num_pages: 372
description: In this lavish thirtieth-anniversary tribute to the blockbuster film Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back New York Times bestselling author J. W. Rinzler draws back the curtain to reveal the intense drama and magnificent wizardry behind the hit moviearguably the fan favorite of the Star Wars Saga. Following his The Making of Star Wars the author has once again made use of his unlimited access to the Lucasfilm Archives and its hidden treasures of previously unpublished interviews photos artwork and production mementos. The result is a comprehensive behind-the-scenes up-close-and-personal look at the trials and triumphs risks and close calls inspiration perspiration and imagination that went into every facet of this cinematic masterpiece. Heres the inside scoop on:  the evolution of the script from story conference and treatment to fifth draft as conceived written and rewritten by George Lucas famed science-fiction author Leigh Brackett and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan the development of new key characters including roguish hero Lando Calrissian sinister bounty hunter Boba Fett and iconic Jedi Master Yoda the challenges of shooting the epic ice planet battle in the frozen reaches of Norway and of conjuring up convincing creatures and craftfrom tauntauns and snowspeeders to Imperial walkers  the construction of a life-sized Millennium Falcon and the swamp planet Dagobah inside a specially built soundstage in Elstree Studios  the technique behind master Muppeteer Frank Ozs breathing life into the breakthrough character Yoda the creation of the new improved Industrial Light &amp; Magic visual effects facility and the founding of the now-legendary Skywalker Ranch In addition of course are rare on-the-scene interviews with all the major players: actors Mark Hamill Harrison Ford Carrie Fisher Billy Dee Williams Anthony Daniels Peter Mayhew and David Prowse; director Irvin Kershner; producer Gary Kurtz; effects specialists Richard Edlund Dennis Muren Ken Ralston and Phil Tippett; composer John Williams; and many others. Punctuating the epic account is a bounty of drawings storyboards and paintings by Ralph McQuarrie Joe Johnston and Ivor Beddoes along with classic and rare production photos. An added bonus is a Foreword by acclaimed director Ridley Scott. The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is a fittingly glorious celebration of an undisputed space-fantasy movie milestone. Search your feelings you know it to be true.
language: English
title: The Making of The Empire Strikes Back
publisher: Random House Worlds