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The Empire Strikes Back poster
Film 326 of 498 on the Screen Path

The Empire Strikes Back

The Star Wars saga continues.

1980124 minutesAdventure, Action and Science FictionDirected by Irvin Kershner
About the film

The Empire Strikes Back at a glance.

Screen Path places this 1980 film at stop 326 in one curated journey through cinema. The learning experience adds context before you watch and deeper analysis after.

The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.

Principal cast

Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams and Anthony Daniels

Key craft credits

Peter Suschitzky (director of photography), Marcia Lucas (editor), Paul Hirsch (editor), John Williams (original music composer) and Lawrence Kasdan (screenplay)

Director
Irvin Kershner
Release
1980-05-20
Runtime
124 minutes
Genres
Adventure, Action and Science Fiction
Country
United States
Quiz
50 questions
The Screen Path journey

Before. After. Remember.

The featured film is watched outside Screen Path. The app provides the learning experience around it: a guide, an analysis, and a quiz with explanations.

01

Before you watch

Start with a spoiler-free video guide to the context and filmmaking choices worth noticing.

Spoiler-free
02

After the film

Return after watching for a deeper video analysis of craft, meaning, and legacy.

Contains spoilers
03

Quiz yourself

Answer 50 questions with clear rationales designed to make the ideas stick.

50 questions in this journey

Citizen Kane is the complete public example: both learning videos and a five-question sample quiz are available below.

Start the example →
Full cast

Full cast

  • Mark HamillCharacter: Luke Skywalker
  • Harrison FordCharacter: Han Solo
  • Carrie FisherCharacter: Princess Leia
  • Billy Dee WilliamsCharacter: Lando Calrissian
  • Anthony DanielsCharacter: C-3PO
  • David ProwseCharacter: Darth Vader
  • Peter MayhewCharacter: Chewbacca
  • Kenny BakerCharacter: R2-D2
  • Frank OzCharacter: Yoda (Voice)
  • Alec GuinnessCharacter: Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • Jeremy BullochCharacter: Boba Fett
  • Jason WingreenCharacter: Boba Fett (voice - uncredited)
Full crew

Full crew

  • Irvin KershnerCredits: Director
  • Lawrence KasdanCredits: Screenplay
  • George LucasCredits: Executive Producer, Story
  • Leigh BrackettCredits: Screenplay
  • John WilliamsCredits: Original Music Composer
  • Gary KurtzCredits: Producer
  • Brian JohnsonCredits: Special Effects
  • Robert ElswitCredits: Visual Effects Lineup
  • Marcia LucasCredits: Editor
  • Bill HargreavesCredits: Propmaker
  • Deep RoyCredits: Stand In
  • Jack DearloveCredits: Stand In
  • Liz CokeCredits: Stand In
  • Stephen CalcuttCredits: Stand In
  • Alan HarrisCredits: Stand In
  • Gary SummersCredits: Sound Recordist
  • Jim DowdallCredits: Stunts
  • Colin SkeapingCredits: Stunt Double
  • Reg HardingCredits: Stunts
  • Stuart FellCredits: Stunt Double
  • Tony SmartCredits: Stunts
  • Richard BonehillCredits: Stunts
  • Terry RichardsCredits: Stunts
  • Doug RobinsonCredits: Stunts
  • Marc BoyleCredits: Stunts
  • Richard HammattCredits: Stunts
  • Harry LangeCredits: Art Direction
  • Michael FordCredits: Set Decoration
  • Jim BloomCredits: Associate Producer
  • Bob EdmistonCredits: Casting
  • Irene LambCredits: Casting
  • Leslie DilleyCredits: Art Direction
  • Paul HirschCredits: Editor
  • Peter SuschitzkyCredits: Director of Photography
  • Norman ReynoldsCredits: Production Design
  • Alan TomkinsCredits: Art Direction
  • Robert WattsCredits: Associate Producer
  • Terry LieblingCredits: Casting
  • John MolloCredits: Costume Design
  • Bob AndersonCredits: Stunts
  • Herbert W. SpencerCredits: Orchestrator
  • Patricia CarrCredits: Production Manager
  • Bruce SharmanCredits: Production Supervisor
  • Peter DiamondCredits: Stunt Coordinator
  • Nick MaleyCredits: Makeup Artist
  • Terry PritchardCredits: Driver
  • Tiny NichollsCredits: Costume Supervisor
  • Ralph McQuarrieCredits: Visual Effects
  • Howard G. KazanjianCredits: Producer
  • Richard EdlundCredits: Visual Effects
  • Paul HustonCredits: Camera Operator
  • David H. WatkinsCredits: Special Effects
  • Bonnie KoehlerCredits: Sound Editor
  • Phil TippettCredits: Animation, Makeup Effects
  • Laurie ShaneCredits: Gaffer
  • Eileen SullivanCredits: Wardrobe Supervisor
  • Graham ChurchyardCredits: Costume Assistant
  • George HullCredits: Visual Effects Art Director
  • Peter SuttonCredits: Sound
  • George WhitearCredits: Still Photographer
  • Selwyn EddyCredits: Visual Effects Camera
  • Ben BurttCredits: Sound Designer
  • David TomblinCredits: First Assistant Director
  • Pamela MannCredits: Continuity
  • Frank BrutonCredits: Property Master
  • Kay RawlingsCredits: Continuity
  • Steve LanningCredits: Second Assistant Director
  • Barbara RitchieCredits: Hairdresser
  • Richard BurrowCredits: Sound Editor
  • Gregg LandakerCredits: Sound Re-Recording Mixer
  • Stuart FreebornCredits: Makeup Artist
  • Graham FreebornCredits: Makeup Department Head
  • Kay FreebornCredits: Makeup Artist
  • Reg BreamCredits: Draughtsman
  • Svend JohansenCredits: Production Manager
  • Peter MacDonaldCredits: Second Unit Director
  • Philip KohlerCredits: Location Manager
  • Roy ButtonCredits: Second Assistant Director
  • John BarryCredits: Second Unit Director
  • Harley CokelissCredits: Second Unit Director
  • Rick BakerCredits: Makeup Artist
  • London Symphony OrchestraCredits: Musician
  • Harrison EllenshawCredits: Matte Painter
  • Bill WestleyCredits: Second Unit First Assistant Director

Film data and images provided by TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.