Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back

by Robbo

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Posted on 23 April 2021

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Rating -

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 and written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas.

The story is set three years after the events of the first film, as the Galactic Empire hunts the scattered Rebel Alliance throughout the galaxy. While Darth Vader relentlessly pursues Luke Skywalker’s friends—Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca, Luke studies the Force under Jedi Master Yoda to prepare himself for his upcoming confrontation with Vader.

Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew reprise their roles from the earlier film and introduces Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, a gambler, con artist and old friend of Han Solo now administrator of Cloud City on the gas planet Bespin and Frank Oz as Yoda, a Jedi Master and former Grandmaster of the Jedi Order.

The Empire Strikes Back has had a significant impact on filmmaking and popular culture, being regarded as a rare example of a sequel that transcends the original.

This film is a lot darker than the original where our protagionists find themselves in ever worsening situations, unable to resolve their problems, with a climax that is often cited as one of the greatest plot twists in film history.

The Empire Strikes Back is my favourite of the Star Wars films and is certainly high on my Top 10 films of all time.

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