Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- May 20, 1980
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 8
PG | 2 hr 4 min | 8.7/10 | Adventure, Sci-Fi
Parental Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested, Some material may not be suitable for children under 17)
Storyline
“The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) deepens the saga as Luke Skywalker trains with Yoda on Dagobah while his friends evade Imperial forces across the galaxy. Haunted by Darth Vader’s relentless pursuit, our heroes face betrayal, revelation, and the dark side’s growing shadow.
Why It’s Our Vibe
Dark, emotionally fraught, and visually stunning, The Empire Strikes Back elevates the classic space epic into something more profound. Irvin Kershner’s thoughtful direction, alongside John Williams’ stirring score, anchors a galaxy ripped apart by tension. The iconic cliffhanger, the tragedy of Hoth, and Luke’s confrontation with Vader—this is where Star Wars became legend.
Director
Irvin Kershner
Writer
Leigh Brackett (screenplay)
Lawrence Kasdan (screenplay)
George Lucas (story)
Starring
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
Harrison Ford as Han Solo
Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia
Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
Kenny Baker as R2-D2
Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
David Prowse as Darth Vader (physical)
James Earl Jones as Darth Vader (voice)
Frank Oz as Yoda
Produced by
Gary Kurtz
George Lucas
Production Companies
Lucasfilm Ltd.
Cinematography
Peter Suschitzky
Music by
John Williams
Edited by
Paul Hirsch
Marcia Lucas (additional edits)
Distributed by
Twentieth Century Fox
Release date
May 21, 1980
Run Time
2 hr 4 min
Country
United States
Languages
English
Budget
$18 million
Box office
$550 million+
About the Author
Our film posts are curated and written by various staff members at Massive Action Media. While we don't aim to be an exhaustive database like IMDb, we take a more selective and intentional approach. We focus on classics, cult favorites, top-rated gems, standout comedies, and films that reflect our unique voice in entertainment. Every title we feature is chosen with purpose to align with the tone and taste of our platform.
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