Amazon.com: The middle film in George Lucas's enormously popular Star Wars science fiction trilogy is a darker, more somber entry, considered by many fans as the best in the series. Gone is the jaunty swashbuckling of the first film; the rebellion led by Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) suffers before the superior forces of the Empire, young hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) faces his first defeats as he attempts to harness the Force under the tutelage of Jedi master Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz), and cocky Han Solo (Harrison Ford) is betrayed by former ally Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). In the tradition of the great serials, this film is left with a hefty cliffhanger. The leap in special effects technology in the three years since Star Wars results in an amazing array of effects, including a breathtaking chase through an asteroid field and a dazzling, utopian Cloud City, where Luke faces the black-clad villain Darth Vader (David Prowse, voice of James Earl Jones) in a futuristic sword fight and learns the secret of his Jedi father. Veteran director Irvin Kershner (The Eyes of Laura Mars, Never Say Never Again) took the directorial reins from creator and producer Lucas and invested the light-speed adventure with deeper characters and a more emphatic sense of danger. The special edition expands Luke's encounter with the Abominable Snowman-esque wampa and establishes the creature as a tangibly more terrifying beast, in addition to refining many of the existing effects. The trilogy is concluded in The Return of the Jedi.--Sean Axmaker
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Greatest Movie Ever Made
This is by far the best of all the Star Wars movies.
It's darker and full of excitment. I would recommend this to
all sci/fi fans.
Rating: - Wow,
Just wow. This is one of the best films ever, better than the first, and that's saying a mouthfull.
Rating: - Start Wars (Episode V) - The Empire Strikes Back (Original Version & Update #1)
If you are any kind of Star Wars fan, this DVD is a must for your collection. I've heard that George Lucas did not want to produce a DVD of the original theatric version of The Empire Strikes Back but felt compelled by fan demand. Even though the 1980 version is a mediocre-quality dub of the original film, it is wonderful to see it much the same way as I did when it was in the theater. Get it while it's still at a decent price, & still available!
Rating: - This one a long time have I watched
I remember going to see THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK for the first time in 1980. I was 5 years old. I remember hearing the voice of Yoda and exclaiming, "That's Grover!" (i.e. Sesame Street). And it was (Frank Oz).
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK has always been my favorite of the original trilogy. I think it must be because the movie slows down alot. I love the action and excitement as much as the next STAR WARS fan, but it creates a wonderful balance to have a middle film where we can stop, catch our breath and gear up for the big finale.
Rating: - The best Star Wars has to offer
The best of the original Star Wars Trilogy (and not even in the same conversation as the prequels--which should be on a list of 'most disappointing science fiction films of all time') The Empire Strikes Back is everything that makes Star Wars great. The brooding Lord Vader and his menacing strength, the over matched but immensely likable Luke Skywalker, the imaginative sets and beautiful planets, and the greatest revelation or 'twist' in science fiction film (and maybe all other genres!) of all time. At this point the film has become a legged, an icon and a cultural touchstone, and it deserves ... Read More
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