Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6156 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-09-11
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 127 minutes

DVD Description
Disc 1 - Special Edition: DTS 5.1 sound and 16:9 Anamorphic picture

Disc 2 - Original Version:2.0 Dolby Surround sound and is 2.35:1 letterbox within a 4x3 picture Disc 2 is THX, ensuring the highest possible quality picture and sound

Synopsis
Considered the most morally and emotionally complex of the original Star Wars trilogy, THE EMPIRE STRIKE BACK continues creator George Lucas's epic saga where STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE left off. The Rebel Forces--which include young adventurer Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), rogue pilot Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and the beautiful but seemingly humourless Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher)--have been successful in destroying the Empire's Death Star. However, the Empire's top commander, the terrifying Lord Darth Vader (played by David Prowse, voiced by James Earl Jones), is scanning the galaxy for the Rebels' secret location. After a visually stunning showdown on the ice planet Hoth, the Rebels are forced to flee, and Luke separates from Han and Leia. Masterful storytelling weaves multiple, archetypal plotlines that pit Vader against Han and Leia as he desperately attempts to capture Luke for political and personal reasons. Luke, meanwhile, finds himself under the tutelage of the tiny but powerful old Jedi Master Yoda, who teaches him the ways of the Force and warns the impatient but talented student against the threat of the Dark Side. Greek tragedy meets a philosophical hero's journey in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, a remarkable sci-fi epic in which the performances are as powerful as the spectacular special effects.

Customer Reviews

Finally
To be fair - these are the films I saw and loved back as a kid. No altered / added scenes, all of the dialogue that was used the first time around. (Bring my shuttle). The transfer is fine, not in anyway as bright and sharp as the 2004 set, but still the colours now look as I remember them. One small problem, ANH is a bit fuzzy in places and a small number of scenes have a 'speckled with white flickering dots' look but these are minor points. The matte errors are back in Empire and Jedi, although those in ANH are now hardly visible compared to the hideous green squares in the 2004 set. No pink cored lightsabers, no music cues drowned out and no glaring Hayden. (there are no differences I can see having a quick look at the SEs) I would have liked to see them properly restored, but they didn't get it right with the last disks so I'm not really complaining. Boba Fett has a decent voice once again, no CG and Han indeed shoots Greedo in an awesome fashion.

Just trying to clear up all the mistakes made by Mr. Ben Le Pensive
First: This film is NOT a "mistake" and is not following up a "moderately successful film" the first film was amazing and this film is the best of the original trilogy in my opinion.

Second: the director was not Russian he was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (just so you know that's in America) and his name is Irvin Kershner NOT Irvin Kasdan.

Third: Mark Hamill's face was scared in a car crash NOT by a firearm.

Fourth: Lando Calrissian was played by Billy Dee Williams NOT Billy G. Williams and he was not a senator but the administrator of Cloud City. And he doesn't embark on a conquest to win Princess Leia's love.

Fifth: Yoda is only one foot tall NOT four and he was operated and voiced by Frank Oz NOT the late Jim Henson.

And last but by no means least WHEN the hell does Darth Vader take his mask of and reveal his identity in EMPIRE STRIKES BACK apart from the "I am your father" bit?

All in all Mr. Ben Le Pensive's review is generally full of WRONG information.

All you really need to know is that this film is fantastic and if you liked A NEW HOPE you will most certainly enjoy this film.

Outstanding
The 1980 film, in its original release, remains truly outstanding and worthy of Distinction. It is a classic, as recognised by the American Film Registry. There is much beauty in each cinematic shot, and excellent characterisation and acting.

The Limited Edition DVD is out for a 'limited time only'. This DVD contains two discs: the main feature being the original 1980 version -much anticipated, and a 'digitally remastered movie'- in which many areas of the film are digitally remodified, recreated, re-rendered, extended, and even overembellished, all for various reasons - all the details of which have been much commented on elsewhere on the internet.