Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. The screenplay, based on a story by George Lucas, was written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan. Of the six main Star Wars films, it was the second to be released and the fifth in terms of internal chronology. The film is set three years after Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The Galactic Empire, under the leadership of the villainous Darth Vader, is in pursuit of Luke Skywalker and the rest of the Rebel Alliance. While Vader chases a small band of Luke's... friends—Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, and others—across the galaxy, Luke studies the Force under Jedi Master Yoda. But when Vader captures Luke's friends, Luke must decide whether to complete his training and become a full Jedi Knight or to confront Vader and save his comrades.
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| Release date: | May 21, 1980 |
| Directed by: | Irvin Kershner |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 124 Minutes |
| Producer: | Gary Kurtz, Rick McCallum |
| Editor: | George Lucas, Marcia Lucas, T.M. Christopher, Paul Hirsch |
| Music by: | John Williams |
| Cinematography: | Peter Suschitzky |
| Screenplay by: | Lawrence Kasdan, Leigh Brackett |
| Estimated budget: | $18,000,000 |
| Genre: | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Action |