Reply to Topic
RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)
‘Return of the Jedi’, the third instalment in the blockbuster trilogy, provides the perfect ending to what can only be described as the biggest franchise in cinema history. George Lucas again abandon’s the director’s chair in favour of a more hands-on roll within production, and every other aspect of making a movie. First choice director Steven Spielberg became unapproachable after Lucas pulled out of the Director’s Guild along with the Writer’s and Motion Picture Guilds. This was due to Lucas receiving a $250,000 fine for his insistence in only having credits appear at the end of his space epic’s to allow for what is now the trademark curtain raisers to his films. Instead Welshman Richard Marquand was handed the directorial honours.
After switching titles from ‘Return of the Jedi’ to ‘Revenge of the Jedi’ and with hundreds of printed t-shirts and promo posters to accompany this new title Lucas, in traditional Lucas fashion, announced to his team that he’ll be reverting back to the original name due to ‘Revenge’ not being a Jedi concept. Once again putting the emphasis on the creator’s need for perfection no matter what the outcome or cost.
This eagerly awaited follow-up was to again break all box-office records on its way to becoming one of the most visually stunning science fiction films of all time, again inspiring legions of wannabe directors.
Luke Skywalker arrives back home on Tatooine to rescue his friend Captain Han Solo from the evil clutches of Jabba the Hutt. After being delivered to the kingpin gangster by the notorious Bounty Hunter Bobba Fett, Han Solo remains frozen in carbonite on display in Jabba’s court under the close guard of Fett himself. With the help of old friends C3-PO, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Lando Calrission and Princess Leia, Luke manages to rescue Solo defeating the mighty Jabba and his henchmen in the process.
Meanwhile Darth Vader, still obsessed with finding Skywalker, and Emperor Palpatine arrive to oversee the final stages of construction on the new Death Star a space station even more devastating and powerful than its predecessor. After his final visit to Yoda, Luke realises his destiny is to confront Vader and bring an end to the Galactic Empire.
Palpatine and Vader await Luke’s arrival whilst unleashing a devastating assault on the Rebel Alliance who have arrived to destroy the Death Star once and for all.
Again Lucas manages to deliver escapism in its finest form. As with ‘Empire’ the direction of ‘Return of the Jedi’ oozes with Lucas’ style again suggesting that Lucas never really managed to prise himself from that coveted chair.
The space battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire, which serves as the finale to the saga, is nothing short of visually stunning. We slip between the Battle of Endor, the pre-mentioned space battle and Vader’s confrontation with Luke, which is by far the best Light-Sabre dual in the trilogy, with a relentless pace as the action builds towards its climax. Legendary film composer John Williams adds an atmospheric piece to the Vader-Luke dual, which would provide the benchmark for his successful scores in the more recent Star Wars prequels.
After my complete praise of this trilogy I must now add that it’s in fact ‘Return of the Jedi’ which, if I’m to be picky, delivers my first and only real dislike of the saga. How can Lucas allow the ‘Ewoks’ to help defeat the formidable Stormtroopers? This furry creature who’s killer instinct matches that of a docile tortoise? I know they had the help of half a dozen rebels but that image of teddy bears dropping bricks on the trooper’s heads and battering them with twigs just didn’t work for me. However, to see this all-conquering army fall from grace in such a manor was a small hiccup in comparison to the spectacle of grandeur that is ‘The Star Wars Trilogy’. It also helped to bring the saga out of the darkness of ‘Empire’, which I suppose was Lucas’ intention.
After that minor glitch I will conclude with the fact that with the exception of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy I can’t see the ‘Star Wars’ saga ever being equalled. Although on that note it’ll be interesting to see how many ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies make film fans top 20 in 30 years time.
“One thing remains: Vader. You must confront Vader. Then, only then, a Jedi will you be.” - Yoda
Stuart Evans
‘Return of the Jedi’, the third instalment in the blockbuster trilogy, provides the perfect ending to what can only be described as the biggest franchise in cinema history. George Lucas again abandon’s the director’s chair in favour of a more hands-on roll within production, and every other aspect of making a movie. First choice director Steven Spielberg became unapproachable after Lucas pulled out of the Director’s Guild along with the Writer’s and Motion Picture Guilds. This was due to Lucas receiving a $250,000 fine for his insistence in only having credits appear at the end of his space epic’s to allow for what is now the trademark curtain raisers to his films. Instead Welshman Richard Marquand was handed the directorial honours.
After switching titles from ‘Return of the Jedi’ to ‘Revenge of the Jedi’ and with hundreds of printed t-shirts and promo posters to accompany this new title Lucas, in traditional Lucas fashion, announced to his team that he’ll be reverting back to the original name due to ‘Revenge’ not being a Jedi concept. Once again putting the emphasis on the creator’s need for perfection no matter what the outcome or cost.
This eagerly awaited follow-up was to again break all box-office records on its way to becoming one of the most visually stunning science fiction films of all time, again inspiring legions of wannabe directors.
Luke Skywalker arrives back home on Tatooine to rescue his friend Captain Han Solo from the evil clutches of Jabba the Hutt. After being delivered to the kingpin gangster by the notorious Bounty Hunter Bobba Fett, Han Solo remains frozen in carbonite on display in Jabba’s court under the close guard of Fett himself. With the help of old friends C3-PO, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Lando Calrission and Princess Leia, Luke manages to rescue Solo defeating the mighty Jabba and his henchmen in the process.
Meanwhile Darth Vader, still obsessed with finding Skywalker, and Emperor Palpatine arrive to oversee the final stages of construction on the new Death Star a space station even more devastating and powerful than its predecessor. After his final visit to Yoda, Luke realises his destiny is to confront Vader and bring an end to the Galactic Empire.
Palpatine and Vader await Luke’s arrival whilst unleashing a devastating assault on the Rebel Alliance who have arrived to destroy the Death Star once and for all.
Again Lucas manages to deliver escapism in its finest form. As with ‘Empire’ the direction of ‘Return of the Jedi’ oozes with Lucas’ style again suggesting that Lucas never really managed to prise himself from that coveted chair.
The space battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire, which serves as the finale to the saga, is nothing short of visually stunning. We slip between the Battle of Endor, the pre-mentioned space battle and Vader’s confrontation with Luke, which is by far the best Light-Sabre dual in the trilogy, with a relentless pace as the action builds towards its climax. Legendary film composer John Williams adds an atmospheric piece to the Vader-Luke dual, which would provide the benchmark for his successful scores in the more recent Star Wars prequels.
After my complete praise of this trilogy I must now add that it’s in fact ‘Return of the Jedi’ which, if I’m to be picky, delivers my first and only real dislike of the saga. How can Lucas allow the ‘Ewoks’ to help defeat the formidable Stormtroopers? This furry creature who’s killer instinct matches that of a docile tortoise? I know they had the help of half a dozen rebels but that image of teddy bears dropping bricks on the trooper’s heads and battering them with twigs just didn’t work for me. However, to see this all-conquering army fall from grace in such a manor was a small hiccup in comparison to the spectacle of grandeur that is ‘The Star Wars Trilogy’. It also helped to bring the saga out of the darkness of ‘Empire’, which I suppose was Lucas’ intention.
After that minor glitch I will conclude with the fact that with the exception of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy I can’t see the ‘Star Wars’ saga ever being equalled. Although on that note it’ll be interesting to see how many ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies make film fans top 20 in 30 years time.
“One thing remains: Vader. You must confront Vader. Then, only then, a Jedi will you be.” - Yoda
Stuart Evans
