Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Directed by	Irvin Kershner
Produced by	Gary Kurtz George Lucas< (executive) Rick McCallum (Special Edition)
Written by	Story: George Lucas Screenplay: Leigh Brackett Lawrence Kasdan
Starring	Mark Hamill Harrison Ford Carrie Fisher Billy Dee Williams Anthony Daniels
Music by	John Williams
Cinematography	Peter Suschitzky, BSC
Editing by	Paul Hirsch
Distributed by	20th Century Fox Lucasfilm
Release date(s)	May 21, 1980 (USA)
Running time	124 min. (original) 127 min. (Special Edition)
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$33,000,000

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is the second movie in the famous Star Wars saga. It came out in 1980 and mixes exciting science fiction with fantasy, action, and drama. Many fans consider it one of the best films ever made.

Main Characters
What Happens in the Story
Images for kids
See also

Main Characters

Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
Harrison Ford as Han Solo
Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia
David Prowse as Darth Vader, with the voice of James Earl Jones
Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
Kenny Baker as R2-D2
Frank Oz as Yoda
Jeremy Bulloch as Boba Fett
Alec Guinness as Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi
Denis Lawson as Wedge Antilles

What Happens in the Story

The Battle on Hoth

The brave Rebel Alliance is hiding from the evil Galactic Empire. They are on a super cold planet called Hoth. But the Empire finds them, and after a big battle, the Rebels have to escape Hoth.

Luke's Jedi Training

Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker travels to a swampy planet to find Yoda, a very old and wise Jedi Master. Yoda begins to train Luke to become a Jedi Knight. Luke learns how to use the Force and control his feelings.

Friends in Danger

While Luke is training, his friends Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and C-3PO are caught by the Empire. Han Solo is frozen in a block of carbonite. Luke has a vision that his friends are in danger and decides to leave his training to help them.

Luke vs. Darth Vader

Luke goes to rescue his friends, but he has to face Darth Vader. They have an epic lightsaber fight. During the fight, Vader cuts off Luke's hand. Then, Vader tells Luke a shocking secret: he is Luke's father! Luke's hand is later replaced with a cool robotic one.

Images for kids

Creator George Lucas (in 2011). He was thoroughly involved in The Empire Strikes Back but wanted to avoid the stress of serving as director again.
Billy Dee Williams (1997) joined the cast as Lando Calrissian.
Hardangerjøkulen glacier pictured in 2007. It served as the exterior of the ice planet Hoth.
On-set filming location Elstree Studios (pictured 2009) in Hertfordshire, England
Mark Hamill promoting the film in 1980
The North American premiere of The Empire Strikes Back took place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (pictured in 2010).