid little short circuit. He'll be quite all right.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
Still no contact from Skywalker or Solo. Mistress Leia, R2 says he's been quite unable to pick up any signals... although he admits that his own range is far too weak to abandon all hope. Your Highness, there's nothing more we can do tonight. The shield doors must be closed.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back