Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
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As the Galactic Empire intensifies its offensive, Luke Skywalker must master the Force to confront the formidable Darth Vader.
The story
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. Following the destruction of the Death Star, the Imperial fleet, led by Darth Vader, searches the galaxy for the Rebel Alliance. After a probe locates the Rebel base on the ice planet Hoth, the Empire launches a large-scale attack, forcing the Rebels to evacuate.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, the Imperial fleet, led by Darth Vader, searches for the Rebel Alliance. A probe locates their base on the ice planet Hoth. Luke Skywalker narrowly escapes a wampa and is instructed by the spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi to find Master Yoda on the swamp planet Dagobah. Meanwhile, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca flee Hoth in the Millennium Falcon, but their hyperdrive fails, forcing them to hide in an asteroid field. They eventually reach the Cloud City on Bespin, where they are hunted by Vader and his bounty hunters. Luke reaches Dagobah and begins training under Yoda to master the light side of the Force. He eventually abandons his training to rescue Han and Leia after a premonition of their suffering. Leia confesses her love for Han before he is frozen in carbonite by Vader. Luke arrives at Cloud City and engages Vader in a duel, during which Vader severs his hand and reveals he is Luke's father. Luke is rescued by the Falcon and the group escapes. After the reunion with the Rebel fleet, Luke's hand is replaced with a robotic prosthesis.
- First release year
- 1980
- Runtime (minutes)
- 124
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Irvin Kershner
- Writers
- Leigh Brackett · screenplay; Lawrence Kasdan · screenplay; George Lucas · story
- Cast and characters
- Mark Hamill · Luke Skywalker; Harrison Ford · Han Solo; Carrie Fisher · Leia Organa; Billy Dee Williams · Lando Calrissian; Anthony Daniels · C-3PO; David Prowse · Darth Vader; Kenny Baker · R2-D2; Peter Mayhew · Chewbacca
- Genres
- space opera
- Themes
- Good vs. Evil; Mentorship; Identity
- Tone and mood
- Dark; Mature
- Setting
- A galaxy spanning various locations including the ice planet Hoth, the swamp planet Dagobah, and the gas planet Bespin.
- Premise and plot tags
- Space Opera; Sequel; Fantasy
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics initially due to its darker themes, but has been critically reassessed and is now often regarded as the best film in the Star Wars series.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Sound · Win; Grammy Award · Best Instrumental Composition · Win; Grammy Award · Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media · Win; BAFTA · Best Music · Win; Saturn Award · Best Science Fiction Film · Win; Saturn Award · Best Director · Win; Saturn Award · Best Actor · Win; Saturn Award · Best Special Effects · Win; Hugo Award · Best Dramatic Presentation · Win
- Production trivia
- The film's climax is often ranked as one of the greatest plot twists in cinema.; The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2010.; The production faced significant issues including actor injuries, fires, and rising costs.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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