Film · 1980 · Star Wars (3 of 12)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Name: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Genre: Science fiction, Adventure
Released: 1980-05-21
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 8.6
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Alec Guinness

Directed by David Tomblin and Irvin Kershner · starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher

2 h 4 min
PG
Science fiction · Adventure
USA
Released in the UK 20 May 1980

8.1 AverageMovieNCo
8.6 Users129 votes
7.5 Critics6 reviews

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Synopsis

The fifth episode of the Star Wars saga, which came to theaters three years after revolutionary film 'A New Hope', continues the adventure of the Jedi apprentice, Luke Skywalker, the princess leader of the rebel movement, Leia and the smuggler, Han Solo; in a film that, didn't managed to surpass his predecessor as far as the box office is concerned, but got very flattering reviews. Our heroes began this new adventure in 'The Empire Strikes Back' seeking refuge after the successful attack on the Death Star, because the imperial troops were chasing the rebels who finally managed to hide in the ice planet of Hoth. Luke (Mark Hamill), eager to learn the secrets of the Force and defeat the evil Darth Vader, travels to Dagobah accompanied by R2-D2 with the intention of finding the master Yoda. While Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Chewbacca and C-3PO manage to avoid the Imperial forces and asks the former owner of the Millennium Falcon, Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), for help in the mining world of Bespin where a trap hatched by Vader awaits. Irvin Kershner directed this film based on the story of George Lucas.

Where to watch Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

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The essentials

Runtime: 124 min2 hours and 4 minutes
Budget: $18m20th Century Studios
Rating: PGParental guidance

How long is Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back?: 2 hours and 4 minutes (124 minutes).
When was Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back released in the UK?: It was released in the UK on 20 May 1980.
Who directed Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back?: David Tomblin and Irvin Kershner.
Who is in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back?: It stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Billy Dee Williams.
Where can I watch Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back?: In the UK you can watch it on subscription on Disney+ and on rent on Prime Video.
Is it part of a series?: Yes: it is film 3 of 12 in Star Wars.

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Cast

Full cast (29)

Director: David Tomblin, Irvin Kershner
Writers: Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas
Music: John Williams
Producers: Gary Kurtz, George Lucas

Videos and trailers

All 3 videos

'Star Wars' Day 2020 video 1:393 May 2020

Photos and posters

All 8 photos

+4 photosand 2 posters

Reviews

All 6 reviews

8.6 129 votes

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What the critics say average 7.5 from 6

10 EmpireIan Nathan At once more graceful and melancholic than its predecessor, this is a film far more sophisticated, awe-inspiring and daring. Read
9.0 Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert The Empire Strikes Back, is the best of three Star Wars films, and the most thought-provoking. After the space opera cheerfulness of the original film, this one plunges into darkness and even… Read
8.0 The Hollywood ReporterArthur Knight The already familiar characters become more human, less like animated figures from the comic strips. 'The Empire Strikes Back' may not top 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope' but remains a rattling… Read

Awards

All the awards

Academy Awards (Oscars) 1981 1 of 2 nominations Won: Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Golden Globes 1981 1 of 1 nomination Won: Best Original Score - Motion Picture
BAFTA Awards 1981 1 of 3 nominations Won: Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music

The Star Wars films

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Trivia

All 10 facts

The scene in which Luke used the Force to recover his lightsaber was achieved by filming Mark Hamill as he throw his weapon away and then running the film in reverse.
Carrie Fisher had to climb on a box to shoot most scenes because of her height difference with Harrison Ford.
Han Solo is the only character in the saga that, not being Jedi or Sith, uses a lightsaber. He used this weapon to open the belly of a Tauntaun and seek refuge inside.
George Lucas spent thousands of dollars to promote Frank Oz so that this actor, who voiced Yoda, could win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Oz finally didn't win because the Academy considered that a puppeteer wasn't an actor.
Han Solo was frozen in carbonite for script reasons, but also because Harrison Ford didn't know if he would return for 'Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi'.