The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Starring:
- Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, (more)
- Director(s):
- Irvin Kershner
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
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Synopsis of The Empire Strikes Back
The second entry in George Lucas' Star Wars trilogy finds Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the green-as-grass hero from the first film, now a seasoned space warrior. Luke's Star Wars cohorts Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) are likewise more experienced in the ways and means of battling the insidious Empire, as represented by the brooding Darth Vader (body of David Prowse, voice of James Earl Jones). And, of course, "The Force," personified by the ghost of Luke's mentor Ben Kenobi (Alec Guinness), is with them all. Retreating from Vader's minions, Luke ends up, at first, on the Ice Planet Hoth, and then the tropical Dagobah. Here he makes the acquaintance of the gnomish Yoda (voice of Frank Oz), whose all-encompassing wisdom comes in handy during the serial-like perils of the rest of the film. Before the film's open-ended climax, we are introduced to the apparently duplicitous Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) and are let in on a secret that profoundly affects both Luke and his arch-enemy, Vader. Many viewers consider this award-winning film the best of the Star Wars movies, and its special-effects bonanza was pure gold at the box office. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Complete Cast of The Empire Strikes Back
- Mark Hamill - Luke Skywalker
- Carrie Fisher - Princess Leia
- David Prowse - Darth Vader
- Anthony Daniels - C-3PO
- Frank Oz - Yoda
- Kenny Baker - R2-D2
- John Hollis - Lobot, Lando's Aide
- Des Webb - Wampa Snow Creature
- Clive Revill - The Emperor
- Julian Glover - Gen. Veers
- Michael Culver - Capt. Needa
- Milton Johns - Other Imperial Officer
- Oliver Maguire - Other Imperial Officer
- Christopher Malcolm - Zev
- Richard Oldfield - Hobbie, Rogue 4
- Ian Liston - Janson, Wedge's Gunner
- Jack McKenzie - Deck Lieutenant
- Norman Chancer - Other Rebel Officer
- Ray Hassett - Other Rebel Officer
- Burnell Tucker - Revel Officer
- Harrison Ford - Han Solo
- James Earl Jones - Darth Vader
- Billy Dee Williams - Lando Calrissian
- Peter Mayhew - Chewbacca
- Alec Guinness - Ben "Obi-Wan" Kenobi
- Jeremy Bulloch - Boba Fett
- Jack Purvis - Chief Ugnaught
- Kathryn Mullen - Performing Asst. for Yoda
- Kenneth Colley - Admiral Piett
- Michael Sheard - Admiral Ozzel
- John Dicks - Other Imperial Officer
- Mark Jones - Other Imperial Officer
- Bruce Boa - Gen. Rieekan
- Denis Lawson - Wedge (Rogue 3)
- John Morton - Dak, Luke's Gunner
- John Ratzenberger - Maj. Derlin
- Jerry Harte - Head Controller
- Norwich Duff - Other Rebel Officer
- Brigitte Kahn - Other Rebel Officer
- Director(s):
- Irvin Kershner
- Writer(s):
- Lawrence Kasdan, Leigh Brackett
- Producer(s):
- Gary Kurtz, Jim Bloom
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Sci-Fi Violence, Watch With Your Kids)
- 1980 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Anthony Asquith Award
- 1981 - People's Choice Awards - Best Picture
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