Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back

Attribution information
Director(s)	Irvin Kershner
Producer(s)	Gary Kurtz Rick McCallum (Special Edition)
Writer(s)	George Lucas (story) Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan (screenplay)
Starring	Mark Hamill Harrison Ford Carrie Fisher Billy Dee Williams Anthony Daniels David Prowse Peter Mayhew Kenny Baker Frank Oz James Earl Jones
Music by	John Williams
Production information
Released	May 21, 1980 (Original Version) February 21, 1997 (Special Edition)
Run time	124 min. (Original) 126 min. (Special Edition) 127 min. (DVD, Blu-ray and Digital HD)
Budget	$18,000,000
Language	English
Chronological information
Timeline	3 years after Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
Preceded by	Episode IV A New Hope
Followed by	Episode VI Return of the Jedi

Warning: This infobox has missing parameters: series, title and unrecognized parameters: movie name, era, canon, distributor

"If you only knew the power of the dark side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father."
"He told me enough! He told me you killed him."
"No. I am your father."

―Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker

Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back (originally titled only The Empire Strikes Back) is the second film and the fifth chapter in the film series by George Lucas. Originally released in 1980, the film has proved to be one of the most popular films of the series among many fans and critics. It was re-released with changes in 1997 and (on DVD) in 2004. The film was re-released on Blu-ray format in September of 2011. A radio adaptation was broadcast on National Public Radio in the U.S. in 1983. The film was selected in 2010 to be preserved by the Library of Congress as part of its National Film Registry.

The film concerns the continuing struggles of the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire. During the film, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Princess Leia Organa are being pursued across space by Darth Vader and his elite forces. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker begins his major Jedi training with Yoda, after an instruction from Obi-Wan Kenobi's spirit. In an emotional and near-fatal confrontation with Vader, Luke is presented with a horrific revelation and must face his destiny.

Opening crawl

Episode V THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
It is a dark time for the Rebellion. Although the Death Star has been destroyed, Imperial troops have driven the Rebel forces from their hidden base and pursued them across the galaxy. Evading the dreaded Imperial Starfleet, a group of freedom fighters led by Luke Skywalker has established a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth. The evil lord Darth Vader, obsessed with finding young Skywalker, has dispatched thousands of remote probes into the far reaches of space....

Synopsis

The search for Skywalker

"We have thousands of probe droids searching the galaxy. I want proof, not leads!"

―Admiral Kendel Ozzel

It is now three years after the events of A New Hope. The Rebel Alliance has been forced to flee its base on Yavin 4 and establish a new one on the ice planet of Hoth.

An Imperial Star Destroyer dispatched by the Sith Lord Darth Vader, continuing his quest for Luke Skywalker, launches thousands of probe droids across the galaxy, one of which lands on Hoth and begins its survey of the planet. Luke Skywalker, on patrol astride his tauntaun, discovers the probe, which he mistakes for a meteorite. After reporting to comrade Han Solo that he'll investigate the site, Luke is knocked unconscious by a deadly wampa.

When Luke fails to report in at Echo Base, Han Solo goes out on his tauntaun to search for him in an encroaching storm. Upon waking up, Luke finds himself hanging upside down in a cave; his eyes opening to the sight of a wampa eating his tauntaun. Using the Force, Luke is able to pull his lightsaber towards himself. After he ignites it, he cuts himself free and cuts off the attacking wampa's arm, running out of the cave and escaping into the cold night of Hoth.

Luke tries to make his way to Echo Base on foot, but he finds himself lost in the blizzard and collapses in the snow. Suddenly, he sees the Force spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi appear before him. Ben tells Luke to go to Dagobah to undergo training under Yoda, a Jedi Grand Master. After the spirit disappears, Han arrives to find an almost unconscious Luke, who is mumbling indistinctly about Ben, Yoda and Dagobah. At this point, the tauntaun that Han was riding on collapses in the extreme cold. To keep Luke warm during the blizzard, Han uses Luke's lightsaber to cut open the dead tauntaun and places Luke in it. Han then sets about erecting a shelter that he and Luke will stay in during the night. They are forced to stay out during the night as the aircraft (snowspeeders) that the Rebels use for atmospheric flight had not yet been adapted for the extremely low temperatures of the Hoth night and are therefore unable to mount a rescue operation to retrieve Han and Luke.

The next morning, Rebel Pilots flying the snowspeeders set out from Echo Base to search for the missing men. Zev Senesca, one of the pilots in Rogue Group, makes contact with Han over comlink and the pair are rescued. When they are taken back to base, Luke is put in a bacta tank for healing under the care of medical droid, 2-1B.

Princess Leia Organa tries to urge Han to stay with the rebels, and when Han assumes it is because she has feelings for him, Leia loses her temper and calls him a "stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder."

Meanwhile, the probe droid has spotted signs that indicate Hoth is occupied and sends a signal to the Imperial fleet, shortly before being destroyed by Han Solo and Chewbacca. Aboard the Executor, Admiral Kendel Ozzel dismisses the information as evidence of smugglers, nothing more. However, Darth Vader knows better and orders the fleet to Hoth. General Rieekan, realizing the Empire is probably aware of their location, orders the evacuation of Echo Base to begin.

The Battle of Hoth

AT-ATs on Hoth.

Darth Vader and the Imperial forces set course for the Hoth system to set up the attack. The rebels load whatever equipment they can onto transports and plan a rear-guard action to secure their escape. Luke, now fully recovered from the Wampa attack and subsequent exposure, says farewell to Chewbacca and Solo, who have decided to leave the Alliance to resolve their debt to Jabba the Hutt. As the Imperial forces enter the Hoth system, General Rieekan orders full power to the energy shield that is protecting the base from orbital bombardment.

Aboard the Executor, General Maximillian Veers notifies Vader that Admiral Ozzel has emerged from lightspeed too close to Hoth. Ozzel intended to catch the Rebels unaware before they could set up their defenses. However, Vader realizes that the Rebels have been alerted to the fleet's arrival. Via video communication, Vader Force chokes Ozzel to death for his incompetence, then appoints Captain Firmus Piett the new Admiral on the spot. As Vader previously ordered, the Imperial ground forces, commanded by General Veers, land outside the Rebels' shield and march overland to destroy the power generator.

Princess Leia gives the Rebel fighters instructions on the evacuation to leave Hoth two to three ships at a time past the energy shield to a rendezvous point, which is beyond the outer rim. Rieekan lowers the shields to fire the Ion cannon at one of the Imperial Star Destroyers allowing the first transports to escape. The Rebel pilots assigned to hold off the Imperial ground assault depart the Hoth base for the oncoming battle against heavily equipped Imperial forces, who are armed with agile AT-STs (All Terrain Scout Transports) and monstrous AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) walkers, led by General Veers.

The Rogue Squadron snowspeeder group led by Luke commences the attack. Luke quickly realizes the AT-AT's armor is far too strong for blasters and decides to use attached harpoons and tow cables to tangle the walker's legs. Luke's gunner Dak Ralter is hit and killed during the first approach. This leaves Wedge Antilles and his gunner Wes Janson to make the first pass. They manage to topple one of the AT-ATs, which is destroyed as Rebel troops storm it. The main AT-AT, commanded by General Veers, prepares to take their aim at the Rebel base's main power generator. Suddenly, Luke's speeder is shot down by the Imperials, and crash-lands in the snow. Luke escapes before an AT-AT can step on and crush his ship.

The Rebel base is now under direct attack and Imperial snowtroopers have entered the base, forcing Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO to escape. Leia gives the evacuation command for the base as they leave.

The Rebels' desperate fight.

Luke, meanwhile, manages to destroy another AT-AT by using his hoist cable and lightsaber to get into the belly of the transport, tossing in a thermal detonator, and then detaching himself from the cable as a series of explosions neutralize the AT-AT. The Rebels suffer major casualties as the result of the battle. The main AT-AT, being driven by General Veers, gets within firing range of the power generator, then successfully blasts and destroys it.

Han, Leia, and company, now realizing they are being followed by Vader (who has arrived personally on Hoth), make their way to the Millennium Falcon in time to escape. As the Falcon flies off, Luke reaches R2-D2 and his X-wing-starfighter and finally departs Hoth. Changing course from the rendezvous point, he sets his coordinates for Dagobah.

Han and company are pursued by Imperial TIE fighters. Flipping the switch to take them to lightspeed, Han realizes (with reluctant help from Threepio) that the hyperdrive has been damaged. While trying to fix the hyperdrive system, Han enters an asteroid field to hamper pursuit. He manages to land his ship inside a cavern on one of the larger asteroids to rest and find a way to fix the ship.

The destiny of a Jedi

Han Solo and Princess Leia kissing.

Luke lands on the marshy planet Dagobah, swamping his X-wing in the process. There, he discovers a diminutive and eccentric figure who fiddles around with Luke's gear. After Luke tells him that he is looking for a Jedi Master, the being offers to take Luke to Yoda.

Back on the Falcon, while Leia tries to make repairs, Han makes his move on the Princess, drawing himself closer to her before both end up in a passionate kiss. When Threepio arrives, Leia withdraws and walks away.

Vader orders the entirety of Death Squadron to begin sweeping the asteroid field to find the Millennium Falcon As the search continued, the dangers of the field begin to take their toll: an asteroid smashes into the bridge tower of a Star Destroyer, presumably killing all aboard. On the Executor, Vader communicates with the captains of the other ships (the captain of the demolished star destroyer throws his arms up in horror, and the transmission fades). One officer, Captain Lorth Needa, tells Vader that they should consider their damage. Vader firmly replies that they will continue the search. Shortly afterward, Admiral Piett informs Vader that Emperor Sheev Palpatine commands he make contact immediately. Vader orders his ship out of the asteroid field for a clear transmission.

In his private quarters, Vader receives a holographic message from Palpatine, alias Darth Sidious, who alerts the Dark Lord to a "new enemy who could destroy" the Empire - Luke Skywalker. Vader suggests that if Luke could be turned, he would be a "powerful ally". Lord Sidious agrees, saying that Luke would be a "great asset" and asks his apprentice if it could be done. Vader declares Luke will join the Empire "or die".

Instead of going straight to Yoda, Luke is brought to the creature's hut. Luke insists on going to find Yoda immediately, but the small creature only responds with "Not far Yoda is, not far." The diminutive figure then declares the boy lacks patience, but the voice of Kenobi tells the figure that the boy will learn patience if he is to be trained. Only then does Luke realize that the small green figure IS Yoda. Yoda asks Kenobi if he will finish whatever training he begins, then suspects that Luke will someday succumb to fear.

Yoda teaches Luke the way of the Jedi and to beware of the dark side of the Force.

The next day, while cleaning parasitic creatures called Mynocks off the Falcon, Solo and his companions are forced to escape what turns out to be a titanic space slug (which resided in the asteroid the Falcon landed on). Meanwhile, Luke begins a rigorous training regime from Yoda which includes moral lessons about the dangers of the dark side of the Force. That particular lesson is driven home when he is told to enter a cave that is strong with the Dark Side's power. Ignoring Yoda's counsel to leave his weapons, Luke enters the cavern armed. Once inside, he has a vision of himself angrily confronting Darth Vader and beheading him. However, the severed head's mask bursts apart and reveals Luke's face underneath; it is a warning that if Luke battles Vader with no emotional control, he will become Vader himself, seduced by the Dark Side.

Back on the Star Destroyer, Vader enlists the bounty hunters, Boba Fett, Dengar, IG-88, Bossk, 4-LOM and Zuckuss to find the Millennium Falcon for a "substantial reward". One of the Imperial commanders finally spots the Falcon, leading to another pursuit which results in the Falcon eluding the Empire by making the insanely counter intuitive move of attacking the lead Star Destroyer. However, at the last moment, the ship veers off and secretly attaches itself to the rear of the cruiser's command tower, which is not extensively covered by sensors, making it appear to have vanished from the Destroyer's point of view.

Days later, while training, Luke becomes distracted when he finds that his X-wing fighter has almost completely submerged into the swamp. Luke declares he will never be able to get the ship out, seeing that it is too big for him to extract from the water. Yoda says it is "no different, only different in your mind." Luke says he'll "try" to lift the ship, but Yoda says "No! Do or do not, there is no try." Luke tries to use the Force, but to no avail. Yoda reminds him that "size matters not" and gives him wisdom about the Force. Luke denies all of this, then Yoda decides to use the Force to lift the ship out himself. Luke is dumbfounded and incredulous. Yoda senses the youngster's failures within his mind.

Imperial pursuit.

When the fleet disperses to search for the Falcon, the Rebels wait for the ship to do its standard dump of refuse before jumping, then detach to float away with it. The Falcon's hyperdrive needs repairs, so Han decides to make their way to Cloud City, a gas-mining colony run by his "old friend" Lando Calrissian. Unfortunately, the bounty hunter Boba Fett had deduced the Falcon's escape method and had his ship jettisoned with the waste to stealthily follow the fugitives.

The next day, Yoda reminds Luke of the things the young Jedi will see in his mind, the future, the past, and of friends he recognizes. Luke loses concentration again and has a vision of his friends in danger. He wants to leave Dagobah to rescue them. Yoda reminds him that if Luke leaves now, everything his friends fought and suffered for will be destroyed.

The city in the clouds

Leia: "I love you."

Han: "I know."

―Han and Leia, on Cloud City

Upon arrival at Cloud City, Han's party is welcomed by Lando. However, there are numerous elements that make the Rebels suspicious, not the least of which being C-3PO being found deactivated, dismembered, and almost recycled.

Cloud City on Bespin.

That evening, Luke and R2 prepare themselves to leave Dagobah, but are warned by both Yoda and the spirit form of Kenobi not to end training so soon for a fight Luke is not ready for. Ben declares that should Luke decide to face Vader, he will have to face him alone without interference. Luke understands this, and his ship takes off from Dagobah. Yoda is disappointed, declaring Luke is reckless. Ben tells Yoda that Luke is the Jedi's last hope, but Yoda answers back, "there is another..."

A day later, Han and company find themselves betrayed by Calrissian who was approached by the Empire before the Rebels' arrival and threatened him and the city unless he cooperated. They became the captives of Darth Vader, who proceeds to torture Han and Leia to create a disturbance in the Force for Luke to detect.

That afternoon, Vader enters a carbon-freezing chamber intending to freeze Luke Skywalker once he arrives. The Dark Lord uses the opportunity for Boba Fett to deliver Solo to Jabba the Hutt (to whom Han owed a debt) by testing the device on Solo himself. Han and company enter the chamber for the experiment. At first, Chewbacca resists the stormtroopers, but Han restrains him, saving his strength for another time. Han says goodbye to Leia with a passionate kiss before he is escalated into the carbon freezing chamber. When he is successfully entombed in carbonite in a state of suspended animation, Vader hands over Han to bounty hunter Boba Fett for transportation to Tatooine to receive a bounty from Jabba. One of the Imperial commanders informs Vader that Luke's starfighter has arrived on Bespin. The Dark Lord orders Lando to take Leia, Chewbacca, and Threepio to his Star Destroyer, reneging on a deal he made with Lando. But the Cloud City administrator has other plans.

Duel with the Dark Lord

The epic duel begins.

Luke makes his way to Bespin safely. He quietly walks down the corridors of Cloud City. He spots Boba Fett who is taking the now-frozen Solo back to his ship. He attempts to follow but is thwarted when the bounty hunter notices and opens fire. Luke narrowly escapes and runs down farther into the corridor. He finally meets up with Leia, Chewie, and Lando, who have been captured by stormtroopers. Luke tries to ambush the group of Imperials, but is unsuccessful. Leia yells at him and tells him that "it's a trap!" Luke runs after his captured friends, hoping to save them, but wanders into the carbon-freezing chamber. There, he meets with Vader and the two fight in an epic lightsaber duel, where Luke's undeveloped Jedi skills are no match for Vader's experience.

The Imperials (escorting the Rebel prisoners out of Bespin) are overpowered by Cloud City security, setting Lando and company free. Chewbacca turns against Lando for betraying Han and chokes him, but he manages to tell the Wookiee there's still a chance to rescue Han at the East Platform. C-3PO is reunited with his companion R2-D2. Lando and company arrive too late as Fett's ship takes off, then engage in a fierce battle with stormtroopers.

Luke and Vader continue their lightsaber battle in the bowels of Cloud City, just nearly freezing Luke in the carbon freezing chamber. Vader uses the Dark Side of the Force against Luke by using whatever equipment is at hand, eventually thrusting Luke through a window and landing on one of the emergency platforms.

As the gunfight continues, Lando orders an evacuation of Cloud City, then the company manages to find their last hope of escape...the Millennium Falcon.

In the final phase of the lightsaber duel, Vader manages to cut off Luke's right hand, which then falls (along with the lightsaber which the hand grasped) into an abyss. In what has become one of the most memorable scenes in cinema history, Vader reveals to Luke the truth about his father:

Darth Vader: "Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father."

Luke Skywalker: "He told me enough! He told me you killed him!"

Darth Vader: "No, I am your father."

―Vader and Luke, on Cloud City

A horrified Luke screams in denial. Vader attempts to persuade Luke to join him and embrace the Dark Side to defeat the Emperor. However, Luke chooses suicide over being corrupted and throws himself down a deep shaft.

File:Vader's revelation.png

"No. I am your father."

Luke is sucked into an air vent, exits the underbelly of the city and catches an antenna beneath Cloud City. Facing clear death, Luke calls out to Ben Kenobi in vain (Kenobi had warned Luke that he would not be able to help Luke once he faced Vader). Then, he calls out to the only other one who could help... Leia.

Leia mysteriously senses Luke's telepathic distress signal. The Falcon turns around and comes back to Cloud City. Using an escape hatch, Lando manages to catch Luke and rescue him before the wounded Jedi falls helplessly to the planet as TIEs race toward them. The Falcon finally leaves Bespin's gravitational field and is about to escape into hyperspace when the hyperdrive system again fails. Vader asks for confirmation that the Millennium Falcon's hyperdrive system was deactivated to prevent their escape, then orders weapons be set to stun.

File:Empireendshot.jpg

The Rebels regroup and plan to rescue Han.

As the Imperials pursue the Falcon, the injured Luke telepathically hears the voice of Vader calling to him. He answers, "Father...", while Vader telepathically calls, "Son, come with me". Luke senses it is Vader, then cries, "Ben, why didn't you tell me?"

C-3PO commands that R2 finish reconstructing him after his ordeal in Cloud City. However, with quick ingenuity, R2 manages to re-activate the Falcon's hyperdrive system just in time for the ship to flee to hyperspace. Vader is disappointed and retreats to his secret quarters in his Star Destroyer, ignoring Piett's failure.

The film ends on a EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate at the Rebel fleet's rendezvous point, where Luke under the care of 2-1B again which includes the implantation of a prosthetic hand. Lando and Chewbacca begin their parts of a most dangerous mission...rescuing Han. Lando promises to Leia they'll bring her back the man she loves. Luke, Leia, and the droids look on as the Falcon departs for unknown territories. Their own fates and futures are now uncertain. But the time will come when all will be resolved...it is only a question of how long.

Credits

Cast

• Luke Skywalker .... Mark Hamill
• Han Solo .... Harrison Ford
• Princess Leia .... Carrie Fisher
• Lando Calrissian .... Billy Dee Williams
• C-3PO .... Anthony Daniels
• Darth Vader .... David Prowse
• Voice of Darth Vader .... James Earl Jones
• Chewbacca .... Peter Mayhew
• R2-D2 .... Kenny Baker
• Performing Yoda .... Frank Oz
• Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi .... Alec Guinness
• Boba Fett .... Jeremy Bulloch
• Voice of Boba Fett .... Jason Wingreen, Temuera Morrison (DVD Release only)
• Lobot .... John Hollis
• Chief Ugnaught .... Jack Purvis
• Snow Creature .... Des Webb, Howie Weed (1997 re-release only)
• Performing Assistant for Yoda .... Kathryn Mullen
• Voice of Emperor Sheev Palpatine .... Clive Revill, Ian McDiarmid (DVD Release only)
• Emperor Sheev Palpatine .... Elaine Baker, Ian McDiarmid (DVD Release only)
• Admiral Piett .... Kenneth Colley
• General Veers .... Julian Glover
• Fleet Admiral Kendel Ozzel .... Michael Sheard
• Captain Needa .... Michael Culver
• Imperial Officers ....
  • Captain Lennox .... John Dicks
  • Captain Bewil .... Milton Johns
  • Commander Nemet .... Mark Jones
  • Lieutenant Cabbel .... Oliver Maguire

• General Rieekan .... Bruce Boa
• Zev (Rogue 2) .... Christopher Malcolm
• Wedge (Rogue 3) .... Denis Lawson
• Hobbie (Rogue 4) .... Richard Oldfield
• Dak (Luke's Gunner) .... John Morton
• Janson (Wedge's Gunner) .... Ian Liston
• Major Derlin .... John Ratzenberger
• Deck Lieutenant .... Jack McKenzie
• Head Controller .... Jerry Harte
• Rebel Officers ....
  • Tamizander Rey .... Norman Chancer
  • Jeroen Webb .... Norwich Duff
  • Tigran Jamiro .... Ray Hassett
  • Toryn Farr .... Brigitte Kahn
  • Wyron Serper .... Burnell Tucker
• Dengar .... Morris Bush
• Officer M'kae .... Mark Capri
• Merril and Bossk .... Alan Harris
• General McQuarrie .... Ralph McQuarrie
• Stormtrooper/Imperial Comms Officer/Rebel Soldier .... Ralph Morse
• Zuckuss and Wiorkettle .... Cathy Munro
• Darth Vader .... C. Andrew Nelson (Special Edition)
• 4-LOM, K-3PO and Stormtrooper .... Chris Parsons
• Edian .... Quentin Pierre
• Jess Allashane, Echo Base Trooper, Jerrol Blendin, and Cloud City Trooper .... Treat Williams
• Rebel Technician .... Stephanie English

Crew

Poster with Vader's helmet

Credit	Name
Directed By	Irvin Kershner
Produced By	Gary Kurtz
Screenplay By	Leigh Brackett Lawrence Kasdan
Story By	George Lucas
Executive Producer	George Lucas
Production Designer	Norman Reynolds
Director Of Photography	Peter Suschitzky B.S.C.
Edited By	Paul Hirsch A.C.E.
Special Visual Effects	Brian Johnson Richard Edlund
Music By	John Williams
Performed By	The London Symphony Orchestra
Original Music Copyright 1980 Fox Fanfare Music Inc. / Bantha Music
Associate Producers	Robert Watts James Bloom
Design Consultant And Conceptual Artist	Ralph McQuarrie
Art Directors	Leslie Dilley Harry Lange Alan Tomkins
Set Decorator	Michael Ford
Construction Manager	Bill Welch
Assistant Art Directors	Michael Lamont Fred Hole
Sketch Artist	Ivor Beddoes
Draftsmen	Ted Ambrose Michael Boone Reg Bream Steve Cooper Richard Dawking
Modellers	Fred Evans Allan Moss Jan Stevens
Chief Buyer	Edward Rodrigo
Construction Storeman	Dave Middleton
Operating Cameramen	Kelvin Pike David Garfath
Assistant Cameramen	Maurice Arnold Chris Tanner
Second Assistant Cameramen	Peter Robinson Madelyn Most
Dolly Grips	Dennis Lewis Brian Osborn
Matte Photography Consultant	Stanley Sayer, B.S.C.
Gaffer	Laurie Shane
Rigging Gaffer	John Clark
Lighting Equipment And Crew From Lee Electric
Make-Up And Special Creature Design	Stuart Freeborn
Chief Make-Up Artist	Graham Freeborn
Make-Up Artists	Kay Freeborn Nick Maley
Chief Hairdresser	Barbara Ritchie
Yoda Fabrication	Wendy Midener
Costume Designer	John Mollo
Wardrobe Supervisor	Tiny Nicholls
Wardrobe Mistress	Eileen Sullivan
Property Master	Frank Bruton
Property Supervisor	Charles Torbett
Property Dressing Supervisor	Joe Dipple
Head Carpenter	George Gunning
Head Plasterer	Bert Rodwell
Head Rigger	Red Lawrence
Sound Design And Supervising Sound Effects Editor	Ben Burtt
Sound Editors	Richard Burrow Teresa Eckton Bonnie Koehler
Production Sound	Peter Sutton
Sound Boom Operator	Don Wortham
Production Maintenance	Ron Butcher
Re-Recording	Bill Varney Steve Maslow Gregg Landaker
Music Recording	Eric Tomlinson
Orchestrations	Herbert W. Spencer
Supervising Music Editor	Kenneth Wannberg
Assistant Film Editors	Duwayne Dunham Phil Sanderson Barbara Ellis Steve Starkey Paul Tomlinson
Dialogue Editors	Curt Schulkey Leslie Shatz Joanne D'antonio
Optical Coordinator	Roberta Friedman
Assistant Sound Editors	John Benson Joanne Cappuccilli Ken Fischer Craig Jaeger Nancy Jencks Laurel Ladevich
Foley Editors	Robert Rutledge Scott Hecker
Foley Assistants	Edward M. Steidele John Roesh
Sound Effects Recording	Randy Thom
Recording Technicians	Gary Summers Howie Kevin O'Connell
Production Supervisor	Bruce Sharman
Assistant Production Manager	Patricia Carr
Production Coordinator	Miki Herman
First Assistant Director	David Tomblin
Second Assistant Directors	Steve Lanning Roy Button
Location Manager	Philip Kohler
Continuity	Kay Rawlings Pamela Mann
Casting	Irene Lamb Terry Liebling Bob Edmiston
Assistant To Producer	Bunny Alsup
Assistant To Director	Debbie Shaw
Assistant To Executive Producer	Jane Bay
Production Assistants	Barbara Harley Nick Laws Charles Wessler
Stunt Coordinator	Peter Diamond
Stunt Doubles	Bob Anderson Colin Skeaping
Production Accountant	Ron Phipps
Assistant Accountant	Michael Larkins
Set Cost-Controller	Ken Gordon
Location Accountant	Ron Cook
Still Photographer	George Whitear
Unit Publicist	Alan Arnold
Assistant Publicist	Kristen Wing
Studio Second Unit
Directors	Harley Cokliss John Barry
Director Of Photography	Chris Menges
Assistant Director	Dominic Fulford
Second Assistant Director	Andrew Montgomery
Location Second Unit
Director	Peter Macdonald
Director Of Photography	Geoff Glover
Operating Cameraman	Bob Smith
Assistant Cameramen	John Campbell Mike Brewster
Second Assistant Cameramen	John Keen Greg Dupre
Dolly Grip	Frank Batt
Production Manager	Svein Johansen
Assistant Directors	Bill Westley Ola Solum
Production And Mechanical Effects Unit
Mechanical Effects Supervision	Nick Allder
Location Unit Supervisor	Allan Bryce
Senior Effects Technician	Neil Swan Dave Watkins
Robot Fabrication And Supervision	Andrew Kelly Ron Hone
Effects Technicians	Phil Knowles Barry Whitrod Martin Gant Brian Eke Guy Hudson Dennis Lowe
Effects Engineering	Roger Nichols Steve Lloyd
Electrical Engineer	John Hatt
Electronics Consultant	Rob Dickinson
Model Construction	John Pakenham
Effects Assistants	Alan Poole Digby Milner Robert McLaren
Effects Secretary	Gill Case
Minature And Optical Effects Unit
Effects DirectorOf Photography	Dennis Muren
Effects Cameramen	Ken Ralston Jim Veilleux
Camera Operators	Don Dow Bill Neil
Assistant Cameramen	Selwyn Eddy Jody Westheimer Rick Fighter Clint Palmer Michael McAlister Paul Huston Richard Fish Chris Anderson
Optical Photography Supervisor	Bruce Nicholson
Optical Printer Operators	David Berry Kenneth Smith Donald Clark
Optical Line-Up	Warren Franklin Mark Vargo Peter Amundson Loring Doyle Thomas Rosseter Tam Pillsbury James Lim
Optical Coordinator	Laurie Vermont
Laboratory Technicians	Tim Geideman Duncan Myers Ed Jones
Art Director-Visual Effects	Joe Johnston
Assistant Art Director	Nilo Rodis-Jamero
Stop Motion Animation	Jon Berg Phil Tippett
Stop Motion Technicians	Tom St. Amand Doug Beswick
Matte Painting Supervisor	Harrison Ellenshaw
Matte Artists	Ralph McQuarrie Michael Pangrazio
Matte Photography	Neil Krepela
Additional Matte Photography	Michael Lawler
Matte Photography Assistants	Craig Barron Robert Elswit
Chief Model Maker	Lorne Peterson
Modelshop Foreman	Steve Gawley
Model Makers	Paul Huston Tom Rudduck Michael Fulmer Samuel Zolltheis Charles Bailey Ease Owyeung Scott Marshall Marc Thorpe Wesley Seeds Dave Carson Rob Gemmel Pat McClung
Animation And Rotoscope Supervisor	Peter Kuran
Animators	Samuel Comstock Garry Waller John Van Vliet Rick Taylor Kim Knowlton Chris Casady Nina Saxon Diana Wilson
Visual Effects Editorial Supervisor	Conrad Buff
Effects Editor	Michael Kelly
Assistant Effects Editors	Arthur Repola Howard Stein
Apprentice Editor	Jon Thaler
Production Administrator	Dick Gallegly
Production Secretary	Patricia Blau
Production Associate	Thomas Brown
Production Accountant	Ray Scalice
Assistant Accountant	Glenn Phillips Pam Traas Laura Crockett
Production Assistant	Jenny Oznowicz
Transportation	Robert Martin
Still Photographer	Terry Chostner
Lab Assistant	Roberto McGrath
Electronics Systems Designer	Jerry Jeffress
Systems Programming	Kris Brown
Electronic Engineers	Lhary Meyer Mike Mackenzie Gary Leo
Special Project Coordinator	Stuart Ziff
Equipment Engineering Supervisor	Gene Whiteman
Design Engineer	Mike Bolles
Machinists	Udo Pampel Greg Beaumonte
Draftsman	Ed Tennler
Special Projects	Gary Platek
Supervising Stage Technician	T.E. Moehnke
Stage Technicians	William Beck Bobby Finley Leo Loverro Edward Hirsh Dick Dova Ed Breed
Miniature Pyrotechnics	Joseph Viskocil Dave Pier Thaine Morris
Optical Printer Component Manufacturer	George Randle Co.
Camera And Movement Design	Jim Beaumonte
Special Optics Designer	David Grafton
Special Optics Fabrication	J.L. Wood Optical Systems
Optical Printer Component Engineering	Fries Engineering
High Speed Camera Movements	Mitchell Camera Corp.
Ultra High Speed Camera	Bruce Hill Productions
Color Timer	Ed Lemke
Negative Cutting	Robert Hart Darrell Hixson
Dolby Consultant	Don Digirolamo
Additional Optical Effects	Van Der Veer Photo Effects Modern Film Effects Ray Mercer & Company Westheimer Company Lookout Mountain Films

Special Edition Crew

Credit	Name
Producer	Rick McCallum
Editor	T.M. Christopher
Sound Designer	Ben Burtt
Re-Recording Mixer	Gary Summers
First Assistant Editor	Samuel Hinckley
Assistant Editor	Robert Marty
Assistant Avid Editors	Mike Jackson Robin Lee
Sound Editor	Teresa Eckton
Assistant Sound Editor	Lisa Storer
Re-Recordist	Ronald G. Roumas
Digital Mix Technician	Gary A. Rizzo
Archivist	Tim Fox
Optical Supervisors	Phillip Feiner Chris Bushman
Film Restoration Supervisor	Pete Comandini
Color Timer	Robert J. Raring
Negative Continuity	Ray Sabo
Negative Cutter	Bob Hart
Special Edition Digital Remastering Provided By Skywalker Sound A Lucas Digital Ltd. Company
Film Restoration Consultant	Leon Briggs
Optical Restoration	Pacific Title
Film Restoration By	Ycm Laboratories
Industrial Light And Magic
Visual Effects Supervisor	Dave Carson
Visual Effects Producer	Tom Kennedy
Computer Graphics Supervisor	Tom Hutchinson
Visual Effects Art Director	George Hull
Visual Effects Editor	Michael McGovern
Color Timing Supervisor	Bruce Vecchitto
Visual Effects Coordinator	Lisa Todd
Digital Effects Artists	Don Butler Michael Conte Howard Gersh Marshall Krasser Tia Marshall Stuart Maschwitz Julie Neary Ken Nielsen Eddie Pasquarello Ricardo Ramos Tom Rosseter Lawrence Tan Paul Theren Hans Uhlig Li-Hsein Wei Ron Woodall
Digital Matte Artists	Ronn Brown Eric Chauvin Brian Flora William Mather
3d Matchmove Artist	James Hagedorn
Digital Paint & Roto Artists	Lisa Drostova Heidi Zabit
Chief Creature Maker	Howie Weed
Model & Creature Makers	Carol Bauman Don Bies Giovanni Donovan Wendy Morton Anne Polland Mark Siegel Steven Walton
Sabre Group Supervisor	Daniel McNamara
Sabre Artists	Rita Zimmerman Chad Taylor Mary McCulloch Grant Guenin Caitlin Content
Software Research And Development	David Benson Jim Hourihan Zoran Kacic-Alesic Florian Kainz Jeff Yost
Digital Scanning Supervisor	Joshua Pines
Digital Scanning Operators	Randall Bean Michael Ellis Earl Beyer
Negative Supervisor	Doug Jones
Negative Line-Up	Andrea Biklian Tim Geideman
Projectionist	Tim Greenwood
Digital Plate Restoration	Melissa Monterrosa Mike Van Eps Wendy Hendrickson
Assistant Visual Effects Art Director	Alex Laurant
Assistant Visual Effects Editor	John Bartle
Video Editor	Angela Leaper
Animatic Artist	Jonathan Rothbart
Digital Effects Technical Assistants	Okan Ataman Peter Chesloff Joshua Levine Dawn Matheson Daniel Shumaker
Digital Effects Resource Assistant	Daniel Brimer
Visual Effects Production Staff	Julie Creighton Joshua Marks
Video Assistants	Dawn Martin Wendy Bell
Production Engineering	Ken Beyer Ken Corvino Gary Meyer
Aerial Camera System By Wesscam Camera Systems (Europe)
Aerial Cameraman	Ron Goodman
Assistant	Margaret Herron
Helicopter Supplied By Dollar Air Services Limited
Pilot	Mark Wolfe
Cloud Plates Photographed With Astrovision(c) By Continental Camera Systems Inc.
Snow Vehicles Supplied By Aktiv Fischer
R2 Bodies Fabricated By White Horse Toy Company
Special Assistance From Giltspur Engineering And Compair
Photographed On The Hardengerjekulan Glacier, Finse, Norway And At Emi - Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, England
Music Recorded At Anvil Studios, Denham, England
Re-Recording At Samuel Goldwyn Studios, Los Angeles, California
Special Visual Effects Produced At Industrial Light And Magic, Marin County, California

Appearances

By type

Characters	Organisms	Droid models	Events	Locations
Organizations and titles	Sentient species	Vehicles and vessels	Weapons and technology	Miscellanea

Characters

Canon characters

2-1B (First appearance) 4-LOM (First appearance) Wedge Antilles Bewil (First appearance) Bossk (First appearance) Lando Calrissian (First appearance) C-3PO Chewbacca Dengar (First appearance) Bren Derlin (First appearance) Toryn Farr (First appearance) Boba Fett (First appearance) FX-7 (First appearance) IG-88 (First appearance) Wes Janson (First appearance) Derek Klivian (First appearance) Obi-Wan Kenobi (Appears as a ghost or spirit)

Lobot (First appearance) Leia Organa Kendel Ozzel (First appearance) Lorth Needa (First appearance) Firmus Piett (First appearance) Sheev Palpatine (First appearance) (Appears in hologram) R2-D2 Dak Ralter (First appearance) Carlist Rieekan (First appearance) Zev Senesca (First appearance) Luke Skywalker Han Solo Jabba Desilijic Tiure (Mentioned only) Darth Vader Maximillian Veers (First appearance) Yoda (First appearance) Zuckuss (First appearance)

Legends characters

2-1B 4-LOM Cal Alder Wedge Antilles Ardan Bachenkall Bewil Jerrol Blendin Vildar Blin Bossk Brandei Bursk Cabbel Trey Callum Lando Calrissian C-3PO Cecius Chewbacca Beryl Chiffonage Tian Chyler Dainsom Tarrin Datch Dengar Derdram Jann Derem Bren Derlin Desanne Drazin E-3PO Isdam Edian Gir Endac Toryn Farr FX-7 Grugnak Nala Hetsime Duncan Hikmat Reyé Hollis Willrow Hood Treva Horme Hurdiss IG-88B Jabba Desilijic Tiure (Mentioned only)

Tigran Jamiro Wes Janson Corman Jeihn Tiaan Jerjerrod K-3PO Vekozev Kabir Samara Kebyc Obi-Wan Kenobi (Appears as a ghost or spirit) Derek Klivian Xamuel Lennox Tenk Lenso Lobot Fin Mak'lath Dodson Makraven (Fighter only) Alec Mard Fantes Mer'darro Bislav Merril M'kae Utris M'Toc Narthax Romas Navander Lorth Needa Allen Neff Nemet "One-Arm" Unidentified wampa Leia Organa Kendal Ozzel Palpatine/Darth Sidious (Appears in hologram) Nichos Panib Lee Phenets Firmus Piett Jek Pugilio Corman Quien R-3PO R2-D2 R3-A2 R3-Y2 R5-M2 Beryann Raleg Dak Ralter Civé Rashon (Fighter only) Retwin Tamizander Rey

Carlist Rieekan Ark Rutendo Bialar Selis Jake Sirrom Will Scotian Zev Senesca Wyron Serper Sheckil Skorr (Indirect mention only) Luke Skywalker Gemmer Sojan Pedar Solardo Han Solo Jell Spiel Helder Spinoza Pedar Solardo Suba Adam Swiftgale Razell Tameron Ugloste Darth Vader Shawn Valdez Kit Valent Vandolay Maximilian Veers Venka Jeroen Webb WED-1016 'Techie' Droid Winged Gundark Wiorkettle Yoda Kulbart Zamoon Habeer Zignean Zuckuss Unidentified characters Unidentified Asteroid victim officer Unidentified Cloud City technician Unidentified Imperial captain Unidentified Imperial officer Unidentified Rebel major Unidentified Rebel technician

Organisms

Canon organisms

Bogwing (First appearance) Dragonsnake (First appearance) Exogorth (First appearance) Gundark (First mentioned) Mynock (First appearance) Nerf (First mentioned) Nudj (First appearance) Sleen (First appearance) Tauntaun (First appearance) Vine snake (First appearance) Wampa (First appearance)

Legends organisms

Dragonsnake King of the Dragonsnakes Bogwing Common ice field tauntaun Exogorth Gundark (Mentioned only) Mynocks Nudj Sleen Vine snakes Wampa

Droid models

Canon droids

Assassin droid (First appearance) IG-series (First appearance) IG assassin droid (First appearance) Astromech droid R series R2 series astromech droid Medical droid (First appearance) 2-1B surgical droid (First appearance) FX-series (First appearance) Protocol droid 3PO unit LOM-series protocol droid (First appearance) Probe droid (First appearance) Viper probe droid (First appearance)

Legends droids

2-1B medical droid 3PO-series protocol droid E-3PO protocol droid EG-4 power droid FX-7 medical droid Giant mouse droid IG-88 assassin droid LOM protocol droid R2-series astromech droid Viper probe droid WED-10 Treadwell

Events

Canon events

Age of the Empire Galactic Civil War Battle of Yavin (Mentioned only) Battle of Hoth (First appearance) Duel on Cloud City (First appearance) Escape from Cloud City (First appearance)

Legends events

Battle of Yavin (Mentioned only) Mission to Ord Mantell (First mentioned) Evacuation of Yavin (Mentioned only) Battle of Hoth Duel on Cloud City Occupation of Bespin

Locations

Canon locations

The galaxy Mid Rim Bright Jewel sector Bright Jewel system Ord Mantell (First mentioned)

Outer Rim Territories Anoat sector (First appearance) Anoat sytem (First appearance) Bespin system (First appearance) Bespin (First appearance) Cloud City (First appearance) East platform (First appearance) Platform 327 (First appearance) Hoth asteroid belt (First appearance) Hoth system (First appearance) Hoth (First appearance) Echo Base (First appearance) Echo Station 3-8 (First appearance) Echo Station 3-T-8 (First appearance) Echo Station 5-7 (First appearance) North Ridge (First appearance) South Slope (First appearance) Zone twelve (First appearance) Arkanis sector Tatoo system Tatooine (Mentioned only) Gordian Reach Yavin system Yavin Yavin 4 (Mentioned only) Great Temple of Massassi (Mentioned only) Sluis sector (First appearance) Dagobah system (First appearance) Dagobah (First appearance) Dragon snake bog (First appearance) Cave of Evil (First appearance) Yoda's Hut (First appearance)

Legends locations

Anoat system Anoat (Mentioned only) Bespin system Bespin BesGas Three Cloud City Beldon's Eye Carbon-freezing chamber Cloud City Core Core Tunnel Dining room East Platform Incinerator room North Corridor Platform 327 Port Town District Security Tower Level 139 Detention Cell 5305 West Gallery Yarith Bespin Floating health spa Dagobah system Dagobah Dragonsnake Bog Dark Side Cave Yoda's hut

Haven Hoth system Hoth asteroid field Big One Hoth Clabburn Range South Ridge Echo Base Bay 3 Echo Base medical lab North Ridge Lanteel Glacier Echo Station 3-8 Echo Station 3-T-8 Echo Station 5-7 Zone Twelve Ione system Ord Mantell (Mentioned only) Qeimet system Tatooine (Mentioned only)

Organizations and titles

Canon organizations and titles

Admiral Alliance to Restore the Republic Alliance Fleet Rebel Alliance Starfighter Corps Rogue Squadron (First appearance) Rogue Leader (First appearance) Rogue Two (First appearance) Rogue Three (First appearance) Rogue Four (First appearance) Rogue Ten (First appearance) Rogue Eleven (First appearance) Rebel pilot Alliance Intelligence (First appearance) Rebel trooper Baron Administrator (First appearance) Bounty hunter Captain Cloud City Control (First appearance) Commander Deck officer (First appearance) Galactic Empire Galactic Emperor (First appearance) (Appears in hologram) Imperial military Imperial Army Stormtrooper Corps Snowtrooper (First appearance) Stormtrooper Imperial Navy Death Squadron (First appearance) Imperial Navy Trooper TIE fighter pilot Imperial officer

Gunner Jedi Jedi Order (Mentioned only) Jedi Knight (Mentioned only) Jedi Master (First identified as Jedi Master) Lieutenant (First appearance) Major (First appearance) Mining Guild (First mentioned) House of Organa Princess Sith Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Sith apprentice Sith Lord Sith Master (First appearance) (Appears in hologram) Smuggler Soldier Technician

Legends organizations and titles

Alliance to Restore the Republic Alliance Army Alliance Special Forces Alliance Fleet Alliance Starfighter Corps Rogue Squadron Baron Administrator Cloud City Control Wing Guard Galactic Empire Galactic Emperor (Appears in hologram) Imperial Army Thundering Herd Stormtroopers 501st Legion Snowtrooper Blizzard Force Snow Hawks Imperial Navy Death Squadron

Jedi Order Grand Master Jedi Master Mining Guild (Mentioned only) Order of the Sith Lords Dark Lord of the Sith Sith apprentice Sith Master (Appears in hologram)

Sentient species

Canon species

Gand (First appearance) Human Alderaanian Clone (First appearance) (Retcon) Corellian Hutt (Mentioned only) Lutrillian Snivvian Trandoshan (First appearance) Ugnaught (First appearance) Wookiee Yoda's species (First appearance)

Legends species

Balosar (Retcon) Gand Human Lutrillian Snivvian Trandoshan Ugnaught Wookiee Yoda's species

Vehicles and vessels

Canon vehicles

Bomber Repulsorcraft Cloud car (First appearance) Speeder Airspeeder T-47 airspeeder (First appearance) Starship Capital ship Frigate (First appearance) EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate (First appearance) Redemption (First appearance) Star Destroyer Imperial-class Star Destroyer Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Avenger (First appearance) Tyrant (First appearance) Executor-class Star Dreadnought (First appearance) Executor (First appearance) Freighter Light freighter YT-1300 light freighter Millennium Falcon Shuttle Lambda-class T-4a shuttle (Post-1997 releases) Firespray-31-class patrol and attack craft (First appearance) Slave I (First appearance) Starfighter TIE line TIE bomber (First appearance) TIE/LN starfighter X-wing starfighter T-65B X-wing starfighter Y-wing starfighter Walker (First appearance) All Terrain Armored Transport (First appearance) Blizzard One (First appearance) All Terrain Scout Transport (First appearance) Transport GR-75 medium transport (First appearance)

Legends vehicles

All Terrain Armored Transport All Terrain Scout Transport BTL Y-wing starfighter Commuter tram Executor-class Star Dreadnought Firespray-31-class patrol and attack craft Slave I GR-75 medium transport Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Imperial II-class Star Destroyer Lambda-class T-4a shuttle

Laser ice-cutter EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate Predator I Probe-Mate jump pod Rebel personnel carrier Storm IV Twin-Pod cloud car T-47 airspeeder T-65 X-wing starfighter TIE bomber TIE shuttle TIE fighter YT-1300 light freighter Millennium Falcon

Weapons and technology

Canon technology

Armor Anakin's armor Mandalorian armor (First appearance) Stormtrooper armor Bacta tank (First appearance) Blaster Ascension gun (First appearance) Blaster carbine (First appearance) EE-3 carbine rifle (First appearance) Blaster cannon E-Web heavy repeating blaster cannon (First appearance) Blaster pistol Heavy blaster pistol DL-44 heavy blaster pistol Blaster rifle A280 blaster rifle (First appearance) DLT-19 heavy blaster rifle E-11 blaster rifle Bowcaster Breath mask Cannon Ion cannon NK-7 ion cannon v-150 ion cannon (First appearance) Laser cannon 1.4 FD P-Tower (First appearance) Turbolaser Carbon-freeze chamber (First appearance) Cloaking device (First mentioned) Code cylinder Comlink C1 personal comlink

Cybernetics Cyborg AJ^6 cyborg construct (First appearance) Deflector shield Ray shield Deflector shield generator (First appearance) Electrobinoculars Engine Glowrod (First appearance) Grenade Thermal detonator Grenade launcher (First appearance) Relby-v10 mortar gun (First appearance) Hologram Holoprojector Hyperdrive (First mentioned) Alluvial damper (First mentioned) Horizontal booster (First mentioned) Hyperdrive motivator (First mentioned) Jetpack (First appearance) Z-6 jetpack (First appearance) Laser Laser rifle (First appearance) DLT-20A laser rifle (First appearance) Lightsaber Anakin/Luke's lightsaber Darth Vader's lightsaber Magnetic harpoon (First appearance) Meditation chamber (First appearance) Officer's disk Photoreceptor Repulsorlift Rifle S-foils Self-destruct mechanism (First appearance) Sensor (First mentioned) Stuncuffs Tractor beam Tractor beam projector 07 tractor beam projector Turbolift Weather vane (First appearance)

Legends technology

1.4 FD P-Tower A295 blaster rifle AG-2G quad laser cannon Alluvial damper ANq-51 sensor array computer Ap/11 double laser cannon Ascension gun (First appearance) Ax-108 "Ground Buzzer" surface-defense blaster cannon Bacta Bacta Tank Bandolier Binders Blast armor blaster cannon Blast door Borg Construct Aj^6 Boot spike Bowcaster Butcher vibroblade Carbonite flux monitor Carbonite integrity monitor Cloaking device (First mentioned) Cloud City central computer Comlink C1 personal comlink Command console Condenser unit Darth Vader's armor Darth Vader's meditation chamber DAS-430 electromagnetic projectile launcher DF.9 DF.9 laser cannon Dim goggles DL-21 blaster pistol DL-44 heavy blaster pistol DLT-19 heavy blaster rifle DLT-20A blaster rifle Docking clamp DSS-02 shield generator Dur-24 wrist laser E-11 blaster rifle EE-3 carbine rifle Electrobinoculars Energy field E-Web heavy repeating blaster False eye False touch Fire extinguisher Flamethrower ZX miniature flame projector Food Rations Fusion furnace Fusioncutter Gas ratio monitor Glowlamp GRS-1 snare rifle Harpoon and tow cable Heavy turbolaser turret HH-15 projectile launcher Holocam FastTurn-3 hydrospanner Horizontal booster Intercomlink headset Ion Limpet homing beacon Kama Kneepad rocket dart Kyromaster Laser cannon KX9 laser cannon Life support pack Life system monitor Lifeform scanner Lightsaber Long-barreled blaster Mandalorian armor Mark II medium repeating blaster cannon Memory core MM9 mini concussion rocket Model 57 blaster pistol Model TD2.3 electrobinoculars Needle dart gun NK-7 ion cannon OrC-19 Com-Scan integrator console Periscope Plastex Plastoid Portable scanner Power coupling Proton bomb Public Announcement system Pulse cannon Quarrel Rangefinder Relby-k23 blaster pistol Relby-v10 micro grenade launcher Roamer-6 breath mask Scan grid Self-destruct mechanism Sensor pack Sentry marker (First mentioned) Silencer tube Snow goggles Sonic beam weapon Sonic stunner ST2 concussion missile rack Stormtrooper armor Survival knife SW-4 ion cannon TR-62 Autocushion Tripod Transfer circuit Transparisteel Type-12A anti-personnel rocket v-150 anti-orbital ion cannon V-59 concussion grenade W-90 concussion rifle Weather vane whipcord launcher XX-9 heavy turbolaser

Miscellanea

Canon miscellanea

Alien Army Troop Atmosphere Bacta (First appearance) Blockade Blood Bridge (First appearance) Bounty Callsign Carbonite (First appearance) Carbon-freezing (First appearance) Cane (First appearance) Cave (First appearance) City Clothing Bandolier Boot Cloak Flightsuit Flight helmet Goggles (First appearance) Hat Holster Imperial military uniform Imperial officer's uniform Imperial officer's tunic Rank insignia plaque Pants Robe Cockpit Color

Cybernetics Cyborg Death Suicide (Mentioned only) Death mark (First mentioned) Droid Fire Fleet Command ship (First identified as Command ship) Flagship (First appearance) Navy Warship Foodstuff The Force Dark side of the Force Force power Force choke Force spirit Force vision (First appearance) Telekinesis (First appearance) Light side of the Force Meditation (First appearance) Gas Oxygen Tibanna (First mentioned) Hangar Humanoid Hyperspace Jedi training Language Basic Binary Shyriiwook Lightsaber combat Lightsaber duel Lightspeed

Limb Meditation Mining Noble Politics Plant Tree Gnarltree (First appearance) Plastoid Prisoner Realspace Rebel Alliance starbird Species Brain (Mentioned only) Eye Hair Mouth Parent Reptile Sentience Sexes Twin Star system Asteroid Asteroid field (First appearance) Orbit Planet Gas giant Sabacc (First mentioned) Swamp (First appearance) Time Minute (Mentioned only) Standard year (Mentioned only) Torture Transparisteel Vacuum Viewport Water (As ice) Zeyd cloth (First appearance) (Appears in hologram)

Legends miscellanea

Aeien silk royal emblem Baron Administrator state belt Baron’s cape Belt cape Binary Blissl Boot Ice boot Boot binding Military snow boot Breath warmer cover Cap warmer Carbonite Denscris Doonium Driving gauntlet Durasteel The Force Dark side of the Force Force-choke Telekinesis Force Jump Force Ghost Telepathy

Galactic Basic Standard Gear harness Gimer stick Heated pants Heated vest Heavy weather parka Imperial Army emblem Journeyman Protector honor sash Jumpsuit Insulated jumpsuit Lightsaber combat Cho mai Cho mok Dun Möch Form V: Shien / Djem So Sai cha Shiim Liwari shoes Mop On-duty braid Rank insignia of the Galactic Empire Rank insignia of the Rebel Alliance Shyriiwook Tarelle sei-weave shirt Tibanna

Behind the scenes

Pre-production

Lucas hired screenwriter Leigh Brackett to write a screenplay based on his story treatment. Brackett finished the first draft on February 23, 1978 but she died soon afterwards. According to Lucas, he didn't like the direction in which her screenplay went. Without a writer to fix it, he was forced to write the second draft himself throughout March. Major plot changes were made compared to the first draft and the storyline that is in the film was formed in this draft. One of the most notable changes was making Vader Luke's father. When Lawrence Kasdan finished writing the screenplay for Raiders of the Lost Ark he was hired to rewrite and improve Lucas' draft. He wrote a few more drafts before the script conference was held in November between George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, Irvin Kershner and Gary Kurtz. After some additional input, the shooting script was finally formed. Minor changes to dialogues came from Kershner and actors throughout the filming and were mostly approved by Lucas.

Majority of the concept art and designs for the film was done by Ralph McQuarrie, Joe Johnston and Nilo Rodis-Jamero based on Lucas' ideas. The Yoda puppet was designed by British make-up artist Stuart Freeborn. He said he based Yoda's face on his own face and added some of Albert Einstein's facial features to it.

Filming

Filming lasted from March 5 until September 24, 1979. Some of the Hoth sequence was filmed in Norway, in the area from the railway station Finse to the Hardangerjøkelen glacier. The scenes on Dagobah, Cloud City and inside the Hoth Echo Base were shot at Elstree Studios, England.

During the production, the film went seriously over-budget and over-schedule. When the film budget increased for $10 million the bank wanted to pull the loan. To secure the additional money required to complete the film, Lucas was forced to approach 20th Century Fox to negotiate a deal. The studio received more profit from the film while in exchange it guaranteed the loan. Despite this Lucas managed to retain the sequel and merchandising rights.

Major musical themes

• Star Wars Main Title
• The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)
• Han Solo and the Princess
• Yoda's Theme

Critical reception

The Empire Strikes Back initially received mixed reviews. Many critics had problems with the story, but at the same time said the film was a technical achievement. Critics also had various reactions to changes introduced in re-releases of this film.

According to the actors, Irvin Kershner would encourage group discussions and improvisations from the actors, and would do many takes of each scene, in contrast to Lucas, who would always stick to the script, usually do about three takes, and offer little direction to the actors.

It is believed to be the most morally ambiguous and darkest of the original trilogy and it is also the only one of the six Star Wars films in which no major character dies.

The film was selected in 2010 to be preserved by the Library of Congress as part of its National Film Registry.

At theaters in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia, the short film Black Angel was shown before The Empire Strikes Back's theatrical release. Black Angel was the directorial debut of Roger Christian, the art director for A New Hope. The film was shot in Scotland, Autumn 1979, for £25,000, a gift to Christian from George Lucas for his work on Star Wars. Black Angel was officially re-released on YouTube on May 12, 2015.

Re-releases

The 1997 Special Edition

The 2004 DVD Edition

The 2006 Unaltered and 2004 DVD Edition double feature

The 2015 Blu-ray steelbook.

2010 marked the film's 30th Anniversary

Along with the other two films of his original trilogy, George Lucas issued a Special Edition of The Empire Strikes Back in 1997, making a number of changes and additions, including replacing a piece of music from the closing scene.

On September 21, 2004 the three original movies were finally released on DVD. There have been a few further minor changes to the film on this release—such as sound effects and improvements to the visual quality of the film. One highly noticeable change involving visually quality improvement is that the odd pink glow was removed from the Cloud City entrance scene, where the Cloud Car was replaced with a Tibanna refinery in the 1997 theatrical version.

In addition, the scene in which Darth Vader speaks with the Emperor was altered for the DVD release. Clive Revill, who performed Palpatine's voice, and Elaine Baker, who portrayed Palpatine, were both replaced with Ian McDiarmid, who would eventually be cast for the same role in Return of the Jedi, and all three prequels. Originaly, a woman was cast as Palpatine's profile with chimpanzee eyes superimposed over her own, with a male's voice dubbed in later. However, Clive Revill's name still appeared in the movie's credits as the voice actor for Palpatine. McDiarmid re-recorded the dialogue with James Earl Jones and they both added more lines for this scene.

Another addition was Temuera Morrison providing the voice for Boba Fett, further establishing the fact that Boba is indeed a clone of Jango Fett. It is unknown in this film if Boba is the last remaining clone of Jango.

The trilogy was re-released on separate two-disc Limited Edition DVD sets from September 12, 2006 to December 31, 2006; the original versions of the films were added as bonus material. Controversy surrounded the release because the unaltered versions were from the 1993 non-anamorphic Laserdisc masters, and were not retransferred with modern video standards.

The Empire Strikes Back was re-released for a Blu-ray format re-release in September of 2011.

Digital release

On April 7, 2015, the Walt Disney Studios, 20th Century Fox, and Lucasfilm jointly announced the digital releases of the six released Star Wars films. As Lucasfilm had retained digital distribution rights to Episodes I thru III and V thru VI, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released The Empire Strikes Back for digital download on April 10, 2015.

Cut content

The Death of General Veers

General Veers is about to destroy the shield generators when Hobbie, a Rebel pilot, flies his damaged snowspeeder toward Veers's walker. One of Veers's men says, "Look out! He's going to..." Hobbie crashes his fighter into the cockpit of Veers's AT-AT Walker, which is blown up, killing both Hobbie and Veers. (The Expanded Universe shows both of them alive after the Battle of Hoth.) This scene was likely cut because Veers succeeds in destroying the shield generators, and the filmmakers would have found it difficult to alter the scene so it takes place after Veers destroys them.

Wampa attack

R2-D2 escapes a wampa

According to the fourth version of the script for The Empire Strikes Back, there is some extra dialogue concerning the wampas and a scene involving R2 getting chased down a hallway by one while the Rebels blast it. One of the Rebels calls in the report saying, "We got it, sir, but there may be more," (talking to General Rieekan). Alarms are buzzing and Leia inquires if the creature has been examined yet. The general tells her they are working on it and then they are alerted to a "visitor"—the Imperial probot. Since it is revealed to be metallic, Leia remarks, "Then it couldn't be one of those creatures"—referring to the wampas, of course.

Wampas infiltrate Echo Base

2-1B attends to the dead tauntaun

In the scene where Han Solo is about to go after Luke Skywalker on a tauntaun, a dead tauntaun is seen on the floor being examined by 2-1B, the medical droid. On the wall is what appears to be some blood, presumably from the dead animal. In the fourth draft of the script, one of the rebels says to his deck officer, "...I can't imagine, sir. Their necks are broken." (The script refers to three dead creatures, not one.) The wampas have already broken into the base at this point and have obviously attacked some tauntauns. They break in once around the time of Han and Leia's argument in the hallway (see the picture below from the comic adaptation) and again when C-3PO and R2-D2 are walking towards the hangar and commenting about the temperature in Leia's chamber. Later, when Han is wondering where Luke is, he comes across the Rebels examining the dead tauntaun. They are wondering what happened to this creature as they have no idea yet that wampas have infiltrated the base. It can be noted however, that this senario is present in the instant action mode of Star Wars: Battlefront II.

The Wampa Pen

The pursuing snowtroopers enter the wampa pen

Out of all the cut scenes featuring wampas, this one is the most well-known, perhaps because this scene has left the most evidence behind. Sometime during the Hoth scenes, it's discovered that R2-D2's beeping noises attract the wampas—just like in the famous "Pied Piper" fairy tale. R2-D2 leads the wampas into a large room and the Rebels then place a red and yellow warning sign on the door so Rebels won't wander inside unaware and get eaten. This scene with R2-D2 was allegedly filmed, but never made it into the final cut. Later on, while on their way to the medical center to see Luke, R2-D2 and C-3PO pass by the wampa pen and discuss the creatures briefly.

Jumping ahead to the Rebel heroes' exodus from Echo Base during the Battle of Hoth, Han, Leia, and C-3PO are scurrying to get Leia to her transport. On the way out, they pass a door with a familiar yellow sign with red lettering. Han gives the door a quick look and almost stops but continues on past it after recognizing the warning (the quick shot is in the finished film, it appears directly after General Veers destroys the power generators). What wasn't included in the film was C-3PO (who is running behind Han and Leia trying to keep up) trudging up to the door after them. He stops and tears off the yellow warning sign (C-3PO is seen tearing off the sign on the "bonus features" DVD of the Trilogy box DVD set. The moment is briefly seen in the trailer for Episode V). He then proceeds to catch up with Han and Leia as they make their way to the Millennium Falcon.

After the snowtroopers burst into the base, they come across the door, left with only a small piece of the original warning sign. They open the door, only to be attacked by the already annoyed wampas inside.

Luke: Gunner

Luke Skywalker mans a heavy artillery weapon against the attacking wampas.

There have always been rumors and images that state there was originally a scene from Empire inside Echo Base where Luke mans a gun and blasts a few wampas. The only thing that really makes most fans believe this scene was actually shot is the following quote from Jon Knoles in the Star Wars Insider 33 (page 59) talking about the game, Shadows of the Empire for Nintendo 64:

"We knew, for instance, of the scene where a wampa actually broke through into Echo Base and mauled a tauntaun (and possibly some Rebel troops) and a scene where Luke actually took over an auto-laser cannon and blasts a wampa or two. The wampa filmed in this shot looked absolutely hilarious with a big fluffy face and metallic round eyeballs. We saw the picture in a Kodak shoebox Photo CD that Lucasfilm Ltd. provided us with some time ago."

Novelization

A novelization of the film was written by Donald F. Glut and was published on April 12, 1980.

One strange inaccuracy in the book is that several times it mentions Yoda as having blue skin instead of the well-known green of the movies. The Marvel Comics version of Yoda also depicted the character with blue skin. Possibly both Marvel and Glut were working with versions of the script that were later changed.

The novel also refers to Zuckuss as a Human bounty hunter when in fact he is a Gand. Furthermore, the novel omits 4-LOM from the lineup of bounty hunters. On top of that, the story includes a much expanded account of Luke's training by Yoda, as well as other inserted scenes. Also, Darth Vader's lightsaber is mentioned during the cave scene on Dagobah to be blue rather than the usual red.

There is a major discrepancy between the novel and the Expanded Universe, as the book shows Rebel pilot Hobbie, Luke's wingman during the battle, flying his snowspeeder into the head of General Veers's AT-AT walker on Hoth in a suicide run after he had been wounded. However, Hobbie is seen alive and well in the books and comics set after Hoth. In the Expanded Universe, Veers is stated to have survived as well.

Radio drama

A radio drama of the film was written by Brian Daley and produced for and broadcast on the National Public Radio in 1983.

Comics

• The film was adapted into comics form by Marvel Comics as part of their ongoing Star Wars series. Released in six parts (issues 39 to 44), the adaptation was scripted by Archie Goodwin and illustrated by Al Williamson.
• A manga adaptation illustrated by Toshiki Kudo was released in Japan in 1998 and in the United States in 1999.

Pinball

In November of 1980, Hankin, launched a pinball based on this movie, titled The Empire Strikes Back.

Collectibles

• In 1980, Kenner had launch a toyline based on Episode V.
• In 2007, Hasbro released a series of collectible tins in celebration of Star Wars 30th anniversary. It contained four figures in vintage packaging. The four figures included were a Snowtrooper, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Chewbacca. It was tin number five of six.

Bibliography

• "Star Wars Publications Timeline" — Star Wars Insider 23
• "[[]]" — Star Wars Insider 47 (marks 20th anniversary of film; details deleted scenes)
• The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

See also

• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back novelization
• Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Mobile (mobile game)

External links

• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Official Site on StarWars.com (backup link)
• The Star Wars Digital Movie Collection Coming April 10 on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Lucasfilm - New Version Intro (2015) on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link (AhO_YjAJq_w) not verified!)
• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link (Ooh3k8cJDBg) not verified!)
• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - Trailer on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - Digital Movie Collection Trailer on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back at Lucasfilm
• Official site on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link (movies/episode-v/) not verified!)
• Template:Imdb title
• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back on Wikipedia
• Episode V Script
• The Star Wars Actors Database

Template:Films

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