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Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition) | 
 enlarge | Director: Irvin Kershner
Actors: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $12.68
You Save: $7.30 (37%)
New (37) Used (17) Collectible (1) from $11.60
Avg. Customer Rating:  421 reviews
Sales Rank: 844
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 129
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.3
MPN: 2236383
UPC: 024543263838
EAN: 0024543263838
ASIN: B000FQJAJG
Theatrical Release Date: May 21, 1980
Release Date: September 12, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED! Original Retail purchase, exactly as shown! Nice clean shrinkwrap, price tag removed. Standard Shipping upgraded FREE to USPS 1ST Class!
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Product Description
For the first time ever and for a limited time only the enhanced versions of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi will be available individually on DVD. Plus these 2-Disc DVD's will feature a bonus disc that includes for the first time ever on DVD the original films as seen in theaters in 1977 1980 and 1983.System Requirements:Running Time: 127 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY Rating: PG UPC: 024543263838 Manufacturer No: 2236383
Amazon.com
The 2006 limited-edition two-disc release of The Empire Strikes Back is not only the first time the movie has been officially available by itself on DVD. It marks the first-ever DVD release of Empire as it originally played in theaters in 1980. What does that mean exactly? The film is without the various "improvements" and enhancements George Lucas added for the theatrical rerelease in 1997 as well as the DVD premiere in 2004. So no more of Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor) replacing Clive Revill with slightly revised lines, or Temuera Morrison rerecording of Boba Fett's minimal dialogue. What do you lose by watching the 1980 version? Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sound, for one thing (only 2.0 Surround here), and digital cleanup. But for home-theater owners, the biggest frustration will be from the non-anamorphic picture. On a widescreen TV, an anamorphically enhanced (16x9) picture at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio will fill the screen with the exception of small black bars on the top and bottom. The original edition of Empire, however, on a widescreen TV will have large black bars on the top, the bottom, and the sides unless you stretch the picture (and distort it in the process, especially considering the substandard picture quality). If you're watching on a standard square-shaped (4:3) TV, though, you won't notice a difference. Yes, it's true that serious home-theater lovers who want spectacular sound and anamorphically enhanced picture can always watch the 2004 version of the movie also included in this set. But chances are good that they already picked up the trilogy edition of all three films, so their decision to buy the 2006 two-disc edition depends on how much they want the original film. The official LucasFilm stance is that this is an individual release of the 2004 version of The Empire Strikes Back, and the 1980 version of the film is merely a "bonus feature." Common speculation is that the only reason the original versions are seeing the official light of day at all is to undercut the booming black market for the laserdisc version. Star Wars fans will have to decide for themselves if that's worth the purchase. --David Horiuchi
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| Customer Reviews: Read 416 more reviews...
 The force is strong with this one . . . August 8, 2008
As far as the letterbox format, just pop the ZOOM function of your remote for instant full screen. It won't be the first dvd Ive had to do this for. Many times I buy dvds off the shelf so quick, I overlook the format until I get home. So what. My fault, but Im not going to crucify Lucas productions for what it clearly states. And alot of people expect way, way too much from Lucas productions in the first place. Remember, it is only a movie, not a Matisse. Anyway, Lucas is already getting ready for his next step, with television, and animated CLONE WARS August 15th. Later he plans to reissue STAR WARS saga in 3D. That should be something, and perhaps it will heal the hurt of these fallen fans who want so much, for less than twenty bucks. So, fasten your seat belt, it's going to be a bumpy space ride!
As for The Empire Strikes Back, it is the Bach of the Star Wars saga, with little Yoda at his ultimate best, friendliest, and wisest. The effects are nothing short of dazzling, and who knows how many times I have purchased and listened to the full soundtrack, from beginning to end. A feat not accomplised by any other Star Wars movie to my ears. For all the pitifully claimed downfalls, I can only wish more producers would get off thier chairs and come to grips with what cinema is all about, pure entertainment, and music.
I only find amusement at the new touch ups and editions, and if you were a real hardcore Star Wars fan, you would have never let go the true first editions in the first place.
The best of the six. June 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm finding it kind of hard to review the best Star Wars film.
What do I say? Where do I begin?
It's bigger, better and superior to A New Hope in every way.
Vader, who barely had a small presence in A New Hope, truly takes over in this installment.
Vader........gotta love him. The red lightsaber, the black outfit, the eternal voice of James Earl Jones.
Am I a fanboy?
Yup.
I can't believe there are people out there that haven't seen this movie.
Non stop action from start to finish, and the lightsaber battle between Luke and Vader still amazes.
I didn't care for some of the changes Lucas made to the original three. But, it is his creation and he is free to do with it as he pleases. It doesn't mean he should.
This is easily the best of the six and no home should be without a copy.
I'll review each one but here's my order and why.
Empire Strikes Back - The best.
Revenge of the Sith - The best of the new three.
Return of the Jedi - Loved the movie, hated the teddy bears.
Phantom Menace - Darth Maul, need I say more?
A New Hope - Ground Breaking but dragged in too many places.
Attack of the Clones - UUGH!!!!!!
What a nice gift! June 3, 2008
This dvd made a great gift! I gave it to my boyfriend who's a big "Star Wars" fan. The only likes the original versions, so this made the perfect gift. He was so happy to finally be able to watch the original " Star Wars" movies on our flat screen tv in widescreen format.
"Yoda, You Seek Yoda" May 26, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The year '80 marked the release of the highly anticipated second installment of the Luke Skywalker trilogy, `Star Wars - The Empire Strikes Back'. Not too surprisingly with all the money the first film made for George Lucas he had loads of capital to spend making Part II one of those rare cinematic occurrences where the sequel exceeds the original. Most obvious amongst the improvements were the astonishing special effects and the fleshing out of the main characters personalities adding texxture and substance to their interaction and thought processes.
However the most fascinating and imaginative addition to the storyline was the marvelous little Jedi Master Yoda. The sequences with Yoda and Luke on Dagobath are inventive and profound. It's the presence of this enchanting little green warrior with big ears that make the film for me.
My Rating: Yoda makes this a -5 Star- film for me. Why you ask? To quote the Jedi Master, "There is no why."
The ultimate Star Wars film March 26, 2008
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is by far my favorite movie of all time. Once again, I prefer the 2004 version to the 1980, or even the 1997 version of the film, even though I grew up loving the 1980 version. This is the film where the ultimate villian, Darth Vader, shows his true might. If someone fails Vader, he kills them. Love it! This is the film for every fan of Darth Vader. Of course the 1980 version of the film is not in anamorphic widescreen, and is only presented in 2.0 sound. While this might anger people, it does state that these are unaltered. Presenting it in anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 sound would require that the films be altered to present them that way.
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