Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford

Three years later Imperial forces continue to pursue the Rebels. After the Rebellion's defeat on the ice planet Hoth, Luke journeys to the planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda, who has lived ...( read more  read more... )in hiding since the fall of the Republic. In an attempt to convert Luke to the dark side, Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap in the Cloud City of Bespin.

Flixster Users

94% liked it

939,978 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

66 critics

PG, 2 hrs. 4 min.

Directed by: Irvin Kershner

Release Date: December 31, 1980

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DVD Release Date: September 21, 2004

Stats: 50,774 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (50,774)


  • October 10, 2006
    Without this entry in the original trilogy, there would no such thing as a dark sequel.
  • August 28, 2009
    My favourite of the series, Irvin Kershner is a over looked director. Odd splashes of incest, deception and revenge, and of course the 'I am you father' bit - Easterners has been ripping it off for years!
  • May 7, 2009
    The best Star Wars film made, dark, brooding, the now famous plot twist and revelation which is pretty much folklore now haha its all near perfect with Empire, the outstanding Hoth battle sequence at the start to the breathtaking Bespin ending and all with the greatest character ...( read more)in villain history included :) Boba Fett :)
    The Yoda middle always kinda bored me I admit, slowed it down but I guess its needed hehe
    Shame Kershner couldnt do the same with Robocop 2.
  • February 24, 2009
    The best of the original trilogy forming the heart of the saga. My sentimental childhood favourite.
  • January 25, 2009
    This is by far the greatest of all the Star Wars movies. The Characters are alot better written, the acting better. And the darker tone of the film is very welcome. This time the Empire have a greater menace, and not just a bunch of bad guys in a flying ball. The film works on ev...( read more)ery level, and the ending leaves you craving more. But for me the iceing on the cake is the Added music score of the Emperial March, the sound of that music pounding out of my speakers is pure goosebump time ! This has to be composer John Williams greatest creation. If you have to buy one Star Wars movie, buy this. A masterclass in SCI-FI escapism !
  • November 20, 2009
    I can't remember this movie so I guess I need to see it again.
  • November 19, 2009
    the best of original trilogy
  • November 18, 2009
    Han Solo can raid my ark anytime
  • November 18, 2009
    I am your father.-Darth Vader

    ...( read more)="text-align:center;font-size:10px;">Flixster - Share Movies

    Director:Irvin Kershner
    Cast:Mark Hamill,Harrison Ford,Carrie Fisher,David Prowse,Frank Oz,
    Billy Dee Wiliams,James Earl Jones
    Genre:Action,Adventure,Science Fiction
    Year of release:1980
    Running Time:125 minutes

    Plot:
    Three years after the destruction of the death Star, Imperial forces have since driven the Rebels to hide on the ice world Hoth. But even on such an icy, backwater world, they cannot escape the wicked Darth Vader's eye for long, and he devastates the Rebel base in an assault with the horrible AT-AT walkers. Luke flees to Dagobah to begin Jedi Knight training with Yoda, while Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia and C-3PO run the blockade of Imperial Star Destroyers in the Millenium Falcon. The Imperials pursue them across the galaxy and eventually catch up with them at Bespin. Now Darth Vader plans to use them as bait to lure Luke Skywalker to him, and turns Han Solo over to Boba Fett as a prize to be delivered to crime lord Jabba the Hutt. Luke learns a terrible family. secret after losing a swordfight with Vader.

    Review:
    In 1977,Star Wars changed cinema forever and became a worldwide phenomenon.Now,3 years later,the battle between the Empire and the Rebel Aliance continues in The Empire Strikes Back,the second installement of the legendary space adventure trilogy.This was the first Star Wars movie i ve ever seen and made me enjoy the series.Empire is very different for the previous movie because while the first movie was a enjoyable space adventure movie,this one is very dark,strong and very emotional which are the factors i love in this amazing movie.

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    Mark Hamill gives a more mature perfomance as Luke Skywalker and he left his innocence behind thanks to the moments that will change him forever like his beggining of his Jedi training with Yoda and his first confrontation with Darth Vader.Harrison Ford brings once again his coolness on Han Solo but at same time gives such a great perfomance like always does.Before the massive impact of Indiana Jones in 1981 with Raiders of the Lost Ark,Ford left his mark on Star Wars and he´s the real hero of the series in my opinion.Carrie Fisher was absolutely stunning as Princess Leia but at same time very emotional.Frank Oz makes his first appearence in the series as one of the most important characters of the movie:Yoda,the legendary Jedi master that will train Luke for the the final battle against the Sith.Billy Dee Williams was great as Lando Carlissian but i didn t like when he double crossed Han Solo but David Prowse dominates as Darth Vader along James Earl Jones s fantastic voice.Vader is obessed to take Luke to the Dark Side of the Force and even with his shocking revelation,it wasn t enough to Luke accept to join Vader.Vader is one of the greatest cinematic villains of all time and he proves it in the movie.


    Irvin Kershner directed masterfully the movie that the way George Lucas couldn´t never do and the script was well made.The Empire Strikes Back has the most emotional and memorable scenes of the entire series including when Leia says:´ I love you´and Han responds:´ I know´,which is such a beautifull moment of the movie and Darth Vader´s shocking revelation as Luke´s father,which is the best scene of the movie.

    Personally,no other Star Wars movie can beat the Empire Strikes Back because is and still is the best Star Wars movie of all time and an excellent improvement of the original movie.Masterpiece.
  • November 17, 2009
    it was awesome i loved it. but it was funny when luke started screaming.

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is a visual extravaganza from beginning to end, one of the most visionary and inventive of all films. full review

View more Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • R0L0D3X
    June 29, 2009
    This is the best Star Wars movie.
  • yona71
    November 19, 2008
    I've been a die hard Star Wars fan since the first one came out when I was six, and still am to this day. As I've gotten older, I appreciate Yoda more due to his Eastern like philosophy. As a writer who loves Joseph Campbell's work,it's so evident to me how his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" was used by Lucas to write the saga. I think The Empire Strikes Back shines as the best Star Wars film on many levels of brilliance.
    Cheers
  • Rossjm
    July 2, 2008
    I hate it when people claim it to be "Too geeky". It is nothing of the sort! Just because geeks started to like it, many taking it to far (eg Star Wars conventions), doesn't mean it is geeky.
  • seven21
    June 18, 2008
    Hey Many
  • seven21
    June 18, 2008
    Hey Many
  • seven21
    June 18, 2008
    Hey Many
  • link6969
    June 18, 2008
    Best movie ever made
  • starwarsgal14
    April 20, 2008
    This Star Wars and Star Wars episode 2 are my favorite Star Wars'
  • sithlordsmistress
    February 27, 2008
    this film is one of the best ones , i recall watching it growing up.. I still love it very much.
  • imapepper01
    January 3, 2008
    hmmm i liked the last one better. this is the one where luke becomes ugly because he gets attacked by a yeti. well, really the actor got in a car crash and his face got all screwed up.
    i was so sad :[

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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Trivia

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire... Trivia


  • The only Star Wars where the ending is in space.  Answer »
  • Harrison Ford (Han Solo) ad libbed his line "I know" in the carbon freezing chamber in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.  Answer »
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