The 3 Week Rush to Change Empire Strikes Back’s Ending!

Today I take a look at how the rare original ending of Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back changed 3 weeks after the film was release thanks to the quick work of ILM!
See original cut (edited ) at: • Empire Strikes Back - ...
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[@bluesnaggletooth1660]

To this day that score brings me back to simpler days

[@scorpionwins6378]

Same here. Empire strikes back will always be my favorite film in the star wars series, as I loved every moment watching it as a youngster.

[@j.a.h.vandelaak3477]

And it is so much better, which such editing l, slow paced, music has more space to develop. So much better than the modern Star Wars music.

[@markceaser8073]

I was 17. Sadly, this was easily the best year of my life. I made my Junior B ice hockey team on pure guts and work ethic, not talent. The 1980 Winter Olympics happened during the height of the Cold War. I fell in love for the first and only time. And Empire came out.

[@Smenkhaare]

@@scorpionwins6378 Sixteen at the time and loving it... I was a junior in high school soon to be a senior at 17, still living under the dream of the 1970's. A much simpler time.

[@adamwayne6476]

❤

[@Gallyga]

That music though. My favourite piece of cinematic music, ever.

[@robertshort5935]

I saw that 70 MM print in at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood and even at 11 years of age I knew Luke, Leia, and the droids were on the medical cruiser.

[@javaman7199]

It is kind of obvious as they are watching the Falcon go by the window.

[@tomcruisenukedmyaccount5388]

No kidding. Lucas has issues. This is the beginning of the Special Editions. The original is better.

[@repowers2]

@@tomcruisenukedmyaccount5388 heh, my first thought. "As the heroes flee for their lives, the audience will no doubt be wondering how Darth Vader the spaceship man was able to return to his space ship! Better stop the action and splice in some stock footage from another movie of him walking around."

[@elreyabeja4539]

Yep. One more example of why Lucas is a terrible director. Thank god he didn't direct ESB, there's no way he could have repeated his previous Star Wars success.

[@mikesmovingimages]

@@javaman7199 I think the issue is until that moment it is not clear where the characters are in relation to each other.

[@timeismonkeystudio]

For years I maintained that the end of Empire had changed from what I originally saw in '80 and lotsa folks said I was crazy. It wasn't until I visited ILM in the late 90's and asked about the ending and was told yes, the wide release prints had a different cut. Validation! And your video is further proof! Thx!

[@jerryrehard7711]

I saw it about a dozen times in 70mm at the nicest theater in town at the time. When I saw it at a dinky mall theater later in the year I immediately noticed the added footage but didnt think too much about it. I remember reading in a sci-fi magazine that there were some small differences between the 70mm and 35mm prints not long after that.

[@PlottingTheDownfall]

@@jerryrehard7711 same...saw it 13 times as a kid opening weekend and then saw it months later - maybe even a year later - in the dollar theater and thought, why is it different. I was smoking a lot of pot back then so I thought maybe I was just high.

[@johnjames4834]

that doesn`t mean you aren`t crazy though just not about empire

[@AddSerious]

Me too, I remember the 1st time I saw the changed ending when it was rereleased in theaters. I saw it the 1s time with original ending and when I saw film later I was puzzled why I didn't remember those shots

[@MikeSchmidt969]

To what amounted to about 20 seconds of additional footage during the last minute of the movie, and the fact that it doesn't actually "change" the ending as the title of this video suggests, but just clarifies the location of the characters in the convoy, I can see why many people wouldn't remember these shots not existing in the original release.

[@lancecampbell4323]

Watching this on opening night in my town, the thing I remember our group discussing was the mechanical hand the Luke got and how it showed him becoming like Vader. That was a thoughtful and poignant move that led nicely into the next episode. It really had an impact on the story. Best movie of the franchise.

[@jamesbarrett9066]

Was interesting as I had the feeling that people really didn't like it back when it first released, but later grew to realize that it truly was the best of the three. Which I personally felt the opening day when I saw it.

[@donsryche1]

I just love the way that Lando says the words, “bounty hunter” it has a certain sneer to his tone. Like as if he really does NOT like bounty hunters.

[@petergibson7287]

Well, after all, they are the worst kind of scum and villainy.

[@MunKeeButt67]

Dogs wife was a better bounty hunter than Bobo 🙃

[@johnjames4834]

robert dinero was nice in MIDNIGHT RUN

[@goober8798]

Billie had great inflections. He did the same thing with "Death Star" when moving ships closer to the Imperial fleet.

[@mhoroky]

I think you're reading into it a bit much. I'll bet you like the prequels too. I know your kind. :)

[@daviddavies3637]

That ending with that score gives me goosebumps even now.

[@elviwilliamvalenzuela7278]

I have the vinyl John Williams orchestra in London recording. it's amazing

[@daviddavies3637]

@@elviwilliamvalenzuela7278 I have the original SW soundtrack on vinyl. My sister was working at the local library in the early/mid 90s and she took this out for me. I'm not sure if it was part of some stuff they were getting rid of. Should still be at my parents' place.

[@sandal_thong8631]

I wanted the soundtrack, but Mom got me a disco record that had 5 minutes of Disco Empire Strikes Back. It turns out it must have been an expensive double album because he's got about 2 hours of music on it.

[@nebulous6660]

The original ending seems fine. The new one blends it together better but I don’t see why it should have warranted such emergency measures.

[@user-kr4sm2iv7e]

I agree and disagree the new version is more clear and George Lucas was a perfectionist that is what made the first movie a master piece it was maybe not needed but it was improved.

[@Fool3SufferingFools]

Yeah, I think it was a case of Lucas being master of the universe and one of the few people who could actually make others indulge his last-minute perfectionism.

[@kweeks39]

Me and my brother saw this opening evening back in 1980. Funny thing I just walked past that theatre 2 short days ago. It’s still there. There was an intermission between the reels. At the beginning they were giving away the standee that was in the front of theatre. Some kid got lucky taking that home. It wasn’t us. Sometimes, 1980 wouldn’t be so bad to get back to… A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….

[@j.s.connolly8579]

Then with that in mind... May the Force Be With You! :D

[@IntroducingMrLucci]

Yeah you'd probably like to go back to the 80's but that times past just like y'all has fr this movie had way to much whteness in it that's facts 💯

[@seriously1184]

@@IntroducingMrLucci Dude ! Really ?? Do you have to go all racist about a movie and someone's memories ? Really ?? You ought to be ashamed of yourself !!!

[@leecooper3852]

@@IntroducingMrLucci there is reason for that and I would like to ask why no African country ever came up with a star wars type movie, seeing as they are older than many non white countries and tell stories like all peoples.

[@leecooper3852]

@@IntroducingMrLucci so you didn't watch it due to its whiteness?

[@scorpionwins6378]

Regardless of which ending everyone saw in the theater back in 1980, not only did the film end on a major cliffhanger, but was also one of the biggest plot twists in cinema history. I cannot imagine being a fan of star wars back then and having to wait 3 LONG YEARS for Return of the Jedi. Talk about having patience.

[@nickjsky1]

I was fortunate to be there at the premiere. Waiting three years for the next film wasn't a matter if patience to me. It was delicious anticipation that made Return of the Jedi all the sweeter (BTW, until then I wondered if Vader had lied to Luke).

[@jerryhase4520]

I remember Fantastic Films magazine speculating that Vader lied and Boba Fett was Luke's father. They ran an article on this subject.

[@tomcruisenukedmyaccount5388]

@@jerryhase4520 Lmao. Some things are the same.

[@doctordetroit1217]

I saw this when it opened in 1980, when we got that cliffhanger ending, everybody was like WTF, 3 years before we find out what happens next, all that on top of basically retconning the original movie!

[@CrookedEyeSniper]

George was patient as well. A mental patient.

[@captlazer5509]

The limited 70 mil release for me meant driving an hour to the theater. Of course worth it. Only saw it one time this way and like many never noticed the change. I do remember the sound was cranked up and loved it. TY JM

[@scottbubb2946]

I'm glad to see this comment. I commented on a different channel that did a video on Empire Strikes Back saying that, in 1980, we had to drive two hours to a theatre to see it. That comment got like 20 replies from people saying it was impossible that I had to drive that far. People were getting really mad about it and saying I was lying and asking me questions about exactly where I lived and where I went to see it and there HAD TO BE a closer theater. I finally had to delete the comment because I got tired of fighting with people. I don't know why anyone would think I would make up something like that. Also, I don't know why they cared about it so much.

[@captlazer5509]

@@scottbubb2946 people who weren't there as they were not born yet and in their mind Star Wars or Empire was playing in every theater in every town. It wasn't. As for a better cinematic experience, 70mm theaters were rare birds and IMax theaters weren't playing Hollywood films until the 90's. So you are 100% right.

[@scottbubb2946]

@@captlazer5509 I don't remember now, but it seems like the reason we had to drive that far was because it was a limited release. My brother and I drove our parents crazy because we couldn't wait to see it. Normally when we went to see a movie or was a 20 minute drive.

[@mikesmovingimages]

I was fortunate to grow up in California and, at least in the LA and SF areas, there were enough 70mm houses that we did not have to travel far to get to one. First saw Star Wars in one of only three 70mm presentations in the LA area on its original release, and several more times in 70MM. I'll never forget those experiences. Star Wars was not just its own experience, it CHANGED movies, especially the sound.

[@Miakel]

They did a fantastic job, that ending of ESB, with the music score still gives me chills every time I see it.

[@triskellian]

Great story about the last minute scenes. I too saw this with my Dad and brother in 1980. I'm not sure which ending we got but it was an unforgettable experience overall! A short time after each film left the theater, there was a TV special about "the making of". It was interesting how ILM used tried and true methods along with new technology to produce the special effects. Nowadays, movie makers have fabulous newer methods available as well as FX from the past only to squander a film with poor story telling. The original Star Wars movies are a tough act to follow.

[@JGlennFL]

I remember watching that special. One of the things they did was strike a steel cable to create the sound of blaster fire. They were careful to use different objects to create the effects for different size blasters in the ground battle scene.

[@coltseavers6298]

Thank you for doing this. Back in 1980 I saw Empire 8 times. And sometime during this I noticed that the ending had changed. I wondered why. And now I know.

[@panelman84]

A friend and I had skipped school to see it in 70mm at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta. We saw the first showing. The theater staff were handing out a white embossed souvenir folder with all of the cast and crew. I still have it. A long time ago.........

[@robertward5047]

I kind of see what lucas meant but given that they see they falcon fly away and then you see them in the window of the medical frigate it works fine. In fact possibly better because you watch the scene wondering if they are or aren't gonna split up the hero's then reveal in the last shot that they have.

[@avengabaco2337]

The original had enough detail in it to reveal the casts locations as from the moment the falcon leaves but the updated sequence works mutch better and lets you enjoy that gorgeous music longer.

[@tomcruisenukedmyaccount5388]

The original is better. This is the beginning of the Special Editions.

[@michaellawton813]

The closing music truly is magnificent

[@philippealain6172]

The original ending was less good and could lead to confusion. Lucas also changed a lot of scene editing in this movie to improve storytelling and fluidity. The facts can be checked in Rinzler's ESB making-of book.

[@magicmike7198]

@@tomcruisenukedmyaccount5388 C'mon... don't be that guy for whom everything original is better. Sure, George played too much with his different versions but here, it's better even if not absolutely necessary. If only for Johnny's music...

[@tomcruisenukedmyaccount5388]

@@magicmike7198 I noticed there was something wrong with the end before I watched this video. Lucas should have spent more time working on the Hoth battle which has severe problems. (Vader should be in the AT-AT not Veers.) For one, we can't tell what is attacking the base and where it is exactly. This change to the end was unnecessary as far as I can tell. I heard elsewhere it came from Kurtz and Lucas was reluctant, but it feels like the wretched Special Editions.

[@CourageDreams]

Wow. I never knew this. This was certainly a treat to see. Thanks junkman.

[@joybroyles7788]

I was nine and I have no idea which one I saw first. I just remember how upset I was with the cliffhanger ending and knowing I would have to wait three years(!) to find out what happened.

[@NathanGrant75]

Very interesting, but I am not quite sure why it matters if the audience thinks Lando is right there or a million miles from the medical frigate. The point is that they are still planning on rescuing Han.

[@snipelite94]

That is why you fail Never your mind on where your audience feel a lack of sense You don't have to spoon-feed the audience, but if you've seen a david fincher movie, the cinematography to connect the emotional and physical locations of the characters is actually profoundly satisfying to the audience and differentiates the classics from the merely average movies

[@LeeHutchingsdrumsUK]

Personally, I think I prefer the original 70mm, ending. I wasn't confused by the cuts. In fact, the additional shots come across as Lucas overexplaining the point - something he would do A LOT in later decades. But that's just my take.

[@mhoroky]

Yeah, unfortunately, his "midichorian count" got too high.

[@fractalelf7760]

I saw the original ending, as I always remembered it and thought I had forgotten what was extra footage when I saw it years later. Tell you what, no one I knew in any shape or form were confused that Luke and Leia were on the medical frigate and not the Falcon because it was obvious the Falcon had no medical droid room or bay window….

[@mmmmm5556]

Only a fool would think Luke was in the falcon.. Lando says "I'll meet you" "I'll contact you"... and no way that shot of Luke and Leia in front of the big window takes place anywhere on the falcon.

[@ShamrockParticle]

Dang. Really nice find, thanks! The storyboarding and filming all that within 3 weeks... magnificent and it looks perfect. Lucas was on the ball in seeing that an establishing shot would do wonders for that ending. Getting back Ian McDermid to redo those Emperor scenes was also good but he may have added too much dialogue. I sometimes wish they would have only redid the lines and not expand the scene, but it didn't ruin the special edition either...

[@ThatJunkman]

Yes don’t get why they changed the words

[@Sparky71870]

*redone

[@revanofkorriban1505]

@@ThatJunkman People always single out George Lucas, but this is hardly unique to him. Spielberg did much the same thing in E.T., when he edited the guns out of cops' hands when they try to stop the bikers in the final act.

[@WatchVidsMakeLists]

@@revanofkorriban1505 Difference being that Spielberg eventually relented and changed it back to guns for the next release. Plus, for many people (myself included), the presence of the Special Editions is not an issue, it's the fact that the original editions are no longer commercially available and haven't been for almost 30 years now.

[@revanofkorriban1505]

@@WatchVidsMakeLists Problem is, there isn't exactly an original edition of TESB to begin with, considering that there's multiple as this video demonstrates which could be claimed to be original. There is no version, including the Despecialized, that will capture the wonder that people felt coming into the theaters in the 1970's to watch the Original Trilogy. It's an exercise in futility.

[@deerpic]

Honestly, I never noticed the window until now. I always understood by context Lando and Chewie were leaving, and Luke and Leia were still on the Nebulon-B.

[@xavierkane2532]

While the extra shots are cool and gives us some more scenes of starfighters and vessels; narratively I don't think it adds anything. You see the Falcon detach and then see it fly off in the window. I think this was Lucas being overly critical of his own work.

[@NotMoreGames]

I agree totally. At least he didn’t add Jar Jar at this point washing the window.

[@billtate6962]

Add another in agreement.....I wouldn't have been confused where they were with the original ending.... didn't mean much anyway....i left thinking GREAT MOVIE,but I've got 3 years before I find out what happened to Han!

[@TimothySmiths]

I agree as well..there is nothing at all confusing about the original ending..if he really did think it wasnt clear I don't know what to say..Luke straight out says in the original about meeting Lando and Chewie..so how is it confusing thinking they are on the same ship or what have you..

[@ctg6734]

Agreed.

[@stevenclark9056]

Completely agree… it’s almost as if it was a small preview of how he would handle Star Wars in the future. Nothing was ever “complete” or “right”.

[@JohnnyHads]

They watch the Falcon take off from below their feet in the original, show it take off, and even show the uniquely shaped window to confirm. There’s zero possible confusion, and the edited version does nothing to add anymore clarity. What a waste of money.

[@jameslandry5604]

The soundtrack has more of a punch, the scenes run better. This is one change Lucas made that improved the film. Thank you for this find and comparison!

[@BlahBlah-ii1yr]

Spot on

[@lamondlense]

Also the change of the emperor in the special edition was an improvement

[@sandal_thong8631]

@@lamondlense I'd keep the new face, but the dialog change irritates me.

[@jsikes2143]

Just watching this clip reminds me why Empire is my all-time favorite movie. Then the dark times came

[@sandal_thong8631]

Still the best sequel of all time, though I saw _Avengers: Endgame_ twice in theaters.

[@super8sooty]

Before the Disney!! Ben, how did Star Wars die?

[@williamwilkinson6665]

​@@sandal_thong8631... Temple of Doom , and Aliens are better sequels

[@sandal_thong8631]

@@williamwilkinson6665 I went to see the 30th anniversary of _Aliens_ at the theater. It wasn't the extended cut with the automated machine guns that I liked from Laserdisc. I thought it would be crowded but I was the only one in the theater. I suspect the 30 anniversary of _Empire_ (if it returned to theaters in 2010) did better. Theaters were shut down in 2020, so it probably didn't return for its 40th. Last year was the 40th of _Return of the Jedi_ and it came back, but it wasn't at my favorite theater, and I don't know I'd pay to see that again. But I think some people did go.

[@williamwilkinson6665]

@@sandal_thong8631 is temple of doom having a showing this year being the 40th anniversary.....its my favorite sequel ever but I still stand by saying Aliens esp the directors cut is the best sequel mainly because its better than the original in my opinion

[@ArawnsFire]

Thank you so much for showing this! I remember that ending , and everyone thought I was mental. Even I would doubt my own memory. Many many thanks indeed.

[@NWGhost71]

Very cool! Don't remember which ending I saw in 1980 but remember it being epic at 9 years old. Good stuff Junkman!

[@the_weed_in_your_garden9319]

Yes. I saw it at theater as a kid. It was amazing!!

[@frankreynolds445]

I was 21 when The Empire Strikes Back came out. I remember skipping work from a crappy job to see the movie. I did that 4 times .

[@greggepstein1164]

Thank you. I have been wanting to see this original version since I heard about it in the making of Empire book over a decade ago.

[@ThatJunkman]

It’s not the original just edited to make it look as it did. The original never has been seen since back then

[@greggepstein1164]

@@ThatJunkman i'm glad you did that because I had a hard time envisioning the scene in the places where I had seen it described.

[@KentKaliber]

WOW those Practical Effects sure beat EVERYTHING IN the cinema today!

[@lemelstudio]

I saw the original 70mm in Los Angeles on release, and I was not confused at all with the edit, but I guess I can see how it could happen. What DID confuse me was later hearing the “Han and that bounty hunter“ phrase because I didn’t remember that at all!

[@shmeagol]

That confused me too though later I realized Vader, Lando and an imperial officer all referred to Fett as the “bounty hunter”.

[@tomcruisenukedmyaccount5388]

This is the beginning of the Special Editions. The original is better. Nobody wanted to work with Lucas after 1980.

[@philippealain6172]

The original ending was less good and could lead to confusion. Lucas also changed a lot of scene editing in this movie to improve storytelling and fluidity. The facts can be checked in Rinzler's ESB making-of book.

[@hunterolaughlin]

@@tomcruisenukedmyaccount5388 Except Steven Spielberg, Don Bluth, Jim Henson, Ron Howard, John Korry, and Seth MacFarlane. Yeah… your claim that nobody wanted to work with Lucas after 1980 is definitely BS.

[@ia5662]

Lucas was right! Never knew the first cut existed - that's an awesome pick-up shoot to really solidify the ending of a perfect film.

[@jdsrcs8061]

That was an AWESOME night seeing it on the big screen with my family. My mom wasn't into it but my dad and old brother were psyched!!!! Standing in line was fun!!! Seeing the all 3 special editions on a Saturday was cool to, but DAMN it I was the original cut trilogy on Blu-Ray!!!!

[@albertmorel2771]

Mr. Junkman wow, great job. Once again you made my day with your unique content. I really appreciate the research, hard work and inspiration you put in into your videos. The best part is that the content is unique. Keep up the good work. A +++

[@919thedave]

I was blessed to get to see it in 70mm back in 1980. I actually got to see it like 5 times that way. The cinema 150 in Little Rock Arkansas was awesome.

[@sergioleone3583]

Good info mate! Thanks for bringing this to us!!!

[@dominickgaramella6431]

That was very interesting. Thanks for the knowledge Junkman

[@KasFromMass]

That cliffhanger represented 3 years of agony. Every night, the "serious" nightly news had a segment on Star Wars and some analysis. No one can really explain, unless you lived through it, how much Star Wars first three movies took over not only Pop culture...but the entire culture.

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

Why would anyone think everyone is on the Falcon?

[@armandgallanosa]

Whoaaa... absolutely fascinating. Thank you for this

[@mrfibuli]

Junk your da man. Yet again. Love ya styles and genuine love of stuff😎👍

[@dinkmartini3236]

Doesn't Luke saying "take care you two" indicate that they are not in the same location?

[@philippealain6172]

No. They can be in the same location. The original ending was less good and could lead to confusion. Lucas also changed a lot of scene editing in this movie to improve storytelling and fluidity. The facts can be checked in Rinzler's ESB making-of book.

[@comicbookshopofdoom8160]

My favorite movie of all time !

[@TheNameisPlissken1981]

I remember seeing Empire on opening day in 1980 with my parents and my older brother. I was six years old and it was the first film I remember seeing in a theater. We waited in a line that stretched all the way down the length of the mall. I remember waiting forever, thinking they were going to run out of tickets! Good times!

[@wkanost]

I saw the original ending at Eastwood theater in Indianapolis IN. It was a Cinerama theater built in the late 1960s.

[@rivetecks]

I saw both of these versions weeks apart. great to see these again.

[@tau3457]

Great work, really enjoyed it.

[@uncleruckus7409]

1980 is when I saw ESB in the theater. I went with my parents and the line to the theater was down the block. I was afraid we wouldn't get in. But we did. The film was just beautiful on the big screen. ESB is my favorite move of all time. It was a magical time to be a kid and grow up with Star Wars in the 80s .

[@Sarlat6]

I saw this in 70 mm at the Park Theatre in London, Ontario in May 1980. So I guess we saw the original ending but over the years I’ve never noticed the difference. Thanks for the video.

[@chriskazanas9941]

I saw it in 70mm at the imperial theatre in Montreal. They were showing Star Wars and Empire as a double feature. I was 9 and I remember the lineup was around the block to get in

[@patrickc1792]

I watched ESB at the Imperial theatre also. I don't recall watching it as a double feature. IIRC, my father wanted to go see the movie there because the sound system was certified THX. Got there super early of a gray morning and got out of the theater, under the sunshine, being amazed at the lineup of people that lasted blocks and blocks (it could have been around the block, now that you're saying this, but I don't recall it that way).

[@woodybar16]

This was very interesting and well presented. Cheers

[@i-primeproductions1517]

Something like this happened to me after filming a short film “Zombie Resurrection.” I realized I needed a transition in a couple of places to fill the holes and had to call the actors back for a few more shots for to make sense. I’m so glad we did this because it made a huge difference.

[@thomasgoree7976]

Omg and I thought I knew almost everything about star wars. I didn't know that good video Junkman 👍

[@raedwulf61]

I saw it on 70mm the first weekend. No one was confused.

[@chriscarrete5303]

Wow... that I did not know. I love that extra shot of the the X-wing and Y-wings especially from that angle.

[@jimscott1607]

I was attending Georgia Tech (Atlanta) when Empire was released. I skipped classes the day it opened to stand in line to see the limited release 70mm with friends. Our spots in line just missed the first show, but got to see the second. Great memory. I wasn't confused by the ending at all.

[@fireonmytarget8937]

This is cool I never knew about this. Great vid Junkman.

[@druv2458]

I was no older than 4 and a half and I vividly remember watching this movie like it was yesterday. May the force be with you always

[@collegeman1988]

This story is mentioned in Blu-Ray commentary for Empire, but not the specific shots that were added to the film. Thanks for posting!

[@sandal_thong8631]

Makes me wonder if there were others. I heard they color-corrected Han on Hoth because he or his edges looked purple in this print.

[@lsd8497]

The moment the Falcon ignites the engines after detaching the transport ship is unique to me. The way the Falcon floats a bit before the actual ignition and the SOUND of the engines... Wow! Pure genius!

[@IMRROcom]

The strange part, we went to go see Empire the opening weekend on the Huge Screen when we were kids. When we got to watch it later at the local 6 plex movie house on a smaller screen it seemed different than before. But I just chalked that up to being a kid and having 1 too many refills of coke and needing to go to the bathroom at the end of the movie. Later on I watched it after the 3 movies came out on VHS and then again when on DVD or Blue ray and each time it was a little different. So is it do to the movies being changed over the years and not fully remembering opening weekend or did it really get changed?

[@batman8589]

One of the best memories of my childhood was watching Empire multiple times. I begged everyone in my family to take me & I got to watch it 4 times. It seems trivial now that Vader is Lukes father but at the time it was HUGE. Even that doesn’t capture the shock for my 9 year old mind.

[@LarryLeeMoniz]

Fantastic explanation! Thanks!

[@FernandoRaulAstrology]

I did not know this. Ty.

[@Mark-pr7ug]

Thanks for sharing 👍 I never knew that.

[@user-bx9be9zk1w]

The fact that Luke says “I’ll meet you at the rendezvous point on Tatooine.” Demonstrates that he is not on the Falcon and the new scenes were not needed at all. Guess George wanted to have some input on the movie seeing as he didn’t direct it and it is the best of the whole franchise.

[@ronjones1414]

I have known this for 43 years! I saw it when it opened and a few weeks later, I knew something had changed! Thank you, this has been in the back of my brain forever.

[@qwaurk985]

To me it seemed obvious Luke and Leia were on a big ship and not the Falcon.

[@ThatJunkman]

Yes hard to see it as we know. Hard to judge how it be the first time

[@MrChristopoop]

5 year old me almost shit himself when he saw the commercial for this on tv one evening in Florida. May have been a night when Battlestar or Buck Rogers was on. I immediately knew what it was and could not stop talking about it til we went to see it. Was only movie I remember as a really young kid that we went to a sit in theater. Every other thing was drive in style.

[@vernonsanders9696]

That was 6 year old me in 1977.

[@sandal_thong8631]

I don't remember the commercial for _Empire,_ but I do remember the commercial for _Flash Gordon_ with that sound by Queen: "Flash, ah-ah". Meanwhile "Another One Bites the Dust" was a favorite of mine at the time. Mom wouldn't take me to it and it was no good when I saw it years later. I wonder what it would have looked like if Lucas had got the rights (he wanted to) and made that instead of Star Wars?

[@MrChristopoop]

I saw Flash Gordon on TV (HBO maybe?) in 1982 or so. Since I was 8 it didn’t look horrible at the time, but definitely had a cheesy feel even then to me. Kind of like the “rack toy” of sci fi movies. I did like the soundtrack though, and when those hawk dudes did their attack in the air.

[@MrChristopoop]

I saw Flash Gordon on TV (HBO maybe?) in 1982 or so. Since I was 8 it didn’t look horrible at the time, but definitely had a cheesy feel even then to me. Kind of like the “rack toy” of sci fi movies. I did like the soundtrack though, and when those hawk dudes did their attack in the air.

[@MrChristopoop]

I saw Flash Gordon on TV (HBO maybe?) in 1982 or so. Since I was 8 it didn’t look horrible at the time, but definitely had a cheesy feel even then to me. Kind of like the “rack toy” of sci fi movies. I did like the soundtrack though, and when those hawk dudes did their attack in the air.

[@00xanawolf00]

Hearing the details, I agree with Lucas. That end shot of Luke, Leia, and C-3PO is perfect and still gives me the warm and fuzzies.

[@super8sooty]

That wasn't so bad as re cuts go. Bring my shuttle! That's the cut that ruined the end of The Empire Strikes Back. It killed the pacing DEAD!!

[@yosh_io]

That music still hits

[@djassassinuk]

Love the ident!

[@roblearned3674]

I wonder how Kirshner felt about this change! He was, after all, the director.

[@mtrich8113]

Kershner was Lucas's top instructor and mentor at UCLA and was the one that showed him films like "the Hidden Fortress" by Kurosawa. Just go and look at movies like HF or The Flash Gordon serials and you see all SW is modernization of style of filming. But the point being is Kushner I think would have just thought of it as a one-off cuz he didn't take anyway he just added a little more to it.

[@mtrich8113]

@Concord Dawn if you ask me Kurtz was just going along for the ride because they hit paydirt with the first movie and Lucas was becoming the Howard Hughes or Thomas Edison of film . Lucas didn't own Star Wars but Empire and ROTJ he did own and with his "Empire" lucasfilm he was able to do with the hell he wanted to do even if the film went past schedule or over budget, the only thing he used 20th Century Fox for was distribution and the rest is history.

[@white-dragon4424]

@@mtrich8113 You thoroughly underestimate Kurtz's contribution to the making of both ANH and ESB. For ESB he acted as second director and aid to Kershner. He wasn't just the money man.

[@philippealain6172]

@@white-dragon4424, Kurtz just helped shooting few scenes. He has never claimed to have had an artistic influence on Star Wars and rightly so.

[@philippealain6172]

@@mtrich8113, Lucas was the owner of the franchise. If he didn't own the first movie, he couldn't have demanded that only the modified version be released in HD. He has always been the only one to have the last word about the saga. In the series of books mentioned in the video, it is clearly explained that Lucas had many of the shots of the "Empire Strikes Back" changed, not just the ending. The ESB was out of budget because of Kurtz and Lucas thought he was in big trouble. That's why he didn't keep Kurtz for the next film. Kurtz claimed that he had a disagreement, which may have been true but not the real reason for his departure.

[@PictureHouseCinema]

It's just one of the greatest movies ever made whichever original version we saw. I was so glad I saw it on 35mm and with the film, "Black Angel" that was specially made to accompany Empire on its first release.

[@soylentteal]

Amazing that they pulled this off so quickly. I was 18 at the time and saw ESB ten times that summer and fall.

[@billhope2596]

Watching the original ending to Empire we can see Lucas' overboard tinkering mind in gear already. I mean from the way it was cut originally you could still understand the story, you got that the Falcon was somewhere close in the fleet to the frigate that Luke and Leia was on etc. I've always found it funny that with all the wasted time and money he's done tinkering with those three movies over the years he could've made I-III along with VII-IX.

[@sandal_thong8631]

I don't know what's wrong with him. Even if he was tired of Star Wars, he could have picked another movie serial genre like superhero and done Captain Marvel (a.k.a. Shazam). That's what he was best at since he did this and Indiana Jones.

[@AshGreen359]

Hmm in the original ending you see them watch the Falcon leave. Seemed clear enough to me

[@signedelacroix7213]

Good they did that work, it make me cry.

[@cmgsober72]

I seen the original trilogy back in the day I was 5 in 77 and its a movie experience I will never forget I do miss the original theatrical cuts

[@ubb262s]

Wow, I saw the original ending in 80, never thought twice about it till now and I've seen the revised edition years later but never paid that much attention ,thanks for setting it straight,.lol ,yrs later I always thought something felt different but never put two and two together

[@TrueSighted]

Funny enough, the one on the bottom reminds me of what I remember from the film, when I saw it as a kid. My father saw the original starwars in theater when it released, and I heard stories from him about it all the time. We also had versions on VHS for decades. Long before George Lucas remastered it. And we made it a family tradition to go see all new starwars films as soon as they were released. My dad died many years ago, but I remember going together with him, my mom, and my uncle; and all going to watch the new prequels in theaters together, and how much fun we all had. He lived long enough for us to see all three prequel films in theaters together, and then he passed on. At that time, there was never suppose to ever be sequel movies. George Lucas was adamant about that. Then Disney bought it, and low and behold, sequels were coming. I saw the sequels with my uncle. And while they were alright, they didn't have the same magic as they did inder George's direction. It was sad to see. My uncle died shortly after the last prequel. Luckly, John faverou got involved, and with his help, we got some new starwars additions that started to bring some of that magic back, via clone wars and then rebels, and then resistance and the mando verse, and the bad batch. I hope Ashoka, and the coming future titles stay true to course, and do not get twisted up by world politics the way the sequel trilogy did. As I want to see starwars be what I know it can be, and allow for the creation of memories for others the way it did for my family.

[@ThomasTiernan]

I worked at a theater showing the 70mm print for its entire run. There was no confusion at the end. No one said a thing. Lucas had already destroyed his narrative by then, so a few more seconds to clarify something crystal clear was typical of him.

[@johnd.obrien6838]

Are you referring to the original release in 1980, or the re-release of the Special Edition at the end of the 1990s? Because this change was done in 1980, during the FIRST release.

[@mark2020]

Wow I'm 57 years old and I do remember being confused when I saw that ending his a kid. We were at the Coronet theater in San Francisco, on Gery Boulevard. That was a single massive theater with the big screen with the original release. The theater fit a thousand people, and I do remember being confused. It was my most favorite movie but rotten ending. Thank you! It explains a lot.

[@1165mac]

I saw the opening weekend 70mm print in Houston. The dialogue between Luke and Lando and the the originally edited shots were clear enough for all of us in attendance to know that Lando and Chewie were commandeering the Falcon on their own. Even then Lucas was already suffering his inability to leave well enough alone.

[@allthingsnerd.4484]

I saw it on opening day in Atlanta at the theater in Phipps Plaza Mall... but I was 8 and honestly don’t recall whether I saw the 35mm or 70mm version/ending. I’d love to know but honestly all I remember is being shell shocked and horrified by that cliffhanger ending! I’d never seen a movie do that before and the 3 year wait til ROTJ was a lifetime.

[@shsrpr]

Well you might have seen it in 70mm then, since there's a comment above yours saying this: "@panelman84: A friend and I had skipped school to see it in 70mm at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta. We saw the first showing. The theater staff were handing out a white embossed souvenir folder with all of the cast and crew. I still have it. A long time ago......... "

[@mem1701movies]

Yet he NEVER had them add the radar dish to the Falcon when Luke first sees it and calls it “a piece of junk.”

[@joalltaeuber8065]

Saw a pulled cut in 80 at a military base cinema. The pulled shot had the Taun Taun running towards camera in snowfield, over and camera spins follows it running away. That was the only difference.

[@muddfoot69]

Wow this is cool, What a different time - I don’t even know how many times I went to the theatre to see this movie (ROTJ too)…these movies were an absolute event

[@tombutler6451]

Wow everyday is a school day! Fascinating stuff 😃

[@jcandram]

I see a lot of comments about how everyone was fine with the original 70mm .I’ve seen all the SW in theaters as a kid and watch them to death on VHS. When they did the special edition rerelease of the films and I watched back on the big screen. I had thought they CG in little details and added sounds all over. When re watching again on dvd back home I noticed minus the actual new footage that I was wrong about a lot of miss details. I goes to show that time and our memories have effects on our perceptions.

[@JLH111176]

it still showed where they were at, just at the end of the conversation instead of the beginning, even though I know now I don't think I would have be confused but can't know

[@zbdot73]

That's the first alteration to Star Wars I've ever seen which I actually support.

[@sandal_thong8631]

I think it was actually the first change to a Star Wars movie after it's release. The next change was adding "Episode IV: A New Hope" to the 1981 re-release of _Star Wars._ Watched a video the other day where people in the comments said they didn't rent Star Wars because they didn't want to start with episode 4.

[@karlvongazenberg8398]

3:12 That coffe cup print broke me :)

[@kthx1138]

Fascinating!