**In this lavish fortieth-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 movie--arguably
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treasures of previously unpublished interviews, photos, artwork, and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. Here's 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
craft--from 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 Oz's breathing life into
the breakthrough character Yoda
- the creation of the new, improved Industrial Light & 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.
