Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
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As the Rebel Alliance attempts to destroy the Empire's second Death Star, Luke Skywalker strives to bring his father, Darth Vader, back to the light side of the Force.
The story
One year after Han Solo's capture, C-3PO and R2-D2 travel to the palace of Jabba the Hutt to negotiate his release. Princess Leia infiltrates the palace disguised as a bounty hunter to assist in the rescue. Meanwhile, the Rebel Alliance prepares to confront the Galactic Empire's second Death Star. Amidst the conflict, Luke Skywalker seeks to confront his destiny and the dark influence of Darth Vader, while the alliance works to dismantle the Empire's ultimate weapon.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following Han Solo's imprisonment in carbonite, Luke, Leia, and others infiltrate Jabba the Hutt's palace. They successfully rescue Han, but the group faces a Sarlacc and Jabba's forces. After the escape, Luke learns from a dying Yoda that Darth Vader is his father. The Rebel Alliance then targets a second Death Star protected by an energy shield on the moon of Endor. Luke, Leia, and Han lead a strike team to the moon, where they join forces with the Ewoks. In a climactic confrontation, Luke faces the Emperor and Darth Vader. He refuses to join the dark side, leading to a duel where Vader eventually turns against the Emperor to save his son, ultimately dying and revealing his true identity as Anakin Skywalker. The rebels destroy the Death Star's shield and core, securing a victory for the Alliance.
- First release year
- 1983
- Runtime (minutes)
- 132
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Richard Marquand
- Writers
- Lawrence Kasdan · screenplay; George Lucas · 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; Peter Mayhew · Chewbacca; Kenny Baker · R2-D2; Frank Oz · Yoda; David Prowse · Darth Vader; Ian McDiarmid · the Emperor
- Genres
- epic space opera; science fiction
- Themes
- Good vs. Evil; Father-son relationships; Redemption
- Tone and mood
- Epic; Heroic
- Setting
- A galaxy spanning various locations including the desert of Tatooine, the forest moon of Endor, and the Death Star.
- Premise and plot tags
- Space Opera; Sci-Fi; Rebellion
- Source material / true-story basis
- Star Wars
- Franchise connections
- Star Wars
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews initially, with critics divided on performances and effects, though the score was praised. Later reviews have been more positive, though it is often considered the weakest of the original trilogy.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 84% · scale: percentage; Metacritic · score: 58 · scale: 100 · review count: 24; CinemaScore · score: A+ · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Best Visual Effects · Academy Award · Win
- Production trivia
- The film was the first to be presented with the THX sound system.; The production used the ruse title 'Blue Harvest' to hide from the public.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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