Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)

My Review

Executive producer George Lucas brought the original “Star Wars” trilogy (1977 & 1980) to a classy conclusion with “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.” The crisp direction by Richard Marquand (“Eye of the Needle” 1981) and a marvelous screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas has the Rebel Alliance dealing with a new “fully operational” Death Star. The gang is also getting used to the fact that Darth Vader is Luke’s and Leia’s father. Lots of material for SW fans to mull over.

The bulk of the cast returns for round three. They include Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa, Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Kenny Baker as R2-D2, Ian McDiarmid as the Emperor Sheev Palpatine, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, Frank Oz as Yoda, David Prowse & James Earle Jones (voice) as Darth Vader, Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Denis Lawson as Wedge, and Sebastian Shaw as Anakin Skywalker. (Hayden Christensen appeared in his role as the original Anakin in the final scene on the DVD, replacing Shaw.)

“Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” was the highest grossing film of 1983 for LucasFilm Ltd. and 20th Century Fox. It won one Oscar – a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects. The other nominations were for Best Art Direction, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing, and Best Original Score (John Williams). It was filmed primarily in California, with some studio work done in Jolly Old England.