May the Fourth be with you! Marking 45 years since it first hit theaters and expanded the “galaxy far, far away” introduced three years prior in 1977’s STAR WARS, this first sequel to the beloved space saga deepened the mystique of the story’s iconic and inscrutable avatar of evil – earning Sith Lord Darth Vader a place at #3 on AFI’s ranking of the greatest villains of all-time. STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) features no fewer than three AFI Life Achievement Award honorees – executive producer (and STAR WARS creator) George Lucas, star Harrison Ford and composer John Williams – as well as two AFI honorary degree recipients, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and star James Earl Jones.
Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
Bobbie Shier
I still feel this was the best of the original trilogy. The score by John Williams exceeded all expectations and seeing it on the first day shown is a memory I will never forget to time.
josh maracchion
Empire is definitely my favorite entry to star wars.