Episode #023: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)

The Essential Films Podcast

What is thy bidding, our masters? On today’s adventure, Adolfo and Mark learn about the ways of the force and resist the Dark Side as they discuss the 1980 STAR WARS epic: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK! On this week’s show: The lack of hype for SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY How we first experienced EMPIRE The 1995 THX Remastered VHS tapes The film’s most famous line is often misquoted George Lucas as an independent filmmaker Hiring Irvin Kershner as Director The early versions of the story The 1997 Special Editions The proper order to watch the Saga George Lucas is Kermit Who knew the twist ending ahead of filming? When did Lucas know Leia was Luke’s sister? How do you pronounce “AT-AT”? Switching out Emperors Why is talking to a Muppet NOT goofy? “I know.” The reaction from fans in the 1980s The differences of the original cut VS the special editions “Despecialized” Editions FILMS REFERENCED: STAR WARS (1977) SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978) RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983) ROBOCOP 2 (1990) CLERKS (1994) STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999) STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES (2002) EMPIRE OF DREAMS (2004) STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH (2005) STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015) ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (2016) STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (2017) SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (2018) BONUS CONVERSATION: THE WARRIORS (1979) AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (2018) LINKS: The Essential Films: essentialfilmspodcast.com AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Alamo Drafthouse Menu: https://drafthouse.com/nyc/news/eats-assemble-avengers-infinity-war-specials-are-here HOW FANS REACTED TO EMPIRE STRIKES BACK IN 1980: https://io9.gizmodo.com/heres-how-fans-reacted-to-the-empire-strikes-back-in-19-1821551259 ISLE OF DOGS Alamo Drafthouse Menu: https://drafthouse.com/nyc/news/japanese-inspired-canine-approved-isle-of-dogs-specials-are-here