George Lucas is presenting a special 45th anniversary showing ofThe Empire Strikes Backat this year’s TCM Classic Film Festival. This year is a big one forStar Wars; the 20th anniversary ofStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, the 10th anniversay ofStar Wars: The Force Awakens, and the 45th anniversary ofThe Empire Strikes Back.
PerVariety,George Lucas is set to present a special anniversary showing ofThe Empire Strikes Backat the TCM Classic Film Festival on April 24. “The Empire Strikes Back is like The Godfather Part II. Yes, technically, they’re sequels, the second movie in a series. But they are so much more,” TCM’s primetime anchor Ben Mankiewicz said in a statement. “The first Star Wars picture in 1977 ignited a new era in Hollywood and turned a generation of young people into passionate movie fans for life. Then, somehow, three years later, along comes Empire, which might even be better. It’s a stunning accomplishment and surely stands one of the great achievements in the history of film.”
The Empire Strikes Back Turned Star Wars Into A Franchise
Its Influence Cannot Be Underestimated
Even George Lucas himself underestimated how much of a successStar Warswould be in 1977, but that meant the sequel faced immense pressure. IfThe Empire Strikes Backdidn’t deliver, thenStar Warswould be a flash in the pan - justone of countless potential franchises that failed to secure a longer-term future. ButThe Empire Strikes Backproved there was a future forStar Warsmovies, and there’s a sense in which everything that has followed owes its very existence to this sequel.
Looking back, it’s hard to imagine the sheer impact ofThe Empire Strikes Back. Even people who haven’t watchedStar Warsknow about the biggest twists - “I am your father” being the biggest example.It’s wonderful to see this movie honored in such an epic way, and even more so to see Lucas stepping back on stage to celebrate it.
Our Take On The Empire Strikes Back’s 45th Anniversary
It’s Great To See Empire Celebrated Like This
The timing of this release makes sense. Many fans had been surprised that this year’sStar Wars Celebration panelsdidn’t include one dedicated toThe Empire Strikes Back’s anniversary, but now it seems Lucasfilm intended to allow Lucas himself to run those particular celebrations. This is undoubtedly the right approach, and Lucas' comments will be watched with joy by the entire fandom.
