Storyline
The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.
Directors
Cast
Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Jim Dowdall, John Ratzenberger, Temuera Morrison, Julian Glover, Treat Williams, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, James Earl Jones, Alec Guinness, Kenneth Colley, Denis Lawson, Jeremy Bulloch, Jack Purvis, Richard Bonehill, Kathryn Mullen, Wendy Froud, Jason Wingreen, Clive Revill, Marjorie Eaton, John Hollis, Des Webb, Michael Sheard, Michael Culver, John Dicks, Milton Johns, Mark Jones, Oliver Maguire, Robin Scobey, Bruce Boa, Christopher Malcolm, Ian Liston, John Morton, Richard Oldfield, Jack McKenzie, Jerry Harte, Norman Chancer, Norwich Duff, Ray Hassett, Brigitte Kahn, Burnell Tucker, Bob Anderson, Lightning Bear, John Cannon, Mark Capri, Martin Dew, Peter Diamond, Stuart Fell, Doug Robinson, Tony Smart, Alan Harris, Tiffany L. Kurtz, Mac McDonald, Ralph McQuarrie, Ralph Morse, Terry Richards, Michael Santiago, Shaun Curry, Alan Austen, Ian Durrant, Tom Egeland, Alan Flyng, Chris Parsons, Trevor Butterfield, Christopher Bunn, Quentin Pierre, Keith Swaden, Howie Weed, Morris Bush
Trailer
Reviews
100
Chicago Sun-Times
The best of three Star Wars films, and the most thought-provoking. After the space opera cheerfulness of the original film, this one plunges into darkness and even despair, and surrenders more completely to the underlying mystery of the story. It is because of the emotions stirred in Empire that the entire series takes on a mythic quality that resonates back to the first and ahead to the third. This is the heart.
100
ReelViews
The storyline is more interesting and ambitious, the characters -- little more than appealing types in the original -- are allowed to grow and develop, the special effects are more mature, and the tone is deliciously dark and downbeat. [Special Edition]
100
The balance between action and mysticism in The Empire Strikes Back provides fascinating energy. It's as if the kids are given one set of delights, the bravado of battles and elaborate warships zooming through exotic space, and adults are given another, a layered explanation of what it all means in the grand scheme of things. [Special Edition]
100
Chicago Tribune
It balances bloodshed with charm, spectacle with childlike glee. It's a near flawless movie of its kind.
100
Christian Science Monitor
Technical virtuosity and entertainment ingenuity.
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