| Star Wars - Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back (Special Edition) | 
 enlarge | List Price: $19.98
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 423 reviews)
Sales Rank: 14661
Category: Video
Actors: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels
Director: Irvin Kershner
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Label: 20th Century Fox
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Original Recording Reissued, Original Recording Remastered, Special Edition, Thx, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6304539266
UPC: 086162609831
EAN: 9786304539262
ASIN: 6304539266
Release Date: August 26, 1997
Theatrical Release Date: May 21, 1980
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
The middle film in George Lucas's enormously popular Star Wars science fiction trilogy is a darker, more somber entry, considered by many fans as the best in the series. Gone is the jaunty swashbuckling of the first film; the rebellion led by Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) suffers before the superior forces of the Empire, young hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) faces his first defeats as he attempts to harness the Force under the tutelage of Jedi master Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz), and cocky Han Solo (Harrison Ford) is betrayed by former ally Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). In the tradition of the great serials, this film is left with a hefty cliffhanger. The leap in special effects technology in the three years since Star Wars results in an amazing array of effects, including a breathtaking chase through an asteroid field and a dazzling, utopian Cloud City, where Luke faces the black-clad villain Darth Vader (David Prowse, voice of James Earl Jones) in a futuristic sword fight and learns the secret of his Jedi father. Veteran director Irvin Kershner (The Eyes of Laura Mars, Never Say Never Again) took the directorial reins from creator and producer Lucas and invested the light-speed adventure with deeper characters and a more emphatic sense of danger. The special edition expands Luke's encounter with the Abominable Snowman-esque wampa and establishes the creature as a tangibly more terrifying beast, in addition to refining many of the existing effects. The trilogy is concluded in The Return of the Jedi. --Sean Axmaker
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| Customer Reviews: Read 418 more reviews...
 Start Wars (Episode V) - The Empire Strikes Back (Original Version & Update #1) September 19, 2008
If you are any kind of Star Wars fan, this DVD is a must for your collection. I've heard that George Lucas did not want to produce a DVD of the original theatric version of The Empire Strikes Back but felt compelled by fan demand. Even though the 1980 version is a mediocre-quality dub of the original film, it is wonderful to see it much the same way as I did when it was in the theater. Get it while it's still at a decent price, & still available!
This one a long time have I watched August 25, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I remember going to see THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK for the first time in 1980. I was 5 years old. I remember hearing the voice of Yoda and exclaiming, "That's Grover!" (i.e. Sesame Street). And it was (Frank Oz).
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK has always been my favorite of the original trilogy. I think it must be because the movie slows down alot. I love the action and excitement as much as the next STAR WARS fan, but it creates a wonderful balance to have a middle film where we can stop, catch our breath and gear up for the big finale.
I'm very glad Lucasfilm has finally released the original trilogy onto DVD. I've seen many complaints about the lack of quality in the transfer. I guess I've gotten so used to those "Special Editions" that I have failed to see the difference.
But on that subject, it seems like THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK is the only film in the series which wasn't meaninglessly altered or marred by the Special Edition. No scenes were messed with to the extent that would change the story's context, and no ridiculous special effects were thrown in with effects 30 years their seniors. There was simply a more life-like Wampa (I could take it or leave it), a bustling Cloud City (the way it should be), and Darth Vader announcing his arrival to his Star Destroyer (I could take or leave that one too). All this to say that they left well enough alone on this one, and I'm glad they did.
The Greatest Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film of All Time August 25, 2008
The Empire Strikes Back has always been a gem in my book. It was always my favorite of the series because I think its the best achievement of a second act that I've seen thus far in all the science fiction and fantasy I've read or seen portrayed in film, including The Two Towers from The Lord of The Rings. Empire focused its attention on the one character that binds the whole series together in the first place: Darth Vader. You see his ruthlessness, his inhumanity and inner turmoil. Empire reflects perfectly what I believe the entire series should have portrayed throughout all six. Star Wars is above all its aspects the story of a man who loses his sanity and tries to regain it in order to redeem himself and make peace with what family and humanity he has left. Everything else is or should have been secondary and was not the case for episodes II and III. Ultimately what makes The Empire Strikes Back so perfect are the simplar things: lack of slap-stick humor, meaningless one-liners or incredibly overdone cartoonish animation. Basically everything that ruined the latest trilogy because George Lucas abandoned the adult and young adult group that made up the overwhelming majority of his fanbase. Ever since episode I, George Lucas has appealed to the children of his fanbase and as a result the series has suffered greatly because it softened so much in tone and was no where near as dark as it should have been, not to mention Lucas's disconcern for continuity, attention to detail and disrespect for his own rules in the Star Wars universe. Overall George Lucas remains among the story tellers and film makers I most admire because he has made masterpieces like The Empire Strikes Back. Also anyone who's a fan of the Star Wars series and Lucasfilm in general should definitely see his first film THX-1138 if they haven't already, its just as brilliant as Empire in my opinion and a must see sci-fi classic.
The best Star Wars has to offer August 24, 2008
The best of the original Star Wars Trilogy (and not even in the same conversation as the prequels--which should be on a list of 'most disappointing science fiction films of all time') The Empire Strikes Back is everything that makes Star Wars great. The brooding Lord Vader and his menacing strength, the over matched but immensely likable Luke Skywalker, the imaginative sets and beautiful planets, and the greatest revelation or 'twist' in science fiction film (and maybe all other genres!) of all time. At this point the film has become a legged, an icon and a cultural touchstone, and it deserves to be regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, regardless of genre.
The force is strong with this one . . . August 8, 2008
As far as the letterbox format, just pop the ZOOM function of your remote for instant full screen. It won't be the first dvd Ive had to do this for. Many times I buy dvds off the shelf so quick, I overlook the format until I get home. So what. My fault, but Im not going to crucify Lucas productions for what it clearly states. And alot of people expect way, way too much from Lucas productions in the first place. Remember, it is only a movie, not a Matisse. Anyway, Lucas is already getting ready for his next step, with television, and animated CLONE WARS August 15th. Later he plans to reissue STAR WARS saga in 3D. That should be something, and perhaps it will heal the hurt of these fallen fans who want so much, for less than twenty bucks. So, fasten your seat belt, it's going to be a bumpy space ride!
As for The Empire Strikes Back, it is the Bach of the Star Wars saga, with little Yoda at his ultimate best, friendliest, and wisest. The effects are nothing short of dazzling, and who knows how many times I have purchased and listened to the full soundtrack, from beginning to end. A feat not accomplised by any other Star Wars movie to my ears. For all the pitifully claimed downfalls, I can only wish more producers would get off thier chairs and come to grips with what cinema is all about, pure entertainment, and music.
I only find amusement at the new touch ups and editions, and if you were a real hardcore Star Wars fan, you would have never let go the true first editions in the first place.
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