A Reel 40: STAR WARS - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

“I am your father.”

This month marks the 40^th anniversary of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. 

After the phenomenal success of STAR WARS in 1977 (sub-titled A NEW HOPE), series creator George Lucas began work to realize his dream of a multi-film saga; reminiscent of the TV serials that had inspired him to create that far, far away galaxy. The new film would re-visit that galaxy three years after the events of A NEW HOPE, with the evil Galactic Empire, led by Darth Vader, relentlessly pursuing Luke Skywalker and the rest of the Rebel Alliance, led by Princess Leia and Han Solo. Where the first film had the energy of a roller-coaster, EMPIRE would slow down and dig into the characters; fleshing out their identities that they would be forever known for. 

Lucas began outlining the sequel in 1977, not long after STAR WARS had premiered. He hired screenwriter Leigh Brackett to pen the film, which would certainly have the Empire striking back. Our heroes would be on the run for the duration of the movie with nowhere to go or hide. At the same time, Lucas took the opportunity to explore the Force, the mystical energy field that gave the famed and extinct Jedi Knights their power. This balance gave the film a unique identity; packed with battles and chases, yet maintaining a spiritual quality. 

Leigh Brackett would pass away before production would begin, and Lawrence Kasdan would come on board to finish the script. The script revisited the beloved characters while adding more, including the wise Jedi master Yoda, the scoundrel Lando, and the fearsome bounty hunter Boba Fett. New planets were introduced, including the ice planet Hoth and the swamp world Dagobah. The film would strike a much darker tone than STAR WARS, and would introduce a whopper of a twist at the end that would have audiences staggering out of the theatre; the evil Darth Vader claiming to be Luke’s father. 

With Lucas wearing many hats, including writing and heading his visual effects company Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Irvin Kershner was hired to direct. Filming began in Norway, which stood-in for Hoth, in 1979. The original cast of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, James Earl Jones, and Anthony Daniels were back. Frank Oz of the The Muppets fame brought Yoda to life, and Billy Dee Williams came on to play Lando. John Williams returned to provide the score, which included the iconic Imperial March and Yoda’s Theme; two pieces of music that would become STAR WARS pillars. The promotional poster, created by Roger Kastel, took inspiration from a classic film: 

The results were most impressive. EMPIRE was a hit with fans, critics, and at the box office. At the 53^rdAcademy Awards, it was nominated for three Oscars, winning for Best Sound Mixing and receiving a Special Achievement Award for visual effects. In 2010, the film was selected to be preserved by the Library of Congress as part of its National Film Registry. Fans and critics today consider it to be the best in the series. 

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In the spring of 1980, this Blogger was not yet seven years old…but was already a lifelong STAR WARS fan. Returning to that galaxy was a thrill and provided a wealth of emotions. I was creeped out by Yoda, thrilled at the stunts of the Millennium Falcon, fascinated by the Battle of Hoth and shocked at Vader’s claim of Luke’s father. For the next three years at school, every conversation at recess has one topic: was Vader really Luke’s father???

Over the years, this Blogger came to respect EMPIRE more and more. Beginning with its unique structure, the idea to split up the hero-trio of Luke, Han, and Leia gave EMPIRE the chance to isolate and explore the characters…with nearly everything that they did and experienced becoming their defining attributes and faults for the next four decades. The film also makes the bold decision to place the massive battle in the very beginning of the story, which clears the way for the strong emotional happenings at the end; Luke vs. Vader, and the unknown fate of Han Solo. 

STAR WARS was never the same after EMPIRE. The new franchise had overnight gone from a space adventure to a family drama; not quite a soap opera but with a new emotional layer that the following films would embrace. There was a maturity to it courtesy of Han and Leia's love story and Luke's passage from boy to man, and suddenly STAR WARS wasn't just for kids anymore.  Outside of its own galaxy, EMPIRE would change the way sequels would be made. Big-event sequels for X-MEN and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN would follow the structure and cliffhanger-ending of EMPIRE. The film has also made its splash in our culture, with its quotes often recited in and outside of movie circles, and its images burned into our consciousness. Just like STAR WARS changed the world in 1977, EMPIRE altered the deal yet again in 1980. 

“Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.”