EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, THE - SPECIAL EDITION
SYNOPSIS:
The second in the Star Wars Trilogy: the galactic battle between
the freedom fighters and the evil Empire rages on, with Luke
Skywalker now leading the forces. He is joined by Princess Leia,
maverick pilot Han Solo, his furry companion, Chewbacca, and two
'droids, R2D2 and C3PO. As they fight the evil lord of the
"dark side of the force," Darth Vader, Luke is trained
by the diminutive, ancient Yoda. When the rebels seek refuge on a
secluded planet managed by Lando Calrissian, an old friend of
Han's, they don’t realise they’re heading into a trap
set by Darth Vader, with terrifying consequences. Luke is the
target of the Emperor’s determination to destroy all
vestiges of the Jedi knights, and after using Han Solo and Leia
as bait, Darth Vader confronts young Luke in hand to hand combat,
hurting him in more ways than one. Escape seems impossible for
all of them.
"Many of us have not seen the Star Wars trilogy since
their first release, and it comes as a pleasant surprise that the
things that worked then still work now. The music of course. The
creatures, naturally, both furry and robotic. The sense of a
space community that is like some galactic version of fairy
castles, kings and shining knights, slaves and beggars and
scoundrels. The adventures and battles, the derring do of the
rebel underdogs against the nasties. The clever and beautiful
princess. Sage old beings who try to teach young Luke about the
power and beauty of truth, faith, love, honour…. And the
light touches of humour. There is no doubt that this is excellent
story telling, thoroughly entertaining film making and genuine
vision. And there is not a touch of swarmy, cheesy, corny
sentimental poppycock in the whole movie. Who says
Hollywood’s all bad?"
Andrew L. Urban
"This second instalment of the famed Star wars trilogy remains the finest and most mature of the three. Disposing of the more lighthearted adventure tone instilled by Lucas in the first film, he and writers Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, along with director Irwin Kershner,
have created a dark, central theme which reinforces the notion of
family, relationships and honour, in this futuristic take of
medieval knighthood. Merlin is now the 400-year old Yoda,
attempting to teach would-be knight Skywalker the ethereal
importance of the Force, which has come to symbolise internal
spirituality. Characters in this episode of the trilogy have been
given added depth, and with that, performances have also matured,
notably those of Ford and Hamill. Its bleaker tone is mirrored by
its opening, icy passages set in Hoth and meticulously shot in
Norway. What emerges in Empire is a bold, dark and sophisticated
tale, enveloped in its remarkable visuals and occasional sense of
good fun. One of the few blockbuster sequels to ever go beyond an
original, this film is as satisfying journey of self-discovery,
and goes where no ‘sequel’ has ever gone before."
Paul Fischer
"Empire is arguably the most enjoyable of the trilogy,
with a truly excellent script, satisfying character developments
and moving performances. The locations are diverse and exotic;
ranging from the stunning winter white of the ice planet Hoth,
the steamy jungle of Yoda’s home, Dagobah, and slick, modern
Cloud City, (which surely must be the New York of the galaxy).
All these plus the starry infinite expanse which provides the
backdrop for the varied adventures of our character friends.
Empire could almost be defined as an inter-galactic road movie.
The interaction between the characters is developed in a
delightful way, and there is no more poignant moment when
Chewbacca picks up the dismembered parts of 3CPO and tries to put
him back together again. John Williams magnificent score
heralding the various character themes, is a true musical
masterpiece, and can be appreciated fully with the digital sound
and enhanced with splendid visual special effects."
Louise Keller
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EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, THE : SPECIAL EDITION
(US)
CAST: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee
Williams, Anthony Daniels
DIRECTOR: Irvin Kershner
PRODUCER: James Bloom (associate), Gary Kurtz , George
Lucas(executive), Robert Watts (II) (associate)
SCRIPT: George Lucas (story), Leigh Brackett and Lawrence
Kasdan
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Peter Suschitzky
EDITOR: Paul Hirsch
MUSIC: John Williams (II)
COSTUME DESIGN: John Mollo
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Norman Reynolds
RUNNING TIME: 127 minutes
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: Fox
AUSTRALIAN RELEASE: April 10, 1997 
CAST:
Mark Hamill: Luke Skywalker
Harrison Ford: Han Solo
Carrie Fisher: Princess Leia
Billy Dee Williams: Lando Calrissian
Anthony Daniels: C-3PO
David Prowse: Darth Vader (James Earl Jones - uncredited,
voice)
Peter Mayhew (II): Chewbacca
Kenny Baker(I): R2-D2
Frank Oz: Yoda
Alec Guinness: Ben (Obi-wan) Kenobi
Jeremy Bulloch: Boba Fett
John Hollis: Lobot
Jack Purvis: Chief Ugnaught
Des Webb: Snow Creature
Kathryn Mullen: Performing Assistant for Yoda
Clive Revill: Emperor(voice)
Kenneth Colley: Admiral Piett
Julian Glover: General Veers
Michael Sheard: Admiral Ozzel
Michael Culver: Captain Needa
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