The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Cast & Plot
The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 sci-fi adventure film directed by Irvin Kershner, starring Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Frank Oz and James Earl Jones. It runs 2 hours 4 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 4m (124 min)
- Director
- Irvin Kershner
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Lucasfilm Ltd.
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Empire Strikes Back About?
The premise of The Empire Strikes Back without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Luke Skywalker seeks to defeat the Galactic Empire and journeys to Dagobah, where the reclusive Jedi Master Yoda begins his training. Darth Vader intensifies his hunt for Luke, while Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca and the droids C‑3PO and R2‑D2 confront capture, betrayal and growing despair as the rebellion fights on.
The Empire Strikes Back Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- famous twist
- part of trilogy
- rescue
- cave
- darth vader character
- famous score
- duel
- the force
- outer space
- good versus evil
- luke skywalker character
- alien
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- opening crawl
- blockbuster
- sequel
- training
- swamp
- asteroid field
- rebel base
- space battle
- bounty hunter
- telekinesis
- star wars
- mentor
- princess leia organa character
- han solo character
- c 3po character
- yoda character
- chewbacca character
- epic
- orchestral music score
- princess
- escape
- battle
- space travel
- asteroid
- robot
- snow
- rebellion
- spacecraft
- knocked unconscious
- creature
- pilot
- hanging upside down
- ghost
- premonition
- swamp planet
- friendship
- air shaft
- search party
The Empire Strikes Back Cast & Characters
Mark Hamill leads the cast as Luke Skywalker, with Frank Oz as Yoda (Voice) and James Earl Jones as Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited). Directed by Irvin Kershner; 79 actors are credited in all.
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Director Irvin Kershner
-
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker -
Frank Oz as Yoda (Voice) -
James Earl Jones as Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited) - Kathryn Mullen as Performing Assistant for Yoda
Also Starring in The Empire Strikes Back
· 75 more- Carrie Fisher Princess Leia
- Harrison Ford Han Solo
- Peter Mayhew Chewbacca
- John Cannon Holographic Imperial Officer (uncredited)
- Trevor Butterfield Imperial Officer / Stormtrooper (uncredited)
- Michael Leader Imperial Crewman (uncredited)
- Joe Johnston Hoth Rebel (uncredited)
- Mac McDonald Rebel Pilot (uncredited)
- Walter Henry Rebel Technician on Hoth (uncredited)
- Ralph G. Morse Stormtrooper / Imperial Comms Officer / Rebel Soldier (uncredited)
- Jerry Harte Rebel Force Head Controller
- Richard Bonehill Stormtrooper / Snowtrooper / Rebel Soldier / ... (uncredited)
- Shaun Curry Hoth Rebel Commander (uncredited)
- Stephanie English Hoth Rebel Technician (uncredited)
- Tom Egeland Hoth Trooper (uncredited)
- Alec Guinness Obi-Wan Kenobi
Show all 79 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Paul Jerricho AT-AT Driver (uncredited)
- Anthony Daniels C-3PO
- Jeremy Bulloch Boba Fett
- Billy Dee Williams Lando Calrissian
- Martin Dew Cloud City Guard (uncredited)
- Kenny Baker R2-D2
- Clive Revill Emperor (voice)
- Treat Williams Echo Base Trooper (uncredited)
- John Ratzenberger Major Derlin
- Julian Glover General Veers
- Kenneth Colley Admiral Piett
- Denis Lawson Wedge Antilles
- John Morton Dak Ralter
- Mark Jones Commander Nemet
- Bruce Boa General Carlist Rieekan
- Michael Sheard Admiral Ozzel
- David Prowse Darth Vader
- Jason Wingreen Boba Fett (voice - uncredited)
- Marjorie Eaton Emperor (uncredited)
- Michael Culver Captain Needa
- Christopher Malcolm Zev Senesca
- Stuart Fell Snowtrooper (uncredited)
- Burnell Tucker Wyron Serper
- Oliver Maguire Cabbel
- Alan Harris Bossk / Bespin Security Guard (uncredited)
- Bob Anderson Imperial Officer (uncredited)
- Mike Edmonds Ugnaught (uncredited)
- Peter Diamond Snowtrooper Gunner (uncredited)
- Terry Richards Wampa (uncredited)
- Doug Robinson Snowtrooper (uncredited)
- Jack McKenzie Cal Alder
- Maurice Bush Dengar (uncredited)
- Norman Chancer Tamizander Rey
- Jim Dowdall Stormtrooper/Snowtrooper
- John Hollis Lando's Aide
- Jack Purvis Chief Ugnaught
- Milton Johns Bewil
- Peter Roy Snowtrooper (uncredited)
- Ralph McQuarrie General McQuarrie (uncredited)
- John Dicks Captain Lennox
- Richard Oldfield Derek "Hobbie" Klivian
- Ian Liston Wes Janson
- Ray Hassett Tigran Jamiro
- Colin Hunt Snowtrooper (uncredited)
- Tony Clarkin Stormtrooper (uncredited)
- Mark Capri Officer M'kae (Captain Needa's Communications Officer) (uncredited)
- Norwich Duff Jeroen Webb
- Egbert Sen Willrow Hood (uncredited)
- Des Webb Snow Creature
- Robin Scobey Lieutenant Venka
- Brigitte Kahn Toryn Farr
- Alan Flyng Stormtrooper (uncredited)
- Mercedes Burleigh Female Hoth Control Room Tech (uncredited)
- Jane Busby Ugnaught (uncredited)
- Steven Meek Stormtrooper / Chewbacca / Treva Horme / Solomahal (uncredited)
- Lightning Bear Stormtrooper (uncredited)
- Tony Smart Snowtrooper (uncredited)
- Alan Austen Stormtrooper/Snowtrooper
- Elaine Alexander Emperor (uncredited)
The Empire Strikes Back Plot Summary
What happens in The Empire Strikes Back from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, the Imperial fleet, led by Darth Vader, dispatches probe droids across the galaxy in search of the Rebel Alliance. One probe locates the rebel base on the ice planet Hoth. A wampa captures Luke Skywalker before he can investigate the probe crash site, but he escapes by using the Force to retrieve his lightsaber and wound the beast. Before Luke succumbs to hypothermia, the Force spirit of his deceased mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, instructs him to go to the swamp planet Dagobah to train as a Jedi Knight under the Jedi Master Yoda. Han Solo discovers Luke and insulates him against the weather inside his deceased tauntaun mount until they are rescued the next morning.
Full summary
The whole story of The Empire Strikes Back, scene by scene
The Empire Strikes Back Videos
3 videos: 3 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Behind the Scenes Time Capsule
- Behind the Scenes Celebrating 40 Years of Empire: Behind the Scenes
How Well Do You Know The Empire Strikes Back?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is revealed to be Luke Skywalker's father during the lightsaber duel on Cloud City?
The Empire Strikes Back Also Known As
101 alternative titles, including “Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back” and “Guerre stellari - L'Impero colpisce ancora”.
- Also known as
-
- Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Guerre stellari - L'Impero colpisce ancora
- L'Imperi Contraataca
- Imperiet slår igen
- Империя наносит ответный удар
- The Empire Strikes Back: StarWars II
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars - Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
- 스타 워즈 에피소드 5: 제국의 역습
- 星際大戰五部曲：帝國大反擊
- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back - Despecialized Edition
+89 more Show fewer
- Star Wars: Episodi V - Imperiumin vastaisku
- Star Wars: O Império Contra-Ataca
- Star Wars: Episódio V - O Império Contra-Ataca
- Star Wars - Episode V - L'Empire Contre-Attaque
- The Empire Strikes Back (Despecialized Edition)
- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition
- 스타워즈 에피소드5 제국의 역습
- Star Wars: Episode V - Imperiet slår igen
- Yıldız Savaşları: Bölüm V - İmparator'un Dönüşü
- Yıldız Savaşları 5
- L'Impero colpisce ancora (Episodio V)
- Star Wars : Épisode V - L'Empire contre-attaque
- L'empire contre-attaque, звездные войны 4
- Star Wars V. rész - A Birodalom visszavág
- Star Wars: Episode V - Das Imperium schlägt zurück
- L'Impero colpisce ancora
- Hvězdné války: Epizoda V – Impérium vrací úder
- Star Wars 4K80
- Star Wars - L'Impero colpisce ancora
- Star Wars: Episodio V - L'Impero colpisce ancora
- Star Wars - Episode 5 - L'Empire Contre-Attaque
- Star Wars 05 - O Império Contra-Ataca
- La guerra de las galaxias. Episodio 5
- El imperio contraataca
- Star Wars V Despecialized
- Звёздные войны: Эпизод 5 – Империя наносит ответный удар
- Звёздные войны: Империя наносит ответный удар
- Звёздные войны 5 – Империя наносит ответный удар
- Star Wars : L'Empire contre-attaque
- Star Wars - Episodio V - L'impero colpisce ancora
- Звёздные войны: Эпизод V - Империя наносит ответный удар
- Зоряні війни: Імперія завдає удару у відповідь
- Star Wars: Episodio V - El Imperio contraataca
- Звездные войны: Эпизод 5 - Империя наносит ответный удар
- Star Wars Episode 5 - Das Imperium schlägt zurück
- Star Wars: Das Imperium schlägt zurück
- 스타워즈 에피소드 5 제국의 역습
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V)
- Gwiezdne Wojny V - Imperium Kontratakuje
- 星球大战5：帝国反击战
- 星球大战：帝国反击战
- 星球大戰：帝國反擊戰
- Star Wars, épisode V - L'Empire contre-attaque
- Star Wars: Episodio V: El Imperio contraataca
- Csillagok Háborúja V. - A Birodalom Visszavág
- Yıldız Savaşları: İmparatorluğun Saldırısı, ვარსკვლავური ომები: ეპიზოდი V – იმპერიის საპასუხო დარტყმა, ვარსკვლავური ომები: იმპერიის საპასუხო დარტყმა (ეპიზოდი V), ვარსკვლავური ომები: ეპიზოდი 5, ვარსკვლავური ომები 5, ვარსკვლავური ომები: ეპიზოდი V, ვარსკვლავური ომები V
- La guerra de las galaxias. Episodio V. El imperio contraataca
- סטאר וורס פרק V: האמפריה מכה שנית
- Chiến Tranh Giữa Các Vì Sao 5: Đế Chế Phản Công
- スター・ウォーズ エピソード５／帝国の逆襲：1980
- Star Wars: Epizoda V – Impérium vrací úder
- 球大戰：帝國反擊戰
- Star Wars V - The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars - Episode 5 - Das Imperium schlägt zurück
- מלחמת הכוכבים 5: האימפריה מכה שנית
- Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Episode V Das Imperium schlaegt zurueck
- Star Wars Episode V：The Empire Strikes Back
- Das Imperium schlägt zurück
- L'Empire contre-attaque
- Star Wars: Epizóda V - Impérium vracia úder
- Imperiumin vastaisku
- Звёздные войны: Эпизод 5 - Империя наносит ответный удар
- Yıldız Savaşları: İmparator'un Dönüşü
- Impérium vrací úder
- A Birodalom visszavág
- Rymdimperiet slår tillbaka
- Gwiezdne wojny: Część V - Imperium kontratakuje
- Imperiet slår tilbake
- מלחמת הכוכבים: פרק 5 - האימפריה מכה שנית
- Междузвездни войни: Епизод V - Империята отвръща на удара
- Ратови звезда: Eпизода V - Империја узвраћа ударац
- Star Wars: Επεισόδιο V – Η Αυτοκρατορία Αντεπιτίθεται
- スター・ウォーズ エピソード５／帝国の逆襲
- 스타워즈 에피소드 5: 제국의 역습
- Зоряні війни: Епізод 5 — Імперія завдає удару у відповідь
- L’Imperi contraataca
- Războiul stelelor - Episodul V: Imperiul Contraatacă
- Guerra nas Estrelas: O Império Contra-Ataca
- جنگ ستارگان: قسمت پنجم - امپراتوری پاسخ حمله را میدهد
- สตาร์ วอร์ส เอพพิโซด 5: จักรวรรดิเอมไพร์โต้กลับ
- Žvaigždžių karai: Epizodas V - Imperija puola
- Zvaigžņu kari: V epizode. Impērija dod atbildes triecienu
- Vojna zvezd: Epizoda V - Imperij vrača udarec
- Ratovi zvijezda: Epizoda V - Imperij uzvraća udarac
- Star Wars 5: Đế Chế Phản Công, ვარსკვლავური ომები: იმპერიის საპასუხო დარტყმა
- Izarretako Gerra V Inperioaren Kontraerasoa
- الإمبراطورية تعيد الضربات
- Star Wars: Osa V - Impeeriumi vastulöök
Seen The Empire Strikes Back?
Movies Like The Empire Strikes Back
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.
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Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 1980 -
Return of the Jedi 1983 -
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi 1983 -
Star Wars: Revelations 2005 -
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope 1977 -
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens 2015 -
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 2019 -
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 2016 -
The Dark Redemption 1999 -
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones 2002 -
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 2005 -
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi 2017
The Empire Strikes Back FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Empire Strikes Back, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Empire Strikes Back?
The Empire Strikes Back runs 2 hours 4 minutes (124 minutes).
When was The Empire Strikes Back released?
The Empire Strikes Back was released on May 17, 1980.
Who directed The Empire Strikes Back?
The Empire Strikes Back was directed by Irvin Kershner.
More films by Irvin Kershner Who is in the cast of The Empire Strikes Back?
The Empire Strikes Back stars Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Frank Oz as Yoda (Voice) and James Earl Jones as Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited), among 79 credited actors.
Does The Empire Strikes Back have a post-credit scene?
No. The Empire Strikes Back has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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