VIDEO: 40 Years Ago – The Empire Struck Back
I remember my introduction to the film distinctly. I went to see The Empire Strikes Back with my mom and we stood in line for what seemed like forever.
Of course, we were rewarded.
Afterward, I recall my 3 or 4-year-old self just being incredulous after Darth Vader told Luke Skywalker, “No, I am your father…”
The Greatest Moment In Movie History?
That shock really surprised my mom, Gloria. And it kept us talking all the way home as we debated whether Lord Vader told the truth.
Certainly, whether he was or wasn’t — even with our own now un-remembered opinions — prevails at the crux of my Star Wars fandom.
No matter what we said at the moment (I think we both knew it was true) the idea that a formerly good person — Papa Skywalker (a Jedi Knight!) became Darth Vader — remains spellbinding.
However, also enthralling is the process by which the masterpiece was created.
Behind the Scenes on Hoth
This morning, StarWars.com gave us an anniversary gift; a short look behind the scenes.
Complete with views of Luke Skywalker laying in the Norwegian snow:
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Time Capsule
Happy 40th anniversary to The Empire Strikes Back! Travel back with us as we revisit production on the film with exclusive archival behind-the-scenes footage and interviews featuring the cast and creative team.
Eventually, re-released in a Special Edition (1997), Roger Ebert wrote of Episode V:
“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 despair, and surrenders more completely to the underlying mystery of the story. It is because of the emotions stirred in “Empire” that the entire series takes on a mythic quality that resonates back to the first and ahead to the third. This is the heart.
Agreed.
And while I disavow favorites in the Star Wars saga, I will admit that ESB is probably the film I studied most.