Porgy and Bess

Even seemingly unlikely performers such as The Zombies have recorded the song. Critics had various reactions to changes introduced in re-releases of this film. "Summertime" is one of the most popular cover songs (along with the Beatles "Yesterday"), with an estimated 2,500 different versions recorded. It is the most morally ambiguous and darkest of the original trilogy; it is also the only one of the six Star Wars films in which no major character dies. Billy Stewart's version became a Top 10 Pop and R&B hit in 1966 for Chess Records. Some consider this installment of the series to be the best of the original trilogy. Janis Joplin recorded a Blues rock version of "Summertime" with Big Brother & The Holding Company. The scenes on Dagobah, Cloud City and inside the Hoth base were shot at Elstree Studios in London.

Frank Sinatra also had recorded "Summertime". Some of the Hoth sequence was filmed in Norway, in the area from the railwaystation Finse to the Hardangerjøkelen glacier. Many of the individual songs from the Opera have been recorded, including Sarah Vaughn's rendition of "It Ain't Nesscarily So" and Billie Holiday's version of "Summertime". it is only a question of how long. Prints can now only be seen in film archives. But the time will come when all will be resolved.. The Gershwin estate was dissapointed with the film, as the score was edited to make it more like musical theatre, so much so that they pulled it from release in 1974. Luke, Leia, and the droids look on as the Falcon departs for unknown territories. Their own fates and futures are now uncertain.

Loulie Jean Norman does the singing voice for Diahann Carroll's Clara, while Inez Matthews—sister of the original production's Jake, Edward Matthews—sings for Ruth Attaway's Serena. Lando promises to Leia they will bring her back the man she loves. takes on the role of Sportin' Life, and Pearl Bailey is Maria. Lando and Chewie begin their most dangerous mission...rescuing their friend Han Solo. Sammy Davis Jr. The film ends on a medical ship (part of the Rebel fleet headed for the rendezvous near Sullust), where Luke is outfitted with a prosthetic hand. In 1959, a film version was produced starring Robert McFerrin and Adele Addison as the singing voices for Porgy and Bess as portrayed by Poitier and Dandridge. He retreats to his secret quarters in his Star Destroyer, stalking past his terrified crew and ignoring Piett's failure.

Ira Gershwin, as heir to his brother, consistently refused to permit these productions to be staged. The ship barely escapes and Vader stares diappointedly out into the now vacant space. During the era of apartheid in South Africa, several South African theatre companies planned to put on all-white productions of Porgy and Bess. It is just in the nick of time, as the Imperials were about to lock their tractor beam onto the Falcon. (Becker 2002). However, with quick ingenuity, R2-D2 manages to fix the hyperdrive system. The initial plan was that they would perform the play in a "Negro dialect", which these Pacific Northwest African American actors did not speak, and were supposed to learn from a dialect coach. Florence James attempted a compromise of dropping the use of dialect pronunciations, but ultimately the production was canceled outright. Meanwhile, C-3P0 commands that R2-D2 finish reconstructing him after his ordeal in Cloud City.

A planned production by the Negro Repertory Company of Seattle, part of the Federal Theater Project, was cancelled because actors were displeased with what they viewed as a racist portrayal of aspects of African American life. As the Executor enters range, Piett orders the crew to prepare the tractor beam. The play's portrayal of African Americans was attended by some controversy. As Vader continues to try and contact his son, claiming it is his destiny to join the dark side, a distressed and exhausted Luke cries, "Ben, why didn't you tell me?". The Opera includes many famous songs, many of which became standards in jazz, blues and traditional opera singers:. He answers, "Father...", while Vader telepathically answers back, "Son". The themes themselves are not folk melodies, but draw inspiration from them in such a way that genuine folk music is recalled successfully. As the Imperials make their pursuit of the Falcon, the injured Luke hears the telepathic voice of Vader calling to him.

Gershwin modeled the pieces after each type of folk song that the composer knew about; jubilees, blues, praying songs, street cries, work songs, and spirituals are blended with traditional arias and recitatives. Vader asks for confirmation that the Millennium Falcon's hyperdrive system was deactivated to prevent their escape, then orders weapons set for stun. The music itself reflects his New York jazz roots, but are portrayals of the southern black traditions. The Falcon finally escapes Bespin's gravitational field about to escape into hyperspace when the hyperdrive system again fails the company. This research added to the authenticity of his work. Using an escape hatch, Lando manages to catch Luke and rescue him before the wounded Jedi falls helplessly into deep space. His inspiration drew from the James Island Gullahs who he felt had traditions that were reminiscent of Africa. The Falcon turns around and comes back to Cloud City.

In the summer of 1934, George Gershwin worked on the opera in Charleston, South Carolina. Leia mysteriously senses Luke's telepathic distress signal. The constant revival of the opera and inclusion of old and new cast members allowed for the forming of traditions that were passed down from the experience cast members. With only one hand remaining to grasp for dear life, and facing certain death, Luke calls out to Ben Kenobi in vain (Kenobi swore not to help Luke once he faced Vader.) As the wind of the high atmosphere howls all around him, he finally calls out to the only other person he feels who could help...Leia. The centennial celebration of the Gershwin brothers from 1996–1998 included a new production as well. Luke is sucked into an air vent, exits the underbelly of the city and lands on an antenna complex beneath Cloud City. Other important productions were the 1985 Metropolitan Opera and 1987 Houston revivals. Luke, however, chooses suicide over being corrupted, throwing himself down a deep shaft.

Another Broadway production was staged in 1983. Vader attempts to persuade Luke to join him and embrace the Dark Side to defeat the Emperor. Together, they can then end the rebellion, bring order, and rule the galaxy as father and son. Helen Dowdy performed as the Strawberry Woman in the productions 1935, 1942, 1952 and 1964. Luke screams in total denial, but urged by Vader to search his feelings, Luke knows it to be the truth. Ignatius" in Virgil Thompson's Four Saints in Three Acts played Porgy in this run. In perhaps one of the most memorable scenes in cinema history, Vader reveals to Luke that he is his father. Edward Matthews, famous for creating the role of "St. In the final phase of the lightsaber duel, Vader manages to cut off Luke's right hand, throwing it (and the lightsaber which the hand grasped) into an abyss.

The spoken dialogue was, as originally intended, done recitatively. As the gunfight continues, Lando orders an evacuation of Cloud City, then the company manages to find their last hope of escape...the Millennium Falcon. As even the first production had excised and adapted some material to be financially feasible, this was the historical first performance which included the original uncut full score by Gershwin. Vader uses the Dark Side of the Force against Luke by using whatever equipment is at hand, eventually thrusting Luke through a window and landing on one of the emergency platforms. This performance was by the Houston Grand Opera company. Luke and Vader continue their lightsaber battle in the bowels of Cloud City. Other historically relevant revivals occurred in 1961 as well as in 1964, but more important was the Broadway bicentennial production that began September 25, 1976. Lando and company arrive too late as Fett's ship takes off, then engage in a fierce battle with stormtroopers.

This prominent cast toured Europe making Porgy and Bess the first American opera appearance in Italy's La Scala; another groundbreaking performance took place in the then Soviet Union. C-3P0 is reunited with his companion R2-D2. Another revival in 1952 had a notable new cast of principle characters: Leontyne Price as Bess, William Warfield as Porgy, and Cab Calloway as Sportin' Life; this ensemble commenced touring for four years. Chewie turns against Lando for betraying Han, but he manages to tell the wookiee there's still a chance to rescue Han at the East Platform. In March 1943, the opera debuted for the first time in Europe at Copenhagen. The Imperials (escorting the Rebel prisoners out of Bespin) are overpowered by Cloud City security, setting Lando and company free. During this period, the original cast began to leave their roles making room for new singers. There, he meets with Vader and the two fight in an epic lightsaber duel, where Luke's undeveloped Jedi skills are no match for Vader.

This version was a financial success—having died in 1937, Gershwin did not live to see this success—and touring commenced for months followed by a 1943 Broadway run. Leaving R2-D2 behind, he makes his way to the carbon freezing chamber. A condensed version was performed in 1942 with a reduced cast and a number of musical pieces were removed. Luke makes his way to Bespin safely, and, after discovering Solo's carbonite coffin manages to escape a gun battle with Boba Fett. Long continued to reprise his role in several of the following productions. But the Cloud City administrator has other plans. In about 1938, the original cast reunited for a West Coast revival; the exception being that Avon Long took on the role of Sportin Life. The Dark Lord orders Lando to take Leia, Chewie, and C-3P0 to his Star Destroyer, reneging on a deal he made with Lando.

The original production included:. One of the Imperial commanders informs Vader that Luke's starfighter has arrived on Bespin. The first production was not financially successful, but highly critically and publically acclaimed. When he is successfully entombed in carbonite in a state of suspended animation, Vader hands over Han to bounty hunter Boba for transportation to Tatooine to receive a bounty from Jabba. In September 1935, the opera premiered in Boston, then on October 10, 1935 at the Alvin Theater in New York City. Han says goodbye to Leia with a kiss before he is escalated into the carbon freezing chamber. The opera was originally advertised as "An American folk Opera". At first, Chewie resists the stormtroopers, but Han restrains him, saving his strength for another time.

The libretto was by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward with lyrics by Ira Gershwin. Han and company enter the chamber for the experiment. Porgy vows to go to New York and find Bess ("I'm on my way"). The Dark Lord uses the opportunity for Boba Fett to deliver Solo to Jabba the Hutt (to whom Han owed a debt) by testing the device on Solo himself. He sees Serena with Bess's baby and asks where Bess is. Maria and Serena tell him that Bess has run off with Sporting Life ("Bess is gone"). That afternoon, Vader enters a carbon-freezing chamber intending to freeze Luke once he arrives. He gives gifts to the residents, and does not understand why they all seem so downhearted. They became the captives of Darth Vader, who proceeds to torture them to create a disturbance in the Force for Luke to detect.

Porgy comes back to Catfish Row, and is richer, as he has been playing craps with his loaded dice. A day later, Han and company find themselves betrayed by Calrissian who was approached by the Empire before the Rebels' arrival and threatened him and the city unless he cooperated. She shuts the door on his face, but he knows she will eventually follow him. Ben tells Yoda that Luke is the Jedi's last hope, but Yoda answers back, "there is another....". He tells her that she should come with him to New York ("There's a boat dat's leavin' soon for New York"). Yoda is disappointed, declaring Luke reckless. Sportin' Life gives Bess cocaine, and then tells her that Porgy will be locked up for a long time. Luke understands this, and his ship takes off from Dagobah.

Porgy refuses and is arrested for comtempt of court. Ben declares that should Luke decide to face Vader, he will have to face him alone without interference. Sporting Life tells Porgy that corpses bleed in the presence of their murderers, and the detective will use this against Porgy. That evening, Luke and R2-D2 prepare themselves to leave Dagobah, but are warned by both Yoda and the spirit form of Kenobi not to end training so soon for a fight Luke is not ready for. He asks Porgy to come and identify the body. However, there are numerous elements that make the Rebels suspicious, not the least of which being C-3PO being found deactivated, dismembered, and almost recycled. She says that she knows nothing. Upon arrival at Cloud City, Han's party is welcomed by Lando.

A detective enters and talks with Serena about the murders of Crown and Robbins. He wants to leave Dagobah to rescue them. Yoda reminds him that if Luke leaves now, everything his friends fought and suffered for will be destroyed. Porgy opens it and they start a fight, which ends with Porgy stabbing Crown to death. Luke breaks concentration again and has a vision of his friends in danger. Crown enters and goes to Porgy's door. The next day, Yoda reminds Luke of the things the young Jedi will see in his mind, the future, the past, and of friends he recognizes. All people leave the stage. Unfortunately, Boba Fett, a bounty hunter who was one of a number hired by Vader to search for the Rebels, had deduced the Falcon's escape method and had his ship jettisoned with the waste for the purpose of stealthily following the fugitives.

Sporting Life says that Crown will eventually return for Bess. Han decides to make their way to Cloud City, a gas-mining colony run by an "old friend" of Solo's named Lando Calrissian. The chorus consoles Clara with "Clara, don't you be downhearted". When the fleet disperses to search for the Falcon, the Rebels wait for the ship to do its standard dump of refuse before jumping, then detach to float away with it. Bess sees Jake's boat turn over in the river, and Clara runs out. Yoda explains that this is why he fails. The chorus tries praying to make Crown leave, causing him to goad them with "A red-headed woman make a choo-choo jump its track". Luke is dumbfounded and incredulous, disbelieving that such things can be done with the force.

Crown enters, seeking Bess. Luke denies all of this, then Yoda decides to use the Force to lift the ship out himself. The residents of Catfish Row try to console themselves while the storm rages, they hear someone knocking at the door. Yoda reminds him that "size matters not" and gives him wisdom about the Force. The scene ends with the hurricane bell sounding. Luke tries to use the Force, but to no avail. Bess talks with Porgy about her sins ("I wants to stay here"). Luke decides to "try" to lift the ship, but Yoda says "do or do not, there is no try".

The Strawberry Woman and the Crab Man ply their trade on the streets, and Bess recovers from her fever. Yoda says it is "no different, only different in your mind". Serena tries praying to remove Bess's afflication ("Oh, doctor Jesus"). Luke declares he will never be able to get the ship out, seeing that it is too big for him to extract from the water. Bess is in Porgy's room, delirious. Days later, while training, Luke discovers his X-Wing fighter about to sink into the lake, then breaks concentration. Jake leaves to go fishing, and Peter comes back after being in prison. However, at the last moment, the ship veers off and secretly attaches itself to the ship, which is not extensively covered by sensors, making it appeared to have vanished in the Empire's point of view.

Crown pushes her into the bushes, and Bess gets lost in the jungle. One of the Imperial commanders finally spots the Falcon, leading to another pursuit that, after another failed attempt to jump into hyperspace, results in the Falcon eluding the Empire by making the insanely counter intuitive move of attacking the lead Star Destroyer. Bess disagrees ("Oh, what you want wid Bess?"). Back on the Star Destroyer, Vader enlists bounty hunters (including Boba Fett and Bossk) to find the Millennium Falcon for a "special reward". Crown enters to talk with Bess, and says that Porgy is temporary. However, the severed head's mask bursts apart and reveals Luke's face underneath; it is a warning that if Luke battles Vader with no emotional control, he will become Vader himself, seduced by the Dark Side. Serena chastises them ("Shame on all you sinners"). Once inside, he has a vision of himself angrily confronting Darth Vader and beheading him.

Sporting Life presents the chorus his views on the Bible ("It ain't necessarily so"). Ignoring Yoda's consul to leave his weapons, Luke enters the cavern armed. The chorus enjoys themselves at the picnic ("I ain't got not shame doin' what I like to do!"). That particular lesson is driven home when he is told to enter a cave that is strong with the Dark Side's power. Bess leaves Porgy behind as she goes to the picnic. Meanwhile, Luke begins a rigorous training regime from Yoda which includes moral lessons about the dangers of the Dark Side of the Force. The chorus re-enters, about to leave for the picnic ("Oh, I can't sit down."). The next day, the Falcon manages to escape what turns out to be the mouth of a space slug (who resided in one of the asteroids the Falcon landed in).

Bess and Porgy are left alone, and express their love ("Bess, you is my woman now"). Yoda asks Kenobi if he will finish whatever training he begins, then suspects that Luke will be afraid at some point. As the rest of Catfish Row prepares for a picnic, Sporting Life asks Bess to follow him to New York before Porgy drives him off. Only then does Luke discover the figure is Yoda. A buzzard flies over, causing Porgy to drive it off ("Buzzard keep on flyin' over"). The diminutive figure declares the boy lacks patience, but the voice of Kenobi tells the figure that the boy will learn patience if he is to be trained. Archdale enters, and informs Porgy that Peter will be released soon. That evening, Luke's patience (or lack thereof) is put to the test.

A fraudulent lawyer, Frazier, arrives and divorces Bess from Crown. The Dark Lord declares Luke will join the Empire "or die". Sporting Life goes around trying to sell cocaine, but incurs the wrath of Maria ("I hates yo' struttin' style"). Vader suggests that if Luke could be turned, "he would be a powerful ally". Porgy sings from the window about his outlook on life ("I got plenty o' nuttin'"). In his private quarters, Vader receives a holographic message from the Galactic Emperor, who alerts the Dark Lord to a "new enemy who could destroy" the Empire...Luke Skywalker. Jake and the other fishermen prepare for work ("It take a long pull to get there"). Shortly afterwards, Admiral Piett informs Vader that the Emperor commands he make contact with him. Vader orders his ship out off the asteroid field for a clear transmission.

Bess and the Chorus finish the act with "Leavin' for the Promise' Lan'". Vader firmly says they will continue the search. To raise money for burial, a saucer is placed on the body, and the mourners place money in it ("Overflow"). Serena laments her loss ("My man's gone now"), and the undertaker enters, and agrees to bury Robbins. One officer, Captain Needa, tells Vader that they should consider their damage. They take away Peter, who they say is a material witness. On the Executor, Vader communicates with the captains of the other ships (the one from the ship that blew up fades away). The mourners sing a spiritual to Robbins ("Where is brudder Robbins?"), before a detective enters, telling Serena (Robbins' wife) that she must bury her husband soon, or his body will be given to medical students. The Imperial search begins to take its toll: an asteroid blew off the bridge tower of a Star Destroyer.

The door is shut on her by most of the residents, except Porgy, who lets her in. When C-3P0 arrives, Leia withdraws and walks away. Crown runs, leaving Bess to fend for herself. Back on the Falcon, while Leia tries to make repairs, Han makes his move on the Princess, drawing himself closer to her before both end up in a passionate kiss. When Robbins wins, Crown, who is extremely intoxicated, fights with him and stabs him with a cotton hook. In Vader's private chamber, Admiral Piett informs Vader that the Falcon has been sighted, but it has hidden itself in an asteroid field and the fleet cannot risk pursuit. Regardless, Vader orders the fleet to move into the field and continue searching. Sporting Life, the local supplier of "happy dust" (cocaine) and alcohol also joins in. After capturing the Rebel base and several transports, the Imperial fleet moves off.

Crown, a lowlife, and his woman Bess enter to join the game. The figure invites Luke to his cave for dinner. Porgy, a cripple and a beggar, enters on a goat cart and the crap game begins. There, he discovers a diminutive figure who tries to help Luke (all the while, the young Jedi-to-be is unaware his patience is being tested, and that the figure is really Yoda). Clara's husband, Jake, tries his own lullaby ("A woman is a sometime thing") with little effect. Luke lands on the jungle planet Dagobah. Clara sings a lullaby to her baby ("Summertime") as the men prepare for a game of craps. After a terrifyingly dangerous chase avoiding collisions as well as TIE Fighters, Solo manages to shake his pursuers long enough to land inside one of the larger asteroids to hide, rest and find a way to fix the ship.

The opera opens with an orchestral introduction which segues into evening in Catfish Row. Desperate to elude the Imperials, he makes the almost suicidal move to enter the field with the Empire still in pursuit. The notable emotional and narrative elements are in the crafted details of the work as a whole, however the main plot points provide important context. While trying to fix the hyperdrive system, Han learns that the Falcon is approaching an asteroid field.
. Flipping the switch to take them to lightspeed, Han realizes (with reluctant help from C-3P0) that the hyperdrive has been damaged. "Summertime" and "I loves you, Porgy" are the most recognized of its songs. Han and company are pursued by Imperial fighters.

Porgy and Bess is an opera with music by George Gershwin, based on the novel Porgy by DuBose Heyward about African American life in the ficticious locale Catfish Row. Changing course from the rendezvous point, he sets his coordinates for Dagobah. Porgy and Bess, 1959 musical film directed by Otto Preminger, starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge in the title roles. Luke later meets with R2-D2 on his ship and finally departs Hoth. The CD was reissued in 1997 by Columbia (CK 65141) with 2 bonus tracks. Han, Leia, and company, not realizing they are being followed by Vader (who has arrived on Hoth), eventually reach the Millennium Falcon in time to escape. Porgy and Bess, 1958-59 Miles Davis and Gil Evans recorded their interpretation of the George Gershwin/DuBose Heyward/Ira Gershwin opera. The main transport reaches the generator, and successfully aims and fires at it, destroying the generator.

Porgy and Bess, 1935 opera by George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward. The Rebels suffer major casualties as the result of the battle. Porgy, 1927 Theater Guild dramatization by DuBose Heyward & Dorothy Heyward. Luke, meanwhile, manages to destroy another AT-AT by using his cable, explosive charge, and lightsaber to get into the belly of the transport before it is destroyed. Porgy, 1925 novel by DuBose Heyward. The Rebel base is now under attack and Imperial Snowtroopers have entered the base, forcing Han, Leia, Chewie, and C-3P0 to decide to escape. Oh, Doctor Jesus, ensemble. Luke escapes before the AT-AT can destroy his ship.

It Ain't Neccessarily So, Sportin' Life's comedic tune. Suddenly, Luke's fighter is shot down by the Imperials, and crash-lands in the snow. Bess, You Is My Woman Now, a duet by the title characters. The main AT-AT prepares to take their aim at the Rebel base's main generator. Oh, I Can't Sit Down, ensemble. The group, led by Luke, commence the attack, but realizing the armour is too strong for blasters, they decide to destroy them by using attached cables, and manages to destroy one of the AT-ATs. I Got Plenty of Nuttin, Porgy's song. The Rebels who have chosen to fight on the ground depart the Hoth base for the oncoming battle against heavily equipped Imperial forces, who are armed with agile AT-STs (All Terrain Scout Transports) and monstrous AT-ATs (All Terrain Armored Transports).

My Man's Gone Now, Serena's lamenting aria after Robbins' murder by Crown. Rieekan raises the shields to fire the ion cannon at one of the Imperial Star Destroyers allowing the first transports to escape. Summertime, Clara's famed opening lullaby. Princess Leia gives the Rebel fighters instructions on the evacuation to leave Hoth two to three ships at a time past the energy shield to a rendezvous point beyond the outer rim. Alexander Smallens, conductor. Via video communication, Vader Force chokes Ozzel to death for his actions ("You have failed me for the last time Admiral Ozzel!"), then appoints associate Piett the new admiral. Rouben Mammoulian, producer and director. As the Imperial forces enter the Hoth system, Vader discovers Admiral Ozzel has emerged from lightspeed so close to Hoth that the Rebels have been alerted to the Empire's arrival.

The Eva Jessye Choir, lead by Eva Jessye. Shortly after, Luke realizes he too has to leave Hoth, so he says goodbye to Chewbacca and Solo. Georgette Harvey as Maria. Darth Vader and the Imperial forces set course for the Hoth system to set up the attack. Rosamond Johnson as the lawyer. General Rieekan orders the start of evacuation. J. Solo suspects the Empire has found what they've been looking for.

Helen Dowdy as the "Strawberry Woman". They shoot down what turns out to be a self-destructive Imperial Probe Droid. Edward Matthews as "Jake", Clara's husband. Solo and his wookiee companion Chewbacca investigate. Abbie Mitchell as "Clara". The Alliance has picked up unusual signals from the East. Ruby Elzy as "Serena", Robins' wife. The rest of Luke's comrades visit him to send get well wishes, but they are interrupted by an emergency.

Henry Davis as "Robins". The injured Jedi-to-be is taken back to the base to be immersed in a bacta-tank, and shortly recovers. Warren Coleman as "Crown". The next morning, Rebel ships discover a signal from the outer passage, and the radio cracks open...it is the voice of Solo, and thus the ship also finds Luke. Bubbles as "Sportin' Life". The best thing for Solo now is to build a night shelter, hoping to be discovered by Rebel ships. John W. But the cold weather proves too much for Han's tauntaun which collapses and dies.

Anne Brown as "Bess". As the image fades, Han finds Luke barely conscious. Todd Duncan as "Porgy". Shortly later, as night begins to fall, he is visited by the spirit form of dead Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, who tells Luke to go to the planet Dagobah for further training by Yoda, the Jedi Master who once trained Kenobi. Scene 3 - Catfish Row, a week later.. Luke escapes the Wampa cave, but is overcome by the freezing cold. Scene 2 - Catfish Row, the next afternoon.. Using the Force, he draws upon his lightsaber (half-buried in the snow) to free himself and wound the creature.

Scene 1 - Catfish Row, the next night.. Meanwhile, Luke is held captive (albeit upside-down) by the Wampa snow monster. Scene 4 - Serena's Room, dawn of the next day.. Despite the freezing conditions and oncoming nightfall, Solo rides his tauntaun to find his friend. Scene 3 - Catfish Row, a week later, just before dawn.. C-3P0 reports to Solo that Luke is missing and hasn't returned. Scene 2 - Kittiwah Island, that evening.. The droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, find Solo about to leave on his starship, the Millennium Falcon, currently devoid of its hyperdrive system.

Scene 1 - Catfish Row, a month later, in the morning. Leia appears taken aback but it is clear he has struck a nerve with her. Scene 2 - Serena's Room, the following night. They argue and Solo contends that she wants him to stay because she has feelings for him. Scene 1 - Catfish Row, a summer evening.. Headed for the corridor, Solo is followed by Leia. Solo turns to Princess Leia, but she appears cold and aloof, and Solo leaves in frustration.

In their underground Rebel Base, Solo reports to his commander, General Rieekan, about the situation, then realizes he has to leave Hoth to return to Tatooine in order to pay off Jabba the Hutt. After reporting to comrade Han Solo, he is knocked unconscious by a mysterious snow monster. Luke Skywalker, on patrol via his tauntaun, discovers the probe, which he mistakes for a meteorite. One of the probes lands on Hoth and begins its survey of the planet.

Darth Vader, continuing his quest for Luke Skywalker, dispatches thousands of probe droids across the galaxy. The Rebels have been forced to flee their Rebel base on Yavin and establish a new one on the ice planet of Hoth. It is now three years after the events in A New Hope. The following summary is based upon the original 1980 theatrical release version, and not upon the 1997 and 2004 re-releases..

. A radio adaptation was broadcast on National Public Radio in the United States. It was advertised as simply The Empire Strikes Back. It featured most of the original cast of the previous movie and received its first cinema release in 1980.

In the six-film series, it is the fifth film in the story, hence its "Episode V" tag in the opening titles. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is the sequel to the first released Star Wars movie, and the second film released in the original trilogy. However, in the DVD version, Reville is replaced by Ian McDiarmid. Clive Revill (Emperor Palpatine) is the only actor to be involved in an episode of Star Trek and a Star Wars film: he played Sir Guy of Gisburne in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "QPid".

Imperiet meaning “the empire”. The famous 80’s Swedish rock group Imperiet took their name from this movie. If someone looks closely, it almost looks like the pilot of the fighter. When the first TIE fighter explodes in the asteroid chase, a small black object can be seen flying out and breaking apart.

During the Falklands War which took place in 1982, two years after the film was released, when the British task force sailed from Britain, a number of newspapers and magazines carried the headline The Empire Strikes Back!. The ominous and menacing musical theme soon becomes associated with Darth Vader and becomes his leitmotif. It is heard after the rebel base is discovered on Hoth and the Imperial fleet prepares to attack. The Imperial March is heard for the first time in the trilogy in this movie.

In an interview, James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader) reported that his reaction to receiving the revelation that he was to read the line disclosing that Darth Vader was Luke's father, was "Oh, he's lying!". David Prowse was given the line, "Obi-Wan killed your father", to say during the scene and didn't find out the real lines until the premier screening. This secrecy extended to the cast with only Mark Hamill being told the truth so he could react to it. Great secrecy surrounded the fact that Darth Vader was Luke's father.

However, in the NPR radio adaptation, Vader's actual line was, "No, Luke, I am your father.". Many people believe that Darth Vader's famous line is "Luke, I am your father." In actuality, Vader says: "No, I am your father.". Norman Chancer, Norwich Duff, Ray Hassett, Brigitte Kahn, Burnell Tucker. Rebel Officers ...

Jerry Harte. Head Controller ... John Mckenzie. Deck Lieutenant ...

John Ratzenberger. Major Derlin ... Ian Liston. Janson (Wedge's Gunner) ...

John Morton. Dak (Luke's Gunner) ... Richard Oldfield. Hobbie (Rogue 4) ...

Denis Lawson. Wedge (Rogue 3) ... Christopher Malcolm. Zev (Rogue 2) ...

Bruce Boa. General Rieekan ... John Dicks, Milton Johns, Mark Jones, Oliver Maguire. Imperial Officers ...

Michael Culver. Captain Needa ... Michael Sheard. Admiral Ozzel ...

Julian Glover. General Veers ... Kenneth Colley. Admiral Piett ...

Clive Revill. Voice of Emperor ... Kathryn Mullen. Performing Assistant for Yoda ...

Des Webb. Snow Creature ... Jack Purvis. Chief Ugnaught ...

John Hollis. Lando's Aide ... Jeremy Bulloch. Boba Fett ...

Alec Guiness. Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi ... Frank Oz. Performing Yoda ...

Kenny Baker. R2-D2 ... Peter Mayhew. Chewbacca ...

David Prowse. Darth Vader ... Anthony Daniels. C-3PO ...

Billy Dee Williams. Lando Calrissian ... Carrie Fisher. Princess Leia ...

Harrison Ford. Han Solo ... Mark Hamill. Luke Skywalker ...