The Empire Strikes Back
Movie, 1980, The '80s, Set in The Imperial March
The Empire Strikes Back is #5 of 29 in release order and #5 of 29 in chronological order in the John Williams.
The story
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.
The Empire Strikes Back recap
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) follows the rebels as the Empire drives them from their ice base, while Luke Skywalker trains as a Jedi under Yoda. Irvin Kershner directs the space opera sequel, written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan from a story by George Lucas. Three years after the Death Star, Imperial forces led by Darth Vader find the rebel base on Hoth and attack with giant walkers. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), told by Obi-Wan's spirit to go to Dagobah, finds the small Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz) and learns to use the Force, with mixed success. Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Chewbacca and C-3PO escape in the Millennium Falcon with a broken hyperdrive, hiding in an asteroid field as Han and Leia grow close. They reach Cloud City, run by Han's old friend Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), but Vader is already there. Williams introduces the Imperial March here as Vader's theme, a heavy brass march that plays whenever his fleet appears; the film follows Superman in this list and precedes Raiders.
The Empire Strikes Back ending explained
The Empire Strikes Back ends with Vader cutting off Luke's hand and telling him he is his father. Leia tells Han she loves him, and he answers "I know" before being frozen in carbonite and taken by the bounty hunter Boba Fett. Luke, who left Dagobah early to save his friends, refuses to join Vader and drops down a shaft. Leia senses him through the Force and the Falcon picks him up. Luke gets a mechanical hand, and Lando and Chewbacca set off to find Han, leading into Return of the Jedi.
Post-credits scenes
No. The Empire Strikes Back has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back is streaming on Disney+, fuboTV, and YouTube TV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.7/10, Rotten Tomatoes 93%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Superman, before Raiders of the Lost Ark.
- Chronological order: after Superman, before Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Cast
- Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
- Harrison Ford as Han Solo
- Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia
- Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- David Prowse as Darth Vader
- Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
- Kenny Baker as R2-D2
- Frank Oz as Yoda (Voice)
- Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Jeremy Bulloch as Boba Fett
- Jason Wingreen as Boba Fett (voice - uncredited)
Directed by Irvin Kershner.